SHROVE TUESDAY TAKE-OUT
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Members of Trinity St. James Anglican Church in Bayfield served up hot, fluffy pancakes and crisp, juicy sausages with that all important side of Maple syrup for take-out on Tuesday, Feb. 21st. Volunteers helping with the event were l-r: Terry Henderson, John Pounder, Godfrey Heathcote, Gary Alcock and Rev. Mary Farmer. They would like to thank Rick and Rusty Schilbe for providing the syrup! (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)
FILM CIRCUIT MOVIES COMING TO VILLAGE

The Bayfield Indie Film Series will soon be making its debut!
“You know what Bayfield needs? It needs cool movies!”
So said a small group of Bayfield residents last summer and they decided to go for it. These residents thought there must be others like themselves who wanted to see independent Canadian and international films in Bayfield, so Bayfield Indie Film Series, a not-for-profit, community-spirited group was born! They talked to Film Circuit, the national film outreach program for the Toronto International Film Festival group (TIFF), and decided to become a part of the Film Circuit community.
Founded in 1989, Film Circuit has partnered with grassroots communities all across Canada to bring the best of Canadian and world cinema across the country. Film Circuit offers filmgoers an opportunity to see films that may not otherwise be available in their region.
The Bayfield Indie Film Series will be debuting three films at the Bayfield Town Hall all on Wednesdays: “Aftersun”, Apr. 12; “Decision to Leave”, May 10; and “Trigger Point”, June 7. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime will be 7 p.m. With community at the heart of this venture, organizers plan to include some special additional features people won’t want to miss.
Film enthusiasts can purchase Spring Season Passes at The Village Bookshop, located at 24 Main Street North, for just $30, or tickets will be available to purchase at the door, on the night of the film, for $12 each. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase, as well.
Bayfield Indie Film Series is excited and proud to begin this new venture and look forward to seeing community members at the films!
For regular updates, follow @bayfieldindiefilmseries on Instagram and FaceBook. For any additional information, please email bayfieldfilms@gmail.com.
The Bayfield Town Hall is located at 11 The Square in the village.
BAYFIELD READS ATTENDEES CAN VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
The countdown is now on for Bayfield Reads! This tradition corresponds with CBC’s Canada Reads. Just as they will do on the National level, Bayfield will choose their winner for this annual event determining the results with the help of a slate of local defenders.
And for the first time since prior to the pandemic, Bayfield Reads will be live and in person. People are invited to attend the event to be held at the Bayfield Town Hall on Sunday, March 26 starting at 2 p.m.
Those who attend will be able to vote on the popular “People’s Choice Award” but the panel of local Judges including Abby Armstrong, Rachael Rishworth and Ralph Blasting will have the last word.
This year’s defenders are: Dave MacLaren, Judy Whittaker, Tina Bax, Kristin Strang and Tyler Hessel. In the weeks leading up to Bayfield Reads, these defenders and the books they are defending will be profiled in the Bayfield Breeze. This week Tina Bax is the featured defender.
Bax will be defending “Hotline” by Dimitri Nasrallah. Bax has been a Bayfielder for 10 years. She is a big-hearted builder of dreams, a lover of wine and food, except cauliflower, and a self-proclaimed work in progress. Bax reads for the joy of it, for the escape it offers, for the learning, for the connection to other people and places, and the relaxation of putting down her own world. But mostly for the joy. Bax is very community minded and the folks at The Village Bookshop are excited to have her participating this year.
Hotline is about Muna Heddad, a widow and mother who has left behind a civil war in Lebanon and is living in Montreal in the 1980s. The only work she can find is as a hotline operator at a weight-loss centre where she fields calls from people responding to ads in magazines or on TV. These strangers have so much to say about their challenges, from marriages gone bad to personal inadequacies. Although her life in Canada is filled with invisible barriers, Muna is privy to her clients’ deepest secrets.
