CHERISHED FAMILY TRADITION FAST APPROACHING

Christmas in Bayfield will kick off on Friday, Nov. 15 with the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., featuring the annual “Lighting of the Lights” ceremony in Clan Gregor Square. (Submitted photo)

Set against a backdrop of the enchanting glow of festive lights, the 33rd Annual Christmas in Bayfield (CIB) celebration, Nov. 15-17, proudly presented by the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC), promises a Hallmark-style holiday haven.

“We look forward to welcoming you to Christmas in Bayfield, a cherished family tradition spanning over 30 years in our picturesque village, drawing thousands of guests from near and far,” said Secretary-Treasurer of the BACC, Terri Louch.

The holiday season will kick off with Friday’s opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., featuring the annual “Lighting of the Lights” ceremony in Clan Gregor Square that bathes the town in a warm glow. Santa himself will make a grand entrance and settle down in the Gazebo to visit with the children, spreading joy and creating cherished memories for all ages.

“We invite you to take time to enjoy the music and festivities while you enjoy a hot dog and hot chocolate for only $2 each presented as a fundraiser by St. Anne’s  Catholic Secondary School’s Technical Education classes.” explained Louch.

On Saturday, the excitement escalates with the Santa Claus Parade which begins at 11 a.m. Following the parade, guests are invited to explore Bayfield’s charming shops, enjoy the warmth of fire pits, indulge in delicious food and beverages, take free horse carriage rides, and revel in live entertainment. The children will have a special opportunity to meet Santa, attend a card making workshop with Artist Abby Bos, sponsored by the Bayfield Centre for the Arts, at the Bayfield Branch Library and see the Glee Sisters perform a children’s musical at the Bayfield Town Hall.

The festive spirit carries into Sunday, with Bayfield again opening its doors to visitors who will continue to enjoy the cozy ambiance of fire pits, complimentary horse carriage rides, boutique shopping experiences, delightful food offerings, and captivating live entertainment throughout the day. Not only all of that but Santa will make a second appearance to visit with young and old alike.

“New to the CIB this year is an exciting opportunity to be involved in several interactive sports events, so be sure to stop by and try your luck!” Louch said.

This new event will be found in front of Market 29 between Catherine and Colina Streets. All the details and schedule of events, which will be constantly updated, are available at   Christmas in Bayfield — Village of Bayfield.

“Be sure to take a moment to review our amazing list of sponsors this year as well. We have partnered with some community minded local businesses to bring you this amazing event. As costs continue to rise the support of these organizations allow us to bring you all the fun with no cost. Our list of sponsors can be found here  CIB Sponsors — Village of Bayfield. Please visit and support them if you are able,” concluded Louch.

CREATION AND SALE OF WREATHS COMMUNITY EFFORT

This photo, taken at the 2023 Wreath Sale, shows the wreath display and a variety of additional items that were available. (Photo by Sara Budnark)

It’s that time of year again! The annual Wreath Sale, a major fundraiser for the Bayfield Agricultural Society (BAS), will be held during the Christmas in Bayfield weekend, Nov. 15-16.

The sale will begin on Friday, Nov. 15 from 4-8 p.m. and again on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or while quantities last!

Medium wreaths are selling for $30 while large ones are $40. Payment will be by cash or debit/credit.

The sale will be held in the parking lot in front of St. Andrew’s United Church located directly across from Clan Gregor Square.

These beautiful wreaths are made from a variety of seasonal greens thanks to the generosity of those in the Bayfield community who donated large quantities of quality evergreen boughs. Each wreath is one of a kind and will add a special warmth to any holiday décor.

A limited number of greenery bundles, bows, and tails will also be available.

All of the wreaths have been handcrafted by local volunteers using locally-sourced greens as a fundraiser for the BAS – a local organization with a 168-year history in the Bayfield community. Proudly keeping it “local”!

St. Andrew’s United Church can be found at 6 The Square in Bayfield.

