bluewater earns four blooms

The Municipality of Bluewater received a Four Blooms rating from Communities in Bloom (CIB) Ontario on Oct. 20 at a ceremony held in Toronto. The award, and a Special Mention Award for the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association, were accepted by Jim Fergusson, left, Carol Steckle, centre, and Kay Wise, right, all members of the local planning committee, from CIB Judges Kristen McIntyre and Marie Huxter. (Submitted photo)

For the second consecutive year it is Four Blooms for Bluewater!

The municipality earned this recognition for environmental stewardship and community involvement from Communities in Bloom Ontario on Oct. 20 at a ceremony held in Toronto. The highest rating is Five Blooms.

The provincial organization also awarded Four Blooms to Bluewater in 2010 the first year the municipality had entered the competition.

“I’m delighted with Four Blooms,” said Kay Wise, of Hensall, planning committee chair. “When you raise the bar, it’s tough to stay there.”

High-profile municipal environmental programs such as the international Blue Flag designation of the Bayfield Marina for two consecutive years and large volunteer projects like the building of five trails in the Bayfield and Stanley areas contributed to the high blooms rating.

A Special Mention Award was also bestowed on the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) for building 14 KMs of trails in four years.

“The partnership has benefitted Bluewater well, the volunteers are as effective as hired staff,” noted the Blooms judges. “We were impressed to learn that an adjoining landowner to the Sawmill Trail provided the materials and built a viewing deck on this property for hikers. The neighbor also maintains the upper half of the trail.”

“To get a Communities in Blooms award, when they recognize an achievement, that’s a significant award, and it says a lot for the contribution of that organization to the community,” added Planning Committee Co-chair Jim Fergusson, of Bayfield.

Communities in Bloom hold competitions at the provincial, national and international levels. The Municipality of Bluewater participated at the provincial level with municipalities of a similar size including South Huron.

From taxpayer information bulletins, road maintenance and recycling programs to by-law enforcement, every member of municipal staff has teamed up with community volunteers to make strides in the municipality’s environmental stewardship program.

“Municipal staff ought to be proud,” said Chief Administrative Officer Lori Wolfe.

“The hard work of volunteers and staff have once again lead to Bluewater achieving a Four Bloom rating, and all individuals involved in this great achievement are deserving of a heart-felt and sincere thank you,” added Utilities Manager Brent Kittmer.

Fergusson said Bluewater is fortunate to have so many urban and rural assets to highlight for the competition, adding it’s up to its citizens to take advantage of these opportunities. Communities in Blooms judges noted the contributions of BRVTA members David Gillians and Roger Lewington, both of Bayfield; municipal council as well as committee members Wise, Fergusson and Heather Redick, of Zurich, who together produced a 30-page profile book on Bluewater’s assets, environmental programs and volunteer efforts for the competition. Municipal council supports these programs with its decisions and continuing interest.

“Volunteer spirit is high,” commented the Blooms judges, referring to volunteers on the planning committee and in the general community, many of which were mentioned in the 2011 profile book. The judges were also impressed with actors and volunteers involved in a summer outdoor performance, Narcisse. One of the two judges assigned to Bluewater remarked to Wise during the award ceremony, it was a toss up between the play and the trail association for the Special Mention Award. The trail association was selected as it has sustainable benefits.

Volunteers in the St. Joseph and Area Historical Society presented the play. The members of this organization act as caretakers of a small museum in memory of Narcisse Cantin and the families who founded the community of St. Joseph.

Newly formed land trust chaired by Bayfield man

A new charitable organization has been created to acquire and permanently protect lands for nature preservation throughout the area of the historic Huron Tract and it will be known as the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy (HTLTC).

The Board of Directors for the HTLTC has now been announced. The land trust’s first Chairman is Roger Lewington, of Bayfield. The board also includes: Steve Boles, of Exeter; Steve Bowers, of Brussels; Don Farwell, of Stratford; David Kemp, of Staffa; Tom McLaughlin, of Lucan; Burkhard Metzger, of Clinton; Peter Twynstra, of Ailsa Craig; and Philip Walden, of Thedford.

Land trusts are charities that accept donations or bequests of land to help conserve land through ownership or through conservation agreements with property owners. Land trusts are committed to protecting those lands and properties permanently. Information about land trusts in Ontario can be obtained through the Ontario Land Trust Alliance website at olta.ca.

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation facilitated creation of the HTLTC to provide local landowners the opportunity to donate land throughout this important area of southwestern Ontario.

Lewington explained, their donations go to a charitable organization with an independent board of directors made up of community-minded citizens.

“Landowners throughout this historic area of Ontario now have a land-trust donation option as one way they can leave a lasting legacy for our environmental future,” he said. “Land trusts are important institutions that provide assurance to donors that their gift will offer a nature legacy for generations to come.”

A map of the area that makes up the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy.

