EXHIBIT SPACE SOLD OUT AT HOME AND LIFESTYLE SHOW

Owner of Groves TV & Appliances, Dan Groves has been an exhibitor at the Bayfield Lions Home and Lifestyle Show for more than two decades. (Submitted photo)

The highly anticipated Bayfield Lions Home and Lifestyle Show is back for another exciting year, taking place on Apr. 26- 27.

The show hours are: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bayfield Community Centre and Arena. Admission is free, but visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or monetary donation for the Bayfield Area Food Bank, helping to support those in need throughout the community.

This year’s show is bigger than ever, featuring expanded outdoor tents and a sold out lineup of exhibitors. Attendees can explore a wide variety of products and services from home improvement solutions to lifestyle innovations all while supporting the Bayfield Lions Club and its many community initiatives.

With strong attendance each year, the Home Show has become a go-to destination for homeowners and residents across the region. It’s a fun, informative, and feel-good event where community spirit truly shines.

One exhibitor that has been a constant presence at the Bayfield Lions Home & Lifestyle Show since its inception over 25 years ago is Groves TV & Appliances. Dan Groves, owner of the family-run business based in Clinton, has supported the show for more than two decades, bringing with him a trusted name in electronics and appliances across Huron County. For Groves, the show is about more than sales – it’s about community connection, conversations, and giving back to a region his business has proudly served for nearly 90 years.

Groves’ roots in the community run deep. A lifelong Clinton resident and volunteer firefighter for 28 years, he’s also been a strong supporter of service clubs like the Lions, Kinsmen, and Optimists. That shared commitment to community service makes the partnership between Groves TV & Appliances and the Bayfield Lions Club a natural fit.

Groves said the Home Show is a great opportunity to reconnect with existing customers, meet new faces, and support the work the Lions do throughout the year.

This year, Groves will be showcasing exciting new products like Blackstone Grills and Traeger Smokers, along with their ever-popular lineup of appliances and electronics. Visitors can browse products on their interactive “endless aisle” touchscreen kiosk, ask questions, and even enter a draw for a special giveaway.

As Groves said, “In today’s world, people still appreciate being able to see, touch, and talk about a product in person. The Home Show gives them that chance.”

Events like the Bayfield Lions Home & Lifestyle Show are essential to the vibrancy of the community. They provide a platform for local businesses to connect directly with residents, share expertise, and build long-term relationships. The show is also a major fundraiser for the Lions Club, supporting important local projects and services. This year’s expanded format with added outdoor exhibits ensures even more variety and engagement for visitors of all ages.

For anyone looking to renovate, upgrade, or simply get inspired, the Home Show is a must-visit event. With welcoming volunteers, knowledgeable exhibitors, and a strong sense of community, it’s the perfect place to discover new ideas for the home as well as an opportunity to give back at the same time.

DOG GUIDES TRAINED TO PROVIDE VALUABLE SUPPORT

Arwyn’s life has been changed thanks to her match with Dog Guide Waya. (Photo courtesy the Lions Foundation of Canada)

On Sunday, June 1st, the Bayfield Lions Club will once again host their annual Walk for Dog Guides.

“Each year we rally to raise money to supply dog guides to those who need assistance in so many areas,” said Bayfield Lions Vice President Karen Scott.

Dog Guides are used to support such needs as: vision, hearing, seizure alert and response, diabetes alert and autism assistance. They provide service in such areas as fetching objects, opening and closing doors and appliance doors as well as pushing automated buttons. Dog Guides can also provide facility support, working with people who have experienced trauma.

Scott noted that to get one dog ready for service, there is first fostering, intense training, and then matching the recipient where they both attend school together.

The cost of $35,000 per dog is raised by the Lions Foundation of Canada, with thanks to their sponsor, Pet Valu.

Arwyn’s story and that of her Dog Guide Waya are an example of how someone can achieve independent living thanks to the program.

Fifteen year-old Arwyn was matched with her service dog Waya last year and her family are so grateful for this life changing gift.  Waya is a Diabetic Alert Dog Guide.

