The Bayfield BreezeIssue 676 Week 26 Vol 13
June 22, 2022
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JUST FORE FUN!
The Optimist Club of Bayfield held their Golf Tournament at the Bluewater Golf Course on Saturday, June 11 and the winning team with a score of 60 were l-r: Cody Symes, Andy Heard, Chris Jantzi and Mike McMann. A fine day of golf was followed by a wonderful meal at The Albion Hotel. The club members would like to thank all who contributed to make the day a success and a terrific fundraiser for their many Friends of Youth projects. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)
PUBLIC INVITED TO TAKE SURVEY ON SHORT TERM RENTALS
The Municipality of Bluewater staff and Council would like to create a short term rental policy that balances the economic benefits of short term rentals with the needs of the neighborhoods. A key part of this process is to work with the community toward this goal. The Municipality would like public feedback to draft a by-law to regulate short term rentals.
As part of the process, the Municipality of Bluewater invites the public across the municipality to provide feedback on short term rentals and the draft by-law. This includes feedback from short term rental operators, neighbors of short term rentals, other residents in the municipality, and visitors who use short term rentals. A variety of perspectives will help to develop a by-law that balances the needs of residents and short term rental operators.
The purpose of the proposed by-law is to ensure safety of all parties in and around all properties. It will include considerations for protection of renters and neighbours. Some items to be included in the by-law are:
- A parking management plan to ensure that people do not park on streets outside of permitted areas and to prohibit parking on private lots where damage to septic systems could happen.
- A maximum occupancy limit that reflects a maximum number of people per bedroom and/or per dwelling.
- A requirement that the owner must be able to attend the property within thirty minutes.
- A demerit point system is proposed to give negative points to rentals that do not comply with the licensing by-law or other municipal by-laws. If a maximum number of demerit points is reached, the license may be revoked. This will ensure that all municipal by-laws and requirements will be followed within the most vulnerable residential areas.
The Municipality welcomes individuals to complete the short term rental consultation survey by Aug. 31. It can be found by clicking here: Survey. This survey has different questions geared towards people’s role as either a neighbor, short term rental operator, visitor, etc. Any information collected may be included in a report to Council, but personal information will not be shared.
JULY HIKES INCLUDE ADMIRAL BAYFIELD STORIES
The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) has two events organized for the month of July.
The BRVTA will be joining the celebrations in dedicated Admiral Bayfield Square with a walk through the village led by historian David Yates on Saturday, July 9.
Yates is the author of “Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield: Master Chart Maker of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.”
Starting at Clan Gregor Square at 11 a.m. the walk will last about 90 minutes. It will follow the Heritage Trail through the Village to Pioneer Park and return to Main Street prior to the dedication of Admiral Bayfield Square at 1 p.m. Along the way, Yates will share some stories about the man after whom the Village is named. All are welcome.
On Saturday, July 23, the whole family is invited to a Scavenger Hunt on the Varna Nature Trails! The event will start early at 9 a.m. and participants will be sent off with a list of items to collect along the way. Can you find a snail shell? A feather? Something blue? Bring a bag to collect your treasures and everyone will gather at the end to see how participants did. This event will be great for kids, but people of all ages are welcome. The Varna Complex is 5 km east of Bayfield on the Mill Road and the trailhead is at the north end of the parking lot. A map can be found here: Mavis’ Trail – Taylor Trail .
For more information about any BRVTA hikes, please contact Hike Coordinator Ralph Blasting at rjblastingjr@gmail.com or call 519 525-3205.
Now is also a great time of year to utilize the BRVTA’s “Hiking Buddy Program”.
“We want to encourage you to use our beautiful trails year round for fitness and fun as much as you desire,” said Blasting, “The Hiking Buddy program is a membership benefit designed to help you meet other members of the BRVTA to organize a hiking time, with at least one other person, outside of the scheduled group hikes our association offers.”
Anyone interested in joining this program, is asked to please contact the coordinator, Laurie, by email at info@bayfieldtrails.com.
“She will gladly answer any questions you may have. If you decide to join, Laurie will obtain your contact information to be distributed to the other buddies. Your contact information will be shared only with the other hiking buddies and our hiking coordinators. We do not allow your personal info to be shared for marketing purposes,” concluded Blasting.
JUST TWO MORE SATURDAYS TO DONATE
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 June 11 and 18, as part of the first collection day for the Rummage Sale.
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 two Saturdays June 25 and July 2nd. On both 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.
THE SHE WOLVES TO GRACE STAGE
Two of The She Wolves band members (l-r): Cheryl Lescom and Chuckee Zehr. (Submitted photo)
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 She Wolves” are next in the fabulous line-up of entertainers scheduled to perform and will take to the outdoor stage on Saturday, July 2nd.
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.
PIPPIN RESCUED FROM ROAD
Pippin (Submitted photo)
Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines (BFF) has helped hundreds of feral and abandoned cats find their forever homes but many are still waiting.
Pippen is the Adopt-A-BFF kitten of the week.
