Mayor's breakfast highlights very busy village chamber

On the morning of May 20, the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) hosted their Mayor's Breakfast at the Bayfield Town Hall raising $350 for the Women's Shelter of Huron. Ian Matthew, BACC treasurer, Mayor of Bluewater, Bill Dowson, and Roger Lewington, BACC president, made the presentation to Michelle Hansen, executive director of the women's shelter. (Submitted photo)

STORY BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

On May 20, the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce Mayor's Breakfast took place at the Bayfield Town Hall.

Clair Soper, of Bayfield, organized the tasty breakfast that fed the Honorable Carol Mitchell, Minister of OMAFRA; Ben Lobb, MP; and Mayor Bill Dowson, Municipality of Bluewater; councilors, OLG guests, business owners, and service club representatives.

OLG and the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) sponsored the breakfast.

The BACC directors informed those present on the 2012 calendar project as well as the new village brochure and web site. They also shared information on the upcoming Sail and Canvas Festival to be held June 18-19 as well as Christmas in Bayfield scheduled for Nov. 11-13.

Emma and Ted VanderWouden were congratulated on their 30th anniversary in business at Te-Em Farm. They were also thanked for supplying the table centerpieces for the breakfast.

Mention was also made of some community-sponsored events including the Festival of Fitness and Art in Bayfield, Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 and A Taste of Huron, running from Aug. 29 to Sept. 10.

Michelle Hansen, executive director of the Women's Shelter of Huron, also spoke to the crowd and quoted some statistics associated with the work of the shelter. Those who attended the breakfast were asked to make a donation to the shelter instead of buying a ticket for the breakfast. The total money collected was $350.

The guest speaker for the morning was Heritage Landscape Architect, Wendy Shearer, of London. She presented the new Master Plan for Main Street Bayfield consisting of additional trees, improved parking and broad walkways. It was noted that the heritage designation for Main Street took place in 1983 and that perhaps the 30th anniversary would be a good target date for a renewed, more accessible Main Street.

bayfield festival of song earns cultural award

The 2nd Annual Huron Arts & Heritage Network Cultural Awards were held on May 14 at the Bayfield Town Hall. The winners were (l-r): Joanne Bowen, The Heritage Individual/Organization award; Rhea Hamilton Seeger, The Community Contribution award; Elizabeth Van den Broeck, The Individual Artist award; Mathias Memmel, Youth Artist award; Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata, representing the Bayfield Festival of Song - The Aldeburgh Connection, The Cultural Event/Organization award. (Submitted photo)

The 2nd Annual Huron Arts & Heritage Network Cultural Awards held on May 14 at the Bayfield Town Hall featured presentations and rousing performances from a variety of local groups with plans to entertain locals and visitors to the area this summer.

The Bach Music Festival of Canada and the Bayfield Festival of Song as well as the Blyth Festival provided entertainment throughout the evening. Plus samples of the new play in development about St. Joseph’s visionary, Narcisse Cantin were highlighted.

The focus of the evening, however, was the presentation of the Huron Cultural Awards. These were presented in five categories with a total of 19 nominations received, representing all regions of the county.

The Cultural Event/Organization award recognizes a cultural event, organization, festival or business that contributes to the enhancement and vitality of the County's cultural sector. The nominees were Bayfield Concert Series with Peter Meades as co-ordinator; Bach Music Festival of Canada; Blyth Festival Gallery at the Blyth Centre for the Arts; Bayfield Festival of Song - The Aldeburgh Connection; and Goderich Co-op Gallery.

Cindy Fisher presented the award to the Bayfield Festival of Song - The Aldeburgh Connection. Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata, directors of the festival accepted the award. During 2010 the Bayfield Festival of Song expanded the number of performances and created a program of presentations for public schools throughout the county.

The Individual Artist award is given to someone who, through his or her work, has contributed to Huron County's reputation as a producer of artistic excellence. The nominees were Greg Sherwood, a skilled artist as well as passionate arts educator; Elizabeth Van den Broeck, a gallery owner for more than 20 years in Goderich as well as a visual artist; Janet Heerema, well-regarded choir director and musical director from Exeter.

