march snow pack causes flooding concern 

The 2014 Flood Emergency Planning Meeting was hosted by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) and held at the Masonic Hall in Exeter on March 4. Presenters were (l-r): Alec Scott, ABCA Water and Planning manager; Jennifer Spinney, a Ph.D. student at the Department of Anthropology of University of Western Ontario (UWO); Ian Siertsema, County of Huron 911 systems specialist; and Davin Heinbuck, ABCA Lands and Water technologist. The meeting was attended by municipal staff including community emergency management coordinators. Attendees heard that the snow pack in ABCA watersheds, as of March 1, was at levels not seen in 30 years and that could pose a high risk of spring flooding if rain comes and it gets too warm too soon. (Submitted photo)

Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) hosted a Flood Emergency Planning Meeting on March 4 at the Masonic Hall in Exeter. Community emergency management coordinators were among the municipal staff that attended the meeting.

An annual event, the 2014 meeting was held during one of the coldest and snowiest winters in decades. Attendees this year heard there is a high risk of floods if there are ice jams and the weather gets too warm, too fast.

“It’s been more than 30 years since we’ve had this kind of snow pack at the beginning of March,” said ABCA Lands and Water Technologist Davin Heinbuck.

He said there are risks posed by both the volume of snow and the level of water equivalent in the snow, as recorded by monitoring. He also said the high amount and depth of ice in local watercourses poses the risk of ice jams that could lead to flooding.

“There is risk of ice jams this year based on the ice sitting on the river,” he said.

ABCA Water and Planning Manager Alec Scott reviewed roles and responsibilities of municipalities, Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Emergency Management Ontario, Environment Canada, and the conservation authority. Scott also spoke to ABCA’s Flood Emergency Plan.

The ABCA’s planning and regulation programs have helped to keep new development out of flood-prone areas and away from hazards, he said, but “we still have existing development in some areas (where flooding is common) and people are affected.”

The conservation authority’s Flood Forecasting and Warning Program is important, therefore, to inform municipalities through three levels of flood messages (Watershed Conditions Statement – Flood Outlook/Water Safety; Flood Watch; and Flood Warning) so municipalities can take action to protect their citizens. ABCA can also assist municipal responses to floods by providing technical advice.

The public can get flood messages by clicking on the flood messages icon on the conservation authority website home page at abca.on.ca. The public can also follow Ausable Bayfield Conservation’s Twitter feed and like their Facebook page to obtain flood messages.

Huron County 911 Systems Specialist, Ian Siertsema, spoke at the meeting about the Huron County Community Notification Program. Huron Ready is a countywide community notification system that can be used to notify the public during an emergency or disaster. The community notification system (formerly the PRISM system) is able to send telephone notifications to residents and businesses within Huron County impacted by, or in danger of being impacted by, an emergency or disaster. The county program posts relevant and timely messages pertaining to emergency and public safety issues within Huron County at their @HuronReady Twitter account. Alerts can be issued for a single neighborhood, one or more municipalities, a radius surrounding an incident, an area of shoreline, or the entire county. They can be issued 24 hours a day. The ABCA is investigating the use of this system for notifying municipalities when flood messages are issued.

Jennifer Spinney, a Ph.D. student at the Department of Anthropology of University of Western Ontario (UWO), spoke on Working and Living the Weather: Social Science Perspectives of Warning Production and Response. She spoke about research she has done, in the American south and the Canadian north, into the ways that weather events are communicated and the way weather alerts are created and how they are perceived – and acted upon or not acted upon – by people. She also discussed her proposed future research into how flood messages are communicated and received by the public, especially in the case of flash floods.

rain barrel blitz hosted locally by trail association

Though it’s hard to imagine this snow will ever disappear, spring rains are not far off. And conserving rainwater is one of the best ways to protect local water quality. In an effort to encourage local households to capture and store rain water, the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is participating in a “Rain Barrel Blitz”.

Having more rain barrels in use in the area is one of the ideas from a community advisory committee in their recently released Main Bayfield Watershed Plan.

“One of the challenges we identified in the planning process is stormwater runoff, which can carry a variety of pollutants with it,” said Ainslie Willock, a community member of the advisory committee.

The BRVTA is one of four groups hosting this effort to conserve rainwater and protect water quality. The other groups are Brucefield Community United Church, Vanastra Recreation Centre and Goderich District Collegiate Institute Green Industries students. The BRVTA is a charitable organization whose vision includes enhancing and promoting local trails, while also encouraging environmental sensitivity. The BRVTA Board felt this fundraising opportunity was a good fit with the group’s mandate.

