Stops Along the Way - Spring 2023

The Name Says It All!

Sweets N’ Treats

For the best chocolates, gelato and gift baskets, drop by Sweets N’ Treats. With locations in Wingham and Blyth

The name truly says it all!

• Homemade sponges and popcorns

• Made to order gift baskets

• Over 15 different barks

• Huge hand rolled truffles

• Wedding favours, toppers and extras

• Over 4000 moulds for every occasion

14 B-Line Rd., Wingham, ON. N0G 2W0

413 Queen St., Blyth, ON. N0M 1H0

We do Birthday Parties!

(p) 519-357-3663

Email: info@sweetsntreatschocolates.ca

Website: sweetsntreatschocolates.ca

Revised and expanded featuring over 125 waterfalls including stunning photographs and detailed descriptions of over 100 falls organized into eight regions. $29.95

A Huron for all

BY JULIE SAWCHUK

As I write “accessible places to go in Huron this summer,” it is the middle of winter — the most difficult time to get around as a wheelchair user. It's not just getting through the snow and safely over the ice, it’s all the salt and sand that stick to my wheels and come back in through the door with me when I get back home. Get out the vacuum and the mop, again. Sigh.

Spring will be here soon; I sooo look forward to getting out and about more easily. As we all look forward to getting out with greater ease of mobility, less clothing and safer driving, I thought I’d share with you the places that I know, from my personal experience, are very accessible. This way you, too, can make your plans for getting out in Huron County in the warmer seasons.

It becomes obvious once you think about it, but you may not have realized that the first barrier to accessibility is actually information. Knowing how accessible a place is really only comes from experiencing it. For people who use a mobility

device (wheelchair, walker, cane, scooter, crutches, etc.), barriers exist in ways that able-bodied people don’t often notice. A single step, a narrow or heavy door, a too-small bathroom all these obstacles can ruin a good day out.

As you look for places to go for yourself or the people in your life who require accessible buildings and outdoor spaces, you can use my advice and recommendations to plan your Huron County outings with confidence.

Did you know that one quarter of Canadians identify as having a disability? Permanent or temporary, at some point in everyone's life, we all will benefit from the energy that can be saved from having spaces and services that are accessible.

Coffee Everyone?

Looking for a good cup of coffee, and not from a paper cup? Make time to stop for coffee and enjoy the atmosphere at my two favourite coffee shops in the county because they also have amazing baked goods and accessible washrooms - drinking coffee definitely requires bathroom

access! You can sit and knit, work the day away with great internet, read, or just watch the world go by.

Accessibility: At both locations you will find a no-step entrance, easy to open door, variety of seating options, washrooms with appropriate grab bars and space for your mobility device.

Locations

• Brød Bakery, 430 Queen St., Blyth; www.brod.ca

• Cait’s Café, 168 Courthouse Sq., Goderich; www.caitscafe.ca

On the Menu

Cowbell Brewing Co. is the destination brewery designed with accessibility in mind. Tour the brewery, sample the wares (beer, wine, cider and seltzers), dine in the restaurant, play table tennis in the games room and, of course, use the fully-accessible washrooms (complete with adult-size change table).

At Dark House Estate Winery you have an opportunity to drink wine and taste food grown right from the soil at your feet while you watch the sun

Continued on page 7

Cowbell Brewing Co. Blyth

A beach with a view

Continued from page 6 set. You can also choose to make it a place for a special celebration.

Accessibility: Both locations provide accessible parking, washrooms and tours of their facilities.

Locations:

• Cowbell Brewing Company, 40035 Blyth Rd, Blyth; cowbellbrewing.com

• Dark Horse Estate Winery, 70665 B Line, Grand Bend www.darkhorseestatewinery.com

Matinee or Mainstage?

Are you up for some on-stage entertainment? With lots of laughs, great music, assorted stories or a tour back in time, you have options! Both the Blyth Festival and the Huron County Playhouse (Grand Bend) have something for everyone. And I truly mean that. I have attended many shows in both locations and have been abundantly satisfied by both the shows and the accommodations they provide.

Accessibility: Blyth Memorial Hall is equipped with an elevator and the Blyth Festival Harvest Stage provides

seating spaces at a variety of levels and locations in the audience and has an accessible port-a-potty adjacent to the accessible parking (call in advance to reserve accessible parking). Both theatres have a variety of accessible seating options (call to book wheelchair seating) as well as Universal Washrooms (no adult size change table). Drop-off and accessible parking are available. Infrared hearing devices are available for no extra charge and can be picked up at the Box Office.

Locations:

• Huron County Playhouse, 70689 B Line, Grand Bend; huroncountryplayhouse.com

• Blyth Festival, 423 Queen St., Blyth; blythfestival.com

The Great Outdoors

My absolutely favourite thing to do in Goderich (when it’s not raining or too windy) is to roll on the Boardwalk. Along Lake Huron, the 1.5 km long, wooden plank surface runs the full length of the beach. It has a gentle slope at the north end, but is mostly very level for the full distance and there are benches to rest

on all along the way. It’s wide enough for several people to walk or roll side by side. With a small bit of grass to cross, you can also enjoy the view from the shade in two picnic shelters. The Main Beach is also home to a variety of play structures for kids, including a ramped access and a disability-friendly swing. The best part of all are the two Mobi-Mats that allow someone using a mobility device to roll or walk right on top of the sand from the parking lot almost to the edge of the water. Located on Main Beach and Rotary Cove.

Accessibility: Beachside, there are multiple areas where accessible parking is provided with direct access to the boardwalk and there are three pavilions that have accessible-size washroom stalls. Main Beach has a Universal Washroom with a babysize change table and power door opener.

Location:

• 279 Harbour St. Goderich; goderich.ca

The Seaforth Splash Pad is a brand new play place built by the local

Continued on page 8

Continued from page 7 Lions and will be open for the first time in Spring 2023. The solid, level surface allows direct access from the picnic shelter. Water features of all sorts and at a variety of heights will keep everyone cool.

Accessibility: Level to parking lot through picnic shelter; no accessible washroom on site.

Location:

• 42971 Huron Rd., Seaforth Trail time

Are you up for a short loop or looking to go the distance? Level land is what’s best for me, so here is what I recommend you try: two routes that are flat and wide and take you through the countryside. The Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail is the ticket for both hiking and biking — all non-motorized wheels are welcome. Start in Blyth under the water tower or at any side road. Once we open up the tunnel and install the

last bridge, we’ll all be able to travel the full distance to Goderich with no obstacles! Looking for a short hike in the woods that’s way closer than you realize? Check out Hay’s Tract, a half-kilometre loop designed by Huron County Forests to specifically provide accessibility in nature! Spend a quiet afternoon in the woods to witness the seasonal changes of flora and fauna.

