MOWER TOURNAMENT

Over the weekend, sixty people took part in the “Mower Tournament” at the Bayfield International Croquet Club’s courts to raise funds to purchase a new mower for the club. Teams of varying ability took part in fun games of “Snake Croquet”, followed by dinner at the courts. Organizers note that croquet is a wonderful game for all ages and new members are always welcome. Those who wish to learn more are invited to contact Shelagh Sully by phone at 519 441-2974 or via email at ssully@tcc.on.ca. (Photo by Jack Pal)

THREE MUSICAL ACTS OFFERED AT SUNSET ON SUMMER REVISITED

Myrtle Earle

The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society will be celebrating the Labour Day Weekend with “Sunset On Summer Revisited”.  According to organizers, things will be a little simpler this year with three bands taking the stage on Saturday, Sept. 3.

Set to perform are Myrtle Earle, Jesse Webber and Carry On. Music will be offered from 3- 7 p.m.

Myrtle Earle will get things started. This Alternative Country Trio have been playing in and around London, ON for more than 10 years covering favorites like: Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, John Prine, the Beatles and much more.

Jesse Webber was raised on a steady diet of The Beatles and Pink Floyd. He started playing and singing professionally while still in his teens. Now averaging well over 200 shows a year, Webber wins over audiences of all ages with his soulful, soaring vocals, amazing guitar chops, and all-around musicianship. He has performed in the UK, New York City, at the Kitchener and Ottawa Blues Festival, and at hundreds of other venues in Ontario.

Carry On will be performing the classics from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Spanning performances from the legends second appearance at Woodstock right up to the early 90s with songs that include “Deja Vu”, “Helpless”, “Carry On”, and of course, “Suite Judy: Blue Eyes”.

This “revisited” version of Sunset On Summer is about keeping things simple with people being able to just come, relax and soak in the summer weather and enjoy the music. Attendees are asked to bring their own chair.

As always, there will be a cash bar (beer and wine) plus there will be food for purchase on-site and children under the age of 12 will be treated to a free hot dog and pop!

Tickets are $25 and are available now at www.bayfieldtownhall.com.

TERRY FOX RUN IN PERSON ONCE MORE

“Nobody is ever going to call me a quitter.” – Terry Fox

At 18 years-old Terry Fox was diagnosed with cancer and lost his leg. Two years later Terry started training to run across Canada. In 1980 he started his Marathon of Hope, raising funds and hoping for a cure for all cancers. Terry ran over 5,000 km – covering six provinces – to raise funds and share his message. Unfortunately, Terry’s health deteriorated, forcing him to abandon the Marathon. People all across Canada have since run every year in memory of Terry; over 850 million dollars have been raised for cancer research.

Members of the community are invited to run, walk or bike and raise funds to keep Terry’s dream alive. Bayfield has raised over $50,000 through Terry Fox Runs, and for this support organizers truly are very grateful. They are excited to announce that this year the Run will be held in person. Three guided group hikes will leave from the Clan Gregor Gazebo at 10 a.m.; participants can choose to walk the 1 km, 3 km or 5 km route.

Anyone who wants to run, bike or rollerblade, should feel free to choose their own route and time. Participants may register online as an individual, family or team and start collecting pledges. The process is extremely simple, visit: Terry Fox Run Bayfield to register at the Bayfield site.

Donations can be made on the same site; people can sponsor a registrant or make a general donation. They can also scan the QR Codes on all signs, which will bring them directly to the Bayfield site, enabling them to make a donation through their phone.

Those who prefer to donate to the Terry Fox Foundation by cash or cheque are invited to meet the organizers on Sunday, Sept. 18 between 9-10 a.m. at the pavilion in Clan Gregor Square. They will also be selling 2022 Terry Fox T-shirts at $25 each and have 2022 participation seals available. Also, for those interested, selfies can be taken during this time in front of a large Terry Fox poster!

The Bayfield Terry Fox Run is organized by volunteers of the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association. Anyone with questions is asked to please email info@bayfieldtrails.com.

For further information regarding the Terry Fox Foundation, please visit www.terryfox.org.

ONLINE ART AUCTION ENDS TODAY

Doug Darnbrough’s work entitled, “Lighting the Lantern on the Bayfield wharf” featuring lamplighter Tom Castle, is currently being auctioned online to raise funds for the Bayfield Historical Society. The initial pencil sketch of the painting (on right) is also being auctioned. (Photos courtesy Bayfield Historical Society)

In 2020, an original painting of the historic Helen MacLeod II fishing boat, by local artist Doug Darnbrough, was auctioned online to raise funds for the Bayfield Historical Society (BHS).

