OPEN HOUSE

Bedrock Energy Corporation (Bedrock) is initiating a Class Environmental Access (Class EA) for Minor Transmission Facilities for Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) System Project, a proposed compressed energy storage system located outside of Bayfield.

The project is a Class EA, in accordance with the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act for Minor Transmission Facilities (MTF). The MTF Class EA is a process for projects anticipated to have a predictable range of environmental effects that can feasibly be mitigated with protection measures in place.

Bedrock will be hosting an in-person Public Open House on July 25 from 4-7 p.m. at the Stanley Complex in Varna.

This Public Open House is an opportunity for Bedrock to share information and the community is invited to come ask questions and provide comments about the project.

For more information about the project and to provide feedback visit www.bedrockenergycorp.com or email the project team at info@bedrocken

PUBLIC MEETING

Built in the historic Georgian style Trinity St. James Anglican Church, located at 10 Keith Crescent, was constructed in 1855 making it not only the oldest church in the village but also the oldest Anglican Church building in Huron County. This integral piece of Bayfield’s heritage is in jeopardy unless members of the community can be rallied to preserve it or perhaps assist in its reinvention. (Photos by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

An integral piece of Bayfield’s heritage is in jeopardy unless members of the community can be rallied to preserve it or perhaps assist in its reinvention.

Built in the historic Georgian style Trinity St. James Anglican Church, located at 10 Keith Crescent, was constructed in 1855, making it not only the oldest church in the village but also the oldest Anglican Church building in Huron County.

For nearly 170 years, the church building has been a place for people to worship, celebrate, mourn and serve together. The church building has also provided opportunities for outreach inviting other groups to make use of their fully accessible Parish Hall. The congregation themselves started the program that has evolved into a registered charity known as the Bayfield Area Food Bank. Today this food bank provides vital support to over 80 clients.

Unfortunately, the future of the church is in question. Attendance has declined considerably in recent years and the majority of regular attendees are seniors on fixed incomes with limited capacity to physically and financially do what is necessary to maintain the church property, as well as a full complement of worship and outreach activities. And it is with regret that the Wardens of Trinity St. James announce that they will be recommending to a special meeting of the congregation to be held in October that the necessary steps be taken to close the church within the next two years.

However, before that meeting the Church Board members would like to hear from the residents of the village, both permanent and summer, as well as the surrounding community to allow their input into the future of the church building and property.

Do they wish to see the buildings preserved for the benefit of the wider community as a site for cultural and social activities? Do people have the capacity to help “Reimagine Trinity St. James”?

Collecting community input is the first step and all are invited to a Public Meeting to be held in the Parish Hall on Wednesday, July 26, starting at 7 p.m. The doors of both the church and the Parish Hall will open at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will also be served. For those who cannot attend in person but would still like to participate there are two ways they can contribute. The first would be by providing written comments to: trinitystjamesbayfield@diohuron.org. The second would be to attend virtually. For those wishing to join a ZOOM call during the meeting they are asked to please email the address above for the required information.

If a way of preserving Trinity St. James for the benefit of the community cannot be found, and supported, the eventual outcome will be the sale of the building and property by the Anglican Diocese of Huron and an integral element of the village’s heritage and home to vital community services will be forever lost.

BAYFIELD LIBRARY

The Bayfield Branch Library is the place to go this summer for some fun activities no matter your age!

On Thursday, July 27 from 1:30-3 p.m. “Playful Plastics” will be the theme of a session presented by the Bayfield Branch and the Municipality of Bluewater.

And then on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 1- 2 p.m. a ceramics painting program for kids will be led by the folks from County Clay Cafe. At this session, children will paint their own special item and then it will be glazed, fired and returned to the Bayfield Branch for pick up.

The Bayfield Branch Library is located at 18 Main Street North in the village.

ENTER THE HAGGIS

“Enter the Haggis” will be performing a rare Canadian date at the Bayfield Town Hall tonight (July 19).

Tickets to the performance by Enter the Haggis are selling for $40 and are available now via Ticketscene: Get Tickets.  The doors of the town hall will open at 7 p.m. with the concert commencing at 7:30 p.m.

The evening is sponsored by 1851 Bayfield Landing, Stone House Brewery, MacEwan & Feagan Insurance Brokers and Firebrand Entertainment.

LITTER CLEAN UP

The Village of Bayfield Marina and Municipality of Bluewater would like to invite the public to a “Litter Clean Up” on Saturday, July 22..

