LOCAL YOUTH CHALLENGED TO READ IN THE NEW YEAR

Calling all Bayfield area tweens and teens! The Bayfield Public Library (Bayfield Branch)  is challenging youth ages 12 to 18 to read at least one book a month from January to June 2023 for a chance to win some amazing prizes. Are you up for the challenge?

For every book a youth reads, their name will be entered to win one of the prizes listed below. Draws will be made at the end of the program. The Bayfield Branch has a tracking form which can be picked up from the branch during regular hours, or can be completed by downloading a form at: Bayfield Teen Reading Challenge Form.

Looking for ideas of what to read? Explore the Huron County Library’s online catalogue or speak with branch staff who are eager to offer reading recommendations.

Prizes for the Bayfield Branch reading challenge include, but are not limited to: $250 gift card from Forever Furniture; $25 gift card from The Village Bookshop; four, $25 gift cards to The Village Bookshop from Pioneer Park; four, Kids Kraft Workshop gift cards from Crichet Handmade Designs; a selection of graphic novels from Friends of Bayfield Library; selection of gift cards from the Bayfield Optimist Club; Hyacinth Bulb kit from Huron Ridge Greenhouses; Sherpa blanket from the Little Inn of Bayfield; selection of books from the Bayfield Agricultural Society; handmade products from the Bayfield Lavender Farm and Great Lakes Glory; Bayfield booklets from the Bayfield Historical Society; and swag from the Virtual High School & Bruce Power.

All completed tracking forms must be returned to the Bayfield Branch or emailed to bayfieldlibrary@huroncounty.ca  by the contest deadline of Wednesday, June 28.

LAST OF LITTER IN NEED OF A HOME

Eddy (also known as Jaun) (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.

Eddy (also known as Jaun) is the Adopt a BFF cat of the week.

Eddy was one of six adorable kittens born to his beautiful Calico mama named Catalina.

Catalina was found hiding in a shed. She was very scared and very pregnant. When she was brought into the Rescue she had the good fortune to be sent to a wonderful foster home. There she had a quiet place to get comfortable and to deliver her six kittens. Eddy is the only kitten from the litter still in need of a forever home.

He is an energetic, playful and expressive kitty who is now about seven months old. His foster has shared that he is fabulous company but as she was going away for several months she could no longer take care of him. As Eddy is now at the shelter the need to find him his forever home is amplified. Volunteers note that he gets along with everyone: cats, dogs and kids! He would surely make a wonderful addition to any family.

If you can’t resist Eddy’s expressive eyes you can grant his adoption wish by contacting 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.

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).

Eddy does his best “Puss ‘N Boots” impression.

WARDEN EXPRESSES THANKS TO THOSE WHO OFFERED SUPPORT DURING BLIZZARD

A sample of how Bayfield Main Street North looked when Blizzard conditions gripped the region over Christmas weekend 2022. (Photo by Ryan Berkley)

The County of Huron would like to thank all of Huron’s many first responders, essential workers, and volunteers for the exceptional effort put forth in response to the storm that affected this region over the holiday weekend.

“I cannot thank our essential workers enough,” said Huron County Warden Glen McNeil. “These dedicated professionals worked tirelessly throughout the storm to ensure that our roads were cleared, emergency services remained available, and our vulnerable citizens were cared for. Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do.”

McNeil cited Public Works employees, emergency services providers, first responders, those who provide care at the county seniors’ residences and the Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter, as well as volunteers and the families of essential workers for the contributions and sacrifice they made when blizzard conditions swept the region.

• Thank you to the County of Huron Public Works department who worked tirelessly throughout the duration of the storm to ensure that roads were clear and emergency services remained available.
• Thank you to all Huron County Paramedics who continued to provide emergency coverage to the residents of Huron County throughout the storm.
• Thank you to the staff at Huronview and Huronlea Homes for the Aged, many of whom worked extended hours to ensure that residents were well cared for.
• Thank you to all the staff at Choices for Change for significantly extending hours at the Out of the Cold Emergency Shelter to ensure the continued safety of the community’s most vulnerable citizens.
• The County of Huron would also like to thank all of Huron’s many first responders, including Huron’s local fire departments, medical professionals, and OPP officers for their hard work and quick response in a crisis.
• Thank you to the entire community of volunteers, friends, and family who pitched in to remove snow, check on neighbors, or support essential workers in a variety of different ways over the holiday weekend.

“The type of dedication and fast action required to address a storm of this significance is commendable on any day,” continued McNeil. “But this was not just any day. The contributions made over the Christmas weekend meant that many individuals had to sacrifice precious time spent with family and loved ones. Thank you again to everyone involved for your above and beyond effort.”

The County of Huron wishes everyone in Huron a safe holiday and happy New Year.

NEW FACES AT GATEWAY CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN RURAL HEALTH

Donna Jean Forster (Submitted photos)

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) is pleased to announce that two individuals are joining their organization to fill roles in Fund Development as well as Marketing and Administration.

Donna Jean Forster has joined Gateway as a Fund Development Consultant. She is a freelance consultant from Goderich who focuses her work exclusively with small not-for-profit charitable organizations. In her work she walks alongside organizations in the areas of fund development, fundraising and grant writing, strategic management and organizational development, critical financial operations, as well as many other projects to help organizations grow their impact. With over two decades of experience at the management and executive levels of charitable organizations she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Gateway team.

Forster, who lives in Goderich with her family, has been a freelance consultant since 2016 working with organizations at the local and national level in a variety of sectors including violence against women, recreational camps, education and early literacy, healthcare and others. She has been successful in writing grants valued at over $3 million in 2022 alone.

“Organizations reach a point in their evolution where they understand certain building blocks are required to get to the next phase of their growth. I’m delighted to start working alongside the Gateway team to help them achieve their mission of improving the health and quality of life for the residents of Huron, Perth, Grey and Bruce counties,” Forster said.

Dan Stringer, Board chair of Gateway, said: “We have identified that our organization is entering a period of growth and change. In order to increase our impact in the community a focus on fund development is required. We are very pleased to have such skilled expertise in our community and our organization.”

Karissa Eckert

Gateway also welcomes Karissa Eckert as the Marketing and Administration Coordinator. Eckert is the Founder of an e-commerce loungewear company and was previously the Communications and Marketing Coordinator at a local catering company. Additionally, she brings five plus years of experience in the marketing industry to Gateway.

“I am very fortunate for the opportunity to be a part of such a lovely team at Gateway CERH! I also look forward to helping the organization grow and expand while continuing to deliver positivity within the community, said Eckert.

Eckert graduated from Fanshawe College with a Business Marketing Diploma in 2019, a Business Administration Advanced Diploma in 2020, and an Honors Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Digital Marketing in 2021. Eckert is also very involved with the community through participating in sports and local groups, coaching hockey and being a long-time resident of Seaforth, ON.

Eckert will be overseeing all projects organized by Gateway, providing the drive behind many of the marketing initiatives and assisting Gateway in continuing to be a leading organization in rural healthcare within the community, province, and country.

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health is a registered charitable, not-for-profit organization located in Goderich, ON that aims to improve the health and quality of life of rural residents. To learn more about Gateway or to make a donation, please visit their website at www.gatewayruralhealth.ca.