CONSTRUCTION WORK MOVED SOUTHBOUND

The Main Street Revitalization project continues with the reopening of the intersection at Charles Street and Main Street. Two-lane traffic has resumed from Charles Street and Main Street and North on Main Street. This image was taken on Sunday, June 12. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

Mid-June has arrived and the construction area has moved southbound on Main Street towards Clan Gregor Square. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

Mid-June has arrived and the Main Street Revitalization project continues with the reopening of the intersection at Charles Street and Main Street. Two-lane traffic has resumed from Charles Street and Main Street and North on Main Street. The construction area has moved southbound on Main Street towards Clan Gregor Square. New detour signs have been posted for traffic to follow to access the North side of the construction area.

Some of the planting in the island at the square and Bayfield Main Street has been removed. Several of these plants have found a new home at the Bayfield Cemetery. (Photo courtesy the Municipality of Bluewater)

Some of the plantings in the island at the square and Bayfield Main Street has now been removed. Several of the plants have found a new home at the Bayfield Cemetery. Thanks to the Municipal Public Works department, these plants have been carefully transplanted to their new location.

No major delays prolong the project ahead of the summer shutdown. The community can anticipate the break in construction activities starting June 24 until September. During the summer shut-down, the Main Street roadway will be open to two lanes of traffic. Parking spaces will also be available. The road will remain gravel. The existing sidewalk will remain functional. During the summer shutdown, the metal fencing that is currently around the active construction area will be removed. There will be a few holes and areas around hydro-poles that will remain fenced off with orange mesh fencing. Signage has been posted on the mesh fencing to communicate construction info to visitors. The Municipality of Bluewater will take care of maintenance, such as, dust control and grading.

The community can look forward to great progress over the weeks to come as the contractors work diligently to stay on schedule and keep a safe construction area for visitors and businesses alike.

Communication with the community as the project evolves is a key component and the Municipality of Bluewater will endeavor to provide updates in the Bayfield Breeze on the first and third Wednesdays of every month.

Thanks to the Municipal Public Works department, some of the plants from the island by Clan Gregor Square and Main Street were carefully moved to their new location – the Bayfield Cemetery. (Photo courtesy the Municipality of Bluewater)

The “Beautifying Bayfield” bi-weekly construction newsletter will continue to be issued with the construction schedule, info and updates. Click here for the: subscription link. This can be shared with friends and neighbors who may also want to receive the latest information!

Other ways of keeping up with Public Works construction news and updates in the Municipality of Bluewater can be found by visiting:

• The Municipality of Bluewater website
• Huron County Connects
• https://www.facebook.com/BluewaterOntario/
• https://twitter.com/BluewaterOn

COMMUNITY INVITED TO CELEBRATE 75 YEARS AT LIONS’ OPEN HOUSE

The whole community is invited!

As part of the Bayfield Lions’ ongoing 75th Anniversary Celebrations, everyone is welcome to attend their Open House at the Bayfield Lions Community Building, on Saturday, June 18.

The Lions Building is located at 6 Municipal Road. The Open House will run from 1-4 p.m.

Ever wonder how the club got its start? Come and find out more about how the Bayfield Lions arose from the ashes of the fire that destroyed the landmark Ritz Hotel on Main Street and almost wiped out the entire village core in 1947. The first major project for the new club was the creation of the Bayfield Area Fire Department.

That was just the beginning. For 75 years, the Lions have been inextricably linked to just about every major project in the village, either alone or in collaboration with other community groups.

Bayfield residents and visitors have been solid supporters of all these efforts, and the Bayfield Lions in general. None of it could have happened without you!

So come help them celebrate their history and their future. Rumor has it there’s going to be cake!

CELEBRATING ADMIRAL BAYFIELD’S LEGACY

The Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) extends an invitation to two events, an official book launch and a memorial dedication, now that it is possible to gather again

They invite the community to join them on Wednesday, July 6 at 7 p.m. for the official launch of the book “Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield: Master Chart Maker of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River”, written by historian David Yates and published by BHS. The event will be held in the Bayfield Town Hall.

Yates will present an illustrated talk about Bayfield’s fascinating career as a naval surveyor.

Admission is $20 and includes a copy of the book signed by the author. There will be a cash bar.

