CANDLELIT WALK SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT

Conrad Kuiper (Photo by Jack Pal)

Whether paying tribute to a loved one, honoring caregivers who represent the values of caring and kindness or a personal protest against the darkness of war, each flickering candle on the Taylor Trail in Varna on Saturday night, March 26, will have a very personal meaning.

It doesn’t matter how someone interprets the event, the Candlelight Memorial Walk promises to be a mystical adventure in the nighttime forest. The candles will all be lit during dusk, followed by self-guided walks from 7-9 p.m.

This event is especially important to Huron Hospice’s future “Children’s Room” because every dollar raised by donations and sponsorships will be matched by the Ontario Government. The Children’s Room will be a sanctuary where kids can be in their own space while visiting at Huron Hospice.

The Ontario government recognizes the need in Huron County for a larger hospice because the region has one of the oldest populations in the province. By matching all donations and sponsorship dollars, they are investing in a place that serves the needs of residents and their families at a cost that is much less than a hospital.

Donors have a choice not to brave the elements to participate in this worthy cause. Conrad Kuiper, the president of the Photography Club of Bayfield and the Bayfield River Valley Trails Association, will be on hand to film the nighttime trail experience and the 8 p.m. dedication ceremony when the names of loved ones will be readout. This ceremony will be featured later on the Huron Hospice website, www.huronhospice.ca.

Each donation will be represented by a candlelit lantern. Participants are asked to make tax-deductible donations from $30 to $100. An online donation site that generates an immediate tax receipt for this event is available at www.huronhospice.ca/events.

For anyone who would like to donate in person, Helen Varekamp will be at Huron Hospice, 37857 Huron Road, Clinton, between 2-3 p.m., on Thursday, March 24.  Advance donations are appreciated, however, on the evening of the walk, volunteers will be available as well to accommodate donations, each representing a candle in memory of loved ones.

Organizers of the Candlelight Memorial Walk are closely watching the weather forecast. In case of inclement weather, the alternative date for the event will be Sunday, March 27. Please check the Huron Hospice website and Facebook on the morning of March 26 if it appears that the event may need to be delayed.

For more information call Dave Gillians at 519 565-5884

The Taylor Trailhead can be found at the Varna (Stanley) Complex, 5 km east of Bayfield on Mill Road. Please, no pets at this event. For everyone’s safety, please no pets.

BAYFIELD READS JUST DAYS AWAY

Bayfield Reads is now just days away. This tradition corresponds with CBC’s Canada Reads. Just as they will do on the National level, Bayfield will choose their winner for this annual event determining the results with the help of a slate of local defenders.

The Village Bookshop invites everyone to join them for Bayfield Reads on Sunday, March 27 starting at 3 p.m. on ZOOM.

This year’s books and defenders are: “Five Little Indians’ by Michelle Good, defended by Abby Armstrong (Issue 659*); “Scarborough” by Catherine Hernandez, defended by Sally Leitch (Issue 660*); “What Strange Paradise” by Omar El Akkad, defended by Rachel Rishworth (Issue 661*); “Life in the City of Dirty Water” by Clayton Thomas-Müller, defended by Duncan McGregor (Issue 662*); and “Washington Black” by Esi Edugyan, defended by Ralph Blasting.  

The fifth and final book to be featured from this year’s slate is Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. Edugyan’s third novel, Washington Black tells the story of a young boy, born into slavery in the Carribean, who embarks on an impossible adventure with an unlikely friend.

Defending Washington Black is Ralph Blasting, a retired university dean who moved to Bayfield from Buffalo, NY in 2019. While Blasting’s experience in Bayfield so far has been colored by the pandemic, he loves all the opportunities for community involvement, and volunteers regularly with the Bayfield River Valley Trails Association. Typically, a fan of nonfiction books, Blasting is currently reading Michael Ignatieff’s “On Consolation” and Stanley Tucci’s “Taste”.

More details can be found at www.villagebookshop.ca The ZOOM link for the event is: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82474629412.

*To learn more about the books and the defenders check out these recently published issues of the Bayfield Breeze. 