Hotline, as well as the other four Canada Reads Books for 2023, are available for purchase at The Village Bookshop located at 24 Main Street North in the village or online at villagebookshop.ca.
Tickets to Bayfield Reads will be $5 at the door and refreshments are included.
CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL WALK WILL TAKE PLACE AT BEGINNING OF APRIL

Weather permitting on Apr. 1 along the Taylor Trail in Varna, volunteers will place hundreds of candle-lit lanterns, lighting the pine forest path for the Second Annual Candlelight Memorial Walk. (Submitted photo)
Members of the community are encouraged to keep the evening of Saturday, Apr. 1 open on their calendars so they might participate in the Second Annual Candlelight Memorial Walk on the Taylor Trail in Varna.
This event is being organized by volunteers from Huron Hospice and the Bayfield River Valley Trails Association (BRVTA) to raise funds for the hospice. The walk will begin at 7 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until Apr. 2nd.
All along the Taylor Trail, volunteers from the BRVTA and Huron Hospice will have placed hundreds of candle-lit lanterns, lighting the pine forest path. This will create an enchanted setting, providing a thoughtful venue for participants to reflect on memories of loved ones during this peaceful 1 km self-guided walk.
Huron Hospice opened their residence in 2018, providing care to approximately 60 residents yearly, at no cost to the residents or their families. Unlike hospitals, hospices in Ontario receive only partial funding for operating expenses, creating a shortfall of approximately $1,000 a day. Events like this one will assist in raising the additional funds.
Participants can make a tax-deductible donation to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Memorial names will be read during the Dedication Ceremony at 8 p.m., while walkers warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
For more information or to donate, visit Huron Hospice events or call Roger Mather at 905 630-3571.
BONDED BROTHERS NEED A HOME
BFF has so many wonderful cats and kittens looking for their forever families right now.
Manuel and Diego are the Adopt a BFF cats of the week.
Manuel and Diego are bonded brothers that have been at the Rescue for quite a while.
“Just like true siblings, they can fight and scrap with each other, but don’t let anybody else try it!” said Deb Penhale, representing BFF.
Manuel is a brown Tabby. He is friendly and outgoing, loves to be pet, and is very social with people and other cats. He can be a little mischievous which is one of his endearing characteristics.
Diego loves other cats and is very social. He wants to be the first to greet new arrivals and try to make them feel comfortable, but prefers people to keep their distance.
“If he’s curious he might like to sniff people and look at them, often from a far. He also doesn’t like to be picked up,” said Penhale. “However, we feel that if adopted as a pair, once in their own home, Diego will come around. He just needs to have his own family with less distractions.”
To learn more about adopting Manuel and Diego 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. Not able to adopt but still want to help? Donations are always gratefully accepted and can be e-transferred to the email above.
NEXT CHAPTER FOR LITTLE INN

Bayfield resident, Jamie McDougall has been a part owner of The Little Inn of Bayfield since 2017. On Friday, Feb. 24, he became the sole proprietor of this iconic establishment. McDougall’s plan is to retain all current staff and he is looking forward to furthering The Little Inn of Bayfield’s success with their support. He reported that all the staff seem quite excited for this next chapter and look forward to continuing to provide the polished customer service that their guests from both near and far are accustomed to receiving. (Submitted photo)
SKATING CLUB
“Sun, Sand and Skates” is the theme of the Bayfield Skating Club’s Skating Carnival and Showcase to be held on Sunday, March 5 at the Bayfield Arena and Community Centre.
This year’s carnival is being organized to showcase the many talented skaters that belong to the club and will also serve as a reminder that winter won’t last forever!
The skaters will take to the ice at 2 p.m. providing attendees with an hour and a half of great entertainment.
Admission is $5 per person with kids five and under admitted for free.
The Bayfield Arena and Community Centre is located at 4 Jane Street in the village.
BACPA AGM
The Bayfield Arena Community Partners Association (BACPA) will be hosting their Annual General Meeting on Saturday, March 4.