Pippin was found sitting in the middle of the road all by herself on the evening of June 17. A very kind driver stopped and picked her up. This person was unable to keep her and didn’t know what to do with a kitten so young so they brought her to the Rescue.
Volunteers believe that this kitten is about four to five weeks old and she seems to be in not too bad of condition. Although her road adventure is behind her, Pippin will need to be bottle-fed for a time. She will also need to be monitored to make sure that she has no underlying health issues and continues to thrive. Once deemed to be healthy by a vet, and when she is old enough, she will be spayed and given age appropriate vaccines. She will then be ready for adoption.
Anyone who would like to meet Pippin 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.
TOURNAMENTS DREW PLAYERS FROM CANADA, USA AND AUSTRALIA
Bayfield International Croquet Club (BICC) hosted the 2022 Golf Open Tournament from June 4-8 followed by the 2022 Croquet Canada AC Open Tournament from June 8-12.
Fourteen amazing golf croquet players entered the BICC Golf Open. The weather was variable throughout this four-day tournament.
Players came from Australia, from North Carolina, Colorado and Minnesota in the USA as well as Ontario. Players and club members got to know each other during the tournament and at social activities.
Twenty four players entered Croquet Canada’s 2022 Open Association Croquet. Players came from the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia; from North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota in the USA as well as Australia. The lineup included the top five players in Canada and three of the top 20 players in the USA.
The weather ranged from hot and sunny to rain to cold and cloudy.
This four-day tournament included Championship Flight, First and Second Flights. The results were as follows: Doug Grimsley, of Virginia, beat Chris Percival-Smith, of British Columbia in the Championship Flight. Dave MacLaren, of Ontario, a BICC member and volunteer, beat Jim Wright, of Ontario in the First Flight. Peter Jeffers, of Ontario, also a BICC Member and volunteer, beat Mary Rodeberg, of Minnesota in the Second Flight.
Club volunteers ensured the tournaments and activities went smoothly and a fantastic time was had!
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Brian Cumming (left), of Elora, ON beat Rich Lamm (right), of Colorado, USA in the 2022 BICC Golf Open Championship Flight. Tournament Manager Arlene Parker presented a cash and art award to the winner. (Submitted photos)
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Dave MacLaren (right), of Bayfield, Ontario, BICC Member and volunteer, beat Jim Wright (left), of Ontario in the First Flight of Croquet Canada's 2022 Open Association Croquet. Arlene Parker, Tournament manager presented a cash and art award to the winner. MacLaren donated his cash award to BICC.
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David Druiett (right), of Sarnia, ON beat John Davies (left), of Bayfield, ON in the First Flight of the 2022 BICC Golf Open. Tournament Manager Arlene Parker presented a cash and art award to the winner.
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Peter Jeffers (right), of Bayfield, ON, a BICC Member and volunteer, beat Mary Rodeberg (left), of Minnesota, USA, in the Second Flight of Croquet Canada's 2022 Open Association Croquet. Arlene Parker, Tournament manager presented an art award to the winner.
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Doug Grimsley (right), of Virginia, USA beat Chris Percival-Smith (middle), of British Columbia, in the Championship Flight of Croquet Canada's 2022 Open Association Croquet. Jim Wright (left), president of Croquet Canada presented a cash and art award to the winner. Grimsley donated his cash award to BICC.
NEW BUSINESS
CREATING AUTHENTIC NORTH INDIAN FLAVORS RELATABLE TO EVERYONE
PHOTOS AND STORY BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER
On June 7, Bobby’s Bayfield Tandoori House opened for dine-in at The Ashwood Inn. The owners of The Ashwood Inn, Hina and Mike Patel, have entered into a new partnership with entrepreneurs Pravin Khanna and Bobby Jaggi who are now working alongside the same chefs that shared their culinary skills with patrons in the summer of 2021 – Chef Pradeep Kumar and Sous Chef Balji.
This is Khanna and Jaggi’s second collaboration and Khanna’s second restaurant, his first in Canada. He opened his first Indian style establishment, “Khanna’s Desi Vibes, in Saint Louis, Missouri in the spring of 2020 – right before COVID-19 shut everything down.
Khanna was born in Bombay, India and became an Electrical Engineer by trade. He worked in that field for two decades. It provided him with opportunities to travel to different countries. He came to Canada in 2000 and then moved to Saint Louis in 2007.
“My passion was always to open a restaurant,” Khanna said. “When I traveled for work I would always try the local food. I was very interested in exploring fusion combining other countries’ foods with Indian spices. In 2019 I decided to pursue my dream.”
In opening his first restaurant, Khanna partnered with Jaggi, who lives in New Delhi and is an Interior Designer. She also operated a small home-based catering business offering modern Indian style cooking. She too has a passion for cooking, learning from her mother. She loves homestyle cooking using pure ingredients. On both the American and Canadian projects Jaggi has served as stylist guiding everything from decor, ambience and how the meals are presented.
As the pandemic wore on in 2020, Jaggi provided motivation for Khanna to keep going and to have faith although her helping out was restricted to Facetime calls from her home in India.
