local woman joins fourteen others to make the unseen seen

In late 2014, a crew of 14 women crossed the Atlantic Ocean on board a 72-foot sailboat. Included were scientists, activists, artists and technologists. One of the women was local Bayfield resident Jen Pate who made a documentary film about the adventure. (Submitted photo)

In November and December of 2014, a crew of 14 women crossed the Atlantic Ocean on board the Sea Dragon, a 72-foot sailboat. Included were scientists, activists, artists and technologists. The mission for the crossing of 2,600 nautical miles from Lanzarote, Canary Islands, to Martinique in the Caribbean, was to make the unseen seen — from the pollution in our oceans to the toxins in our own bodies.

Local resident Jen Pate, co-owner/operator of The Windmill Lake Wake & Eco Park, was part of this team and has completed a documentary of the trip and will present it together with her experiences at the Bayfield Town Hall on Apr. 2 starting at 7:30 p.m. The film entitled, “eXXpedition: Making the Unseen Seen” will premiere at the Royal Geographic Society in London, England on March 7.

It took 19 days of swells, squalls and intense heat to complete the passage. Water samples were taken and conditions were recorded while sampling for plastic pollution of the Atlantic in conjunction with the Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation (ASC) Marine Microplastics Project (ASC Microplastics Project website).

Microplastics particles, acting as sponges for toxins including BPA, DDT, pesticides and others, are often ingested by small forms of aquatic life and move up the food chain. They pose a range of environmental and human health risks, not least the proliferation of cancer. While contributing to ASC’s wider data set, and simultaneously raising awareness for the value of adventure science, the goal was to help increase knowledge and global awareness of issues affecting environmental and human health.

The film presentation, sponsored by the Photography Club of Bayfield, will be open to the public with admission by donation. Proceeds will go to the Bayfield Blue Community.

Please mail, bayfieldpc@gmail.com for further information on the presentation.

Pate, along with another member of the eXXpedition crew, Dr. Elaine McKinnon, will be launching a new eXXpedition in the Great Lakes region of North America later in 2015. To learn more about both voyages, visit exxpedition.com.

public meeting next stage of community improvement plan 

In early February, Bayfield residents and business owners were invited to voice their opinions on the village aspect of the Bluewater Community Improvement Plan (CIP) at an Open House. Starting in December of 2014 residents of all three villages and six hamlets that comprise the Municipality of Bluewater were given the opportunity to help establish a physical area within their community they felt should receive financial incentives for improvement.

With this stage nearing completion the Bluewater Council will be holding a public meeting on March 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Varna to consider a Community Improvement Plan (CIP) pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act.

Bluewater is the first in Huron to work on a CIP for the entire municipality. The proposed CIP will assist to improve the three villages and six hamlets in the Municipality. Maps showing the exact location of the Community Improvement Project Areas in all nine communities are available on the Municipal website (www.town.bluewater.on.ca) and at the public libraries in Hensall, Zurich and Bayfield as well as at the Zurich municipal office.

Anyone may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of or in opposition to the proposed CIP.

It is important to note that if a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to the Bluewater Council before the proposed CIP is adopted, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision of the Council of the Corporation of the Municipality of Bluewater to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) nor may they be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the OMB unless, in the opinion of the Board, there are reasonable grounds to do so.

Anyone wishing to be notified of the adoption of the proposed CIP must make a written request to the Clerk of the Municipality of Bluewater.

new committee explores how local seniors can age in place 

The over 65 set is a strong component of Bayfield’s society but how many of them can consider the village their home for good?

“Home4Good” is a recently formed volunteer community group. Their goal is to learn about and respond to some of the challenges facing Bayfield-area residents who wish to remain in the village as they grow older. They conducted 19 interviews with current and former residents who range in age from 66 to 91. The interview participants were asked what they like about living in Bayfield, what barriers exist for seniors who wish to remain in the community, and what might be done to address these barriers.

A consistent theme across the interviews was the participants’ great love for Bayfield and, for most, their wish to stay in the community until the end of their lives. However, many of them expressed uncertainty about how long they can stay here. Some believe there is little future in Bayfield for older senior citizens. As one of them put it, ‘Bayfield will be an interim stop for most people. It’ll be a retirement village but it won’t be the last stop.’

The principal challenges facing older residents who would like to remain in the community are a lack of appropriate housing, few alternative transportation options for non-drivers, and lack of ready access to services necessary to support everyday living. The members of Home4Good believe that addressing these issues is essential if Bayfield is to become a community in which older citizens can expect to ‘age in place.’

