local businesses offer youth extreme opportunities 

The Bayfield Optimist Club's Skateboard Park was the perfect location to learn some new skills and tricks during the camp. (Submitted photo)

STORY BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

Two Main Street businesses have teamed up to offer youngsters an extreme experience this summer.

Tyler Hessel and Heidi Martin, owners of Outside Projects and Kristyn Watterworth, of Kryart Studio of Bayfield, were elated with the success of their Extreme Outdoor Art and Adventure Day Camps that were held from July 12-16.

Over the course of five days, campers took part in various skateboarding, biking and artistic pursuits. At the beginning of the week, campers designed and painted their own skateboard decks through the guidance and expertise of Watterworth at her studio. Campers incorporated their own ideas, designs, and artistic flair to come up with their own logos for their boards as well as other art projects.

Once the artwork on the boards was completed, Hessel showed the campers how to assemble their own boards starting with the grip tape all the way to putting on their own trucks and wheels.

Then after the boards were assembled it was off to the local Optimist Skate Park to test them out. Campers learned various skills and tricks on their boards depending on their ability and comfort level. Biking was another component to the camp where various skills of trail riding were taught by Outside Projects and Dr. Alexandar Radan, local cycling enthusiast.

The campers also enjoyed an adventurous day at the Lobb Trails in the Holmesville area along with some charcoal sketching by the Maitland River. The week proved to be a success with all campers improving their skills as bikers, boarders, and artists.

Tyler Hessel, owner of Outside Projects on Main Street, showed campers how to assemble their own boards. (Submitted photo)

Sound like fun? Outside Projects and Kryart Studio will be holding another Extreme Outdoor Art and Adventure Camp, Aug. 16-20. For additional information regarding the camp contact Outside Projects at 519 565-4034.

GIANT HOGWEED FOUND IN AUSABLE BAYFIELD WATERSHED

The Giant Hogweed plant has been found in the Ausable Bayfield Watershed. This is a very hazardous and invasive plant that staff members with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) advise people to avoid all contact with.

Giant Hogweed is an invasive plant and very hazardous to people. The ABCA staff are advising people to stay away from it but to contact them regarding its location when sighted. (Submitted photo)

“Community members have phoned us with reports of plants they have seen,” said Angela Van Niekerk, ABCA wetland specialist. “These plants sometimes turn out to be a harmless native plant such as Purple Angelica but there are some Giant Hogweed plants in our watershed. This plant can pose serious harm to humans if touched.”

Giant Hogweed can be a serious health hazard. If there is skin contact with this plant, the toxins in the sap, activated by direct sunlight, will cause severe burns. Contact with the plant can create painful blisters, reddening and swelling of the skin after a day, and inflammation after three days. If the sap comes in contact with the eyes, it may even cause temporary or permanent blindness. The severe dermatitis can affect some people for months. Some people exposed to the plant even stay sensitive for years.

If you see a suspected Giant Hogweed plant, you are advised to report it to the weed inspector at your local municipality and the Invading Species Hotline at 1-800-563-7711. Anyone who sees suspect plants on ABCA property should call 519 235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail avanniekerk@abca.on.ca

People who see the plant should not go near it and should definitely not touch it. Anyone who is able to safely take digital photos (at a distance) of the leaf, stem, and flower, can send the photo to the ABCA.

The mammoth size of the towering Giant Hogweed is the plant’s most distinctive trait. The plant can grow to the size of a full-grown adult and can sometimes reach ten feet in height. For more information visit abca.on.ca or invadingspecies.com or ontarioweeds.com

WORKSHOPS WITH FOOD SPECIALISTS HIGHLIGHT OF WEEK

The 2010 Taste of Huron culinary festival is coming to Ontario’s West Coast Aug. 16-27. The festival will once again highlight the sustainable, locally produced food and culinary excellence found in Huron County.

Throughout the 12-day festival, event participants will join up-and-coming chefs, award-winning cookbook authors and food writers as they savor the best of Huron County’s local harvest! They will enjoy hands-on culinary workshops, special restaurant and gala events, farm tours, and markets.

Complete festival information is available online at www.tasteofhuron.ca. For tickets, please call the Blyth Festival Box Office at 1-877-862-5984.