“We opened in early October 2020. We had a great team, great chefs, and although we were restricted to take-out and limited seat dining we consistently produced quality food and provided quality service. The feedback and support of the community was tremendous,” Khanna said.
So tremendous in fact that Khanna’s Desi Vibes was listed in the “Best 100 Restaurants of 2021 in Saint Louis” by Saint Louis Magazine.
With this success Khanna and Jaggi looked to Canada to open a second establishment.
“We have roots in Canada. We both have family here,” said Khanna.
Bayfield, Ontario wasn’t on Khanna’s list as locations to open his second restaurant. He had never heard of the village until earlier this spring when he was contacted by a friend who lives in Goderich. Khanna was familiar with Goderich having visited his friend in the town a couple of times previously.
“My friend suggested that I come have a look at the space in The Ashwood Inn. So I did. It was all ready to go. So I called Bobby and said, ‘I think I’ve found a place’ and asked her to come to have a look,” said Khanna.
Jaggi came in mid-April and together, along with Chef Kumar, they worked to create the vision of Bobby’s Bayfield Tandoori House. They’ve created a different menu and added Indian style serving dishes. Jaggi worked her magic setting the mood in the interior designing with traditional Indian art crafts from across various states of India.
The duo enjoy engaging with their guests introducing many of them to Indian cuisine and they in turn are finding their guests very interested in learning about the food and the dining experience. People can expect to partake in a wide variety of popular curries, like Lamb Rogan Josh, as well as a selection of Indian fusion recipes, such as Chicken Tikka Tacos. There are also a variety of vegetarian options.
Khanna’s goal at Bobby’s Bayfield Tandoori House “is to make authentic north Indian flavors relatable to everyone.”
To view their menu click here: Menu.
Bobby’s Bayfield Tandoori House is located at 34777 Bayfield River Road in The Ashwood Inn, just off Hwy. 21, north of the village. They are currently open Tuesday to Sunday noon to 9 p.m. for dine-in and take-out providing continuous service for lunch and dinner. In addition to the 50 seat restaurant there is also a patio that can accommodate 30 people. Since opening for in-person dining the restaurant has been very busy so reservations are recommended. For reservations call 519 565-4089.
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L-r: Sous Chef Baljinder (Balji), Chef Pradeep Kumar, Pravin Khanna and Bobby Jaggi look forward to welcoming visitors for in-person and take-out dining this summer at Bobby's Bayfield Tandoori House located in The Ashwood Inn.
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The interior of the restaurant features traditional Indian art crafts from across different states of India.
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Bobby's Bayfield Tandoori House is now open for in-person dining or take-out Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.
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At Bobby's Bayfield Tandoori House the dining experience is enhanced by the serving dishes - all beautifully designed in copper to replicate the clay pots of more traditional Indian food service. Featured here off the restaurant menu is: Garlic Naan, Palak (Spinach) Paneer, White Rice, Butter Chicken and Tandoori Chicken Tikka.
UNITED CHURCH
Quilting, the lifting of mandates and a food bank event are all happening at St. Andrew’s United Church.
On Sunday, July 17, St. Andrew’s will be hosting a special event in support of Blessings Community Store in Zurich: “Fill the Truck” for Blessings. They will have a truck parked out in front of the church ready to hold donated non-perishable items. Church members as well as anyone in the community who wishes to donate as part of St. Andrew’s outreach is welcome to participate.
The members of St. Andrew’s Council have made the decision that since many of the COVID restrictions have been lifted, they are now able to lift the mask mandate in the church. Individuals and families are asked to do what feels most comfortable for them to participate fully in worship. Attendees are welcome to wear a mask if that is what they require to feel safe. Council asks that people only come to worship in person or to other events at the church if they are healthy in order to continue to take care of each other and the wider community.
The Tuesday Morning Quilters are happy to be able to gather again for quilting/coffee time on Tuesday mornings at St. Andrew’s. All are welcome to join in quilting at 9 a.m. or just drop in for coffee at 10 a.m.
St. Andrew’s United Church is located at 6 The Square in Bayfield.
PIONEER PARK SUMMER EVENTS
Yesterday (June 21) marked the Summer Solstice and so there is no better time to take a look at the calendar of events for Pioneer Park during June, July and August. Yoga, music and art events are all planned for the lazy, hazy days of summer!
“Yoga in the Park” will be held on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the summer months starting at 9 a.m. The first session will be held on Monday, June 27. The last session is set for Monday, Sept. 5. Please note that there will be no Yoga on Civic Holiday Monday, Aug. 1st.
Eight pre-sunset concerts have been scheduled for the season as part of “ Music in the Park”.
The Lakeview Mennonite Choir will perform on three Fridays during the summer: June 24, July 29 and Sept. 2. The remaining performers will entertain park goers on Saturday evenings: Harpist Sharon Johnston is set for July 2nd; Phil Cook will provide music on July 16 and Aug. 27; Dave G. will be the performer on July 30; and Adam David Lang will share his talents on Aug. 13.
A favorite of park goers is returning this summer with four dates scheduled for “Paint the Sunset” with Robin Ellis. Canvas and water colors are provided for budding artists of all ages to use. The dates for “Paint the Sunset” are: Saturday, July 9, Sunday, July 31, Saturday, Aug. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 4.
