hen Andrew and Matthew Patel of South Leaside were just kids they were frequently under the motherly eye of Marjorie Noakes, a neighbor across the street. Neither of the twins could quite manage Mrs. Noakes three syllable first name so they shortened it up to Muffy. She liked that. Mrs. Noakes is now a bright 91 years old and was delighted to be with Andrew and Matthew again at the Royal Winter Fair this month. It was here that the boys were showing their carefully groomed and coddled family of 14 urban chickens, a rooster and two geese. To their amazement, they picked up dozens of wins including two first-place finishes and a best-in-class. Mrs. Noakes was tickled to find that one of the chickens was named Muffy, a tribute to her. The inset picture is a charming piece of family history on all sides.
Entertaining account by Vanessa Lu
Some readers may have seen the entertaining account written by Vanessa Lu in the Toronto Star in recent days. She describes the meticulous washing and grooming routine that Andrew and Matthew pursued to get their birds ready. A fancy china cup from their mother’s collection was sneaked off to create a vinegar rinse, Lu reports. The Patel family’s road to urban chicken farming is said to have had various origins. The childhood farm of the twins grandmother in Slovenia was an inspiration. Locally a few visits to the Royal had created a fascination for the poultry competition. The boys will finish up Grade 12 at Upper Canada College next Spring and be off to university next year. This fall it was now or never for a go at entering the competition. Vanessa Lu, Toronto Star
