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The Bayfield BreezeIssue 675 Week 25 Vol 13

June 15, 2022

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Issue 675 Week 25 Vol 13
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CONSTRUCTION WORK MOVED SOUTHBOUND

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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:

COMMUNITY INVITED TO CELEBRATE 75 YEARS AT LIONS’ OPEN HOUSE

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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

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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

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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

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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.

FOBL BOOK SALE

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The Friends of the Bayfield Library Book Sale is planned for Aug. 18-20. (Submitted photo)


The annual book sale at the Bayfield Public Library is a “Go” this year! After a pandemic hiatus of two years, the Friends of Bayfield Library (FOBL) is delighted to announce that the book sale will be held Aug. 18-20, coinciding with the Bayfield Community Fair weekend.

As in the past, FOBL depends on donations of gently used books, games, puzzles, DVDs, and CDs to make the sale a success. This year, FOBL has new donation restrictions on what can and cannot be accepted. Anyone wishing to donate items for the sale should visit www.FOBL.ca to view or download the Donation Guidelines. Paper copies of the Donation Guidelines are also available at the library.

FOBL wishes to extend a huge “thank you” to everyone who has been saving books to donate over the past several years. People are kindly asked to continue storing books at home until the drop-off dates, which are listed in the Donation Guidelines. Please do not drop off or leave boxes of donation items outside the library as there is no space to store them.

BHS WEB MAP

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At its Annual General Meeting held on May 30, the Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) announced the launch of the Bayfield Historical Web Map: www.bayfieldhistoricalwebmap.ca.

People can now browse hundreds of historical images on an interactive map of the village. They can explore Bayfield sites and addresses from their desktop or tablet. They can also compare current views of the lots and shoreline to historical maps layered over top of the current-day one.

“Our sincere thanks and congratulations to Ben Woodward, who created the beta version for BHS as a University of Waterloo co-op student last summer and completed it over the past few months,” said Julia Armstrong, BHS archivist.

To watch Woodward’s video instructions for navigating the site please click on “TUTORIAL” found in the top menu bar.

Thanks to Woodward and cataloguing assistant, Stephanie Talbot, BHS has digitized and described many records in their holdings, and the web map is one way the Bayfield Archives and Heritage Centre has worked towards making them more accessible for viewing by the community.

CANADA DAY KITS

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A sneak peak of the Canada Day 2022 “Take & Make” kits. (Submitted photo)


The Friends of Bayfield Library (FOBL) are busy preparing “Take & Make” kits with a Canada Day theme that will provide hours of crafting fun for kids.

The Take & Make kits will be ready for pickup outside the Bayfield Public Library on Saturday, June 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while quantities last. Anyone picking up a kit is kindly asked to respect social distancing at this event.

Each kit will contain materials and instructions for a Canada Day lantern craft, a sweet treat to make at home, Canada Day stickers and pencils. There will also be Scavenger Hunt sheets available for both the junior and primary age groups. The Scavenger Hunt sheets will include a draw slip to fill out for a chance to win one of two $25 gift cards from The Village Bookshop to be used for the purchase of a child-related item. Participants in the Scavenger Hunt can return their completed sheets to the library any time before June 30 as the draw will take place on that date.

After the event, parents, and grandparents too, are invited to send photos of the completed crafts to contact@fobl.ca. The photos will be posted on the FOBL Facebook page over the following week.

ARCHIVES HELP WANTED

The Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) is offering employment at the Archives & Heritage Centre to a mature individual who will be able to work with limited supervision. Funding for this position specifies that applicants must be under 30 years of age but is not limited to students. 

The successful applicant must be comfortable greeting visitors. They will be in charge of renting quadricycles; selling books and other items; and assisting with in-house projects. Direction and training will be provided. 

The Archives & Heritage Centre is located at 20 Main St. N. in Bayfield and is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. The position offers a 30-hour week at $16 per hour The individual should be able to start immediately until Sept. 3. 