Accessibility: Parking is gravel or compacted stone dust; G2G sideroad crossings are mostly shoulder parking only. There are outhouses sprinkled along the way, and they are working

on providing larger, accessible port-apotties for the coming season. Hay’s Tract has designated parking; no washrooms are provided on site.

Locations:

• G2G runs more or less parallel to County Road 25 (east of Blyth to the north; west of Blyth to the south) www.g2grailtrail.com

• Hay’s tract is # 33970 Union Road, west of Highway 21, just south of Goderich

Need Gas?

If you start your trip with less than a full tank, you are in luck. Full

Creating accessibility

or organization one try, and if it works for me (parking, entrance, washrooms and services), I’ll be back. If not, I won’t.

How many people have missed out on coming back to your business because it was not as accessible as it needs to be? Better yet, are you sharing information about how accessible your space actually is? Many people like to plan their activities before they even leave the

house, but if they can’t find the details, they may not stop by! Check out AccessNow.com to find places that are accessible in your area or to get your spaces listed today.

Need some help? Invite Julie to your space to see how it shapes up. Julie Sawchuk is an accessibility educator and strategist and CEO of Sawchuk Accessible Solutions.

Visit www.juliesawchuk.ca to learn more.

of Huron Artisans

Continued from page 8 service gas stations are still available in Huron County!

Locations:

• Esso: 9 Main St. South, Bayfield

• Shell: 238 Albert St., Clinton

• Solo Petrol: 397 Bayfield Rd., Goderich

About Julie

I find out how accessible a place is by trial and error. I’ll give a business

Spring in Huron

Fabrics, Quilts & Much More 519-392-6046

murhilfarm@wightman.ca Check Facebook for store updates or visit our website sanityhill.ca

Over 2,000 bolts to choose from Antiques & Home Decor Shop Clinton, ON www.antiquesrad.com antiques.rad@gmail.com

Country Quilting

Piece a quilt you love, we can quilt it!

** Custom Machine Quilting **

For the quilting enthusiasts, we have everything you need. Cottons, flannels, fleece, wools, books, patterns 84849 Ethel Line, Brussels, ON 519-887-9456

www.countryquilting.ca

A perfect end to any day

Once the site of a posh Victorian summer resort, Point Farms has been enticing visitors to relax and enjoy the lake breezes since the mid-1800s.

Point Farms Provincial Park was established in 1964 and is perched on a bluff overlooking Lake Huron and offers spectacular views of the famous sunsets.

From May to October, camping is offered in two campgrounds, Colborne and Huron, as well as a group camping area that consists of six large sites in a very private setting. Both areas offer spacious and private sites, with Colborne best suited for larger RVs, including a few pull-through sites. Comfort stations complete with laundry facilities are located in both campgrounds.

The large sandy beach is excellent for swimming and Point Farms offers one of the nicest dog beaches in the area. It should be noted that the road and trails down to the beach are quite steep, but there is a large parking lot at the beach making it easy to drive down to enjoy the day.

Point Farms offers three hiking trails. The longest is the 4.5 kilometer loop trail called The Old Farms Trail. It is rated as easy and you can take a leisurely walk through the park and see the former fields and orchards. The Below the Bluff Trail is a halfkilometer, easy walk through a mixed forest while you listen to the birds and the waves of Lake Huron. For the

more intrepid hiker, the one kilometer Ravine Trail is a moderately rugged trek along a ravine with rugged terrain and steep inclines and features a stair access to the beach below. While the park is closed from Oct. through May, the trails can be accessed with parking near the gate. Sunset photography is a popular

activity on Lake Huron’s shores, and the views from either the beach or the bluffs are amazing. The parkette in Huron campground can get quite crowded at dusk so arrive early and stake out your spot!

Reservations are available online at www.reservations.ontarioparks.com 82491 Bluewater Highway, Goderich.

Changing gears

Vicky Rao has been passionate about cycling since she was a kid. She remembers learning to ride as a kid, and she has never looked back. In fact, she doesn’t drive and uses motorized transportation as little as possible, relying on her bike to get around town.

She had been riding the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail (G2G) from her home in Guelph for about 12 years when COVID hit. In fact, she has biked the entire route numerous times, including with her five kids in tow. The opportunity to transition from employee to entrepreneur presented itself to Rao and she jumped on it. Changing Gears Adventures began with friends and family and gradually grew into much more.

She recalls the wild state of much of the trail for many years, overgrown with grass and brush and abused by ATVs for much of its length, but the better maintained ends at Goderich and Guelph kept intriguing her, and she knew it was destined to become a

better route. The 2021 project that saw the trail graded and a layer of stone dust placed end to end came at the perfect time for her fledgling business.

She developed different tours that started from each end and worked with her customers to develop itineraries that interested them and could be done in specified time frames. From Goderich, the Blyth Festival and Cowbell Brewing were popular destinations that her clients wanted included.

Eventually fate intervened, and Rao and her husband found the perfect home in Goderich. They had been toying with the idea of a move, and finally a home came on the market that spoke to them and they moved to this end of the trail in the summer of 2022. The property included a small shed that they renovated and turned into a three-season studio Airbnb

Show me the way

Continued from page 11 rental that rounds out many of the packages that she arranges for her clients. The delightful rustic space includes an outdoor kitchen and bathroom, a deck for enjoying summer evenings just one block from the lake and access to an inground swimming pool and a fire pit. Her customers are most excited to have an experienced guide

to show them the trail through her eyes, but are genuinely surprised with the details included in the picnic basket that is sure to accompany them on the trail. Rao blames it on her Italian genes, but insists on a complete charcuterie for each trip with cheese, meats and wine!

She also offers sunset and sunrise bike tours around Goderich. The town tours are quick and easy to book, but she says that the longer trips are typically custom built with input from

the clients. She can arrange transportation to Goderich, accommodations and bike rentals if needed. She loves the end to end bookings, as her favourite section is Wallenstein to Milverton. She loves the great diagonal cut on that section of the trail which keeps the riders at the back end of farms and away from the highway.

To learn more about her tours or to contact her to begin planning, visit www.changinggearsadventures.ca

* The Goderich BIA’s Farmers’ market and Sunday Market, returning every weekend from May 20th to October 8th from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday and 9-3 on Sunday

* Our well-known Thursday evening concert series and Saturday afternoon concert series

* The Launch our kick off to summer festival on June 3rd, our August Summer music festival on August 19th.

* And....a few events we have yet to announce! Follow us on Facebook downtowngoderich Instagram at Goderichbia

Spring into hiking in Huron

common sights so be sure to keep a camera with a zoom lens handy.

eventually lead you back to the parking area.