The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon with registration starting at 9 a.m. at 33 Longhill Rd. in Bayfield. Trash bags and gloves will be provided at registration. Refreshments will also be available.

Participants are asked to please wear brightly colored clothing and practice safety around roadways and water.

“Join our litter clean up event and become a citizen scientist,” said Lindsay Whalen, Planning coordinator with the Municipality of Bluewater. “Litter cards will be provided at registration to write down the types of litter collected and can be submitted at the registration desk when finished.”

The data from the cards will contribute to the national litter database in efforts to help enact national shoreline cleanup goals through the Ocean Wise Shoreline Cleanup Program.

This event is one of several 2023 Blue Flag community outreach programs being offered by the municipality.  Other events this summer include a DIY kids recycling activity “Playful Plastics” in partnership with the Huron County Library, Bayfield Branch on July 27 from 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. and a Dark Sky Party in partnership with the West Coast Astronomers hosted at the Bayfield Pier on Aug. 11 after dusk.

For full details on the Blue Flag community events, please check the Municipality of Bluewater’s website and social media or contact Lindsay Whalen by calling 519 236-4351 Ext. 235 or by emailing planninginfo@municipalityofbluewater.ca.

FOOD BANK

The numbers of people reaching out for assistance from the Bayfield Area Food Bank (BAFB) continues to grow with 83 clients receiving help during the month of June. The BAFB is only able to help their clients due to the continued generosity of the community providing donations and financial support.

At this time the BAFB inventory is low on such items as soup, crackers and gluten free products.

The BAFB phone number is 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 Branch Library on Main Street as well as Trinity St. James Anglican Church (outside the entrance to the Parish Hall off the parking lot). There is also a special grocery cart at Bayfield Foodland to welcome donations.

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.

BRVTA

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is offering one more planned hike during the month of July.

On July 22, there will be a guided tour of Hullett Marsh at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area, east of Clinton. This is a major wetland habitat with a variety of unique flora and fauna. The hike will begin at 10 a.m. Participants are asked to meet at 80602 Wildlife Line, in the parking lot at the start of the Blue Trail. This is the first parking lot on Wildlife Line going north from Clinton. Hikers are encouraged to bring bug spray, sunscreen and to wear long pants (due to ticks).

The hikes is 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 or the Municipality of Bluewater events calendar. People can also contact the hike coordinator, Ralph Blasting, by calling 519 525-3205 or emailing rjblasting@gmail.com.

LIBRARY FRIENDS

The Red Table Book Sale offers a good variety of adult fiction and non-fiction books as well as children’s books. Payment is by donation. (Photo by Janet Vogelsang)

The Friends of Bayfield Library (FOBL) Red Table Book Sale is now underway at the Bayfield Branch Library. Visitors to the library will find the Red Table inside the library just in front of the window. Book sale times are during normal library hours from now to Aug. 31.

Unlike the two-day book sales held in previous years, this one will be running continuously until the end of August. That means two whole months of book browsing and lots of great reading!

The Red Table will be regularly stocked with books while supplies last. Payment is by donation. All funds raised through the Book Sale will help to support the Bayfield Library and community programs such as “Saturdays at the Library” speaker series, “Coffee & Chat” groups, and Gingerbread Decorating as well as other fun events throughout the year. The generous support of the community is so appreciated!

FOBL sincerely thanks everyone who answered the call for book donations to make this special book sale possible.

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. Please note there will not be a service this Wednesday, July 19. Those who attend on July 23 can look forward to some special music provided by a local harpist.

The Rotary Club of Grand Bend has been sending school supplies to Rotary Clubs in South Africa who distribute the supplies to rural schools who have almost no supplies or teaching resources. Trinity St. James is currently collecting basic school supplies as well as children’s books in new condition in support of the club. This collection will run until July 30.

Trinity St. James Anglican church is located at 10 Keith Crescent in Bayfield.

Twenty people composing seven teams competed for the title of “Fastest Puzzle Making Team” at the Bayfield Branch Library on the morning of Saturday, July 15. People were invited to assemble a team of two to four members ready to go head-to-head against other teams to see who could assemble a 300-piece puzzle the quickest! The puzzles were generously donated by the Rotary Club of Goderich. The winning team members were: Angie Steckle, M’Lynn Gingerich, Marie Ward and Isaac Ward. The second place team were from l-r: Xavier Davis and sisters Laura Hegberg and Jen Davis, from Kelowna, BC. The trio were visiting family in Bayfield. This second place team came in 3-1/2 minutes behind the winners, at 35 minutes 20 seconds. (Photos courtesy Bayfield Branch Library and Ralph Blasting)

COASTAL CENTRE

The Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC), in collaboration with Georgian Bay Forever, Keep the Bruce Clean and Green, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation, and local municipalities, is thrilled to invite volunteers to participate in the upcoming shoreline clean-up events along the breathtaking shores of Lake Huron in July. With help, they hope to engage over 700 volunteers to remove a staggering 1,000 pounds of litter by the end of summer.