Interested persons are asked to contact bhsmembers@gmail.com.

CANNED TUNA NEEDED

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Volunteers were pleased to find that the donation box kept by the door to Trinity St. James Anglican Church’s Parish Hall held a few requested items recently. (Submitted photo)


The shelves at the Bayfield and Area Food Bank (BAFB) are currently light on two of their staples – breakfast cereals and canned tuna and they are looking to the community to help with restocking.

BAFB is always grateful for the support of the community and would request that donors consider gluten free options (must say gluten free on packaging) when donating breakfast staples.

The BAFB would like to thank the members of Bayfield Guiding that recently donated a few boxes of cereal in support of the request to the community.

The needs of the BAFB aren’t always food related as they are also hoping the community would be open to providing them with feminine hygiene products.

Collection boxes for donations can be found at the Bayfield Public Library on Main Street as well as Trinity St. James Anglican Church (outside the entrance to the Parish Hall off the parking lot).

For anyone who would like to support BAFB with a monetary gift, there are a few options available. Cheques can be mailed to: Bayfield Area Food Bank, 10 Keith Cres., Bayfield, ON, N0M 1G0. An e-transfer can be made through BAFB’s gmail account: bayfieldareafoodbank@gmail.com or a donation can be received on-line through the www.canadahelps.org website.

CANINE CONVENTION

Bayfield People and Canine Community (PACC) is excited to support and participate in the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association’s (BRVTA) “Dogs on Leash” Canine Convention! What a fun time for people and canines to mix on the trail, and protect the dogs, the hikers, and the trails at the same time. This Canine Convention will take place at the beautiful Woodland Trail on Wednesday, June 15 at 2 p.m.. Participants are asked to meet at the David Street trailhead. Bayfield PACC would like to offer many thanks to BRVTA for hosting this event and to the property owners for allowing dogs on leash. They look forward to seeing both the people and the pups! (Submitted photo)

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) members are looking forward to hosting a Canine Convention on the Woodland Trail today (June 15). 

Starting at 2 p.m. the BRVTA will welcome dogs and their owners to a “Dogs on Leash” Canine Convention on the Woodland Trail in collaboration with the Bayfield People and Canine Community (PACC).   This will be a great chance for dogs and owners to socialize while enjoying the woods in spring.  Keeping dogs on their leads not only protects them, other hikers, and the forest wildlife but also meets a condition of the private property owners who make the Woodland Trail possible.  

Participants are asked to meet at the David Street trailhead, a map can be found at Woodland Trail. Many thanks to the Brandon, Zavitz, and Dowson families for their ongoing support.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY

BRVTA’s second annual Indigenous Peoples Day hike will be held on Saturday, June 25 starting at 11 a.m. on the Sawmill Trail. Todd Torresan of the The Talking Circle Group Perth-Huron will be both special guest and guide.  Torresan is a well-known speaker on Indigenous culture and will share his knowledge as hikers stop along the trail.

This will be a BRVTA members-only hike with pre-registration required by contacting Ralph Blasting at rjblastingjr@gmail.com or 519 525-3205.

The Sawmill Trail offers a 2 km hike with one steep hill.  The event will last about 90 minutes. Hikers are asked to meet and park at the Sawmill trailhead on Old River Road, on the north side of the Bayfield River.  A map can be found at Sawmill Trail.

WEDNESDAY BRIDGE

The Bayfield Bridge Club is inviting new people to come out for a few friendly games of Bridge on Wednesday afternoons at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.

The cards are shuffled at 1 p.m. Players do not need a partner to participate in these “drop-in” sessions. The cost to join in the fun is $4.

All levels of players are welcome to take part in the games that are played year-round at the building located at 6 Municipal Road in the village.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Summer is finally here and Rev. Lisa Dolson, of Knox Presbyterian Church in Bayfield, will be starting a new book discussion on July 5. The book is entitled, “Wholehearted Faith” by Rachel Held Evans with Jeff Chu.

