Jack's 1st Birthday

Jack Ryan celebrated his 1st birthday this past weekend. And what a party! Can we remember everyone: here goes (besides Mom, Dad, Matthew, Nana, Poppa) - his Vuvu and Vuvo Ferreira; Mindy's Anna and Jake, and Sarah's youngest Max; Peter and Adrienne and their sons Ian and month old Eric, Keltie and her son Tyler; Paul and Stephanie Brussulo and twins Maya and Daniel; Auntie V(anessa); Laura; Ruth; Mario and girlfriend Maria; Louie and Connie, and who did I miss - and Minnie Mouse of course! Our little star did himself proud with the cake his talented Mom made. In fact we have a couple little videos showing just how much.

NOTL Peach Festival and Pie Contest

What a competition this year! I can truthfully say we finished in the top ten (and yes.....you guessed it), but neither of us took home the ribbon, trophy, money, nada this year. We don't consider ourselves losers however, just unsuccessful entrants.

The controversary about my entering had gotten quite heated I must say. The general consensus was that it was a lose-lose situation. If the beginner's luck rule held and I managed a highly unlikely win in pie making, it would not be happy times on the marriage front. If I should lose.....well, I would lose.

Still, ignoring all criticism and good sense, I plunged ahead. My pie looked pretty good (I thought), and did taste somewhat like a peach pie, but....honestly.....Norah's is much better, despite my having a secret ingredient I was sure would flavour-zap the judges' palates....icewine! No such luck.

Ah well....probably worked out best in the end. Tonight we celebrate! I don't have to sleep in the garden shed, and we enjoyed the leftover pies, and sangria, with our neighbours. Isn't retirement fun!

Orchard Square Annual Golf Day

The latest Orchard Square Annual Golf Day was a success as usual. There were 30 golfers, and with spouses, some 38 for the BBQ afterward. Larry Street and his team (Dani, Norah, Tom, Mearl and Gerry) put it all together, and Barb and Gerry Brand hosted the after-golf BBQ. Many, many prizes were handed out to many, many players and teams. Like all other years past, of course, I was not one of the lucky (or talented) ones. Norah managed to get something of course, although this year she did NOT get the ladies longest drive award. She claims that she would have felt terrible if she had won it 3 years running.......okaaay!

Some of the results, if I can remember who is who:
Best Overall Team Score-----------John Hinchley, Moira McEachern, Tom Holly
Ladies' Longest Drive--------------Dani Street
Men's Longest Drive --------------Larry Street
Ladies' Closest to the Pin----------Sue Holly
Men's Closest to the Pin...................John Hinchley
Yellow Ball Challenge--------------Bob Cheriton, Jane Eaton, Norah
Mystery Hole Lowest Score--------Bill McEachern, Barb Brand, Tom Thornton

Lots of photos

The Big Storm by ireporter Norah

The big storm was a brief but summer doozy. I was out for my daily walk around town and stopped down by the lake (without camera of course) to watch the storm coming across the lake. When the count between lightning flashes and thunderclaps got to about 5 I headed home, in the car fortunately. Norah was there to 'umbrella me' into the house (isn't she the sweetest!!!), and was quick thinking enough to have taken some photos of the storm before I got home. We love a good thunderstorm and this one certainly was right up our alley.