Huron County Warden Neil Vincent presented the Individual Artist award to Elizabeth Van den Broeck. She is well known throughout Huron County through her art gallery, Elizabeth's in Goderich, and her paintings and photographs of local landscapes.

The Warden also presented the first Youth Artist award to South Huron District High School student Mathias Memmel, a talented musician. He was recognized for the many community and school projects he is actively involved in that promote music programming thus making a positive contribution to the local community.

The Community Contribution award recognizes a volunteer, patron or supporter whose effort and dedication has significantly impacted the cultural community of Huron County. The nominees were Dave and Kathy Armour, passionate theatre directors, writers and producers; Ron and Bev Walker, founding members of the Bainton Gallery at the Blyth Centre for the Arts as well as visual artists; and Rhea Hamilton Seeger, local historian, writer and editor as well as Blyth Festival Art Gallery member and volunteer on a variety of other activities.

Eric Coates, Artistic Director of the Blyth Festival gave this award to Rhea Hamilton Seeger acknowledging her enthusiastic support and promotion of heritage and culture in Huron County.

The Heritage Individual/Organization award recognizes the individual or group that actively promotes and/or preserves Huron County's unique heritage. The nominees were St. Joseph and Area Historical Society; Joanne Bowen from South Huron; Barn Dance Historical Society and Entertainment Museum; Huron Country Playhouse Guild; Glen Gardiner, a Goderich-based collector; Judy Keightley, historian and playwright from Bayfield; and Reg Thompson, librarian and research service provider, based at the Goderich Library.

David Armstrong, president of the Huron County Historical Society, welcomed Joanne Bowen to the stage to accept her award. He acknowledged her many years working to build awareness for the importance of preserving the history and heritage of the communities in her area.

Each winner received a framed award and creations by award-winning potter, Robert Tetu, of Beechwood Pottery. Tetu was the 2010 Individual Artist winner.

The evening was the culmination of the Huron Arts & Heritage Network's desire to see culture and heritage recognized in Huron County. The work and excellence of the cultural sector in the county makes a vital contribution to the quality of life for residents and animates the visitors' experiences. All of the nominees work hard to promote and present culture and preserve and promote heritage in their communities and the county. At the end of the day, all are winners because of their work, their passion and commitment.

St. Boniface students have smartboard advantage

Renee Steinmann, a Senior Kindergarten student at St. Boniface School in Zurich, uses the SmartBoard on her birthday. (Submitted photo)

Every classroom at St.Boniface School in Zurich now has the advantage of a SmartBoard due to the efforts of the School Advisory Council (SAC).

Following the initial purchase of a SmartBoard for the Grade 7/8 class by the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board in January 2007, St. Boniface’s SAC
saw the value of this teaching tool. The SAC has since focused a large part of their fundraising on outfitting all the other classes with SmartBoards, costing over $3000 each.

Leigh Anne Van Aaken, president of St. Boniface’s SAC said, “The SmartBoards are a great resource for our school and an important teaching tool, that the teachers are happy to have. Also, the students love to show you what they can do.”

SmartBoards take the place of blackboards. They are large interactive touch- screen whiteboards that project computer images.

Caroline Thuss, Grade 7/8 teacher at St. Boniface said, “Students can read, type, participate in internet based activities and present information to their fellow classmates in ways that keep them motivated”.

Students and staff of St. Boniface School are excited to now have this technology from Junior Kindergarten through to Grade 8.

 walk for dog guides helps people live independently

To some people, their Dog Guides are their eyes, to others, their means to live independently. On June 5, the Bayfield Lions’ Club will be hosting the local “Purina Walk for Dog Guides” to raise funds so that more Canadians with disabilities may have a dog guide.

The walk will start from behind the Bayfield Arena at 9 a.m. Registration and check-in starts at 8:30 a.m. Participants can also register and obtain pledge forms on-line at www.purinawalkfordogsguides.com or by calling Lion Peter Westwood at 519 565-4533. People do not have to have a dog to take part in the walk. Anyone who would like to make a pledge toward the overall Bayfield total can do so by contacting Westwood at the number listed above. Donations over $20 will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

After the walk, the human participants will be treated to free hot dogs, cookies and coffee while the canines have an opportunity to compete for prizes that have been donated by Purina.