Spring can present the most challenging season on the trails in Huron County, with conditions ranging from late winter snow and ice to large puddles and mud, but the payoff can be spectacular. We’ve picked three trails that best show off our spring season, so be sure to pack your camera and waterproof footwear.

Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area: Hands down, this is our favourite trail from March through to June. For best hiking through damp conditions, the dyke system remains fairly dry and from its elevated vantage point it provides the best views of the waterfowl on the ponds in the marsh.

In March and April, you will be able to see the migratory birds, such as the tundra swans using the Bluebill and Butterball pools as landing strips. By May and June, the dykes are an excellent way to watch the nesting habits of the Canada Geese that have taken over the ponds. And keep your eye on the water close to the shore, as muskrats can often be seen paddling by. Lucky hikers may come across snapping turtles basking in the sun. White-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, herons and wild turkeys are also

The location’s website features a detailed map and printable checklists to track your sightings of flora and fauna at www.hullettmarsh.com. The parking lot at 40874 Summerhill Road features a viewing stand, easy access to the dyke system and a short loop trail (orange blazes) that features both sweeping vistas of the pools and an easy tromp through a meadow and back through a cedar grove to the parking lot.

Robertson Tract: Just west of Auburn, down Pinery Line, is the entry point for the Robertson Tract, one of Huron County’s managed forests. There is a sign board with a map of the area and pictures and text outlining the history of the tract. The main trail is part of the Maitland Trail (an extensive trail running 52 kilometres between Auburn and Goderich, along with a network of side trails) and several fire cuts through the forest that are wellmarked.

From the parking lot, head east along the river. In the spring, you will likely encounter plenty of fishermen, canoes and kayaks taking advantage of the high water. The riverbanks are steep in places affording great views of the river below. Follow the white blazes until you reach the point where the Maitland Trail makes a sharp right. Instead, take a left and wander the fire road back to Pinery Line. Follow the road until you reach the next fire road entry on the left. This entry point will bring you back to the Maitland Trail and a right turn will

While meandering through the reforestation, watch for trilliums and anemones blooming. There is often a lot of evidence of red squirrels with great piles of midden (pine cone scales and scores) heaped under the trees in this section.

The Rodgers Tract on the other hand is a little farther off the beaten path and experiences less traffic and while it can be uneven the trail is not difficult to navigate.

The 13 Huron County forest tracts are a legacy of the massive reforestation effort across southern Ontario that was undertaken by municipalities in partnership with the province starting in the early 1900s.

Huron County residents and visitors are now reaping the benefits of that vision with over 1,500 acres of managed forests to provide educational and recreational opportunities.

On Hoover Line just south of Westfield Road lies Rodgers Tract. The trail consists of one loop around a pond and a one long rolling straight path along a ridge ending with a view over a large gravel pit.

The ponds and lowland marsh areas sing with the sound of frogs in the spring, and you will see a variety of nesting ducks early in the year.

Portions of the trail reach heights where you feel like you are on a treetop walk.

Beer and food - need we say more?

The Bayfield Beer & Food Festival is the largest fundraising event of the year for the Bayfield Community Centre. In 2018, the municipality announced that they would no longer support the local arena and community centre but allowed a group of concerned citizens to form a group that would commit to its ongoing operation which spurred the creation of two groups - Bayfield Arena Community Partners (BACPA) and Bayfield Facility Initiative Team (BFIT),

The festival is a joint initiative between the two groups and together they transform the humble arena for one day each spring into the premier foodie event of Huron County. It was the first celebration of its type locally and is still the largest festival in Huron County that celebrates local beer, wine, spirits and food.

This year, Bill Whetstone, one of the founding organizers, says that they expect 22 vendors and three bands to participate on May 13 from 2 pm to 9 pm. While the local staples will be in attendance, Whetstone is looking forward to some fresh faces, including the new Bayfield Tandoori restaurant and a few new breweries, including Neustadt Springs Brewery.

Regular tickets are $45 and provide eight food tickets and eight beverage tickets, along with a commemorative glass. Designated driver tickets are also available and feature just the food tickets (and the glass) to encourage responsible enjoyment for everyone.

One of the most surprising elements of the day is the transformation of the arena. The committee invests in the decor to make the event even more memorable. The bands help create an

atmosphere that is inviting and in fact, many guests stay for the full event. Entertainment this year includes popular local acts Side Road Reunion, Darryl Romphf and Steph and the RoadHounds.

While the event was canceled in 2020, and moved to September to accommodate the pandemic in 2021, last year saw the return of the spring festival.

The event has become an annual homecoming for many residents and cottagers, with many considering it the unofficial kickoff to summer. With only 1200 tickets available, the event typically sells out by the end of April so don’t delay.

Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.ca Follow the event on social media for updates!

Bayfield Community Centre, 4 Jane St, Bayfield.

35248 Bayfield River Rd., Bayfield 519-482-9256 theoldhomestead.on.ca

A leisurely show

After its forced hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the Bayfield Home & Leisure Show, organized by the Bayfield Lions Club, rebranded itself and returned in 2022. With the addition of more leisure activities in addition to the traditional home & garden vendors, the Lions are hoping that more vacationers will discover the show.

The show, taking place on April 22 and 23 this year, will have vendors ranging from home decor to local attractions, with many offering shopping right on site. Even though some exhibitors are finding it challenging to have enough staff to work their own space, organizers have been able to find new vendors and expect to have 65 vendors at this year’s show. In fact, they are looking

forward to a larger variety of vendors than ever before.

Tony van Bakel, chair of the event since 2014, says that Bayfield is known for its crafts and artisans and that they are well represented at the Home & Leisure Show.

The vendor makeup has been changing organically over the last few years, with Bayfield becoming known as a “green” community, so bikes and e-bikes have become popular exhibits at the show.

Home & garden shows tend to naturally target older couples and empty nesters, as the demographic who have the time and resources to make improvements to their homes and properties, so the club has hired a new social media coordinator to attract young families to the show. In addition to the online marketing, there

will also be activities for kids such as face painting.

Van Bakel says that the relationship between the organizers and the vendors is especially rewarding. “Watching the show come together, after months of working together is the best part of the weekend!”, he said and he encourages people to come out to volunteer. “We are always looking for new people to come out and help.”

The Bayfield Lions will be hosting a food court both Saturday and Sunday.

The Bayfield Home & Leisure Show runs from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, Apr 22 and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, Apr 23. www.bayfieldlions.ca Bayfield Arena & Community Centre, 4 Jane St, Bayfield.

Birds of a feather

Huron County is a birder’s paradise and Grand Bend, with its unique habitats ranging from Carolinian forests to shoreline and sand dunes has been named a birding hotspot by the Ontario Field Ornithologists.

