DUELLING VOICES DINNER SHOW

Jaci Van Altena was recently diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. As a young person without the necessary benefits she and her family are in need of some community support. And the community is beginning to rally, including one local business – Bayfield Brewing Co. They are holding a “Duelling Voices Dinner Show” to raise some funds for the cause, tonight (Aug. 14).

Dinner reservations start at 5:45 p.m. with the live music following at 7 p.m. The special  three course menu includes a choice of two salads, two mains and a dessert. For more information or to make a reservation please call 519 525-7880.

For the entertainment portion of the evening, hosted by Marcel Gelinas, people can request a song be sung from a provided list for $5. They can then guess which one of the three performers, Amanda McClure, Jenna Smith or Maya Sturgeon, will perform the song for an additional $1. If they guess correctly their name will be put into a draw for a door prize – dinner for two at Bayfield Brewing Co.

Proceeds raised from the voice duel will be donated to Van Altena, other monetary donations will also be accepted.

Bayfield Brewing Co. is located at 14 Main Street North in the village.

DONATE TO FOOD BANK ALONG PARADE ROUTE

Bayfield Area Food Bank volunteers will be participating in the Bayfield Community Fair Parade this coming Saturday morning, Aug. 17. They will have the big red truck out and will be collecting donations along the route. For anyone wishing to donate during the parade they are currently in need of peanut butter, tuna, cookies and crackers, frozen vegetables, toothpaste and deodorant. (Photo by Catherine Tillmann)

THE VILLAGE BOOKSHOP

School Daze Jazz Quartet (Submitted photo)

The Village Bookshop will host a jazz quartet this coming weekend!

The School Daze Jazz Quartet will perform a free concert in the garden of The Village Bookshop, on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 1-3 p.m.

Three of the four musicians have a Bayfield connection. Paul Adams, an accomplished jazz drummer, has a cottage in the village. Steve Harris, the stand-up bass player, visits his in-law’s cottage here and Ken Baldwin, the trumpet player, a former music teacher in London and orchestra member, grew up along Lake Huron. The jazz quartet is rounded out by the talented Jerry Battista on guitar, a member of the London Jazz Orchestra, and like Adams, a retired medical professional in London, ON.

School Daze performed at a sold out show at the Bayfield Town Hall in 2018. They have a wide range of jazz classics in their repertoire and are happy to “talk story” outside the Bookshop about their music. The Bookshop owners suggest visitors bring their own lawn chair and that cash donations for the Bayfield Area Food Bank would be welcomed.

The Village Bookshop is located at 24 Main Street in Bayfield.

TRIBUTE CONCERT

Simply Queen Live (Submitted photo)

The Bayfield Town Hall and the Bayfield Agricultural Society are pleased to host a tribute concert with two bands coming up soon on Saturday, Aug. 17!

Simply Queen Live faithfully recreates the grand scope of Queen’s iconic songs that have made Queen one of the most legendary rock bands of all time and Sir Elton’s Greatest, starring Edward Greene, brings to life the essence of the legendary musician in an evening that promises to be an unmissable musical extravaganza.

The gates at the Fairgrounds will open at 6:30 p.m with the performances starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance or $45 at the gate. People are asked to bring their own lawn chair.

Tickets for this concert are available from www.BayfieldTownHall.com.

COMMUNITY CHURCH SERVICE

On Sunday, Aug. 18, during the Bayfield Community Fair, the local faith communities will be joining together to hold a “Community Church Service.

All are invited to this family friendly service that will begin at 10 a.m. under the tent in Agricultural Park. A free will offering will be collected for the Bayfield Area Food Bank. There will be a time for personal prayer after as well as refreshments and fellowship.

This service has been organized by representatives from Knox Presbyterian, St. Andrew’s United, Trinity St. James Anglican Chapel of Ease and musical friends.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Laurie Hazzard (Submitted photo)

The Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) Speaker Series is returning on Thursday, Sept. 12.

