county trees become canvas of creativity this weekend

Members of Bayfield Guiding were invited to participate in Communitrees and have decorated three trees in Clan Gregor Square near the playground. The girls decided on a kite theme for this tree.

STORY AND PHOTO BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

This coming weekend, Sept. 24-26, people may notice something unusual about some of the trees in the village’s heritage district. In conjunction with a national celebration known as Culture days, trees will be transformed into works of art by local groups, individuals, and businesses. And residents can get involved in the project too by voting for their favorite works of art on-line.

In Huron County a group of cultural organizations challenged residents to celebrate Culture Days by taking part in a countywide community arts project called Communitrees. About 50 trees across the county will be decorated, embellished and transformed in a number of creative ways turning the region into a large outdoor gallery for the weekend. Communitrees will be on display not only in Bayfield but Blyth, Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Holmesville, Kirkton, Seaforth and Wingham as well.

People are invited to take time on this special Culture Days weekend to go out and explore the many wonderful Communitrees on display across the county. Maps of the tree locations can be found on the website www.communitrees.ca or in the Heritage and Culture Partnership newsletter, copies are available at all Huron County Library branches.

Over the course of the weekend people are encouraged to vote for their favorite trees. A prize will be awarded for the favorite tree as voted by the public. The favorite trees in each region will also receive special acknowledgement. People can vote up until Sept. 27 at Midnight through the website or in person at any Huron County Library branch. People can also post their photographs of the trees to both the on-line photo gallery and the National Culture Days gallery through www.communitrees.ca.

Organizers for the Communitrees project are Heritage and Culture Partnership, Huron County Library, Blyth Festival and The Bayfield Town Hall.

Culture Days is a new, imaginative and ambitious national undertaking, designed to inspire Canadians across the country to celebrate arts and culture in their communities.

Native American Culture Celebrated Through Film

Bayfield will again be one of the locations for events scheduled for the Celebration of First Nations in Huron County on the weekend of Oct. 2-3.

Blyth and Goderich will also have events scheduled during the third annual event organized by the Heritage and Culture Partnership.

On Sept. 16, Ben Lobb, MP for Huron-Bruce, announced that the Heritage and Culture Partnership will receive funding for the celebration from the Government of Canada through the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage.

“Our Government is proud to support the Heritage and Culture Partnership,” said Lobb. “The activities are one of the ways in which communities come together by celebrating events to which we can all relate and that touch our lives. Our Government is helping to build stronger communities across Canada. These events also provide a boost to our local businesses and help support our local artists and artisans.”

The Heritage and Culture Partnership will receive funding of $5,100 for the event.

“We are very pleased to receive this funding. Celebration of First Nations has become such a popular annual community event and this funding allows us to continue delivering programming that brings the best Canadian Aboriginal artists to Huron County” says Rick Sickinger, coordinator of Heritage and Culture Partnership.

In Bayfield, a screening of the National Film Board of Canada’s acclaimed film “Reel Injun” will be shown at the Bayfield Town Hall on Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. Neil Diamond, the film’s director will introduce the film and will also answer questions following its presentation.

Hollywood has made over 4,000 films about Native people; over 100 years of movies defining how Indians are seen by the world. Reel Injun takes an entertaining and insightful look at the Hollywood Indian, exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through the history of cinema.

Tickets are available through the Blyth Festival box office, 519 523-9300. The cost is adults, $10; and students, $7.

The Government of Canada created the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program in September 2007. This program provides Canadians with more opportunities to take part in local activities that present arts and culture and celebrate local history and heritage. This program will benefit many community events and celebrations throughout Canada this year.

For more information on the events scheduled for Blyth and Goderich please visit The Celebration of First Nations event page on Facebook.

Golfers Recognized at Tourney held in Support of  Lions' Club

The 24th annual Albion Hotel and Bayfield Lions’ Club Golf Tournament generated $4,000 to go toward community projects sponsored by the Lions.

Taking top tournament honors were: Mike Parkinson and Joe Muszynski first place; and Dawn and Terry Hillier, second place.

A number of golfers were presented with special prizes for their efforts including: Steve Telford and Barb Sturgeon, longest drives, afghans donated by the Bluewater Golf Course; Kim Muszynski, closest to the hole on three, set of irons donated by Brian Dupuis of London Life; Brad Bagot, closest to the hole on five, cooler and umbrella donated by Coor’s; Lee Kirkwood, closest to the line, bicycle donated by Cris and Corina Wakely of Tim Horton’s in Clinton.

