London man rescued from boat deck while on land 

Editor’s note: Sometimes during our day to day we can get ourselves into a bit of predicament and when we do it is good to know that there are people ready and able to come to our aid. Such was the case recently for Kim Crawford, of London, when he was working on his dry-docked boat near the Bayfield Harbour. He wanted to share his story with Bayfield Breeze subscribers and at the same time thank the Bayfield Firefighters, local EMS and Clinton Public Hospital staff for their combined efforts in coming to his rescue. The following is written in his own words:

On May 2nd, I had the opportunity to experience the dedication and expertise of the Bayfield Emergency Services team first hand.

I was working in very close quarters on my boat with my upper ribs going around a sharp corner as I was trying to tighten some hose clamps. I needed just a fraction of an inch more to reach the hose clamps, so I tried to shimmy myself just a little bit more.

At that point I felt a tremendous pain in my ribs along with a popping sound and feeling that took my breath away. I started to try and reposition myself, when I heard and felt another pop in my ribs. It truly felt like a rib was separated.

I guess I started to look pale because fellow boaters called emergency services. Within a few minutes an ambulance arrived, and I heard the fire horn sounding. I hoped that the fire horn was just a Saturday test, but no, it was for me...

The EMS staff was truly compassionate and effective, ensuring my safety and comfort. I cannot speak highly enough of these people, they performed their tasks quickly and I felt secure in their hands.

The fire department arrived, I had no idea how many until I saw the photographs taken by Paul Schlemmer of Stratford. The combined team of emergency service people immobilized me on a back board and in a cage, then hoisted me over the edge of the boat and down the ladder to the ground.

Imagine the staff working 12 feet in the air, on a small deck of a boat getting me secured and ready to move. It is no small feat to ensure patient safety as well as their own safety and move a person off of a boat.

The staff at Clinton Public Hospital took me in their care, did some X-Rays and determined nothing was broken, that probably I pinched, rolled or moved a muscle amongst the ribs, making the popping sound and the pain.

I want to take this opportunity to say a very big thank you to the Bayfield Fire Department; I know they are all volunteers and took time out of their Saturday to help me.

Also, a very big thank you to the EMS team and supervisor; they truly are kind hearted and very professional people.

ARTISTS TO PAINT THE TOWN THIS COMING SATURDAY

Artists from all over Ontario will have their brushes at the ready for the first annual Bayfield Plein Air Day sponsored by the JMR Art Gallery to be held on June 26.

Artists will meet at the gallery located in the Shops of Charles Street at 9 a.m. to register and refreshments. Then at day’s end they will return to the gallery for display and more refreshments between 3-4 p.m. The public is also welcome to view day's creativity. 

Included in the day will be time for meditation and walking the Labyrinth at The Spa in Bayfield and an Historical Walking Tour by the Bayfield Historical Society.  

“So if you see an artist on the street, in front of the many historical buildings, in the beautiful parks or on the scenic beach, take a minute to say hello and watch the Ontario artist create,” said Judy Roth, gallery owner.   

On June 26, the artists will be visiting the village for creativity purposes only but works will be available for purchase on July 30 during the JMR Exhibit "Loving Bayfield".

For more information on Bayfield Plein Air Day visit www.jmrgallery.com for more information.

WRITERS TO VISIT VILLAGE FOR UPCOMING FESTIVAL

Five authors, offering five very distinctive writing styles, will be coming to the village for the annual Bayfield Writer’s Festival on June 26.

St. Andrew’s United Church will be the setting for the festival which will begin at 1 p.m.

The featured authors are: Laura Calder, Tish Cohen, Katherine Govier, Lesley Livingston and Denis Shackel.

Calder is a cookbook author. Her titles include French Food at Home and French Taste. She is also a television personality. Her Food Network show, “French Food at Home with Laura Calder” was recently awarded the 2010 James Beard Award for best cooking show filmed in a studio location.

Cohen has authored several books for both preteen and adult readers, including, Little Black Lies and The One and Only Zoe Lama. Her latest novel, The Truth about Delilah Blue, will be released this month.
 
Govier has written eight novels and three short story collections. Her latest novel, Ghost Brush, is already a local best seller.

Livingston is the author of the very popular young adult series Wondrous Strange and most recently Darklight. Her fans are anxiously awaiting the third installment of this trilogy.

Shackel is head of Management Communications at UWO’s Richard Ivey School of Business and a consultant for corporations throughout North America.  In his book, Five Seconds at a Time, he recounts how a tragic mountain-climbing accident left him stranded on Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand. He turned to the leadership principles he has been teaching for years to survive the longest night of his life.

