Purple Grove news

Hurray, our students had a whole week of classes this week! According to some people, a week ago Friday was Day 26 of snow days! A winter to remember for sure and, hopefully, the weather will be a little kinder to us here in southwestern Ontario when spring is less than three weeks away/1

Happy Birthday greetings go out to quite a few folks with Purple Grove connections: Rick Cliffe, Carmon Courtney, and John Farrell on Feb. 23. Also, Kelly MacGillivray, Ella Edwards, Curtis Lotton, Gabrielle Smith, Dave Wray, David Farrell and Jeff Goertzen had their birthdays this past week. Another trip around the sun!

Our sympathy is extended to the family of Peggy and Bob Taylor – great friends and neighbours, co-workers and active volunteers in our local organizations. A Celebration of Life was held Saturday, March 1, at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, with many cherished memories shared about this couple. The event was live-streamed for those who could not attend due to the blowing and drifting snow, and closure of Highway 21.

We also remember Nancy Walden of Lucknow and the kind and generous person she was to her family and friends.

Congratulations to the organizers of the Kincardine Coldest Night of the Year fund-raiser last weekend! Thank you to those who contribute in any way to help these programs work for everyone. Donations are still being accepted until the end of March. We are all called to help each other; it's just a better way to live.

A few community members helped tie some more quilts at St. Andrew's United Church Thursday of last week. We're looking forward to the Pancake Supper, Tuesday, March 4, from 5-7 p.m., at St. Andrew's United Church.

The Purple Grove Women's Institute meeting is set for Wednesday, March 5, at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre at 1:30 p.m. Roll Call is “How do you relieve stress?” Amy Nesbitt, personal trainer and yoga instructor, is our guest speaker and we look forward to learning some techniques to
help our bodies function more effectively. Come join us in the social room. Everyone is welcome!

Last weekend, the Ripley Agricultural Society sent its fall fair ambassador Brianna Pointon-Yungblut, Jessica Yungblut, Stephanie Farrell, Tracey Robinson and president Kevin Falconer to the Ontario Association of  Agricultural Societies Convention in Toronto. What a great experience for everyone! It's been 25 years since Bev Fry was OAAS Homecraft Division president. She was able to attend the convention and reconnect with many friends. The ambassadors were busy making new friends and learning how to square dance - sounds like a great time! CNE ambassador Hannah MacDonald of Ripley was also leading some sessions for the ambassador program.