PLANTING GOOD CHEER

There is a Scrooge living among us! Someone is absconding with the evergreen shrubs planted in good faith by the members of the Bayfield and Area Horticultural Society in Clan Gregor Square. Three of these shrubs have gone missing in the past year, most recently a Dwarf Alberta Spruce. Members of the BAHS (l-r): Helen Gibson, Carol Burt, Susan Drew and Sue van Baardwick recently enjoyed giving the holiday treatment to the containers in the park in preparation for the Christmas season but were very disappointed to discover that one container is now missing its centerpiece.(Submitted photos)

Drop boxes established in village for bureau

STORY BY MELODY FALCONER-POUNDER

Almost 50 years ago, the Huron County Christmas Bureau (HCCB) was organized around the ideal that no child should be forgotten at Christmas. The HCCB is an independent, community-wide, volunteer organization, but it could not function without the support of community churches and generous citizens as well as such entities as the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society. The society provides office space, phone lines, and administrative assistance to help the HCCB operate.

Every year, about 1000 children have a Christmas made merry through the generosity of county residents.

Residents in Bayfield can participate in the HCCB Gift Tag program. The gift tag tree is currently on display at Brandon’s Hardware. Simply select a gift tag or tags for a boy or girl, a suggested clothing size is on each tag, but donors are not limited to purchasing clothing they can donate a toy for someone of that size if they prefer to do so. Once the item or items have been selected, attach the gift tag to the item and place it in any of the HCCB drop boxes located throughout the county.

In Bayfield those drop-off locations are JD’s Restaurant, Main Street Optometric and This N’ That. Gifts can be delivered to the drop boxes from Dec. 6-10.

According to Gail Grant, HCCB public relations chair, “We can all be Santas! 2010 is a critical year: the economic downturn hit us hard and, for many people, their EI or severance has reached the limit. In fact, we may have former donors who are recipients this year, a difficult role change, but we hope that anyone in this situation will remember that to give and to receive are both acts of gratitude.”

The HCCB is a county-wide volunteer group that organizes five gift “bureaus” for disadvantaged families. They are located in churches in Clinton, Exeter, Goderich, Seaforth and Wingham. Toys, clothes, food and food vouchers are donated, or purchased with cash donations, for which the donor can receive a tax receipt.

There is an increase in teenagers in need who are living on their own, so such items as socks, undergarments, feminine hygiene products and toiletries would be especially appreciated. There is also a great need for clothing and toys for young boys. For more information regarding donations please feel free to contact Main Street Optometric at 519 565-2300.

Custodial parents that need help with Christmas this year should call “Christmas Central” at 519 524-7356 x3271 or 1-800-265-5198 x3271 on weekdays from Nov. 29 to Dec. 10. When parents call, they should have ready the ages and clothes’ sizes of their children. They will be given an appointment during the week of Dec. 13-17 at their closest bureau. They will privately choose suitable gifts for their family at the scheduled appointment.

The five bureaus established for 2010 are: Clinton United Church, 105 Ontario Street; Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle, 70670 London Road; North Street United Church, 56 North Street, Goderich; Seaforth Agriplex, hosted by St. James Roman Catholic Church; and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 220 Carling Terrace, Wingham.

Salvation Army Band concert a holiday tradition at hall

On Nov. 26 the Bayfield Town Hall will welcome back the London Citadel Salvation Army Band for their fifteenth 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. 3.

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 127 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 excepted 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.

give the gift of membership in the BRVTA

The Bayfield River Valley Trail Association (BRVTA) has had a busy year and due to ongoing community support, their projects will continue to grow. The Sawmill, Woodland and Heritage Trails cover a total of 10 KMs and are being enjoyed by both local residents and visitors.

People are invited to support the trails financially by joining the BRVTA. Yearly memberships are $20 per individual and $25 per family. Cheques for memberships can be made payable to the Bayfield River Valley Trail Association and mailed to P.O. Box 531 Bayfield, ON. N0M 1G0. Memberships are available from Outdoor Projects, 6 Main Street in the village.