The author’s works will be for sale at the festival and the authors will be available for signings. Refreshments will also be served. Tickets are now available at The Village Bookshop, sponsor of the festival, for $15 per person.

On June 27 another installment in the Books and Brunch Series will be held at The Little Inn of Bayfield starting at 12:30 p.m.

Sarah Elton will be the guest author. She is the author of Locavore, a new book which champions the movement away from global food production and places the emphasis on local foods.  She focuses on Canadian farmers, restaurateurs and regular citizens who are creating viable alternatives to the current global food system. 

Tickets to the Books and Brunch are now available at The Village Bookshop, the event sponsor, for $30.

For information on the Writer’s Festival as well as the Books and Brunch please call the shop at 519 565-5600.

NINE COUNTY PIANISTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT ST. ANDREW'S

Rosemary Crosthwaite, the director of music at St. Andrew's United Church, opened the Concert on the Keys on June 20 at St. Andrew's. The evening featured nine outstanding pianists from Huron County. (Photo by Rev. Charles Love)
 

Over 100 people delighted in an evening of the tinkling of the ivories when St. Andrew’s United Church Choir hosted a “Concert on the Keys” on June 20.

The evening of piano music held at St. Andrew’s United Church featured nine pianists from Huron County playing a variety of different musical selections on St. Andrew’s baby grand piano.

The participating pianists were: Leslie Bella, Rosemary Crosthwaite, Christa Ducharme, Sarah Hahn, Irene Harris, Paul Howe, Lorelei Lingard, Elizabeth Tolchard and Jo-Ann Ras.

Highlights of the evening included Hahn and Ducharme both playing pieces that they had written themselves as well as Lingard, playing a piece that her brother, Tom Robinson, had written.

The audience was also very enthused by Ras’ performance of three ragtime pieces. In addition, she explained the history of each of these ragtime numbers.

 GRAND SLAM DONATION

Members of the Bayfield Marathon Bridge Club gathered at the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) in Goderich to present the AMGH Foundation with a donation of $650 toward the Keeping Abreast Digital Mammography Campaign. Present from the Bridge club were l-r: Marg Laudenbach, Pat Carrier, Terry Allen, Shirley Marr and Kathy Dalton. Accepting the cheque were: Heather Glenister, AMGH Foundation executive director (second from left); and her Administrative Assistant, Betty Tomlinson (far right). (Submitted photo)  

OPTIMIST CLUB

Children and youth are encouraged to take their bicycles for a spin around the Bayfield Arena on June 26 as part of the Bayfield Optimist Club’s Bike Rodeo.

This event is being held in conjunction with the Ontario Provincial Police. All participants must register and take part in a bike and helmet inspection prior to taking to the course. Registration will begin at 10:30 a.m. The rodeo events will start at 11 a.m. with various skill stations set up to practice bike safety for the summer.

All participants will be entered into a draw for a chance to win a reserved spot in an Outdoor Adventure Camp this summer with Outdoor Projects.

Participants will also watch cycling themed videos and receive a free gift.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Paul Carroll, well-known and highly respected area historian and author, will be the guest speaker at the June 28th meeting of the Bayfield Historical Society.

Carroll will be presenting the story of the "Wexford", one of the mystery ships of the Great Lakes that sank during the Great Storm of 1913. 
 
The story of the Wexford, a steam freighter, which sank about 10 miles west of St. Joseph has special significance in Bayfield history. Many of the crew members’ bodies washed ashore just north of Bayfield and some would have been brought to our Archives Building which at that time was Erwin's Funeral Parlour.
 
The meeting will be held in the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building starting at 7:30 p.m.

TOWN HALL

Anyone who has driven past the Bayfield Town Hall of late will have noticed a significant transformation to the entrance and grounds of the property. The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society held a Brick Campaign to raise funds for the work that has been done and now they would like to say thank you to all who contributed to the cause.

They are holding A Strawberry Shortcake Appreciation Tea on June 27 from 1:30-3 p.m. at the hall. It will be the perfect opportunity for brick purchasers to view the splendid results achieved from their donations.

Didn’t purchase a brick but would still like to contribute? Not to worry, bricks may still be purchased by calling 519 565-5788.

VOLUNTEER FAIR

The first ever Bayfield Volunteer Fair is fast approaching. It will be an opportunity for the organizations within the village and area that are volunteer-driven to let everyone know about their group and hopefully generate more excitement about it.

Confirmed participants in the event include, Bayfield Lions’ Club, Bayfield and Area Horticultural Society,  Huron County Heritage and Culture, Bayfield Diners’ Club, Bayfield Optimists and Midwestern Adult Day Services.