Now in 2022, Darnbrough has created another original, historical painting that will also be auctioned online ending today (Aug. 24) at approximately 6 p.m.

Darnbrough’s work is entitled, “Lighting the Lantern on the Bayfield wharf” featuring lamplighter Tom Castle, an integral character in the village’s fishing and farming history.

Also being auctioned is the initial pencil sketch of the finished painting created by Darnbrough. A sketch is done prior to painting to plan positions and proportions. These are often altered in the final painting.

Both the original painting and pencil sketch are framed and measure 18”X24”. For anyone wishing a closer look both the painting and the sketch are currently on display inside the Bayfield Archives and Heritage Centre on Main Street. The Archives is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday or by special appointment.

Interested bidders are asked to register for the auction by emailing:  bhsmembers@gmail.com or they can visit the website: Bayfield Historical Society for more information.

Bidders should note that part of this fundraiser will be considered a donation, making it tax-deductible.

Here is some family history behind the subject for this piece: Thomas William Castle was born in Bayfield in 1892. The Castle family fished on Lake Huron and were farmers.

George Castle, Tom’s great-grandfather was born in 1829 in Weedon Flore, Northamptonshire. George and his wife, Mary Lamb, had three sons, all born in Weedon Flore: James (b.1823), Elijah (b. 1826), and George H. (b. 1829).

The first record of this family in Stanley Township, Canada is from 1855.

Sometime between 1851 (record in England) and 1855, George Castle (60) came to Bayfield with his wife; his son James (30), who never married; son Elijah (33), who married in Bayfield at the age of 76; and son George Henry (25), already married, with his wife, Jane. George Henry and Jane had two children in Bayfield.

George Henry’s son George Sidney was Tom’s father. Tom  was a third-generation member of the Castle family from Weedon Flore. The death certificate for Tom’s grandfather, George Henry, aged 67, gives the cause of death as “general exhaustion.” It was a hard life. These immigrants started with nothing – striving to feed, house, and clothe their families in another country. They are all buried in Bayfield Cemetery.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR FALL FOTO FEST

Registration is open for Bayfield Fall Foto Fest (FFF) which is back in a brand new incarnation taking place the evening of Sept. 23 and all day Sept. 24. The Photography Club of Bayfield (PCOB) and the Bayfield Centre for the Arts (BCA) have teamed up in a new partnership to bring an exciting program of presentations and a selection of familiar hands-on workshops.

FFF has a very exciting keynote presenter for Friday, Sept 23: Robert Burley. Burley, currently Professor Emeritus at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson), is a Canadian artist who has lectured extensively across the globe and whose photographs of the visual landscape have been celebrated internationally. He sees the camera as a means to document and promote social change. His photographs can be found in numerous museum collections around the world.

Burley was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 2018 and a Senior Mellon Fellow (Canadian Centre for Architecture) in 2010.

His presentation will explore with stunning visuals the connections between nature and the city in relation to the overall impact people have on the environment both positive and negative. The Great Lakes feature strongly in his interests. He will include a discussion of several of his books.

Because of the broader appeal of the subject matter, the presentation will be open to the general public as well as FFF registrants. Visit the Robert Burley website to see more of this Keynote Speaker’s work.

The Saturday morning FFF program will consist of a keynote seminar by Andrew McLachlan. His extensive travels have resulted in a large, diverse collection of images that feature landscapes and the flora and fauna. His eBook: A Photographer’s Guide to the Ontario Landscape is the first ever-comprehensive guide to photographing Ontario’s vast and varied landscape. McLachlan’s presentation will focus  primarily on his own Macro techniques for photographing flowers and insects.

McLachlan will be holding two Macro workshops in the afternoon on those two subjects. To learn more about this photographer visit the Andrew McLachlan website.

Other workshops in the afternoon and evening will include the following facilitators: Conrad Kuiper, Elizabeth van den Broeck, BD Colen, Debra Friedman and Stuart Heggie.

Registration is now open at: Fall Foto Fest. Those interested can register on-line, and follow with payment using Eventbrite through the BCA account.

For more information about FFF please contact Jack Pal at 519 440-9542 or jackpal1202@gmail.com. 

BAYFIELD’S FORGOTTEN FELINES LOOKING FOR FOSTER FAMILIES

Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines (BFF) has so many wonderful cats and kittens looking for their forever families right now. They currently have sixty plus kittens waiting for vetting and homes to go to.

BFF has temporarily closed their doors to intakes.

