​Purple Grove news

Lots of birthdays to celebrate this month: Leanne Smith, Diane Clifford, Margo Middelkamp, Rick Cliffe, Karol Batty, Dave Brown, Dave Farrell and Jeff Goertzen!

Happy Wedding Anniversary to Diane and Arnie Clifford, Feb. 15.

Welcome to Purple Grove - Dan and Angela on the 12th of Huron.

The Ripley Winter Carnival weekend was well-attended and there was lots of fun for families. Friday night's costume skate, hosted by the Ripley Agricultural Society and Ripley Lions Club, saw a good crowd despite the sudden snowstorm that moved in just about then! Saturday morning, the pancakes were piled high and the syrup was delicious! Farhope Farms brought the team of horses and plenty of people enjoyed a horse-drawn sleigh ride.



Jim Farrell of Farhope Farms drives the team of horses, "Babe and Ten," as they take a group of passengers on a horse-drawn sleigh ride at the Ripley Winter Carnival, Saturday; a great day, perfect weather and lots of fun; photos by Fran Farrell


 

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Thank you to the Ripley Reunion committee for supporting many local organizations, teams, and clubs, with donations from the proceeds of last summer's reunion.

Sunday, Feb. 15, was National Flag Day in Canada and recognized the 61st anniversary of our red-and-white maple leaf flag being raised on Parliament Hill.

The third Sunday of February is also World Whale Day which celebrates whales and raises awareness about their ecological influence on our eco-systems and the threats to their existence. This day was first adopted in Maui, Hawaii, as conservation organizations recognized awareness about the recovery of humpback whales.

A few clearer days and we're hoping to see some snowy owls around the area.

Hope everyone had a great Family Day, Monday; and it's Pancake Tuesday this week!

RIPLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The Homecraft Advanced List is now available on our website at ripleyfair.ca/. Books are also available at Pollock Electric and Country Depot. Thank you to Lisa Courtney and Joyce Osborne for the time and effort they put into compiling this list and for volunteering their time to complete it.

There are still some spots left for the Fermentation Course, March 28, from 1:30-4 p.m., at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Link to register: docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfbnYsKNyQ.../viewform....

We’re also hosting “Once Upon a Time,” an event where the cutest princesses and princes will decorate crowns, cookies, and meet a special guest. Tickets are available at Pollock Electric in Ripley.