DECORATION DAY
The annual Bayfield Cemetery Decoration Day Service led by Rev. Lisa Dolson from Knox Presbyterian Church in Bayfield will be held on Sunday, June 26.
Weather permitting the service will be outdoors beginning at 2 p.m. It will be held near the chapel so participants are asked to please bring a lawn chair. In the event of rain, the service will move inside the chapel.
For more information, please contact the municipal office at 519 236-4351.
WALK FOR DOG GUIDES
Lion Karen Scott, one of the organizers for the Bayfield Lions Club’s Walk for Dog Guides, had a chance to cuddle with two-month-old foster pup Riley during the event held on June 5. (Photo by Rhys Tiffen)
On Sunday, June 5, members of the Bayfield Lions’ Club hosted their Walk for Dog Guides and the final tally is now ready to be shared.
Organizers would like to offer a big thank-you to Clinton Veterinary Services and South Huron Veterinary Services for their generous donations of dog treats and prizes. They are always staunch supporters of the Lions’ endeavors and their contributions are always appreciated.
The cost for a Dog Guide is approximately $35,000 and all proceeds from the walk go towards the seven Dog Guide programs: Canine Vision, Hearing, Service, Seizure Response, Autism Assistance, Diabetic Alert and Facility Support.
Between on-line donations, donations made at the Bayfield Lions Club’s Home and Garden Show, Bayfield Lions’ Community Breakfast, the walk itself, and the Bayfield Lions donation, over $10,300 was raised.
Organizers note that from just a few walkers, and a small village, this tally is awesome and they would like to pass on a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made this possible.
BAYFIELD CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
This is one example of the Paint by Number kits that will be available. There are three others to choose from. (Submitted photo)
An exciting giveaway for Canada Day is in the works!
The Bayfield Centre For The Arts and Crichet Handmade Designs will be handing out free Paint By Number kits, t-shirts, Canada flags and pins on July 1st!
There is a limited quantity of kits and t-shirts available for both adults and kids. These will be handed out from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or while supplies last – so come ealy!
The giveaway will be held at Crichet Handmade Designs located at 20 Catherine Street in Bayfield.
FOBL BOOK SALE
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
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
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.
BAYFIELD AREA FOOD BANK
Bayfield Area Food Bank Volunteers Sandy Stuart and Jane Livingston were busy sorting and packing during the most recent distribution day held in the Parish Hall at Trinity St. James Anglican Church. (Submitted photo)
On the third Wednesday of the month, the Bayfield Area Food Bank (BAFB) receives a delivery from the Huron County Food Bank Distribution Centre. The truck arrives filled with produce, meat and dairy to add to the boxes of non-perishables to distribute to clients.
“We are very grateful to both the distribution centre for the delivery of goods as well as our volunteers who ensure the boxes are organized, filled and ready for pick up or delivery to various households in our community,” said Claire Trepanier, president of the BAFB.
The shelves at the 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 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.
The BAFB would like to thank those people in the community who have recently donated items in the donation box provided by the entrance to the Parish Hall at Trinity St. James Anglican Church, 10 Keith Cres. in Bayfield. A second collection box is available at the Bayfield Public Library.
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.
All donations of $20 or more will be given a receipt for tax purposes. BAFB is a registered charity with CRA. Anyone who would like a receipt, is asked to ensure that their name and address are clearly provided along with the donation.
All donations whether of non-perishable products, personal care items, or monetary donations, are very much appreciated by both volunteer staff and clients.
Anyone in need of assistance at this time, is asked to please reach out through either an email to bayfieldareafoodbank@gmail.com or phone/text 519 955-7444. All enquiries are handled with complete confidentiality.
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.
AMGH FOUNDATION SET UP FOR SUCCESS
A cheque presentation was held on June 8 at the Annual General Meeting of the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital Foundation. Taking part were l-r: Kimberley Payne, Executive director – AMGH Foundation; Dr. M. Renaud, physician, AMGH; David Mackechnie, chair – AMGH Foundation; Dr. S. Natuik, chief of Staff AMGH; Glen McNeil, chair, AMGH Board; and Jimmy Trieu, CEO, AMGH. (Submitted photo)
The Alexandra Marine & General Hospital (AMGH) Foundation met on June 8 at the Comfort Inn-Goderich for their Annual General Meeting.
Presenting his report from the Board Chair was David Mackechnie. He expressed sincere appreciation to the staff who, “have been working so hard, and that despite the challenges and long hours, they continue to shine and that their quality care is our case for support”.
Mackechnie said, “Looking towards the future I feel nothing but excitement for the direction the Foundation and Alexandra Marine & General Hospital are heading in”.
In his comments to the members and guests present, Treasurer Justin Pearson noted that the AMGH Foundation had an exceptional year Fiscal 2021-22. Donations generated $1.8M, and investments fared well, generating an extra $88K in extra income.
In his concluding remarks, he said, “The Foundation is set up for success in Fiscal 2022-23”.