All are invited to attend to learn about the ongoing efforts of the BACPA. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Bayfield Community Centre.
The Bayfield Community Centre and Arena is located at 4 Jane Street in the village.
BRVTA
The Bayfield River Valley Trails Association (BRVTA) will be hosting two hikes in March inspired by International Women’s Day as well as species at risk.
On Saturday, March 4, the fourth annual International Women’s Day Hike will take place on the Woodland Trail beginning at 10 a.m. Along the route, the stories of inspirational women will be highlighted! Hikers are asked to meet at the David St. trailhead.
Then on Saturday, March 18, Denise Iszczuk, the conservation educator from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) will be leading a “Species at Risk” hike. Join the hike and learn about species at risk and actions that can be taken to protect these species. Hikers are asked to park and meet at the Pavilion at 71042 Morrison Line, Exeter. Those interested in carpooling to Exeter (as driver or rider) are asked to please meet at the Clan Gregor Square Gazebo at 9:15 a.m.
Both hikes are free and open to the public without pre-registration. The schedule is subject to change, so always check for updates in the Bayfield Breeze, the BRVTA Facebook page, and the Municipality of Bluewater events calendar, or contact hike coordinator Ralph Blasting by calling 519 525-3205 or emailing rjblastingjr@gmail.com.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Bayfield Agricultural Society (BAS) is looking to engage those new to the community, those who have wanted to support the BAS and the Bayfield Community Fair, those who believe in organizations that promote agriculture and food, and those who are interested in supporting a local longstanding organization.
The BAS offers anyone interested the opportunity to:
- Volunteer in a wide range of activities at the Fair
- Draw on strengths and support a good cause
- Grow leadership skills in a supportive environment
- Meet new people
- Share new ideas
Some committees require less than five hours a year of time, some require organizational skills, and some activities require hands-on workers.
The main focus of the BAS is the Bayfield Community Fair – a three-day festival that brings rural and urban residents together through competitions, entertainment, and rural displays of animals and equipment. The Bayfield Fair is always held on the third weekend in August. This year’s Fair will take place on Aug. 18-20.
It has been said that it takes a village to make the Bayfield Fair happen each year, and it’s never too early to start recruiting volunteers to help with all aspects of organizing the Fair.
Specific areas of the Bayfield Fair that the BAS currently needs volunteers for include woodworking, farm products, youth section, fundraising letter writing, flowers, parade, gate coordination, food booth, setting up and taking things down after the Fair, and wreath making in the fall.
The response from the community and beyond in 2022 brought volunteers, both young people and those more seasoned, who worked together to get the fairgrounds ready and help put on last year’s Fair. Anyone who can spare a few hours or more to help out with the 2023 Bayfield Fair is kindly asked to email info@bayfieldfair.ca.
FOOD BANK
Bayfield Area Food Bank (BAFB) will be holding their Annual General Meeting (AGM) over ZOOM on March 29.
The AGM will begin at 1:30 p.m. and anyone who would like to attend should email the address provided below for a ZOOM link.
Volunteers with BAFB would like to invite people to add canned tomatoes and pasta sauce to their grocery shopping lists in the coming weeks if they wish to donate as these two items are low in stock on the BAFB shelves.
BAFB now has a dedicated phone number: 519 525-8286. People can also contact the food bank via email at bayfieldareafoodbank@gmail.com.
Collection boxes for donations can be found at the Bayfield Public Library on Main Street as well as Trinity St. James Anglican Church (outside the entrance to the Parish Hall off the parking lot).
For anyone who would like to support BAFB with a monetary gift, there are a few options available. Cheques can be mailed to: Bayfield Area Food Bank, 10 Keith Cres., Bayfield, ON, N0M 1G0. An e-transfer can be made through BAFB’s gmail account listed above or a donation can be received on-line through the www.canadahelps.org website.