All are welcome to attend an informative evening with the first guest speaker in this new series, Laurie Hazzard.  She will discuss the incredible, and often forgotten, contribution nurses made during the First World War. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. at the Bayfield Lions Community Building

Hazzard, who is retired and lives in Bayfield, is a former nurse, secondary school teacher and principal, and education officer for the Ontario Ministry of Education. After working for 15 years as a registered nurse, she returned to university and, as part of a master’s degree, wrote her graduate thesis on nursing history in Canada up to 1925. Her talk will provide an overview, with a focus on the role of nurses during WWI.

Admission is free for Bayfield Historical Society members, or $5 at the door for non-members. Please sign up to attend by emailing bhsmembers@gmail.com.

The Bayfield Lions Community Building is located at 6 Municipal Rd.

BAYFIELD BRANCH LIBRARY

The Bayfield Branch Library is hosting a couple of special activities this month.

The Bayfield Library will host Creative Kids “Kraft a Kite” on Tuesday, Aug. 20 for one hour starting at 1 p.m. Participants should be prepared for some high flying fun as they can create their own paper kite! Registration is required to take part.

And then on Wednesday, Aug. 28, the local Ausable Bayfield Conservation Area Educator will be at the library to help peop[le learn about pollinators. “What’s the Buzz?” will be held from 10- 11:30 a.m. Those who attend can discover the importance of the over 200,000 species that are considered to be pollinators around the world. They will also learn about some local pollinator superheroes! “What’s the Buzz?” is designed with children in mind but can accommodate community members both big and small. Registration is required to attend.

Please register for any or all of these programs by emailing  bayfieldlibrary@huroncounty.ca or by calling 519 565-2886.

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

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

On Sunday, Aug.11, Knox Presbyterian Church in Bayfield welcomed musical guest Linda Street, soloist, and Rev. Elwyn Garland, guest preacher.

“The congregation wishes to thank Street for sharing her euphonious voice with us. Your light, comforting, and soothing voice was embraced by all,” said Teresa Steel, representing Knox Church. “To Rev Elwyn Garland, on behalf of the congregation, we express our sincere gratitude for your thought provoking and inspiring message of faith. We hope you both come back and sing, and speak to us, again soon! “

On Sunday, Aug. 18, the congregation of Knox Church would like to invite all in the community  to join them, and others, for Bayfield’s “Community Worship” which will be held in Agricultural Park located at 1 Fry Street in the village. This service will be held outdoors and will begin at 10 a.m. and has been organized by representatives from the local faith community.

Members of the congregation are currently gathering items for re-use and upcycling. Upcycling takes something no longer in use and gives it a second life with new functions, for example, the outer milk bag can be upcycled into sleeping mats. These mats are distributed to people in need throughout the world. Knox Bayfield gathers clean outer milk bags that have been previously washed and dried, used stamps, empty egg cartons and eyeglasses.  Items can be dropped off at the church from 10 a.m, to  2 p.m. on Sunday and Monday (excluding holidays). People’s generous contributions are warmly accepted and will change lives.

Knox Presbyterian Church Bayfield is located at 2 Bayfield Main Street North. To learn more visit knoxbayfield.ca or follow them on YouTube – Knox, Bayfield.

MARINERS’ SERVICE AND FISH FRY

In the remainder of 2024, three services are planned for the Trinity St James Chapel of Ease and it is the hope of those maintaining this beautiful chapel that members of all denominations will come and join in the spirit of celebration. Families are welcome! (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

On Apr. 15, the oldest Anglican Church in Huron County, Trinity St. James in Bayfield moved from a full church to a Chapel of Ease. The definition of a Chapel of Ease is “a church which has ceased to function for a congregation, but is still used for occasional services up to a maximum of six per calendar year and has the resources, human and financial, to maintain itself.”

In the remainder of 2024, three services are planned and it is the hope of those maintaining this beautiful chapel that members of all denominations will come and join in the spirit of celebration. 