LIONS LOOK FORWARD TO EVENTS HELD DURING FINAL TWO MONTHS OF YEAR

The last event of the calendar year for the Bayfield Lions Club is their annual Turkey Bingo faithfully called by Lion Tom Grasby (right) who is capably assisted by Lion Rolly Scott. The next edition of the popular Bingo night will be held on Dec. 9. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

Members of the Bayfield Lions Club are looking forward to the fun events that they are involved in during the final two months of 2024.

“It is hard to believe we are well into fall and so many of our annual events are completed this year. We started with the Home and Leisure Show in April, had a fantastic breakfast in May, and another successful dog walk in June,” recalled Bayfield Lions Club’s Vice President Karen Scott. “We had a float in the Bayfield Fair parade, with our newest member – an inflatable lion.  This sparked the interest to name the lion, and so we had a contest for the children in the area.”

Scott went on to explain that people will now see “Dandy Lion” at many of the club’s activities.  His first official appearance after being given a name was at the Bayfield Lions-Albion Golf Tournament held in September at the Bluewater Golf Course.  Over the past 10 years, this tournament has raised $100,000 and after all direct tournament expenses, $80,000 has been turned back into the community.

Another successful fundraiser and popular community event for the club was held in the middle of October, the 46th Annual Joe Brandon Memorial Bayfield Lions Club Rainbow Trout Derby.

With Christmas in Bayfield being held in mid-November, Dandy Lion will be a large part of the club’s presence in the Santa Claus Parade on Nov. 16.

“Also, keep your eyes out for our nativity scene to be displayed at Clan Gregor Square throughout the Christmas season,” said Scott. “We are also pleased to announce that Santa will be doing his visits again this year to those over 80 and to those shut-in due to health reasons.”

Anyone who knows any residents who meet these criteria and have not been on Santa’s list in the past is asked to please contact Karen Scott by calling  226 441-2042 or emailing karendscott@eastlink.ca

And to wrap up 2024 the Lions will finish the year with a community favorite, their Turkey Bingo, which will be held at the Bayfield Community Centre and Arena on Dec. 9. Details coming soon!

“JAM FOR BRITAIN” CAMPAIGN FOCUS OF UPCOMING HISTORICAL SOCIETY TALK

The “Jam for Britain” campaign was launched by a small group in Norfolk County during WWII. The history behind the initiative will be the focus of the next online speaker event hosted by the Bayfield Historical Society on Nov. 6. (Submitted photo)

As Remembrance Day approaches, the Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) will host a second talk on women and the war effort. In September, Laurie Hazzard’s excellent presentation focused on the role of Canadian nurses during the First World War. And now, BHS turns to the Second World War and a story about Canadian women who mobilized on the homefront.

The “Jam for Britain” campaign was launched by a small group in Norfolk County who wondered what they could do to help. Britain relied on fruit imports; with access blocked, jam would need to be shipped! What started as a local campaign was featured in the press and spread across the province, with Women’s Institutes, the Red Cross, and even corporate kitchens joining in. Guest speaker Samantha George has delved into newspapers and other sources to uncover this grassroots war effort. George is a museum specialist and culinary historian. Since 2000, she has been the curator of Parkwood Estate National Historic Site in Oshawa.

The free talk will be presented on ZOOM on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. (there will not be a recording available). Both BHS members and non-members are welcome to attend. To register and receive the ZOOM link, please email bhsmembers@gmail.com.

KITTENS OF THE WEEK A GENETIC ANOMALY

Yes these kittens are all from the same litter – mother Tammi the Tabby may be magic – it would seem her kittens sure are! Clockwise from top are: Cheese, Cream, Molasses and Bagel. (Submitted photo)

Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines (BFF) has had a family of kittens come in that are something of a genetic anomaly and they are the Adopt a BFF kittens of the week.