The July Clean-up the Coast events will take place in Grand Bend on July 29; and Kettle Point on July 30.

With support, LHCC can accomplish their shared mission of improving the health of Lake Huron for communities and local wildlife. Each piece of litter removed contributes to a healthier ecosystem, cleaner communities, and safer habitats. Let’s work together to “Clean-up the Coast” and protect the natural beauty of Lake Huron.

To learn more and RSVP, please visit lakehuron.ca/cleanupthecoast.

The LHCC is a non-government charity dedicated to supporting a healthy ecosystem through education, restoration, and research. To learn more visit www.lakehuron.ca, or follow @coastalcentre on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Clean-up the Coast would not be possible without generous funding from the Great Lakes Local Action Fund and Sunset Community Foundation.

FENG SHUI WORKSHOP

Participants in a workshop scheduled for September can learn how to apply Feng Shui and easily create a home or workplace of beauty, harmony and comfort, which feels as good as it looks! (Submitted photo)

This fall, individuals have the opportunity to join a fun and interactive two-day Feng Shui workshop in Bayfield.

At the workshop participants will learn simple and common-sense methods to assess the energy of indoor and outdoor space and how to make changes through placement, color and texture of certain objects. The workshop has been designed for beginners who have little or no knowledge of Feng Shui, just the desire to learn something new.

The workshop will be held on Thursday, Sept. 21 and Friday, Sept. 22 at the Bayfield Town Hall, 11 The Square, Bayfield. The event will run each day from 9-4:30 p.m.

Helen Varekamp will be facilitating the workshop. Varekamp was an instructor for QC Design College, teaching Feng Shui workshops, and had a consulting business in interior design and Feng Shui design. Now retired, she volunteers for several community organizations, and is dedicating her time and knowledge to this event, with all proceeds going to Huron Hospice.

According to Varekamp, Feng Shui is the study of how your environment affects you and your quality of life, how to become aware of the deep relationship you have with your surroundings, and how to better arrange your environment. Feng Shui is not a belief system or religion – you don’t need to believe in it in order for it to work. It has nothing to do with changing your luck, but it will help you create a space that promotes feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

“Have you ever been in a space that feels uncomfortable, but don’t know why, let alone how to change it? This is where Feng Shui can help, often by implementing simple and inexpensive changes,” said Varekamp.

Feng Shui can be implemented in any home, regardless of size or ownership, as well as outdoor spaces, and places of business such as retail, office, or classrooms. Learning and implementing the principles of Feng Shui can help you create a house or garden that welcomes you home. Simply put – when you live and work in a place that feels good, your attitude will likely become more positive, improving your quality of life.

Varekamp explained, “Feng Shui observes the relationship between the seen and unseen forces of nature. You too can learn how to blend harmoniously with a friendly, comfortable and positive environment! There is no need to be a designer, Feng Shui can be practiced by anyone. Once you have learned some basic principles, it can be life altering how quickly and easily you will be able to assess any space.”

A lovely lunch as well as snacks and beverages will be served on both days. Participants will receive a binder with course information, a Feng Shui book, and a certificate of achievement.

The early bird registration fee is $675 which is HST exempt; after Sept. 1 the fee will be $750. Participants will receive a $500 charitable tax receipt from Huron Hospice. Early registration is recommended, as limited seating is available! This is a scent-free event.

For more information and registration, visit the Event page of the Huron Hospice website at Feng Shui Workshop.

“Once again, appreciation is extended to the students of the leadership class and Ms. McLeod for their efforts,” concluded Lavoie.

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.

The Park House in Goderich and the Huron Fish and Game Club in Clinton are now the settings 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.

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.

It takes a story…

The Bayfield Lions Club members have quietly unveiled the final piece of their Clock Tower and Flagpole Project bringing to a conclusion their community projects organized in recognition of their 75th year of service in the village.

Two interpretive stands at the corner of Main and Charles Streets, pay tribute to Bayfield’s early maritime history symbolized by the Ships Wheel Clock Tower and Flagpole erected where Main Street meets Clan Gregor Square.

