PLAYFUL PUPS GROW INTO DOG GUIDES THANKS TO WALK

Lion Ingrid Rath visited the Bayfield Lions' Club's Home and Garden Show display which promoted the club's upcoming Walk for Dog Guides. Lion Peter Westwood manned the booth. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

Every dog starts out as a playful puppy; a select few will have a very important job when they grow up. They will become Dog Guides “helping Canadians with disabilities achieve greater mobility, safety and independence.”

But raising a puppy and training it to become a Dog Guide takes a lot of time and money. However, due to the fundraising efforts of the Lions Foundation of Canada, Dog Guides are provided free to each individual.

The Bayfield Lions’ Club has been a proud supporter of the “Purina Walk for Dog Guides” for 22 years.

“For a community our size, Bayfield’s Dog Walk has done a wonderful job in raising money for this worthy cause,” said Lion Peter Westwood, in a recent press release. 

This year the Bayfield Lions’ Club will hold their walk on June 6, starting at 9 a.m. Registration will take place behind the Bayfield Arena beginning at 8:30 a.m.

There is no registration fee and the walk is open to all ages. Dogs and their owners are encouraged to participate in the walk together but people without a four-legged friend are invited to take part as well.

The walk raises money that goes directly to five Dog Guide programs: Canine Vision, Hearing Ear, Special Skills, Seizure Response and Autism Assistance.

You can register and obtain pledge forms on-line at www.purinawalkfordogguides.com or by calling Lion Jerry Stirling at 519 482-7625.

It costs about $20,000 to raise a puppy, train it to become a Dog Guide and place it with someone in need. Over the past 25 years, the Lions Foundation of Canada has helped over 1,500 men, women and children through the use of specially trained Dog Guides. This year the goal is to train 110 Dog Guide teams.

“Our pets provide us with so much comfort and love but Dog Guides give their partners even more. They give their human partners more freedom to enjoy life. This is an opportunity for us to make a difference in the lives of Canadians with special challenges,” wrote Westwood in the press release.

HIGHSCHOOL CHOIR EXCITED, INSPIRED AND ENCHANTED

The Bayfield Town Hall came alive with the voices of several talented young people when The Medway High School Madrigal Choir took to the stage on the evening of May 16th.

According to Pat Langley, a representative of the Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society, “The concert at the hall was their fourth of the weekend and they performed as if it was their first.”

Under the very able leadership of Kathy McKaughton and Jeff Bynum the choir presented a repertoire which spanned 17th century music to selections from Les Miserables.

“The evening was exciting, inspiring and enchanting,” said Langley. “We wish the choir every success in their upcoming competitions; the first was held on May 23rd on CBC Radio 2. They will also take part in the National Music Competition in Ottawa next month.”

SAFE BOATING WEEK PROMOTES FIVE KEYS TO FUN ON THE WATER

The weather was picture perfect on the morning of May 23 for a sail on Lake Huron. The Goderich Power and Sail Squadron would like to remind all boaters to think safety first when on the water - May 29 to June 4 is Boating Safety Week. (Photo by Ian Siertsema)

Judging from the number of vessels that took advantage of the fine weather over Victoria Day Weekend the boating season has begun in Bayfield. 

As the season starts there is no more opportune time to remember the five keys to safe boating as promoted by the Goderich Power and Sail Squadron during Canadian Safe Boating Awareness Week held from May 29 to June 4.
  
Canadian Safe Boating Awareness Week, partners the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron (CPS) with Transport Canada, and is an opportunity to reach recreational boaters and equip them with the information they need to enjoy their boating pursuits. CPS strives to ensure that all Canadians who head out on the water are equipped with the knowledge required to have a safe day. 

To kick of Canadian Safe Boating Awareness Week the Goderich Power and Sail Squadron will be hosting a Boat Pro Course on May 28 at 9 a.m. at the Harbour Lights Marina Clubhouse in Bayfield.
 
Developed from The Approved Boating Handbook, the seminar prepares individuals for the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) exam. The best of the PCOC seminars available, this highly acclaimed seminar was one of the first to be accredited by the Canadian Coast Guard.
 
Whether a person takes the seminar or simply uses the handbook as a study guide, upon successful completion of the exam, they will receive a one-year complimentary Associate Membership to CPS, with its benefits.
 
The fee for the course is $65.  For more information or to pre-register email to: boat@hurontel.on.ca

MASTERSCLASS A UNIQUE ADDITION TO FESTIVAL OF SONG

The Bayfield Town Hall will once again be filled with the sound of world renowned musical talents when the fourth annual Bayfield Festival of Song returns to the village for concerts on the first two weekends of June.

The Aldeburgh Connection Artistic Directors Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata are offering up a variety of unique experiences for music lovers.

