bayfield yacht club looks forward to future sailing
After what has proven to be a year filled with new experiences and protocols, the Bayfield Yacht Club (BYC) is pleased to say farewell to 2020 and to wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2021!
The BYC recognizes that the 2020 Boating Season held a significant amount of adjustment in how both the BYC functioned as well as how local Marinas and beaches were utilized.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our past and present members as well as all of the stellar individuals at Bayfield Marina, Harbour Lights Marina and Bayfield Marine Services for making the very best of a less than favorable situation this past year. The amount of time, work and cooperation that was selflessly invested in maintaining as ‘normal’ a season as possible for our boating community was greatly appreciated,” said Jayne Dietrich, BYC commodore, representing the BYC Executive Team.
“We are confident that in the twenty weeks between now and the 2021 Spring Launch that the restrictions and hurdles we faced over the past year will begin to ease and in turn allow the BYC to have a more active and involved 2021 Season,” she added.
The BYC Executive Team will continue to monitor the ever-changing protocols and work to create events and activities that fall within the allowable guidelines for 2021.
For those members who paid their Membership Dues for the 2020 Season, their 2020 Membership has been extended to cover the 2021 Season. For anyone wishing to join or renew for 2021, they can do so by emailingbayfieldyc@gmail.com.
“May everyone have a safe and enjoyable winter; we look forward to seeing you in the spring!” concluded Dietrich.
Tote Bags can be customized for a donation to Hospice
The Huron Hospice Designer Tote Bags proved to be a very popular Christmas gift idea. So popular in fact, that they are still on sale at The Village Bookshop in Bayfield.
“In the pre–Christmas rush we did not have the opportunity to tell you Anne’s story,” said Christopher Walker, manager, Fund Development for Huron Hospice. “When Anne’s mother passed away, she had not had a chance to sew an outfit from the gorgeous batik fabric she had purchased in the far east while traveling. Upon noticing the handmade tote bag project in support of Huron Hospice, Anne got an idea. After making some enquiries, she was put in touch with the volunteer and asked for a custom order of tote bags, made from her mother’s fabric. She was delighted to end up with nine gorgeous bags, some of which were gifted to her sisters as Christmas presents. Thank you, Anne for supporting Huron Hospice!”
Anyone who has some fabric with special memories or sentiments that they would like to have sewn into personal tote bags in exchange for $25 each (which is a donation to Huron Hospice) is asked to contact Suzanne Simpson at Huron Hospice by calling 519 606-9676.
As of Dec. 31, the tote bag sales have raised $1,825 with all proceeds going toward patient care at Huron Hospice.
“Huron Hospice is delighted with this figure. Thank you for your support,” said Walker. “We have heard many wonderful comments from those who received one of these bags for Christmas. And a huge thank you to The Village Bookshop in Bayfield who will continue to sell the bags.”
These up-cycled tote bags will keep unwanted fabric, as well as plastic shopping bags out of the landfill, while supporting a wonderful cause. A win-win for the whole community.
The Dutch House a compelling and well-written read
During the COVID-19 crisis, people may find themselves with more time to turn the pages of a good book. But what books to read and what books to leave on the shelf?
In case Bayfield Breeze readers are looking for a little guidance in this department the folks at The Village Bookshop on Main Street will be providing a monthly suggestion via their customers who have agreed to pen a book review to share with our readers.
For January, the featured novel is “The Dutch House” by Ann Patchett. It was reviewed by Phillip Keightley.
“A richly moving story that explores the indelible bond between two siblings, the house of their childhood, and a past that will not let them go.”
Written through the eyes of Danny, the book opens with the introduction of Sandy, the housekeeper who came with The Dutch House, Danny’s sister Maeve, and the arrival of a visitor that Danny’s father wishes them to meet. “As for the visitor, it was a mystery. Our father didn’t have friends, at least not the kind who came to the house late on a Saturday afternoon.” From the beginning this book pulls you in and, like the peeling of an onion, uncovers layer by layer an evocative, complex and multi-layered story of a family centered around two siblings, their ties to a house, their unshakable bonds and a tortured relationship.
