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The Rural Voice, 2000-11, Page 76 Feedback charitable projects. St. Swithun died in 862 A.D. and is numbered among the legion of British Saints "about whom little is known". History records that he was a remarkably holy man who tutored Alfred the Great. As a Bishop of Winchester, England's ancient capital, Swithun was renowned for his miraculous deeds of a charming, domestic nature. As well as curing lepers and the lame in his diocese, he is said to have restored a basket of shattered eggs which were a poor widow's only marketable goods. Such was his concern for the less fortunate. On July 15, 971, the Saint's remains were moved from their original burial site in the grounds to a magnificent shrine inside Winchester's newly constructed Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Legend tells us that this humble man was so upset that his body was not allowed to remain where the faithful would pass over it, that rains began, lasting 40 days and nights. This event is the source of the rhyme that has haunted me in the wake of July 15, 2000. Saint Swithun's Society is inclusive and non -denominational. We enjoy a wonderful cross-section of members in terms of age, religious affiliations, political persuasions and ethnic backgrounds. No doubt this fact, together with the spirit of fun and friendship that always accompanies our events, reflects that well-known image of St. Swithun as "Pontifex" — the bridge builder, literally and figuratively. But let's return to Jack and the article about the sobering effects the recent dramatic weather changes have had on the lives of our farmers. When 1 was growing up on our York County farm, many years ago, the winters were cold, the summers were hot and I don't recall the same levels of anxiety around planting and harvesting that confront the agricultural community today. While we may have joked from time to time about 40 days of rain this summer and the possibility of building arks for survival, I can assure you that Society members shared the HILL & HILL FARMS LTD. For Your 2001 Planting Needs • ROUND UP READY SOYBEANS 2601R - 2650 H.U. 2702R - 2750 H.U. 2802R - 2800 H.U. 2901R - 2900 H.U. AG 1901 - 2950 H.U. AG2101 - 3025 H.U. Roundup eady. SOYBEANS Express First Line Seeds' revolutionary bulk seed delivery system saves you time and money. And you get all the benefits of growing Roundup Ready® soybeans — outstanding weed control. flexibility and crop safety. First Line Express. Another First from I irst Line Seeds. • WHITE HILUM I.P. VARIETIES - OAC Exeter - 2800 H.U. - Secord - 2825 H.U. • COMMERCIAL VARIETIES - ZEPHYR - 2750 H.U. • OTHER SPECIALTY SOYBEANS - PROSPECT - 2800 H.U. - HIGH PROTEIN - JASPER - 2650 H.U. - HIGH PROTEIN • HISTICK + SOYBEAN INOCULANT CaII Pete or Kristen at 519-233-3218 Remember: Quality Is Not Expensive, It's Priceless! NOVEMBER 2000 3