The interviews established that the most pressing needs are for: appropriate seniors’ housing in the village; supports for independent living, including food preparation and property maintenance; assistance with transportation and
greater accessibility, for example making Bayfield more walkable, less car-reliant.

A key aspect of successful aging in place involves building and maintaining social connections. As one interviewee explained, to live in Bayfield as a senior it is ‘absolutely necessary’ that everyone helps and watches out for one another. Fortunately, the interviews suggest that there is a willingness on the part of many people in the community to provide this support. There may be considerable value in tapping into this goodwill to create a more coordinated system of volunteer help-giving to ensure that everyone who needs it has access to support and care (especially those without friends and family to look out for them).

The interviews determined that the most pressing needs are for: access to a daily buddy check-in system; access to advocates to help navigate systems such as health care and banking; and supports to prevent social isolation.

The members of Home4Good include: Laura Armstrong, Huron County Health Unit; Leslie Bella, Tammie Dubé, consultant to the Committee, OneCare Home and Community Support Services; Elise Feltrin, St. Andrews United Church; Helen Gianoulis, corresponding member, Huron County Public Library; Barbara Hall, corresponding member, Huron County Social and Property Services Department; Roma Harris, Michael Ibrahim, Michael’s Pharmacy; Grace Koehler, The Bayfield Mews, Roger Lewington, and Arlene Timmins.

The next step for the “Home4Good” committee is to learn more through a process of community consultation. For this reason they are holding an open meeting at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building on May 2 starting at 10:30 a.m.

They also hope to work with other organizations in the area as well as with local service providers on initiatives that will help to make Bayfield an age-friendly community.

To review the report titled, “Home4Good in Bayfield: ‘This is where my home and my life is’, contact Leslie Bella at lbella@tcc.on.ca or 519 565-2373 or visit their Facebook page at Home4Goodin Bayfield. Committee members are also willing to speak at other community group meetings.

residents with local history to share sought by archives 

The Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) is updating the history of the community’s notable residents as well as property histories and the society needs the support of the community to make it a successful project.

“This is a call for help from residents who have history to share, stories to tell or stories that want telling,” said Ralph Laviolette, village archivist.

The BHS has engaged Dianne Smith, of Egmondville, to do research over the next few months for the Bayfield Archives.

Smith has worked for Waterloo’s Schneider museum, Stratford Festival and other notables. She was on Seaforth’s LACAC committee and has done extensive research in A.Y. McLean’s Huron Expositor archives on articles about Seaforth, Huron County and Bayfield. The Huron County Historical Society has published her work in four annual editions of Huron Historical Notes and the Huron East Chamber of Commerce has used her research for their Doors Open Events in past years.

Smith will be researching ownership records of properties, homes and cottages in the older section of Bayfield and doing new research, or assembling existing researched materials, on notable residents and buildings over the years, augmenting the info gathered by the Bayfield LACAC years ago.

These updated histories will be further enhanced by historical photos of the buildings as well as current curbside images recently taken by a few members of the Photography Club of Bayfield.

In addition a university student will also be collecting oral histories from some of the village’s older residents during the summer months.

Anyone wishing to learn more or share historical information should email Laviolette at bayarchives@tcc.on.ca.

bayfield guiding 

Bayfield Guiding is hosting a First Aid 4U Standard First Aid and CPR course at Trinity Anglican Church on March 7-8 and a couple of spots have become available.

The course will run Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost will be $105 plus tax and is to be paid Saturday morning. The course is open to people 12 years and up.

Anyone wishing to join should contact Melody Falconer-Pounder at melody.pounder@gmail.com.

Bayfield Reads 

Canada Reads 2015 is all about books that can change perspectives, challenge stereotypes and illuminate issues. The national debate to determine, "What is the one book to break barriers?" will be held from March 16-19 on CBC Radio One. In Bayfield the debate will be held on March 14.

According to Martha Beechie, new owner of The Village Bookshop, “A strong team of defenders is now in place and ready to tackle this year's Canada Reads question. The list of books is impressive, ensuring a close battle, however by 4 p.m. there will be only one winner!”

Beechie invites community members to be the judge, and learn the answer first at 'Bayfield Reads 2015'. The event will be held from 2-4 p.m. at the Bayfield Town Hall. Tickets are available now for $5 each at The Village Bookshop.

To learn more check out The Village Bookshop on Facebook or visit www.thevillagebookshop.com.

World Day of Prayer

St Andrew’s United Church will host the annual World Day of Prayer Service on March 6th starting at 2 p.m.