The dates for these Sunday afternoon services are as follows: Aug. 25, Oct. 6 and Dec. 15. The services will begin at 2:30 p.m.

On Aug. 25, the chapel service will acknowledge the community’s mariner heritage with special music and a sing-along starting at 2:15 p.m. A full communion service will follow and  be led by Rev’d Dr. Justin Comber. Following the service, from 4-5:30 p.m., the TSJ Hall Association members are planning a Take-out Fish Fry Fundraiser. The menu will include ¼ lb. White Perch and fresh cut fries (supplied by Out of the Blue Fish and Seafood Market); with coleslaw and dessert. There is a limited number of tickets available at $20 per person. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Melody Falconer-Pounder by calling 519 525-3830 or emailing melody.pounder@gmail.com. Proceeds from the Fish Fry will help keep the doors of the TSJ Hall open for continued community use. 

Formerly known as the Parish Hall, the TSJ Hall, located at 10 Keith Crescent in the village, is now operated for community use by an Association and is available to rent for such uses as club and business meetings, family gatherings or events including, weddings and funerals. 

BAYFIELD ARTIST GUILD

The members of the Bayfield Artist Guild (BAG). will host their Annual Show and Sale on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Guild members will be set up across from Pioneer Park on the Lighthouse lawn from noon to 3 p.m.

BAYFIELD CENTRE FOR THE ARTS

Bayfield Centre for the Arts (BCA) will present a rare opportunity for lovers of the Canadian landscape and art enthusiasts alike on the afternoon of Aug. 20 at the Bayfield Town Hall.

Jim and Sue Waddington have spent 47 years documenting more than 800 locations that the renowned Group of Seven artists, and Tom Thompson, have famously painted.

These artists rode trains, weedled boat rides, climbed rock faces, camped and hiked backcountry and paddled waters to reach views that inspired them across Canada.

Since these artists left no detailed records of the exact location they painted, Jim and Sue will discuss the puzzle of locating the painting sites and what they have learned about the painters.

Many of these paintings are now found at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinberg, The National Gallery in Ottawa and the Tom Thompson Art Gallery in Owen Sound.

In this interesting and informative talk see photographs from Killarney, Algonquin, Neys, Lake Superior and Bon Echo Parks, the Georgian Bay Islands, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, the Yukon and Nunavut.

“Join us for a fascinating  presentation by Jim and Sue Waddington and this one of a kind opportunity to ‘see’ our own country through the eyes of our most famous painters!” said Leslee Squirrell, president of the BCA.

Signed copies of the Waddingtons’ stunning book “In The Footsteps of The Group of Seven” will be available for purchase after this illustrated talk.

The presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Those who wish to attend can reserve their tickets now at: In the Footsteps – Tickets.

The Waddingtons recently shared their story with Roy MacGregor of The Globe and Mail. Those who are interested can read this article by visiting: The Painter Chase.

The Bayfield Town Hall is located at 11 The Square in the village.

WEDNESDAY BRIDGE

Attention Bridge playing enthusiasts the cost to attend an afternoon at the Bayfield Bridge Club has been reduced by half – the cost to join the fun is now $4.

That is quite a bargain that includes coffee, tea and a yummy snack plus a prize for both the winner and the loser.

Players do not need to attend with a partner to participate in these “drop-in” sessions. New people are invited to join in this great opportunity to make new friends as partners are switched after every four hands. There are weekly reviews on bidding responses at the beginning of each session for example, responses to a No Trump open etc.

The games are played on Wednesday afternoons at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building located at 6 Municipal Road.  The cards are shuffled at 1 p.m.  All levels of players are welcome to take part in these games that are played year-round.

GATEWAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rowland Howe (Submitted photo)

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) welcomes Rowland Howe to their Board of Directors. 

With over 40 years of progressive leadership experience in mining operations, his appointment marks a significant addition to the board. He brings a wealth of industry knowledge and strategic expertise.

