Prince Albert by Pat Boyd

The Beef Supper at Prince Albert United Church is Sunday, Oct. 30, with sittings at 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $6 for kids 12 and under and free for pre-schoolers. Phone Linda McMillan at 905-985-3143 to reserve your tickets.
_On another note, Linda says that the quota for pie orders has nearly been reached far ahead of the cut-off date of Nov. 4. If you have not put in your order for these homemade apple pies, you had better do it very soon.
_To order your pies, call Linda at 905-985-3143. Pies must be picked up at the church between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Nov. 7, 8, 14, 15 or 21.
_The Prince Albert Talent Auction on Friday, Nov. 18, is just over one month away.
_There is still time to decide on your talent and be ready for the evening.
_I am pleased to report that Clive is now home from the hospital, resting comfortably and slowly recovering.
_Thursday evening’s euchre winners at the community centre were Joyce Norrish, Aileen Dawson, Myrtle Gimblet, Ethel Smith, Heidi Kreig and Barb Evans.

Blackstock by Joyce Kelly

What a beautiful weekend for Thanksgiving. The weather seemed much more like July 1 than October. Hope the many, many family gatherings were full of fun, good food and fellowship.
_The Ontario Fair season ended for most of Ontario with Erin, Simcoe and Norwood fairs all enjoying tremendous weather. Next week concludes with Walkerton and, later in November, the Royal Winter Fair.
_On Saturday, Oct. 29, Blackstock Fair will be hosting the District 4 annual meeting with a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. program. Anyone interested in fairs is encouraged to attend this special meeting. There is no charge to be part of the program and to see the wonderful selection of prize quilts,. Lunch is $10.
_Wasn’t it amazing how quickly those hundreds of election signs disappeared after Thursday’s election? Most of them were gone well before the deadline. Well done! What a disgraceful turnout of voters in the election. People in so many parts of the world would give so much for the opportunity to vote, which so many here do not appreciate. If you didn’t vote, you do not have the opportunity to complain in any way until the next election. You have lost that privilege.
_Of special interest to this area was the announcement last week of the large donation from the Norm and Jessie Dysart Foundation to the new Cancer Centre at the Peterborough hospital. Norm and Jessie grew up and attended school here in Blackstock and enjoyed very successful teaching careers. Unfortunately, both lost their lives to cancer. What a tribute to their generosity.
_The fall 4-H Club, ‘Home for the Holidays,’ will start on Monday, Oct. 17. The meeting will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Blackstock United Church. Club members will learn about some Halloween and Christmas traditions, make crafts and do some cooking to celebrate these holidays. The club is open to boys and girls ages nine to 21 as of Jan. 1, 2011. The membership fee for 2011 is $60, along with a supply charge of $60. To pre-register, call leaders Gail Johns at 905-986-4484 or Tallya Moore at 905-985-8370.
_On Sunday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m., St. John’s Anglican Church will present the North Country Gospel choir from Lindsay. Tickets are $10 at the door. What a great opportunity!
_There were 11 tables at the Tuesday evening euchre with the following winners: Harold Crawford (95), Heidi Kreig, Sarah Brunton, Keith VanCamp, Audrey Middleton and Eileen Dolby (low). Special prizes were won by Elmo Gibson, Don Geer, Tom Sutherland and Heidi Kreig.
_If you have news items for this column, please leave a message at 905-986-4257 before Monday morning.

Epsom & Utica by Shari Kerry

Congratulations to Travis MacSween and Kerrie Haseman, who were married at the Ajax Convention Centre a couple of weeks ago. The happy couple headed to PEI to visit Doug’s mom and the rest of the MacSween family. They will continue to live in Utica.
_Please be reminded that the greeters for the month of October are Ann Joyner and Arnis Pukitis, Arnold and Gail Kerry, Ericka Wilson and Danielle Collins. This also means you need to take up the offering as well as greeting.
_There will be a Wagon Pumpkin Ride at Willowtree Farm Market on Oct. 16, at 2 pm. For $5, you will take a wagon ride back to the pumpkin patch where you can pick a pumpkin, and all the money will go to the Watoto goat project.
_There is a church board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Epsom.
_A Colours Workshop will be held at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at Goodwood Church. Lunch is included. Please call Elaine Lush for more details.
_Next Sunday is the Women’s Institute Car Rally. Registration begins at noon at Epsom Church, with a 1 p.m. start.
_There will be a Family Halloween Dance on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Utica Hall, starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought ahead of time from Allison Ashton for $5 a person or $15 a family. There will be hotdogs, snacks and drinks for purchase. A silent auction with items for adults and children is just one of the many fun activities. Costumes aren’t mandatory, but prizes will be awarded. Donations of silent auction items would be appreciated. For more information, call Julia Fraser at 905-862-2373, Elaine Pratt at 905-982-0235 or Allison Ashton at 905-852-2388.

