first nations take centre stage during culture days
The popular Celebration of First Nations event took place across Huron County on Oct. 1-2 in conjunction with the national Culture Days celebrations honoring the important contribution that arts and culture make in our communities.
STORY BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER AND PHOTOS BY MAGGIE BRENNAN
The popular Celebration of First Nations event took place across Huron County this past weekend in conjunction with the national Culture Days celebrations honoring the important contribution that arts and culture makes in our communities.
The main event was held in Bayfield on Oct. 2. It was an exhibition of traditional First Nation dancers and drummers’ drums. Cold, wet and windy weather moved the celebration from Clan Gregor Square indoors to the Bayfield Town Hall but this did little to dampen the spirits of participants.
Attendees had the opportunity to take part in a drumming circle.
Spectators were invited to take part in a friendship dance.
Traditional dances were performed and incorporated with story telling to teach the traditional myths and legends of Canada’s First Nations people. Those who attended had an opportunity to take part in a drumming circle and friendship dance.Performers included the White Pine Dancers from Six Nations of the Grand River near Brantford and K-Town Singers originally from Saugeen First Nation. Solo hand drummer, John Somosi, of Hanover, also impressed those gathered.
Cold and windy weather brought the dancing and drumming into the relative comfort of the Bayfield Town Hall on the afternoon of Oct. 2 but this venue change did little to daunt the celebration.
Performers included the White Pine Dancers from Six Nations of the Grand River near Brantford and K-Town Singers originally from Saugeen First Nation.
Prior to the dancing and drumming, special guest for the weekend, Former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, James Bartleman read from his novel “As Long as the River Flows”. The novel examines the long-term impacts of the residential school program on Ontario First Nations and the process of reconciliation and healing happening on reservations today. In 2002, Mr. Bartleman became the first Native Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. He is the author of the prize-winning memoir “Out of Muskoka” and is very active in promoting literacy programs on northern Ontario reservations.
Traditional dances were performed and incorporated with story telling that teach the traditional myths and legends of Canada’s First Nations people.
Colorful regalia worn by the dancers were a delight to the eye.
Both the Goderich and Wingham Libraries and the Blyth Festival also hosted events over the weekend.
Celebrations of First Nations is produced by the Huron Arts and Heritage Network with community partners: Huron County Library, Blyth Festival, Village Bookshop, Huron County Historical Society and Foundation for Education. The Government of Canada, Bruce Power and Capital Power Corporation provide funding for the event.
Pioneer park helps goderich
The Board of the Pioneer Park Association (PPA) is currently collecting donations to help in the restoration of Lions Harbour Park in Goderich.
“We find it fitting that a park should help a park,” said Communications Officer for the PPA, Ally Ramsay in a recent press release. According to Ramsay, Lions Harbour Park was in the direct path of the F3 Tornado that struck Goderich on Aug. 21. Close to 40 trees, many of which were mature were lost in the storm.
The Board approved a $500 donation on behalf of the PPA. After much research it was decided to donate this money to the Edgefund.
“We have chosen to make our donation through the Edgefund because this organization allows us to direct the funds to the park,” said Ramsay.
Ramsay also noted that many of the PPA members have inquired if they could add to this donation.
“We are encouraging members to personally join our effort here by sending a cheque to the PPA mailing address (Box 2115, Bayfield, Ontario N0M 1G0) made payable to the "Goderich Edgefund", she said.
Anyone choosing to make a donation are asked that all cheques be sent in by Oct. 15; once the cheques have been received the PPA Board will direct the funds accordingly.
“As a piece of late breaking news, an anonymous member from the park has agreed to match donations (combined from the park and members) of up to $1,000,” Ramsay concluded.
time is now to fill shoe boxes
Operation Christmas Child is a tradition at Trinity Anglican Church and the latest campaign commenced on Oct. 2.
Participants are asked to take a box and fill it with gifts and necessities for either a boy or girl in one of three age categories: 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14. Instructions are provided as to what will and won’t be accepted in the box; a well-balanced selection of such items as, school supplies, hygiene items, small gifts and toys are acceptable. A donation of $7 per box is also appreciated as this helps with shipping costs.