Tickets are available in person at the Bayfield Archives and Heritage Centre located at 20 Main St. N. or online here via: Eventbrite.  For additional information visit www.bayfieldhistorical.ca.

Three days later, on Saturday, July 9 at 1 p.m, members of the BHS will gather to officially dedicate Admiral Bayfield Square on Main Street and they invite people in the community to join them.

This memorial – which includes a landscaped area with rose compass, a commemorative plaque, and information panels – was established by BHS through the leadership of the Admiral Bayfield Project Committee. They are deeply appreciative of the committee members’ work as well as the generous support of Huron County, the Municipality of Bluewater, the Bayfield & Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bayfield Lions Club, and Diamond Concrete Inc.

Special guests will bring congratulations, and after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, all are invited to browse the display in the Bayfield Archives & Heritage Centre.

RUMMAGE SALE DONATIONS BEING ACCEPTED ON SATURDAY MORNINGS

The Pioneer Park Association (PPA)  is very excited to announce the return of the 73rd Annual Pioneer Park Rummage Sale on Friday, July 8 – their number one fundraising event of the year for the park and the unofficial kick-off to the summer season in Bayfield.

Organizers would like to thank everyone who dropped off donations on Saturday, June 11, as part of the first collection day for the Rummage Sale.  Volunteers shared that they had a blast and the day just flew by.

All are encouraged to keep clearing out their garages, basements and attic spaces of all the treasures they’ve been saving for the Rummage Sale over the last couple of years. Now is the time to bring them to the Quonset Hut on Hwy 21 just North of the village at 76614 Bluewater Highway. Donation dates have been arranged for the next three Saturdays June 18, June 25 and July 2nd. On all three of these dates drop off times are 9 a.m. to noon.

The following items are welcome for donation: indoor and outdoor furniture, tables and chairs, linens, draperies, antiques, dishware, housewares, tools of all sorts, gardening tools, decorative items, festive decor, games, books, DVDs, record albums and stereo equipment, lamps and lighting, sports and recreational items, home electronics and small appliances provided they are CSA approved and in good working order. These are just some of the items in great demand and always popular.

The following items cannot be accepted: mattresses of any size, sofa beds, children’s furniture or strollers, damaged or soiled toys, large appliances, televisions or monitors, printers or fax machines, no clothing or shoes, Tupperware or plastic kitchen utensils, water bottles, lone coffee mugs and no used candles please.

Organizers expect this year to be their best ever so be sure to save the date, gather friends and arrive early! The outdoor sales area will open at  6 p.m. with the arena door rising at 6:30 p.m.

There will also be a silent auction section featuring extra special items, gift certificates and/or gift bundles generously donated by the community and local businesses. In the coming weeks, members of the PPA will be dropping by local businesses to see if they would like to include a donation in this year’s Silent Auction.

But before the sale begins there is some work to be done. Volunteers are now being sought for donation sorting, for sale day set up, for during the sale and cleaning up afterward. Organizers encourage people to join the team of over 200 volunteers it takes to make this event happen. To lend a hand email info@pioneerpark.ca and join in the fun!

All sales proceeds go directly to Pioneer Park, a privately owned public space that all can enjoy. People will soon be able to drop by to see progress at the new addition to the park, a generous donation of neighboring land by the Thompson family.

If anyone has questions, please email info@pioneerpark.ca. Volunteers look forward to greeting people at the Quonset hut!

Remember to save Friday July 8th for the Annual 73rd Rummage Sale! And remember their motto: “If you are proud to give, they are proud to sell it!”

WORKSHOPS INSPIRE CREATIVITY

Bayfield Centre for the Arts is hosting two workshops this summer that invite people to play with paint or with their food!

“Anatomy of the Charcuterie Board” will see participants learning how to create an appetizing and beautiful charcuterie board composed of local food under the direction of Chef Frank Ihrig of Hessenland Inn and Winery on Thursday, June 23.

In addition to learning how to create an attractive food presentation, participants will go home with a live edge charcuterie board created by Hunters Charcuterie Boards, they will also have the opportunity to sample two of Hessenland’s wines during the two-hour session to be held in the Inn’s Garden Room.

The cost for the workshop is $150. Participants may bring one guest for an additional $15 charge to help them build the board, wine sampling included.

Hessenland Inn and Winery is located at 72981 Bluewater Hwy., Zurich, ON.

