FROM THE ROOFTOP OF THE ALBION HOTEL

On the afternoon of Feb. 25, owners of The Albion Hotel, Jeff and Leigh Graham (centre) were joined by Kyle O’Rourke, on left, and Bronson Cook and Robbie Henderson, on right, all of Twin Oaks Custom Masonry, owned by Bronson Cook, for a photo at the edge of the roof of the iconic hotel which suffered a roof collapse due to heavy snow on Dec. 8. This picture was taken just prior to the arrival of the roof trusses which are ready to go up, hopefully later this week, as the rebuild of the brick work around the top of the hotel has been completed. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO MAKE POPPY BLANKETS FOR CLINTON AND BAYFIELD CENOTAPHS

Crocheted poppy (Photo courtesy Port Stanley Poppy Project)

Poppy blankets crafted by many hands have become an inspiring trend for communities across the country in the days leading up to Remembrance Day.

Volunteers are rallying  to help crochet poppies for the Clinton and Bayfield Cenotaphs for display later this year. People of all ages and abilities are invited  to pick up a crochet hook and some poppy colored yarn and contribute to the project. Beginners are most welcome!

An evening of instruction will be held upstairs in the auditorium at the Clinton Town Hall on Tuesday, March 4th from 6-8 p.m.

Yarn and tools will be supplied at this free event and refreshments will be provided.

To learn more please contact Central Huron Community Improvement Coordinator Angela Smith via email at angela.smith@centralhuron.com or call 519 476-5922 or email the Clinton Legion at clintonlegion140@outlook.com

Editor’s Note:  For those more experienced crocheters and knitters who would like to participate in crafting the Poppy blankets, we are sharing both a Crochet Pattern and a Knitting Pattern courtesy of the Stratford Poppy Project – Town of Stratford, Prince Edward Island website. 

MARCH HIKES TO CELEBRATE WOMEN AND WATER

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) will be hosting two guided hikes in March to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) and World Water Day.

The first, in recognition of IWD, will take place on Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. The hike will follow along the Heritage Trail. All are welcome. Participants are asked to meet at the Clan Gregor Square gazebo.

IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and has been taking place for over a century. Along the hike, those who attend will learn about the achievements of some outstanding women.

The second March hike will be to celebrate World Water Day on March 22.

World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater.  On this day, people celebrate water and inspire action to tackle the global water crisis. What better way to celebrate World Water Day than by joining a hike along the shores of Lake Huron? The BRVTAs special guest will be Ben Woodward from the University of Waterloo.  Ben is pursuing an MSc in Earth Science investigating coastal erosion in southern Lake Huron and will share his knowledge and insight during the hike.

All are welcome to join in this hike that will also begin at 10 a.m. and again participants are asked to meet at the gazebo in Clan Gregor Square.

Both hikes are free and open to the public.  Canine buddies may attend as long as they are on a leash. Please be sure to dress for the weather.

For more information, contact Ralph Blasting at 519 525-3205 or rjblastingjr@gmail.com or check the BRTVA website at www.bayfieldtrails.com.

WOODWARD TO DEFEND EMERGING WRITERS AWARD WINNING AUTHOR’S WORK

Bayfield Reads 2025 is excited to have Ben Woodward defending “Dandelion”, one of the five books selected by CBC for Canada Reads.

Woodward is a master’s student at the University of Waterloo studying coastal erosion along Lake Huron. In high school, Woodward represented Canada at the International Geography Olympiad, placing third worldwide in 2019. Woodward is a seasonal resident of Bayfield and previously worked at Shop Bike Coffee Roasters and the Bayfield Historical Society during the summer months.

Event organizers wish Woodward and his fellow defenders Shannon Lough, Anne Marie Madziak, Gemma James- Smith and Tony Pemberton the best as they take on the challenging task of determining the “one book to change the narrative”.

As CBC Canada Reads expressed, “The books on this year’s list all have the power to change how we see, share and experience the world around us.”

Those who attend the local event will have the opportunity to choose the People’s Choice Award. Bayfield Reads will be held at the Bayfield Town Hall on Sunday, March 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

Bayfield Reads three distinguished judges: Catherine Tillmann, Faith Wyant, and Madison Thornton, all previous participants in the event, will be making the final determination of this year’s book.