ANGLICAN CHURCH
Trinity St. James Anglican Church hosts two services a week that members of the community are most welcome to attend.
Services are held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m.
The next Men’s Breakfast at Trinity St. James will be held on Saturday, March 4 and men in the community are invited to attend. Coffee will be served at 9 a.m. with breakfast following at about 9:30 a.m. This is a pay what you are able event. To ensure enough food is available anyone planning to attend is asked to please email John Pounder at bvi@tcc.on.ca prior to March 2. .
Trinity St. James Anglican church is located at 10 Keith Crescent in Bayfield.
POET’S CORNER
Anyone with a flair for, or an interest in, poetry will be excited to learn about “Bayfield Poet’s Corner” to be held at the Bayfield Public Library on March 9.
David A. Bell, of Bayfield, and author of “In the Gardens of our Mind” will host the event that will run for one hour starting at 6 p.m.
All are welcome and encouraged to bring both their writings and a friend!
LEGO CLUB

Young Lego enthusiasts and their adults are invited to the first meeting of the Bayfield Lego Club on March 18. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)
Families with an interest in Lego design and creativity are invited to come and further “their love for the brick” at the inaugural meeting of the Bayfield Lego Club on Saturday, March 18.
The club’s first session will take place from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall at Trinity St James Anglican Church and will be sponsored by the Optimist Club of Bayfield.
Bayfield Lego Club is open to all children ages four and up accompanied by an adult. Bricks will be provided for use at the meetings and participants will be encouraged to build a creation based on a monthly theme.
For more information please email Melody Falconer-Pounder at melody.pounder@gmail.com.
Trinity St James Anglican Church is located at 10 Keith Crescent in Bayfield.
CRAFT SUPPLY EXCHANGE
The Bayfield and Goderich Public Library staff are inviting members of the community to take part in a Craft Supply Exchange.
People are invited to clean out their stash of craft supplies and fabrics that are gathering dust at home and swap them for supplies they can use!
Those who wish to take part are asked to drop off their unwanted items that are in clean, usable condition during regular open hours at the Bayfield Branch from now to March 2. Those who do so will receive an “Early Bird” ticket.
On Saturday, March 4, “Early Bird” ticket holders will get first admittance into the Craft Supply Exchange at the Goderich Branch, from 10 a.m. until noon. The general public will be welcome to attend the event from noon to 2 p.m.
For more information please contact the Goderich Branch at 519 524-9261 or visit: Craft Supply Exchange.
S.H.E.D TALKS PROGRAM RECEIVES GRANT FROM HYDRO ONE

Heather Holme Holsteins Farm near Goderich was the location of a grant presentation on the morning of Feb. 24. Taking part in the presentation that benefitted Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) were from l-r: Glen McNeil, warden of the County of Huron and owner of the farm, holding his grandson, Clark McNeil; Vanda McNeil, wife of Glen McNeil; MPP Huron-Bruce Lisa Thompson; Dan Stringer, chair of Gateway; Deputy Mayor of the Town of Goderich, Trevor Bazinet; Jay Armitage, VP of Marketing & Communications at Hydro One; Research Assistant for Gateway and active Master of Counselling Psychology Student, Becky Higgs; and Gwen Devereaux, president of Gateway. (Submitted photo)
On Feb. 24, Hydro One announced the 25 charitable organizations, Indigenous communities and municipalities that will each receive a grant of $25,000 from the Energizing Life Community Fund (ELCF). This is the third year in a row that the fund will support community-led initiatives that promote physical, emotional, and psychological safety and well-being for Ontarians.
This year, one of the recipients of the ELCF is Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway). With Hydro One’s support, the organization plans to expand its S.H.E.D. Talks program, a communal and collaborative space for farmers to gather, build connections and access mental health support.