The festival kicks-off on June 5 with Coffee Concert: SLEEPERS, WAKE! This concert will offer an eclectic mix of Bach to Broadway, featuring piano-duets performed by Ralls and Ubukata and songs by visiting artists.

A Celebrity Recital will be held on the evening of June 5 at 8 p.m. Two dazzling singers, Virginia Hatfield, soprano; and Lauren Segal, mezzo, will perform favorite songs, arias and duets under the accompaniment of Ubukata on piano. These two women are stars with the Canadian Opera Company and have also been busy performing for audiences in Europe and across North America.

On the afternoon of June 6 at 2:30 p.m. a concert to celebrate the arrival of early summer, entitled, “A Harvest of Song” will be held. Four brilliant young singers, Leslie Ann Bradley, soprano; Erica Iris Huang, mezzo; Frank Mutya, tenor; and Vasil Garvanliev, baritone; will share their talents while evoking the splendors of both countryside and gardens. They will be accompanied by Ralls and Ubukata on piano. The concert will be followed by an audience party with the artists.

For the second half of the festival a long weekend is in the offing with a Singers’ Masterclass being held on Thursday, June 10 at 4 p.m. In this new event for the festival, the combined expertise and wisdom of Mary Lou Fallis and Peter Tiefenbach, mixed with a generous measure of humor and sympathy, come into play as they coach young singing students preparing for their careers. Audience goers are invited to join the singers afterwards for a Bistro Night at the Little Inn of Bayfield. Seating for this meal is limited so please contact the inn at 519 565-2611 for reservations and details.

The soprano, Fallis; accompanied by Tiefenbach on piano will return to the hall on June 11 at 8 p.m. for the “Primadonna Sails In!” This evening should prove to be a unique vocal recital - Bayfield will be treated to an affectionate send-up. This is a great opportunity to experience at first hand the personality that has delighted millions on radio, television and around the world!

Another Coffee Concert is scheduled for 11 a.m. on June 12. This time Ralls and Ubukata will perform on piano, “Schumann in the Morning”. Songs from visiting artists will also be on the program. This concert will be a birthday celebration of one of the most romantic of composers. The concert will highlight Schumann’s Spanische Liebeslieder or Spanish Love Songs, for four voices and piano-duet.

Susan Platts, mezzo, will be the featured performer for the Celebrity Recital to be held on June 12 at 8 p.m. She will be accompanied by Ralls on piano. Platts is one of Canada’s most acclaimed singers, with an international reputation. She has been invited to open the Toronto Symphony’s new season. Included in her recital will be a  tribute to composer, Robert Schumann, in honor of the 200th anniversary since his birth (June 8, 1810).

Young artists, Bradley, Huang, Mutya and Garvanliev will be performing, accompanied by Ralls and Ubukata in approximately ten schools in Huron and Perth counties during the week between the scheduled concerts. They will be performing for over 2,000 students under the auspices of the Foundation for Education.

According to organizers, this is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the festival for the performers. They are delighted to be able to visit so many smaller centers across the countryside.

The young artists will return to the hall on June 13 at 2:30 p.m. for an encore performance of “A Harvest of Song”. Following the concert the artists will join in a party with the audience.

The Bayfield Festival of Song is proud to have as its Honorary Patron, author Alice Munro. Since its inception in June 2007 when four concerts were held over one weekend the festival continues to grow.

It is presented by the Aldeburgh Connection, a concert organization based in Toronto, which was founded by Ralls and Ubukata in 1982. Aldeburgh, on the East coast of England, is the small town where Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears and Eric Crozier founding the Festival of Music which flourishes to this day. Ralls and Ubukata have visited and worked there for many summers, as have many of the artists who appear with them.

For the Bayfield Festival of Song tickets are available locally by calling Gail Grant at 519 565-2435. They cost $25, Saturday mornings; and $35, Saturday evenings, Friday evenings, and Sunday afternoons. The Masterclass on June 10 will cost $15. There is also a subscription price: if buying tickets for more than one concert, please deduct $5 from each ticket.

BOOK ON THE WEXFORD TO LAUNCH JUNE 20

Bayfield’s Sail and Canvas Festival is about one month away. This unique festival to be held in the village on June 19 and 20 highlights both local marine heritage and art. So there is no better person to be featured at the event than Paul Carroll of RR2 Goderich.

Not only will he be at the festival in his role as local artist but on June 20 he will be guest of honor at the book launch for his most recent work at a reception hosted by The Village Book Shop. Light refreshments will be served at the event which will begin at 2 p.m. 