To learn more about volunteering with the BRVTA or for more information please contact Member Coordinator, Helen Varekamp at hvarekamp@tcc.on.ca or call 519 565-5442.

Thousands of hours of volunteer time have gone into creating the trails with the goal to provide walking trails for community health, enjoyment, environmental awareness and tourism. Over the past three years the BRVTA has produced a valuable community asset, but this trail project is still in its infancy and most expensive stage. Bridges, boardwalks, signage and erosion control are all capital investments that must be purchased before trails can be opened.

The BRVTA has brought this community closer together; support and the generosity of our landowner partners have enabled them to sponsor numerous fundraiser walks. Groups from other communities are learning about and walking the trail network. The BRVTA reports that feedback has been wonderful!

Outdoor enthusiasts should take careful note that the Woodland Trail will be closed from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5 for Deer Hunting Season.

To ensure the safety of trail users and to meet the conditions that the association has agreed to with their landowner partners, the BRVTA has placed “Trail Closed” signs at each entry point to the Woodland Trail.

The Woodland Trail will be reopened immediately after the hunting season is finished.

The Sawmill Trail, the Heritage Trail and the Mavis and Taylor Trails in Varna do not permit hunting at any time and are open all year round.

last chance to submit stories about the watershed

The Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) is calling all aspiring authors and poets to use the Ausable Bayfield Watershed as their muse.

ABCA is hosting a writing competition called Watershed Tales. Students who live within, or attend a school within, the watershed boundaries, are eligible to enter. This is the perfect contest for young people with both an interest in writing and a concern for their local environment. Those who enter will have a chance to have their work published.

Students can win cash 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.

“ABCA wants to build environmental conscience and creative writing is a great way to encourage young people to think about the natural environment around them,” said Tim Cumming, ABCA communications specialist. “Their stories about their watersheds can then educate others.”

The deadline for submissions has been extended until Nov. 30. ABCA plans to publish winning submissions in a limited-edition booklet and on a web site. For submission forms and contest rules visit abca.on.ca.

toy chest could be a holiday dream come true

Have you got your tickets yet on this fabulous cedar lined chest filed to the brim with toys for boys and girls of all ages? Tickets are available now from Bayfield Optimist Club members as well as at Brandon's Hardware and the Bayfield Village Inn. (Photo by Melody Falconer-Pounder)

A beautiful cedar-lined chest filled to overflowing with toys for boys and girls of all ages may sound like a holiday dream but for one lucky person it will be reality come Dec. 12.

The Bayfield Optimist Club is once again holding a raffle on a hand painted wooden toy chest filled with Christmas wishes. The chest replete with toys was unveiled at the Homes for the Holiday Tour held this past weekend and will be on display at the Christmas in Bayfield weekend festivities. Tickets are available now from Optimist members and at the Bayfield Village Inn.

Toy chest tickets are $2 each or three for $5. The draw on the chest will be made at Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 12. The breakfast will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bayfield Village Inn. No reservations required.

UNITED CHURCH

Christmas is coming and the congregation of St. Andrew’s United Church is busy preparing for and sharing in the joys of the season.

On Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m. they invite people to come and join the 3Ms Group in the “Hanging of the Greens”. A potluck supper, sing-a-long of Christmas carols and a social time will be held following the decorating of the church.

The next day, White Gift Sunday will be observed at St. Andrew’s. Financial gifts will be shared with the Bluewater Youth Centre and the Huron County Christmas Bureau. Unwrapped gifts may be donated in suitable bags.

Following the church service (approx. 12:15 p.m.) on Dec. 5, a Loaf and Ladle Lunch will be held with donations going to St. Andrew’s Furnace Fund. The community is welcome to join the congregation for a medley of homemade soups and rolls, relishes, dessert and a beverage.

St. Andrew’s will host their Christmas Carol Service on Dec. 12. This special candlelight performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.