The area is part of the Mississippi Flyway bringing hundreds of species through the area each spring and fall including Common and Redthroated loons, numerous Raptors, Snowy Owls and the Tundra Swans. In fact, you can track the migration of the Tundra Swans at the Lambton County Museum website where the daily arrivals and departures of the birds are recorded. They leave their winter home in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland each spring and begin their 3000-kilometre migration to their breeding ground in Canada’s Arctic region. They typically begin to arrive around the end of February or early March and in busy years there have been as many as 15,000 birds resting on the nearby Thedford Bog where they refuel for their long journey.

The region is home to over 300 species of birds. In spring and summer, bird enthusiasts can see orioles, tanagers, warblers, grosbeaks and more. Bald eagles are a common sight near the shoreline and in the skies above Pinery Provincial Park, as the species enjoys a comeback in the area. In 1970 there were less than 10

breeding pairs left in Ontario and today it is estimated that there are more than 1400 pairs. Grand Bend and the Maitland River corridor are excellent places to find them.

In addition to the Pinery, there are several popular vantage points for birdwatching. The Grand Bend Rotary Nature Trail, the Old Ausable Channel and the shoreline are great starting points. Experienced birders give the reclaimed Grand Bend

sewage lagoons great reviews for the variety of species found on the ponds. A great resource for birding is the Checklist and Seasonal Status of the Birds of the Pinery Provincial Park and Area. You can download or print it off from the website (https://pinerypark.on.ca/what-livesin-pinery/) and then keep it handy while exploring the area all spring and summer. How many birds can you spot?

Let’s ride

The Huron Shores Area Transit (HSAT) began as a seed planted in 2017 and grew over the next six or seven years into a pilot project that provides affordable public transportation to the communities of Lambton Shores, Kettle & Stony Point First Nations, South Huron, Bluewater, and North Middlesex.

For many years, a lack of affordable public transportation had been identified as a deterrent to economic growth in Huron County by various economic development committees in the area. In 2018 a steering committee was formed by local business owners, community organizations and social agencies as an advocacy group and grew into the Transit Steering Committee.

The group received funding in 2019 to conduct a feasibility study, and with help from the Municipality of Lambton Shores, were succesful at obtaining a provincial grant and were able to contract consultants to develop a service plan in 2020, and to hire a transit co-ordinator to begin the implementation.

Launching a public transit system in 2020 and 2021 proved difficult, as the area was still suffering the effects of

the COVID19 pandemic. While ridership was less than anticipated, the group was able to prove the need for the service.

In 2022, HSAT experienced exponential growth with a 500 per cent increase in trips taken compared to the previous year. With this new demand, the organization began to fine tune routes as they learned where the need was greatest, including extending the Bluewater route to Goderich in the north.

Thanks to funding from the Province of Ontario for rural transportation through the Ontario Community Transportation Grant Program, HSAT is able to provide two buses running four routes that connect the partner communities. The riders range from students and young people who are using the system to get to work, to seniors who are enjoying freedom to travel to

neighbouring communities for shopping and appointments. Local tourism is experiencing a boost thanks to the bus service. In fact, extra buses were required in the summer with the demand for service between London and the beach at Grand Bend. According to Susan Mills, HSAT Coordinator, young families are thankful for the opportunity to get out of the city and enjoy the lakeside community.

While the system is still in the pilot project phase until 2025, Mills is optimistic that it will become a permanent service. With environmental issues at the forefront, this is exactly the type of project that the gas and carbon taxes should be supporting. Partnerships at all levels of government can make this sustainable, Mills says. She is currently working on plans to sell advertising on the fleet of buses to bring in additional revenue.

At just $5 per local trip and $10 for the extended routes, the service is affordable and comfortable on the 20passenger buses that are also wheelchair accessible.

For schedules and maps, visit www.huronshoresareatransit.ca.

Something worth celebrating

An iconic Huron County business is celebrating its golden jubilee in 2023. When Dave and Carol Steckle bought some used greenhouses in 1973 and added bedding plants to their mixed operation farm, they probably didn’t envision that the nursery business would grow into a sprawling greenhouse enterprise, serving both retail and wholesale customers from their family farm.

While their initial foray into the greenhouse business had more of a focus on market gardening and orchards, including a pick-your-own berry business. Dave’s real love was plants and gardening so the transition to growing bedding plants was a natural evolution for Huron Ridge. As son Kevin joined the business, he helped the company focus on plants that could capitalize on the longer growing season using greenhouses.

Huron Ridge were pioneers in the nursery and greenhouse industry in Huron County. As one of the first, and now longest operating, generations of families have grown up with the tradition of accompanying Mom to Bronson Line in May to select the plants that would adorn the beds of their homes and help choose which veggies would go in the garden. Those kids have now grown up and trek to the nursery to get flowers and garden decor for their own homes.

Now the Steckle kids have grown up and returned to the farm to allow Dave and Carol to take it a little easier. Kevin, with a degree in horticulture and his wife Lorraine are the caretakers of the business and daughter Sandra Regier has joined them as part of the management team.

Regier says the amount of gardening that people are doing has exploded, and the last few years has seen both a shift to earlier shopping and planning for the season and also a new interest in growing food. The business has six full-time year-round employees but its ranks swell to up to 30 seasonal employees in the height of April to June.

The spring season is the most exciting, according to Regier, if only for the sheer variety of plants available, from the versatile iconia begonia to the ever-popular petunia. She has noted that modern gardeners

are trending towards larger plants. In Huron Ridge’s early days, four- and six-packs of bedding plants were the staple of the gardener’s shopping cart. These days, busy homeowners are opting for the instant pop of colour with more mature plants in six-inch pots. Container gardening is also on the rise, and Huron Ridge accommodates with custom-planted containers that customers can bring in year after year, ready-made containers or the perfect combination of plants for the do-it-yourselfer.

Huron Ridge Acres is celebrating their anniversary with an “Earth Day Birthday” with a 70’s twist on April 22, with coffee and cupcakes, garden tool sharpening and tours of the entire growing facility. Visit their website www.huronridge.ca or follow them on social media. (Hint - Sandra posts tons of helpful tips and how-to videos!) 74101 Bronson Line, Zurich.

Sunday Evening Buffet Reservations suggested

• Catering services available

• Specializing in a beautifully displayed buffet meal

Barbara Pleasant provides tips for easy identification of over 50 common garden diseases and shows techniques for prevention and control. 180 pages of information and illustrations. $22.95

Earthly waves

The Huron Waves Music Festival (HWMF) is planning an ambitious schedule of experiences and concerts to run throughout the entire month of June.