To register for BCA’s first culinary event click on: Anatomy of the Charcuterie Board.

After a sold-out session in 2021, Carol Finkbeiner Thomas is returning to the village to offer a “Paint the Abstracted Landscape” workshop on Thursday, July 7.

Participants will learn to paint with loose brushstrokes in oil or acrylic with this artist who was the Paint Ontario First Place winner in 2019.

This workshop will be held from 9:30 am to 4 p.m. at the Bayfield Community Centre. The cost is $160.

For more information about the artist visit and to register click on: Paint the Abstracted Landscape.

CANADIAN TALENT TO GRACE STAGE

Sarah Smith of The She Wolves

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. The kick-off event features folk music sensations Ken Yates and Jadea Kelly on June 18 while The She Wolves will offer a variety of genres on July 2nd.

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.

The She Wolves are next on the docket on Saturday, July 2nd. This group of talented musicians are returning to the village to perform an outdoor concert. The She Wolves is composed of some of the best female musicians in Southwestern Ontario and includes, singer-songwriter Sarah Smith, blues-rock singer Cheryl Lescom, keyboardist and Rhythm and Blues artist, Chuckee Zehr, singer-songwriter Laurie McColeman and drummer Dale Anne Brendon.

Each of these women have recorded their own albums, or recorded for other artists during the years and each has their own style.  Be prepared for a mix of great original music and covers from artists including, Amy Winehouse, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Bonnie Rait, Aretha Franklin (Zehr’s specialty), Etta James, Melissa Ethridge and even a little Joe Cocker.

Tickets for The She Wolves concert are $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 these concerts are available now  online at www.bayfieldtownhall.com. Please note there are no additional surcharges.

SPUD WILL SOON NEED A HOME

Spud (Submitted photo)

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

Spud is the Adopt-A-BFF kitten of the week.

Although he is only around seven weeks-old he has already had lots of adventures. He was  found at about eight days old and brought to the Rescue.

He was alone, hungry and scared.

“We were very fortunate to have a nursing Mama who was able to take this little guy on and he became a part of a family.” said Deb Penhale, representing the Rescue. “Unfortunately, he ended up becoming ill, developed cankers in his mouth and could not eat properly.”

Spud was taken to the vet and given some medication. He now needs to be hand fed for the next little while until his mouth heals.

“The good news is he seems to be coming along nicely. He just wants to be held, fed and then have playtime. He then goes back to his little bed, tucks himself in and has a sleep just to wake up and start the routine all over again,” said Penhale.

She is hopeful that once he gets a clean bill of health, he will be able to join his foster family again, otherwise, he will need to find a new foster until he can have his surgery and be readied for adoption.

Anyone who would like to meet Spud are asked to 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.

DENYS FARMS CONSERVATIONISTS FOR 2022

The winner of the Conservationist of the Year Award for 2022, presented by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), is Denys Farms Inc. Adrian Cornelissen (far left), Municipality of North Middlesex representative on the ABCA Board of Directors and Nathan Schoelier, ABCA Stewardship manager, presented the award on behalf of ABCA to (l-r) Dan, Mike, and Jim Denys at their farm north of Parkhill on June 9. (Submitted photo)

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has announced that the Conservationist of the Year in 2022 is Denys Farms Inc. – Jim, Dan and Mike Denys, of the Parkhill area. The Middlesex County family has been an early adopter of practices that sustain and improve soils in their farming operation while also limiting erosion and managing runoff.

“Ausable Bayfield Conservation is pleased and honored to announce that Denys Farms Inc. – Jim, Dan and Mike Denys – are this year’s deserving winners of the Conservationist of the Year award,” said Dave Jewitt, chair of the ABCA Board of Directors. “The Denys family has practised best practices and land stewardship for decades, helping to build soil health and to manage and reduce runoff to the benefit of their farming operation and their community.”

Jim Denys is President of Denys Farms Inc. He said the family is honored to receive the award.

“Our goal is to build the soil and build the business and we believe it’s possible to do both,” he said. “We use a number of best practices to reduce erosion of topsoil and to reduce nutrient loss while also achieving high yields.”