And then on Dec. 24 at 7:30 p.m. a Christmas Eve Service with Communion will be held at St. Andrew’s.

intuition development

There is a strong interest in self-development and life purpose in the world today and intuition is considered to be the key ability that allows people to have greater awareness of their true authentic selves.

A course on Intuition Development will begin Dec. 1 starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Bayfield Town Hall. This course is based on the work of Penney Peirce, author of The Intuitive Way. The course will focus on developing intuitive ability so that it can become the “vehicle for knowing, becoming and creating from the soul.”

The first session will be two hours in length and two additional sessions will be scheduled in December; the participants will determine suggested dates.

Admission is free. Please contact Frances at the Soul Purpose Studio 519 565-2154 for more information and to register.

agricutlural society

The Bayfield Agricultural Society (BAS) had a very successful weekend selling their handmade wreaths at St. Andrew’s Church during Christmas in Bayfield and the membership would like to thank everyone who bought one.

They would also like to let people know that it is not too late to purchase a wreath to adorn their front door during the upcoming holiday season and well on into the winter.

The wreaths and tails (swags) can be purchased by calling Emma VanderWouden at 519 482-3020 or evanderwouden@tcc.on.ca. The money raised from the sale of wreaths goes to support the Bayfield Fall Fair held on the third weekend in August each year.

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.

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 this event 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. 29.

The final session will be held at the Bayfield Community Centre on Nov. 29 for one hour starting at 10:30 a.m. This final session of the series will be an education session in CPR led by Kendra Craig, a CPR trainer. She will also show participants how to operate the AED machines now located in all municipal arenas. There is no cost or preregistration and everyone is welcome. Please note that participants will not get a CPR certification out of this session but will gain knowledge of and information about CPR.

film society

The Bayfield Film Society has moved their Fall Series to Wednesday nights. The final cinematic experience of the fall series will be held on Dec. 8 and is entitled, Me & Orsen Wells.

The film will be shown at the Bayfield Town Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity to see Toronto Film Festival Films without having to leave the village. 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 final concert of the fall line up will be held on Dec. 10 and will feature the 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.

Bayfield residents can join the Zumba craze as classes have now started in the village. Zumba is a dance fitness class that combines Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves, creating a calorie burning dance party suitable for all ages.

The classes will be held on Mondays from 7-8 p.m. at the Bayfield Community Centre. The class will run for approx. 10 weeks, at $10 per class, with a two-week break over Christmas.

Licensed Zumba instructors, Alison De Groot and Lorraine Dietz, will teach the class. For more information email De Groot at bayfieldzumba@gmail.com

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 is also being played at Huron Centennial School in Brucefield starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

There is also an opportunity to play pick up volleyball at Huron Centennial on Monday nights from 8-10:30 p.m. People have been sharing in the fun of this sport for over 30 years and newcomers are always welcome; all participants need is $2 to help cover the rental fee and clean running shoes. For more information email jlaurie@tcc.on.ca

bridge club

Pizza will be served at the next gathering of the Wednesday Evening Bridge Club on Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Bayfield Lions’ Community Building. Cards will be played after the meal is finished. All are welcome to attend.

 SHOP HURON

Huron Local First (HLF) is proud to declare the last full week of November as Shop Local Week across Huron County. With the holiday season fast approaching, people are being encouraged to do their Christmas shopping in the county.
Part of Shop Local Week, Nov. 21-27, is the “Why do you shop local?” contest, which can be entered at www.shopinhuron.ca. The winner will receive a HLF bag filled with almost $1,000 worth of amazing prizes from our participating businesses.
While on www.shopinhuron.ca, visitors can check out some of the fantastic local businesses. They can also find out more about the “It’s in the bag!” campaign. Shoppers can purchase a HLF bag through the Clinton BIA at the Central Huron Municipal building in Clinton. This reusable canvas bag becomes your ticket to discounts at businesses across the county including, The Little Inn of Bayfield. Discounts range from five per cent off to no tax.
For more information on how you can get involved with the program, please contact HLF Co-ordinator, Chelsea Burchill at 519-524-8394 ext. 3 or shop@huroncounty.ca.