A beautiful funeral service was held on Friday at St. Alphonsus Church in Chapeau for Jerome Sallafranque. The mass was celebrated by our bishop Guy Durocher with Fr. Moyle and Fr. Beachey in attendance. I will miss Jerome’s calls. He faithfully reminded me of all the Sallafranque birthdays and anniversaries.

This past week CTV News interviewed Barry W. Ranger of Hammond, Ontario, formerly of Nichabau, Que. His home is located east of Ottawa and it is described as the house of heavy metal with . . .

Barry as its resident rock star. His home stands out in his community. Recycled nuts, bolts, screws and gears are creatively welded together to form towering sculptures of dragons, birds and military medics. His unique pieces of art are one of a kind. Barry is a third-generation metal worker. His grandfather, William Henry Ranger was a blacksmith whom he lived beside growing up. He visited his shop often. His father Cyril was a welder and mechanic at Portage Mill. A full-time welding supervisor at work, Barry’s been watching sparks fly for 35 years. He builds everything with recycled metal parts, typically destined for scrap. He has said, “I can’t draw to save my life but, if I can see it in my head, I can make it.” He also creates whimsical and enduring pieces of art for any space. To see more of his work, visit https://ranger-metal-arts.com/

Birthday greetings and best wishes go out to Iris Fleury on Feb. 17, to Tim Doyle on Feb. 19, to Emmett Sullivan on Feb. 21 and Kathy Kelly of Elmira, Ont., on Feb. 22. Happy sixth birthday to Noah Demers of Hudson Bay Road, Sheenboro.