​Purple Grove news

PURPLE GROVE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Wednesday, the Purple Grove W.I. met at the home of Fran Farrell for the January meeting with a potluck lunch. Everything was delicious and nutritious and the conversation was sparked with recipes, winter travel adventures, catching up from Christmas, and sage advice!

Marilyn Reid called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. The group reviewed the last meeting and an update on the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) annual meeting held virtually Tuesday evening, from a summary by Bren de Leeuw. Fran is now officially the Western Regional board director for Grey-Bruce and Simcoe, Cheryl Sullivan is FWIO president and Linda Bates is president elect.

The group shared the confirmation that its Tweedsmuir Project, submitted to the Ripley Reunion Committee for a grant, was accepted and the ladies look forward to that presentation at the Ripley Family Day weekend! The W.I. will be setting up some days to especially work on updating, collecting and working on the Tweedsmuir history.

The financial report was given and plans were discussed for visiting members who haven't been at meetings lately.

The Roll Call was, "Have you blown your New Year's resolutions yet?" which was answered with members and guests and it seems as if some of us are intent on not making resolutions that we have no intention of keeping anyway! And others are trying to do more walking, reading some good books and getting together more with family and friends.

Everyone contributed to the program with jokes, readings, updates on the recycling programs in our area and suggestions for meeting speakers and events.

The ladies enjoyed having "speedy auctioneer" Dianne Simpson go to work at encouraging them to buy some treasures from the contributions of auction items - one man's trash is another's treasure!

The next meeting is Feb. 4, at 1:30 p.m., in the social room at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre, with speaker Christine Roberts on Butterflies. Roll call is your favourite butterfly and wear something red. Everyone is welcome!

RIPLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

All are welcome to attend the Ripley Agricultural Society's annual, Monday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m., at the Ripley-Huron Legion.

The organization is also sponsoring a skate time, Jan. 31, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., and looking forward to the Ripley Winter Carnival weekend where it is hosting the Costume Skate and Ice Painting!

March 28, the society is hosting a Sourdough Class from 9-11 a.m., and a Fermentation Class from 1:30-4 p.m., with chef Connor Flynn, the Preserving Chef, at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.  You must register for these classes separately and the links are on the society's Facebook page.