community support integral part of wreath fundraiser

This photo was taken the very first year that the members of the Bayfield Agricultural Society gathered to make wreaths for a fundraiser. The women had no idea how many hundreds of wreaths would be made in subsequent years making it one of the most successful ventures to raise funds for the Bayfield Fall Fair. Orders for Christmas 2010 are now being accepted. (Submitted photo)

STORY BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

The Bayfield Agricultural Society is gearing up for its annual fundraiser, the making and selling of wreaths for the Christmas season. And there are a variety of ways that people can help make this fundraiser a success, from ordering wreaths to donating greens.

The wreaths and tails (swags) are hand made of donated greens from the area and are perfect to decorate for Christmas and all winter long. To place an order for home or business please contact Emma VanderWouden at 519 482-3020 or evanderwouden@tcc.on.ca.

Anyone who has greens, cedar, pine or juniper that you could donate should also call the number above. The gentlemen members of the agricultural society generally collect greenery and help is always welcome with that chore too.

People are also invited to come to TE-EM Farm and help make the wreaths, just let VanderWouden know you’d like to help. Those who volunteer should bring their own clippers and dress in layers with comfortable shoes for standing. They should also remember that the lunches are potluck and that crock pots work well. To take part in the lunch please also bring your own silverware and dishes.
TE-EM Farm will supply coffee and tea.

“We always have a good time, lots of food in the form or pot-luck lunches and it has been known to be warm enough in the greenhouses to wear shorts!” she said.

On Nov. 3 and 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., volunteers are needed to clip, bundle and make the wreaths for the orders for Main Street. Another work party will be held on Nov. 9-11 (same times) to make more wreaths to sell during the Christmas in Bayfield weekend.

Help is needed right now to make bows for the wreaths, VanderWouden has the ribbon available again just give her a call. Also Doreen McKenzie is busy making grapevine wreaths and could use some assistance, she can be reached at 519 482-3336 if you can help her.

Once the wreaths are made it is time to sell them and the society needs some volunteers to do so on Nov. 12 and 13 in front of St. Andrew’s United Church.

Bluewater's Doors Open focuses on historic town halls

The Huron County version of the popular Doors Open is returning on the weekend of Oct. 22-24 after a two-year break and will be combined with the Haunted Huron program. The event will feature 22 heritage and unique sites across the county open free of charge to members of the public on the Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Along with the number and variety of sites open, the event also features over a dozen other programs and activities taking place over the course of the weekend.

Doors Open events allow the public access to sites in their community that they may not normally have. This year’s Huron County Doors Open event has a focus on the Canada Company and the opening of the Huron Tract. Visitors can take in a number of significant sites connected to this part of the county’s heritage. Special programming for the weekend includes heritage walks, author readings, a photography exhibit and a heritage marketplace.

When buildings across Huron County open their doors for sneak peaks into places the public are rarely allowed to go, the Municipality of Bluewater will join them by opening their town halls - all of which have not been used for their original purpose for over 10 years. Local residents who haven’t been inside for awhile are invited to go for a tour, enjoy some music, view historic photos of the area and see what hides behind the doors and up the stairs of these former hubs of the community. The latest additions to the Doors Open Haunted Huron list of sites are the Hensall Town Hall and the Hay Township Hall in Zurich. The Bayfield Town Hall is also on the list having been featured in the Doors Open Ontario Guide.

These historic community spaces include two beautiful brick buildings and one lovingly restored frame edifice that were constructed to house political debates, town hall meetings and local cultural events. All three town halls have stages that have seen local and international entertainers fill the rooms with music and drama. Local, provincial and federal politicians have spoken from their stages on matters concerning the communities since the late 1800s and early 1900s.

At one time or another all three of these buildings have been closed. Hay Township Hall in Zurich, built in 1890, and Hensall Town Hall, built in 1914, now have committed community groups who are working to have them restored in looks and use. The Bayfield Town Hall, built in 1881, has been beautifully restored and is host to many wonderful events like book readings by Canadian writers and musical concerts of all genres.

Over the weekend all three sites will have guided tours. A couple of the town halls will have entertainment provided by community members throughout the weekend. Oh, don’t forget to ask to see the former jail cells.

In Bayfield, in addition to the town hall tours, the focus of the Doors Open weekend will be getting outdoors to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) is also offering a family friendly, guided hike along the Sawmill Trail at 1 p.m. on Oct. 23. In addition, a Heritage Walking Tour of the village will begin at 2 p.m.