APRIL HIKE DETAILS FROM BRVTA

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is pleased to announce three events for April: “Agriculture and Nature in Harmony”, Apr. 9; “The Woods are Waking Up”, Apr. 16; and Bayfield’s Eighth Annual Earth Day Litter Walk, Apr. 22.

Huron County is the most productive agricultural region in Ontario and also home to beautiful natural areas.  Did you ever wonder how they coexist?  Wayne Cantelon is a third-generation Huron County Farmer.  Nathan Schoelier oversees stewardship and conservation programs for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority. Join them for “Agriculture and Nature in Harmony” a hike in the Linfield Conservation Area on Saturday, Apr. 9 at 2 p.m.

Participants are asked to meet at 37940 Pavillion Road in Bluewater. The area is west of the Pavillion Road and Goshen Line intersection, southwest of Varna and north of Zurich.  This is an easy walk through woodlots and open trails for about 2 km and will last about 90 minutes.

“The Woods are Waking Up”, with environmentalist Michele Martin will take place along the Woodland Trail in Bayfield on Saturday, Apr. 16 starting at 11 a.m. Martin has supervised environmental education programs in Toronto, Waterloo and the Seychelle Islands. A regular visitor to Bayfield, the BRVTA is excited to welcome her as a guest hike leader.  As the forest wakes up from a long winter, Martin will show participants what to look for on the Woodland Trail. Those who take part are asked to meet at the David Street trailhead. A map can be found at www.bayfieldtrails.com/woodland-trail.

Bayfield businesses, visitors and residents of all ages are invited to join the BRVTA for their Eighth Annual Earth Day Litter Walk. This annual spring clean-up event will be held on Friday, Apr. 22 starting at 2 p.m. with Clan Gregor Square the base of operations. Participants are asked to wear gloves and brightly colored clothing or borrow one of the BRVTA’s safety vests. Organizers will provide garbage bags and people can choose the area in the Village where they want to pick up litter. Registration will take place from 2-3 p.m. with garbage to be returned by 4 p.m.

“Together we can keep our streets clean, protect the environment from harmful plastics and household waste, and enjoy an afternoon in the great outdoors,” said Ralph Blasting, hike coordinator for BRVTA.

April hikes are open to the public without registration.  Dogs on leash are welcome. For more information on any event, contact hike coordinator Blasting by calling 519 525-3205 or emailing rjblastingjr@gmail.com.

MAPLE SYRUP AND HONEY NEW CLASSES

There are many perspectives from which to view the pandemic.  One that has been noticed by many is that people resolved to become more self-sufficient in so many ways.  People started gardening or expanding their gardens, many learned how to preserve their garden or local produce to enjoy through the winter, people of all ages expanded their culinary skills, some picked up hobbies of handcrafts or woodworking, and others enjoyed being outside and taking images of those experiences. The Bayfield Community Fair is one of those outlets where people can share with others the results of their new-found skills.

 “The competition part of the fair is really a showcase of what the community has to offer as well as having a bit of fun with it.  Do consider entering for the first time or once again,” said Doug Yeo, representing the Bayfield Agricultural Society (BAS). “It is amazing how many friendships have been created by meeting others who have the same interests and desire to show off something you have grown or made.”

This year, two new classes have been added to a renamed section, “Farm Produce”.  During the past few years several have taken an interest in making maple syrup and in producing honey.  There will be three classes for maple syrup entries: Golden, Amber, and Dark.  Entries must be made solely by the person or family entering the competition.  The winner of the Amber class can move on to a District competition and the winner there can compete at the provincial level.  Entries will be judged on density, flavor, color, and clarity.  All producers of maple syrup are encouraged to put an entry in one or more of these classes.  The other new product is liquid honey.  Once again entries need to be exhibited by the person or family producing the honey. The three classes in this section are: White, Golden, and Amber.  The White Liquid Honey winner can compete at the District level and the winner there has the opportunity to compete at the provincial level.  These entries will be judged on their appearance, clarity, and the container used.  People are invited to encourage local producers, amateur and seasoned, to vie for the best maple syrup and honey in this community.

“This is extremely early to think of most competitions at the fair but it’s never too early to plan for what you may enter.  All ages are represented as competitors. Many will still remember Mrs. Turner showing her flowers when she was over 90 and still winning with her arrangements. Make competing at the fair part of your goals this year. Put the fair in your summer plans,” concluded Yeo.