The name Huron Tract refers to a stretch of southwestern Ontario land between Lake Huron and Lake Erie. It encompasses the modern-day counties of Huron, Perth, Middlesex, and Lambton. The Huron Tract was a one-million-acre area purchased and administered by the Canada Company, a British land development company acting with approval of the British government, in the 1830s. It is roughly 4,000 square KMs in size.

Biographies of the directors, a map of the Huron Tract boundaries, and more information is available about the HTLTC online at htltc.ca

Anyone interested in donating to the Huron Tract Land Trust Conservancy, or finding out more, can phone 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 or e-mail info@abca.on.ca.

students encouraged to weave a yarn about area watershed

Area students are being encouraged to pick up a pen and write creatively about their local watershed as part of the Watershed Tales writing contest.

In 2010, more than a dozen local students were recognized for their winning submissions in the first Watershed Tales writing contest. Following on that success, the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) has announced the student environmental writing competition is back for a second year.

Students from Ausable Bayfield watershed schools, with an interest in writing and an interest in their local environment, are invited to submit poems, short stories or essays for the competition until Nov. 30. All watershed schools are eligible.

For map of watershed boundaries, contest rules, submission form, and more information, visit: http://abca.on.ca/downloads/Watershed_Tales_Submission_Form_2011_4.pdf

Last year’s winning entries were published on a website at: watershedtales.ca
ABCA presented the inaugural Watershed Tales student environmental writing awards at the Conservation Awards evening in March of this year.

Students can win prizes for short stories, essays or poems that have a positive environmental message about their local watershed environment. Prizes will be awarded for prose and poetry in different age groups. There are also short story, poem and essay categories for adults.

“Young people are our future and creative writing is a great way to encourage youth to think about the natural environment around them and to share their feelings with others,” said Tim Cumming, ABCA Communications Specialist. “Last year’s submissions were very moving and offer a powerful message about caring for the watershed.”

salvation army band to make sixteenth appearance

On Nov. 25 the Bayfield Town Hall will welcome back the London Citadel Salvation Army Band for their sixteenth annual Christmas Concert. Their appearance on the town hall stage is a holiday tradition for many and should not be missed. In case of inclement weather the concert will be held on Dec. 2.

The London Citadel Band got its start in 1883. By the early 1900s the band was in demand and performed in such cities as Windsor and Detroit. In the last 128 years the groups’ horizons have broadened considerably and they have traveled to England twice as well as the west coast of Canada and parts of the USA.

Bandmaster John Lam, a native of Owen Sound, joined the band in 1985. Ten years later he became Bandmaster and that year he brought the band to the town hall. Since then they have returned annually except for one year when they were “snowed out”.

Show time is 8 p.m. and tickets are selling for $10 per person. For tickets call Charles Kalbfleisch at 519 565-2244 or Pat Langley at 519 565-2894 or online at ticketscene.ca.

Coincidentally, the Salvation Army began in Canada in 1882, the same year that the Bayfield Town Hall was built. All proceeds from the concert will go to The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society for the maintenance of the hall.

"BIDS 4 KIDS" HELPS PROVIDE RELIEF

On Oct. 1, the Optimist Club of Bayfield held a "Bids 4 Kids" Auction to raise funds for a trio of causes. The Goderich Tornado Relief effort was one of these causes. Tracey Johnston, vice-president of the Bayfield Club (left), was happy to give a portion of the funds raised to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Huron representative Robin MacDonald. The $1,500 donation will go toward helping 11 families who have been displaced by the tornado including Emily and her grandmother, Lori (right). (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

remembrance day service

The Village of Bayfield will celebrate Remembrance Day on Nov. 6 starting at 10:45 a.m. at the cenotaph in Clan Gregor Square.

Bayfield’s services are held on the Sunday prior to Nov. 11, when musicians and clergy can avail themselves to the smaller centres.

The outdoor portion of the ceremony will begin with a parade of veterans, legion representatives, and local members of Guiding and Scouting marching from Main Street to the cenotaph.

The indoor portion of the service will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church immediately following the outdoor service.

christmas begins 

Christmas celebrations commence in the heritage village on a great lake on the weekend of Nov. 11-13.

Bayfield will be decked out in holiday splendor for the tree lighting ceremony which will be held in Clan Gregor Square at 7 p.m. on Friday. The jolly old elf, himself will make his first appearance in the village for 2011. Members of the Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society will be selling hot dogs and hot drinks in support of the town hall starting at 6:30 p.m.

The following morning at 11 a.m. the Santa Claus Parade will make its way along Main Street complete with pipe bands, floats, horses and the Shriner’s mini cars.

After the parade, free carriage rides will be offered to anyone wishing to take a little tour of town the old fashioned way. Rides will be offered on Sunday afternoon as well.

Also on Sunday, the Main Street shopping experience will be enhanced by some festive music.

bayfield guiding

Got milk? Bayfield Guiding has the cookies to go with it.