The talks will be held on Tuesdays starting at 2 p.m. and everyone is welcome to join the conversation.

Books can be ordered from The Village Bookshop, be sure to mention you are part of the group at the time of ordering. Please contact the minister for more information and to be added to the ZOOM email list by emailing knoxpcbayfield@gmail.com or at the phone number listed below.

The congregation of Knox Church, Bayfield is sorry to note that “Kintail on the Road” won’t be offered at the church again this summer, but they are hopeful for next year.

Knox members would like the community to know that they still have some recipe books left to sell, at $15 each. These would make a great gift for anyone who loves to cook! To purchase please leave a message at the church by calling 519 565-2913.

BLUE BAYFIELD

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Plant native milkweed and other native flowers in gardens and eliminate pesticide use to help keep monarch butterflies from going extinct. (Photo by Dawn Cumming)

Editor’s Note:  This is a semi-regular feature from Blue Bayfield highlighting simple ways people can make a difference in their community to create a healthier environment. 

Did you know that numbers of monarch butterflies are increasing again? World Wildlife Fund Mexico just released results of an annual study showing that monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico occupied 35 per cent  more land this winter than last winter. This, in addition to an annual study done by the Xerces Society showing that the number of monarch butterflies increased over 100 times this last winter, is exciting news. However, it’s important to point out that western monarch butterflies have lost more than 95 per cent of their population since the 1980s and eastern monarchs have declined by over 70 per cent in the last thirty years.

This year the butterflies occupied about 2.8 hectares of land; the year before they occupied about 2.1 hectares. In the 1990s however, scientists estimated that over 18 hectares of land were occupied and at least six hectares were required to sustain the butterflies. So 2.8 hectares still falls short.

Unfortunately, it will be a slow and difficult recovery for this species as much of its habitat is now dominated by corn and soybeans which are sprayed with herbicides that kill milkweed, the sole food of monarch caterpillars. Logging and destruction of overwintering sites is also a threat to the monarchs.

What you can do…Plant native milkweed and other native flowers in your gardens and eliminate pesticide use to help keep monarch butterflies from going extinct.

DENYS FARMS CONSERVATIONISTS FOR 2022

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

PUBLIC HEALTH

The Huron Perth Public Health website is updated regularly with confirmed case counts received.

“Our online case reporting is not a real-time tool but is meant to keep the community informed on trends we are seeing,” explains Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Miriam Klassen.

For the latest statistics on COVID-19 cases in Huron and Perth Counties and also the percentage of people vaccinated please visit: www.hpph.ca

ABCA SCHOLARSHIP

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) is offering a $1,000 Student Environmental Award scholarship in 2022.

“We are very proud to offer the Student Environmental Award in 2022,” said Dave Frayne, ABCF chair. “This $1,000 student bursary helps a local student in their studies and we encourage local young people to apply.”

The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 30 by 4:30 p.m. local time.

For the application form and flyer poster, and for complete details, please visit the abca.ca website at this web page link: Student Environmental Award. 

The successful applicant must be a graduating secondary school student or student currently enrolled in university or college pursuing education in a conservation-related course of study such as biology, ecology, geography, forestry, fish and wildlife, agriculture, or outdoor education.

Interested students are to write a creative two-page essay on their personal involvement with a conservation or environment-based project or organization.

Eligible students must be between the ages of 17 and 25, have a permanent address in a municipality of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed. Municipalities in the ABCA watershed are: Adelaide, Metcalfe, Bluewater, Central Huron, Huron East, Lambton Shores, Lucan Biddulph, Perth South, Middlesex Centre, North Middlesex, South Huron, Warwick and West Perth.

There have been ten local recipients of the award. Past winners are: Ryan Finnie, 2010; Raina Vingerhoeds, 2011; Greg Urquhart, 2012; Ryan Carlow, 2013; Connor Devereaux, 2014; Barb Alber, 2015; Samantha Bycraft, 2016; Marina Lather, 2017; Ethan Quenneville, 2018; and Meghan Glavin, 2019.