Sherry Marshall, chair of Fund Development gave a brief recap of events that occurred in 2021-22. The year began with the decision to curate a significant event in summer 2022, “The Alexandra Rose Long Table Dinner”, raising funds for the Cardiac Telemetry system at AMGH. Fundraising activities during the year included the Spring Newsletter, the fun and creative Siddall Fish Shack Campaign, the Summer Raffle, the first ever Smile Cookie Campaign, the CKNX Radiothon and the Christmas Appeal.
Almost all events exceeded goals and Marshall said, “We look forward to an even more successful 2022-23.”
Executive Director, Kimberley Payne also commented on the success of the annual fundraising efforts saying, “We should be rightfully proud of the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital and our role to support it financially. The hospital is the crown jewel in the assets of this community and one we need to protect.”
Payne was delighted to say, “As a donor community you should be proud to know that through you, the Foundation was able to invest $2,160,097 in this essential and vibrant hospital in our fiscal year 2021-2022. Your local community will thrive because of your forward thinking, thoughtful and often very intentional gifts.”
In her final comments Payne expressed that it is an honor and privilege to work with the Foundation and to support the people who make it all happen, with special thanks to the Board members of the Foundation and the exceptional staff of AMGH.
For more information or for tickets to the Alexandra RosenLong Table Dinner please contact Kimberley Payne at kimberley.payne@amgh.ca or call 519 524-8508.
YOUTH CAN TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH SUMMER PROGRAM
The Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC) is offering summer and autumn programs for youth in Goderich and Saugeen Shores. (Submitted photo)
The Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC) is encouraging youth ages 14 to 18 to join their Coastal Conservation Youth Corps program (CCYC) in Goderich and Port Elgin this July, August, and September. The free outdoor education program uses Lake Huron as a classroom to teach youth about coastal ecology, helping them learn new skills in the field while earning up to 30 volunteer hours towards their high school diploma requirements.
The CCYC program provides youth with an opportunity to learn about topics such as coastal processes, water quality, aquatic ecosystems, low-impact design and development, shoreline history, and coastal economies. Participants gain valuable experience with stewardship activities, like dune restoration, plant species identification, invasive plant removal, shoreline clean-ups, microplastic testing, and community planning.
Although Week One is full, some spaces are available for July 18-22 and July 25-29 in Saugeen Shores. In Goderich the sessions are Aug. 8-12 and in the fall over a pair of weekends Sept. 17-18 and Oct. 1-2. Interested participants can register or learn more at www.lakehuron.ca/ccyc.
Coastal Education Technician and ecology expert, Kerry Kennedy, will teach participants the practical skills commonly used by local environmental practitioners that help enhance shoreline resilience and reduce the impacts of climate change.
She said, “Many threats to the health of our water and shoreline such as temperature and plastic pollution are trending upward, which can be confusing and scary at times. Participating in the CCYC can be the first step in preparing youth with the skills and knowledge to care for our ever-changing environment”.
The LHCC shared a few of the many enthusiastic comments from past CCYC participants:
“I have learned a lot this week about the environment and all of it would be helpful in a future career.”
“I do believe this program brought me closer to nature. I didn’t know much about plants before joining this.”
“I now know more ways to conserve the natural areas and keep the great lakes great!”
The LHCC says that the positive feedback demonstrates the impact and success of the program and the importance of educating the next generation of decision-makers and conservationists.
Primary funding support for the program comes from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations.
The LHCC is a non-governmental charity dedicated to supporting a healthy coastal ecosystem through education, restoration, and research. To learn more, visit www.lakehuron.ca or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using @coastalcentre.
For further inquiries or to resolve potential barriers to participation, email education@lakehuron.ca.
PLAYHOUSE KICKS OFF GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY THIS THURSDAY
L-r: Devan Ballagh, Jesse Grandmont, and Paige Ballagh in “Fiddler on the Loose”, part of Drayton Entertainment’s 2022 Season is running at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend from June 23 to July 9. (Photo by Drayton Entertainment Staff)
It’s a landmark year for the Huron Country Playhouse! The iconic summer theatre destination celebrates 50 years of theatre in Grand Bend and a return to live performance after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The golden anniversary season will kick off with the high-energy musical extravaganza “Fiddler on the Loose” on the Mainstage from June 23 to July 9.
“Fiddler on the Loose is an electrifying fusion of music and comedy that will leave audiences clapping along and dancing their way out of the theatre,” said Alex Mustakas, Artistic director of Drayton Entertainment. “This fun, high-energy production is the perfect way to kick off our special anniversary season. Commemorating the longevity of the Huron Country Playhouse means even more after all we’ve been through over the last two years of closure.”
Crafted to showcase the incredible talents of fiddler and showman Jesse Grandmont, Fiddler on the Loose is a lively revue packed with over 60 songs running the gamut of genres from country and bluegrass to Celtic, classical, pop, and more.
Conceived by David Rogers, one of Canada’s most accomplished artists, and directed and choreographed by David Hogan, Fiddler on the Loose features more than just fantastic fiddling – there’s singing, dancing, and plenty of comedy in the mix.
