BAYFIELD INTERNATIONAL CROQUET CLUB BROUGHT HOME THE HARDWARE

Bayfield International Croquet Club President John Davies accepted the Club-of-the-Year awards from Rob McCrea representing Croquet Canada. Bayfield club members won both the Red and Blue divisions this year. (Submitted photos)

It was a very good year for the Bayfield International Croquet Club (BICC) as members brought home five of the 12 Croquet Canada 2022 awards.

Croquet Canada is the national association which guides the development of the sport within Canada. There are 26 member clubs in Canada. In recognition of the competitive aspect of croquet, Croquet Canada recognizes Club-of-the-Year and Player-of-the-Year achievements of its members. Each of these are awarded in three variations of croquet: Association Rules, Golf Croquet Rules, and American 6-Wicket Rules. The awards are further delineated into the Blue Division (top level players) and the Red Division (players on their way up).

George Dej of Croquet Canada related, “A croquet player in a sanctioned tournament earns points based on how well they fared and on the skill levels (World Ranking) of their competitors. The player’s standing for Player-of-the-Year is the total points from their three best tournaments. A club’s standing for Club-of-the-Year is the total points earned by up to four of their members.

BICC is the Croquet Canada 2022 Association Croquet, Red Division, Club-of-the-Year. Points were earned by members Arlene Parker, Jerry Selk, David MacLaren and Peter Jeffers.

The Bayfield Club is also the Croquet Canada 2022 Association Croquet, Blue Division, Club-of-the Year. Contributing points came from members David Druiett, Bill Rowat, Nick Howell and Lou Schenk.

It was a banner year for the Bayfield International Croquet Club with the members earning five out of 12 Croquet Canada 2022 awards. Bayfield’s Laurien Trowell accepted the 6-Wicket Player-of-the-Year award from Rob McCrea, Croquet Canada.

In addition, BICC earned the Croquet Canada 2022 6-Wicket Croquet, Club-of-the-Year due to points earned by Laurien Trowell during play in Boca Grande, Florida.

Bayfield’s Arlene Parker is the Croquet Canada 2022 Association Croquet, Red Division, Player-of-the Year. Parker competed in five tournaments, counting points for her performance at the Bayfield Canadian Open Championship hosted in Bayfield, the Aboyne Open in Elora, ON and the American Selection Eights at the National Croquet Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida.

It is unlikely that an American 6-Wicket Rules game has ever been played on the Bayfield croquet courts. Notwithstanding the above, this did not hinder Trowell from venturing to the Gasparilla Mallet Club, in Boca Grande, Florida, to play in the Blaine Davis Invitational Tournament. Trowell’s fifth place finish gave her the American 6-Wicket, Red Division, Player-of-the-Year award. Trowell also earned the Bayfield Club the American 6-Wicket, Red Division, Club-of-the-Year award.

John Davies, president of the Bayfield International Croquet Club said, “My congratulations to all of our players who contributed to these outstanding accomplishments. This demonstrates the excellent mentorship amongst the club players. Arlene in particular, has had an exceptional year, and I applaud her dedication to the game, and the club.”

Parker also competed at the US Open in Palm Springs, CA between Nov. 29 and Dec. 3rd. This tournament is held at the Mission Hills Croquet Club. There were 26 competitors; 24 from the US plus Canadians Brian Cumming from Elora and Parker. The format was a round robin followed by a double elimination knockout. There were 18 players in the Championship Flight and eight players in the “A” Flight. Parker played in the “A” Flight and won the round robin but lost the knockout to Gary Bennett of Louisville, Kentucky.

While in California, Parker stayed with Toni Kemp, a Bayfield summer resident, fellow BICC member and Mission Hills member.

“The setting was stunning with mountains in the backdrop and sunshine every day. The courts were in beautiful condition and played very fast,” Parker noted.

Bayfield’s Arlene Parker had an amazing year of croquet. She is the Croquet Canada 2022 Association Croquet, Red Division, Player-of-the Year. Parker competed in five tournaments, counting points for her performance at the Bayfield Canadian Open Championship hosted in Bayfield, the Aboyne Open in Elora, ON and the American Selection Eights at the National Croquet Centre in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is seen here with the winner of the US Open A Flight Gary Bennett that was held in Palm Springs, California.

BICC has over 100 members. BICC provides opportunities for both competitive and recreational play as well as fun social events. All necessary equipment is available at the Club. Anyone who would like to try croquet is invited to contact Davies at jcdavies@tcc.on.ca. You will have a ball!

CALLING ALL BIRDING ENTHUSIASTS FOR THE CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

On Tuesday, Dec. 27, Bayfield, Clinton and the Hullett Marsh area are being included in the Christmas Bird Count and backyard birders as well as more adventurous birding enthusiasts are being invited to take part.

This local event is being organized by Dana Latour of Seaforth.