The tournament organizers would like to thank everyone who donated prizes for the golfers as they helped to make the event a success.

Following the golf, participants were treated to a pig roast at The Albion Hotel. After the meal the draws were made on a raffle that was held jointly between the Bayfield Lions’ Club and the Optimist Club of Bayfield. Close to $3,700 was collected from this fundraiser and will be used for community and youth related projects.

The winner of the framed Jean Beliveau hockey jersey and signed copy of “My Life in History” written by the well-known hockey player was Ron Clarke of Stratford. Ian Matthew donated this generous prize. Herb Beatty of Bayfield took second prize, a night for two at The Albion Hotel.

Volunteers to give Archives Building Much Needed TLC

The iconic Bayfield Archives Building in front of the Library on Main Street is in desperate need of some TLC.

A new paint job and some repairs are in the plans and the project will begin on Sept. 23, starting at 9 a.m., when volunteers from the Bayfield Historical Society gather to scrape the old paint from the building walls. Any other residents of the village, who feel strongly about wanting to help preserve this century plus municipally owned building, are invited to join the work party.

Dave Gillians, president of the Bayfield Historical Society said, "We want to do a good job since this heritage building is so prominent on Main Street. This project is not only a matter of protecting a 120 year-old building; it's also a matter of community pride. This is why the historical society has decided to redirect this year's program money to this project."

All volunteers are welcome and encouraged to bring their own paint scraper but some scrapers will also be available.

“This shouldn't be difficult work or take a lot of time but it will get the building ready so that it can be primed and painted before the weather turns cold,” said Gillians.

Dog Lovers Rally Around  Canines in tROUBLE

Dogs are the talk of the village this week with two articles being submitted to The Bayfield Breeze. The first piece has a happy ending and with a little help from our subscribers hopefully so will the second one.

Liz Adair, who is currently visiting from Winnipeg, sent a note of thanks to those in the village who helped rescue her dog, Fergie, as the young Lab recently bit off more than she could chew.

“On Saturday (Sept. 11) several people on the wharf, and another in a boat, helped to rescue our year-old yellow Lab, Fergie, when she decided to take a plunge from the wharf into the channel. Once in the water she realized there was no way out and was thrashing about and trying to climb out at the side. It was only after a young man climbed down the little ladder to water level, caught the frantic dog and then together with another man, who paddled his boat over, managed to get her out of the water, into the boat and over to the docks.

“Without their quick, and very wet and cold, actions I'm afraid of what the outcome would have been.

“Others on the wharf, including a woman who had also tried to get to the dog, helped as well and my thanks goes out to each and every one of them. I don't know any of their names but just know that I will always be in debt to them for saving our dog.”

Adair went on to say that Fergie is now 100 per cent but her future actions will be strongly 'monitored'. She sends her heartfelt thanks to the people of Bayfield on behalf of herself and Fergie.

A local family is looking to Bayfield Breeze subscribers for assistance in bringing their family pet home.

Tucker, a Shepherd-Collie cross, is a well-loved member of the Jeff Brandon family. He went missing on Sept. 8 and the family is hoping that Bayfield Breeze subscribers will be able to help bring him back home. (Photo Submitted)

Tucker, a Shepherd – Collie cross, ran away from the home of Jeff and Karen Brandon on the evening of Sept. 8 during a rainstorm. The Brandons, who live at 74528 Bronson Line, are hoping subscribers can help find him. They have put up posters around town and contacted local vet clinics and kennels. A dog fitting his description was spotted on Mill Road near the Bayfield Kennels.

Tucker is seven years old and when he went missing he was wearing a black nylon color with a green ID tag. The family is offering a reward for his return. If anyone sees Tucker please contact the Brandons at 519 565-2878

Writers with Passion for Prose may find Course of Interest

If you have a passion for prose an upcoming writing course may be just the inspiration you need to further develop your skills.

Bayfield area author, Sandi Plewis will teach a six-week, level one writing course starting on Oct. 18.