Grandmont anchors the production with his natural charisma, breezy banter, and seemingly effortless musical flourishes. He is a natural-born entertainer, evidenced by the fact that he has been playing the violin since the age of three, and has toured internationally with the Ontario Festival Symphony Orchestra and the popular fiddle group, “Barrage”. He also recently finished a seven-month contract at Expo Dubai.
In this show, Grandmont fiddles and sings up a storm, while sharing the stage and showcasing the considerable talents of fellow artists: Devan Ballagh, Matt Ballagh, Paige Ballagh, Leah Grandmont, Elena Howard-Scott, Stephen Ingram, Erik Larson, and Dave Robilliard.
Together, they present a musical variety show that covers the spectrum of styles, including fiddle favorites, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and “Orange Blossom Special”; country standards, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” and “The Gambler”; unbridled feel-good rock ‘n’ roll, “Rock This Town” and “Rock Around The Clock”; Broadway, complete with a “Fiddler on the Roof” montage; and emotional ballads, “Hallelujah”, and more.
Set, costume, and lighting design are by D2 Entertainment, with Jesse Grandmont serving double duty as Music Director, Charles Russell is the Stage Manager, and Stephanie Bignell is the Assistant Stage Manager.
Fiddler on the Loose is proudly sponsored by Hay Communications and Oakwood Resort. Media Sponsors are Country 104, 1290 CJBK, Pure Country 93, CKNX and The London Free Press. The design sponsors are CHOK 103.9 and To Do Ontario.
Along with Fiddler on the Loose, the complete golden anniversary season also includes the funny British farce “It Runs in the Family”, July 20 to Aug. 6; and the classical musical, “The Sound of Music”, Aug. 17 to Sept. 4 on the Mainstage; the inspirational musical tribute “Good Ol’ Country Gospel”, July 20 to Aug. 6; and the heartwarming friendship comedy, “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club”, Aug. 18 to Sept. 4 on the South Huron Stage formerly known as Playhouse II.
“We encourage audiences to make a special trip to Grand Bend this summer – hit the beach, visit local restaurants, play a round of golf, tour the wineries nearby, stay over at one of the many first-rate area accommodations, and of course, see a show or two to mark this momentous anniversary,” said Mustakas. “We’re excited and ready to entertain you.”
Tickets may be purchased in person at the Box Office, by calling 519 238-6000 or toll free at 1-855-372-9866), or online instantly at www.huroncountryplayhouse.com.
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
COVID TESTING
HPHA’s COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre Reducing Hours
In response to Huron Perth experiencing a reduction in COVID-19 transmission rates, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance’s (HPHA) COVID-19 Clinical Assessment Centre (CAC), located at the Stratford Rotary Complex, is reducing its hours of operation.
The centre will now operate Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. COVID-19 testing appointments will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and physician assessment appointments from noon to 5 p.m.
Do you have symptoms of COVID-19? You should consider making an appointment for a clinical assessment if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and any of the following apply to you:
- You are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and need to get tested and assessed for COVID-19 treatment
- You have been directed to visit a COVID-19 clinical assessment centre by your primary care provider
- You feel that you cannot safely monitor your COVID-19 symptoms at home and need to be seen by a healthcare provider
Are your children experiencing respiratory symptoms? CAC physicians are able to complete a respiratory assessment even if a child does not qualify for COVID-19 testing. Local primary care and Emergency Department providers support a CAC physician respiratory assessment as a convenient and effective option for parents of children experiencing cold and virus symptoms seeking a doctor’s appointment.
An assessment appointment with a physician is available for those individuals who may qualify for antiviral treatment or for those who do not qualify for a COVID-19 test but have symptoms of respiratory illness.
Please note, for anyone who develops severe symptoms requiring medical attention, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of consciousness, or confusion, 911 should be called or they should be taken to the emergency department.
To book an appointment use the online booking tool. For anyone who doesn’t have access to a smartphone or computer, appointments may also be requested by phone at 519 272-8210 Ext. 2747. Please remember that appointments are required. They cannot accommodate walk-ins.
Anyone who qualifies for a COVID-19 test, should please call 519 272-8210 Ext. 2747 to make an appointment. Appointments are required, they cannot accommodate walk-ins. People can see if they are a member of an eligible group by visiting the HPHA website at www.hpha.ca/covid19
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.
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.
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.
BAYFIELD ACTIVITIES
Now that the community is slowly moving toward group activities the creators of Bayfield Activities Calendar have completed a recent update and refresh on the website. People are once again invited to refer to this website to learn what activities, from Pickleball to Mahjong, are happening and when.
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK SHARES UNDER-TOLD STORY OF MASTER MARINER
Editor’s Note: In the autumn of 2021, Jennifer Lewington wrote a book review of “Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield: Master Chart Maker of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River”. Upcoming during the second week of July, the BHS have planned a couple of special events to commemorate the Admiral’s achievements. In anticipation of these events we share Lewington’s review with our readership in lieu of our regular “Remember This” feature.
BY JENNIFER LEWINGTON*
Were he alive today, beloved balladeer Stan Rogers would have something to say – and sing – about the life of Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield – master mariner and chart maker for Canada.