SPRING PLANTING TOPIC OF SERIES FINALE

“Get a Jump on Your Spring Planting.” is the topic of the final Friends of Bayfield Library Winter 2022 Saturdays at the Library series. (Submitted photo)

The Friends of Bayfield Library (FOBL) and Huron County Library are pleased to co-sponsor the final speaker event in the Winter 2022 Saturdays at the Library series on March 26.

All are welcome to join the ZOOM meeting at 10:30 a.m.

The March speaker will be Katrina McQuail, whose topic will be “Get a Jump on Your Spring Planting.” This will be a lively presentation about starting seedlings indoors to get a head start on the garden. McQuail will cover such topics as being ready for the date desired to plant outside, various tricks for maximizing indoor growing space, and tips for growing vegetables and flowers.

McQuail grew up in northern Huron County at Meeting Place Organic Farm, which she now owns and operates. She was part of the farm as a youth and returned to farming in her twenties. McQuail learned everything she knows from her mother, Fran McQuail, who is an expert gardener with over 20 years of market gardening experience and over 30 years of experience in growing commercial seedlings. The farm offers a seedling sale in May of each year.

Anyone wishing to participate in the ZOOM meeting is asked to pre-register by clicking on the link provided on the FOBL website: www.fobl.ca

PEANUT IN NEED OF A HOME

Peanut (Submitted photo)

Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines (BFF) has helped hundreds of feral and abandoned cats find their forever homes but many are still waiting.

Peanut is the Adopt-a-BFF cat of the week.

Peanut is a big, love sponge. He is a handsome and loveable boy with large and expressive green eyes. Through no fault of his own, he finds himself in need of a new forever home. He was quite attached to a very loving and doting Cat Dad who unfortunately died suddenly leaving Peanut without his best friend.

The Rescue has been a bit of an adjustment for this poor boy who was used to having his Cat Dad all to himself and a large space to roam and call his own. He is strictly an indoor cat as are all adopted BFF cats. Peanut was originally adopted from BFF and was so fortunate to have the home he did. He has lived a quiet life without other pets. Volunteers note that he does seem to be a little overwhelmed at the Rescue but is not in any way aggressive towards any of the other felines, just more curious.

If Peanut is the boy for you please email bayfieldsforgottenfelines@gmail.com for more information.

“At this time of year things really start ramping up with calls and kitten season is right around the corner,” Deb Penhale, with BFF, said. “We are happy to work with people who have found cats or kittens that they want to bring in and try to socialize. We can’t possibly take them all as we don’t have the space or resources but when we all work together we make things better for everyone involved.”

The adoption fee is now $200. Adopted cats are vetted, shots are up-to-date and they are also spayed or neutered. Donations are also always appreciated. E-transfers can be sent to the Rescue’s email or email to arrange for a drop-off or pick-up of donations. Cheques can be mailed to Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 33, Bayfield, ON, N0M 1G0.

GATEWAY TO OFFER GARDENING FOR SENIORS AT AREA RESIDENCES

“Gardening adds years to your life and life to your years.” – Unknown.

Kevin Kale, of Bayfield, is the builder behind the elevated gardening containers featured in the “Cultivating Memories” project. He is shown here with Gateway Board Member Nancy Simpson. (Submitted photos)

This gardening season, Goderich based Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) will be launching an exciting gardening project, “Cultivating Memories”, with local elderly residents in rural communities. Huronview and Huronlea Homes for the Aged, Clinton and Brussels; Bluewater Rest Home, Zurich; and Goderich Place Retirement Residence are the senior’s residences or long-term care facilities participating.

Gateway would like to acknowledge the following funding partners: Libro Credit Union and the Government of Canada. Libro contributed to this project under their “Local Food Accessibility” initiative while the federal government provided financial support through the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative.

At Libro, we know Southwestern Ontario is the best place in the world to grow, whether you have a small market garden or a big farming operation. We’re delighted to support this wonderful project, which is making a difference to people while supporting local food accessibility – one of the focus areas where we work to make an impact on our communities. Thank you to everyone involved in this for your hard work,” commended Marty Rops, Regional manager, Huron Perth Region.