Denys Farms Inc. is a pork and cash crop producer.  They have run a three-crop rotation including corn, soybeans and wheat. The Denys family has practised no-till farming for more than 25 years. The Denys family planted no-till wheat in the 1990s as a way to conserve soil and stop erosion. Jim Denys was a recipient of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s 2019 Soil Champions Award.

Denys Farms Inc. is committed to building soil structure and organic matter. They accomplish this with strip-tilling and by planting cover crops including multi-species cover crops. Spreading of manure onto a cover crop in August encourages biomass production and limits runoff. They practise 4Rs stewardship using variable-rate fertilizer application and applying when it is needed by the crops.

The recipients received their award at a ceremony at their farm on June 9. They received a locally handcrafted, engraved dual-purpose board, made of Maple wood, that is a piece of art on one side and a serving tray on the other. In addition to the prize, ABCA is donating towards a tree and plaque at a Commemorative Woods.

ABCA has presented the Conservationist of the Year Award for more than 35 years – since 1984. To learn more visit the conservation award web page by clicking here: Conservationist of the Year Award. 

CONSEQUENCES OF PANDEMIC ON RURAL HEALTHCARE WORKERS

Casandra Bryant (Submitted photo)

The Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) Lecture Series wrapped up for the season on June 7 with guest speaker Casandra Bryant regarding her study of the impact of COVID on health care providers.

Bryant is a PhD student at the University of Guelph and a Research Associate at Gateway. She is currently conducting a study that began in June 2020: “The Consequences of the Pandemic for Rural Healthcare Workers: A Preliminary Exploration”. Bryant was joined by panellists, Project Lead “Be Well -Work Well” Research advisor for Gateway, Bonnie Baynham; and Associate Professor, University of Guelph and Chair of Rural Resiliency, for Gateway Leith Deacon. Bryant addressed the topic of “The Cost of Caring”.

“I’m running a marathon without the training,” said an Interviewee in June 2020.

The focus of her presentation centred around discussions about sources and stressors of support in rural health care, changing perceptions of health care, career/life changes, pandemic burnout, health care workers self-assessment on well-being and establishing a rural health context.

Bryant noted some of the barriers, challenges, and health care professional’s perspectives as they lived and worked during the COVID pandemic.

These included:

• Health care workers are taking on duties over and above paid work due to desire to help, sense of obligation or pressure from others.
• Discussion around the “complexity and severity of the pandemic burnout”.
• The changing perception of heroes from the beginning of the pandemic to now, experiencing “emotional pain, and guilt” if they are unable to match the Nobel quality standards.
•  Health care workers feel as if they are “under the microscope” when in public.

During the lecture, Deacon said, “There have been many changes due to COVID-19 and it has been exacerbated in our rural community.”

Comments from interviewee’s in May of 2022 that were highlighted during the talk were:

•  “Mental health should be the key focus when looking ahead.”
• “We have to think about mental health as mental wellness and not mental illness.”

Organizers would like to thank all those people who attended “The Cost of Caring” Lecture Series which were held on the first Tuesday of the month mid-day over ZOOM. Due to their success, Gateway will be continuing the Lecture Series in September 2022.

MUSIC FESTIVAL CONCERT SUPPORTS STUDENTS FROM UKRAINE

The concert “We Stand with Ukraine” will be held in Grand Bend on Sunday, June 19. The concert will feature internationally-honored bandurist Victor Mishalow – a Canadian educator, composer, conductor, and a Merited Artist of Ukraine – and his Bandurist Ensemble. (Submitted photo)

Huron Waves Music Festival will present a special concert that will celebrate Ukrainian culture and raise funds for young Ukrainians studying in Southwestern Ontario.

Dubbed “We Stand With Ukraine”, the concert will be held on Sunday, June 19 at 3 p.m. at Grand Bend Place in Grand Bend.

“Huron Waves is proud to honor the rich culture of Ukraine at the very time it is under brutal attack, and to raise funds to assist Ukrainians feeling the impact of the war,” said Paul Ciufo, chairperson of the Board of Directors of Huron Waves.

Judy Maddren, formerly of World Report, CBC National Radio News, will host the benefit concert. All proceeds from the event will assist students who are studying in Southwestern Ontario and are unable to be supported by their parents living under duress back home.

The concert will feature internationally-honoured bandurist Victor Mishalow – a Canadian educator, composer, conductor, and a Merited Artist of Ukraine – and his Bandurist Ensemble. Then, by live video, the audience will be linked with musicians on-site in Ukraine.