This quartet consists of a female Ginger Tabby, named Cheese; a female Tabby-Calico combination, called Bagel; a female Violet Point Siamese, dubbed Cream; and a male whose coat is Solid Black, referred to as Molasses. Tammi, their mother, is obviously quite proud of her unique prodigy, as well she should be!

“Oddly enough, having a variety pack of kittens born to the same Mom is not all that unusual, however, in this case having four in the same litter totally different was somewhat of a surprise!” said Deb Penhale, representing BFF.

Please reach out to bayfieldsforgottenfelines@gmail.com to learn more about this wee quartet, their Mama and others. The adoption fee is $250. Adopted cats are vetted, shots are up-to-date and they are also spayed or neutered. Can’t adopt or foster at this time?  Consider donating for medical care and food to the email address listed above via E-transfer or mail financial donations to P.O. Box 33, Bayfield, ON, N0M 1G0.

Volunteers with BFF are pleased to announce that the Adoption Event held over the weekend at Pet Valu in Goderich resulted in four adoptions, five applications to adopt and three families that made appointments to come meet the furry gang at BFF to discover a new family member to love.

Exciting news for BFF as they recently launched their website! Included on this website is lots of helpful information on how people can help feral kittens. The site, www.bayfieldsforgottenfelines.ca, features a searchable index of all the cats and kittens available for adoption. This includes pictures and descriptions of their personalities. Plus there is  a new option for making donations by credit card. The website also includes online forms that automate the adoption and volunteer application processes as well as testimonials from previous adopters who found their purrfect matches at BFF.

DOCTORS SHARE INSIGHTS DURING VISIT TO  GOOD NEIGHBOURS OF BLUEWATER

Dr. Serwaa McClean and Dr. Joel Brown were special guest presenters at Good Neighbours of Bluewater on Monday, Oct. 21. (Submitted photo)

On Monday, Oct. 21, Good Neighbours of Bluewater (GNOB) hosted a presentation by two doctors from the Bluewater and Area Family Health Team located in Zurich.

Husband and wife, Dr. Joel Brown and Dr. Serwaa McClean, trained and lived in the United Kingdom before moving to Canada.

During their talk attendees learned how committed to the community the couple are as they purposely toured the area learning the names of the villages and communities so that they would be aware of where their patients live and what communities would best fit for their secondary care.  They checked out many local events and shared that they have been impressed by beautiful Lake Huron and its sandy shores.

Those who attended their talk now have a broader understanding of the importance of the technical requirements needed for producing precise records while at the same time having face to face interaction with a patient.

In response to a question about how to prepare for a doctor’s visit, they suggested that people prepare a list of concerns.  Not all concerns can be addressed in one appointment but there may be interrelated concerns that these lists may red flag and help in a productive diagnosis.

All who attended the presentation would like to extend a warm welcome to Bluewater to Dr. McClean and Dr. Brown!

Every Thursday morning GNOB has the coffee on and warm muffins are served fresh out of the oven. Starting at 10 a.m. folks are invited to drop in and join in a conservation with friends.

This Autumn they have added a “Meet Your Community Neighbour “ segment on the second Thursday of each month. This will be a casual time of conversation including a question and answer time.

On Nov. 14, Patty Laporte will be in attendance to share the process and techniques used to turn milk bags into useful sleeping mats and how individuals in the community can support her in this helpful recycling project.

Rounding out the year, on Dec. 12, members of the Bayfield Ukulele Society will join in the conversation and share their special musical talents with those who attend.

In addition, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, Sarah Palen will speak to the topic, “Menopause: What Your Mother Never Told You”. Palen’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m.

The GNOB have partnered with the Bayfield Artist Guild (BAG) to showcase some of the work by these talented artists. On Thursday, Nov. 7, people are invited to come out at 10 a.m. to meet and greet members of BAG and see their displayed works. From that point on every two months, one of the BAG artists’ artwork will be featured on the north wall of GNOB.  And as this showcase opens on a Thursday morning, fresh warm muffins and coffee or tea will be served.

