WELL, HELLO THERE!

The disassembly of the temporary Bailey Bridge continues and as progress is made a better view of the new contemporary bridge is slowly unveiled. These images were taken on the afternoon of Sunday, May 8. (Photos by Melody Falconer-Pounder

BAYFIELD BEER, WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY

The Little Inn of Bayfield was represented at the 2019 Bayfield Beer, Wine and Food Festival offering samples of sliders for guests. The 2022 version of the Festival will be held this Saturday, May 14 with a limited number of tickets still available.(Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

Bayfield Arena Community Partners Association (BACPA) and the Bayfield Community Centre Team (BCCT) are gearing up for the return of a highly anticipated spring event. The Bayfield Beer, Wine and Food Festival is back for year six this Saturday, May 14th.

There are a limited number of tickets remaining for the Festival that will feature six food vendors and 12 businesses offering up samples of their beers, wines and spirits. Three bands, “Weekend Never Ends”, “Brad Cassel” and “The Scott Howarth Band” are sure to keep people entertained.

“The Bayfield Beer, Wine and Food Festival is scheduled back to its normal weekend and now at full capacity,” said Bill Whetstone, co-event chair. “This is our major fundraiser and 100 per cent of the proceeds go back into youth sports, programs, equipment and subsidies at our facility so everyone can play.”

Whetstone went on to say that, just like everyone else, BCCT and BACPA have been hit hard by the pandemic and the organizers are hoping that people will return to support the festival that raises funds for the not-for-profit organization now running the Bayfield Community Centre. He would also encourage newcomers to attend.

The event will run from 2-9 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and will include eight food sample tickets and eight drink tickets. Designated Driver tickets are also available for $20 and include two food sample tickets.

Limited tickets are available now at Eventbrite.ca (Bayfield Beer & Food Festival), at ShopBike Coffee Roasters on Main Street, or by calling Whetstone at 519 955-0682. Check Facebook at @ Bayfield Beer & Food Festival for more information.

TOWN HALL HOSTS SUMMER CONCERTS

After a long hiatus and depleted resources, the Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society will be hosting several concerts this year to raise funds to continue in their efforts to maintain and enjoy the Bayfield Town Hall. Music lovers can look forward to concerts from June to December with the first event featuring folk music sensations Ken Yates and Jadea Kelly on June 18.

Yates, who was born and raised in London, ON, has gained a reputation as one of this country’s brightest rising singer-songwriters. The winner of two Canadian Folk Music Awards for Songwriter of the Year and New Artist of the Year, Yates has spent recent years expanding his sound and touring North America and Europe.  The Bayfield Town Hall concert occurs days before the launch of his upcoming album “Cerulean”.

Kelly, described by CBC’s Tom Power as “one of the shining jewels in the crown of Canadian songwriters”, has performed and showcased her music across the United States and Europe and in Canada at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Festival, Edmonton’s Interstellar Rodeo, Metal Toronto and Peterborough Folk Festival.  Kelly was also a recipient of the Contemporary Singer of the Year award at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

The concert, which will feature Yates and Kelly performing separately, will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $25.

As summer arrives so do more music-filled evenings with performers taking to an outdoor stage. On the schedule are The She Wolves, July 2nd and Lazo, July 30.

In August, the Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society and the Bayfield Agricultural Society are joining forces to host a Rock Revival at the Bayfield Fairgrounds during the Bayfield Community Fair on Saturday, Aug. 20th.  This concert will feature two bands. The Stones Tribute Show will bring to life favorite Rolling Stones songs and Thunderstruck will take the stage in tribute to AC/DC.

For all three of these outdoor shows, tickets cost $30 and participants are asked to bring their own chair. The gates will open at 6 pm. and the performers will take to the stage at 7 p.m.

There will be a cash bar at all of the shows. Tickets for all four of these concerts are available now (or coming soon) online at www.bayfieldtownhall.com. Please note there are no additional surcharges.

LIONS COMMUNITY BREAKFAST RETURNS

The Bayfield Lions Club has been serving up food at their community breakfast every Victoria Day Weekend, COVID-19 years excluded, since the first event in 1967. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

The Lions Club’s next big community event is their 53rd Community Breakfast to be held on Sunday morning of the Victoria Day weekend, May 22.

