THE VILLAGE BOOKSHOP PREPARES FOR BAYFIELD READS

Spring is coming and so is Bayfield Reads 2025. That’s right folks, The Village Bookshop is at it again. As the CBC provides all of Canada with an opportunity to focus on the five Books people all should read, the Bookshop is making it local.

This year, according to the CBC, “the great Canadian book debate is looking for one book to change the narrative. The books on this year’s list all have the power to change how we see, share and experience the world around us.”

The Bayfield Town Hall will host this well established event on Sunday March 16 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $5 at the door and as usual all are welcome and will be encouraged to participate in selecting the People’s Choice Award winner. Identifying the Bayfield Reads winning book will be in the capable hands of the Judges: Catherine Tillmann, Faith Wyant, and Madison Thornton – all previous participants.

In 2025, the village’s local defenders are: Ben Woodward, Gemma James-Smith, Anne Marie Madziak, Tony Pemberton and Shannon Lough.

This year, CBC has provided another fabulous short list of outstanding Canadian Writing. The 2025 Bayfield Reads Books are: “Watch Out for Her”, by Samantha Bailey; “A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder”, by Ma-Nee Chacaby; “Jennie’s Boy: A Newfoundland Childhood”, by Wayne Johnston; “Dandelion”, by Jamie Chai Yun Liew; and “Etta and Otto and Russell and James”, by Emma Hooper.

Watch Out for Her by Samantha Bailey (Simon & Schuster) is psychological suspense at its very best – a chilling look at trust, voyeurism, and obsession in the modern age, and how far we will go to watch out for those we love.

A Two-Spirit Journey: The Autobiography of a Lesbian Ojibwa-Cree Elder by Ma-Nee Chacaby (University of Manitoba Press, 2016) puts forth the author’s early, often harrowing memories of life and abuse in a remote Ojibwa community. Ma-Nee Chacaby’s extraordinary story is one of enduring and ultimately overcoming the social and economic legacies of colonialism.

Consummate storyteller and bestselling novelist Wayne Johnston reaches back into his past to bring us a sad, tender, and at times extremely funny memoir of his Newfoundland boyhood in Jennie’s Boy: A Newfoundland Childhood (Knopf Canada, 2022).

Jamie Chai Yun Liew, the winner of the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers Award is the author of Dandelion (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2022). It is the story of an Asian woman who traces her mother’s past journey in order to learn who she really is and where she belongs.

Etta and Otto and Russell and James by Emma Hooper (Penguin Canada, 2014) is a love story that spans fifty years, three lives, two continents and an ocean. It is a story of love and joy, pain and passion, memory and forgetting – and one incredible journey.

This year’s Bayfield Reads book selection, and so many more, are available at The Village Bookshop located at 24 Bayfield Main Street North in Bayfield. The shop is open Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. People can also shop online by visiting: village bookshop.ca.

BAYFIELD YOUTH ASKING FOR RECIPES FOR COOKBOOK FOR FOOD BANK CLIENTS

In 2024, Bayfield resident Sam Robinson won a Youth in Action grant sponsored by the Perth Huron United Way to create a microscope lending program through the Huron County Library.

This year, Sam has been approved for a Supporting Local Youth Program grant offered by the Huron County Economic Department for a new project.

“I was volunteering at the local food bank and had an idea to make a cookbook for their clients with tips and tricks on how to use unusual items they find at the food bank, how to save money at the supermarket, create healthy meals, stretch their food budget, and reduce food waste,” said Sam.

The SLYP grant will allow the youth the opportunity to make this cookbook a reality! Sam’s plan is to make this cookbook available for the public to purchase as well as making it available to clients at the local food banks for free. For every cookbook purchased ($20-$25) an additional cookbook will be donated to clients at food banks across Huron County. It is Sam’s goal to provide 200 cookbooks to the area food banks.

The youth is hoping that the cookbook will provide people with the knowledge to create healthy and delicious meals using cheap ingredients but he needs the support of the community to make it happen. He is currently inviting area residents to share their best recipes that fit the project criteria to be included in the cookbook.