“Local charitable organizations, Indigenous communities and municipalities are powerful agents of positive change, and we are proud to support them through the Energizing Life Community Fund as they build a brighter future,” said Vice President, Marketing and Communications, for Hydro One, Jay Armitage. “We want to congratulate and thank this year’s recipients, including the Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health, for the critical work they do to energize life in their local communities.”
“Our farmers are a critical driver of the economy and feeding our community,” said Gwen Devereaux, president of Gateway. “As important members of the business community, keeping our farmers healthy is a number one priority for our community, and the support we are receiving from Hydro One’s Energizing Life Community Fund will help us achieve this goal.”
“Rural communities like Goderich are deeply connected by our commitment to our neighbors, and it’s important to ensure that our town remains healthy and safe. I’m grateful to see that Hydro One is supporting our community through this grant and that more farmers in Goderich can access mental health support when they need it,” said Myles Murdock, mayor, Town of Goderich
This year’s grant recipients provide needed mental health services to families and children of first responders, rural and Indigenous communities, and seniors; foster environmental sustainability through art and recreation; and provide critical health services to ensure local communities stay safe and well.
In addition to Gateway, the following organizations and communities were selected to receive $25,000 from Hydro One: Alderville First Nation; Camp Maple Leaf, Kawartha Lakes; City of St. Catharines; Elephant Thoughts, Durham & Southwest; Enliven Cancer Care, Huntsville; Garden River First Nation; George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation, Thunder Bay; Julien Gaudet’s House, Windsor; Lac des Milles Lacs First Nation; Live Love Louder, Sudbury; Chatham-Kent Fire Rescue, Municipality of Chatham-Kent; Municipality of Thames Centre; Northwestern Ontario Métis Child and Family Services, Dryden; Niska Foundation, Temiskaming; Peterborough Green-Up Association, Peterborough; Precious Minds Support Services, Uxbridge; Rainbows for all Children Canada Inc., Barrie; Regional Food Distribution Association of Northwestern Ontario, Thunder Bay; Shawanaga First Nation; Town of Atikokan Public Library, Atikokan; Township of Macdonald, Meredith, Aberdeen Additional; Trans Canada Trail Foundation; Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation; and 360°kids, Markham.
Hydro One’s community investment program focuses on building safe communities in Ontario, and directs at least 20 percent of its corporate donations and sponsorships to Indigenous communities and initiatives that benefit Indigenous communities. The company also supports programs, events and initiatives that focus on safety training and safe play. Some of its partners include The ACT Foundation and Coaches Association of Ontario.
“Charitable organizations and municipalities across Ontario and in Huron-Bruce make valuable contributions to our communities. Hydro One continues to be a good community partner supporting organizations with a focus on agricultural and rural communities, and I am pleased to see the positive impact this year’s Energizing Life Community Fund recipients will have on our community, ” concluded Lisa Thompson, member of Provincial Parliament for Huron-Bruce.
To learn more about the 2023 Energizing Life Community Fund recipients and program, visit: Hydro One Energizing Life .
GATEWAY PARTICIPATED IN CHILI COOK-OFF
On Saturday, Feb. 4, Rotary Club of Goderich hosted a chili cook-off event at the Goderich Memorial Arena as part of the annual Winterfest. An estimated 500 guests attended the event with over $3,000 being raised to be donated to Goderich Free Little Pantry.
The top three competitors were Harbour Hill Retirement Community, Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation and West Street Willy’s Eatery.
Volunteers from Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) represented the corporation with the name “Gateway to Chili Heaven”.
Gateway would like to offer big thanks to volunteer Deb Moran for making the chili. Gateway would also like to thank Michele Melady Young and Paul Tufts, both Gateway Board members as well as Janet Tufts, and Mery Tarigan for assisting with serving the chili at the event.
Gateway was pleased to participate in the chili cook-off and assist the Rotary Club of Goderich with this traditional fundraiser. It was a great community event that allowed the Gateway board members to take part to spread the word about the good work that Gateway does for this rural area.
Gateway is a not-for-profit corporation with charitable status. Its mission is to improve the health and quality of life of rural residents through research, education, and communication.