MASK POLICY

With final government mask mandates recently expired in Ontario, ongoing responsibility for policy and practice shifts to the hospitals to determine whether masking will continue.

In alignment with recommendations from Public Health Ontario, and hospitals across the South West, Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) will maintain its universal masking policy which applies to all family/caregivers, outpatients, inpatients (where tolerated), and team members.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have been assessing what we feel are appropriate protections for our team and our patients as well as those visiting our hospital sites,” said President and CEO, Andrew Williams. “We have consistently put safety first and will be continuing with universal masking indefinitely. It is the right thing to do, and I know people will support the HPHA in placing their health and the health of our patients, caregivers, family members and team members at the core of all we do.”

In addition to continuing to require masking, active screening of all individuals entering its facilities will be maintained. HPHA’s COVID-19 Immunization Policy requiring all new midwives, physicians, staff, volunteers and contractors to be vaccinated will also remain in place.

With these protections in place, on June 13, HPHA  removed the requirement for family and caregivers entering its facilities to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, Family and Caregiver Presence Guidelines will be expanded to allow for two family members or essential caregivers per day, and one family member or essential caregiver for individuals attending outpatient appointments. Outdoor visits will also be able to be arranged for those patients that can be safely transported by a family member/essential caregiver. Full guidelines can be found on HPHA’s website at www.hpha.ca.

Huron and Perth residents are reminded that getting vaccinated and boosted remains the best protection against serious illness and hospitalization from COVID-19.

BLUEWATER NEWS

On June 4, Huron Hospice hosted a capital campaign event to celebrate a landmark donation of $500,000 generously donated by David and Susan Bender. The landmark donation has helped Huron Hospice to push closer to their goal of $1.6 million to add beds to its residence and increase quality palliative care in the area. In recognition of this gift, Huron Hospice is to be renamed to Huron Hospice Bender House.

Councillor Alwyn Vanden Berg was in attendance at the event as a donor, to represent the Municipality of Bluewater which has donated $10,000 in contribution towards Huron Hospice’s goal. The combined contributions from donors have now reached $1.5 million, just short of the $100,000 needed to begin the hospices’ transformation.

Huron Hospice has, and continues to, provide quality hospice palliative care for local  rural communities. To support their goal, please visit www.huronhospice.ca for more information.

LET’S HAVE A PARTY

July 2022 is Huron Hospice – Let’s Have a Party month. “Let’s Have a Party” is an exciting new way to connect with friends and neighbors and an ideal way to have a charitable impact.

Current world circumstances have allowed people to re-evaluate their priorities. The “great reset” helped many people realize that it is possible to do good things, help the community, and have fun at the same time. One example is the Huron Hospice – Let’s Have a Party. Throughout July, people can invite friends to an event with the understanding that the event is a fundraiser for Huron Hospice. It could be a cocktail party, a dinner, a BBQ, a themed event or even a lakeside social.

Donations from the event will help cover a day of operations at Huron Hospice.

“Huron Hospice needs $1,000 a day to cover operations. The government covers half of hospice residence operations annually. We ask the community to fund the other half, $1,000 each day. In July, we are asking 30 people to have a party – a social gathering and raise $1,000. When this happens, Huron Hospice will finance operations for the month,” said Willy Van Klooster, Executive director at Huron Hospice.

He went on to explain further, “When you have a social gathering with 50, you would ask people to contribute $20; 20 people would donate $50. Ten guests at a dinner party would contribute $100. The result is the same; these gifts will cover nursing and other programs and maintenance of the hospice residence for a day. A member of the Hospice board of directors is hosting a Lakeside Social at their cottage. They will invite 50 people to visit for sandwiches, snacks, and summer conversation at the cottage. When they invite people, they will ask everyone to give $20. Collectively the Lakeside Social will contribute $1,000 to Hospice operations.”

