strawberry social highlight of ribbon cutting

BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

An official ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the revitalization of the front entrance, walkway and gardens to the Bayfield Town Hall was held on June 27. L-R: Mayor of Bluewater, Bill Dowson; Huron County Warden, Bert Dykstra; and Jerry Selk, board member of the Bayfield Town Hall Hertiage Society were invited to cut the ribbon. (Photo by Roger Lewington)

Approximately 80 supporters of the Bayfield Town Hall celebrated the grand dame’s face lift on the afternoon of June 27th with a Strawberry Social.

The revitalization to the hall’s entrance, walkway and gardens cost in excess of $15,000 and was funded through grants from the County of Huron, Municipality of Bluewater and over 100 local residents and businesses that purchased engraved stones for the walkway.

The new look includes a new entrance walkway, wrought iron railings and arbor as well as new plantings. The Bayfield Horticultural Society designed the plans for the project with Gold Coast Landscaping, and Sharpe's Creek Forge being contracted to complete the work.

Several dignitaries were on hand for the event. Greetings from their perspective levels of government were brought by Bert Dykstra, warden of Huron County and Bill Dowson, Mayor of the Municipality of Bluewater. Jane Rowat spoke on behalf of the town hall board and Jerry Selk, also a town hall board member, thanked all of the individual contributors from the community, as well as the project contractors.

Other special guests in attendance were: Dave Johnston, deputy mayor of Bluewater; and Bluewater councilors, Jim Fergusson, Tyler Hessel, George Irvin and Bill MacDougall; and Beth Ross, manager of Library and Cultural Services for the County.

The Bayfield Town Hall was built in 1882 then moved to its present location on Clan Gregor Square in 1920. The town hall was the seat of village government from that date until 1927 and again from 1965 to 1984 at which point the aging building was closed for failure to meet fire code standards.

In 1989, a committee was formed to restore and re-energize the town hall. The committee was known as the "Friends of the Town Hall" and after years of fundraising, private donations and grants, monies were raised to restore and maintain this historic building. The gallery was restored through the generosity of the Trillium Foundation.

A Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society, a non-profit charitable corporation with a volunteer board of directors, is charged with the maintenance and upkeep of this historic building. This upkeep is possible through the many fundraising events run by the board as well as generous donations from Bayfield residents.

In addition to maintaining the historic town hall, the mission of The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society is to provide cultural events and activities for the Bayfield and area people.

A second release of engraved bricks is available to anyone who missed the first release. For more information, rentals and events visit www.bayfieldtownhall.com

BAYFIELD RIVER VALLEY TRAIL SYSTEM SOON TO INCLUDE VARNA

Bluewater Municipal Council has unanimously agreed to grant the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) permission to develop two walking trails at the Stanley Complex in Varna. They also approved a grant of $2,000 to the BRVTA.

These year round trails have tremendous potential for multiple uses such as cross country skiing and perhaps someday even mountain biking and accessible trails for the disabled.

It is anticipated that some signage will be in place and that the trails will be open for use this month. Last fall, trail development volunteers did some rough cuts of potential routes and over the summer they will be installing signage and clearing overgrown sections. As funds permit, new bridges, boardwalks and other features will be installed.

The upper trail will be called the ‘Taylor Trail’ to honor Mark and Bill Taylor who spent so much time and effort getting the Varna Trails started.
The longer, more challenging trail that goes to the river will be called ‘Mavis’ Trail’, to honor the late Mavis Govier.

Govier, who was a staunch supporter of the BRVTA’s efforts, especially in Varna, died in April.

BAYFIELD SHADOWS 'AA' FINAL RUNNERS-UP IN LUCKNOW

The Ladies’ Slow Pitch Team known as the Bayfield Shadows is having a very eventful season. Recently, they made it to the ‘AA’ Finals in the Lucknow Strawberry Summerfest Tournament which featured 16 ladies’ teams. 

Their tournament scores were: June 23, 10-O versus Lucknow; June 25, 12-1 versus the Wild Things; and June 26, 12-2 versus the Atwood Bees. These wins gave them a bye to the ‘AA’ finals on Sunday, June 27.

The Bayfield Shadows met Whoooze Up, of London, in the finals where they were defeated 12-0. However, they took home the title ‘AA’ Runners-Up and $400 in prize money.

