HANNAH GEORGAS fills town hall with powerful vocals

Hannah Georgas performed at the Bayfield Town Hall on March 11. (Photo by Richard Fitoussi)

STORY BY SARAH KOOPMANS

On March 11, as part of the Bayfield Concert Series, Hannah Georgas and band member Robbie D graced the stage at the Bayfield Town Hall, filling the room with haunting yet powerful vocals and skillfully orchestrated electric and acoustic guitars, keyboard, a ukulele, and some synthesized beats.

Described as a pop-roots singer and songwriter, the Newmarket, ON native has become a Canadian indie-music darling. She has been featured in various commercials and national publications. She has also made appearances in events all over the country. She was chosen to represent BC for CBC's The Great Canadian Song Quest in 2010 plus her work has topped radio and iTunes Canada charts. Most recently, Georgas has been nominated for a Juno for songwriter and best new artist.

Despite all her national fame, Georgas, who has been writing dynamic and lyrical songs since she figured out the piano at six years old, comes across as honest and down-to-earth. During this interview, she talked casually about being inspired musically by her parents, and about picking up the guitar during camp-outs when she worked at a lodge during summers in high school. She expressed her feeling of honor at being a Juno nominee, and how excited she was to be sharing the stage the next day as part of the Canadian Music Week with artists such as Hollerado, Shad, and Janelle Monae.

Georgas plans to release another album this fall, adding to her previously released EPs, The Beat Stuff (2008) and The Quarter (2009), and full-length album, This is Good (2010).

During her performance, Georgas shared that she had the same feeling when she entered Bayfield as when she arrived in Vancouver to live there: a feeling of excited nervousness about something new.

About joining the ranks of those that have gone before her on stages in Bayfield, Georgas said, “It's awesome! I heard about the people that have come!”

She agreed that it was a great experience to be part of the intimacy of such a small venue and to be able to interact with her audience. Georgas guessed at how beautiful Bayfield must be in the summer... perhaps she'll bring that remarkable talent back again!

Georgas was just one of the top entertainers to take the stage at The Bayfield Town Hall recently. Next on the schedule is John K. Samson of the Weakerthans with special guest Andy McGuire will play the hall. The concert will be held on Apr. 9. Tickets are available now for $35. Hall doors will open at 8 p.m. with the show starting at 8:30 p.m. For tickets visit
www.ticketscene.ca/events/3520/

Sarah Koopmans, of Brucefield, is currently attending the University of Western Ontario and is enrolled in the Media, Information and Technoculture Program.

Bayfield guiding to hold "Just Books sale" this saturday

Members of Bayfield Guiding are keeping busy sorting and pricing for their upcoming "Just Books Sale" this Saturday, Apr. 2. Some of the girls and women picked out a few favorite authors to show what is available. Clockwise from front: Melanie Wilson, Sydney Pitt, Raven Blyde, Deb Wilson, Helen Latimer, Dana Wilson and Candice Blyde. Bayfield Guiding would like to thank all those who have donated to the sale so far, donations will be accepted until Apr. 1 at the Bayfield Village Inn. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

The 1st Bayfield Rangers were busy sorting and pricing books this past weekend for their “Just Books Sale” coming up on Saturday afternoon.

The Rangers, as well as the younger members of Bayfield Guiding, invite book lovers to come out and shop the tremendous selection that they have accumulated. There are titles for children, teens, budding chefs and crafters; plus a terrific assortment of fiction and non-fiction. Best thing is there isn’t a book priced over $4.

The book sale will be held on Apr. 2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Trinity Anglican Church Parish Hall, 10 Keith Cres.

Books can still be donated until Apr. 1 at the Bayfield Village Inn. Gently used books of all genres will be accepted with the exception of textbooks, encyclopedias and magazines. For more information call 519 565-2443.

collector's exhibition offers something of interest for all 

The Bayfield Historical Society’s 11th annual Bayfield Collector Show and Exhibition will be held a little earlier in April this year to accommodate for the lateness of Easter. The event will be held on Apr. 16-17.