The festival will open on June 1 with an installation piece called Gaia that will be set up in the Trivitt Memorial Church in Exeter and serve as the anchor and inspiration to this year’s theme “Our Earth/My Responsibility”.

John Miller, Artistic Director, has brought in the touring artwork for its premiere at a Canadian arts festival. While it has been touring the globe for the past several years, its appearance at Huron Waves will mark the first time it has been at a Canadian festival. The giant balloon sculpture is created from photographs from space to represent earth (or

Gaia, in Greek mythology). As the artwork slowly revolves, a continuous soundscape loop plays a sound composition created from voices of astronauts and sounds of space by British composer Dan Jones. The installation has been sponsored by the Grand Bend Rotary Club so that schools will be able to bring classes to tour it from June 1 to 23.

Miller has built the schedule of events and activities around the exhibit, including the debut of an oratorio with a libretto by local playwright and author Paul Ciufo and composed by Stephanie Martin. “Water: An Environmental Oratorio” is a story based on actual events, and focuses on the struggle in a First Nations community and the concern for purity of water. The piece is receiving its world premiere as a

chamber oratorio on June 4 at 3 pm at Trivitt Church. (The piece will be performed with a full orchestra and choir in Kitchener in May.)

On June 21, Huron Waves will be hosting “An Evening with Thomson Highway” at Dark Horse Estate Winery to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. Highway is a celebrated Indigenous Canadian playwright and author, but is also a wonderful pianist and composer who combines his Indigenous roots and jazz to create a unique celebration of his love of music.

The Elora Singers will perform “Considering Matthew Shepard” in June. The story is of the brutal murder of a young gay man in Wyoming, but the powerful work finds themes of hope and inclusion.

HWMF is working with the municipality to close Baldwin St (beside the church) to create an information village each weekend in June. Miller is inviting all organizations of like-minds in the area to encourage people to do something about climate change. After viewing something as powerful as Gaia, Miller wants people to have access to information about how they can make changes in their lives that will have an actual effect on the planet.

Tuesday evenings during HWMF are reserved for “Champions of the Earth”, a lecture series by prominent Canadians who are studying climate change. “We are using art and our festival to say ‘Can you find your responsibility to our earth?’” says Miller.

For a full schedule of events, visit www.huronwaves.ca

Trivitt Memorial Church, 264 Main St S, Exeter.

The Clinton Spring Fair, held annually every year on the first weekend in June, will be keeping up the tradition on June 2, 3 and 4 this year with the theme of “Plant a Seed, Watch It Grow!”. The fair will once again fill the Clinton Community Park and the Central Huron Community Complex.

All of your fair favourites are on the schedule, including the demolition derby and the homecraft show. After an absence of three years due to the pandemic, the midway returned in 2022 and fairgoers couldn’t have been more delighted.

The derby raffle is back. Have you always wanted to enter the demolition derby but don't want to take on the work of getting a car ready? The organizers have brought back the demolition derby raffle again this year where a lucky ticket holder will win the use of a car to enter the derby. Tickets are available at Radar Auto Parts in Clinton and Brussels.

The first farmer’s market was held last year and proved successful, so is being brought back again on Saturday morning. A great array of vendors will be set up outside of the Community Centre.

In recent years, a Saturday night concert has become the hot ticket in town. The popular event is moving indoors this year. Legendary Canadian rocker David Wilcox will be bringing his unique blend of blues and rock and roll to the Central Huron Community Centre on Saturday, June 3 for an age of majority event.

While the schedule wasn’t complete when Stops went to print, follow the fair on Facebook or visit clintonspringfair.com to learn more.

Lovely in lavender

Lavender Works Co. is the culmination of many years of dreaming of having her own flower farm. Julianne Terpstra has lived on her husband’s family farm for over 20 years and knew that someday she would run her own business there as well. She was researching flowers as crops when she happened upon lavender and she quickly knew that she was onto something.

Lavender has been cultivated for centuries for its antibacterial and antiinflammatory properties, and is known for its ability to calm the nervous system and helps reduce pain.The plant itself can be picky about soil, especially about having “dry feet”. The Terpstra farm is located on a gravel knoll, so Julianne’s interest was piqued.

Four years ago, they began with a test plot of 300 plants to ensure that not only the drainage and PH levels would work, but to ensure the plant

could survive the winter. Not only did the plants survive, they thrived and expanded into a field of 2000 plants.

Julianne delved into the versatility of the plant, experimenting with products that she could make. After the test plot success, she began selling soaps, pillow spray and lavender bundles out of the garage.

The business grew quickly and two years later they needed to expand. They renovated the drive shed into a well-designed retail space that has old world charm.

In addition to the on-farm retail sales, the company is also busy wholesaling products to local retailers in Dublin, Listowel and Millbank.

Julianne creates all of her own products so that she can control the quality of the all-natural lines which have expanded over the two years to include eye pillows, body oils and a delightful lavender-infused honey. The honey is a product of a neighbour who keeps bees that visit the lavender

plants regularly. Lavender is also infused into the honey to give it its unique flavour. Julianne’s latest product is lavender ice cream and she has developed a signature flavourlavender white chocolate swirl.

The possibilities seem endless for this passion project. This spring will see Lavender Works Co. launch four new products: healing balms, sugar scrubs, candles and beard oil for men.

In addition to her busy retail and wholesale business, the lavender patch itself is proving to be a popular item. With the plants in full bloom for much of the summer (mid-June to the end of July), the fields are open to the public to enjoy the flowers and take pictures. The field has become a popular place for wedding and engagement photos and photographers can rent the field by the hour for private photo shoots.

The field is tucked back from the road, so you don’t fully appreciate the beauty of a field of lavender in bloom until you arrive and make your way up the driveway.

Retail hours vary based on the season, so check their website or social media for updated hours. www.lavenderworks.ca 44701 Newry Rd, Brussels, ON

Fresh cut flowers, plants & arrangements

Proposed

The final push is on for the Goderich to Guelph (G2G) Rail Trail committee to complete the fundraising needed to open the Blyth tunnel and make a big leap toward creating the fully accessible trail that has been the dream for nearly a decade.

When the rail company pulled up its tracks in the 1980s, Huron County filled in the tunnel under County Rd 25 (Blyth Road) to limit any liability. Now that the trail has become a destination trail for cycling enthusiasts and hikers, the County has agreed to open it up and the volunteers of the G2G organization are just past the halfway mark to raise the approximately $500,000 that it will cost.