Greenbank by Mary Jean Till

What an awesome weekend of weather with soaring temperatures, sunny skies and autumn colours everywhere. Hope your Thanksgiving time was special.
_Congratulations to newlyweds Leanne Layzell and David Carnaghan, who were married Saturday, Oct. 8, at Greenbank United Church.
_Congratulations also to Jenna Leask and Grant Cooke, who were wed Oct. 1 at the Uxbridge Historical Centre and have moved into their new Greenbank home on Pearl Dr.
_The Folk Music Society starts the season this Saturday, Oct. 15, at Greenbank Hall, with entertainers ‘Sheesham and Lotus.’ For tickets, call 905-985-8351.
_The Greenbank Hall Halloween party for children up to eight years of age will be hosted by the Greenbank Lions on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please phone 905-985-3723 or e-mail [email protected] with the names and ages of the children attending and the number of adults with them.
_The Halloween Dance at the Greenbank Hall on Oct. 29 has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales.
_The Bethesda Reach Women’s Institute will host its Fourth Annual Car Rally on Oct. 16, with departure at 1 p.m. from the Epsom Church parking lot. Registration begins at noon. The cost is $25 per car. A light lunch will be served as cars complete the event (freewill donation). For information, call Kathleen at 905-852-3394 or Anna at 705-357-2957. Proceeds to local service projects.
_Wick Presbyterian Church is holding two events in support of the church. The Wick Fall Colours Run/Walk, (1k, 2k, 5k) is Oct. 15. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with the run starting at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $20 per person or $40 per family. Friday, Oct. 21, is the Wick Presbyterian Church Beef Supper, with sittings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Adults are $15 and children under 10 years are $5. Call 705-357-3704 for tickets.

Church News
Susan and Harry Nixon welcomed all to a lovely, meaningful Thanksgiving service. The humorous clip ‘The Mississippi Squirrel Revival,’ a PowerPoint presentation and bubble throwers were part of the children’s story. Ministry in Music offered by the Senior Choir was ‘My Tribute,’ and featured soloist Hugh Baird.
_Pauline Reed’s Minute for Mission was about of the many who are needy and hungry worldwide. Pauline spoke about the Epsom contribution to Canada Food Grains, and other givings that offer some relief.
The message was about being thankful, especially for life.

Upcoming events...
-Non-perishable food items are being collected for the Operation Scugog Food Bank throughout the month of October.
-Oct. 15 - Men’s Breakfast Group will meet at 9 a.m. at the (former TicToc) Roadside Country Restaurant, Hwy. 12.
-Oct. 23 - Soup and Sandwich Luncheon after church. This is a UCW fundraiser in support of two foster children, so a donation would be appreciated. A short gathering (1 p.m. to 2 p.m.) is called by the Ministry and Personnel Committee following the luncheon. All are invited to attend.
_To contact Rev. Paul Moorhouse, please call 905-985-7766.

Seagrave by Robin Drew & Jean Short

What a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend! I hope everyone was able to enjoy all the beautiful sunshine, the beautiful fall colours and the delicious food that was prepared for us this past weekend.
_On this Thanksgiving Sunday, Bill and Penny Short took their aunt and uncle, Jean and Ross Short, to Pickering, where they enjoyed a sumptuous feast at the home of Bonnie and Cyril Steinsky.
_Happy 35th wedding anniversary on Oct. 16 to Len and Cherie Wall of Sun Valley.
_On Friday evening, the Jolly 10 gathered at the home of Ivan Macmillan and Donna Sweetman for their bi-monthly dinner. In attendance were the Galleas, Grants, Shorts and Sturmans.
_Ross and Jean Short attended a 50th wedding anniversary tea in Newmarket on Saturday in honour of Nora (Stone) and John Groves.
_Keith and Dianne Puckrin entertained her sister Eileen Carter from Florida and Eileen’s daughter Cheryl Vanier from Texas last week.
_Betty Somerville thanked all those who supported her in the recent provincial election. She and Len celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary during the campain.