Howe began his career in the British coal industry before advancing his experience with Imperial Chemical Industries at their Salt Mine in the United Kingdom. In 1995, he moved to Canada, where he took on the role of Mine Manager at Compass Minerals’ Goderich Salt Mine. His deep involvement in the Ontario mining industry includes serving as a board member of the Ontario Mining Association (OMA) and on the OMA Energy Committee.

During his tenure at Compass Minerals, Howe held a strategic engineering role, managing key projects across the company’s divisions until his retirement in November 2016. Following his retirement, he served as President of Atlas Salt (TSX-V SALT), leading the development of a feasibility study for a new salt mine in Newfoundland. He remains an advisor and board member at Atlas Salt.

Howe also contributed significantly to the local community as a board member of Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) in Goderich for seven years and as President of the Goderich Port Management Corporation. After stepping down from the port role this summer, he is ready to take his next steps with Gateway’s Board of Directors.

He also has extensive expertise in local water sources, serving as a committee member for the Ausable Bayfield Maitland Valley Source Protection Region.  

Howe’s deep industry insights and strategic vision will be invaluable as Gateway continues to advance its mission and expand its impact.

For further information, please contact Gateway at info@gatewayruralhealth.ca.

Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) welcomes Rowland Howe to their Board of Directors. 

HPHA

On Friday, Aug. 9, the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) declared a COVID-19 outbreak on the Inpatient Unit at its Clinton Public Hospital site.

Outbreak status refers to two or more confirmed positive COVID-19 cases among patients that could have possibly been acquired in the hospital.

The unit is now closed to admissions until further notice. HPHA is working in collaboration with Huron Perth Public Health to manage the outbreak. Patients, family/caregivers and team members affected are in the process of being notified and testing of patients is taking place.

Family and caregiver presence on the unit has been modified. Patients may only have one family caregiver/visitor per day with no in-and-out privileges. Family/caregivers will be required to wear personal protective equipment including mask, eye protection, gown and gloves.

“We know that COVID-19 is still circulating in the community, so it’s important to take steps to stay healthy. Please remember to wash your hands regularly, cough or sneeze into your elbow, and stay home if you’re feeling unwell. If you’re sick, avoid visiting anyone in the hospital to help protect others,” said Erica Jensen, manager Quality, Patient Safety and Infection Control.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

The beautiful sounds of live harp music playing will once again be a featured part of this year’s Clinton Horticultural Society’s Annual Flower Show!

The date for the show has been sent for Friday, Aug. 23 from 2-5 p.m. with the added bonus of a Toonie Cafe offered from 2-4 p.m.

The Show will be held at the Clinton Legion located at 95 Kirk Street. All are welcome to attend.

RABIES CLINICS

Three low-cost rabies vaccination clinics will be provided by Blyth Veterinary Services, in partnership with Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH).

Two rabies vaccination clinics will be held at Blyth Veterinary Services, on Friday, Aug. 16, from 1–4 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. A third is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 4 from 1-4 p.m. at the St. Helen’s Community Hall near Lucknow.

No appointment is needed for these clinics. Cost is $30 cash per animal.

“Our goal is to be able to vaccinate as many pets as possible for owners on a tight budget who are not able to see a vet regularly otherwise,” said Dr. Lee Siertesma from Blyth Veterinary Services. “We apply for a special license from our governing licensing body, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, and partner with HPPH to put on these events. We have held these clinics annually for many years, after detecting rabies in a local farm animal years ago.”

“Rabies is a fatal disease to humans. Though cases of rabies in humans in Canada are extremely rare, vaccination of pets helps reduce the risk of transmission to humans and other animals. Rabies is still found regularly in the wildlife population in Ontario, most commonly in bats and sometimes in raccoons, foxes, and skunks,” said Public Health Inspector Patrick Landry, with HPPH.

Legally, all domestic dogs, cats and ferrets require vaccination against rabies from age three months and continuously throughout their lives within the province of Ontario. Public Health Inspectors review vaccination certificates when cases of pets biting people are reported to the health unit.