Raising and training a puppy to become a Dog Guide takes a lot of time and costs about $20,000. The “Purina Walk for Dog Guides” is occurring in communities across Canada and all of the money raised goes directly to the work of training and providing Dog Guides. The Lions Foundation of Canada ensures that Dog Guides are provided free to each individual recipient. Since 1983, the Lions Foundation of Canada has provided more than 1,600 specially trained dogs to men, women and children across the country.

some matinee tickets remain for original production

Theatre-goers will have the opportunity to possibly exonerate a Bayfield boy of a murder committed 114 years ago.

“Murder at the Albion Hotel: The Retrial of Fred Elliott” is an original production being staged by the Bayfield Historical Society (BHS).

In 1897, young Harvey Elliott was murdered outside the Albion Hotel after a drunken argument with his brother Fred.

Although Bayfield playwright/director Judy Keightley’s play, is created around this most tragic local event, she has used a lot of artistic license with most of her characters; especially the ladies of dubious character! She wants to keep the production light and entertaining. The twist is that even the cast doesn’t know how each performance will end because the audience will decide Fred’s fate.

Helen Latimer portrays Mrs. Maria Elliott.

Although most of the characters in this play have absolutely no resemblance to any historical figures, Keightley was determined that at least two Bayfield “persons of note” were represented.

Helen Latimer portrays poor Mrs. Maria Elliott. Her life could have been the basis of a Greek tragedy. She lost an infant son, her husband died young leaving her to raise the family and run a difficult business and then her sons get into a fatal brawl. Amid the comic parts of the play, there are many reminders about the sadness of Mrs. Elliott’s life.

Phillip Keightley as Dr. Ninian Woods.

Philip Keightley takes on the role of Dr. Ninian Woods, the village physician who treated the dying Harvey. For over 100 years, the Woods family played an important role in the development of Bayfield. There were actually two Dr. Ninian Woods, the original Canada Company doctor, and after 1890, his nephew Dr. Ninian W. Woods. They were so important to the community that they knew everything about everyone.

Bill Rowat, president of the BHS said, “We are delighted with the enthusiastic response to our efforts to bring amateur theatre to Bayfield. The net proceeds will greatly help the BHS fund our goal of publishing more local historical materials. Now the pressure is really on for those of us who are in the cast to perform well.”

Two shows will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Bayfield Town Hall on May 27 and 28. A matinee will also be staged in the hall at 2 p.m. on May 29. Organizers are pleased to report that the Friday and Saturday shows are now sold out. So if people wish to see this original production they best get their seats for the matinee now to avoid disappointment.

Tickets cost $15 each and are available by calling Dave Gillians at 519 565-5884.

Film tells tale of last great supply of earth's fresh water 

Five Great Lakes – one last chance.

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is hosting the award-winning film, Waterlife on June 2 at 7 p.m. at The Bayfield Town Hall, in partnership with the Healthy Headwaters Wetlands Initiative and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA). There is no charge but free will donations to the BRVTA are welcome.

“We are proud to be a sponsor of this event,” said Dave Gillians, president of the BRVTA. “For the past four years, trail association members have been working hard on our local hiking trails initiative that we hope will make a positive difference for future generations.”

The film features narration by Gord Downie, of hit musical group, The Tragically Hip. There are also views from scientists, First Nations people, anglers and other people who have an interest in the future of “the last great supply of fresh drinking water on earth.”

“Waterlife is thought-provoking and gives us a better understanding about what is happening to humanity’s greatest fresh-water resource,” said Gillians.

He stressed the importance of working together to protect the Great Lakes from pollution.

“Unless we learn from our past mistakes, our lasting legacy may be the unintended consequences of pollution.”

Ray Letheren, of Bayfield, will introduce the film and at the conclusion of its presentation a short question and answer session will follow.

After viewing the film’s lyrical look at the beauty of the Great Lakes and the ecological problems these bodies of water face, there will be a short presentation on phragmites. Jim Fergusson, will speak to his experience with control of this invasive plant as former area weed inspector for Oxford County. Plus ABCA’s Tim Cumming will share some ways local residents can protect and improve water quality.