The exhibition will be held at the Bayfield Community Centre and run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The official opening ceremony will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. with several local dignitaries in attendance.

Historical Society member, Phil Gemeinhardt works very hard all year round at finding new and different collections and exhibitors for this event.  Pedal tractors, vintage toys, rope making, museum and archive displays, sewing, dolls, china and sometimes even the weird and the un-identifiable; this show offers something of interest for everyone.

Popular aspects of the show continue to be the silent auction, appraisal corner and lunch booth. 

The silent auction always has a vast selection of items generously donated by area businesses and society friends. Organizers note that bidding on the items is brisk on both days but to be sure to be the winning bidder it is best to be there when the auction closes at 4 p.m. on Sunday. 

For more than a decade now, Tim Saunders, owner of Three Squirrels Antiques as well as a Historical Society past-president, has volunteered his time to preside over the appraisal table.  With over 20 years experience in the antiques and collectables business, there is very little he cannot appraise.  Those who wish to consult with him should bring no more than three items per person and pictures of furniture or other large items will suffice. 

The Bayfield Historical Society is able to carry on many local projects because of the generous donations they receive at the door to this event as well as at the appraisal table. The spirited bidding that occurs on many of the silent auction items also makes this the largest annual fundraiser for the society.

For exhibitor or show information please contact:  Phil Gemeinhardt, 519 482- 9230 or Binnie Sturgeon 519 565-2376.

the Bayfield Tree Project launched at Earth Hour event

Communities around the world demanded action on climate change by marking Earth Hour on March 26. Bayfield’s version of Earth Hour had a theme: “Restore Bayfield’s Trees”.

A concert was held at St. Andrew’s United Church featuring the Glee Sisters choir, and their sister organization, Elliot’s Liquidation Band. The musical selections for the concert reflected the evening’s theme.

An Earth Hour concert was held at St. Andrew’s United Church on the evening of March 26. The concert featured the Glee Sisters choir, and their sister organization, Elliot’s Liquidation Band. (Photo by Rev. Charles Love)

A highlight of the evening was a presentation of a new plan to replenish trees in the village’s public spaces, as the older ones die off.

“The Bayfield Tree Project”, had a successful launch at the Earth Hour celebrations. Due to the generosity of those in attendance over $600 was collected to put toward tree purchases for this Spring’s planting. This amount added to the grant from TD Bank’s “Friends of the Environment” will enhance the plans for the first plantings on municipal property in the village to be done in May.

Anyone who would like to participate in The Bayfield Tree Project or would like to make a financial contribution is asked to contact Sondra Buchner, 519 565-2518 or email tsbuchland@tcc.on.ca or Roma Harris, 519 565-2373 or email
harris@uwo.ca.

optimist club

Youth in Grades Six to Eight are invited to a Much Music Video Dance to be held at the Stanley Complex in Varna on Apr. 21.

The dance will be held from 7-10:30 p.m. and tickets are selling for $10 each.

The Optimist Club of Bayfield is hosting this fun event. For more information contact Teri Ladd at 519 565-2995.

ladies' night

The Bayfield Optimist Club is planning a Greek Toga theme for their upcoming Ladies’ Night, May 7. Those who attend, “Almost Heaven in 2011” are encouraged to come draped in their best Grecian sheet.

Organizers have some special activities in the works for the evening including a Zumba Demonstration, Silent Auction and Cash Draw. The women are sure to be kept laughing all evening thanks to a stellar comedienne – who will it be this year?

The doors to the Bayfield Community Centre will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available now for $20 a person; a great gift for the mother figures in your life! All proceeds go towards Friends of Youth projects and activities.

canoe rally

The 26th Annual Stanley Canoe Rally is set to run Apr. 10.

The cost to enter is $20 for one poker hand. Registration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Participants enter the race at Tyndall’s Bridge on Airport Line (2nd of Stanley) and enjoy a five-mile run on the Bayfield River ending at the Varna Bridge.