Arwyn’s mother said, “With the arrival of our new family member, Waya, we really feel like our Christmas wish has come true. Thanks to you, her presence has gifted us with confidence, independence, and a deep sense of peace. Every day, she brings us joy, laughter, and a love that knows no bounds.”

Arwyn’s family was always afraid of her blood sugar plummeting when they were not with her.  But Waya can sense when her blood sugar level is too low and alerts her by putting his paw on her – sometimes even before the monitor alerts her. At Arwyn’s command he will go and get her a juice box, He has been trained to retrieve them from the location in which they are stored. He even shakes the box around before he gives it to Arwyn.  If she is having a particularly bad time, he will then bark loudly to get assistance.

“What more could you ask a dog to do?  What more could you ask for your child?” asked Scott. “Please support our walk for duos such as Arwyn and Waya. You can see how life changing this is.”

The 2025 Bayfield Walk for Dog Guides will start and end in Clan Gregor Square. After the walk there will be an informative presentation and a hot dog lunch.  Pledge sheets are available now at various locations throughout Bayfield.

For further information please contact Karen Scott at karendscott@eastlink.ca or call at 226 441-2042.

CENTRAL HURON COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT COORDINATOR WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

Angela Smith (Submitted photo)

The Central Huron and Clinton Business Improvement Association (BIA) was recognized with an Award of Merit at the  2025 BIA Awards Gala hosted by the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA). In addition, Angela Smith, Community Improvement coordinator for the Central Huron and Clinton BIA, was presented with one of the top awards offered which was recently renamed after another local champion of small business.

The gala was held on Monday, March 31st at the Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, ON, as a part of the annual BIA Conference. This year’s theme, “Illuminating Success: Your Night to Shine”, recognized BIAs as the guiding lights of their communities, highlighting their dedication and transformative initiatives.

Central Huron and Clinton BIA received an Award of Merit for the “Mural and Flower Street Art Trail” project in the Streetscaping and Public Realm Improvements category.

As part of the Art Trail, students from Central Huron and St. Anne’s Catholic Secondary Schools painted murals on the street to assist in connecting the attractions in the north end of Clinton to the commercial downtown.

Smith herself was honored with the Jan Hawley Memorial Pinnacle Award. Hawley, Huron East’s long-time economic development officer, died in 2021. Five years ago Hawley was the first recipient of what was then known as the Pinnacle Award. This award recognizes individuals who are accomplished leaders and have demonstrated skills and advocacy, innovation and community building with their own organizations, at the OBIAA level and/or within the BIA movement at large.

In accepting the award at the event, Smith was quick to share her fond recollections of Hawley.

“Jan was from Huron East which is where I live and Central Huron is right next door. Years and years ago when she first started in this business she put out a request to all businesses in the municipality to reach out and I had a small home based business and I reached out and so my first connection to Jan was way back then and she sent a ton of business my way. And then when I joined this realm she was my mentor so it is really exciting to not only win a great award at this event but the Jan Hawley award is particularly exciting to me…”

Smith then went on to thank the people and businesses within her local BIA as well as municipal staff in the various departments.

“The award itself, what you have to do to earn an award like this, comes from all the people in your community and all of the businesses in my downtown (they) are amazing…and I hope that everything we do brings more people downtown.”

According to a press release from the OBIAA, BIAs invest in, partner with, and celebrate their community for the betterment of the community. BIAs, through the Ontario Municipal Act, are mandated with the betterment of the public realm for the collective good – to make the area a better place to work, live and play. In order to do this work, each BIA raises an additional levy on the commercial property owners in their area to raise the necessary funds. OBIAA in order to celebrate the work and accomplishments of these BIAs, and their partners, invites submissions. The award winners are presented with their awards at the annual awards evening.

With a record-breaking 55 submissions, the 2025 BIA Awards honored BIAs that demonstrated excellence in revitalizing and strengthening their local economies. Judged under OBIAAs key pillars of Downtown Revitalization, Advocacy & Governance, Operations, Business Retention, Recruitment & Expansion, Economic Resilience, Streetscaping & Public Realm Improvements, Special Events, Marketing, and Communications, the award winners set new benchmarks for innovation and community impact.

“On behalf of the Ontario BIA Association Board, congratulations to all the recipients of the 2025 BIA Awards for their hard work, their dedication and their passion for the betterment of their community,” said Doug Sams, president of the OBIAA.