All the artists are donating their services for this special benefit performance. Tickets are available at www.huronwavesmusicfestival.ca

The bandura is a Ukrainian plucked string instrument.  It combines elements of the zither and lute and, up until the 1940s, was also often referred to by the term kobza. Early instruments (c. 1700) had five to 12 strings and were similar to the lute. In the 20th century, the number of strings increased initially to 31 strings (1926), then to 56 strings, then 68 strings on modern ‘concert’ instruments (1954).

Huron Waves is a new Music Festival offering dynamic and diverse music programming in Huron County from June 1-26.. Huron Waves Music Festival is generously supported by White Squirrel Golf Course & Restaurant, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, and the County of Huron.  We Stand With Ukraine is generously supported by GC Financial Solutions Group Inc., Paul and Julie Ciufo, and Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.   Masks are not required indoors but are appreciated, each person’s choice will be respected.

MASK USE CONTINUES FOR HPPH CLINICS

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) announced on June 8 that the Class Order on masking in certain indoor settings would expire as of midnight  on June 11.

Masks will no longer be required in: public transit; health care settings, such as, hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics that provide health care services, laboratories, specimen collection centres, and home and community care; congregate care settings that provide care and services to medically and socially vulnerable individuals; and shelters.

While no longer required under the CMOH order, masks will still be mandatory in long-term care and retirement homes.  Masks are also recommended in acute care and congregate care/living settings.

Businesses and organizations may implement their own rules and policies related to masking within their settings.

Mask use will continue in Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH)  clinical services and HPPH public areas.  This includes, but is not limited to:  on-site and community COVID-19 vaccination clinics;  on-site and community non-COVID vaccination clinics such as Grade 7 and Grade 10 immunizations;  sexual health clinics; oral health clinics; and Healthy Babies, Healthy Children visits.

HPPH staff will be masked, and everyone who attends is asked to wear a mask. Masks will be available for use. Other layers of protection such as active screening for clients (asking clients if they are feeling well or have had any COVID exposures) remain in place. HPPH staff continue to be actively screened as well.

“Masks are one layer of protection in a multi-layer approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19,” said Medical Officer of Health for Huron Perth, Dr. Miriam Klassen. “I encourage people and businesses to remain mask-friendly. If you are at higher risk of severe illness, or interact with elderly or immune-compromised individuals, please consider wearing a mask for greater protection.”

While Huron Perth is past the sixth wave of COVID-19, the virus is still circulating.  Everyone can contribute to reducing the impact of COVID-19 in their communities by continuing to layer personal protective measures, including: keeping up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations (getting all recommended doses for which they are eligible); staying home when sick, even with mild symptoms, and keeping ill children out of childcare and school; wearing a well-fitted three-layer cloth mask or medical mask in indoor public settings; knowing  risk and eligibility  for early testing and treatment, and having a plan to access that testing and treatment;  maintaining good ventilation in indoor spaces (for example by opening windows); and washing hands frequently.

For more information contact Huron Perth Public Health by calling  1-888-221-2133 or visit their website by clicking this link:  Coronavirus. 

DUCKS IN A ROW

Three youth oriented organizations have benefitted from the proceeds garnered from the Bayfield Optimist Club’s Rubber Duck Race held on the Victoria Day Weekend. Bayfield Guiding, Tanner Steffler Foundation (TSF) and Seeds Rooted in Youth were all presented with cheques in the amount of $1,000 recently. The presentations were held recently at one of the Optimist Club’s favorite projects – the Bayfield Splash Pad. Pictured l-r are: Optimist Treasurer John Pounder; Bayfield Guiding representative, Melody Falconer-Pounder; Optimist President, Mike Dixon; President and Founder of TSF, John Steffler; and Owner and lead facilitator of Seeds Rooted in Youth, Janneke Vorsteveld. (Photo by Sean Taylor)

STONES MAKE A SPLASH

The water to the Bayfield Splash Pad is back on for the season and several new engravings grace the stones around it. The engraving project has become an annual fundraiser for the Bayfield Optimist Club and all those who supported the project for 2022 are invited to go and view their stones and maybe go for a wee splash on a hot summer’s day! (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)