Gateway President Gwen Devereaux believes that many families have had experience with a loved one living in seniors’ residences or long-term care facilities. Within these facilities the impacts of the pandemic have been extraordinary.

The residents and staff have clearly been disproportionately impacted in our communities. The social isolation and lack of stimulation during repeated lockdowns in the past two years have undoubtedly taken a toll on seniors’ lives physically, cognitively and emotionally. This gardening project will help to brighten the lives of those seniors and the staff who work there,” Devereaux said.

Imagine the satisfaction and pride the seniors will experience by growing “salad” gardens and herbs in accessible containers, thereby contributing to healthy meal choices at their residences.

Sam Murray

Project Coordinator, Sam Murray is no stranger to Gateway or gardening for that matter. Murray has recently been project lead for a Food Accessibility Research Project in Huron County, also funded by Libro Credit Union. Murray has also participated in a market garden business with his family in the Brucefield area for the past two years.

“Gardening is beloved by many, and I am thrilled to be part of a project that is making this activity more accessible to seniors in long-term care. I am excited to see this project come to fruition and witness the positive impacts it will have within our community,” Murray said. He is looking forward to working with both the residents and staff of the seniors’ residences in the planning and implementation stages of this gardening project. Community volunteers will be invited to become involved too.

A special thanks to Kevin Kale, of Bayfield, who has been busy building 12, large, raised gardening containers (three for each of the facilities). He has given careful thought to their design and construction to make growing vegetables, herbs and flowers more manageable and allow accessibility for those residents who rely on wheelchairs and walkers for mobility.

Gardening can be empowering and therapeutic. By spending time gardening, even a short amount on a regular basis, seniors can maintain their motor skills (range of motion, hand-eye coordination) and improve their endurance, strength and balance.

AGM of Goderich Place, Annette Gerdes acknowledges the many benefits of gardening for her residents.

“Gardening improves physical and mental health, promotes nature experience, shares knowledge of gardening, promotes friendships, and adds smiles to residents’ faces,” said Gerdes.

Gateway is so pleased to be able to make gardening more accessible for seniors through this “Cultivating Memories” project.

QUILTER HONORED AS FEATURE ARTIST

Diane Carson, of Exeter, is the Feature Artist for the 2022 Conservation Dinner online auction event. She is the first quilter to receive this honor. (Submitted photos)

The Conservation Dinner Committee has announced the Feature Artist, of the 2022 charitable online auction event, is Diane Carson, of Exeter. She is the first quilter to receive this honor.

Carson is known as “The Electric Quilter”. She is a longarm quilter. A longarm quilter uses a longarm sewing machine to sew together pieces (such as quilt tops and batting and backing) into a finished quilt. As a longarm quilter she “takes an idea that is inside a client’s imagination and makes it a reality.”

This year’s feature art piece is a beautiful quilt of a lion’s face. Carson is a member of the Exeter Lions Club and the Lions Club nominated her as this year’s feature artist. She took a Violet Craft pattern and expanded upon it to create a visually impressive finished product that is a stunning example of her artistry and workmanship.

“I am honored to be named as the 2022 Feature Artist,” Carson said. “I also feel it is wonderful that this year’s Feature Art is a quilt that honors the Lions Club and its service to the community.”

The Exeter Lions Club has been a partner in the Conservation Dinner for more than three decades. Exeter Lions Club was chartered in 1937. It is part of Lions Clubs International, known as “the largest service club organization in the world.” The Lions Club is a group of service-minded men and women banded together to do things which cannot be done by individuals working alone. Exeter Lions Club has actively fundraised for projects including development and maintenance of South Huron Trail, MacNaughton Park, and other nature and conservation projects. These are just some of the examples of their service in action.

The 2022 Feature Artist has been quilting since 1999 and she is one of Ontario’s first longarm quilters. Since then, Carson has quilted more than 4,000 quilts for clients and patrons. She is Chair of the Southern Ontario Longarm Operators Guild and a founding member of the Canadian Machine Quilters’ Association (CMQA).

This year’s Feature Artist has received many awards throughout Canada and the United States. Her quilt called “Blueberry Cheddar” received the Best Workmanship ribbon from the World Quilt Competition in 2014. That quilt also received first place in the MQX show in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2014. It also received a first-place award in Longarm Quilting at Quilt Canada in Halifax in 2015.