Carroll has combined a talent for writing, a skill for watercolor and an enthusiasm for the Great Lakes into a published book.
He is the author of the soon to be released book The Wexford (Dundurn, 2010) which will be the focus of the upcoming book launch.

The book tells the story of the beautiful vessel that carried cargo across the Great Lakes until it became a victim of the Great Storm of 1913. Eluding discovery for 87 years, her remains were found near Goderich in 2000. Carroll traces her history from her British origins in 1883 through to her discovery and the controversy over how she should be protected.

Carroll is also co-author of Four Years on the Great Lakes: The Journal of Lieutenant David Wingfield, Royal Navy (Dundurn, 2009).  The book tells the story of the War of 1812 through the eyes of David Wakefield, who joined the Royal Navy in 1806 at the age of 14.

KICK OFF FOR BLUEWATER BLOOMS FAST APPROACHING 

Bayfield residents have always shown a strong sense of pride in their horticultural efforts but this year they may be recognized for it.

The Municipality of Bluewater has entered the provincial competition in the 2010 Communities in Bloom (CIB) program. The committee is referred to as the Bluewater Blooms Committee.

The “kick-off” for the Bluewater Blooms initiative will be held on June 19 on Main Street in front of the library at 11 a.m. All interested groups and individuals are welcome to attend and sunflower seeds will be available.

The Bluewater Blooms Committee would like to make everyone aware that the flower colors chosen for the project are white, yellow, orange and bronze. Residents and businesses might take these colors into consideration when organizing their spring plantings.

CIB is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on the promotion and value of green spaces in urban settings. The program consists of communities receiving information and being evaluated either provincially or nationally by a volunteer jury of trained professionals on the accomplishments of their entire community (municipal, private, corporate and institutional sectors, citizens) on eight key criteria.

Bluewater will participate with other communities in its population category, and be evaluated by CIB judges on the eight program criteria. Bloom ratings from one to five blooms (five being the highest ranking) are awarded to participating communities at a provincial awards ceremony annually in the fall. The program provides for two communities in each province to participate in the following year’s national edition.

BAYFIELD GUIDING

In this the 100th anniversary year of Girl Guides of Canada, the girls and women of the organization have been challenged to Eradicate Hunger and Poverty in their communities.

The members of Bayfield Guiding have accepted the challenge and will be working in cooperation with Bayfield Foodland on this service project.

On June 12, members of Bayfield Guiding and their families will be present at the grocery store accepting pre-packaged bags of groceries that may be purchased in store by shoppers.

The food collected will then be donated to the local food bank.

All in the community are encouraged to help the membership in their effort to collect more than 100 kilograms of food.

PIONEER PARK

The annual Pioneer Park Rummage Sale doesn’t happen over night, organizing this large fundraiser which benefits beautiful Pioneer Park takes a lot of time and planning, and that is why organizers are asking people to think of the sale when spring cleaning.

They are looking for unique, nearly new, antique or quality cast offs for the 63rd annual sale to be held on July 9 from 7-9 p.m. in the Bayfield Arena.

Anyone requiring an early drop off of items can contact Terry at 519 565-2972 or Bud at 519 565-5322, otherwise items can be dropped off at the arena on July 8-9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The following items cannot be accepted: clothing, shoes, magazines, encyclopedias, large appliances, building materials, mattresses, soiled or broken items. Please note that baby furniture, sports equipment and electrical items must be approved by the CSA.

Items are also being sought for the Silent Auction. If you would like to provide an article or service to be bid upon please contact Bud at the number listed above.

General inquiries about the event, including, volunteer information can be directed to Julie at 519 824-0141.

BLYTH FESTIVAL SINGERS

The Blyth Festival singers have been delighting audiences with their captivating music for 30 years and they will be showcasing their special talents at an event to be held at the Stanley Recreation Complex in Varna on May 29th.

“Hot Jazz! Cool Licks!” is the title of their popular cabaret concert which includes dinner, and a silent auction. The Blyth Festival Singers will be performing jazz and blues favorites from the golden age of jazz.  Special guest is the Howlin' Dog Jazz Band.

Tickets are available now: adults, $25; and children, 12 years and under, $12. They are available in Bayfield at The  Village Bookshop.

UNITED CHURCH

Music lovers will delight in an evening of the tinkling of the ivories when St. Andrew’s United Church hosts a “Concert on the Keys” on June 20.

This evening of piano music will feature nine pianists from Huron County playing a variety of different musical selections on St. Andrew’s baby grand piano.

The music will begin at 7:30 p.m. and admission is a free will offering.

YARD SALE FOR CHURCH

The congregation of a village church is hosting a yard sale and would encourage all in the community to keep them in mind for donating the contents of cupboards and closets from spring cleaning.