People choose to support Huron Hospice for many reasons. It could be the in-home care and respite offered by a trained volunteer. It could be personal experience in the hospice residence or grief recovery support for someone who has experienced a loss.

For anyone who would like to host a Huron Hospice, Let’s Party event, Huron Hospice is available to help. They will provide electronic or printed pamphlets about Hospice, issue tax receipts, and send a thank-you note for donations over $20.

To learn more, contact  Van Klooster by calling 519 525-6856 or by email at willy.vanklooster@huronhospice.ca.

HPHA AGM

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) will be holding their Virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) on June 16.

The meeting will be held over ZOOM starting at 7 p.m.

This AGM is for the members of the Clinton Public Hospital, St. Marys Memorial Hospital, Seaforth Community Hospital and Stratford General Hospital. At this meeting those present will receive Annual Reports of the Board of Directors, including Financial Statements, together with the Auditor’s Report. In addition, auditors will be appointed, amendments will be made to each of the Hospital Corporation’s By-Laws and the Ad Hoc Nominating Committee Report will be received.

Please note that only members of the hospital corporations shall be entitled to vote at the AGM but members of the public are welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Sue Davey, Executive assistant at 519 272-8205 or email susan.davey@hpha.ca to receive the ZOOM link in advance of the meeting

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

The Alzheimer Society Huron Perth (ASHP) is offering a new line up of Summer Education Programs both  in-person and online.

In July, join them for ASHP’s inaugural Brain Health Academy – a free four-week online education series focused on specific areas of brain health. The Brain Health Academy will be held over  ZOOM on Thursday mornings, July 7-28 for one hour starting at 10 a.m.

The dates and topics are as follows: July 7, Nourish: Feed the body, feed the brain; July 14, Replenish and Restore: Rest and mindfulness as brain health support; July 21, Engage and Connect: Stay social, keep sharp; and July 28, Move: Keeping the body – and the brain – active.

People are invited to join in just one or all four sessions. ASHP may even be sending out diplomas for attending all four sessions of the Brain Health Academy; join in to find out!

To sign up for the Brain Health Academy, and see ASHPs other online courses, visit Education Hour on their website by clicking here.

The ASHP’s second offering for July is the Memory and Aging Program. It will be held  in-person at the MacKay Centre in Goderich. This engaging program explains how memory works and addresses age-related memory changes. Participants will learn and practice proven and effective memory strategies. The $25 program fee includes a workbook.

The Memory and Aging Program will take place over four Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon on July 6-27. The MacKay Centre is located at 10 Nelson St. East in Goderich. Interested individuals are asked to please register for this program by June 30.

People may register for Memory and Aging, or any other program, by contacting the ASHP office at 519 482-1482 or 1-800-561-5012 or by emailing jeanette@alzheimerhuron.on.ca.

GRAND BEND CANADA DAY

Canada Day celebrations in Grand Bend are a go! People can look forward to a day filled with music and an evening filled with fireworks.

The Grand Bend Canada Day Organizing Committee and community would like to thank all the sponsors who stepped up and supported the return of this event with Needham/Southwest Marine and Powersports stepping up as the major sponsor.

Music will be provided by “Upside of Maybe” and “Jane’s Party” at the Rotary Stage on the Main Beach in Grand Bend.

Upside of Maybe is a family friendly, award winning, roots-based pop rock band from Stratford. They will play from 7-8 p.m. Then Jane’s Party will perform from 8- 9 p.m. Jane’s Party‘s onstage prowess has had them touring with Blue Rodeo, Tom Odell and the Arkells.

Mike & Terri’s No Frills, Rotary of Grand Bend, Sunset Community Foundation, and MyFM are band sponsors.

Then starting at 10 p.m. the fireworks are shot off at the main pier and the sky above main beach becomes the stage for a 30-minute fireworks display claimed to be the largest in Southwestern Ontario.

SPEAKING OF DEMOCRACY

The Huron County Museum is pleased to welcome “Speaking of Democracy”, a travelling exhibit from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, on display at the Museum until July 10.