LOCAL TASTES

There is so much going on over the course of the Taste of Huron culinary event that we can’t possibly fit it all into one issue of the Bayfield Breeze, so each week until the event begins we will share a taste of what is to come. This week we take a closer look at two of the Culinary Workshops offered during the festival.

Food enthusiasts will have an opportunity to learn unique culinary techniques at spots around the county with local chefs and food specialists. The cost is $20 per workshop but purchase tickets by Aug. 6 and a Culinary Workshop Pass for five of the workshops is available for $80.

On Aug. 17, starting at 7 p.m. the workshop Selecting and Preparing a Lake Huron Catch will be held at the Regional Equine and Agricultural Centre of Huron (REACH) at 169 Beech Street in Clinton.

Be a fish out of water no longer! Through both hands-on and cooking demonstrations, Chef Devin Tabor from Bon Vivant Personal Chef Service will show you five great ways to prepare your seasonal Lake Huron catch and pair each with a complimentary side dish. You’ll eat what you make, so please come hungry!

Preserving Guru, Marlene O’Brien, of Bayfield Berry Farm will be the instructor for Old Fashioned Preserving to be held on Aug. 21 starting at 3 p.m.

Learn the step-by-step process of old fashioned preserving at this workshop to be held at the Bayfield Berry Farm, 77721 Orchard Line. She will instruct you on how to make sweet homemade freezer jam from seasonal fruits. On the salty side, you’ll be taught how to make fresh salsa from ripe August tomatoes. The workshop will discuss helpful tips for multi-uses of preserves. And participants can take home the finished products!

The Bayfield area isn’t the only place to celebrate a Taste of Huron, if you would like to learn more about the other workshops being hosted around the county please visit the Taste of Huron website at www.tasteofhuron.ca. 

Did you know that some of these advertisements are actual links to the business’ website? We encourage you to click on the advertisements and see what these entrepreneurs have to offer

GLAD DAYS

Glad Days for Epilepsy will be held in the village on Aug. 5-6.

Gladioli are sold throughout Canada to increase public awareness of epilepsy. The flowers will be sold at two locations in the village, Bayfield Foodland and the LCBO Plaza.

All money raised remains in the community to support those affected by epilepsy and to provide educational programs in the area.

For more information, please contact us at 519 527-0033.

PIONEER PARK

Pioneer Park will be the place to be toward the end of August when two musical groups will be the opening acts for the park’s world famous sunsets.

On Aug. 21st, the London-based a cappella group Six Vocal Ensemble will be performing. The group recently launched their new album “Swept Away” at the Grand Theatre. The group was formed in 2005 and to learn more about them please visit their website, sixvocalensemble.com

Then on Aug. 28th the always popular Goderich-based group, The Pastels will take concert goers on a trip down memory lane with their unique take on the classics.

Both concerts shall begin at 7 p.m.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Have you ever wanted to go back in time and see what Bayfield was like in years gone by? For one hour on Aug. 29th people will have an opportunity to take a walk back in time and meet some of this village’s most interesting pioneers. 

The event will start and end at Clan Gregor Square and the street theatre will start at 2 p.m. More than a dozen costumed characters will be strategically situated on Main Street and will be dramatically portraying those men and women who were so important in making Bayfield the wonderful place it is today.

The actors have their scripts and are now in rehearsals and costumes are being prepared. Producer/Director, Judy Keightley, of Bayfield, is busy organizing all of the details that go into making this production a success.

A limited number of $10 tickets are now on sale and can be obtained by contacting Dave Gillians at 519 565-5884 or at the Bayfield Archives Building on Main Street on Wednesday or Saturday afternoons. All proceeds from this event will be used by the Historical Society to purchase fireproof cabinets to protect Bayfield’s most precious historic documents and images.
 
An old–fashioned Victorian Tea Party will be served in Clan Gregor Square after the production and this will give ticket holders the opportunity to meet the actors and supporting cast who worked so hard to make this fun event a success.

ANGLICAN CHURCH

The Bayfield Antique Show and Sale is now 25 years young!

In 1985, the event was first organized as the Bayfield Antique Fair and Sale. It was, and remains, a fundraiser for Trinity Anglican Church in Bayfield.

In 2010, the show will be held at the Bayfield Arena, Aug. 6-8.

