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50th wedding anniversary Congratulations to Howard and Jean Murray of Stratford on the occa- sion of their 50th wedding anniver- sary. An open house was held at St. Johns United Church, Stratford on Sunday planned by their family Pat Cook, Cher Evans, Debbie Masters and Jim Munay. Howard Murray and Jean Ross were married at the farm home of the brides parents near Embro on April 22, 1942 and lived in Embro, Wood- stock and now Stratford. Howard was employed by WOBI of Woodstock for 38 years and in those years he drove 2,000,000 miles for the company according to the mileage on all his cars. He is now retired but is a member of the Tri County Heritage Club in Ildenon and owns antique tractors, alsoamember of the Rotary Club, golfing and curl- mg. _ Inn» ?rw'é ("lilting and M10516 [0 travel. A Japanese girl that was here years ago on Rotary Exchange was in Canada again and was at the party. ' 'l'hebridesmaidandbestmanWally Ross of 50 years were in attendance also six grandchildren and one great grandchild. The granddaughters were in charge of the quest book. The ladies of St. John United Church served theilunch to the large crowd of relatives. friends and neigh- hours. AN OPEN HOUSE was held at St. Johns United Church Stratl'ord on Sunday to mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Howard and Jean Murray ol' Stratl'ord. 334 paper Iy unlit MINE , at The SluthIl-nulw EMBRO -- The kids were busy coloring a chain of paper dolls for the opening celebration of the Em- bro Parent/Child Drop-In. Local dignitaries would later cut the rib- bon of dolls. Embro has the fifth rural drop-in established in the county since 1988. All are facilitated by Oxford Community Child Care (OCCC), and the Embro program is also fi-- nanced by the Embro-West Zorra Optimist Club. The program provides mothers with a program of speakers, crafts and cooking demonstrations while their children enjoy a craft and play program with their peers. The group meets Fridays 9:30 - 11 a.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church. "I think the women who are at home need the sup ort of other women and they nee a break from childcare. It gives them the oppor- tunity to be together with other. adults," said Janet Stephens, OCCC program co-ordinator. child facilitator. Jim Gibb, mayor of the township of Zorra and an Optimist, Andrew Turnbull, minister of Knox Presbyterian Church and an Optimist. Ken Min- ler, lt.'-gov. of Zone. 4 Optimists, and Kerrie Maycock, child facilitatoh THE EMBRO PARENTICHILD DROP-IN opening was celebrated with the cutting of a chain of dolls colored by the kids. Participating in the cutting are (from left) Suzanne Stoop. board member, Robert Walton. presi- dent of the Embro-West Zorra Optimists, Kathy Fraser and her son Cory, program participants. Karen Karn, 's"""'°'°°' "mm" "They come for the children as well, so that their children can play with other children." It also helps children adjust to separation from their parents. That is good preparation for kin- dergarten, said Stephens. The pro- gram is for kids from birth to school age. In Kintore and Otterville, where the programs were started in 1988, as well as in Inn'erkip and Salford, an averageof 11-18 adults and 17-29 children attend the program. "In one group we had 42 children one morning," said Stephens. And the program has led to-a lot of support outside of meeting days amongst the women,'she said. Two city started this year. Both are co-oper- dropéin's have also ' ative efforts between OCCC and the churches where they are held. The opening of the parent/child drop-in at St. Paul's Presbyterian :.~ Church in Ingersoll was celebrated Friday, Knox Presbyterian Church in Woodstock opens Nov. 5.