For more information on this thought-provoking event visit brvt.huronstewardship.on.ca or abca.on.ca

cabaret concert

Join the Blyth Festival Singers (BFS) for a little fling as they present their ever-popular annual cabaret concert and dinner on May 28 at the Stanley Complex in Varna.

This “Scottish Fling” will be a celebration of all things Scottish and includes a dinner, performance and silent auction. The BFS will regale the audience with well-loved Scottish traditional tunes throughout the evening. Their melodies will be punctuated by the lively music of the Kincardine Fiddle Orchestra and with further guest performances by several members of the Celtic Blue Highlanders Competition Band. Don Martin, solo piper, of the Brussels Pipe Band, also joins the line-up for this fun and fabulous show.

Those who attend are encouraged to don their kilt and sporran or a favorite plaid item and join in the festivities.

Tickets for this final concert of the season are $25, adults; and $12, for children 12 years and under. They are available from the Blyth Festival Box Office at 519 523-9300 and The Village Bookshop in Bayfield. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The Blyth Festival Singers is a mixed community choir under the professional direction of Robert Blackwell with Sharon Johnson as accompanist. Choir members come from all areas of Huron County and have worked to develop a high standard of performance in various repertoires. Under the umbrella of the Blyth Centre for the Arts, the Blyth Festival Singers are pleased to be supported by Media Sponsor 104.9 The Beach.

motorcycle rally

For the second year in a row, members of the Sarnia Section of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Groups will be riding to Bayfield on June 5 for their out of town Vintage Motorcycle Rally.

The club is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting the use, restoration and interest in older motorcycles and those of historic interest.

The event is hosted by Bayfield bike enthusiast and owner of the Albion Hotel, Kim Muszynski, who said he is looking forward to seeing the old bikes back on Main Street once again.

Visitors to Main Street may see such brands as the British classics Ariel, BSA, Norton and Triumph; German icons BMW and Hercules; Italian Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Moto Morini; Japanese Honda, Bridgestone and Hodaka; as well as early American Indians, Harley and Henderson.

In addition to the Sarnia group, members from the Grey-Bruce, London and Essex-Kent clubs are also expected to participate in this event.

Registration at the Albion Hotel begins at 10 a.m. and is free to owners of all makes and models of motorcycles.

bayfield believers

On June 6, the Bayfield Believers Relay for Life Team are inviting supporters to an evening of hot Latin dancing in support of their efforts to raise funds for their participation in the Canadian Cancer Society Goderich Relay to be held on June 17. It’s ZUMBA time!

ZUMBA instructors Alison de Groot and Lorraine Dietz are sure to get participants moving for the cause. The event will be held at Bluewater Shores starting at 7 p.m.

The cost is $10 per person. Participants are asked to come early to get signed in and set up. They should also wear comfy workout type clothes and shoes and bring a water bottle.

For info please contact Kelly Gerger at 519 441-7386 or email mama_gergs@hotmail.com.

Toastmasters

Dorothy Griffith, of Bayfield, is an enthusiastic member of the Clinton Communicators and she would like to invite others in the community to join this local branch of Toastmasters.

Toastmasters is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to assist members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills in a supportive environment. The Clinton Communicators has members from Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth and Bayfield.

In an effort to spread the enthusiasm the club will be holding an open meeting at 7:30 p.m. on June 7 in the meeting room of the Children's Aid Society, 413 MacEwan St. East, Goderich. All are welcome to attend.

For more information please contact Griffith at 519 565-2879.

festival of song

Mozart famously said: “Melody is the essence of music.” Huron County will be melodious indeed as Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata, artistic directors for The Aldeburgh Connection, again enchant with the art of song during the fifth annual Bayfield Festival of Song, June 3-12.

Both established artists as well as those on the brink of celebrity will perform the concerts. Ralls and Ubukata, renowned pianists, will accompany the young singers at the coffee concerts and the Sunday concerts, the latter offering a meet-the-artists reception. Throughout the week, the ensemble will again introduce about 2,000 Huron County school children to the art of song.

Celebrity concerts will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings. On Thursday, the Master Class will provide a behind-the-scenes look at the sensitive discipline of vocal training, and mentoring. After the Master Class, The Little Inn will be hosting a bistro for the musicians and audience.