So why The Dutch House?
At the end of the Second World War, Cyril Conroy combines luck and judgement to build a successful real estate empire propelling his family from poverty to enormous wealth. He buys a property known locally as The Dutch House as a surprise for his wife, and unwittingly sets in motion the undoing of everyone he loves.
The Dutch House refers not to the house’s architecture but to its inhabitants; ‘where those Dutch people with the unpronounceable name lived.’ ‘Seen from certain vantage points of distance, it appeared to float several inches above the hill it sat on. The panes of glass that surrounded the glass front door were as big as storefront windows and held in place by wrought iron vines. The windows both took in the sun and reflected it back across the wide lawn... While it was not Dutch, the blue delft mantels in the drawing room, library, and master bedroom were said to have been pried out of a castle in Utrecht sold to the VanHoebeeks to pay a prince’s gambling debts. The house, complete with mantels, had been finished in 1922. “They had seven good years before the bankers started jumping out of windows,” Maeve said, giving our predecessors their place in history.’
Danny and his older sister, the brilliantly acerbic and self-assured Maeve, exiled by their stepmother from the house where they grew up, are thrown back into the poverty that their parents had escaped and find that all they have to count on is each other. Set over the course of five decades the story is both compelling and heartwarming. Despite every outward sign of success, Danny and Maeve are only truly comfortable when they are together and throughout their lives return to the well-worn narrative of what they have lost with both humor and rage.
A compelling and well written read and one that you will not put down until the last page.
Planned Bayfield seeks online public consultation
Are you interested in the future development of Bayfield? A Secondary Plan is being developed for the Village.
Community input is currently being sought through www.connectedcountyofhuron.ca.
Who is involved? This project was initiated by the Council of the Municipality of Bluewater. A Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC), made up of individuals from the community, are advising on the development of the Plan. The members of the CAC include: Councilor Bill Whetstone, Chair; Leanne Kavanaugh, Vice Chair; Abby Armstrong, Andre Mech, Councilor George Irving, Dave Gillians, Dave MacLaren, Elaine Coombs, Gary Davidson, Gayle Waters, Jean Anne Hamilton, Jeff Graham, John Van Ogtrop, Kim Loebach and Roger Lewington.
What will this project result in? Planned Bayfield will have two main deliverables:
1) A high-level, conceptual plan showing the preferred location of future residential and commercial development, infrastructure, general street configurations, parks and trails, natural areas and connections. The Plan will include a discussion of cultural heritage features and other community assets such as public art, gateways, treescapes, vistas, etc.
2) A document which outlines the community’s vision and proposed amendments to existing planning tools to implement the vision within future decision making. The document will also include urban design and architectural direction. The tools to be amendment will include but not be limited to the Bluewater Official Plan, Zoning By-law and Site Plan Control By-law.
How will this project be completed? The Plan will be developed over the next six months and will include multiple rounds of public consultation through the online platform as well as consultation with stakeholders, such as local community groups, and agencies, such as the Ministry of Transportation. The process has been adapted to respond to current public health protocols.
The initial round of consultation is live now and is designed for broad visioning. Subsequent rounds will ask more pointed questions on a range of thematic areas which will be based on the initial round of input. Draft policy shifts and implementation tools will be posted for the community’s review and input.
How can I get involved? Visit www.connectedcountyofhuron.ca and register as a participant in Planned Bayfield. There are different ways to give input such as surveys, dropping pins onto a map to identify key locations, telling stories, etc. For example, in the first round, aerial imagery of Bayfield in 1955, 1978 and 2015 allows for reflection on how the Village has changed over the past 65 years and how it might change moving into the future. What is the community vision for Bayfield in 20 years and beyond?
Why develop a Secondary Plan now? With increased capacity at the wastewater treatment plant, Bayfield will have the infrastructure required to accommodate new growth. The purpose of the Secondary Plan is to ensure that change and growth, such as new residential and highway commercial developments, are designed to meet the community's long term vision.
tito featured cat of the week
 Tito and Teddy (Submitted photo)
BFF has helped hundreds of feral and abandoned cats find their forever homes but many are still waiting.