To learn more, visit: Gateway Rural Health.
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An estimated 500 guests attended the Rotary Club of Goderich's Chili Cook-off with over $3,000 being raised to be donated to Goderich Free Little Pantry. (Submitted photos)
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Gateway Centre for Excellence in Rural Health was pleased to participate in the chili cook-off and assist the Rotary Club of Goderich with this traditional fundraiser.
WINNER OF STOCKHOLM JUNIOR WATER PRIZE TO SPEAK AT PARTNER APPRECIATION
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is pleased to announce the return of their Partner Appreciation Evening.
This annual early-evening event (5 p.m.), to honor community conservation partners and to present the Conservationist of the Year Award, was last held in 2019. The event was not held from 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic. The Partner Appreciation Evening will take place on Thursday, March 16 at the Ironwood Golf Club.
This conservation awards event will feature a presentation by Annabelle Rayson, 2022 winner of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. She will speak on harmful algae blooms and her research to treat them and prevent them in Lake Huron and the other Great Lakes.
“I’m excited to present at the Partner Appreciation Evening about my research,” Annabelle said. “Lake Huron is very important to me and I look forward to sharing some information on strategies we might use to protect our Great Lakes.”
Annabelle is a Grade 12 student from St. Patrick’s Catholic High School in Sarnia. She received the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, in person, from HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. Annabelle has attended three national, Canada-wide Science Fair competitions, including 2022, and has been an award winner. Also in 2022, Annabelle took part in the European Union Contest for Young Scientists held in the Netherlands.
Annabelle has researched how distinct genotypes of Daphnia magna (a type of Zooplankton, a tiny organism that eats algae, and a naturally occurring keystone species to the Great Lakes), could be used to eat algae and reduce algal blooms. At the partner appreciation evening, Annabelle will share some of her research findings, why she loves the Great Lakes, and some strategies that might be employed to protect them.
Also as part of the evening, staff at ABCA will also provide an introduction to the 2023 Ausable Bayfield Watershed Report Cards. The report cards are to be released on World Water Day (March 22).
An additional highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Conservationist of the Year Award, for the 40th consecutive year.
To learn more about the Conservationist of the Year Award, and the Partner Appreciation Evening, visit the web page: Conservationist of the Year. To attend the Partner Appreciation Evening please RSVP by March 9 to Sharon Pavkeje by emailing spavkeje@abca.ca or by calling 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610.
The Ironwood Golf Club is located at 70969 Morrison Line, 2 km east of Exeter.
PUBLIC HEALTH
HPPH is changing how it displays local COVID-19 information for Huron-Perth. Up until this point, they have been updating their own dashboards on COVID-19 testing, cases and vaccination; now, similar weekly information for Huron Perth region is also available through Public Health Ontario’s: COVID-19 and Influenza Activity dashboard.
While HPPH prepares a new way to display local information on respiratory illness that will be the most helpful to residents, the previous Tableau dashboards will not be updated.
Public Health Ontario’s dashboard includes a wide range of COVID-19 data about Huron Perth, including case counts by hospitalizations and deaths, vaccine uptake by age, sex and public health unit, outbreaks, and more.
GODERICH LIONS
Goderich Lions Club members understand that people are missing the social aspect of in-person Bingos and their volunteers have been exploring ways to bring this style of fundraiser back to the community and surrounding area.
Starting on March 6, The Park House in Goderich and the Huron Fish and Game Club in Clinton will be the setting for Goderich Lions Club Bingo on Monday and Wednesday evenings starting at 7 p.m. Please note that Bingo tickets will not be available at these new sites. People can get their tickets at the locations listed below. For more information visit Goderich Lions on Facebook.
For those who prefer to play from the comfort of their own home Goderich Lions TV Bingo will continue also on Monday and Wednesday evenings starting at 7 p.m. They are broadcast on Eastlink Channel 10, Hurontel Channel 1 and Tuckersmith Channel 1.
