SUNNY DISPOSITION 

authors coming to village for writer's festival

BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

Five authors, offering five very distinctive writing styles, will be coming to the village for the annual Bayfield Writer’s Festival on June 26.

St. Andrew’s United Church will be the setting for the festival which will begin at 1 p.m.

The featured authors are: Laura Calder, Tish Cohen, Katherine Govier, Lesley Livingston and Denis Shackel.

Calder is a cookbook author. Her titles include French Food at Home and French Taste. She is also a television personality. Her Food Network show, “French Food at Home with Laura Calder” was recently awarded the 2010 James Beard Award for best cooking show filmed in a studio location.

Cohen has authored several books for both preteen and adult readers, including, Little Black Lies and The One and Only Zoe Lama. Her latest novel, The Truth about Delilah Blue, will be released this month.
 
Govier has written eight novels and three short story collections. Her latest novel, Ghost Brush, is already a local best seller.

Livingston is the author of the very popular young adult series Wondrous Strange and most recently Darklight. Her fans are anxiously awaiting the third installment of this trilogy.

Shackel is head of Management Communications at UWO’s Richard Ivey School of Business and a consultant for corporations throughout North America.  In his book, Five Seconds at a Time, he recounts how a tragic mountain-climbing accident left him stranded on Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand. He turned to the leadership principles he has been teaching for years to survive the longest night of his life.

The author’s works will be for sale at the festival and the authors will be available for signings. Refreshments will also be served. Tickets are now available at The Village Bookshop, sponsor of the festival, for $15 per person.

On June 27 another installment in the Books and Brunch Series will be held at The Little Inn of Bayfield starting at 12:30 p.m.

Sarah Elton will be the guest author. She is the author of Locavore, a new book which champions the movement away from global food production and places the emphasis on local foods.  She focuses on Canadian farmers, restaurateurs and regular citizens who are creating viable alternatives to the current global food system. 

Tickets to the Books and Brunch are now available at The Village Bookshop, the event sponsor, for $30.

For information on the Writer’s Festival as well as the Books and Brunch please call the shop at 519 565-5600. 

WORKSHOP TO TEACH EDUCATORS ABOUT LOCAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Bayfield will be the site of one of five, free workshops open to elementary teachers this August. Educators will gain valuable tools to teach about the local environment and climate change as part of a new Green Classroom project by the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA).
 
The workshops will help teachers bring environmental education into their classrooms to meet Ontario Curriculum expectations. 

“We want to give elementary teachers the tools they need to teach students about local climate issues,” said Jenni Boles, Conservation Education Assistant at the ABCA. “Most teachers and students have already studied climate’s effects on polar bears to the north and rainforests to the south. These new workshops add much-needed local examples of climate change trends. Our goal is for students to connect what they learn at school with positive local actions in their homes and communities.”

The Bayfield workshop will be held on Aug. 31 at the Bayfield Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Those who attend are asked to bring a litterless lunch. Participants will gain valuable local resources and activities for indoor and outdoor classrooms.

The other workshops will take place over the last two weeks in August in Arkona, Clinton, Exeter, and Grand Bend.

“Up-to-date information and classroom-ready materials will help teachers provide accurate information about the local environment and climate change. This will help set students on the path to becoming more environmentally aware citizens,” said Terri Munn, a Grade 8 teacher at Seaforth Public School. 

Ann Devries, a Grade 2 teacher from Exeter Public School, said, “I look forward to learning more about the local environment. I hope to develop new skills to help my students become better stewards for the Earth.”

The Community Go Green Fund is financially supporting the workshops. The Ontario Ministry of the Environment established the Community Go Green Fund to provide outreach and education on climate change, promote carbon-reduced lifestyles, and to take direct action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“I am always delighted to hear of programs, such as this one, that are making visible contributions at the grassroots level to help combat greenhouse-gas emissions in our communities,” said John Gerretsen, Ontario Minister of the Environment.

For more information or to register visit the ABCA website at abca.on.ca. or contact Boles at 519-235-2610.