“Already numerous visitors to the Village are stopping to read the story boards,” said project co-ordinator Lions member Dave Nearingburg.  “They add another valuable feature to Bayfield’s Heritage Main Street.”

The wording on the interpretive plaque is as follows:

The Ships Wheel Clock Tower: The Ships Wheel symbolizes Bayfield’s historic and sometimes tragic connection with Lake Huron. From its earliest days, Bayfield’s commercial fishermen bravely plied Lake Huron’s coastal waters harvesting their catches in small locally built, sail-powered boats. With the permission of the Art Gallery of Ontario, an 1876 painting by renowned Seaforth artist William Cresswell has been reproduced on the stands depicting the small fleet braving a sudden gale and unable to reach the safety of Bayfield’s harbour.

Bayfield’s Signal Pole: For almost 75 years, a signal pole at the foot of Bayfield Terrace, served as Bayfield’s Marine Weather Warning Station.  From the late 1800’s to the mid 1950’s the Canadian Meteorological Service used a simple system to warn mariners of approaching gales. The central weather office in Toronto would send warnings by telegraph to a local operator.  The operator would use a simple system of wicker baskets in the shape of drums and cones to indicate wind direction and strength of approaching storms.  At night, combinations of red and clear lanterns were used. The Southampton Propeller Club has reproduced a complete full-scale replica of the system used there.

Prior to this system, Bayfield’s sail powered fishing fleet, unaware of impending gales, were helpless to reach safety.

PHOTOS BY MELODY FALCONER POUNDER

That’s a wrap! The 2023 Rummage Sale and Silent Auction has left the stage or arena in this case! Now in its 74th year, who could have predicted this annual fundraiser, in support of the beautiful lakeside greenspace known as Pioneer Park, would still be flourishing today?

There is perhaps no more appropriate event than the Pioneer Park Rummage Sale to use the old adage, “It takes a village”. This week, the 2023 Team Rummage Coordinators reflect and pay homage to the 200 plus volunteers that make this grand event possible.

The 2023 Team Rummage coordinators were watching the radar and the clouds on Friday afternoon with dread. When it looked like the storm was definitely coming, the volunteers danced their way through the rain to protect the outside merchandise and displays – only to be saved by Mother Nature herself, who later delivered the sunshine! And when the sun came out, so did hundreds of attendees, lining up all around the building. The excitement and relief was electrifying! All involved could not have asked for a better outcome.

Sharon Craig, of Team Rummage reflected, “We’ve worked hard this year to ensure we’ve maintained the essence of the Rummage Sale while incorporating some improvements we hope will help to streamline the workload in future years. And we’ve had fun at the same time, that’s most important!”

Jayne Dietrich, a member of Team Rummage exclaimed, “The Rummage Sale would not be possible without the generosity of this community and the hundreds of people who donated their no-longer needed, preloved goods at the Quonset Hut on the designated drop-off dates. Credit for the genius idea to establish a common drop area five years ago go to Terry and Helen Lazaretto. Thank you Terry and Helen for all that you do for the Rummage Sale.”

Danuta Wyant and Carole Stinson, the Team Rummage Volunteer Coordinators said, “We are grateful to all the volunteers who came out on Saturdays and Mondays to receive, sort and pack boxes at the QHut. Thank you to the volunteer crews who transported the goods to the arena. We applaud the Silent Auction Team, Table Captains and their trusty crews of volunteers who set up their displays, priced their wares and then turned into super salespeople, to work the crowd! Thanks also to an amazing tear-down crew, the clean up was a breeze with so many helpful hands. We are grateful to our accounting team who are tasked with tallying the totals at the end of the evening.”

“Thank you to the Reder Family for the use of their Quonset Hut, the Bayfield Agricultural Society, all the local and area merchants for their generous donations including Brad and Melissa Maidment at Bayfield Foodland, who donated all of the pop, wieners, and buns for the barbecue. We were pleased to have Nick Howell and John Thornton back at the grills, keeping folks fed and entertained. A special thank you goes out to Sandy Scotchmer who effortlessly coordinated the mayhem at the arena and kept us all in line,” said Lynn Whaley, also a member of Team Rummage.

Catherine Tillmann concluded by sharing her thanks “to this outstanding community and all the volunteers who stepped up to make this another successful Rummage Sale and Silent Auction event.”

Editor’s Note: Our story continues next week in Issue 733 when the Bayfield Breeze takes a closer look at the excitement when the people descended on the 74th Pioneer Park Rummage Sale and Silent Auction ready to shop and bid!