It will be held at the Bayfield Community Centre Arena from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The menu consists of eggs, sausage, home fries, pancakes with local maple syrup, toast, jams, juice and lots of coffee. The cost for the breakfast will be $12 per person; children three and under eat for free.

The breakfast is one of the village’s annual rituals for permanent residents, cottagers and visitors from the surrounding area, raising funds for important community services.

“Measured in calories per dollar, it is one of the best food values in the village,” said Lion President Tony Van Bakel. “Bring your family and friends.”

BOARD MEMBERS NEEDED FOR ARTS CENTRE

“Are you looking for a way to connect with the Bayfield community? Did you recently move to Bayfield, Goderich or Huron County and want to join an organization to create new connections while contributing to the community? Or have you recently decided to change (things) up a bit and do something new?” asked Leslee Squirrell, president of the Bayfield Centre for the Arts (BCA).

The BCA is a not-for-profit, charitable organization dedicated to education and participation in the visual arts for the general public – through the power of creative workshops and classes, public events, exhibitions, fundraisers, art installations and more.

There is currently an exciting opportunity to become part of this newly established arts organization as the BCA is recruiting Board members.

The organization is looking for members from across Huron County with diverse backgrounds and perspectives (business, teaching, politics, health, arts, trades, sciences, financial, legal etc) who are interested in volunteering their time and sharing their expertise to help the BCA.

Applicants need not be from the arts community but only possess a willingness to actively participate and help organize, ideate for new events and utilize their personal community connections. Being a part of the BCA Board will allow individuals to experience the opportunity to shape the future of visual arts and culture in the region.

“Help us tell the story of our community’s evolution through art and contribute in creating a positive vision for the future,” said Squirrell. “As a Board member you will experience a welcoming engagement with art that you will want to share with friends and family. A shared sense of pride in the cultural contributions of artists from our region. A convivial and professional group of Board colleagues who are passionate about the BCA and the arts in our region.”

Applicants should possess the following qualities and skills:

• Willingness to promote the Arts in the community
• Ability to access local knowledge, skills, resources, organizations, and networks
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Progressive values of social inclusion, diversity
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to initiate and maintain effective partnerships

Successful applicants will be asked to participate in nine monthly Board meetings of 1.5 hours in length (in-person and virtual) and to sit on one working Board Committee addressing BCA operational needs.

Want to know more before applying?  Email at hello@bayfieldarts.ca. Interested applicants are asked to please contact John Rishworth at  jrishworth@bayfieldarts.ca.

DEEDEE RESCUED  FROM HORRIFIC FATE

DeeDee (Submitted photo)

They say that cats have nine lives and thanks to a quick-thinking good Samaritan, one dear feline that was brought into Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines (BFF) this past week didn’t have to use up one of hers!

DeeDee is the Adopt-A-BaFF cat of the week.

A person out for a walk noticed another individual acting strangely around a dumpster. They appeared to be having difficulty trying to put something in the garbage receptical. Upon returning from their walk they noticed the same person this time with a small cat carrier trying to lift the lid of the dumpster. It was upon the realization that the individual was attempting to put a live animal in the dumpster that this person intervened.

The animal, a cat now known as DeeDee, was crammed uncomfortably into the carrier that was much too small for her. When confronted the person trying to dispose of DeeDee could not explain what they were doing and the good Samaritan took custody of the cat.

“This beauty is so very fortunate that a good Samaritan happened to notice something out of the ordinary and decided to investigate,” said Deb Penhale representing BFF.

DeeDee’s rescuer also has a rescue dog and although the dog was not being aggressive toward her DeeDee was quite afraid of it.

“Since she’s already emaciated, under all that fluffy fur is just skin and bones, they decided it wasn’t in the cat’s best interest to stress her out further so she contacted us and brought her to the Rescue,” said Penhale.

Once DeeDee regains good health and is vetted she will be looking for a forever home free from the fear of being tossed away like yesterday’s trash.

If DeeDee’s story touched your heart and you might like to adopt her please email bayfieldsforgottenfelines@gmail.com for more information.

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.

LAND TRUST HAS NEW BOARD CHAIR

Max Morden (Submitted photo)

Nature is permanently preserved and enhanced on four local properties in an historic part of Ontario thanks to generous community donors and the work of the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC). The Mayhew Tract, Bayfield River Flats, Woodburne Farm, and the Heaman Tract are protected for the long term thanks to community donors. The land trust was formed in 2011 and has entered its second decade of work protecting natural areas in the historic Huron Tract.