Sam hopes to have a cookbook launch in March and at the event he would like to hold a cooking contest for students and young adults. He will be looking for teams of two to four to put their cooking skills to the test for a chance to win prizes. He is also in need of chefs to act as judges on the day of the launch.

To submit a recipe please visit: The Clever Cook Recipe Submission Form.

To purchase a cookbook in advance or to make a donation, to register for the cooking contest or volunteer to be a judge please email huroncomunitycookbook@gmail.com.

To learn more about the project overall visit: The Clever Cooks Guide.

TICKET SALES OPEN ON SATURDAY FOR THE BAYFIELD WRITERS SERIES

The Village Bookshop is thrilled to present “The Bayfield Writers Series”, a new literary initiative dedicated to bringing readers and writers together.

The goal of The Bayfield Writers Series will be to showcase the art of writing in all its many genres including, historical fiction, memoir, non-fiction and more.  The Bayfield Writers Series will also delve beyond the classic novel into other written art forms such as journalism, screenwriting, graphic novels, song-writing, poetry and even personal journaling. People all have a story to tell and the Bayfield Writers Series will help writers and readers bring these to life, whether on the page, on screen, in imagery, or the spoken word.

The Bayfield Writers Series has a secondary goal to showcase the beauty of Bayfield and the greater Huron area.

“Our region is the perfect setting to gather as readers and writers and celebrate what we do best, share our lives and our community through story. Some of the editions within the series will be hosted in a local setting fitting its genre,” said Judy Whittaker, representing the Bayfield Writers Series.

For its 2025 inaugural event, The Bayfield Writers Series will spotlight the beloved genre of historical fiction. Four International and New York Times bestselling authors: Madeline Martin, Jennifer Robson, Bryn Turnbull and Heather Marshall are coming to Bayfield to connect with an up-close and collaborative group of writers and readers. Using interactive panel discussions, readings from their captivating novels and interviews, these four masters of the Art of Historical Fiction will share a few of their secrets for writing, researching, and publishing, and maybe even a peek behind what they are working on next.

Ticket sales will be limited in order to keep the event intimate and give guests an opportunity to meet some of their favorite authors.

What better place to host a historical fiction event than The Little Inn in Bayfield? Steeped in history and an iconic setting, The Little Inn has been welcoming guests since 1847 and is the longest continually operating Inn within Bayfield. It first served as a stagecoach stop for weary travellers to rest, dine and have a drink, as well as have a place for their horses to rest.

“The Art of Historical Fiction: Where Fact Meets Fiction”, the first event by The Bayfield Writers Series will take place on May 2-3.  Tickets will go on sale Feb. 1st and can be purchased through the new website page Bayfield Writers Series where people can also sign up for newsletters and learn about future events. Follow along on FaceBook and Instagram @bayfieldwritersseries.

LIONS CLUB ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO ADVOCATE

Late in 2024, the Municipality of Bluewater was approached by potential buyers for the Bayfield Lions Club’s Community Building at 6 Municipal Road in the village. The building has been leased to the Bayfield Lions Club from Bluewater for the past 24 years. (Photo by Dianne Brandon)

At the Jan. 13, Regular Meeting of the Municipality of Bluewater Council Chief Administration Officer Laurie Spence-Bannerman was directed to negotiate a direct sale of 6 Municipal Road with Zulk Enterprises Inc.**

During this process the Bayfield Lions Club membership continues to advocate for those village groups that have utilized the building at 6 Municipal Road in its current capacity as the Bayfield Lions Community Building.

“As we await updates from the Municipality of Bluewater regarding the future of the Lions Building, we want to acknowledge that having doctors in Bayfield is vital, and we fully support the establishment of a medical clinic in our community. We also understand the building will likely be sold,” said Ian Matthew, president of the Bayfield Lions Club. “However, our focus remains on ensuring the proceeds from the sale are used to benefit Bayfield by relocating the Bayfield Area Food Bank to a new facility to continue serving over 100 clients as well as setting aside the remaining funds to support key Bayfield needs such as the Bayfield Community Centre, Bayfield Town Hall, and Bayfield Archives Building.”