The committee has been hard at work and have raised well over half of the funds needed. Julie Sawchuk, local accessibility advocate, is spearheading the next step in the fundraising with an event on April 29. The “Walk and Roll” will bring participants from the water tower at

Queen St (Highway 4) down the trail and stop at the site of the future tunnel, which is as far as Sawchuk can enjoy the trail, due to the steep hill that currently keeps her handcycle from continuing to Auburn on the trail. Once at the location of the incline, participants will help the community move some dirt with shovels to symbolize the opening of the tunnel and then accompany her back to town.

“It’s not just for me. We need to open the tunnel to make it safe for everyone to use the trail. Both the hill and the highway are dangerous and difficult for people with disabilities and bad knees, small kids and those low on energy,” she insists.

Participation will be by donation and G2G committee members will be on hand to answer questions and direct people on how to support the tunnel project.

For more information as it becomes available, follow Lake Huron Route Friends of the G2G Rail Trail on Facebook or visit www.g2grailtrail.com/blyth-tunnel G2G Trail Entrance, 554 Queen St. Blyth.

Bringing art back

Carl Stevenson, President of the Blyth Festival Art Gallery Committee, is busy preparing the first full lineup of professional art shows since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to temporarily abandon traditional practices.

“Art belongs on walls,” says Stevenson, now serving in his fifth year as committee president, representing almost half a decade of volunteer service with the organization. “The lifting of pandemic restrictions has allowed artists to come out of hiding. We’ve made every effort to make people feel safe and comfortable in the space.”

The expected return to normalcy is welcomed by Stevenson and the slate of professional artists who have been forced to wait almost four years since originally being selected for the program in 2019. The 2020 edition was outright cancelled, followed by a lengthy social media artist showcase in 2021 through which the gallery connected artists with potential buyers. The success of last year’s summer-long Community Show was an encouraging step toward bringing visitors back into the Bainton Gallery space at Memorial Hall. An estimated

500 people passed through in 2022 despite a Festival season that saw no theatrical shows mounted inside the building.

This year’s season begins in April with the return of the Student Show, a personal favourite of Stevenson’s, and continues in May with a return to the traditional Community Show, an opportunity for local amateur artists to showcase their work in a public space.

Lucknow-based photographer Hannah Dickie will be the season’s first professional artist, and first in four years, to display work in the gallery beginning in the middle of June. Dickie’s photography focuses

primarily on her rural upbringing and the connection she shares with her father, a hobby sheep farmer and maple syrup producer.

Next up in July, a collective of eight potters exploring the Japanese technique of Shino will take over the gallery space with their work. The pottery exhibition is being curated by Seaforth-area artist and former committee executive, Rob Tetu. Tetu stepped down as the gallery communications co-ordinator in December after serving 25 years as an executive on the committee.

The gallery series concludes in August with the return of work from Blyth-based artist Kelly Stevenson. Stevenson’s artwork was previously displayed during the 2014 edition of the Festival Art Gallery series. In fact, Kelly Stevenson’s involvement with the organization is what initially attracted her father, Carl, to join the committee.

2023 Festival Art Gallery Series

Schedule

Student Show, Apr. 14 - May 5

Community Show, May 19 - Jun. 9

Hannah Dickie, Jun. 16 - Jul. 15

Rob Tetu et al., Jul. 21 - Aug. 12

Kelly Stevenson, Aug. 18 - Sept. 9

The Musical Muskrat Festival returns

Despite losing three years to COVID-19, the Musical Muskrat Festival is back for 2023 and plans are underway to transform Riverside Park in Wingham into a weekend long party featuring music and family-centred entertainment from June 9 to 11.

As co-chair Melinda Wheeler points out, it takes a team of volunteers to put the event together. In addition to the nine person committee that organizes it, there is a whole host of people who take care of the logistics during the weekend.

As she starts to list the activities that are happening, it becomes clear

why so many volunteers are needed. The childrens’ activities area is bustling all weekend with crafts for all ages and the ever-popular inflatables area. A crowd favourite is the touch-a-truck where the kids get to get up close and personal with some big equipment!

The annual car show and shine is a popular part of the festival and will run on Saturday afternoon.

There are also some games planned for the adults, including a corn hole tournament on Friday and a bottle toss happening on Saturday.

The duck race has been transformed into a duck “drop” with 500

little rubber ducks being

Continued on page 28

Ron & Lori Grant

91064 Belmore Line, RR#1, Wroxeter, ON N0G 2X0 (519) 392-6315

www.pineechocamp.com

THE AREA’S BEST PRICES ON PRICES

Wingham

Back and bigger than ever

Continued from page 27 dropped from a crane, and the lucky ticket holder whose duck lands closest to the target will win the 50/50 pot.

Local musicians are the focus of the event and will be playing Friday from 6:30 pm until 1 am, and Saturday from 12 pm to 1 am. The licensed area is fenced and tents are

provided and is family friendly until 9 pm each evening when the event becomes age of majority only.

The festival winds up on Sunday morning with the traditional community church service on the banks of the Maitland River.

There will be food trucks on site all weekend, so you can come and spend as long as you want enjoying the festivities! The committee aims to

Shop Wingham

keep this as affordable as possible and offer an all-day pass so that families can come and go as they want.

The event schedule was still being fine-tuned as this article was going to press, so follow Musical Muskrat Festival on Facebook to keep up to date with all the plans. Riverside Park, 145 Park Dr, Wingham, ON.

Finding a new home

The Dungannon Super Pull has been an annual favourite of fans and “puller” alike for over 20 years. Steve Adams, founding member, says that he and his close friend Mike Pentland talked about organizing one for years. Pentland was an avid tractor puller and always lamented that their local fair had only a category for antique tractors and he was sure that a modified category would bring in the competitors and audience. Tragically, Pentland was killed in an accident in 2015 before he could complete the event and Adams knew that he must fulfill the dream for him. It took him about five years to get everything organized but he has now been honouring his friend's memory since 2000.

In fact, it has been so successful

that it has not one, but two 300-foot tracks with a beer tent and grandstands that run the length of the track. A dance with a live band was added on Friday night as a kick off event that has proven extremely successful.

It works with both Southwestern Ontario Tractor Pullers Association (SWOTPA) and the Ontario Truck & Tractor Pulling Association as a sanctioned event with 20 classes and around 150 vehicles pulling all day on the twin tracks that run constantly for the entire event.

The committee ensures that it is a family-friendly event with a bouncy castle and face painting to amuse the kids while mom and dad take in the action. In previous years, the Stoneboat Pullers Association has

organized a lawn mower pull on Friday nights for the kids.

The event has become a weekend tradition for families, with camping available on the grounds.In fact, the crowds have grown to approximately 5000 fans on the Saturday.

Adams laments that the Dungannon Super Pull has actually outgrown its home at the Dungannon Fairgrounds. In 2023, he is working with the Lucknow Kinsmen to move the event to the Graceland Festival site, which is the home of Music in the Fields. They will be working hard to build a twin track before the June event. The name and the spirit behind the tractor pull will remain. The only change will be moving to an upgraded site that can better accommodate the larger crowds that they are now drawing.