This year boxes from Trinity and churches throughout Southwestern Ontario will go to Easter Island, Bolivia, Haiti, Senegal, and Paraguay.
Filled boxes should be returned to Trinity on or before Nov. 20 as they will be blessed at the church service that morning. The congregation hopes to fill 100 shoe boxes as part of this Samaritan’s Purse project. Last year 66 boxes were filled.
The late Marla Dykstra who learned that these simple shoe box gifts were so valuable to children in third world countries locally started this program.
One eight year-old boy named Gonzalito wrote, "I love the gift you gave me because I have never received so many nice things." That was all the inspiration that Dykstra needed to encourage members of Trinity to start up this program seven years ago.
The coordinators for this area are Angela and Rob Campbell, of Auburn. This couple takes completed boxes to Kitchener, one of two processing centers in Canada, where thousands of volunteers ensure the boxes are ready for the journey ahead.
big band music transforms hall into nightclub
On the evening of Oct. 22, the Bayfield Town Hall will be transformed into a nightclub complete with cocktail style tables and a large wooden dance floor for the annual appearance by the Festival City Big Band.
Based in Stratford, this 17 piece band of very talented musicians has been entertaining audiences since 1995 with a wide range of music including swing-era standards, contemporary jazz charts, Latin numbers and more. Plus the vocals of Cathy Whalen and Chris Adair are a treat for the ears.
“The acoustics in the hall are exceptional and the ambience cannot be duplicated,” said Pat Langley, one of the event organizers.
An opportunity for dancing will be offered from 9 p.m. to midnight. A light lunch will be served and it is a cash bar. Tickets are available now for $20 by calling Charlie Kalbfleisch at 519 565-2244 or Langley at 519 565-2894 or visit ticketscene.ca.
This event is generously sponsored by OLG.
BIDS FOR KIDS
The Optimist Club of Bayfield held their "Bids 4 Kids" Auction on the evening of Oct. 1 with Burt (pictured above) and Richard Lobb acting as auctioneers. As always the fabulous humor and enthusiasm of these two brothers helped the club raise funds for some very important causes, including, Goderich Tornado Relief, the Make A Wish Foundation of Southwestern Ontario and local youth projects. Photo at right: Richard Lobb, guest auctioneer, shows off the handiwork of donor Greg Butler during the live auction. (Photos by Melody Falconer-Pounder) |
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Town hall
Local talent will be featured in an unique fundraising event for the Bayfield Town Hall. The Black Pearl Murder Mystery Dinner will be held at the hall on Oct. 29 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Anyone who wants to know “who dun it” should be quick to get a ticket for the evening that shall include a three-course dinner and a cash bar. Tickets are $35 and are available now from Pat Langley 519 565-2894 or Judy Keightley 519 565-4515.
hearing clinic
Have you heard the news? A new monthly hearing clinic is being established in the village at Pharmasave Michael’s Pharmacy. The next date for the clinic is Oct. 18.
The Kincardine Hearing Clinic will be offering their services on the third Tuesday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The clinic will offer: hearing aid adjustments and repairs to all makes and models, no cost hearing tests, new prescription of hearing aids, wax removal, hearing aid battery sales as well as hard of hearing assistive devices.
To book an appointment please call The Kincardine Hearing Clinic at 1-855-396-6026.
horticultural society
Richard Fitoussi, of Bayfield, will speak on “Wine, Viticulture and Artisanal Cheeses for Huron County” at the next meeting of the Bayfield and Area Horticultural Society, Oct. 17.
This meeting will also be the society’s Fall Potluck for members and invited guests. It will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church starting at 6:30 p.m. Those who attend are asked to bring a dish to share plus their own plate and cutlery.
teddy bear check-up
When was the last time your child had their teddy bear’s vision tested? Regular eye examinations are an important part of your child’s eye health and if the appointment would be made easier with teddy by their side then Main Street Optometric in Bayfield welcome them as well. And in the process your child’s school can benefit too.
October is Vision Health Month, and to promote healthy vision and overall well-being Main Street Optometric has started a new program involving local schools. For the month of October they are hosting the “Teddy Bear Check-Up,” where local children are encouraged to bring in their favorite teddy bear with them for a complete eye-exam. To promote healthy eyes and learning, Main Street Optometric is going to donate $10 per child to their respective school's library, as vision is involved in 80 per cent of all learning.
