Our community was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Michel Pepin, who passed away suddenly at home on June 27 at the age of 54. Mass will be held July 8 at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Vinton at 11 a.m. Interment at the parish cemetery.

I was busy all week with my aunt Betty Mayhew. She had to have a cataract removed in Ottawa on Wednesday but we had to go down the day before for a pre-op. So, we spent Tuesday and Wednesday night at my cousin Freda Dupuis’. But as luck would have it, aunt Betty ended up with pressure behind her eye and she had to get special drops.

We had to stay an extra day in Metcalfe and see the doctor again Friday morning. The extra drops worked and her pressure was back down and she got a clean bill of health to come home. She was very happy that everything turned out okay.

My cousin Earl Mayhew’s wife, Betty Findlay, had to have a hip replacement a few weeks ago. Unfortunately she has had nothing but trouble and had to have three operations since. She is still not out of the woods and the doctors are keeping a close eye on her. We wish her a complete and speedy recovery.

My next door neighbour Shirley Pepin who underwent a knee replacement is doing remarkably well. It has been four weeks since her surgery and she’s just rearing to get outside into her flowerbeds and get some weeding done. She has great determination and a great spirit. Glad to see you doing so well Shirley.

I had a wonderful Canada day weekend. On Saturday I went to Sharon Crawford’s and had supper with her and spent the night. We had a great time playing cards with Stinger and Jen. The next day Bruce Hodgins dug out a couple of hostas and put them in my truck so I could take them home and find a good spot for them. They were so large they took up the whole back end of my truck.

The next day, Cheryl Mayhew and her boyfriend Denis from Manotick, Ont. spent the day with me. I made them a nice lasagna supper with upside down pineapple cake for dessert. We spent the whole afternoon talking and sharing recipes.

My garden is looking promising. Most everything came up except I have to replant my beets and arugula. It makes me so happy to see everything growing.

The hummingbirds have been feeding up very heavy in the last few weeks because it’s so cold at night. They have been emptying the feeders every second day. You wouldn’t think a little bird like that could drink so much. I just love watching them defend their territory.

I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Canada day weekend.

I would like to wish the following people a very happy birthday: Howard Hodgins and Odell Hearty on July 4, Alisha Corriveau and Muriel Graveline on July 5, Lucy Bertrand on July 6, Zelda Holland and Lynn Pepin, both on the July 7, Junior Amyotte on July 9.

Happy anniversary wishes to Joe and Kay Ranger on July 6, Allyson and Trevor Beauregard on July 7, and to Suzanne and Philippe Pilon and Roxanne and Pat Shea on July 9.