Full Doors Open and Haunted Huron event details can be viewed online at www.hauntedhuron.com or www.ontarioswestcoast.ca. Ontario Heritage Trust administers the Doors Open program; across the province in 2010 over 60 Doors Open events have been held.

Author of The Bandido Massacre to give reading

On Apr. 8, 2006, residents of the hamlet of Shedden, ON, woke up to the news that the bloodied bodies of eight bikers from the Bandidos gang had been found dead on a local farm. The massacre made headlines around the world, and the shocking news brought a grim light to an otherwise quiet corner of the province. Six Bandidos would eventually be convicted of the first-degree murder of their biker brothers.

Peter Edwards is the author of The Bandido Massacre and the public is invited to join him for a reading and discussion of this incredible story at The Little Inn at 3 p.m. on Oct. 23. The author is welcomed to town by The Village Bookshop.

Edwards has written for The Toronto Star for 23 years, specializing in organized crime and justice issues. He is the author of ten non-fiction books, including the highly praised “One Dead Indian: The Premier, the Police and the Ipperwash Crisis”.

He has been nominated four times for the Arthur Ellis Award for Canada's top non-fiction book, and has also been awarded an eagle feather from the Union of Ontario Indians and a gold medal from the Centre for Human Rights

Admission is free and there will be refreshments available for purchase. For more information, contact Mary Brown at The Village Bookshop 519-565-5600.

New opportunites on the horizon for seniors

Seniors living in Huron-Bruce can anticipate fresh opportunities to participate in and contribute to their communities due to the federally funded New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) allocating money toward two innovative projects.

On Oct. 13, Ben Lobb, member of parliament for Huron-Bruce, made the announcement on behalf of the Honorable Diane Finley, minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honorable Diane Ablonczy, minister of State for Seniors.

“The Government of Canada is committed to improving the lives of seniors and is proud to support local organizations with the same goal,” said MP Lobb. “These projects will encourage seniors to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience for the benefit of the entire community.”

“Today’s seniors know the importance of being active and staying involved in their communities,” said Minister Finley. “The NHSP is just one example of how we are helping seniors make a positive difference in their own lives and in those of the people around them.”

In Huron County, the Heritage and Culture Partnership will receive $25,000 in funding for their Crafting Connection project that will allow seniors to share their knowledge of traditional arts and crafts with other seniors and youth, establishing an intergenerational connection and reducing the risk of social isolation amongst seniors.

"Heritage and Culture Partnership is very grateful for the funding from NHSP for our “Crafting Connections” program. The funding will allow us to create an open studio in Goderich for people of all age groups to come and learn new skills in a number of traditional crafts including, knitting, crochet and stained glass from experienced local artisans and artists,” said Rick Sickinger, coordinator of the Heritage and Culture Partnership.

The Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre in Saugeen Shores also received $25,000 in funding for its project entitled, “The Grandparents’ Connection”.

Through Budget 2010, the government invested an additional $5 million per year in the NHSP, bringing this year’s funding to $40 million. This additional funding will support projects that encourage seniors to volunteer and mentor other generations, as well as initiatives that aim to increase awareness of financial abuse.

The NHSP helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. Since its beginning, the NHSP has funded over 7,000 projects in hundreds of communities across Canada. Last year alone, more than 100,000 seniors in over 500 communities throughout the country were involved in projects funded by the NHSP.

VETTEFEST DOLLARS

Brian Coombs, of Remax, representing the 2010 Bayfield Vettefest, presented The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society President, Margo Robeson with a cheque for $800 recently. The money will be used as continued support for the refurbishment of the exterior entrance to the hall. In addition, the Vettefest was also giving the Bayfield and Area Horticultural Society (BAHS) a cheque in the amount of $350. According to Coombs, the BAHS does so much to maintain the beauty of the park where the Vettefest is held that they deserve to benefit from the event's profits as well. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

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: 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.

Historical society

The merchants of Bayfield first realized that tourism and the cottagers were a key element of the local economy in the 1890s. But the village was a difficult place to visit; before the automobile, the journey was at best an adventure but the allure of the lake and community were irresistible.

On Oct. 25, Phil Gemeinhardt will show some of the trinkets that visitors collected so that when they returned home they could capture some of the scenes and memories of Bayfield. This installment of the society’s speakers’ series will be held at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building starting at 7:30 p.m.