To ensure a safe and fun time for all participants the following rules will be enforced: no motorized vehicles, everyone in the canoe must wear a life jacket; and participants must be 16 years or accompanied by an adult.

The event is organized by the Bluewater Stanley Recreation Committee with proceeds going to support minor sports in the community.

For more information please call Pete Walden at 519 233-7525 or Jeff Brandon at 519 565-2878.

Trinity Anglican

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 Bun and a Movie Night” will continue over the next three weeks from 6-9 p.m. A free will offering is asked to cover the cost of soup and buns and all in the community are welcome.

The schedule of movies is as follows: Joyeux Noel, Apr. 4; and Finding Neverland, Apr. 11.

film series

There are three shows remaining in the Bayfield Film Society’s spring series. Next on the docket is the documentary, Force of Nature, to be shown on Apr. 14.

Also scheduled are the films: "The Trotsky", May 12; and “Incendies”, June 16. The films are shown at the Bayfield Town Hall starting at 7:30 p.m.

To learn more about tickets for these productions please contact Jane Rowat 519 565-5838 or Lynne Gillians 519 565-5884.

fitness fun

Spring is here, albeit it in name only, there is still time to resolve to get fit for Summer!

Bayfield residents can join the Zumba craze as classes are now being held in the village. Zumba is a dance fitness class that combines Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves, creating a calorie burning dance party suitable for all ages.

A Zumba class is held every Thursday evening from 7-8 p.m. at the Bayfield Community Centre. Starting April 4th, an additional class will be held on Monday mornings from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at The Bayfield Town Hall.

The cost to attend is $90 for a ten-pass card or there is an $11 drop-in fee. Ten pass cards are also honored at the Seaforth Zumba classes held every Monday evening from 7-8 p.m. and some Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Seaforth Community Centre.

Licensed Zumba instructors, Alison De Groot and Lorraine Dietz teach the classes. For more information email De Groot or Dietz at bayfieldzumba@gmail.com or visit them on Facebook at ZUMBA Bayfield and ZUMBA Seaforth.

The following activities are scheduled to run from now until Apr. 21.

Indoor Walking sessions will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Dancefit and Toning classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. There is also a Stretching Class held on Fridays at 10 a.m., participants are asked to bring a yoga mat. All of these fitness opportunities are held at the Bayfield Community Centre.

For the more adventurous among us, there is Pole Walking. Walks for women will start at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while the men can venture out on Mondays and Fridays at 8:30 p.m. All walks begin from 6 Main Street and poles are provided for those who require them.

A Yoga Class will be held at the Bayfield Town Hall starting at 7 p.m. on Mondays.

Badminton is also being played at Huron Centennial School in Brucefield starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

diners' club

Anyone who is 55+ years of age is invited to join the members of the Bayfield Diners’ Club for their weekly Thursday lunches.

The meals are served at noon at the Bayfield Community Centre. The cost for the lunch is $8 per person. Anyone who wishes to enjoy the meal but cannot make it to the community centre is invited to order a take-out lunch.

Participants should call Betty Brodhagan at 519 565-4123 on the Monday prior to the Thursday lunch to inform organizers of their intention to attend or not to attend the luncheon.

The Bayfield Diners’ Club is also looking to add to their roster of volunteers to assist in the kitchen each Thursday – anyone interested in helping out should contact Brodhagen at the number listed above.

archives room

The Bayfield Historical Society is planning to keep the Bayfield Archives Room open at least five afternoons per week this coming summer by enlisting volunteers.

In previous summers, the Archives Room has only been open Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. The expanded hours will accommodate the increasing interest by both residents and visitors in the displays, programs and publications at the Archives. The historic building itself has become a central tourist attraction during the summer months.

To carry out this expanded summer service, the Historical Society will create a roster of volunteers to staff the Archives from early June to Labour Day. Volunteers would be expected to do the following: respond to questions from drop-ins, sell publications, plus complete some modest archival activities.

Interested individuals, who can commit to one afternoon per week for the summer, are asked to contact Bill Rowat at 519 565-5838 or wjrowat@tcc.on.ca.