GODERICH BEACH CLEAN UP SET FOR END OF MONTH

The Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC) is organizing a beach clean-up at St. Christopher’s Beach in Goderich on Saturday, Apr. 26. (Submitted photo)

In celebration of Earth Day, the Lake Huron Coastal Centre (LHCC) is organizing a beach clean-up at St. Christopher’s Beach in Goderich on Saturday, Apr. 26.

This family-friendly event will be held from 10 a.m.to noon and offers a chance for the community to come together to reduce plastic pollution on Lake Huron. After the clean-up, volunteers are invited to stay for a free beach BBQ, courtesy of Zehrs Goderich, to celebrate the success of the day’s efforts.

The LHCC is excited to build on the success of last year’s event, which saw 175 volunteers remove an impressive 480 pounds of litter from the Goderich shoreline. This year, they hope to make an even greater impact in preserving the health of Lake Huron.

To register and learn more about the clean-up, visit Beach Clean-up. Everyone is welcome – Individuals, families or groups –  to join the effort and contribute to a cleaner and healthier shoreline.

The LHCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the health of Lake Huron’s coastal ecosystem through education, research and community engagement. Their programs offer communities a chance to connect with nature and participate in hands-on conservation efforts.

For more information about the LHCC, its programs, or to donate, please visit www.lakehuron.ca/donate. Follow the LHCC on social media using @coastalcentre.

The LHCC extends a heartfelt thank you to the Tanner Steffler Foundation, Zehrs, Rotaract Club of Goderich, Yoga Den, and their generous sponsors Goderich Port Management Corporation, Royal LePage Heartland Realty Homefield Group and Compass Minerals for their continued support of this annual community event. Sponsors not only help fund important conservation programs, but they also demonstrate their commitment to protecting Lake Huron’s environment. Those interested in becoming a sponsor are invited to reach out to coastalcentre@lakehuron.ca.

DATES CONFIRMED FOR ONLINE CONSERVATION AUCTION

The Conservation Auction Committee has set the dates for the 35th Conservation Auction, which is online for 2025.

The virtual auction will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 12 and continue until Thursday, May 15 at 8 p.m.

The Conservation Auction Committee will be hosting its virtual auction on the Zeffy.com platform. A link to the Zeffy auction site will be shared in the coming weeks on the Online Auction web page: Conservation Online Auction.

The Conservation Auction Committee Chair for 2025 is Chris Keller of the Exeter Lions Club. He encourages people to save the May 12-15 dates for the online auction this year. The online format means more people are able to take part and they will have more opportunities to take part as the virtual auction runs for four days instead of a single evening.

“Even though we won’t be hosting the auction in person this year, the online auction will be a lot of fun,” he said. “There are going to be many wonderful items to bid on, and it’s a fantastic way to make a positive difference for your community.”

Anyone with questions, or who would like to donate, is asked to please phone 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or email info@abca.ca or visit the Ausable Bayfield Conservation office east of Exeter at 71108 Morrison Line (just south of Hwy 83).

The Conservation Auction has raised more than $1.39 million, for work in local communities, over its history dating back almost three and a half decades. The Exeter Lions Club has been co-partner, with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation and the watershed community, on the Auction, since 1991. Net profits are split 50-50 between projects of the Conservation Foundation and the Exeter Lions Club.

The annual charitable auction (online for 2025) supports needed community initiatives such as parks and trails and conservation areas, outdoor recreation events and experiences for youth and families, conservation education, job and education opportunities for youth, and other projects in local watershed communities.

To find out more visit abca.ca for the Conservation Auction web page ABCA Foundation Auction.

HIKE FOR HURON HOSPICE MOVES TO BLYTH

It’s time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and the fresh air. It’s time for the annual Hike for Huron Hospice. This year the Hike is being held on Sunday, May 25 at the Blyth Campground on Gypsy Lane in Blyth.