The Lions membership would like to encourage people to share their thoughts on this vision to Mayor Paul Klopp at pklopp@municipalityofbluewater.ca or Councilor Bill Whetstone at bwhetstone@municipalityofbluewater.ca.

They would also like to invite people to attend Whetstone’s next monthly instalment of Councilor’s Corner which was rescheduled due to inclement weather from Jan. 22 to Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bayfield Community Centre and Arena. An update on the Bayfield Lions Community Building is on the agenda for the evening.

There will also be a Special Meeting of Council on Thursday, Jan. 30th at 6:30 p.m. regarding the sale of 6 Municipal Road. This will be a hybrid meeting. Anyone wishing to attend in person may attend the Council Chambers located at 38594 Mill Road in Varna. A meeting agenda, with livestream link, has been posted to the council portal: Meeting Information.

“While we support the sale of the building and the need for medical services in Bayfield, it is equally important to prioritize the relocation of the Bayfield Area Food Bank and ensure the remaining funds are reserved for critical needs in our community. A quick email or attendance at Councilor’s Corner can help reinforce this vision and ensure these priorities are heard,” said Matthew. “Let’s continue working together to shape a positive future for Bayfield!”

**To view the full direction, see “Bluewater News” further down in this issue of the Bayfield Breeze.

RIBBON CUT ON CANCER AND MEDICAL CARE CLINIC AND PHARMACY

On Jan. 24, the grand opening of the Cancer and Medical Care Clinic and Pharmacy at Stratford General Hospital was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting led by John Wilkinson, chair of the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance Board of Directors, and Josef Frank, chair of the Stratford General Hospital Foundation Board. (Submitted photos)

City of Stratford Mayor, Martin Ritsma presented the city’s official grand opening certificate to John Wilkinson, chair of the HPHA Board of Directors and Cheryl Hunt, Executive director of the Stratford General Hospital Foundation.

The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) proudly celebrated the completion of the Cancer and Medical Care Clinic and Pharmacy with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 24 at Stratford General Hospital. This state-of-the-art facility represents a significant step forward in meeting the needs of patients, offering advanced treatment options in a brighter, more comfortable, and accessible environment.

As a satellite program of the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre, HPHA’s clinic serves over 3,500 patient visits annually, including chemotherapy treatments and supportive care for cancers such as breast, prostate, bowel, and lung, among others.

During Friday’s unveiling event, attendees had the opportunity to tour the facility and see firsthand how it will enhance care delivery for patients in Perth and Huron Counties. While the clinic’s pharmacy was not included in the tour due to the sensitive nature of its operations, it remains an integral part of the new space.

“The investment in pharmacy facilities allows HPHA to adhere to current medication preparation standards for patient and staff safety,” said Ryan Itterman, director, Diagnostics, Regional Pharmacy and Chemotherapy. “We are proud of the new Cancer and Medical Care Clinic, which will support the growing needs of those we serve in a modern and comfortable setting for years to come.”

Key highlights of the new clinic include:

• Increased patient consultation and treatment spaces, with 17 upgraded treatment locations now available, up from the previous 12.
• A new negative pressure room to provide care for high-risk patients.
• A specialized Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) room for the insertion of central lines for long-term IV medication administration.
• Interior renovation of over 18,000 square feet with new mechanical, electrical, and security systems, as well as updated windows and roofing.

“Today’s event is an outstanding reminder of the important role the community plays in supporting our ability to provide the highest quality care,” said HPHA President and CEO, Andrew Williams. “We now have a world-class facility to complement the world-class care provided day-in-day-out to those in need, and I could not be more proud and appreciative of all those who helped make this a reality.”

The Stratford General Hospital Foundation’s “In Our Hands” Capital Campaign has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition, committing $15 million of its $30 million goal to the Cancer and Medical Care Clinic and Pharmacy project.

Josef Frank, chair of the Stratford General Hospital Foundation Board, stated, “We are honored to stand with the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance today as we celebrate the new Cancer and Medical Care Clinic and Pharmacy. This has been a long-held vision, and seeing it come to life through the collaboration of the hospital’s leadership, the dedication of our healthcare professionals and the unwavering loyalty from our community is truly remarkable. Without our community’s support we have nothing.”