“I’m excited to announce a new Christmas Bird Count circle in Huron County! It will be placed over the Bayfield/Clinton/Hullett Marsh area. We are looking for volunteers of all skill levels to come out and help us with the count on December 27th!” said Latour.

People who reside in the circled area are invited to take part in the first official Christmas Bird Count for these communities. Anyone who would like a larger area to cover than their own backyard, or who lives outside the area and would still like to participate, should contact Dana Latour by emailing: latourdana@gmail.com. (Submitted photo)

People who participate must conduct their count on Dec. 27 and include only birds that they see and record on that day and these birds need to have been seen in the circle area. A map is included with this article for reference.

Anyone not living in the circle, or who would like to volunteer to participate over a larger area, like a country block, should contact Latour to register.

“People can choose to have a route assigned to them by registering or if you live within the circle, you can count birds at your feeder and contribute to citizen science from home!” Latour added.

This is the first Christmas Bird Count in this area. Goderich also held one recently.

People can view the Bayfield/Clinton/Hullett Marsh Circle (ONBY) online at: Nature Counts.

For more information, or to register, please contact Dana Latour at latourdana@gmail.com.

GORGEOUS KASMERE LOOKING FOR SECOND CHANCE AT FOREVER HOME

Kasmere (Kaz) (Submitted photos)

Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines (BFF) has so many wonderful cats and kittens looking for their forever families right now that they have temporarily closed their doors to intakes.

Kasmere (Kaz) is the Adopt a BFF cat of the week.

Kaz has a rather sad tale to tell. When he first came to BFF he was  a half starved, semi-feral cat under a year old. After socializing with the volunteers at the Rescue he became an absolute gentleman. He was adopted into a loving home where he was a great companion to his adopter. Unfortunately, his human has died and none of her relatives are able to take him and he is now back with BFF.

“We are grateful that the family reached out to us at the shelter to see if we would consider finding him a new home,” said Deb Penhale, representing BFF. “He has been used to a very quiet life but given that he does well in the shelter environment he might also do well with other pets in the house.”

He is a big guy, part Maine Coon, and a simply gorgeous buff color.

“This oh so handsome boy has had huge disruptions in his life and we are very hopeful that he will soon find longevity in a new forever home,” said Penhale.

Kaz is wishing for a home for Christmas.

Kaz is looking for his adoption wish to be granted, along with many other cats and kittens still waiting. Please contact BFF via email at 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.

The Pink Flamingo Bakery and Boutique’s “Christmas Paint Your Own Cookies” campaign was a tremendous success and the cookies were once again a sell out! All proceeds raised from their sale, $1,550, are going to BFF. Volunteers at BFF offer their sincere thank you to bakery owner Sharon Thompson for her support. The bakery located at 28 Bayfield Main Street North is now closed until Feb. 1st.

And as one campaign concludes another one begins! Paula Brent, along with the folks at Bayfield Pet Corner, are working together to organize a Cat Food and Toy Drive in support of BFF.

Bayfield Pet Corner has kindly agreed to collect donations. They are collecting such items as, new or like new, cat toys and beds. Cat themed purchases can also be made in store to be donated.

Bayfield Pet Corner is located at 19 Bayfield Main St N, Unit E, in the village (across from Ollio Too). The store hours for this week are Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be closed from Dec. 23-28 reopening Dec. 29.

CONSERVATION DINNER RETURNS TO IN-PERSON FORMAT FOR 2023

Dave Frayne, chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee (left), recently sold the first Conservation Dinner tickets to George Finch, mayor of the Municipality of South Huron. Tickets are now available for purchase for yourself or as a seasonal gift. (Submitted photo)

The Conservation Dinner Committee has announced the Conservation Dinner is to be in person in 2023 after two years of holding the event as an online virtual auction.

“We are extremely excited to be returning to a live auction and dinner in 2023,” said Dave Frayne, Chair of the Conservation Dinner Committee. “We appreciate the support of the public during the two years of online auctions but it will be wonderful to see people in person again and to enjoy the fellowship of the Conservation Dinner.”

Tickets are now available for purchase, according to organizers. The Dinner committee encourages people to give ‘the gift of community’ this Christmas holiday season by buying tickets for the Dinner. Tickets are $100 each. Patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount.

The Conservation Dinner will take place on Thursday, Apr. 20, 2023 at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter.

“When you give the gift of a Conservation Dinner ticket, you are giving a ticket to one of the most enjoyable events of the year,” said Frayne. “You and the person receiving the ticket also know you are helping your community.”

There have been 30 Conservation Dinners in person since 1990 and two virtual Conservation Dinners in 2021 and 2022. The Conservation Dinner auction event has raised more than $1.285 million for the community over 32 years.

To buy tickets for yourself, or as a present, or to donate to the 2023 Conservation Dinner, phone 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Highway 83). Find out more at conservationdinner.com.