On June 19, St. Andrew’s United Church will hold their yard sale and bake sale. Antiques and treasures will be featured in the sale and those who work up an appetite while shopping will not be disappointed.  An Egg ‘N Bagel Breakfast will be offered as well as hot dogs and coffee.

St. Andrew’s sale will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information regarding the event call Joan at 519 263-2404 or Gordon 519 524-1284. Anyone wishing to donate to the bake table should contact Joan at 519 565-2730.

TOWN HALL

The Historic Bayfield Town Hall, built in 1882, has graced the edge of Clan Gregor Square since it was moved to that location in 1920.

It is now time for the annual meeting for the Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society, the committee that ensures the building’s ongoing care. The meeting will be held on May 31 at 4:30 p.m. in the basement of the town hall.

For more information please contact Margo Robeson at 519 565-2827.

DINERS’ CLUB

The Bayfield Diners’ Club was recently featured in the Bayfield Breeze demonstrating just how much they appreciate their volunteers, well now they are in search of some new helpers.

The meals are served at noon on Thursdays at the Bayfield Community Centre. There are two shifts of volunteers that work to ensure the meal is produced each week. The first shift runs from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. while the second goes from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It is the second shift that could use additional hands.

If you could help in this time slot or would like some more information please contact Pearl Hartman at 519 482-5283
 

books and brunch

Drew Hayden Taylor will be the guest author at the next Books and Brunch event, sponsored by The Village Bookshop, to be held at the Little Inn on May 30. 

Originally from the Curve Lake First Nations, in Central Ontario, he has spent the last two decades traveling the world and writing about it from the Aboriginal perspective. An award-winning playwright, author, columnist, film maker and lecturer, he has managed to bridge the gap between cultures by tickling the funny bone.  He has recently published his first adult novel, Motorcycles and Sweetgrass.
 
Tickets are $30 and are available now at The Village Bookshop. 

BRVTA

Wild Turkeys and hikers beware it’s hunting season again.

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) would like to let the community know that the Woodland Trail will be closed from now until June 1 for the Wild Turkey Hunt.

The other two BRVTA trails remain open, the Heritage Trail, through the village, as well as the Sawmill Trail, on the north side of the Bayfield River. Other local trails, such as, Bannockburn and Naftel’s Creek do not permit hunting and are available to walkers throughout the year.

BAYFIELD CONCERT SERIES

The Bayfield Concert Series designed to provide springtime entertainment is now segueing right into summer, with the aptly titled, Bayfield Summer Concert Series.

On June 3, Basia Bulat, along with Fourth Avenue, will perform at the Bayfield Town Hall. Then on July 22, Six Shooter recording artist, Justin Rutledge, will take to the town hall stage, along with Andy McGuire. Tickets are available for $25 per person per show.

Headliner, Ron Sexsmith was recently added to the summer concert schedule. Tickets are sure to sell out for this well- known artist. Tickets are available now for $30 per person. 

Tickets are available at the Black Dog Pub, Ernie King (Goderich) and at www.ticketscene.ca. 

For all three concerts the doors open at 8 p.m. with the concert to follow at 8:30 p.m.

The Bayfield Summer Concert Series is pleased to support Childhood Cancer Awareness.  "Cure Childhood Cancer" silicone bracelets will be available for purchase at all of the concerts.  Donations are greatly appreciated.

The concerts are being presented by Meades Bros. Productions and The Little Inn of Bayfield. Overnight packages are now available at The Little Inn; to learn more please call 1-800-565-1832.

FITNESS FUN

First there was pole walking and now the latest fitness craze to come to town is Pickleball.

What in the world is Pickleball, you ask? Well, organizers state that it is like slower paced tennis. Curious? To learn more call Pat Lewington at 519 565-2202 to arrange an orientation to the sport.

Games will be played at the Middleton’s Orchard tennis courts on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8-11 a.m. and on Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. The first games will be played on June 7.

And, of course, Pole Walking remains a popular part of many fitness regimes. If you are an early bird the Tuesday sessions of Pole Walking may be perfect for you. Those experienced at this fitness activity can join in the 8 a.m. trek. Or if you’d like to learn how to properly practice this popular activity plan to attend the introductory lessons held at 9:15 a.m.

There is also a Pole Walking session held on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. All groups depart from 6 Main Street. The session incorporates an hour of walking with an ending cool down stretch.   
 
Plus, exercise classes will continue through the summer months.

Dancefit and Toning classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. The Sit and Get Fit Classes take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Both classes are held in the Bayfield Community Centre. 
 
 

BRIDGE CLUB

The Wednesday Evening Bridge Club would like to invite anyone with a penchant for card playing to attend their next meeting, May 26.

The decks will be shuffled starting at 7 p.m. at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.