The event is taking place this year on Friday, June 16 (9 pm to 1 am) and Saturday, June 17 beginning at 4 pm. To pre-book online, visit www.dungannontractorpull.ca Graceland Festival Grounds, 577 Walter Street, Lucknow.

A seven-show return

Blyth Festival, Blyth

The Blyth Festival is returning in 2023 with one of its most ambitious seasons ever, including seven productions at both Memorial Hall and the Harvest Stage.

The season will run from June 14 until Sept. 9, featuring a four-show full slate in Memorial HallSophia Fabiilli’s Liars at a Funeral , Marie Beath Badian’s The Waltz , Chronicles of Sarnia by Matt Murray and The Real McCoy by Andrew Moodie - and three outdoor productions of James Reaney’s “The Donnellys” plays, abridged and adapted for the Festival by Artistic Director Gil Garratt. The shows will have individual runs and then come together in August to offer theatre-goers several opportunities to see the entire three-play saga over three consecutive nights.

Reaney’s three shows - Sticks and Stones , The St. Nicholas Hotel and Handcuffs - will all be performed by one company of 10 actors, Garratt said in an interview with The Citizen , telling the story of the Donnelly family from its early days in the area, leading to that fateful February night when several members of the family met their end.

Each show will have its own two week solo run before August, when the three shows will be performed on consecutive nights twice a week, giving audiences the opportunity to witness the entire saga on back-to-

back-to-back nights.

Garratt also notes that there is a contingency built in for the outdoor shows that wasn’t in place for the last two seasons, meaning that the shows will be performed rain or shine in 2023.

Meanwhile, the Festival will be returning to a four-show season in Memorial Hall, the first since 2019, which will feature two world premieres.

Liars at a Funeral will open the

season. He says it’s a traditional farce that has only stood to improve over the last few years, benefitting from further workshopping.

It tells the story of a grandmother and her dysfunctional family. In her quest to bring the family together emotionally, she attempts to bring them together physically, gathering them in one room for her own (faked) funeral.

The second show is Marie Beath

Continued on page 31

Picnic area, hiking and biking trails, swimming in the cascading waterfalls. Excellent fishing in the Maitland River and stocked pond.

Back on stage

Continued from page 30

Badian’s The Waltz , which was slated to have its world premiere on the Blyth Festival’s Harvest Stage earlier this year. Due to illness and lost preparation time, the Festival was forced to cancel its run. The show, which is the second in a trilogy - a sequel to Badian’s 2013 production of Prairie Nurse in Blyth, all within the “Prairie-verse” as Badian calls it - would go on to premiere at Toronto’s Factory Theatre earlier this year.

Set in the 1990s, it tells the story of a young man travelling to British Columbia for university and meeting a girl he’ll never forget.

The third show of the season will be another comedy: Chronicles of Sarnia by Matt Murray.

The production follows Erin, a retired teacher who has convinced the City of Sarnia to create a time capsule to be opened in 2123. Her organizational meeting, however, struggles with attendance, as only Erin’s husband, the building’s janitor and a young woman, who was actually looking for her Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, are there.

Undaunted, Erin moves forward with her plan with the small group in an effort to distill the essence of Sarnia into one time capsule.

The season will close with The Real McCoy , written by Andrew Moodie who is no stranger to working with the Festival.

Moodie tells the story of inventor Elijah McCoy who was the namesake for the saying, “The Real McCoy”.

McCoy was born in Chatham to runaway American slaves. He would win a scholarship to study

mechanical engineering at Edinburgh University before moving to the United States where he would develop a solution to one of the greatest obstacles facing the world of steam engines. His work would be sold all over the world and made him a household name, all while his partners insisted on never telling buyers that McCoy was Black.

For more information, visit online at blythfestival.com.

Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend

“After a tough couple of years for everyone during the pandemic, we are excited to continue moving forward by uniting people through the shared experience of live theatre,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director & CEO of Drayton Entertainment, the awardwinning theatre company that operates Huron Country Playhouse.

Mainstage

The 2023 season in Grand Bend opens with a tribute to one of music’s greatest stars. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical shares the inspiring true story of her remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This Canadian regional theatre premiere features unforgettable classics such as “You’ve Got a Friend”, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling”, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”, and “Natural Woman”. This musical phenomenon runs June 15 to July 1.

The international blockbuster musical Kinky Boots is on stage July 12 to July 29. Winner of six Tony Awards®, London's Olivier Award, and a Grammy Award®, this hugehearted, high-heeled hit will delight audiences with its sensational score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Based on

true events, this uplifting mega-musical chronicles the story of Charlie Price, who is struggling to save a men's shoe, and a chance encounter with the dazzling drag queen Lola.

Theatre in Huron

Classic rock takes centre stage as the sensational Broadway megahit Rock of Ages turns up the volume in Grand Bend from August 9 to September 3. Aspiring rocker Drew Boley falls madly in love with Sherrie, a freshfaced Midwesterner chasing her movie star dreams. Will their stars rise? Will their love last? Find out in this hard rockin’ musical featuring 28 classic rock tunes like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “We Built This City,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Can’t Fight this Feeling,” “I Want To Know What Love Is,” and more.

South Huron Stage

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the theatre because one of the greatest tales ever told is touching down –with a brand-new twist! Wizard of Oz: The Panto builds on the theatre’s proud tradition of family programming, complete with incredible music, lively dancing, extraordinary costumes, audience participation, and of course, a dash of theatrical magic. Audiences can join Dorothy and her newfound friends on their journey over the rainbow June 7 to June 25.

Next, acclaimed Canadian crooner (and Grand Bend native!) Michael Vanhevel will bring his smooth and snappy vocal style to The Crooner , on stage July 5 to July 22. This entertaining musical tribute pays homage to unforgettable legendary singers – classic icons like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby, mid-century stalwarts like Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Paul Anka, and Bobby Darin, modern-day superstars like Michael Bublé, and more.

The New Canadian Curling Club is a laugh-out-loud comedy inspired by the local refugee resettlement program. When a small town organizes a Learn-to-Curl class to welcome newcomers, a group of

Continued on page 32

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2023. PAGE 31

Little Theatre, big heart

Continued from page 31 unlikely athletes must face off against prejudice in order to inspire the community. This quintessential Canadian comedy runs on the Huron Country Playhouse stage Aug. 3-20.