Before turning 11, Bayfield joined the Royal Navy as a supernumerary volunteer, serving on battleships in the Napoleonic Wars. By 22, then a young naval officer, he assisted in the first nautical surveys of Lake Ontario, later leading the arduous work of mapping the coastlines of the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River and eastern Canada In his 30s, through his survey work, he enjoyed engaging encounters with Arctic explorer John Franklin and ornithologist and painter John James Audubon. Admired for his meticulous chart-making, Bayfield published several books, including sailing directions for vessels in the often-dangerous waters of the St. Lawrence River. In 1885, then a full admiral, he died at age 90 in Charlottetown, PEI.
He was “the greatest hydrographic surveyor in Canadian history,” spending 40 years mapping Canada’s coasts and inland waterways from the Lakehead to Labrador, observes David Yates, author of a new biography of Bayfield. With his crewmen, Bayfield was the first European to circumnavigate Lake Superior, a three-year undertaking that produced essential data for vessels on water depths.
Yates, a former high school history teacher, was commissioned by the Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) to write “Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield: Master Chart Maker of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River”. He compares Bayfield’s achievements to those of David Thompson, the renowned fur trader, astronomer and surveyor of Western North America during the late 1700s and early 1800s – the “greatest land geographer who ever lived,” according to the Canadian Encyclopedia.
“Admiral Bayfield was the David Thompson at sea,” said Yates. “Most of Bayfield’s accomplishments were made at sea and never really recognized.”
Kudos to the BHS – and to Yates’s readable account – for shining a light on someone who played a pivotal role in ensuring safe passage for sailors in two of Canada’s most important waterways: the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River.
Despite his enormous accomplishments, Bayfield is scarcely known to many of us.
Yes, the picturesque town of Bayfield, ON, and 30 others along the Great Lakes, bears his name; several plaques in Ontario and Prince Edward Island commemorate his achievements; and the Canadian Hydrographic Service typically names one of its ships for him, according to the Canadian Encyclopedia . But the story of Bayfield’s life is not required reading in elementary and secondary school, though an inspired teacher could easily find ways to weave his impressive achievements into the social studies and history curriculum.
One of the most appealing features of Yates’s 48-page book is his description of the everyday challenges for Bayfield and his crewmen as they traveled “in small open-topped boats, in some of the most inhospitable climates, painstakingly measuring thousands of miles of Canada’s uncharted coastlines.”
A stern disciplinarian (who apparently never used the lash), Bayfield complained at times of losing crew who deserted, with bottles of rum, unwilling to endure harsh winter weather, difficult living conditions on board and homesickness.
In his early years aboard His Majesty’s warships (sometimes battling Spanish and French combatants) Bayfield would have received some training in geometry, mathematics and reading a navigational chart. But he essentially learned on the job, earning promotions along the way, in part, it is believed, for the thoroughness of his work.
He benefited from a mentor, Captain William Fitz William Owen, who reported to the Admiralty on the commendable work of his subordinate Bayfield who, with six other officers and 50 seamen, surveyed 300 miles of Thousand Islands coastline and took 10,000 bearings in 69 days in sometimes -20 Fahrenheit conditions. Owen, who reported the survey’s accuracy as within “two inches in a mile,” promoted Bayfield to master of the survey sloop HMS Star in 1816. Soon after, he was promoted to acting lieutenant, writes Yates.
Beyond his expertise as a chart maker, Bayfield developed an appreciation for nature. In 1833, while surveying the Labrador coast, he met Audubon, who had already published part of Birds of America. Yates cites journal entries by Bayfield describing how he and his fellow officers joined Audubon for an on-board “meal of fish, roast mutton, fine wine, and ‘some excellent snuff.’”
Bayfield initially balked at becoming a hydrographic surveyor, writes Yates. But by 1826, worried his service in pre-Confederation Canada might come to an end, he was fully invested in a career that would, in fact, keep him here.
“If I should return [to Canada] on half pay and have no other employment, nothing would give me so much pleasure, for I love the country and feel interested in its welfare,” he wrote to a friend.
The next time you go for a dip in Lake Huron, drive a boat along the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior, paddle the St. Lawrence, or walk the shoreline of Prince Edward Island, think of the chart maker who brought these vistas into view. Stan Rogers, for sure, would have enjoyed singing of Bayfield’s exploits. Thankfully, we have this new book to share the under-told story of a master mariner’s lasting contribution to Canada.
*Jennifer Lewington, a writer, editor and panel moderator, is the sister of Roger Lewington, a member of the Admiral Bayfield Committee in Bayfield, ON.
CELEBRATING ADMIRAL BAYFIELD’S LEGACY
The Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) extends an invitation to two events, an official book launch and a memorial dedication, upcoming in the second week of July.
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.
POPPY’S HAVEN
ENDANGERED NEWFOUNDLAND PONY FOAL BORN NEAR BAYFIELD
PHOTOS BY ROBERT ALEXANDER
In the early hours of June 16, a very important little filly, Poppy’s Haven’s Pippi Longstocking, was born just outside Bayfield. Pippi is a Newfoundland Pony, a critically endangered species, and one of Canada’s Heritage Breeds.
