Around Cootamundra, March 27

To mark this happy occasion, David's daughters Maryann Scott and Janene Bassingthwaighte Hill hosted a marvellous Sunday luncheon.

His nieces and nephews and other family members travelled from Sydney and surrounds to make the weekend's festivities complete.

Just delighted to be wishing one of Cootamundra's best, Mrs Rita Fisher the happiest birthday.

Rita this week also celebrated her 90th birthday.

I feel sure her children Margaret Peck, Jennie Forster and John Fisher and other family members made her day one to remember.

I know friends and the ladies who join her at the ladies exercise class at Come Alive had celebrations planned, but given the current virus situation the latter had to be postponed (and for how long is anyone's guess!)

Celebrating 55 years wed last week were well-known couple John and Fay Doidge.

Best wishes, and may this coming year be up there with the best.

I do look forward to lovely lady Dot Woodman's Wattle Grove doings:

"We now have several new committee members, Ron Johnson is our new fire warden and Brian Morgan will take us through the evacuation process in case of fire (at a date to be organised) and we residents pleased to see safety blankets now installed and ready for use.

"Thanks to Garry for hanging them up for us.

"While we all hope never to use them, they are a necessity we cannot do without.

"Judy Johnson is now on the residents committee,

"Thanks Judy, Ron and Brian.

"A very special afternoon tea was held on Monday, March 9 to farewell long-term residents Bob and Gloria Tweedale.

"Gloria and Bob went looking years ago for a town to settle in for their retirement.

"Cootamundra was chosen and the very new area Wattle Grove gained a top couple.

"They leave us to be closer to family.

"We wish them fond farewell and do keep in touch.

"And we celebrate a special birthday with resident Rita Fisher. Birthday greetings, Rita.

If going to the Medical Centre any time soon (one hopes not) Keep an eye out for some great snaps of Wattle Grove taken by sharp photographer Brenda Carr."

From me Dot, many thanks for the Wattle Grove Doings.

In order to keep the Around Cootamundra page going (particularly at present), I need more people to give me happy news stories.

Mrs Joan Baldwin of Adina Court and formerly Stockinbingal sadly passed away on Tuesday, March 24.

She was married to the late Oliver Baldwin and was a loving mother to Anthony (Canberra) and Cathy (Brisbane).

She was a woman of strong faith, a keen gardener and a real treasure of Stockinbingal.

A treasure of Stockinbingal aptly names Joan, just the nicest lady.

A number of years ago I would attend Sunday Mass at the Stockinbingal Catholic Church and always there to greet us was Joan, then she played the organ during and after Mass.

Of course, funeral arrangements have not been finalised and will probably be a private family funeral due to the new current rules made by government.

Sympathy is extended to Joan's family at this sad time.

Now, as so many events/functions/gatherings held in town that I would be attending and reporting on are all over for the time being, I need some help if this page is to continue.

Please phone/email any happy news items that come your way.

A brilliant idea - the annual picnic races were to be held next week (boo hoo, I will sooo miss that top day out).

So, what about sending me any old picnic race photos you may have (or if Kodak prints drop them into the Herald or phone me and I will collect them) and we will do a picture page full of memories of picnic race day.

Do you have any other ideas for me to keep the page swinging along?