The HPHA is proud to continue advancing healthcare services for their communities. This new clinic highlights their dedication to providing exceptional, patient-centered care close to home.

EXETER SIGN MAKER FEATURE ARTIST FOR CONSERVATION DINNER

Mike Brintnell, of Mike’s Signs in Exeter, is the “Feature Artist” for the 35th Conservation Dinner and Auction on Thursday, Apr. 3. (Submitted photo)

The Conservation Dinner Committee has selected Mike Brintnell, of Mike’s Signs in Exeter, as the “Feature Artist” for the 35th Conservation Dinner and Auction on Thursday, Apr. 3.

Brintnell is a renowned sign-making craftsman and a life-long resident of Exeter.

“I’m very proud to be the feature artist this year,” he said. He is currently working on a feature piece of sign art that will incorporate photos of historic Exeter businesses from the past as well as photos of current businesses in the town.

Chris Keller, of Exeter Lions Club, is Conservation Dinner Committee Chair.

“On behalf of the 2025 Conservation Dinner Committee, I am honored to announce Mike Brintnell, of Mike’s Signs, as the feature artist for the 35th Conservation Dinner,” he said. “Mike’s work is truly an art form and he is renowned for the quality and excellence of the signs he envisions and crafts. We are excited that Mike’s tribute to local businesses, past and present, will be the feature art for this year’s auction.”

Brintnell is a long-time supporter of his community and has donated many times to the Dinner over many years. Some of his popular auction items have been the focus of bidding battles. Those auction highlights have included an historical sign for Exeter’s 150th anniversary; and a much sought-after creation, by the sign maker and sports enthusiast, about the history of hockey’s Exeter Hawks.

He has lived on the same street (even the same side of the street) in Exeter for almost his entire life. Even back in secondary school, Brintnell had an interest in art and a love for making signs. As a young person, he even made signs at the request of classmates.

“I knew I always wanted to do art in some way,” he said. The future sign artist wasn’t sure art college and a career in visual arts was a fit for him so he studied marketing at Fanshawe College. While there, he took a sign writing course. “I learned that that’s what I wanted to do,” he said.

From 1983 to 1991, the future business owner worked in the sign business for a London company. After that, he decided to go out on his own. He learned he needed a vendor’s permit to have a business. So, he went to the public office to get one. There, Brintnell was asked, “What’s the name of your business?” Not having a name at that time, he thought quickly on his feet and said, ‘Mike’s Signs’. The rest, as they say, is history.

Brintnell bought his current house and sign-making location in 1993 and he has been creating sign art there ever since. The sign-making business has changed quite a bit over the years. In the early years, he painted everything by hand. Now, he has new technology at his fingertips to design and complete his creations. In 1995 he got his first vinyl plotter. In 2019, he upgraded to a 54-inch digital printer that can cut vinyl and also print. Although the days of hand-painting signs are almost gone, he says every so often “someone comes in with a project that I hand-paint.”

A box of thank you cards is a lasting reminder from some of the clients who have appreciated his craftsmanship in designing and creating signs for them. The Exeter sign artist takes great pride in his work and he says he’s proud when he sees his lasting legacy of signs in nearby communities and even some places farther away.

“We were camping up north in Ontario and I saw a sign and said to my wife, ‘I made that sign’.” He and his wife, Patty, have three children: Travis, Connor and Abbey.

The Conservation Dinner supports community projects, such as recreation and youth projects and trails, that are near to their hearts as outdoor nature enthusiasts.

“My wife and I quite often walk the South Huron Trail,” he said. “We have for years.”

This year’s feature artist is known far and wide for his artistic excellence in sign design and creation but he says he enjoys working in the town he has always called home.

“I love a small town, I love the community,” he said.

Anyone who has photos of Exeter businesses they would like to share with Brintnell, for possible inclusion in the feature art design, can email him at mikessigns@hay.net.

The 35th Conservation Dinner community fundraiser and auction takes place on Thursday, Apr. 3, at South Huron Recreation Centre at 94 Victoria Street East in Exeter.

Tickets are $100 each and patrons receive a charitable gift receipt, for income tax purposes, for a portion of that amount. To buy tickets to the Conservation Dinner, or to donate, phone 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the ABCA office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Hwy 83).