All concerts again take place at the Bayfield Town Hall. To order tickets call Gail Grant at 519 565-2435 or email ggrant@tcc.on.ca.

varna barbecue

Varna United Church will host their annual Pork Barbecue on June 15 at the Stanley Complex in Varna. It is not unusual to serve 1,000 meals at this event that has on the menu baked potato, Metzger’s smoked pork chops, baked beans and homemade pies.

The meal will be served from 4:30-7 p.m. Tickets cost: $14, adult and $6 child. Take-out is also available. Tickets are available from Willi Laurie, 519 482-9265 or drop by the Bayfield Garage and ask for Jim Kirton.

optimist club

Looking for something fun to do with Dad over the Father’s Day weekend? Why not treat him to a round of golf and help out the local kids in the process.

The 5th Annual Albion Hotel and Bayfield Optimist Golf Classic - Texas Scramble is set for June 18th at the Bluewater Golf Course.

The day will include 18 holes of golf and dinner. There will be a shotgun start at noon and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Participants will try for hole in one and closest to the pin prizes. Tickets are $40, members; and $55, non-members.

For tickets call Kim Muszynski at 519 565-2641. To reserve a cart call the Bluewater Golf Course 519 482-7197. Profits from the event will go toward friends of youth oriented events conducted by the Bayfield Optimist Club.

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 May 31 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.

BBBSNH

On June 11, area golf enthusiasts can make a difference in the lives of those youngsters involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Huron (BBBSNH) by taking part in the organization’s Charity Golf Tournament.

The event held at the Woodland’s Golf Links, RR 3 Clinton, will raise funds for this non-profit, charitable organization. Bayfield falls within the agency's service area, offering the one-to-one traditional match program to youth in Bayfield and the surrounding area.

For $85, each golfer will receive Golf Gizmos, 18 holes of golf (nine hole option available), a BBQ lunch and the opportunity to win generous prizes, not to mention the personal satisfaction of knowing they have made a contribution to youth services.

Forty of the $85 registration fee will be designated solely to BBBSNH programs and services.

Anyone interested in participating in the Golf Tournament must register with Todd Delmage at the golf course, 519 482-7144 before June 6.

Film Society

There is one show show remaining in the Bayfield Film Society’s spring series. “Incendies” will close out the series on June 16.

The film will be shown at the Bayfield Town Hall starting at 7:30 p.m.

To learn more about tickets for these productions please contact Jane Rowat 519 565-5838 or Lynne Gillians 519 565-5884.

Fitness and fun

Spring is here and there is still time to resolve to get fit for Summer!

Bayfield residents can join the Zumba craze as classes are now being held in the village. Zumba is a dance fitness class that combines Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves, creating a calorie burning dance party suitable for all ages.

ZUMBA classes continue in the village with Instructors, Alison de Groot and Lorraine Dietz. One-hour classes are held Monday mornings starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Bayfield Town Hall and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Bayfield Community Centre. For more information contact de Groot at bayfieldzumba@gmail.com.

The following activities are scheduled to run from now until August.

Dancefit and Toning classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. The cost is $40 for four months or $3 per class. The Sit and Get Fit classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. The cost is $1 per class.  Both of these fitness opportunities are held at the Bayfield Community Centre.

For the more adventurous among us, there is Pole Walking. Walks for women will start at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while the men can venture out on Mondays and Fridays at 8:30 a.m. All walks begin from 6 Main Street and poles are provided free for those who require them.

Beginning on May 10, a Yoga Class will be held at the Bayfield Town Hall starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. The cost is $3 per class and participants are asked to bring a beach towel.

Call 519 565-2202 for more information on the above exercise opportunities.

For those people looking to exercise their minds, Women’s Bridge is played every Wednesday at 1 p.m. No partner needed to play the cost is $1.50 per game. For more information call Brenda Blair 519 565-2881.

Mah Jongg games and lessons are also offered on the first and third Mondays of the month starting at 1 p.m. Call 519 565-2468 for more information.

Both Bridge and Mah Jongg are played at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.

Bridge lessons and Duplicate Bridge games are offered in Goderich. Tom Rajnovich is the Goderich bridge contact 519 524-6374.

bridge club

Please be advised that the Wednesday Evening Bridge Club will meet on May 25th at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.

The cards will be dealt starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.