The chocolatey mint Girl Guide Cookies are back for a limited time this autumn. They are selling now for $4 a box and are available from Bayfield Guiding members or at the Bayfield Village Inn.

Profits from the cookies are used to support the girls in their varied activities and to subsidize outings.

chamber of commerce

The Bayfield and Area Chamber of Commerce recently unveiled the result of their second calendar project created to not only raise funds for the chamber but community groups and merchants as well.

The 2012 Bayfield Calendar features photography by Jack Pal, Cate Cuerden, Dianne Brandon, Kristyn Watterworth, Maggie Brennan and Gary Lloyd-Rees.

2011 marked the first calendar initiative and it is reported that this unique reminder of the heritage village on a Great Lake was sent to family and friends around the world.

The calendar is now available for purchase for $10 and would make a great holiday or customer appreciation gift. They are available from many merchants on Bayfield’s Main Street, as well as some community and church groups.

library friends

For many people the Bayfield Library is the hub of the community. These people have recently united as The Friends of the Bayfield Library (FOBL).

The FOBL has been created to promote the library as essential to the community’s quality of life. As enthusiastic supporters, FOBL intends to enhance the profile of the Bayfield Library and to advocate for library services and programs.

To become a member of the FOBL, please send an email to friendsofbayfieldlibrary@hotmail.ca or call Clair at 519-565-2135.

hearing clinic

Have you heard the news? A new monthly hearing clinic is being established in the village at Pharmasave Michael’s Pharmacy. The next date for the clinic is Nov. 22.

The Kincardine Hearing Clinic will be offering their services on the third Tuesday of every month from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The clinic will offer: hearing aid adjustments and repairs to all makes and models, no cost hearing tests, new prescription of hearing aids, wax removal, hearing aid battery sales as well as hard of hearing assistive devices.

To book an appointment please call The Kincardine Hearing Clinic at 1-855-396-6026.

fitness fun

The time has come to get back into the routines of autumn and fitness for both mind and body is once again a focus. One Care is sponsoring several programs for both men and women to stay fit over.

Dancefit and Toning classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9 a.m. The cost is $40 for four months or $3 per class. The Sit and Get Fit classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. The cost is $1 per class. Both of these fitness opportunities are held at the Bayfield Community Centre.

For the more adventurous among us, there is Pole Walking. Walks for women are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays while walks for men are held on Monday and Friday mornings All walks begin from 6 Main Street and begin at 8:30 a.m. Poles are provided free for those who require them.

A Yoga Class will be held at the Bayfield Town Hall starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays. The cost for is $3 per class and participants are asked to bring a yoga mat. Starting on Nov. 1, a time of quiet reflection and meditation will follow the yoga class starting at 11:15 a.m. All in the community are invited to take part.

Indoor badminton is played on Monday evenings at 7 p.m. at the Varna Complex The cost is $3 each and no experience or equipment is required to play.

Call 519 565-2202 for more information on the above exercise opportunities.

For those people looking to exercise their minds, Women’s Bridge is played every Wednesday at 1 p.m. No partner needed to play the cost is $1.50 per game. For more information call Brenda Blair 519 565-2881.

Mah Jongg games are also offered on the first and third Mondays of the month starting at 1 p.m. Call 519 565-2468 for more information.

Both Bridge and Mah Jongg are played at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building.

Are you ready to dance yourself into SHAPE? ZUMBA is a Latin inspired, easy to follow, calorie burning dance fitness party and participants say it is so much fun. ZUMBA classes are held Wednesday evenings at the Bayfield Community Centre from 7-8 p.m. Drop-ins and beginners are welcome. Drop in rate is $11 or you can purchase a Ten Pass for $90. Please contact Alison de Groot at bayfieldzumba@gmail.com for more information.

bridge club

Lynda Woodward and Wayne Eydt were the high scorers when the Wednesday Evening Bridge Club met at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building on Oct. 26.

The club will meet next on Nov. 9. The cards will be dealt starting at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

photography club of bayfield

Photography is a passion best enjoyed when work can be shared with others and a talent best improved when surrounded by like-minded individuals. For these reasons a local photography club has been established.

The Photography Club of Bayfield will meet on Nov. 3 at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building starting at 7 p.m.

Anyone who is interested in more information can contact Jack Pal at jackandpat@tcc.on.ca or Gary Lloyd-Rees at g.lloydrees@gmail.com.

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. Newcomers and summer residents are most welcome to join in the meal.

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.

heritage committee

The Municipality of Bluewater is in need of interested people to serve as members of the Bluewater Heritage Committee (BHC). Their contribution will be invaluable to the past and future history of the community. This Committee of Council meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the Bayfield Lions' Community Building. For more information please contact Nellie Evans at the Bluewater Municipal Office in Zurich.