Tickets for the televised games are available at Bayfield Convenience and Gifts; Clinton Foodland and Clinton Convenience; Buckey Joes, Vanastra; Hodgins Home Hardware, Lucknow; Goderich Convenience; Suncoast Variety, Goderich; and Finchers in Goderich and Kincardine. Lottery License #: M717413.
HURON WOMEN’S SHELTER
It was announced on Feb. 24 that the Ontario government is investing up to $1.571M to help women who have experienced violence and survivors of human trafficking in the Western area of the province access the support they need. This funding will also help children and youth who are entering shelters with their guardians to get the early intervention support they need to heal from the harmful effects of experiencing and witnessing violence.
“This announcement reflects our government’s commitment to women, who have experienced gender-based violence, to get the support they need in their community, close to home,” said MPP for Huron-Bruce, Lisa Thompson. “This is an important investment that will help to ensure that when women need support that it is there for them and their children.”
“Our government believes that no matter where you live, access to support and services should be available for the victims of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation,” said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers. “This investment will help women and children in this region get the help they need to stay safe and rebuild their lives.”
This investment will support a number of organizations in Western Ontario, including: Chippewas of Saugeen First Nation, $66,186; The Women’s Centre Grey Bruce, $80,510; Women’s House Serving Bruce Grey, $87,548; and Women’s Shelter, Second Stage Housing and Counselling Huron, $42,889.
The province is investing $6.5 million in two categories:
- Up to $3.6 million for frontline agencies in rural and remote communities to strengthen culturally responsive support for Indigenous women and reduce geographic barriers for survivors of violence and human trafficking,for example, by providing transportation to and from counselling and legal appointments.
- Up to $2.9 million to increase access to services and support delivered by child and youth workers, early childhood educators, and other related or culturally specific service providers to children and youth entering a shelter. This will help children and youth who have been exposed to violence access stable and ongoing prevention and early intervention support.
“Our government is working to break down barriers that prevent women who have experienced violence from receiving the help they need,” said Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, Charmaine Williams. “This investment will help ensure that survivors have the foundation to begin their healing process – whether they live in a rural community and are not sure where to go, or whether they are concerned about the care their children will receive once they arrive at a shelter.”
Ontario is working to prevent and address violence against women in all forms, including human trafficking. This funding builds on Ontario’s ongoing investments in prevention initiatives, community services and supports for women and children who have experienced violence, as well as survivors of human trafficking.
LIVERY FILM FEST
The Livery Film Fest continues with “Living” on March 23.
“Living” stars Bill Nighy in an Oscar nominated role as a British Civil Servant forced to re-evaluate his life choices after a medical diagnosis. He tries to cram as much fun as he can into his previously staid life. In addition to Nighy’s Best Actor nomination, the film is also nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay. The film has played at both the Sundance Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, where it has been described as “uplifting” and “deeply moving” and the actors as “pitch-perfect”.
The film will be shown at the Park Theatre, located at 30 Courthouse Square in Goderich and begin at 7 p.m.
A new opportunity at the Film Fest is a film talk to be held immediately after the shows at Paddy O’Neil’s Restaurant Pub. The pub is located in the Bedford Hotel at 92 Courthouse Square.’
For more information, please email: Livery Film Fest Chair Rob McAuley at rob@rmcauley.ca.
IN-HOME RECREATION PROGRAM
The Alzheimer Society Huron Perth (ASHP) is currently looking for dedicated volunteers to help with their In-Home Recreation Program.
The In-Home Recreation Program allows short-term respite for the care partner, while providing companionship for the person with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
Fully trained volunteers provide 1:1 weekly visits with the person living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementia with visits ranging from one to hours. Volunteers will facilitate activities and provide social and cognitive stimulation for the person living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
For more information regarding volunteering please contact Paulina Balch via email at paulinab@alzhp.ca or by calling 519 271-1910.