Dandelion is written by Emerging Writers Award winner Jim Wong-Chu and chronicles an Asian woman who traces her mother’s past journey in order to learn who she really is and where she belongs.

When Lily was 11 years old, her mother, Swee Hua, walked away from the family, never to be seen or heard from again. Now a new mother herself, Lily becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Swee Hua. She recalls the spring of 1987, growing up in a small British Columbia mining town where there were only a handful of Asian families; Lily’s previously stateless father wanted to blend seamlessly into Canadian life, while her mother, alienated and isolated, longed to return to Brunei. Years later, still affected by Swee Hua’s disappearance, Lily’s family is stubbornly silent to her questioning. But eventually, an old family friend provides a clue that sends Lily to Southeast Asia to find out the truth.

This and all the other Canada Reads books are available at The Village Bookshop which is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday and 24/7 online at www.villagebooskhop.ca.

SENIOR CAT NEEDS A SECOND CHANCE AT HAPPILY EVER AFTER

Maddie (Submitted photo)

Volunteers at Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines are hoping that a senior cat that recently came into the shelter will get her happily ever after.

Maddie is the Adopt a BFF cat of the week.

Maddie is estimated to be about 10 years old. She started life as a stray and was taken in and loved by an individual for many years. Unfortunately, her human became ill and had to move to palliative care.

“Poor, sweet Maddie didn’t understand and, unfortunately, something that happens far too often occurred, even though her person thought she had arrangements for Maddie she was tossed out,” said Deb Penhale, representing BFF.  “She was so scared and kept trying to go home.  But it became a dangerous place for her. It was then that a Good Samaritan stepped up and upon hearing of and seeing Maddie’s plight took her home. Maddie was very sad and depressed and was brought to us.”

After arriving at BFF, it was discovered that Maddie had severe dental issues and has since had surgery.

“Thus the reason her little tongue is sticking out in this week’s photo,” explained Penhale.

Penhale went on to say that Maddie will need to have the rest of her teeth removed and this surgery is booked.

“Maddie would love a quiet home and warm lap,” said Penhale. “She loves nothing better than being close to her human but she also seems somewhat flexible because while in foster care she befriended a black lab. She is, however, a little overwhelmed by shelter life and is available for adoption or foster-to-adopt until her surgery is complete.”

Please reach out to bayfieldsforgottenfelines@gmail.com to learn more about Maddie 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.

Want to see and learn more about the felines at the shelter? This can be done easily by visiting 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.

ADDRESSING BARRIER TO AFFORDABLE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS

In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), the Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force will be addressing the barrier of access to affordable feminine hygiene products.

To mark IWD, on Saturday, March 8, a selection of free period products, including pads, tampons, Diva Discs, and Diva Wash, will be available at all Huron and Perth libraries during regular hours of operation.

This initiative is made possible through a $90,000 grant from Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health and the continued efforts of the Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force.

Throughout the year, all Huron and Perth libraries, as well as Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) facilities, offer feminine hygiene products in their restroom spaces to ensure equitable access to essential products for those in need. Locations for free period products can be found on an interactive map at periodpin.ca.

IWD is an annual global celebration that recognizes women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements while advocating for a more inclusive world. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Action”, highlights the urgent need to address systemic barriers and biases that continue to hinder gender equality. According to the World Economic Forum, full gender parity will not be achieved until 2158 at the current rate of progress.

The Huron-Perth Period Poverty Task Force is composed of representatives from the Huron Women’s Shelter, Local Community Food Centre, Optimism Place, Huron County Library, Perth County Information Network, AMDSB, and Days for Girls International.

“We are proud to support this important initiative as part of our broader commitment to fostering equality and providing essential resources for all,” said Huron County Librarian and Director of Cultural Services for the County of Huron, Beth Rumble. “By removing barriers to menstrual products, we are empowering individuals to participate more fully in their daily lives and contribute to the ongoing fight for gender equality.”

For more information about IWD, please visit www.internationalwomensday.com.

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.