According to the Women’s World Day of Prayer website, “The World Day of Prayer service for 2015 has been written by the Christian women of The Bahamas.”

Although written by women, all are invited to attend and share in this service that focuses on the theme of ‘Jesus said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?”’

The service will also provide knowledge about The Bahamas and not only from the tourist’s perspective.

Brain Injury Support Group

The Huron County Brain Injury Support Group has been formed to help those living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as well as their caregivers.

Participants can learn more about living with a TBI (whether it is mild or severe), discuss common issues and problems and have fun in a positive and supportive environment. The facilitator will be Nancy Robinson, who is a local Occupational Therapist and works with TBI survivors on a daily basis.

Anyone is welcome, no matter their circumstances or how long ago their TBI took place. The first evening, March 9, pizza will be served at 6 p.m., followed by discussion afterward.

The meetings will be held on the second Monday of the month at the OMAFRA office, 100 Don Street, Clinton from 6-8 p.m.

Dining for Seniors

A sign that spring is on the horizon is the return of Bayfield Dining for Seniors. The Thursday lunches are scheduled to resume on March 12 at noon.

Chef Peggy Cunningham is looking forward to once again providing patrons with her amazing home cooked meals.

New diners are always welcome but Bayfield Dining for Seniors is not just about the meal, it offers a social gathering that promotes fellowship and friendly conversation. The meal is provided for a nominal fee of $8.

Anyone interested in joining for lunch is asked to please contact Dianne Argyle at 519 565-2800.

Volunteers are a necessary component to assist with both meal preparation and table service. Anyone interested in volunteering should please contact Bud Robinson at 519 565-5322.

BRVTA

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is providing guided opportunities for people to get out in the winter weather and enjoy area trails!

On March 8, a hike has been organized on the Front Road Trail near Clinton starting at 1 p.m.

Everyone in the family is invited to bring their snowshoes or hike at this hidden gem of a trail. This is a level 1/easy trail, so suitable for all ages and will take approximately 45 minutes. There is limited parking, so ride sharing is recommended.

To access the trail, travel on Hwy. 8 east of Clinton, and turn right (south) on Front Road. Parking can be found between the railroad track and the bridge.

Patrick Capper, 519 606-0016, and Chris and Pam Bowers, 519 565-4605 will be the leaders for this hike.

Anyone who wishes to carpool from Bayfield is asked to please meet at the Pavilion in Clan Gregor Square at 12:30 p.m.

Iceculture

Iceculture in Hensall is inviting the community to come and “Explore Ice” this March Break with three daily tours being offered from March 16-20.

“Our teams have traveled to many parts of the world and the tour guides will be pleased to share some of these experiences,” said Karen Windsor, from Iceculture. “However, maintaining a community focus is important to the staff at Iceculture so we are donating a portion of our tour sales to Children’s Hospital London Health Sciences Centre.”

Please check the website www.iceculture.com/tours for more information on our tours and contact Karen@iceculture.com or 1-888-251-9967 for available times and pricing.

soup and a movie  

A Lenten tradition, the congregation of Trinity Anglican Church welcomes the community to join in fellowship over a hearty bowl of soup while delighting in a great cinematic work.

“Soup and a Movie at Trinity” will be held over the next three Mondays from 6-9 p.m. A free will offering is collected with any extra funds going to outreach. All in the community are welcome but need to reserve their spot by calling 519 565-2790 by the Sunday prior to the movie.

The schedule of movies is as follows: Saving Mr. Banks, March 9; 12 Years a Slave, March 16; and The One Hundred Foot Journey, March 23.

Zumba in Bayfield 

Time is often a factor in why people don’t exercise so perhaps a new Zumba class starting up on Tuesday nights might be of help to some.

Annemarie Pedersen will be leading the class to be held at the Bayfeld Town Hall. The first class will be held on March 10 for one hour starting at 5:30 p.m.

march break ice 

March Break is almost upon us and the Bayfield Arena Community Partners are providing plenty of opportunity for families and friends to take to the ice.

From March 15 to 21, free public skating will be offered from 1-3 p.m. on both Sundays plus Monday, Wednesday and Thursday!

There are also several open ice times available for rental. March Break would be the perfect opportunity for friends, family to get together to skate. It would also be a terrific time for organizations to book some ice for extra preparation for that big game or upcoming special event. Businesses might also consider renting the ice for a great team building experience.

To view what open ice times are available visit bacp.ca and check out the arena calendar. Ice can be rented for $54 per hour on weekdays or $75 per hour on March 21-22.

To learn more contact the arena at 519-565-2121 or Bill Whetstone at 519 955-0682.