“We receive calls every day but being able to take in more cats is directly linked to the number that can be adopted or fostered,” she said. “We currently have three mamas with very young or newborn babies waiting for foster homes. Anyone who thinks this might be something they would be interested in doing are welcome to reach out to us for details on how the foster program works.”

Dom and the Danbies are the Adopt a BFF cats of the week.

Who doesn’t love a fluffy black cat with a big plume for a tail?

Well, BFF has three of these gorgeous cats right now.  The Danbies are twins. According to volunteers when they were younger they could tell these two cats apart because one had a white whisker, however, he lost said whisker!  Dom looks like he could be their triplet. He is the most chill, gentle and friendly fellow. All three of them would look fabulous curled up on someone’s sofa, bed or lap. Dom was brought in with the beautiful Calico, Penelope, that was featured in Issue 684. Volunteers believe her to be his girlfriend. The Danbies came to the Rescue with their mother, a beautiful, long-haired, grey cat with amazing gold eyes – still working on her people skills she isn’t yet ready for adoption.

“We have such a plethora of gorgeous cats and kittens, all different ages,  looks and temperaments waiting for their forever homes right now,” said Deb Penhale, representing BFF.  “They are all deserving and are just waiting for their families to find them.”

BFF is now accepting applications for adoption. If someone thinks Dom and/or the Danbies would be a great fit for their household they are invited to contact BFF.

Anyone who can help financially or by donating food, applying to become a foster home, volunteering at the Rescue or adopting a cat or kitten is 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.

THIRD YEAR FOR HURON HOSPICE TELETHON

On Sept. 15, the lights will go up on the third annual Huron Hospice Telethon.

The Telethon is back by popular demand and will feature some of the best Huron County entertainment starting at 7 p.m. The lineup will include rock, pop, folk, jazz and classical; there will be something for everyone.

First held in 2020, the Telethon was the Huron Hospice solution to fundraising during a pandemic.

“We decided it was important to thank people for standing by us. We did this by celebrating the many ways our home, Huron County, is a great place to live and work. The telethon was originally a response to raising money in a time of COVID, this year, the challenge is an unpredictable economy,” Chair of the Huron Hospice Board of Directors, Jay McFarlan said.

McFarlan added, “We might have said it was ‘One Night Only’! However, the event was so successful that we just had to do it again, the artists, the donors, and the viewers reported that the event was a hit.”

All the entertainers live in Huron County or were born and raised in Huron.  Well-known artists are returning, and new groups are joining the lineup.  Whether new or returning, all the groups are bringing new material. Although it is a third event, it really will be an all-new magical revue.

The organizers are pleased to announce that Gil Garratt from the Blyth Festival and Member of Parliament, Ben Lobb, are returning as emcees. Joining Garratt and Lobb is well known Huron County personality, Alecia Anderson. Many people will remember Anderson from radio or her time at Cowbell Brewing. She is returning to the Huron Hospice family where she was one of the first emcees of “Handbags for Hospice”.

“We are pleased to have all three of them join us this year, when we know they all have hectic schedules,” said Willy Van Klooster, Huron Hospice Executive director.  “The fact that Ben, Gil and Alecia are making time for Huron Hospice demonstrates how important the Hospice is for everyone in Huron County.”

Van Klooster went on to acknowledge and thank the internationally known creative team at Faux Pop Studios in Goderich.

“With the support of Faux Pop, we are moving outside the box again this year and I encourage everyone to tune in and see what we have planned. It will be an entertaining evening that shows the depth of artistic and technological talent in Huron County.

“There is no ticket price to get into the event.  We want everyone to join in the celebration. However, it is a fundraiser, and we ask everyone in Huron County to consider donating to support Huron Hospice.  When you donate, your name will light up the telethon event!”

Huron Hospice supports many families in Huron County.  There is no cost for the services of Huron Hospice.  Although there is no cost or co-pay, the community is asked to help fund the essential hospice palliative care services.  The community contributes half the revenue Huron Hospice needs annually to provide the services for which it is known.

Huron Hospice invites everyone to tune in on Sept. 15 and support the Hospice.  The Telethon starts at 7 p.m. and can be viewed on the Huron Hospice Facebook page: Telethon Viewing and on Hurontel and TCC cable.

This community has a lot to be proud of, from artists to leading businesses and a wonderful community of donors. Huron County people are worthy of huge thanks and the telethon is a way of offering that thank you.

