Purple Grove news

Happy Canada Day! Celebrations were well-attended throughout the area and the fireworks were fantastic no matter where you got to see them! We are so blessed to call this country home!

The Kincardine Scottish Festival drew crowds to Kincardine, with a wonderful weekend of celebration there too! Congratulations to the organizing committee, volunteers and participants! Thanks for a great weekend!

The Dungannon Pro Rodeo was also on the weekend, There was no shortage of great horsemanship and bull-riding events. Several from the area attended, including the Farrell grandchildren who enjoyed the show very much!

Lots of other family celebrations were happening over the past few weeks. Congratulations to Jenny MacDonald and Brent Guay who were married in June! Happy Wedding Anniversary to Murray and Sarah Lotton, Loretta and Kevin Smith, and Chris and Julie Davey.

Also Happy Belated Birthday to Lucille Fischer, Edna Stewart, and Sarah Farrell, and Happy Birthday to Holly Ryman next Saturday.

Congratulations to all our graduates from Grade 8 and high school, especially Jack Cronshaw, recipient of the Janet Browne Music Award. It was a pleasure to attend the ceremonies and watch these young people graduate.

Congratulations to Todd Thompson who received a King Charles III Coronation Medal at the ceremony last week, hosted by Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson! Congratulations to all the recipients - our community is certainly blessed by all the ventures you support with your time and talents!

The Finnie and Gossell families have welcomed a wee granddaughter, Lainey Jayne Finnie, July 2. First-time parents, Brandon and Sara (Gossell) Finnie were showing her off to family members over the weekend.

Looking forward to the Ripley Reunion gearing up - check on-line for the events - school reunions, great bands and food, golf tournament and parades. The website is www.ripleyreunion.ca - The Ground We Grew Up On!

Organizers of the Ripley Reunion Church Service are seeking people to join in with the choir for Aug. 3, at St. Andrew's United Church. Choir practices will be July 13, 20, and 27 at 12:30 p.m., and Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. Rev. Cathy Hird is the guest speaker and Susan Ryman will be joining us for music.

RIPLEY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The Ripley Agricultural Society is sponsoring a chicken dinner on the Saturday night of the Ripley Reunion, Aug. 2, from 4:30-7 p.m., at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre. Dine-in or take-out! Half- chicken dinner, potato, bun, coleslaw, beans and cookie at a cost of $35. Tickets are available now at Pollock Electric or can be purchased at Reunion Central, July 16, July 19, July 23 and July26. Contact person is James MacDonald jmac@hurontel.on.ca. See you there!

If you are interested in a commercial concession space at the 2025 Ripley-Huron Fall Fair, complete the application form at ripleyfair.ca/assets/docs/ccp.pdf and E-mail to: kevin.falconer77@gmail.com. Note if you are a business or non-profit organization on the application form. Applications will be reviewed and you will receive notification via E-mail.

Grade 5 student Kieran Farrell will have his artwork on the front cover of the 2025 Homecraft Exhibit Book. His prize will be a midway wristband for the fall fair. Congratulations, Kieran! The homecraft advanced list is available on-line at ripleyfair.ca/.../ADVANCED-Ripley-Huron_Fall_Fair....

Class 1 Exhibit Information: There will not be any crops judged in the field for the fall fair. There will be judging only of the exhibits entered in competition at the fair in September. Any questions, contact Spencer Harris 519-525-2022

PINE RIVER WATERSHED INITIATIVE NETWORK (PRWIN)

PRWIN welcomed dignitaries, dedicated past and present directors, community sponsors, and invaluable volunteers at its 25^th anniversary celebration recently.

The organization has a deep-rooted interest in conservation and taking care of the Pine River watershed. PRWIN has installed 21 berms (water and sediment control basins), 12 livestock crossings, and completed five bank restorations.

It has also planted more than 364,000 trees (windbreaks, riparian areas, reforestation), installed 24 kilometres of livestock exclusion fencing, four nitrate filters, established a pollinator garden and improved seven wetland areas. The Potted Tree Ash Replacement Program has offered shoreline residents 190 mature potted trees.

PRWIN would not be where it is today without its community sponsors, past/present directors’ leadership and dedication to the vision of “Clean water and a healthy eco-system within the Pine River watershed.”

Discover nature at the McLarty Centre - with its scenic trails – trail system with two wetland areas, photography, outdoor classroom, educational housing, wildlife-viewing, bird-watching, and just a spot to relax and unwind in nature. The area is an opportunity for local youth organizations, environmental groups, individuals, and families to explore nature in the local environment.

Plan your visit today! To schedule an outdoor experience, send an E-mail to pineriverwin@yahoo.ca.

The Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program is a cost-sharing program that provides funding to agricultural landowners in Ontario who undertake habitat creation, enhancement, and protection measures to support species at risk. It encourages farmers to implement best management practices that benefit these species, addressing habitat loss and other threats.

The program intake is now open. You can receive up to $20,000 per project in cost-share funding to support species at risk. For more information, send an E-mail to pineriverwin@yahoo.ca or to submit your application, visit rebrand.ly/p6wtxi4T.