The location for the course is The Village Bookshop in Bayfield. Few venues are more suited to encouraging inspiring writers, as they sit in a room surrounded by brand new books of all genres. The course will be held Monday evenings from 6:30-9 p.m. A variety of writing techniques will be explored with an emphasis on common writing mistakes. Marketing tips will also be discussed. Weekly critiquing by the instructor will be offered with a focus on creating a short story or the opening for a novel.

Plewis writes novels, short stories and poetry. This summer she won second place in the Canadian Authors' Ten Stories High short story contest. Three times she has been awarded for her work in the Alice Munro Short Story Contest, placing first on one occasion and taking the third place title twice.

Her stories, poetry and non-fiction articles have been published in numerous magazines and periodicals. She regularly reviews plays for The Blyth Festival Theatre as well as the Kincardine Summer Playhouse. In Dec. 2006, she was one of six poets who launched a collection of poetry, The Price of Eggs. This book has been quite successful and is currently in its fifth printing.

Plewis has taught creative writing courses and run workshops for a number of libraries and schools. She graduated from a two semester writing program with the Humber School for Writers and has also completed a writing course at Mohawk College in Hamilton. She is a member of three writing groups and ran a province-wide short story contest for four years. She edits and does layout work for anthologies and instructional booklets on an ongoing basis.

To register for the level one course please contact Mary Brown at The Village Bookshop at 519 565-5600. The cost for the course is $175 per student.
 

UNITED CHURCH

Community members are invited to a fundraiser at St. Andrew’s United Church following the 11 a.m. service on Sept. 26. The Great Spaghetti Cook Off luncheon is sure to warm participants hearts as their free will offerings will go toward warming the church, whose congregation is currently raising funds for a new furnace.

Three or four of the congregation’s elite male chefs will present their finest sauces for judgment and votes. And then those who attend are invited to enjoy their favorite sauce served with noodles and salad.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Dr. Charles Wallace, a family doctor with an office in the village, will be the featured presenter in the Bayfield Historical Society’s next “Speakers Series” on Sept. 27.

Dr. Wallace will be talking about some of his life experiences as he made his way from India to Bayfield.

The meeting will be held at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building at 7:30 p.m.

ALL CANDIDATES MEETING

Want to make an informed choice when it comes time to vote in the upcoming municipal election?

The Zurich and District Chamber of Commerce is hosting an All Candidates Meeting at the Zurich Complex on Sept. 29 from 7-9 p.m. This should be the perfect forum in which to get acquainted with the candidates and their agendas. All citizens are encouraged to attend.

MEET AND GREET

The municipal election, set for Oct. 25, has gotten more exciting for village voters as two very capable individuals have decided to run for councilor for the Ward of Bayfield. Both Janet Snider and Geordie Palmer have let their name stand for the position.

Further to that, Snider will be hosting a Meet and Greet at the Bayfield Town Hall on Sept. 26 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and she would like to invite voters to attend.

GOSPEL CONCERT

There should be no crying in the chapel when Las Vegas World Champion Elvis Presley Impersonator, Roy LeBlanc, arrives at Brucefield United Church to perform an evening of the King’s gospel classics on Oct. 3.

Leblanc will also share the stage with some local talent to round out the evening, which is set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available for $15, per adult; and $6 for children 12 years and under. Please call Debbie Rathwell, 519 233-9153; or Willi Laurie, 519 482-9265.

OPEN HOUSE

Check out what’s new at the Tuckersmith Communication’s Cooperative (TCC) on Sept. 24 when they host a Customer Open House from 1-4 p.m.

TCC customers are encourage to come out to the business office in Kippen, ON, where they can take a tour of the newly renovated office space, pick up a copy of the TCC history book, as well as enjoy cookies and beverages with the office staff.

BAFHT

The Bluewater Area Family Health Team (BAFHT) continues to grow to meet the needs of the residents of the municipality.

The BAFHT are also pleased to announce Dr. Charles Wallace and Margaret Visscher will be joining the BAFHT as of Nov. 1. Dr. Wallace’s office will be a satellite site for the BAFHT in Bayfield. Dr. Wallace and Visscher will continue to see patients in their office but the patients will benefit from the programs and services, which the BAFHT offer.

Dr. Wallace’s patients will be invited to attend educational sessions and participate in programs and services, which will be hosted by the BAFHT.

Roster clinics for new patients to join Dr. Wallace’s practice will be held at Trinity Anglican Church in Bayfield on Sept. 25 from 9-11 a.m. and Sept. 29 from 2-4 p.m.