Launched in 2019 as an art exhibit in the Lieutenant Governor’s Suite at Queen’s Park, Speaking of Democracy was developed in response to the observation that both at home and abroad, many were starting to express concerns about the fragility of democracy and its foundational institutions.

Speaking of Democracy is designed to engage Ontarians in conversation about these significant and timely issues. The exhibit invites visitors to consider: Are we taking democracy for granted? What is democracy all about? In these rapidly changing times, is it important to maintain and support democracy? Fully bilingual, the exhibit is composed of 28 quotes by historic and contemporary sources and individuals exploring these issues.

“The Museum is pleased to host this important opportunity for our communities and visitors to explore what democracy means in 2022,” said Senior Curator Elizabeth French-Gibson.

The exhibit is open to the public during regular Museum hours fr operation and is included with regular admission to the Museum, free for Museum members, or free/by-donation with a  Huron County Library card.

For more information, visit: www.huroncountymuseum.ca.

REMEMBER THIS

The Huron County Museum is home to thousands of artifacts that illustrate the history of both the rural and urban populations of the area. Space dictates what wonderful curiosities the public regularly gets to see when they visit the museum located at 110 North Street in Goderich. But where there is wifi, there is an opportunity to time-travel with over 6,700 pieces of the museum’s collection now available to view online at huroncountymuseum.pastperfectonline.com.

“Remember This” highlights items from the collection of the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol. Items that have shaped the fabric of the county and the people who have lived here since before the county became the county in 1835 up until more recent times.

Graduation season has arrived so this week we examine a couple of graduation-themed artifacts from the Museum’s collection.

DIPLOMA

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This is a diploma issued to Gulielmum Forbes Gallow, Doctor in Medicine, University of Toronto, on June 7, 1945. It is signed by Henry Cody, President, A.B. Fennell, Registrar, University of Toronto.

GRADUATE

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This is a black and white photograph from the 1920s of an unknown young man who has his hair combed back and is wearing round shaped glasses. He is sporting a suit with a tie and a fur trimmed graduation gown. On his right lapel there is a V-shaped pin.

The photograph is part of a collection from the Gray Family and their descendents, the Mason, Manning and Watson families, that all resided in the Blyth and Londesboro area.

NEW BOOK

ROTH AND REID PAIR TOGETHER LIKE “CHEESIES & ROOT BEER”

STORY BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

For a number of years Judy M. Roth had an art gallery on Bayfield’s Main Street sharing her passion both for creating her own art and promoting other artists. Since closing up shop she has spent many happy hours in a studio customized to suit her creative needs in her very own Bayfield backyard oasis.

Roth’s paintings are a mix of gestural abstraction to a ‘not quite’ realism style.

“I generally work in acrylics for my paintings but I also like to mix it up,” Roth said. “You may find collage, fibre arts, glass and digital art.”

Solitary creation isn’t necessarily Roth’s style and she approached another village creative to partner with her on a special project. She asked story-teller extraordinaire, H. Reid, if he would be interested in writing short stories inspired by her artwork.

“It started several months ago with an email and a quick reply of ‘YES!’”, Roth said.

Years of friendship and long talks between Roth and Reid have resulted in a 50-page book of  melodic tales and original art entitled, “Cheesies & Root Beer:  The Art of Pairings”.

Roth describes Reid as a kind soul with a story to tell, a guitar to play and a bike to ride in all types of weather.

“His daily visits to my shop always made me smile,” she said. “Our conversations ranged from music to who knows, it just flowed naturally. I knew his words would be a bonus to this book.”

Roth had a vision of 22 paintings paired with 22 stories as 22 is her lucky number and also to celebrate the year 2022!

“Many Bayfield residents, and visitors, are very familiar with H.Reid and his storytelling and now they will know him as a published author,” said Roth. “This is surprisingly his first book and we anticipate a couple more from him.  The stories are quirky tales inspired by my art but many have a personal tale to tell.”