COWBELL BREWING LOCATION FOR “JINGLE & MINGLE MARKET”

Preparing for the “Jingle Mingle Market” to be held at Cowbell Brewing Co. on Nov. 3rd are l-r: Heather Dietz, of Heather Dietz Photography; Cindy Scholten, Event coordinator and owner of Edge Wood Decor; Penny Chmilar, vendor and owner of Pennys in Blyth; and North Huron Deputy Reeve Kevin Falconer. (Submitted photo)

North Huron Deputy Reeve Kevin Falconer recently met with local business owners, and Cindy Scholten, Event coordinator and owner of Edge Wood Decor, in support of her upcoming “Jingle & Mingle Market”. The event, which will take place on Sunday, Nov. 3rd, at Cowbell Brewing Co. in Blyth, ON, will feature 24 juried vendors from the Huron County area.

“This will be the first time Cowbell has worked with someone regarding an event like this,” said Scholten. “We are all very excited about it. I wanted something different with an exciting and fun vibe for this event and I knew after speaking with Amanda Duff, their event planner, they were the perfect choice. I love Christmas and this event will be the best way for us all to officially launch the Christmas season.”

Scholten added that the secret to a successful event is supporting local businesses and working as a team.

“I am very fortunate to be working with Amanda, from Cowbell, and with some new business owners I have not worked with before, like Heather, from Heather Dietz Photography. She is my community partner for this event. She is a very talented wedding photographer and will be one of the vendors on event day for any new brides who are in need of her services. We are also setting up a photo booth that will be open for use to any shoppers coming in that day.”

Local dignitaries will also be stopping by for a meet and greet. This handicapped accessible Market is free to the public and will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In addition to vendors selling their wares,  the day will offer live music, hot food and beverages for sale, as well as a grand prize draw with an entry fee of $2 per ballot.

The Market will be held in the upper level at Cowbell Brewing Co., located at 40035 Blyth Road.

To learn more about Edge Wood Decor Events visit: www.edgewooddecor.ca or email Cindy Scholten at cindy.scholten007@gmail.com.

WILD ONTARIO TO ATTEND OWL PROWL

Owls are incredible creatures of the night. Over the years, hundreds of people have learned about owls and their amazing nocturnal adaptations at the annual Owl Prowl.

People must pre-register to take part in this event to be held on Friday, Nov. 15.  To register go to Owl Prowl. Registration is free but organizers encourage donations to Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation (ABCF) in support of Foundation programming.

The event includes one group from 5:30-7 p.m. and a second group from 7:30-9 p.m. There are a maximum of 75 participants in each group. It has been confirmed that participants will have a chance to view live owls, courtesy of WILD Ontario.

Cassie Greidanus is the Conservation Education Coordinator with ABCA. She shared that the Owl Prowl offers people a way to be active in nature, listen for owls, learn about local animals active at night, and to show their support for conservation education.

“This event is possible thanks to the donations by those taking part,” she said. “That generous support raises money to support conservation education programs for the next year.”

She would like to invite participants to “explore our nocturnal world, including owls and other nocturnal species of Ontario.” She shared that people registered for the event should “…be prepared to learn all about the nightlife happening when we are normally tucked into bed…” and to “…discover the adaptations of our owls and the creatures with which they co-exist.”

To find out more visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation events page: ABCA Events or contact Greidanus by emailing cgreidanus@abca.ca or by calling  519 235-2610, or toll-free 1-888-286-2610, Ext. 262.

The Owl Prowl will run rain, snow or shine but not if there is thunder or lightning. In the case of a cancellation, registrants will be notified via email.

The Owl Prowl is possible thanks to the support of ABCF, and its donors and community supporters, and the support of ABCA and its member municipalities.

Morrison Dam Conservation Area is located at 71108 Morrison Line, RR 3 Exeter. It is two km East of Exeter and just south of Hwy 83.