In the province of Ontario children under the age of 19 years are covered annually under OHIP, so this program runs at no expense to parents or schools. Teddy Bears are tested free of charge; limit one teddy per child.
Please call 519 565-2300 to book an appointment with Dr. Rich Samuell.
bayfield guiding
Girls and young women in the community are invited to consider Guiding as a great extracurricular activity.
Bayfield Guiding has openings for Sparks, aged 5-6 years; Brownies, aged 7-8 years; Guides aged 9-12 years; Pathfinders, aged 12-15 years; and Rangers, aged 15-17 years. Women interested in joining as leaders are also welcome to contact the number listed below for more information.
The groups meet, with the exception of the Pathfinders and Rangers, on Tuesday afternoons from 5:30-7 p.m. at Trinity Anglican Church, 10 Keith Cres. (doors open at 5:15 p.m.) The Pathfinders and Rangers will meet twice monthly at the Bayfield Village Inn on alternate Wednesdays from 6:30-9 p.m.
Meetings for the Sparks, Brownies and Guides have begun but it is never too late to join!
Pathfinders and Rangers will have their first meeting on Oct. 12. Anyone interested in joining is welcome to attend to learn more about what being a senior member of Guiding is all about.
If you would like to reserve a spot for your daughter please phone Melody Falconer-Pounder at 519 565-2443 or email her at bvi@tcc.on.ca.
fitness fun
The time has come to get back into the routines of autumn and fitness for both mind and body is once again a focus.
One Care is sponsoring several programs for both men and women to stay fit over.
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 are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays while walks for men are held on Monday and Friday mornings All walks begin from 6 Main Street and begin at 8:30 a.m. Poles are provided free for those who require them.
A Yoga Class will be held at the Bayfield Town Hall starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. The cost for is $3 per class and participants are asked to bring a yoga mat.
Indoor badminton is played on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Varna Complex (with the exception of Oct. 10. The cost is $3 each and no experience or equipment is required to play.
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 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.
Are you ready to dance yourself into SHAPE? ZUMBA is a Latin inspired, easy to follow, calorie burning dance fitness party and participants say it is so much fun. ZUMBA classes are held Wednesday evenings at the Bayfield Community Centre from 7-8 p.m. Drop-ins and beginners are welcome. Drop in rate is $11 or you can purchase a Ten Pass for $90. Please contact Alison de Groot at bayfieldzumba@gmail.com for more information.
bridge club
The Wednesday Evening Bridge Club will meet next on Oct. 9 at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building. The cards will be dealt starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
lions' club
The quest for the heaviest Rainbow Trout will once again take centre stage on the weekend of Oct. 14-16 as part of the Bayfield Lions’ Club’s 33rd Annual Joe Brandon Memorial Rainbow Trout Derby.
Fish may be caught from the Bayfield River only from 6 a.m. on Friday to noon on Sunday. The weigh station will be set up at Rainbow Valley Campground.
The top three prizes are: first, $800, second, $400 and third, $300. The Eric Earle Memorial will be awarded to a contestant age 15 years or under. It consists of a cash award of $100 and a plaque. The Bill Thorpe Memorial will go to a person aged from 16-18 years. It is also a $100 cash prize and a plaque.
All participants will have a chance to win a variety of other prizes graciously donated by local merchants.
Tickets for the derby are available now at the following Bayfield locations: Nip N’ Tuck, Brandon Hardware, and Bayfield Convenience. They are also available at Goderich Bait and Tackle and Clinton Live Bait. Tickets are $20 and a limit of 250 are available.
Photography Club
Photography is a passion best enjoyed when work can be shared with others and a talent best improved when surrounded by like-minded individuals. For this reasons a local photography club is being established.
The first meeting of the Photography Club of Bayfield will be held on Oct. 6 at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building starting at 7 p.m.
Anyone who interested in more information can contact Jack Pal at jackandpat@tcc.on.ca or Gary Lloyd-Rees at g.lloydrees@gmail.com
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