The volunteer fair will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bayfield Town Hall on July 10. It is sponsored by the Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bayfield Ratepayers’ Association in conjunction with Vettefest. In addition to gathering valuable information, prizes will be available to be won.

KNOX CHURCH

Camp Kintail is coming to Bayfield this summer.

Knox Presbyterian Church is partnering with Camp Kintail, the area Presbyterian Church camp, to offer a Christian based Day Camp every Wednesday at the church during July and August.

This Day Camp will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will be led by the very capable and well trained young adult staff of Camp Kintail who will provide the program and activities. The camp will be for children who have completed JK up to Grade 6. The children are welcome to attend all eight day camps or just one or two.

The camp will run from July 7 to Aug. 25. They will be completely sponsored by Knox, Bayfield and will include snacks and lunch.

Outside games and nature activities plus Bible stories, songs and crafts will be part of the sessions.

For more information please call the church at 519 565-2913 and leave a message or call Rev. Susan Moore at 519 238-8272.

PIONEER PARK

The annual Pioneer Park Rummage Sale doesn’t happen over night, organizing this large fundraiser which benefits beautiful Pioneer Park takes a lot of time and planning, and that is why organizers are asking people to think of the sale when spring cleaning.

They are looking for unique, nearly new, antique or quality cast offs for the 63rd annual sale to be held on July 9 from 7-9 p.m. in the Bayfield Arena.

Anyone requiring an early drop off of items can contact Terry at 519 565-2972 or Bud at 519 565-5322, otherwise items can be dropped off at the arena on July 8-9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

The following items cannot be accepted: clothing, shoes, magazines, encyclopedias, large appliances, building materials, mattresses, soiled or broken items. Please note that baby furniture, sports equipment and electrical items must be approved by the CSA.

Items are also being sought for the Silent Auction. If you would like to provide an article or service to be bid upon please contact Bud at the number listed above.

General inquiries about the event, including, volunteer information can be directed to Julie at 519 824-0141.

CONCERT SERIES

Summer’s here and so is the Bayfield Summer Concert Series.

On July 22, Six Shooter recording artist, Justin Rutledge, will take to the town hall stage, along with Andy McGuire. Tickets are available for $25 per person per show.

Headliner, Ron Sexsmith has been added to the summer concert schedule. Tickets are sure to sell out for this well- known artist. Tickets are available now for $30 per person. 

Tickets are available at the Black Dog Pub, Ernie King (Goderich) and at www.ticketscene.ca. 

For both of these concerts the doors open at 8 p.m. with the concert to follow at 8:30 p.m.

The Bayfield Summer Concert Series is pleased to support Childhood Cancer Awareness.  "Cure Childhood Cancer" silicone bracelets will be available for purchase at all of the concerts.  Donations are greatly appreciated.

The concerts are being presented by Meades Bros. Productions and The Little Inn of Bayfield. Overnight packages are now available at The Little Inn; to learn more please call 1-800-565-1832.

FITNESS FUN

First there was pole walking and now the latest fitness craze to come to town is Pickleball.

The sport, which has been described as slower paced tennis, is played at the Middleton’s Orchard tennis courts on Mondays and Tuesdays starting at 9 a.m. and on Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m.

According to organizers, everyone who has tried Pickleball seems to really enjoy it and they would like to encourage others to join in the fun.

And, of course, Pole Walking remains a popular part of many fitness regimes. If you are an early bird the Tuesday 8 a.m. sessions of Pole Walking may be perfect for you. There is also a Pole Walking session held on Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. All groups depart from 6 Main Street. The session incorporates an hour of walking with an ending cool down stretch.   

Anyone interested in Pickleball or new to Pole Walking can contact Pat Livingston at 519 565-2202 for more information.
 
Plus, exercise classes will continue through the summer months.

Dancefit and Toning classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. The Sit and Get Fit Classes take place on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. Both classes are held in the Bayfield Community Centre. 

FESTIVAL OF SONG

Gail Grant, of Bayfield, reports, “They came, they captivated, they conquered...they will return!”

 "They" are Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata, of the Aldeburgh Connection, who recently hosted the Bayfield Festival of Song at the Bayfield Town Hall.  The talented duo and their bevy of artists filled the hall with the sound of music during this annual event.

Between the week-end concerts, Ralls and Ubukata and four young artists introduced almost 2000 students to the joy of song as they visited schools in Huron and Perth Counties.
 
Music lovers in Huron County mark your calendars for the 2011 festival set for June 4 -12.

 

BRIDGE CLUB

The Wednesday Evening Bridge Club would like to invite anyone with a penchant for card playing to attend their next meeting, June 23.

The decks will be shuffled starting at 7 p.m. at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.