“We are excited to move the Hike to Blyth and continue exploring and promoting new hike locations across Huron County. After walking, hikers can join in a BBQ,” said Huron Hospice Executive Director, Willy Van Klooster. “The Hike is always a family-friendly fundraiser. To keep everyone healthy, we will provide a low-impact physical workout and opportunities to walk with differing degrees of difficulty. To keep everyone fed, we will have a BBQ with burgers from Shanahan’s of Goderich. We will also have games for the whole family.”

Lisa Taylor, Huron Hospice Board chair, said, “The Hike is one of Huron Hospice’s important fundraising events. Funds raised at the Hike stay in Huron County and help ‘Make Moments Matter’ for families who are at that difficult time at the end of life. Hikers and other donors are a vital part of the Huron Hospice family. They contribute half the revenue we need to operate the Hospice every year.”

People can form teams and obtain pledges or raise money in any way they can to support the Hospice. Family members could ask parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or friends to pledge their support via email or phone.

“Teams can have fun and challenge each other. There will be prizes for the team and the individual who raises the most money,” commented Van Klooster.

To register for the Hike, visit the Huron Hospice website: 2025 Hike.

Follow the link to pledge or create a team. Then, send the link to family, friends, and contacts and ask them to pledge.

Remember – summer does not start until the Hike for Huron Hospice!

PROVINCE LAUNCHES PLAN TO CONNECT MORE PEOPLE TO A FAMILY DOCTOR

On Apr. 10, the Ontario government launched the first call for proposals to create and expand up to 80 primary care teams that will connect 300,000 more people to a family doctor and primary care team this year, bringing the province one step closer to connecting everyone in Ontario to primary care by 2029. The first call for proposals will close on May 2nd.

“Ensuring access to high-quality primary care is essential for the well-being of our communities. I am proud that our government is taking decisive action to connect 300,000 more Ontarians to family doctors and primary care teams,” said MPP for Huron-Bruce, Lisa Thompson. “This is the next step in strengthening health care in rural and underserved areas like Huron-Bruce, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this initiative will have on the people and families in our region.”

The province is investing $213 million to support the first call for proposals that will create or expand up to 80 primary care teams. This funding is part of the more than $1.8 billion the Ontario government is investing to add 305 new primary care teams across the province, connecting two million more people to publicly funded primary care within four years.

“Through our government’s record investments in primary care, Ontario has achieved the highest rate of access to a regular health care provider in the country,” said Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Sylvia Jones. “To continue to build on this progress, we are taking the next step to connect 300,000 more people to primary care this year – bringing us one step closer to our goal of connecting every person in the province to primary care.”

This first call is targeted to communities, by postal code, that have the highest number of people not connected to primary care, averaging 8,000 people unattached per postal code. This is an important step in the government’s action plan to build a primary care system that automatically offers every person in Ontario the opportunity to have a family doctor or primary care team based on postal code no matter where they live.

This approach will attach everyone currently on the Health Care Connect waitlist (as of Jan. 1st, 2025) to a primary care team over the next year. As part of their application, prospective teams will have to demonstrate how they will connect the maximum number of people living within their identified postal codes to primary care. The government expects to select and announce successful teams in summer 2025, as well as launch a second call for proposals in September 2025.

To support targeted strategies to recruit and retain the workforce needed to deliver high-quality care, Ontario is also investing an additional $22 million to support all existing primary care teams to help them meet increased operational costs for their facilities and supplies. The province will continue to look at additional ways teams can successfully support, and retain, their workforce.

“Together we are building a primary care system that is comprehensive, convenient, and connected for every single person in Ontario,” said Dr. Jane Philpott. “In communities across Ontario, your primary care team will be your entry to care, where you will have a team of health professionals led by a family doctor or nurse practitioner to provide the care and services you need, when you need it, in a timely way.”

Ontario’s Primary Care Action Team, led by Dr. Philpott, will implement its action plan by building on the government’s historic investment of more than $1.8 billion to expand access to primary care and draw on best-in-class models of care from across the province to close the gap for the remaining 10 per cent of people in the province in need of primary care by 2029. Interprofessional primary care teams are made up of a family physician or nurse practitioner and other health care professionals such as nurses, physician assistants, social workers, dieticians and more.

Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the Ontario government continues to take bold and decisive action to grow the province’s highly skilled health care workforce and ensure people and their families have access to high-quality care closer to home for generations to come.