PAINT ONTARIO PREMIERES EARLY SEPTEMBER

Paint Ontario opens at the Lambton Heritage Museum on Sept. 2nd and runs until Sept. 25. (Submitted photo)

Paint Ontario 2022 will premiere on Friday, Sept. 2nd at the Lambton Heritage Museum and run until Sept. 25.  Long known as Ontario’s largest show and sale of representational art, the 26th edition of this popular annual event is eagerly anticipated by both the local community and art appreciators throughout the province.

The doors will open at 10 a.m. There will be a “soft” opening again this year due to COVID-19 uncertainty relating to public health directives and indoor capacity restrictions. Organizers very much hope to re-introduce an opening gala event in future years.

The jurying process is now complete and the show, the first event of any kind to be mounted in Lambton Heritage Museum’s newly renovated exhibit space, promises to delight, amaze and inspire its visitors.

Fascinating artist demonstrations and outdoor events will take place throughout the run of the show, intriguing, informing and entertaining Paint Ontario visitors.  Highlights include, “May We Come Together”, a showcase for local area not-for-profit organizations, made possible through a Creative County grant, on Sept. 3-4, and “Perch’n’Paint”, a plein air competition on the weekend of Sept. 9-11.

Organized by the Grand Bend Art Centre, a registered not-for-profit community group, Paint Ontario provides a unique opportunity for emerging artists to showcase their work and an unmatched opportunity for buyers to view and acquire it.  Monies raised in sales commissions go straight back into cultural development programs within the community.

Check for Paint Ontario opening times, including Thursday evenings; event and demonstration details at www.paintontario.com as well as on social media for the latest news updates.  Whether a regular visitor or a new attendee, Paint Ontario’s 26th Show and Sale is an event not to be missed.

AUTUMN COLORS EXPLAINED BY FORESTRY SPECIALIST

As summer winds down people are often reminded of the seasonal change to come by an early splash of color in the trees. The different colors, and the reason for the change, can be explained largely by seasonal changes in the compounds within a tree’s leaves, according to Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship specialist with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).

The green color of leaves is due to a compound called chlorophyll in the leaves, he said. Chlorophyll is involved in photosynthesis, the process by which plants can use the sun’s energy to build sugars and other compounds from carbon dioxide and water. While trees are actively growing, leaves contain large amounts of chlorophyll which gives them various shades of green throughout the spring and summer.

When day length becomes shorter, trees stop producing chlorophyll. In the absence of chlorophyll, other pigments begin to surface. Carotenoids are responsible for the yellow, orange, and brown colors while vivid reds come from pigments called anthocyanins. While carotenoids are present all season and masked by the green chlorophyll in the spring and summer, anthocyanins are produced mainly in the fall.

Warm, sunny late summer and autumn days, followed by cool, crisp nights are thought to produce the most vibrant reds. Sun and warmth during the day leads to lots of sugar and anthocyanin production, while cool nights cause the leaf veins to begin to close off, trapping the red anthocyanin pigment in the leaves. This provides a partial explanation to the variability in color from year to year, with other factors likely at play.

The start of autumn colors is an indication they are entering their seasonal dormant period which continues through fall, winter and early spring.

Fall and spring are the best time to transplant trees, according to Jean.

“Both are good times to plant trees,” he said. “The weather is cooler and while trees are in dormancy in fall or spring, they are better able to handle the stress of transplanting.”

One common misconception is that trees planted in the fall do not need to be watered. Watering trees is important even when planting in the fall.

“Trees benefit from watering during periods of heat or drought the following spring and summer,” Jean said.

Trees planted in autumn have a very short period of time for root growth before winter. Watering is very important until transplanted trees have recovered a root system, in balance with their top.

ABCA  has posted its tree order form for fall 2022. The tree order form is available online at this link: Order Trees. ABCA will accept faxed, mailed, and e-mailed orders until Sept.  16. They also will accept orders over the phone or in-person accompanied by payment until Sept. 30.

When planting trees in autumn, it’s important to consider winter conditions ahead. Certain trees, types of planting stock, and locations are better suited than others to fall planting.

“Frost heaving is a problem for fall planting of very small, bare-root seedlings,” Jean said. “In the fall, we handle only larger trees in pots or in root-ball-in-burlap format and we have good success planting those larger size trees.”

Smaller seedling trees are offered in the spring tree planting program.

There is a cost to order trees through the fall tree planting program but there may be incentive grants available for some tree planting projects. Cost-share funding may be available for establishing field windbreaks, treed buffers, and other tree planting projects. Staff are available to help with project design and to help people apply for grants. They are invited to contact staff through the website at abca.ca or to email Ian Jean at ijean@abca.ca or phone him at 519 235-261 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 at Ext. 238.