For a complete schedule and to order tickets visit the theatre website at www.huroncountryplayhouse.com

70689 B Line, Grand Bend. The Livery, Goderich

Each fall since the 1940s, the Goderich Little Theatre (GLT) has launched a season, making it one of the longestrunning community theatre troupes in Ontario. In 1983, the GLT purchased a deteriorating 1840-era harness shop and renovated it into the historic venue, The Livery, which serves as a charming backdrop for its productions.

The final entry on this winter’s playbill is a sprawling Broadway-style musical. The 2022-2023 season will close with The Addams Family - A New Musical a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. May 4-21, 2023.

For tickets and showtimes, please visit www.thelivery.ca

Enjoy Pure Ontario Maple Syrup

53rd

Belmore Maple Syrup Festival

1968 - 2023

THURSDAY, APRIL 6, 2023

Seniors’ Day

Everyone is welcome

- Pancakes served 8:00 am to 2:00 pm - Live Music - Craft Show

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2023

- Pancakes served 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

- Live Music - Craft Show

- Kid’s Room - BMSF 2nd “Pub Day” opens at 10:00 am

Hot and delicious made-from-scratch

Belmore Pancakes, Maple Syrup and Sausage.

MEAL PRICE

Adults - $15.00

Children (6 - 11) - $8.00

Children 5 & under - FREE

For your further enjoyment . . .

• Local Musical Talent

• Euchre Tournament (April 6th ONLY)

• Local Pork Products Booth

• Maple Syrup Products Booth

All events are held in the Belmore Community CentreWheelchair Accessible

- Courtesy Vans Available.

For further Festival info call 519-418-9748 or 519-392-6095

Thursday Tunes

Central Huron Community Centre/Libro Hall

1 to 3:30 pm. Musicians, singers, dancers and spectators welcome. Admission is by donation.

Tundra Swan Migration

February - April

Thedford Bog

Watch the migration calendar at lambtonmuseum.ca for live updates on the return of the tundra swans.

Belmore Maple Syrup Festival

April 6 & 8, 2023

Belmore Community Centre

Bayfield Lions Home & Leisure Show

April 22-23

Bayfield Community Centre

Hosted by the Bayfield Lions Club.

Seaforth Lions Club Annual Trout Derby

May 6

Seaforth Lions Park

Registration starts at 6:45 am. Fishing from 7 am to 11 am. Prizes awarded at 11 am. Hosted by the Seaforth Lions Club.

Morrison Dam Fishing Derby

May 6

Morrison Dam

8 am to 12 pm. The familyfriendly fishing derby is sponsored by Exeter Lions Club and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation. The registration fee is $4 for ages 17 and over, $2 for ages 16 and under. Hosted by Exeter Lions and the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.

Bayfield Beer & Food Show

May 13, 2-9 pm

THINGS TO SEE AND DO COMMUNITY EVENTS

Bayfield Community Centre.

Run Around the Square

May 14

The Square, Goderich

Sponsored by Dave Mounsey Memorial Foundation

Clinton Spring Fair

June 2 to 4

Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story

June 2 to 4

Musical Muskrat Festival

June 9 to 11

Riverside Park, Wingham

Dungannon Super Pull

June 16 & 17

Graceland Festival Grounds

577 Walter Street, Lucknow

Hannah Dickie Photography

June 9 to July 15

Bainton Gallery

Hosted by the Blyth Festival Art Gallery.

Arts, Eats & Beats Studio Tour

May 13 & 14 10 am to 5 pm each day. Visit and explore local art galleries, home studios, restaurants and craft breweries across Lambton Shores, Middlesex and Huron Counties. Visit artseatsandbeatstour.ca for all the details.

Student Art Show

Apr 14 to May 5

Bainton Gallery

Hosted by the Blyth Festival Art Gallery.

Community Art Show

May 19 - June 9

Bainton Gallery

Hosted by the Blyth Festival Art Gallery.

Dungannon - April 29

Lucknow - April 29

Auburn - May 6

Dashwood - May 20

Brussels - May 27

Hensall - May 27

Wingham - May 27

Bayfield - June 3

Goderich - June 3

Seaforth - June 3

Exeter - June 17

Clinton - July 1

Zurich - August 12

Blyth - September 9

Farmers’ / Flea Markets

Brussels - every other Friday

May 26 - Sept. 8

Goderich - Sat. mornings

May 20th - Oct. 8

Grand Bend - Wednesdays

May 24 - Oct. 4

Bayfield - Fri. afternoons May 19-Oct. 6

Pinery Antique Flea MarketSundays, May 7 - Oct. 8

Bayfield Sunday Market

May 21-Sept 3

Music & Comedy

Yuk Yuk’s

May 7

Oakwood Resort

In the Terrace room, doors will open at 7pm, with a showtime start at 8pm. Must be 19 years or older.

STOPS ALONG THE WAY, SPRING 2023. PAGE 35

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Kenny & Dolly Tribute

Performance

March 25, 2003

Wingham Town Hall Theatre

The Addams Family - A New Musical

May 4-21

The Livery, Goderich

Visit thelivery.ca for show times and tickets.

Sponsored by Goderich Little Theatre.

Wizard of Oz: The Panto

June 7 - 25

Huron Country Playhouse: South Huron Stage

Visit draytonentertainment.com for full schedule and tickets.

Sponsored by Drayton Entertainment.

Liars At A Funeral

June 14 - July 8

Blyth Festival

Blyth Memorial Community Hall

For tickets: blythfestival.com

Beautiful: The Carole King

Musical

June 15-July 1

Huron Country Playhouse: South Huron Stage

Visit draytonentertainment.com for full schedule and tickets.

Sponsored by Drayton Entertainment.

Annual Spring Market

March 19

Brussels Four Winds Barn

The Little Craft Show

April 29

South Huron Recreation Centre

9 am to 3 pm $3 admission (12 and under free). Shop local vendors and bake sale.

Sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Huron

Easter Makers Market

Market & Shows in the summer issue of

Goderich Columbus Centre

March 18

Music & Comedy We want to hear from you! Let us know about your summer event so we can add your free listing to our event page. Deadline for our summer issue is May 26 Call or email your listing to us info@northhuron.on.ca 519-523-4792 405 Queen Street, Blyth

10 - 3 pm Free Entry with a small cash donation towards of Knights of Columbus.

Sponsored by Edge Wood Décor.

PostcardsfromHuron

New to Huron County?

There are many government-funded services available to assist people new to Canada including:

YMCA Settlement Services

Personalized support to connect with local programs and services, along with 昀lling out government forms

Centre for Employment & Learning

English as an additional language classes and employment support

Huron County Library

Access to computers, books and other learning materials

Huron County Immigration Partnership

Information about settling in Huron County

More information available at: www.HuronCounty.ca/immigration-partnership

The Culinary Boutique in the heart of Downtown Goderich.