Tito is the Adopt-A-BFF featured cat of the week.
This young male is about three months old and is a little shy at first meeting. He arrived at the shelter all alone and immediately bonded with a Teddy bear and still keeps quite close to it. His faithful stuffed companion will travel with him when he finds his forever home. He had some health concerns when he initially arrived at the Rescue but is now a very healthy, happy boy. He is quite curious and loves to play and would make a welcome addition to any family.
Anyone interested in adopting TIto is asked to reach out to Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines at bayfieldsforgottenfelines@gmail.com.
Donations are always welcome as the cost of a vet visit is $125 per feline, a lot more for cats with special needs. Any financial amount whether it be large or small would be most appreciated. E-transfers can be sent to the email above or email to arrange for a drop off or pick up of donations. Cheques can be mailed to Bayfield’s Forgotten Felines, P.O. Box 33, Bayfield, ON, N0M 1G0.
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farmers' market
 People may not be aware but the Bayfield Farmers’ Market didn’t close up shop at the end of Thanksgiving – the online store is still operating with bi-weekly pickups or contactless delivery.
The next market pick-up day is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 15.
People can place their orders by visiting openfoodnetwork.ca/bayfield-farmers-market/
from Sunday, Jan. 10 at 8 a.m. to Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. Shoppers will be directed to pick up their items up on Jan. 15 sometime between 3-5 p.m. at Shopbike Coffee Roasters on Bayfield’s Main Street. They will receive an email confirmation (Thursday) with the approximate time of delivery on Friday afternoon.
Orders can be paid online with credit card or email transfer. Organizers are pleased to offer delivery within 15 KMs of Bayfield for a flat fee of $5. Shoppers can select their preference at checkout.
Anyone who would like to receive a reminder to shop the market when it opens is invited to join the Bayfield Farmers’ Market email list. People can do so by visiting: eepurl.com/g1lpZ5
BRVTA
Are you interested in a hiking buddy? If you are a new resident or hiker, single hiker, don’t want to hike alone, or would love to meet new people through hiking the Bayfield River Vallery Trail Association (BRVTA) trails, you can now take advantage of the Hiking Buddy Program they have in place. This new program will enable hikers to connect with others on the trails and is available to all BRVTA members. If interested, or for more information, please send an email to info@bayfieldtrails.com
Especially during a lockdown, spending time outdoors maintains mental health and well-being. The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is committed to doing our part to help families and friends enjoy the nature that surrounds us. They will continue to offer guided hikes every Saturday at 10 a.m. from Jan. 2nd through Feb. 27th at the Varna Nature Trails.
Participants are asked to meet at the Stanley Community Complex, Mill Road (Ontario Rt 3), just west of Varna.
The BRVTA will follow Provincial regulations by keeping the hike groups to not more than 10 people, including the hike leader. If necessary, they will run more than one group. Because indoor gatherings are not currently allowed, meeting and sign-in will be outdoors at the trail head. (Sorry, no washrooms will be available).
Hike leaders will guide a one-hour hike (2.5km) on the Mavis/Taylor nature trails. All are welcome, including dogs on leash. Participants will follow social distancing protocols, so please bring a mask. During the hike, hikers may remove their mask as long as they keep 2Ms (6 ft) distance from other hikers. Hikes will be held in any weather as long as the trail is safe, so please dress appropriately.
If the hike is cancelled, organizers will post that information by 8 a.m. on the day of the hike on the BRVTA Facebook page “Bayfield Trails” and website bayfieldtrails.com. For questions or more information, contact BRVTA Hike Coordinator Ralph Blasting at rjblastingjr@gmail.com or call 519 525-3205.
The Trail maintenance crew will work hard to keep the trails open all winter.
Anyone who enjoys walking the trails but has never got around to joining the Association, might consider that with an affordable $30 annual family membership, they would be making a valuable contribution toward the maintenance of our seven trails, ensuring their viability for the future. Membership funds are also needed for programming and insurance. Special thanks to all of you who have supported the BRVTA through membership; they’ve seen record numbers this past year.