Rabies vaccination is required to take pets across the border to the United States. The United States (U.S.) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updated requirements as of Aug. 1, 2024 for dogs entering the U.S. including microchipping. This year, Blyth Vet Services will also offer a low-cost microchipping service as well, coinciding with the rabies clinics.

Blyth Veterinary Services is located at 234 Queen Street South in Blyth, ON while St. Helen’s Community Hall can be found at 85656 St. Helen’s Line near Lucknow, ON.

HSAT MONTHLY PASS

On Sept. 1st, Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) will raise its Monthly Pass price from $80 to $100 as the first part of a two-stage pricing increase that will see the cost increase to $120 on Jan. 1st, 2025. The decision for the price increase is based on ensuring sustainability and to better align the discount level with that recommended in the Feasibility Study. HSATs Monthly Pass will remain the most economical of all its neighboring small rural transit systems.

Fare pricing is an integral and carefully balanced exercise for transit systems. It is important to find the right balance between cost and providing a service for those without other means of transportation, recognizing that for some, a private vehicle is not an option.

Even at $120, HSATs Monthly Pass is the most economical among nine other small rural transit systems where passes average $148 per month. HSAT Monthly Pass holders will still enjoy a significant discount of at least 25 per cent off regular single fares. A passenger need only travel two long-distance return trips per week (i.e. $20 per return trip two times per week for four weeks = $160) to make the pass the most cost-effective fare option. For passengers who only travel locally, the same discount level occurs at four return trips per week.

HSAT provides more service than many other small rural transit systems. It is the only one to provide daily service, including weekends, statutory and civic holidays, and travels more distance. In response to ridership demand, HSAT developed a pre-book-and-pay option for its Summer Beach Bus and provides an Employee Shuttle service to accommodate seasonal employees traveling into the area for work at local restaurants, hotels, and retailers.

For more information about routes, schedules, fares and Smart Cards, visit HuronShoresAreaTransit.ca. To speak with a live operator about times and schedules, call 1-888-465-0783 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

GATEWAY LECTURE SERIES

For four years, Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health (Gateway) has been hosting a free, educational and accessible online webinar series, and audience members can expect that there is a whole lot more to come including one in-person event this September.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Huron County Museum in Goderich, Gateway will be facilitating, “Health in Huron: Exploring Community Care”. Attendees will be encouraged to grasp the history, challenges, and possibilities of healthcare in rural communities by posing poignant questions and enthusiastic engagement throughout the event.

Event speakers will include: Local Historian and Author, David Yates; Gateway Research Chair of Rural Geriatrics, Dr. Alexandrea Peel, and one of few Rural Geriatricians; PhD Candidate at Guelph in Rural Studies, Casandra Bryant, and Gateway Research Chair of Human Health Resources; and Huron Hospice Volunteer, Deb Shelley. Each presenter will carry a conversation concerning the unique circumstances of rural living and how that influences health and wellbeing. This eclectic mix of presenters will cover topics ranging from dementia prevention and treatment to music care, history, and the health of rural healthcare workers.

This event will be moderated by Dr. Mike Beazely, pharmacist, professor at the University of Waterloo and Gateway Research Chair of Rural Substance Use.

Those who attend should be prepared for an incredible event with catering from Cait’s Café, hair-raising history, memorable music and the cultivation of conversation all about rural health. Gateway looks forward to seeing people there and encourages them to bring a friend!

Limited tickets available for the event which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Tickets can be purchased online for $20 by Sept. 3rd. Any remaining tickets can be bought at the door for $25.

For tickets go to: Health in Huron Exploring Community Care.

The Huron County Museum is located at 110 North Street in Goderich.

There are also more online lectures coming in the future. This “Health in Huron” in-person event officially launches Season 5. During upcoming lectures people will learn about rural emergency services, pharmacists, and how to #growourown healthcare workers. To discover more visit:  Gateway Lecture Series.