Carson loves her quilting enterprise. “I love my job,” she said. She gets to realize and enhance the pride and vision of her clients and she gets to be a part of important celebrations in people’s lives, making wedding quilts, baby quilts, heirlooms, and quilts to mark other important milestones. It is gratifying, she said, to see people’s pride in the finished work and even, in some cases, tears of joy.

“My job is to take a pieced top, enhance the design using only thread and ingenuity, and create a finished quilt,” she said. “My designs and placement of them is unique, and one-of-a-kind. I try to augment and complement the designs of the tops and I like to think a part of me is infused into every quilt that comes my way.”

Carson and her husband Bill have five children and seven grandchildren.

“I have a wonderful husband who supports me in what I do with never a complaint,” she said.

Carson works collaboratively with her friend Anne Beaudoin and calls her “the best quilt piecer in the world.” Carson and Beaudoin received a Viewer’s Choice ribbon at the Heritage Celebration Show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 2004. Carson was sole quilter for Beaudoin’s “Fabrications” show at Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener, ON in 2006.

The Conservation Dinner is a partnership of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and Exeter Lions Club. This dinner and auction charitable fundraising event started in 1990. Net profits are split evenly between community conservation projects of the Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club. The event has raised more than $1.255 million for the community over more than 30 years.

Projects supported by the Dinner include community work by the Lions Club and community work by the Conservation Foundation. These projects, supported by auction sponsors, donors, bidders and volunteers, are many. They include parks and conservation areas; accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary for students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel at Grand Bend; recreation opportunities such as a family fishing derby; and other projects.

The Dinner Committee plans to host two live TV and Internet broadcasts to kick off and cap off the auction week: https://conservationdinner.com/livestream/. The broadcasts are scheduled for Thursday, March 31 and Thursday, Apr. 7 – both at 7 p.m. A video featuring this year’s Feature Artist is scheduled for the March 31 broadcast.

This year’s feature art piece by Diane Carson is a beautiful quilt of a lion’s face.

The Virtual Conservation Dinner online auction begins on March 31 and ends on Apr. 7 at 9 p.m. To learn more about the online auction, or the feature fundraising dinners of participating local partner restaurants, visit this web page: conservationdinner.com/online-auctions/ A link to the online auction will be posted on the online auction page when the online auction begins March 31.

To learn more visit abca.ca and conservationdinner.com or phone 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.

 FUND SUPPORTS GODERICH ENTREPRENEUR

Mary Bruce (Submitted photo)

Mary Bruce is the consummate entrepreneur.

She and her husband Steve operate a restaurant on The Square in Goderich. Last year, she became ill and could no longer do the hard, physical work involved in running the restaurant on a daily basis.

In November, someone told her about a market operating in the Suncoast Mall. Bruce started selling her handmade beauty products and then moved into offering yarn for sale.

“The more I did, the healthier I felt,” she said. “Selling at the market gave me the initiative to get up and move!”

When the market closed at Christmas, she still had product left, so she took over a vacant store in the mall. Soon it was clear that her retail concept was resonating with consumers. She found a store to rent at 79 Hamilton Street in Goderich, and applied to Community Futures Huron for a loan to help with renovations and inventory.

The loan was approved, and Bruce received $25,000. The money is part of the Huron Entrepreneur Fund (HEF), donated by individuals and organizations in Huron County and held at the Sunset Community Foundation (SCF).

“This was our first impact investment through Community Futures Huron,” said Deb Gill, chair of the SCF. “We’re delighted that it has gone right to work, supporting a woman entrepreneur.”

Bruce renovated the store and created “Forever and Beyond,” featuring her own beauty products, decor items, and lots and lots of yarn. The store opened its doors for the first time on Sunday, March 20.

“My heart and soul was in the restaurant, so it was hard to be told I couldn’t work there anymore,” she said. “The store has changed that – I’m excited for life again.”’

“This is exactly why Huron Entrepreneur Fund was created,” said Bryan Vincent, chair of the HEF committee. “We want to support the resilient entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in Huron County. With the income earned, we will also be able to make grants to local charities – it’s a two-fer!”