If you already are a member, the BRVTA would love you to refer them to your friends! For a limited time – during January and February – they have a special offer. If you refer three new members during this period, please send the BRVTA an email with the details and you will receive “For the love of Bayfield”, a gorgeous and informative book, written by local historian and one of the founders of the BRVTA, Dave Gillians.
Memberships for 2021 are available through the BRVTA website, bayfieldtrails.com. Save the receipt, which will give you shopping privileges at the Columbia Sportswear discount store as well as to several other events and programs.
Anyone who would prefer to write a cheque, is asked to please mail it to P.O. Box 531, Bayfield N0M 1G0.
Anglican Church
Trinity St. James Anglican Church has now suspended their in-church Wednesday morning, Communion Services.
Sunday services will continue at 11 a.m. and are provided virtually over ZOOM. All are welcome. The congregation would also like to invite people to join in their relaxed Coffee and Conversation hour also held over ZOOM every Thursday and Friday starting at 11 a.m. To join any of these ZOOM sessions please contact Rev’d Mary Farmer at mary.e.r.farmer@gmail.com.
Food Bank
The generosity of the community continues to brighten the lives of the people who look to the Bayfield Area Food Bank (BAFB) for support.
Anyone in need of assistance at this time, is asked to please reach out through either an email to bayfieldareafoodbank@gmail.com or phone/text 519 955-7444. All enquiries are handled with complete confidentiality.
For anyone wanting to drop off a non-perishable food donation, the outdoor bin located at Trinity St. James Church on Keith Crescent, has been moved to the north entrance of the parish hall. This red bin is sitting next to the recycling container at that doorway facing the parking lot, and is emptied frequently, especially with the freezing temperatures to come.
Please note, monetary donations are always a very welcome gift as well, as this allows BAFB to purchase needed items that aren’t otherwise available.
For anyone who would like to support BAFB with a monetary gift, there are a few options available. Cheques can be mailed to: Bayfield Area Food Bank, 10 Keith Cres., Bayfield, ON, N0M 1G0. A collection container for cash donations is located at The Bayfield Garage at the corner of Hwy. 21 and Jane St. An e-transfer can be made through BAFB’s gmail account: bayfieldareafoodbank@gmail.com or a donation can be received on-line through the www.canadahelps.org website.
All donations of $20 or more will be receipted for tax purposes. BAFB is a registered charity with CRA. Anyone who would like a receipt, is asked to ensure that their name and address are clearly provided along with the donation.
It's cookie season
Bayfield Guiding is pleased to announce that it is Chocolatey Mint Cookie season. For the first time ever, people can order their cookies online and have them shipped right to their door anywhere in Canada! Please note there is a minimum cookie order and a shipping fee.
Here is the link: online cookie portal.
A limited number of cookies have been distributed to the Bayfield membership for in person selling at $5 a box. They will be following COVID-19 protocols. So don’t miss out on supporting Bayfield Guiding directly by emailing melody.pounder@gmail.com to make arrangements for cookie delivery.
Centre for the arts
In anticipation of brighter days ahead, the Bayfield Centre for the Arts (BCA) is hard at work envisioning a safe environment for community members and area residents to engage in creative activity.
"The BCA had plans to operate Create Together Open Studio at the Bayfield Community Centre once a week starting in January," said BCA President Leslee Squirrell. "Due to the new provincial lockdown regulations going into effect on Dec 26 for 28 days, the BCA is delaying the start of this program until we have further direction from the province.
"The Bayfield Centre For The Arts remains committed to offering creative opportunities for the general public in a safe manner and will open the Create Together series as soon as is possible."
The BCA is planning a future fundraiser by paying homage to their temporary location – The Barn at 24 Main Street North in the village, the former home of Kryart Studio behind The Village Bookshop.
Artists are invited to donate an original 12” X 12” art piece depicting an Ontario barn in any medium and captured from any angle. These donated barn paintings will be hung and displayed for sale in The Barn in the Spring of 2021. All proceeds will go toward education and appreciation of the arts.
Please email hello@bayfieldarts.ca to let organizers know of intent to participate and to receive an information package.
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