Rain barrels capture and store rainwater collected from a building’s roof through downspouts. This water is diverted from stormwater systems. This reduces the pollutants and the speed of water entering local rivers and streams. Reducing the speed of water reduces its ability to cause erosion. Collected rainwater can then be used for watering lawns and gardens, or washing cars. This can save people money on their municipal water bill, stress on their well, and stress on stormwater infrastructure.

Rain barrels must be pre-ordered and people can get on a waiting list now at RainBarrel.ca/bayfieldtrails. They may also call 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 for information about the local Barrel Blitz.

Pick-up of pre-ordered rain barrels from the BRVTA will take place in Bayfield on Apr. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. The rain barrels cost $50 each with a portion of proceeds supporting the BRVTA. Buyers have a choice of colors and each rain barrel comes equipped with all the parts you need to set it up. Downspout diverters, dispensing hoses, and rain barrel stands are also available at an additional cost.

RainBarrel.ca reclaims food-grade barrels to be reused as rain barrels. Partnerships with local non-profit organizations result in fundraising truckload sales events for dozens of communities in Ontario. For more information, visit rainbarrel.ca.

photography club hosting bus trip to windsor 

The Photography Club of Bayfield (PCoB) is planning a bus trip to Windsor, ON resulting in a photo walk with Mel Diotte on March 22.

Diotte has been recognized for the terrific nature images he often posts on the PCoB’s Flickr site and has offered to host a group of photographers on that date for a day of picture making.

Travel to Windsor will be by chartered bus and non-members of the club will be charged $40 for the return trip transportation. Stops will be made for lunch and supper.

The PCoB will be visiting Ojibway Park for a chance to photograph the animals and birds that reside there. They will also visit Windsor’s Graffiti Alley and will be guided to Mel’s favorite locations to shoot some modern “art”.

Anyone who has a camera and would like a new opportunity to take pictures in two fresh locations, please email bayfieldpc@gmail.com or phone Marty Bond at 519 525-2267 for more information. 

The pancakes were flipped and the syrup flowed 

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER 

More than 100 people enjoyed local maple syrup on their pancakes and sausage at the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper hosted by Trinity Anglican Church on March 4.

Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it's the last day before Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs, foods often forbidden during Lent, for those who practice the traditions leading up to Easter Sunday.

Trinity Anglican Church's Parish Hall was the place to be on March 4 for their annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.

William Samuell enjoyed the sausages while his dad, Rich, marvelled at his fork technique.


Dana Wilson, and her mother Deb, members of Bayfield Guiding, were among the volunteers at the Pancake Supper that kept the tables clean and set for diners.

Pat Graham filled the plates of more than 100 patrons during the course of two hours at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.

presbyterian church

Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “There is no future without forgiveness.”

The ethic of retaliation and revenge are pervasive. If people cannot find their way to healthy human communities they will damage the earth and perish together.

Knox Presbyterian Church will host a Lenten Study on Forgiveness for six Wednesdays commencing March 11. This study explores what forgiveness is and what components are required to accept and extend forgiveness. All in the community are welcome to attend the sessions that will begin at 10 a.m.

bayfield guiding 

Bayfield Guiding and the Camp Klahanie Friends Association will be hosting a “Just Books Sale” at the Bayfield Village Inn on Apr. 12-13.

With proceeds being shared between Bayfield Guiding and Camp Klahanie, organizers are hoping this will be their biggest and best book sale ever.

Donations of gently used books in good condition can be made from now until Apr. 11 at the Bayfield Village Inn. Please call Melody at 519 565-2443 to arrange drop off. Books can also be given to members of Bayfield Guiding.

The sale itself will coincide with Cookie Days in Bluewater and will be held on the Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

Encyclopedias or magazines will not be accepted.

Earth Hour

Communities around the world will demand action on climate change by marking Earth Hour on March 29. All are encouraged to turn their lights off for 60 minutes starting at 8:30 p.m.

To celebrate Earth Hour in Bayfield everyone is invited to turn off lights at home and head to St Andrew’s United Church for a sing-along in celebration of the earth and to express joint concern about its future. The program will commence at 8 p.m. It will feature performance by the Glee Sisters and St. Andrew’s Church Choir, as well as the Elliott’s Ensemble. There will also be a presentation by the Bayfield Tree Project announcing their plans for 2014.

The church lights will be turned off at 8:30 p.m. so those who attend are asked to bring a flashlight so they might see the words for the sing-along portion of the evening.