And in keeping with the nature of collaboration, two of the art pieces selected from the book are “switch art” created by Roth and good friend and fellow artist Jacquie van Klaveren.

“These pieces were created at a cottage, with the loudest and best music. When the song ended we would yell, ‘Switch’ and continue painting on the other’s canvas not knowing which way was up. It didn’t matter.”

Both Roth and Reid hope the 22 stories and 22 original art pieces will be enjoyed individually but, when paired, will trigger a moment in time that may also be paired with the reader’s memories.

For example the title of the book is a significant memory for Roth – perhaps what set her on a lifelong journey of art through abstract parental encouragement – for the curious all will be revealed on Page 47.

A  hardcover copy of “Cheesies & Root Beer: The Art of Pairings” has been donated to the Bayfield Public Library.

Signed copies of the book in both soft and hard covers are available by emailing Roth at  jmrcollections@outlook.com or visit  jmrcollections.com to see more of the artwork contained in the book. Shipping is also available.

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Author H. Reid surrounded by Judy M. Roth's art as well as copies of the book the pair collaborated on, "Cheesies & Rootbeer: The Art of Pairings". (Submitted photos)

THE FLOWER BUSINESS

Every Friday.
He went shopping at the grocery store.
Every week without fail, he brought her back ten tulips.
Always tried to pick a bunch that were nice and tight.
Out of habit, he always counted the number of
    unopened tulips inside the wrapped paper package.
Never certain what colour they would eventually bloom into.
She loved The Yellow.
The Pink came in a close second.
He always had an option.

Pushing aside the magazines,
    he made some room on the cluttered table.
He put the carefully wrapped Tulips
    down onto the harvest table.
Silently she stood still staring closely at the parcel.
‘I’d say Yellow’.

 Smiling, heading toward the side door,
    he grabbed a yellow apple and left the kitchen.
Behind him, with a noisy clatter, the screen door slammed shut.
Smiling back, to an empty room,
    she pulled out a press-back chair and sat down.
Her fingers reached out to rest on top of the hard
    dark green stems of the tulips.

‘I’d say Pink.’

– H.Reid

PIXILATED

 IMAGE OF THE WEEK

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Perfect Daisy…BySally Leitch

Submit Your photo

Email your photo in Jpeg format to hello@bayfield-breeze.com with the subject line Subscriber Photo of the Week. or…Upload your photo to Flickr.

I am looking for the Bayfield that is a delight to the eye – please share photos with a touch of whimsy, beauty, humor or a sense of fun. If you are to include people in your photos be sure to have their permission to publish their picture on-line and also send in their names and where they are from. And don’t forget to tell me who took the photo for proper credit to be issued.

SUBMISSIONS

Image of Melody Falconer-Pounder

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Melody Falconer-Pounder

The Farm Little family could use some help from their community. Kelsey and Lucas Seeberger, along with their very young children, Layna and Finn, operate their business on property on Mill Road just East of Bayfield. They sell homegrown seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as stone-ground flours that they grind right on the farm.

They opened their  business at the end of June 2020 and quickly have become a favorite of local residents as well as visitors to the area.

Very recently Kelsey was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She recently experienced a  bout of Diabetic Ketoacidosis that landed her in the hospital for three days. Such a diagnosis would never be good news at any time of the year but for the Farm Little family it is particularly difficult as it is at the start of their growing season. The weeds growing in their vegetable garden won’t stop to allow time to adjust and adapt to their new circumstances. They worry that their produce will not be as abundant as it has been in the past and they may have to downsize.

Earlier this week Kelsey posted on Social Media inviting people to come out and weed and hoe in the garden if the mood struck them so I thought I’d share this with our readership. It is the perfect opportunity for people to help out a neighbor in need by getting their hands dirty and in doing so providing hope for a bountiful harvest and healthier days ahead. – Melody

Ideas and contributions to the Bayfield Breeze are always welcome.
Deadlines for submissions are Sundays at 4 p.m.