Find out more at conservationdinner.com and ABCF Conservation Dinner.

NEXT LECTURE FOCUSES ON THE URBAN EXODUS

“Why I moved out of the big city” became a popular headline during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of offices, schools, public parks, and restaurants led many to leave urban areas in favor of small towns and rural communities. Even after schools, workplaces, and public facilities reopened, the rise of online work and telecommuting made it possible for many to make these moves permanent.

This urban migration has brought both opportunities and challenges to rural areas. While new economic innovators have settled in small towns, population growth has strained aging infrastructure. To support the well-being of rural communities welcoming these new residents, thoughtful planning and development are essential.

Researchers from the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development have been studying these changes in rural landscapes. They will share their findings during Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health’s (Gateway) online webinar series on Tuesday, Feb. 4th. This one-hour webinar will begin at noon via ZOOM. It is titled “The Urban Exodus: Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Ontario.”

There will be three featured speakers: Dr. Sara Epp, Natasha Gaudio-Harrison and Dr. Christopher Fullerton.

Epp is an Assistant Professor at the University of Guelph, specializing in social and agricultural planning in Southern and Northern Ontario. Gaudio-Harrison is a Certified Economic Developer and Economic Development Officer for the County of Huron. Fullerton is an Associate Professor of Geography and Tourism Studies at Brock University.

This webinar offers a comprehensive look at the impacts of urban migration from the perspectives of both long-time residents and newcomers from urban centers. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation.

To join this webinar and future sessions in the series, please visit the Gateway website: Lecture Series.

ONE MONTH REMAINING TO ORDER TREES FOR SPRING  PLANTING

Local landowners plant tens of thousands of trees each year, totaling more than one million trees in the past two decades. (Submitted photo)

Spring is not far away, and ABCA provides the opportunity for bulk-ordering trees through the Spring Tree Order Form now through the end of February. It is posted at the conservation authority website at abca.ca on the Order Trees web page Tree Order Form. The final order deadline is Feb. 28. Ordering sooner is encouraged as availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

ABCA offers a wide range of trees through its spring tree planting program. The Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist encourages interested landowners to visit abca.ca for the spring tree order form or to give him a call at 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 to discuss planting projects.

“We’re happy to help with project design and help to apply for funding for eligible projects,” he said. Funding is available in many areas to support planting trees for windbreaks, for reforestation and for naturalization.

Local landowners plant tens of thousands of trees each year, totaling more than one million trees in the past two decades.

“These efforts have helped tree cover to double in the last 60 years,” said Jean.

However, forest cover in local watersheds remains quite low at only 14 per cent according to the Ausable Bayfield Watershed Report Card (2023).

People plant trees for many different reasons, said Jean. “Everything from field windbreaks, wildlife habitat, bordering walking trails, to retiring unproductive acres or corners of fields to create private natural areas,” he said.

These tree planting projects help protect and improve our soil and water quality that are so important to agriculture, tourism, and quality of life.

Spending time in trees and natural areas has been shown to have physical and mental health benefits, according to Jean. Planting trees is one way a local landowner can achieve recreational and physical and mental well-being benefits on their own property. An article published on Jan. 2nd by “Farmtario” documents how 15 minutes spent around trees and nature can make a big difference in someone’s personal well-being: “Spending time outside, particularly in nature, is important because it can help regulate stress, boost mental health, and improve immune function … But the good news is you don’t need to spend hours outdoors each day to see benefits. Even just 15 minutes a day in nature is enough to boost your mood, concentration and physical health.”

To read the full article visit: Farmtario.

ABCA thanks grant program funding partners including member municipalities; Huron County Clean Water Project; Forests Canada; the Government of Canada’s Canada Nature Fund; the Government of Ontario’s Great Lakes Local Action Fund; Sunset Community Foundation; and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation; along with other community donors and other valued funding partners.

Anyone who has property on which trees can be planted should consider purchasing a tree through the tree order program. Anyone who doesn’t have room on their property for trees, can still help to improve forest conditions by donating to tree planting through the program Footprints to Forests.