FESTIVAL OF SONG OFFERS EXTENDED MUSICAL WEEKEND

The Bayfield Town Hall will be filled with the sound of world renowned musical talents when the fourth annual Bayfield Festival of Song continues this coming weekend. 

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

During 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!

A 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 this week. 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 perform “A Harvest of Song” at the hall on June 13 at 2:30 p.m. 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.

TREES ONTARIO MAKES PROVINCIAL TREE PLANTING HISTORY WITH HELP FROM ABCA

Trees Ontario has reached an important moment in Ontario tree planting history. Tree planting partners have planted 10 million trees with the help of Trees Ontario programs.

Trees Ontario is the lead delivery agent for the Ontario government’s 50 Million Tree program, which will see 50 million trees planted by 2020.

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is one of Trees Ontario’s 65 tree planting agency partners. ABCA first started its partnership with Trees Ontario in 2007, according to Ian Jean, Forestry and Land Stewardship Specialist. Since that time, ABCA and participating landowners have completed 18 projects, covering more than 100 acres with trees under Trees Ontario programs.

“Trees Ontario programs and support, including the 50 Million Tree Program, has helped our landowners, and our conservation authority, plant 72,450 trees in our watershed,” said Jean. “Trees Ontario has been a great partner. They provide funding for trees and they host staff training workshops on an annual basis. They also provide funding for landowner workshops. We have co-hosted a tree seed forecasting workshop in June 2008 and a tree planting workshop in February 2010.”

Through their 50 Million Tree Program, Trees Ontario funding offsets the cost of seedlings, planting and tending, according to Jean.

“This really helps to offset the costs of larger projects,” he said. “Projects must be a minimum of five acres to qualify for funding. If landowners are considering planting a larger block of trees on retired pasture land or cropland with Trees Ontario funding, this is an excellent opportunity to plant trees.” 

Trees Ontario programs have assisted ABCA and Ausable and Bayfield watershed landowners complete the following projects: 2007, one project, 12 acres, 8,000 trees; 2008,    six projects, 33 acres, 23,650 trees; 2009, seven projects, 35 acres, 24,600 trees; and 2010, four projects, 23 acres, 16,200 trees.

In working with its partners, Trees Ontario is the largest, not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. It provides funding to its planting partners to support tree-planting programs across rural Ontario. Governments, corporations and individual donors fund the organization’s tree planting programs. It is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through a range of tree planting activities.

Trees Ontario has a goal to restore the province’s capacity to plant, especially throughout southern Ontario on private lands with landowner support, by providing funding and planning support for tree planting partners. These include local conservation authorities, Ontario Stewardship Councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups. 

To participate, donate and to learn more visit the Trees Ontario website at www.treesontario.ca

SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY FOR CLARINETIST

The dulcet strains of a clarinet will be heard on Main Street’s busiest days this summer due to the efforts of clarinetist, Leslie Bella, of Bayfield.

It is her hope that her music will contribute to the heritage ambiance and enhance the enjoyment of visitors.
 
“Over the winter I obtained permission from the Bluewater Council to busk on the Main Street in Bayfield over the tourist season.  I had to apply for an exemption from the noise bylaw and council granted it in an unanimous vote, said Bella.

Her clarinet repertoire will include ragtime, blues, Gershwin and tunes from musical theatre. She plans to play music that has a warm relaxed summer feeling, such as, Gershwin’s “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess.  Some pieces will feature her regular clarinet, while for others her bass clarinet will be used.  There will be no electrical amplification.

• download Summertime (mp3 format file, size 3.06mb)

Bella is able to perform from now until Oct. 15 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. She hopes to play a maximum of three hours per day with rest periods inserted.

SAFE HARBOUR RUN TO AID WOMEN'S SHELTER

Since 1985 the Huron Women’s Shelter in Goderich has been a sanctuary for women and children in crisis. The Safe Harbour Run is an aptly named fundraising event for the shelter. It will be held in Bayfield on the morning of June 13.

Runners can pick up their race packets at the Bayfield Arena starting at 7:30 a.m. Registration and award distribution will be held at the arena.