“There were torrential rains on the morning of June 26 and the fields were a mess,” said Serena Snell, member of the Bayfield Shadows. “The left field was a swamp and the ball would hit the ground and stop dead. At one of the diamonds the fielders were standing in water over their cleats, luckily we didn't have to play there. The rain held off for our
‘AA’ final game on Sunday but we could hear the thunder coming. It started to spit as we left the field and was absolutely pouring when we collected our prize.”

The Bayfield Shadows home games are Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on the Bayfield diamond.

So far in their league games the Shadows have only been defeated twice in close matches, 9-8 and 19-17. They also made it to the ‘A’ Finals in a tournament in Exeter in May but again lost the final game.

LOVE ON WHEELS FUNDRAISER TO COVER 1,700 KMS

Rev. Charles Love, minister at St. Andrew’s United Church in Bayfield, and his wife, Cobie, will be the drivers of the support vehicle for an upcoming fundraiser dubbed, Love on Wheels!

The Love’s two daughters, Sarah and Liz will be biking 1,700 KM from Ottawa to the East Coast to raise funds for The Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF). The family will be camping and touring for three weeks from mid-July through the first week in August.

SLF supports community-based organizations working to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Since 2003, SLF has funded more than 300 projects in 15 countries. These grassroots groups are the lifeline for their communities: they provide counselling and education about HIV prevention, care and treatment; distribute food, medication and other necessities; reach the sick and vulnerable through home-based health care; help orphans and vulnerable children access education and work through their grief; and support grandmothers caring for their orphaned grandchildren.

For more information on Love on Wheels and SLF or if you would like to donate email cobielove@hotmail.com or visit www.loveonwheels.ca or www.stephenlewisfoundation.org
 

LAKE HURON CLAIMS LIVES OF FATHER AND SON

Lake Huron proved how unforgiving it can be on the night of June 29 when it claimed the lives of a father and son.

Andrew Rucinskas, 48, of Concord, ON. and his five-year-old son, Douglas, both drowned in an incident that occurred in water just north of the Bayfield Harbor.

Rucinskas, his wife and two children, including an eight-year-old daughter were regular summer visitors to the village.

Rucinskas was walking, along the shoreline in knee deep water, with his two children shortly after 8 p.m. when the boy lost his balance and was swept into the water by the waves that were described as high and turbulent in an OPP media release.

The father went into the water to retrieve his son. He was able to reach him but was unable to get back to shore. He called for his daughter to run for help. The girl appealed for someone to call 911 at the nearby marina while she ran to get her mother at their cottage.

Rucinskas was overcome by the waves and his body was removed from the water shortly after rescuers arrived on the scene. Two and a half hours after the accident, the boy’s body was recovered from the rough waters by police and Bayfield Volunteer Firefighters, using search lights, near the north pier. 

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated for the father and son on July 5 at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church in Thornhill, ON. Donations to Victim Services of Huron County or The Children's Wish Foundation would be appreciated by the family as expressions of sympathy. Condolences may be made at www.jerrettfuneralhomes.com
 
 

BAYFIELD CONCERT SERIES

Summer’s here and so is the 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 for an Aug. 12 performance. Tickets sold out in less than a week for this well- known artist as a result a second show on Aug. 13 has been added. 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 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.

VETTEFEST

If everywhere you look this weekend you think you see a Corvette, don’t worry you’re not experiencing delusions – it’s Bayfield Vettefest and Corvette enthusiasts from far and near will be descending on the village starting on July 9th for a Summer Night Cruise.

Participants in the Summer Night Cruise are asked to gather at Clan Gregor Square at 7 p.m. to head out on a little road trip.

Registration for the car show to be held in Clan Gregor Square on July 10th will begin at 8 a.m. in the park. Those who take part are invited to park their cars for display in the square. From 1-4 p.m. the park will not only be filled with corvettes but entertainment, contests and prizes will be offered as well.

For more information visit www.bayfieldvettefest.com

firemen's breakfast

The firefighters in our village will be up bright and early on July 10th  to prepare for their annual Firemen’s Breakfast which will have people lining up for the 7 a.m. start of food service at the Bayfield Fire Hall.

And who wouldn’t line up for pancakes with real maple syrup, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast and juice, plus let’s not forget the Tim Horton’s coffee, generously donated by the Tim Horton’s of Exeter.

The cost for the breakfast is adults, $7; and children, $4.
 

 
OPTIMIST CLUB

July 10 is the date for the Bayfield Optimist Club’s annual Play Day extravaganza. This day of good old-fashioned fun for the children will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lawn beside the Bayfield Fire Hall.

