Reader to Reader: January 11, 2025

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Thanks for caring

On behalf of the Business Cares Food Drive committee, I would like to express our gratitude and extend our thanks to the London community for helping us raise an incredible 310,000 kilograms of food for the London Food Bank. We went into our 25th campaign having no set goal due to continued pressures of food inflation and economic uncertainty. We asked for business and people to donate only if they were able.

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The food collected in the last month from more than 700 businesses, their employees and the community will satisfy the needs of the food bank and 40 other social agencies supporting 70 food programs throughout the winter. The donations of money will go toward milk, eggs, produce, baby needs, women’s health and important community initiatives of the Food Bank.

There are so many stories we could share that would bring joy to all. It isn’t about the size of the donation, but the work and kindness behind it. Every donation counts. The success of this year’s campaign was because so many people and businesses cared.

So, thank you all for your contributions and to the hundreds of volunteers who gave of their precious time.

You have made a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Thank you for caring, particularly during another tough year for many.

Wayne Dunn, chairperson, Business Cares Food Drive

Kindness appreciated

In mid-December, I was anxiously waiting for my books to arrive. I had travelled with a friend in the fall and created a book to capture our adventures.

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I was amazed and shocked to receive the package opened with a letter attached. Some kind soul, who I only know as Colin, had found my books and the envelope in which they were mailed in the snow around the corner from where I live. In his note, he suggested someone had stolen the package off my porch, but threw the books away after realizing they were of no value to them. Colin recognized they were of great value to me and took the time to retrieve them from the snow, write me a note and return the books to my address.

I can never fully express my gratitude and thanks to Colin. You certainly made my day.

Rosie McHugh, London

Tradition continues

The 18th anniversary of Middlemiss Mike, Melbourne Minnie, and their entourage doing winter weather predictions happens on Sunday, Feb. 2, 8 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion, 21884 Melbourne Rd., in Melbourne.

Middlemiss Mike (a stuffed groundhog) first appeared in 2007, an antidote to depression for Jack Galbraith, a cancer patient at that time. The first annual groundhog day breakfast in Melbourne was held on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, and has been celebrated annually on groundhog day or the Sunday before.

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This year, there is a breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. sponsored by the Melbourne IOOF, of which the late Jack Galbraith was a proud member.

Melbourne will welcome residents of local and neighbouring municipalities to join dignitaries from municipalities of Southwest Middlesex, Strathroy-Caradoc and Middlesex County, with the possibility of having federal and provincial government representatives and the media.

More information can be followed on the village’s Facebook page, Ground Hog Day Celebrations Melbourne Ontario.

JoAnn Lucas Galbraith, Melbourne

Free bridge lessons

Learn to play bridge and keep your brain fit and challenged. In an effort to recruit new senior players, we are offering 12 free lessons beginning in January.

Call Jim at 519-657-6264 for details.

Frank Pontarelli, London

Come to rehearsal

The London Men of Accord is a male voice a cappella choir performing songs predominately from the Barbershop Harmony Society. We rehearse at the German Canadian Club (1 Cove Rd.) on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Visitors are welcome. We are looking for new voices. Join us for a practice.

Visit menofaccord.com for more information.

Bruce Stead, London

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