All the races will depart from Clan Gregor Square. The 300 meter Kiddie Trot for ages 2-8 years will commence at 8:50 a.m. Participants may register on race day for $5. The 2 KM Fun Run will start at 9 a.m., cost is $20 per adult and $15 for students under 19; the 5 KM Run will begin at 9:30 a.m., cost is $30 for adults and $20 for students under 19.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers (male and female categories) in the 5 KM Run. In addition participants will have a chance at door prizes that will be drawn from their race numbers. All children in the Kiddy Trot will receive a medal.

water hour

Picture all the water in the world filling up a one-gallon pail. Now picture one tablespoon from this pail. That tiny portion is all that’s available for human use!  And because of population, pollution, over-use and evaporation caused by global warming, this precious little amount is dwindling at an alarming rate.

In an effort to raise awareness of this pending water crisis the Ecologos Institute is about to launch the first ever global happening to protect water entitled, Water Hour. It will be held on June 11 starting at 8 p.m.

Water Hour takes a whole new approach - it's about falling in love with and celebrating water. It taps into the enormous power of social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube, connecting people across the globe.

However people choose to mark the hour, they are invited to get involved in a journey to re-awaken their connection to water, commit to its protection and then to share their experiences via their chosen social network. Visit www.waterhour.org for more information. 

THE ARTIST'S WAY

Anyone with a desire to explore their creative self is invited to join a free 12-week course being hosted by Soul Purpose Studio in Bayfield starting on June 16.

The Artist’s Way is a course in discovering and recovering your creative self developed by Julia Cameron, a talented poet, playwright, filmmaker and bestselling author. Interested people are encouraged to visit www.theartistsway.com to learn more about Cameron’s work and her vision and guidelines for creative clusters.  Please call Frances at 519 565-2154 to register for the course or for more information.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

“Saving the Carolinian Forest” will be the topic of the next Bayfield Horticultural Society meeting to be held at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building on June 21.

Dr. David Morris, of the Wilfred Laurier University, Brantford will be the guest speaker at the meeting which will begin at 7:30 p.m.

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 girls will be at the store from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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.

BOAT LICENSE CHALLENGE 

The boating season has begun in Bayfield. 

The Goderich Power and Sail Squadron will be present at the upcoming Bayfield Sail and Canvas weekend, June 19 and 20. There will be a Canadian Power and Sails Squadron display on Main Street over the weekend.

The Goderich Squadron will be holding a Boat License Challenge during the event.

“Boat Operator Licenses are now required for all persons operating a motor driven vessel and this is being enforced this year with fairly heavy fines,” said Chris Thatcher, of the Goderich Squadron in a recent press release.

The Goderich Squadron will be providing an opportunity for people to take the accredited licensing exam during Sail and Canvas.

KNOX CHURCH

Camp Kintail is coming to Bayfield this summer.

Knox Presbyterian Church is partnering with Camp Kintail, the area Presbyterian Church camp, to offer a Christian based Day Camp every Wednesday at the church during July and August.

This Day Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will be led by the very capable and well trained young adult staff of Camp Kintail who will provide the program and activities. The camp will be for children who have completed JK up to Grade 6. The children are welcome to attend all eight day camps or just one or two.

The camp will run from July 7 to Aug. 25. They will be completely sponsored by Knox, Bayfield and will include snacks and lunch.

Outside games and nature activities plus Bible stories, songs and crafts will be part of the sessions.

For more information please call the church at 519 565-2913 and leave a message or call Rev. Susan Moore at 519 238-8272.

SAIL AND CANVAS

Bayfield’s Sail and Canvas Festival is just two weeks  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.

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.  There will also be music, a multi-media show; book signing and special guest David Bannister will be on hand.

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.

Throughout the weekend there will be a display on The Wexford at the Bayfield Archives.

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.

ST. ANDREW’S

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

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.

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 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 has been 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 both of these 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.

About a dozen men and women came out to try the sport, which has been described as slower paced tennis, during the first games played on the morning of June 7. Games will now 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.

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, June 9.

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

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