Magician Daniel Steep, of Clinton, is scheduled to perform and a talented face painting clown will also offer her skills to shiny faced youngsters. Games and crafts are also on the docket.

All this frivolity is sure to create an appetite – hotdogs will be served up hot from the barbecue.

This free event is hosted by the members of the Bayfield Optimist Club, who are proud to have the mandate, Friends of Youth.
 

VOLUNTEER FAIR

The first ever Bayfield Volunteer Fair is set for this Saturday, July 10. It will be an opportunity for the organizations within the village and area that are volunteer-driven to let everyone know about their group and hopefully generate more excitement about it.

Confirmed participants in the event include, Bayfield River Valley Trail Association, Blyth Festival, Bayfield Ratepayers’ Association, Town & Country Support Services, Bayfield Shoreline Residents Association and Bayfield Agricultural Society.

The volunteer fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bayfield Town Hall. It is sponsored by the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bayfield Ratepayers’ Association in conjunction with Vettefest. In addition to gathering valuable information, prizes will be available to be won.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Camp Kintail is coming to Bayfield starting today (Wednesday, July 7). Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m.

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 now until Aug. 25. It 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.

ANGLICAN CHURCH

July 11 is the date set for the Parish Picnic for Trinity Anglican Church, Bayfield and St. Jame’s, Middleton and therefore service time and locations are not the norm.

Trinity will offer their 8 a.m. church service on that date but Trinity’s 9:30 a.m. service and the 11 a.m. service at St. Jame’s will be cancelled. Instead, a combined Parish Picnic Service will be held at 11 a.m. at the pavilion on Pavilion Beach Road, just 5 KM South of Bayfield.  Following the service, a picnic will be held. Participants are asked to bring a potluck dish to share, their own lawn chair, plates, cutlery and beverage.
 
Trinity’s congregation would like to thank John Vanderhaar from Bayfield Tree Service for his most appreciated contribution of trimming and pruning all the trees and bushes on the church grounds. Many thanks also to Brian King, Geordie Palmer and Herbert Yegon for the many hours spent repairing the lawns and gardens from the damage done by the recent water line installation at the side of the church. And a heartfelt thanks is given to Audrey Albiston, Justyne Chojnacka and the other garden “angels” that ensure that the church gardens are a beautiful and peaceful reflection of Trinity.

FITNESS FUN

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

The sport, which has been described as slower paced tennis, is played at the Middleton’s Orchard tennis courts on Mondays and Tuesdays starting at 9 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 8 a.m. sessions of Pole Walking may be perfect for you. 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.   

Anyone interested in Pickleball or new to Pole Walking can contact Pat Livingston at 519 565-2202 for more information.
 
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. 

ARCHIVES ROOM

The Bayfield Historic Walking Tour booklets are now available to guide both residents and visitors about our fair village.

The booklet, is based on notes of a Guided Walking Tour composed by Elaine Sturgeon, volunteer archivist from 2001-08. These notes were revised and expanded by Dianne Smith and produced by the Bayfield Historical Society, Ralph Laviolette current volunteer archivist and Dave Gillians, historical society president. Its production was funded by memberships, donations and a grant from the Huron Heritage Fund.

The Historic Walking Tour booklets are now available for $5 each at the Bayfield Archives Room on Main Street or by calling 519 565-2454. The booklet is in a 5.5 X 8 inch format and includes a map at its centre. The booklet was created to compliment the Bayfield Historical Society guided walking tours that depart from the Bayfield Archives Room every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. during July and August.  

BRIDGE CLUB

The Wednesday Evening Bridge Club would like to invite anyone with a penchant for card playing to attend their next meeting, July 7.

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

IN MEMORIAM

Bayfield Breeze subscribers will be saddened to learn of the death of 22 year-old Kyle Johnston of Bayfield.

Kyle Robert Johnston passed away at the University Hospital Campus of the London Health Sciences Centre on June 28.

Left to mourn his passing are his parents Brian and Anne Johnston; siblings, Alysia and Zachary; and grandparents Don and Marilyn Haw and David and Gail Johnston. He will also be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A celebration of his life was held at the Bluewater Chapel of the Falconer Funeral Homes on July 2. Cremation with interment of ashes in Bayfield Cemetery will be held at a later date. 

Donations to the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, Community Living of Central Huron or to the charity of one’s choice would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.