There is no admission but a collection for the Bayfield Tree Project.

st. James', Middleton

The sweet taste of maple syrup poured over a stack of freshly flipped pancakes is a spring ritual for many Canadians. It definitely is for the congregation of St. James’, Middleton as they host their fifth annual Pancake Brunch and Sugar Bush Tour on March 29. All in the community are invited to join in the festivities.

All-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage with real maple syrup, coffee, juice and dessert will be served at the Pine Lake Campground Recreational Hall, 77794 Orchard Line, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to brunch participants will be able to go on a hayride and once they reach their destination see first hand how maple syrup is made at the Rick Schilbe Farm. Wagon rides will leave from the recreation hall for the short ride across the road to the sugar bush and shanty.

The cost for the brunch is $10, adults; $5, children 12 to 6 years; and youngsters aged five and under are free.

anglican church 

It is a Lenten tradition at Trinity Anglican Church 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 on Mondays from now until Apr. 7. The evenings begin at 6 p.m.

A free will offering is asked to collected for church outreach programs. All in the community are welcome. Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 519 565-2790 so that organizers can ensure enough food for all.

The schedule of movies is as follows: March 17, Life of Pi; March 24, Captain Philips; March 31, The Butler; and Apr. 7, 42 - The Jackie Robinson Story.

Film Society

The Bayfield Film Society is excited to be starting a new season. Spring will bring four interesting new presentations starting with Twenty Feet from Stardom on March 13.

The spring schedule also includes the films: The Hunt, The Attack and Our Man In Tehran.

The films will be viewed at the Bayfield Town Hall starting at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available now; see all four movies for just $35, single films are $10 at the door. Season’s tickets can be obtained by calling Lynne Gillians at 519 565-5884 or by email lynnegillians@hotmail.com.

fitness fun 

Fitness activities under the One Care banner are gearing up for spring!

One Care offers Gentle Yoga every Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at the Bayfield Town Hall. Newcomers are always welcome.

Exercise classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the Bayfield Community Centre.

On March 13, Bridge mentoring for intermediate bridge players will take place at 9:45 a.m. and Mah Jongg will be played at 1 p.m. Both events will be held at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.

Please call 519 565-2202 for more information on any of the above activities.

bayfield concert series

The Bayfield Concert Series is bringing to Bayfield two rather well-known entertainers as part of their spring concert series.

Two Meades Bros. Productions announced recently that Jay Malinowski, of Bedoin Sound Clash, and Ashley MacIsaac will be taking the stage at the Bayfield Town Hall in the coming months.

Malinowski will perform at the hall on Apr. 2 followed a month later by MacIsaac on May 2. Tickets for Malinowski are $35 while MacIsaac’s show will cost $50.

Both shows are sponsored by briandupuis.com. The town hall doors will open at 8 p.m. with a showtime of 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are available now at tunestub.com or The Black Dog Village Pub and Bistro in Bayfield.

hearing clinic

Have you heard the news? A monthly hearing clinic has been established in the village at Pharmasave Michael’s Pharmacy. The next date for the clinic is March 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. Please call Shannon Gould at The Kincardine Hearing Clinic at 1-855-396-6026 to book an appointment.

photography club 

Following the great success of the 2014 calendar plans are moving ahead for the 2015 version and more copies will be made available. Building on this success, the project will once again be a partnership between the Photography Club of Bayfield (PCoB) and the Bayfield Lions’ Club.

People are encouraged to sort through all the wonderful Bayfield photos that they have taken over the last several years. Photos do not need to have been taken in the last 12 months. People may also submit as many photos as they would like to.

Participants do not need to be a member of the PCoB in order to submit. Photographers whose photos are selected for inclusion in the 2015 calendar will receive a free membership to the PCoB.

A new Flickr site has been opened specifically dedicated to the 2015 calendar, http://www.flickr.com/groups/bayfieldcalendar2015. Please visit this site and explore the criteria for posting: bayfieldcalendar2015.
 

antique show and sale 

It has been a long winter season but thoughts are turning to spring and summer and the events that are held in the village at those times. One such event is the Bayfield Antique Show and Sale hosted each August by the congregation of Trinity Anglican Church. The show's coordinators are looking for volunteers to help. The show will from Aug. 8-10 at the Bayfield Community Centre.

The Antique Show and Sale now in its 29th season is a wonderful boon to the village and help from both residents and summer folk is needed to make it a continued success. There are a variety of tasks to choose from when volunteering, helping with set up, serving in the tearoom, security and front door admission sales are but a few examples.

To learn more about this great community event please call Joan Cluff at 519 565-2974 or email her at cluffy@tcc.on.ca
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You are invited to Skate the Day Away 

March 16

See our Submissions section for details!