Sophia was the daughter of Richard and the late Angela Hicks, formerly of Truro, Cootamundra, and sister of Phillipa, Anna and Lucy. She will be sadly missed by her wide circle of friends in Cootamundra.

A memorial service will be held here at a date to be confirmed.

It has come to my notice there's a wedding taking place here on each weekend in November. Would love to hear from those families who are celebrating those happy events, and perhaps a photo or two?

One reception is being hosted in the recently restored pavilion at the racecourse. A top spot under the trees and in the grandstand room with all the facilities looking at their best after the highly successful Cootamundra Cup.

Just delighted to be wishing well-known local couple Blen and Jenny Leahy a belated happy 65th wedding anniversary. They celebrated this wonderful occasion on October 16. I am pleased to report that Jenny has returned home and is making a good recovery. Congratulations Blen and Jenny.

The children from EA Southee will gather on stage in their assembly hall at 6pm this evening to perform in their play Showtime at Sea.

All are invited to come along to enjoy this hour long performance by the children - there is no bookings or entry fee. A happy hour is assured for all present..

Well, what a special occasion taking place at the Country Club next Wednesday - a luncheon to mark 100 years of Red Cross in Cootamundra.

More than 60 guests are expected, including past and present members plus volunteers who man the Parker Street shop. Red Cross president Ross Pinney will be present, as well as chief executive Judy Slayter.

I so enjoyed my time at the Cootamundra Show on Saturday last and picked up some happy news stories, including this one below:

On Easter Saturday 2019 several members of the Cootamundra Show Society travelled to Sydney to man the Big Bush BBQ at the Royal Easter Show. They shared duties on the day with the Kiama Show Society. The Big Bush BBQ was organised by the RAS of NSW. Country Show Societies can apply to run the barbecue for a day and in return receive the proceeds as a fundraiser for their shows.

Cootamundra worked along with the Kiama Show Society and they both decided to do an exchange and travel to each other's shows to help out with stewarding and any other jobs required.

Nine members from Kiama very kindly travelled to the Cootamundra Show last weekend, assisting on the gate, stewarding on the horse events and a number of other tasks. Come January next, our show society members are planning to go to the lovely beachside Kiama and help there.

The ladies Melbourne Cup luncheon to be held at Coota Country Club is shaping up to be a fantastic day with heaps of prizes on offer.

Wear your best hat to be in the running for a special prize. Sweeps will also be the order of the day. Tickets still available; bookings close October 30 with Sally Lawler or Jan McTavish.

Nancy Sims, who organises many a bus trip to events all over the state, did a sterling job in filling the bus last Saturday for a first-class outing to Sydney. All on board delighted in being present at Homebush Stadium to see the Edinburgh Military Tattoo performance.

Two outings have been organised to mark Grandparents Week - one at the Cootamundra Library and another at the Arts Centre.

A grandparents afternoon tea is at the TACC from 3.30-5.30pm today. Children and grandparents (or older loved ones) can come along and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea, craft activities, as well as some other special treats including a surprise giveaway.

Tomorrow at the library, under the banner of "Learn the Lost Art of Letter Writing", an intergenerational workshop for kids and grandparents is on from 10.30-11.30am.

Pinnacle Community Services present a free information session "Understanding Aged Care" this Monday October 28 in the Wattle Room of Cootamundra RSL Club from 10.30am.

All interested are most welcome to come along and be informed on home care packages as well as community home support. If interested, phone Pinnacle on 6942 7786 to let them know you will be present.

Coota U3A members will travel to Cowra's Japanese gardens on Wednesday, October 30, departing the library at 8.30am; cost $20. Morning tea at the gardens and lunch at the Rose Cafe at own expense. Please contact Mary Donnelly on 6942 3967 before Sunday, October 27.