September 4 - Windsor again!

What a wonderful day it has been in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Our walk today took place in the downtown core with Mayor Paul Beazley, MLA Chuck Porter, Lion President Sue MacDonald, and numerous other members from the Windsor Lions club. The local newspaper was also there to report on the event. Our group walked down the main street of town and along to the Windsor Library where the Lions presented copies of my books to the library.

Following is a picture of some of today’s walkers posing in the library.

Tonight, Lyle and I were invited to address a special meeting of the Lions in their Den in the Community Hall. I am very impressed by this particular group and the work they do both within the community and on behalf of people who are either blind or partially sighted. Many of the dollars they raise have gone towards the gifting of guide dogs for the blind, but tonight a special donation of $2,500 was made to CNIB. Congratulations to the Windsor and area Lions for your enthusiasm and the work you do.

Now for a brief sightseeing trip also in the town of Windsor.  In between the walk and the meeting tonight, Lyle and I visited the Pumpkin Patch:  www.howarddill.com

Windsor is the Giant Pumpkin Capital of the universe! In the 1960’s, Howard Dill began growing pumpkins – and the bigger the better. His first entry into a pumpkin competition was in the United Sates when he loaded up his prize pumpkin and drove south.  He won the blue ribbon for the largest pumpkin easily and came home to Windsor to grow in earnest.

Howard has now passed away but his work has been taken over by his son and daughter. We were shown around by daughter, Diana. We were amazed at the large pumpkin which you can see in the picture below. It weighs close to eight hundred pounds and is still growing – about twenty pounds per day.

One of the really good things that Diana told us about was a day that is held in the fall. Pumpkins are set out on display and visitors can touch them, hold them and pose beside them. Diana explained that this day was especially good for people with sight challenges because they can get close to the pumpkins.

All in all, I want to thank the town of Windsor, especially the Lions and President Lion Sue, and our friend, Connie, for your hospitality, warm reception and a lovely day.