PENNY SALE

Several Bayfield merchants contribute fabulous gifts and services to be won at the Clinton Public Hospital Auxiliary Penny Sale (CPHA) and they have being doing so about 56 years!

The CPHA will hold their annual fundraiser from Sept. 16 to 25 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Clinton.

The sale is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and other days 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Draw day, Sept. 25, it will be open from 9 a.m. to noon with the draws beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Last year’s Penny sale raised just over $7,600 and some of the items purchased for the hospital with those funds included two reclining chairs with IV poles; chairs for a waiting room plus furnishings for the Locum Suite at the medical centre.

HEALTH SERIES

“Here’s to Health!” is an opportunity for area seniors to learn how to maximize their health with self-management tips on how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. The education sessions will be offered for free over the course of eight Mondays starting on Sept. 27.

The sessions will be held at the Bayfield Community Centre starting at 10:15 a.m. and, with one exception on Nov. 1, will be an hour in length. Also please note that due to the municipal election scheduled for Oct. 25, that morning’s session’s location will be announced shortly. There is no need to register to attend.

The session topics are as follows: Accessing Health Services, Sept. 27; Learning About Your Bones, Oct. 4; Chiropractic and Optometry Services, Oct. 18; Nutrition and Your Bones, Oct. 25; Healthy Ways to Prevent a Stroke, Nov.1; Exercise for Healthy Bones, Nov. 8; Pharmacy Services, Nov. 15 and Healthy Lifestyles to Protect Your Bones, Nov. 22.

The first session, Accessing Health Services, to be held on Sept. 27 will be jammed packed with information on what services are available in the community and how seniors can access them. The guest speakers scheduled to appear are: Celina Hicks, Healthline; Johanna Steegstra, Community Care Access Centre (CCAC); Shelley McPhee-Haist and Sharon Westberg, Town and Country Support Services.

FILM SOCIETY

The Bayfield Film Society has moved their Fall Series to Wednesday nights. The next cinematic experience will be held on Oct. 13. The title of the film to be presented is Mao’s Last Dancer.

The films are shown at the Bayfield Town Hall. Other titles in the series are: The Secret in Their Eyes, Nov. 10; and Me & Orsen Wells, Dec. 8.

This is an opportunity to see Toronto Film Festival Films without having to leave the village. All films will begin at 7:30 p.m.

For more information and for tickets call Jane Rowat at 519 565-5838 or e-mail wjrowat@tcc.on.ca .

BAYFIELD CONCERT SERIES

The fall line up of top tier entertainment has been established for the autumn months in the ongoing Bayfield Concert Series. The concerts feature big town Canadian singers going small town and highlights opening acts of local Huron County talent.

The concert schedule is as follows: Sept. 25, Jason Collett; Oct. 30, Oh Susanna; Nov. 13, Danny Michel; and Dec. 10, Good Lovelies.

Ticket prices range from $25 to $35. Tickets are available at the Black Dog Pub and Bistro, Ernie King (Goderich) and at www.ticketscene.ca

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

Opportunities to stay fit, and have fun while doing it, abound for fall 2010.

Looking for a new way to exercise your mind? Mah Jongg games and lessons will start on Sept. 23 at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building. The games will get underway at 2 p.m.

For those searching for something more physical, Pole Walking is a popular part of many fitness regimes. There is currently a Pole Walking session on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Thursdays at 1 p.m. The group departs from 6 Main Street. The session incorporates an hour of walking with an ending cool down stretch. And pole walking is not just a women’s exercise; new sessions are being introduced for men on Mondays and Fridays starting at 8:30 a.m.

Anyone new to Pole Walking can contact Pat Lewington at 519 565-2202 for more information.

Dancefit and Toning classes continue on 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. A new class entitled, Let’s Stretch, and hosted by April, from Bayfield Chiropractic will be held on Fridays at 10 a.m. All of these classes are held at the Bayfield Community Centre.

Badminton will resume at Huron Centennial School in Brucefield starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. And Pickleball will continue at Middleton’s Orchards on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m.

BRIDGE CLUB

Lillian Martin and Harry Wolff were the high scorers when the Wednesday Evening Bridge Club met for an evening of cards on Sept. 15 at the Bayfield Lions' Community Building.

The club will meet next on Sept. 29 and the decks will be shuffled starting at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.