Archives

The iconic Bayfield Archives Building in front of the Library on Main Street is starting to look loved again due to the efforts of the Bayfield Historical Society (BHS) as well as concerned citizens.

In early Sept., the BHS received permission from the Municipality of Bluewater to undertake the required upgrades to the building that is owned by the municipality. The society has held work parties over the past few weeks to scrape, seal, prime and paint the building. This week volunteers are invited to come and put on the final coats of paint, provided that it doesn’t rain, everyday this week between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. It is hoped that the job can be finished this week before temperatures drop too low for painting.

“This was a bigger job than any of us anticipated. So far volunteers have worked over 130 hours on this project. But the job is being done properly!” said Dave Gillians, president of the Bayfield Historical Society. “The building shouldn't have to be painted again for several years and eaves troughs, roofing drop strips and roof mold have all been addressed.”

The society is very grateful to all who have helped with the project. The work is being completed through the generosity of experts as well as with this year’s BHS program money.

Flu Clinic

It is the time of year to start thinking about staying healthy during the winter months and with that in mind the Bluewater Area Family Health Team will hold a Community Flu Clinic on Nov. 3rd at Trinity Anglican Church Parish Hall from 4-6 p.m. Those who take part should wear short sleeves and bring their health card.

Optimist Club

Homes for the Holiday, a tour of homes decorated in anticipation of the festive season, to be held on
Nov. 6-7, is sure to be a pleasant lead in to the village celebrations one weekend later.

The doors of five beautiful Bayfield homes will be opened to the public on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Area florists, designers, merchants and those with a penchant for holiday décor will enhance the houses; providing visitors with ideas they can incorporate in their own homes.

The featured homes range from a Grande Dame constructed in 1868 to a modern lakeside beauty that recently won a prestigious award for its design.

Tickets are on sale for $15 each and will include a light lunch served at the Bayfield Village Inn.

Tickets are available now by calling the Bayfield Village Inn, 519 565-2443. Elsewhere in the village, they are available at Brandon Hardware and the Nip N’ Tuck. Tickets can also be found in Clinton at Curves, in Grand Bend at The Garden Gate and in Goderich at Ernie King Music.

The Optimist Club of Bayfield is organizing this event and proceeds will go toward local youth related projects.

Books and Brunch

The Village Bookshop is providing area residents with ample reading material this fall with authors coming to town to share their work.

People are invited to break bread with Judy Fong Bates, author of The Year of Finding Memory, at The Black Dog Pub and Bistro on the evening of Nov. 20. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. and tickets are $35 per person, including dinner.

The Books and Brunch series will return on Dec. 5 with Alison Pick, author of Far to Go as the guest speaker. The event will be held at The Little Inn of Bayfield starting at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person.

Tickets for these two readings are available now from The Village Bookshop.

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 and organizers are pleased to report that the sessions are proving to be quite popular with attendance ranging from 25 to 40 people each week. These educational sessions are offered for free on Mondays until Nov. 22.

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. The municipal election scheduled for Oct. 25 will not effect the location of the next session so individuals should still plan to go to the community centre. There is no need to register to attend.

The session topics are as follows: 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 fourth session, Nutrition and You Bones, to be held on Oct. 25 will feature Nadine VandenHeuvel from Town and Country Support Services. She will share ways that seniors’ can change their diet to ensure healthy bones.

Film Society

The Bayfield Film Society has moved their Fall Series to Wednesday nights. The next cinematic experience will be held on Nov. 10. The title of the film to be presented is The Secret in Their Eyes.

The films are shown at the Bayfield Town Hall. The final film in the Fall Series will be 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 .

Chap

Village residents may be surprised to learn that they don't have to drive to a larger centre for heart healthy care.

Blood pressure measurement and monitoring sessions are being held right here in Bayfield as part of the Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program (CHAP).

The goal of CHAP is to promote cardiovascular health in the local community and to raise awareness about the importance of blood pressure monitoring.

Trained volunteers will help participants measure their blood pressure and complete a heart and stroke risk profile. A copy of these results will be given to the participant and, with their permission, sent to their family physician and regular pharmacist.

The sessions are run from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the third Thursday of every month, at Pharmasave Michael's Pharmacy.

To learn more please call local CHAP Coordinator, Kelly Webster, at
519-236-4373 ex 632

FITNESS FUN

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

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

Muriel Williams and Pat Wolff were the high scorers when the Wednesday Evening Bridge Club at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building on Oct. 13.

The next round of cards is scheduled for Oct. 27. The decks will be shuffled starting at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.