The land trust elected Max Morden as the new Chair at the HTLTC’s Board of Directors meeting on Apr. 28. He takes over from Past Chair Roger Lewington who has led the land trust since its inception in 2011. Lewington welcomes Morden to his new role, and expresses his heartfelt thanks to the families and organizations who donated these protected lands, and to the local people who donated towards land acquisition and maintenance.

“We are so very lucky to have such thoughtful, generous, and visionary people in our area,” Lewington said.

The new Chair of HTLTC lives in Grand Bend, and has a background in law and communications. He has an active interest in environmental action, which he pursues as a member of the Rotary Club of Grand Bend and Lakeshore Eco-Network. Morden thanks Past Chair Roger Lewington for his “decade of outstanding service leading the HTLTC,” and looks forward to his continuing support as a director.

Morden says the HTLTC Board of Directors looks forward to its second decade of preserving the nature benefits of land for the future.

“We would like to thank all the families who have donated land and all the generous community members who have made donations to preserve these important natural areas for the future,” said Morden. “They are truly leaving a lasting land legacy.”

Morden encourages people in the community to consider a donation of land or a financial donation.

“Preservation of natural areas is one of the best and most permanent ways we can fight climate change and preserve habitat for the future,” Morden said.

The new Chair encourages prospective donors to contact any member of the Board of Directors or to contact staff at 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.

“Four important properties are now protected for the future thanks to the generosity of donors and the community,” Morden said. “Donors care deeply about these properties and the land trust gives them a way to be sure they will be preserved and enhanced for future generations.”

The current land trust board is composed of: Max Morden, Grand Bend; Roger Lewington, Bayfield; Don Farwell, Stratford; Paul Spittal, Bayfield; Peter Twynstra, Ailsa Craig; Philip Walden, Thedford; Steve Bowers, Brussels; Kim McCabe of London and Bayfield; and Alison Lobb, Central Huron.

Thanks to generous public donations of land and money, the land trust protects four important nature areas:

• Heaman Tract (2019), near Ailsa Craig, donated by Janet Heaman in memory of Jack Heaman.
• Woodburne Farm (2018), near Goderich, donated by Ilse Elliott and her late husband William Elliott.
• Bayfield River Flats (2017), donated by Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) and community donors.
• Mayhew Tract (2015), near Holmesville, donated by the Mayhew Family, in memory of Jack and Iris Mayhew.

The HTLTC was formed in 2011, by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, a registered Canadian charity. The land trust serves the area of the historic Huron Tract. The HTLTC is a volunteer organization with a separate board of directors and is a member of the Ontario Land Trust Alliance. The HTLTC accepts donations and bequests of land and gives people in the Huron Tract area a way to make a positive difference by helping protect and restore land, water, and nature.

A donation to the land trust is a local way to leave a lasting legacy for future generations. These donations of land and/or funds help to permanently protect nature areas with local benefits such as water quality, forests and habitat, and public enjoyment and recreation.

To learn more about the HTLTC email info@htltc.ca, or visit htltc.ca or call the numbers listed above.

HAY TOWN HALL TO GET NEW WINDOWS

Hay Town Hall (Photo courtesy Municipality of Bluewater)

The Municipality of Bluewater, in partnership with the Friends of Hay Town Hall, is very pleased to announce that a joint project will be undertaken to replace the windows and concrete sills in Zurich’s Hay Town Hall. This project is funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs through a grant of $19,500 from the Rural Economic Development Fund. The remaining funding will come from the Municipality of Bluewater and the Friends of the Hay Town Hall.

According to the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Rural Affairs website, the Ontario Rural Economic Development (RED) program supports projects that increase economic development and investment in rural areas, build capacity and diversity in local economies, and remove barriers to business and job growth. MPP Lisa Thompson was on-site with members of Bluewater Council, staff, and Friends of Hay Hall to announce the funding award Friday, Apr. 29.

For over 100 years, the Hay Town Hall has stood as an important link to Zurich’s and Hay Township’s past. Its iconic green doors are visible from Main Street and have welcomed many Bluewater residents throughout the years. More recently, the Friends of the Hay Town Hall have worked together with the Municipality of Bluewater to complete necessary repairs to the hall so that it may continue to serve the needs of the community as a gathering place in the heart of Zurich.