The dealers, two of whom have come for all 25 years, love the show and bring beautiful antiques and collectibles, big and small, to suit every taste and pocketbook. The arena will be filled with an impressive array of quality antiques and collectibles including: Canadiana furniture, books, porcelain, ironstone, silver, estate and costume jewelry and antique toys.

The Gala Evening Opening Celebration is set for Friday from 7-9 p.m.  This silvery sparkling evening includes refreshments from the village’s fine local restaurants and music by Cactus Jam.  Guests can meet the vendors, chat, browse, and buy a unique item for their collection.  Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. 

The show will then run Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During these times the church runs a café offering sandwiches, tea, coffee and delicious homemade sweets – so visitors never have to worry about going hungry while shopping. A sandwich, sweet and drink combo can be ordered for just $5. 

This year, the café organizers are honoring four women who were instrumental in establishing the tea room a quarter century ago as they provided their recipes for the sandwiches - recipes still being used today.

This year visitors to the café can order: Doris Hunter’s deviled ham, Ruby Fitzsimmon’s cucumber and cream cheese, Elva Rea’s salmon salad and Helen Lebeau’s egg salad.

Admission for Saturday and Sunday is $5 per person.

All are invited to come and add some sparkle to the show’s silver anniversary. For more information contact Janet Snider at 519 565-5549.

KNOX CHURCH

Both local children and summer visitors can look forward to the Camp Kintail Day Camps held on Wednesdays until Aug. 25.

Knox Presbyterian Church has partnered with Camp Kintail, the area Presbyterian Church camp, to offer a Christian based Day Camp every Wednesday at the church this summer.

This Day Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is led by the very capable and well trained young adult staff of Camp Kintail who provide the program and activities. The camp is for children who have completed JK up to Grade 6. Youngsters can come for one or two sessions or all remaining sessions.

It is 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.

FITNESS FUN

According to Pat Lewington, of Bayfield, people in the area have expressed an interest in learning how to play Bridge and she recently discovered that lessons are available in Goderich.

Anyone with an interest should contact Tom at 519 524-6374. Lessons in Bridge and Duplicate Bridge will be offered at the Goderich Legion starting on Aug. 23 at 1 p.m.

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

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 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. 

ARCHIVES ROOM

The Bayfield Historic Walking Tour booklets are now available to guide both residents and visitors about our fair village.

The booklet, is based on notes of a Guided Walking Tour composed by Elaine Sturgeon, volunteer archivist from 2001-08. These notes were revised and expanded by Dianne Smith and produced by the Bayfield Historical Society, Ralph Laviolette current volunteer archivist and Dave Gillians, historical society president. Its production was funded by memberships, donations and a grant from the Huron Heritage Fund.

The Historic Walking Tour booklets are now available for $5 each at the Bayfield Archives Room on Main Street or by calling 519 565-2454. The booklet is in a 5.5 X 8 inch format and includes a map at its centre. The booklet was created to compliment the Bayfield Historical Society guided walking tours that depart from the Bayfield Archives Room every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in August.   

BRIDGE CLUB

Looking for an evening of cards? Look no further than the Wednesday Evening Bridge Club. They will meet at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building on Aug. 4 and welcome new members at any time. They will be shuffling the decks starting at 7 p.m.

TERRY FOX RUN

Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope on Apr. 12, 1980.

Thirty years have passed and to mark this anniversary the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association will host their second annual Terry Fox Run in Bayfield on Sept. 19th. 

Olivia "Dolly" Lane is modelling one of the special 30th anniversary t-shirts commemorating the start of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope in 1980. These t-shirts are available through the Terry Fox Foundation. More information regarding local orders is available by contacting Heidi Martin. (Submitted photo)

To date over $500 million has been raised for cancer research in Canada and around the world. Last year, Bayfield contributed to Terry's dream of raising funds for finding a cure for cancer, a little over $2,400 was collected during the village’s first ever run.
  
Pledge sheets and posters promoting this year’s run will be out and around the town shortly.

Special 30th anniversary t-shirts are also for sale through the Terry Fox Foundation. If you are interested in ordering a t-shirt email Heidi Martin at outsideprojects@tcc.on.ca.  All proceeds from the sale of the T-Shirts go directly to the Terry Fox Foundation. Adult t-shirts in sizes small to extra large are $17; child t-shirts (32 in.) are $15.