Sparta Wide Yard Sale

On Saturday, May 26, Sparta will host a community wide yard sale from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Come and enjoy the bargains at our annual yard sale. Come rain or shine. More information available from Sparta Country Candles at 519-775-0054.

Memorial Rest Area to Honour Debbie Corner & Brenda Louws

Just to the north or the Sparta Church Museum, we will be installing a rest area with benches for people to use as a rest or picnic area. The area is to honour Debbie and Brenda for all their contributions to our community. If you want to help with putting in the patio stones or the benches please call Sally Martyn at 519-775-2292. 

High Tea and Historical Fashion Show

Once again the Sparta & District Historical Society will be hosting their high tea and historical fashion show on July 14 from 2:00 to 4:00. Unfortumeately, all the 76 tickets are sold but if you want to reserve tickets for next year Call Sally Martyn 518-775-2292 or Eleanor Robson at 519-775-2522.

Museums Open

Our Church Museum will be open at the beginning of June The featured display this year is “That Special Occasion” and will exhibit wedding gowns and male attire from the late 1800s up to the late 1900s. It will also have a section on evening gowns. It will be open Friday, Saturday and Sundays as well as holidays from 11:00 till 4:30 till Thanksgiving weekend.

The Forge and Anvil will exhibit our permanent collection of Sparta memorabilia and a special display on Sparta P.S. As it is 50 years old this year. The Forge is  open 7 days a week untill Labour Day, then on weekends only till Thanksgiving.

Children’s Art Camp

The art camp for elementary aged children will be held from July 23 to 27 at the Sparta Church Museum. The children will be learning a variety of fine art drawing and painting as well as the use of different mediums. They will be making a mural as well. Camp runs from 9:00 to 12:00 each day and costs $90.00 for the week. Call Sally Martyn to reserve a spot or for more information. 519-775-2292.

Newspaper Coming

Melissa Schneider is starting a newspaper for Sparta Union and Port Stanley starting in June. It will cover local news and events. The paper will be called The Truth Teller and will start out as a monthly paper. We are all looking forward to this new venture.

    Scouting News

The Venturers, Scouts, Cubs and Beavers groups will continue with regular programs till the end of May and are planting trees late April or early May. Donations for the tree planting is greatly appreciated. Call Pam Helmer for more information 519-775-2265.

Sparta Public School Turned 50

Saturday, May 5 a 50^th reunion was held at the Sparta Public School. The school was built to replace 9 small rural schools and was too small right from the beginning. An addition was added in 1969. The one, two and three room schools that formed the new school called Yarmouth Number 1, were Whites, Dexter, Barnums Gully, Chestnut Grove, Sparta, Seminary, Union (1971 it joined), Johnstown and Coles. As you know, Sparta is closing as a community school and opening this September as a French Immersion School.

Over 400 people turned out to celebrate our 50 years. The second principal of the school, Angus Walton shared many memories of his time at Sparta and what a great school it was. MP Karen Vecchio spoke as a graduate of Sparta. Joe Cummings from CBC radio was to speak but ended up  hospital. Drew Leyburne, the Director General of Natural Resources Canada sent anecdotes of his time at Sparta. He was our one Rhodes Scholar. Many others shared their memories and it was a good day for all in attendance.

Thank You

We would like to thank the committee who organized the Sparta P.S. Reunion, Gillian Channer, Linda Baldwin,Pat Mellor, Julie Cassidy, and Sally Martyn. Special thanks to Cindy Webb and Joe Cassidy for all their help setting up. We also wish to thank the principal Esther Wendell-Carrer for her help as well.

Community Newsletter

We have agreed to add an additional newsletter. We will now publish,  in January, May and September which will be available at the Village Market and on our web site. Get your news to Sally Martyn by the end of the previous month if you wish it included.

Calendar of Events

Saturday, May 26: village wide Yard Sale 9:00 to 2:00

June 1: Church Museum opens Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays

Saturday, July 14: High Tea and Historical Fashion show from 2:00 to 4:00

Monday, July 23 to Friday July 27: Children’s Art Camp from 9:00 to 12:00

Regular Events at the Community Hall

Sparta Stitchers meet every Tuesday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the hall to quilt, knit, crotchet, tat, smock, embroider, etc. Cost is $5.00 per session which is considered a donation and receives an income tax receipt. Come learn a new skill or just bring whatever you want to work on and have a good time visiting with your fellow stitchers. Call Sally Martyn (519-775-2292) for more information or just show up.  We have really grown in the last year and now have 17 participants.

Venturers, Scouts, Cubs, Beavers

Tuesday: 6:30 to 7:30 Beavers

Wednesday: 6:30 to 8:00 Cubs

Thursday: 6:30 to 8:00 Scouts, Venturers

Sparta Community Society

Please come and join us for our regular meetings on the fourth Thursday of January, March, May, August and October at 7:00 pm.  October is our annual meeting.

Community Society Executive

President: Pam Helmer (519-775-2265)

Vice President: Barb Burns

Secretary: Christine Lundy

Treasurer: Ron Molyneux

Directors at Large: Dr. Robert Burns,

Less than 3 hours - $150; Less than 3 hours + alcohol - $200; More than 3 hours - $200 / day; More than 3 hours + alcohol - $250; The basement is also available for rent at a lower price for smaller events.  Call Sally Martyn at 519-775-2292 to make your reservation.