Seagrave Church News
Donna Wanamaker greeted the congregation as they arrived in the sanctuary after enjoying coffee hour.
_Celebrating birthdays this week are Glenda Hutcheon (Oct. 8) and Ken Sturman (Oct. 11).

Coming events...
-Oct. 15 - Wick Fall Colours Run/Walk. Registration 9 am. to 9:30 a.m. Run/Walk stars at 9:30 a.m.
_Entry fee is a $20 donation per person or $40 donation per family in support of Wick Presbyterian Church. Light refreshments will be served.
-Oct. 16 - Fourth Annual Car Rally at Epsom United Church. 1 p.m. departure. $25 per vehicle. For more information call Kathleen at 905-852-3394 or Anna at 705-357-2957.
-Oct. 13 - Opening the Doors to Spirituality Bible Study at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome.
-Oct. 24 - Mission Team meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Seagrave Church.
-Nov. 2 - Seagrave United Church Annual Turkey Supper! For more information or for tickets, call Ken Sturman at 905-985-7778.

Many thanks to those who help to make this column possible. Please call 905-985-9921 or e-mail [email protected] or [email protected] if you have news to share.

Caesarea by Eleanor Colwell

Euchre scores for Thursday, Oct. 6, were as follows: high score - 1) H. Crawford, 2) D. Trunks, 3) L. Edgerton, 4) B. Kirven, 5) E. Nelson; most lone hands - H. Crawford; and low score - M. Suggitt. Seven full tables of euchre players enjoyed the night. See you all on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
_On Thursday, Oct. 27, at noon, Caesarea Church will be hosting a Soup and Roll Lunch, free of charge. Everyone is invited.

Blackstock and District Lions
Our Lions are organizing a first ever information night on Mental Health Awareness. There is no charge for this evening at the Blackstock Recreation Centre, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
_This is an opportunity for the community to hear from the experts, and ask questions to get the responses they need. There will also be resources available at no charge. Refreshments will be served.
_We’re looking forward to serving our community through this venture. Everyone is welcome.

Scugog Island by Jeanne C. Le Saux

The after-school Homework Club for the children of the First Nation started on Monday, Oct. 3.
_It will run two nights a week for those who need a little extra help with their school work, projects, etc. And it won’t be all work. From what I’ve heard, there will be a bit of fun to be had as well!
_Last Wednesday, Good Shepherd held its Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. The children were well fed and quite happy about the meal!
_Thanks to Mrs. Elliott for making the cupcakes. I do believe they delighted in the the treat!
_The children have settled into the school year and, as always, Good Shepherd continues with its food drive to help those in need. Your continued support is appreciated.
_Call to worship this Thanksgiving Sunday was called by Jan Gerrow and Peggy Lalond. Thanks to Jan Gerrow and Peggy Lalond for conducting the service. Thanks also to Carol Wilson for providing the refreshments following the service for fellowship and coffee hour.
_Oct. 16 is Anniversary Service with special guests the Rev. Michael Bishop and Rev. Ken Bishop, who will bring their puppet friends. Musical guests will be the Senior Citizens’ Choir.
_Men’s Drop-in Coffee continues on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
_The Official Board Meeting will take place on Monday, Oct. 27.
_Sunday, Oct. 16, is Toonie Raffle Sunday. Don’t forget your toonies.
_Sunday, Dec. 11, is the Irwin Smith Concert at 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
_If you have a prayer concern or need pastoral care, please complete a form at the rear of the church or call 905-985-4094.
_Happy birthday to Liam Fenton, Michael Woodcock, Mike Dick (Oct. 10), Justice Chenier, Marc Marsden and Linda Brown (Oct. 12), Patricia Le Saux (Oct. 13), Lynn Ewing (Oct. 14), Jacob Kozlinsky and anyone I may have missed.
_I can be reached by phone at 905-985-7662, by fax at 905-985-5398 or by e-mail at [email protected].