According to the Newfoundland Pony Society, in the 1970s there were over 12,000 Newfoundland Ponies that roamed the Island. These ponies were vital to the well-being and economy of Newfoundland, providing transportation and hauling fishing nets, wood, and hay. Over time, due to increased modernization such as farm machinery, and municipal by-laws preventing open pasturing, the ponies’ role diminished. Many of the ponies were sold to meat processing plants. By the early 1980s there were less than 100 known Newfoundland Ponies left in the world.
It is only through the dedication of a small number of breeders and pony protection groups that the Newfoundland Pony has not become extinct. Poppy’s Haven, located in Varna, ON is a family-run farm dedicated to the preservation and protection of the Newfoundland Pony. Poppy’s Haven acts as a steward dedicated to long-term mental, emotional and physical well-being of the Newfoundland Ponies that are entrusted to their care. They run a small breeding haven, with six Newfoundland Ponies, four mares and two fillies. The ponies are incredibly friendly with gentle dispositions and learn quickly. They come running to greet visitors to the farm; individuals who have said they are anxious of horses leave with a newfound level of comfort and confidence.
Poppy’s Haven is also home to Haven’s Equine Partnerships in Wellness & Learning (HEPWL). Certified facilitators provide equine facilitated wellness and learning programs with an opportunity to connect to nature, become grounded and present focused, in service to their community. Equine facilitated wellness and learning is a learner-based educational experience with equines. The programs at Poppy’s Haven encompass a range of activities with the Newfoundland Ponies to encourage individual and team growth, such as leadership, communication, and team building. The farm works in partnerships with mental health therapists and other counsellors (grief, yoga, mindfulness) to further promote and provide mental health programs.
Poppy’s Haven is currently restoring the farm’s bank barn, which dates to the 1860s. Once restoration is further underway, they will hold monthly open houses to continue to educate, promote and increase awareness about the importance of Newfoundland Ponies to Canada’s heritage.
The Newfoundland Pony is now recognized as a Heritage Animal. It is estimated there are currently about 500 Newfoundland Ponies, however only approximately 250 of these are suitable for breeding. As such they continue to be identified as a critically endangered species by Heritage Livestock Canada and the Equus Survival Trust.
To learn more about Pippy, the other Newfoundland Ponies, and Equine Facilitated Wellness & Learning, you can follow Poppy’s Haven on Facebook and/or Instagram (poppyshaven). Their webpage: www.poppyshaven.com is currently under construction and will be live in a few short weeks. To learn more about the Newfoundland Pony Society click here: History.
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Melanie’s Avalon (NPS 875) and Deerfield’s Sir Wilfred (NPS 754) are delighted to announce the birth of their filly, Poppy’s Haven’s Pippi Longstocking. Born June 16th, 2022, Mama (pictured here) and Pippi are doing extremely well!
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Poppy’s Haven’s Pippi Longstocking takes a rest.
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The Newfoundland Pony is now recognized as a Heritage Animal.
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The family behind Poppy's Haven pose with foal Pippi and her mother, Avi - Mikah Strike-Sapp (foreground) and l-r: Stephen Sapp, Vanessa Strike and Anikah Strike-Sapp.
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Vanessa Strike pf Poppy's Haven with Pippi.
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It is estimated there are currently about 500 Newfoundland Ponies, however only approximately 250 of these are suitable for breeding. As such they continue to be identified as a critically endangered species by Heritage Livestock Canada and the Equus Survival Trust.
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Mikah Strike-Sapp has a visit with Pippi while mother Avi stays close.
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
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Melody Falconer-Pounder
Last night I sat at my desk not knowing how to fill this space. It happens sometimes – I’ve literally written here 676 times.
Through my window I was suddenly struck by the beauty that only the Summer Solstice can bring. Moments of tranquillity aren’t taken for granted here on the farm as the wind often dominates the landscape but on this night things are for the most part still. The sunset is long and languid – shades of soft pinks and oranges are reflected on the clouds, tinges of pale blue peek out from behind them. A hummingbird lights on our feeder drinking slowly – well, as slowly as a hummingbird can drink.
Two rabbits delight in chasing each other out on the lawn. Are these potentially the culprits who have lopped off the tops of our yellow beans that were growing so well in the veggie garden? Watching their cheerful antics I can almost forgive and forget.
A raccoon peers out from a nearby Maple tree. Determining all is well with the world she carefully climbs head first down the trunk to the ground where she quickly ambles across the lawn and up the neighboring Maple. My husband tells me there is a baby coon as well that he has seen during the early hours of the morning.
The colors of the sunset grow more rich on the clouds – a turkey vulture flying over the freshly cut hay is silhouetted by the vibrant and varied shades of pink. Pink turns to a purpley grey. Twilight arrives. I am entranced. Grateful for the creativity that emerges from time amid the stillness. Happy summer, everyone. – Melody
Ideas and contributions to the Bayfield Breeze are always welcome.
Deadlines for submissions are Sundays at 4 p.m.