BAYFIELD ACTIVITIES
Looking for what is happening now in the village? Look no further than the Bayfield Activities Calendar . People are invited to refer to this website to learn what activities, from Pickleball to Mahjong, are happening and when.
REMEMBER THIS
The Huron County Museum is home to thousands of artifacts that illustrate the history of both the rural and urban populations of the area. Space dictates what wonderful curiosities the public regularly gets to see when they visit the museum located at 110 North Street in Goderich. But where there is wifi, there is an opportunity to time-travel with over 6,700 pieces of the museum’s collection now available to view online at huroncountymuseum.pastperfectonline.com.
“Remember This” highlights items from the collection of the Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol. Items that have shaped the fabric of the county and the people who have lived here since before the county became the county in 1835 up until more recent times.
This week, on the heels of Guide-Scout Week we share one of the Boy Scout mementoes that can be found in the Museum’s collection…
This button-up shirt has two breast pockets, a collar and epaulets. The shirt has five brown buttons down the front, two brown buttons on the sleeve hem, two brown buttons on the breast pockets and two brown buttons on the epaulets.
On the left breast pocket, sewn in red thread are the words: “Boy Scouts – Canada” as well as an Ontario badge depicting a trillium. On the right breast pocket is a small pin with a “3” emblazoned on a star and a Scouts membership badge. On the left sleeve are the group and area crest representing “#2 Goderich”, with two activity badges. On the right sleeve there are four activity badges and pinned to the epaulet are two yellow and two blue ribbons representing “Order of the Arrow”. The catalog tag is on the inside collar. The design of the Scouts membership badge, sewn on the right breast pocket, was introduced in 1909 and redesigned in 1963.
This uniform shirt was worn by an Assistant Scoutmaster in the Goderich troop.
THE VILLAGE BOOKSHOP
REFLECTING ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH THROUGH THE WRITTEN WORD
Editor’s note: During the month of February the Booksellers at The Village Bookshop celebrated Black History Month by reading. They have curated a selection of recommendations that we are sharing with our readers this week. The Booksellers would like to remind us that this selection is a tiny example of the great literature available by Black Writers. Happy reading!
SUBMISSIONS

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Melody Falconer-Pounder
February 22nd is the most important day on the Guiding calendar, as it is Thinking Day – the day members across the globe remember the founders of the Guiding and Scouting movements on their joint birthdays. So you can imagine how much I was looking forward to the day this year as it fell on a Wednesday, our actual meeting night! And you can imagine how equally disappointed I was with the weather forecast last Wednesday morning – it was going to turn into one of those “Wicked Weather Wednesdays” and the only sensible decision was to cancel. But thanks to the skills we developed during the height of the pandemic instead of truly cancelling we just pivoted moving our meeting online. Earlier in the day a fellow Owl and I crafted an entirely different meeting plan and it proved to be a very fun and meaningful one.
We used our access to the internet to share with our members a video on the “First 100 years of Guiding in Canada” (we’re now 113 years old!) and I shared a participation story explaining how Thinking Day came to be. Everyone had the opportunity to light a candle in recognition of their sisters around the world – we had candles lit for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in Sweden, Switzerland, England, Australia, Ohio, Quebec, BC and Hong Kong just to name a few! Part of Thinking Day in Canada is having government buildings and landmarks lit up in Guiding Blue – so we made a virtual visit to the CN Tower and Niagara Falls to watch the live cameras as the colors lit both the tower and the falls in that familiar hue. And then we took a quick trip around the world on a household scavenger hunt collecting items that reminded us of our five World Centres – places in England, Mexico, India, Switzerland and Africa that Girl Guides and Girl Scouts can travel to!
Yes, we travelled the world while blizzard conditions roared outside our doors turning what could have been a disappointing “Wicked Weather Wednesday” into a pretty special way to honor the founders of Guiding and Scouting. – Melody
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