Past projects that have benefited from the Conservation Dinner include: accessible nature trails in Bayfield, Clinton, Parkhill, Lucan, Arkona, Exeter, and Varna; making it possible for more students to experience outdoor nature education; a $1,000 student environmental bursary benefiting students in local communities; a summer job at Ausable Bayfield Conservation for a senior secondary school student; turtle monitoring and events in Port Franks and Ailsa Craig; aquatic habitat studies in Old Ausable Channel, Grand Bend; and projects like nature day camps, fishing derby and Owl Prowl, and parks and conservation areas.

The Exeter Lions Club has been a co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority Foundation and the watershed community, on the Dinner since 1991. Net profits are split 50-50 between community conservation projects of the Conservation Foundation and community conservation projects of the Exeter Lions Club.

The annual charitable event features live and silent auctions of art and other distinctive items including travel packages and sports and entertainment memorabilia. The Dinner also includes special raffles, general raffles, appetizers, wine tasting, fun and fellowship, and a wonderful meal. The Conservation Dinner Committee thanks all the donors, patrons and guests, and volunteers who have made the event a success both in person and, during 2021 and 2022, online. The committee also thanks all the creative people who have been featured artists over the years in media ranging from paintings to ice sculptures to quilting to metal art to culinary arts to other creative disciplines.

GRAND MEN ENJOY NIGHT OF FELLOWSHIP

Sunset Community Foundation (SCF) Relationship Committee hosted its first in-person Grand Men Event on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Bunker in the Bend, Grand Bend.

The Grand Men members and their guests enjoyed a night of playing Simulated Golf, LaserShot, Corn Hole, Backgammon, Jenga and Bean Bag Toss. In between their games, they had great conversations while indulging in delicious Beef Sliders from the Tipsy Pelican.

Grand Men and Grand Women members each donate $1,000 each to the SCF to show their support for the community and have the intention of getting together a minimum of once a year to have some fun while being updated on how their funds have been managed and distributed in their community.

Members are encouraged to bring a friend to annual events to let them know about the SCF. After achieving 50 members each the Grand Women and Grand Men get to participate in the decision making on which charity the proceeds of their donations go to each year. ($50 K based on a minimum donation required for an owner directed fund). Currently the Grand Women have 60 plus members and Grand Men have 40 plus members.

The annual get together events are a fun way to remind participants of the SCF in case they are updating bequests through their Wills, donating stocks or bonds, or donating a life insurance policy.

A Grand Women’s Event is being planned for early 2023.

The Foundation’s focus areas include children and youth, family and community vitality, health and physical activity, education, social services and low-income impact, preservation of the environment, diversity, equity and inclusion, and arts and culture.

The SCF has grown its initial endowment started by the Grand Bend PUC to over $3.2 million. In its 20 years, the Foundation has granted approximately $1.2 million to area organizations.

The event was sponsored by the White Squirrel Golf Course in St. Joseph’s. Bunker in the Bend, is located at 99 Ontario Street South in Grand Bend.

NORTHERN HURON CONNECTION CENTRE RECEIVES DONATIONS

On Nov. 29, Deacons from the Maitland River Community Church Bill Cooper (left) and Jack Wilkins (right) presented Lisa Harper, United Way Perth Huron manager of community development for Northern Huron, with a cheque for $30,000 toward the Northern Huron Connection Centre. (Submitted photos)

United Way Perth-Huron (UWPH) is proud to announce Royal Homes and Maitland River Community Church donated $10,000 and $30,000 respectively to the Northern Huron Connection Centre (NHCC).

“We would like to thank Royal Homes and Maitland River Community Church,” added Lisa Harper, UWPH manager community development, Northern Huron. “As the cost of everything keeps rising, already vulnerable people are hurting that much more. We appreciate both organizations understanding how important the NHCC is to the health and well-being of people in need as well as the wider northern Huron community.”

Representatives from Royal Homes, Klaas Jorritsma, vice-president of Operations (left) and Pieter Venema, president, recently presented Lisa Harper representing United Way Perth-Huron with a cheque for $10,000 toward the Northern Huron Connection Centre.

“United Way is a fundamental part of this community,” said Pieter Venema, president of Royal Homes. “We are proud to continue to support their work in providing a helping hand to those that need it.”

“The Maitland River Community Church has been blessed and are grateful to be able to donate towards the Connection Center in Wingham through United Way,” said Karen Rylaarsdam, administrative assistant at Maitland River Community Church. “We are excited to see the doors open soon, ready to welcome individuals in and meet some of the needs of our community.”

Serving Howick, Morris-Turnberry, and North Huron, the NHCC at St. Paul’s-Trinity Anglican Church in Wingham is intended as a welcoming, safe space for the community’s most vulnerable citizens to rest, access basic needs, healthcare services, identification assistance and more.

UWPH is hoping to open the centre in April of 2023.