MACKAY CHORISTERS

Anyone looking for a choir family, especially one that rehearses in the daylight hours, might want to learn more about the Mackay Choristers.

Open to Huron County seniors this choir will start their new season on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at Lakeshore United Church in Goderich.

For more information please email singer@themackaychoristers.ca

Lakeshore United Church is located at 56 North Street in Goderich.

SUNSET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

The Sunset Community Foundation’s annual Greater Grand Bend (GGB) Community Fund Granting Program is once again receiving applications from eligible organizations for projects and activities that improve the vitality of the Greater Grand Bend Area residents.

“Charitable organizations in rural communities face unique challenges, including a lack of resources, limited access to technology, and a smaller pool of potential donors. Despite these challenges, these organizations play an essential role in providing vital services to rural residents. Sunset Community Foundation and its generous donors recognize these challenges and important work and strive to strengthen these organizations through Community Funds to create a sustainable source of funding for important projects,” said Chair of the Board of Directors, Charlene Masschelein.

The GGB Advisory Committee will review all submissions in mid-October. Organizations will be notified by early November. 

“We encourage all applicants to reach out to our Executive Director to discuss the parametres of your program and receive insights guiding your organization towards a successful submission. We are continually impressed by the thoughtfulness and creativity of applicants in putting forward grant requests,” said Chair of the GGB Advisory Committee, Pete Janzen.

The original Grand Bend Community Foundation was established in 2001 with $1.5 million in proceeds from the sale of Grand Bend’s Public Utilities Commission and has now grown into an endowment of over $3.2 million, which is composed of the following: M.J. Muma Endowment Fund, Krech Family Fund, Mathers Family Fund, Winters Family Fund, Environment Legacy Fund, Founding PUC Grand Bend Fund, Sabourin Family Endowment Fund, Hay Communications Fund, Stephanie and Ted Donaldson Family Fund, Grand Women Fund, Grand Men Fund and Relouw Fund.

Areas of interest consist of: Children and Youth, Community Facilities, Family and Community, Healthcare, Physical Activity and Recreation, Education, Social Services, The Preservation and Revitalization of the Environment, and Arts and Culture

The Sunset Community Foundation welcomes online grant application submissions until midnight on Sept. 30th.

General information and an online application process is now available on the website: Sunset Community Foundation Grants;  Application Form and Grants to Date.

For more information please contact: Executive Director of the Sunset Community Foundation, Lisa Reaume via email at lisa@sunsetcommunityfoundation.ca or by phone at 519 280-0944; or Greater Grand Bend Advisory Committee Chair Pete Janzen by emailing pete.k.janzen@gmail.com or calling 519 651-1351.

SUICIDE ALERTNESS FOR EVERYONE

“SafeTalk Suicide Alertness for Everyone” is a three-hour training to help participants aged 16 years and over notice and respond to situations where suicide thoughts may be present.

This training will be held on Oct. 3rd at the Holmesville Hall in Central Huron from 1-5 p.m. The fee is $15 per person.

To attend please RSVP by Sept. 20 to Sally Brodie via email at sally.brodie@huronhospice.ca.

The Holmesville Hall is located at 180 Community Centre Line in Central Huron.

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.

The 168th Bayfield Community Fair is happening this weekend, Aug. 16-18, and so in honor of the occasion we highlight a Museum artifact recalling another fair held over 120 years ago…

SQUASH PHOTO

This is a black and white photograph by photographer Reuben R. Sallows. It features a “Mammoth Green Squash” grown in 1904 in Goderich. The squash weighed 403 lbs and won first prize at the St. Louis World’s Fair. Posing with this giant piece of produce are Iris and Grace Warnock. Murray Black is shown posing on top.

The St. Louis World’s Fair, was held from Apr. 30th to Dec. 1st, 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This seven-month spectacle drew at least 19 million visitors to the city and thousands of objects from around the world, including, apparently, one locally grown, mammoth green squash!