“It’s our heritage, it’s important to the community, and it’s great to know that these repairs are happening. It’s more important than ever for our rural communities to have places where people can come together and connect,” said Zurich’s Councillor Shawn LaPorte.

Funding through the Rural Economic Development fund will allow the valuable volunteer work completed by the Friends of the Hay Town Hall to continue. In the past, many repairs have been funded in part by donations. The project includes removing approximately 19 outdated windows in need of repair. They will be replaced with functional, energy efficient windows that are complementary to the design of the Hall. This will improve safety and energy efficiency and allow for better air quality during events since the new windows can be easily opened.

Heather Klopp of the Friends of Hay Town Hall said, “The health of a community can be measured in many ways. So many factors determine the quality of our rural life. Preserving a heritage structure such as Hay Town Hall provides support for revitalizing our gathering places, attracting visitors, and teaching our youth and newcomers about our history. The 132-year old windows at Hay Town Hall have been the eyes which have witnessed these activities in the past and now will help ensure they are carried into the future!”

These latest repairs are made in an effort to improve the user experience for anyone renting the hall and to prolong the hall’s life. The Hay Town Hall is currently used by several community organizations as a meeting and event space, but the hall is open for use to anyone by donation. The Hay Town Hall may be booked by sending a private message to the Friends of the Hay Town Hall through their Facebook page: Hay Town Hall .

To learn more visit: Rural Economic Development program.

FESTIVAL ADDS CHILDREN’S COMPONENT

Since the beginning of time we’ve been communicating by telling stories.  And even before humans learned to read and write stories were passed through generations to embed family values and to celebrate cultures. Inspired by one of the greatest storytellers of our time, Nobel Laureate for Literature and Wingham native, Alice Munro, a Festival was created with a mandate to nurture emerging writers and celebrate the short story.

The Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story (AMFSS) is now in its 20th year. In 2022 it hosts a three-day literary festival offering workshops and onstage presentations as well as the annual short story competition for emerging writers in both an Adult and Youth Category. And, in order to bring writers and children of all ages together through storytelling, the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story was expanded to include programming dedicated just to kids – specifically students in Avon Maitland District School Board.  The Kids Festival is a fundamental part of achieving its goal to nurture the next generation of great Canadian authors and is presented in partnership with the Foundation for Enriching Education.

This year’s guest authors include:

• Alexander MacLeod, a Giller Prize finalist, with “Animal Person”, a magnificent collection about the needs, temptations, and tensions that exist just beneath the surface of our lives.
• Nita Prose brings mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, as her new release “The Maid” explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different.
• Martha Schabas has penned a piercing, poignant novel about truth in art and identity in “My Face in the Light”.
• Danielle Daniel imagines the lives of women in the Algonquin territories of the 1600s in a story inspired by her family’s ancestral link to a young girl who was murdered by French settlers, in “Daughters of the Deer”.
• “Looking for Jane” by Heather Marshalls tells the story of three women whose lives are connected by a long-lost letter, secrets, loss, and the fight for women’s right to choose.
• “Buffalo is the new Buffalo” by Chelsea Vowel tells powerful stories of “Metis futurism” that envision a world without violence, capitalism, or colonization; and the
• Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story for Kids will feature virtual school readings and presentations by David A. Robertson, Tara Anderson, Wesley King and Katherine Battersby.

Workshops are always a popular part of this Festival. This year writers can take five masterclasses with our bestselling Canadian guest authors including: “Process, Prompts and Possibilities”, with Danielle Daniel; “Exceptional Faults – Finding the qualities (and flaws) that make your writing unique”, with Martha Schabas; “Character and Plot in Short Fiction – Who are these people and what is happening to them?” with Alexander MacLeod, and “Publication 101”, with Heather Marshall, a number one, bestselling author.

Workshops and the Awards Luncheon are $30 per person, while the author readings are free.  Friday and Sunday events are virtual and Saturday events will all be held at the Maitland River Community Church in Wingham, ON.

The annual festival is generously supported by: County of Huron, Township of North Huron, Dr. Marie Gear, Royal Homes, Capital Power, Leslie Motors, Stainton’s Home Hardware, Crawford, Mills & Davies Law Office, Joe Kerr Ltd., Hurontel, Britespan Building Systems, MicroAge Basics, John Schenk Legal Howick Mutual Insurance Company and Glassier Physiotherapy Clinic.

Full details and ticket links are available on the website at www.alice munro festival.ca.