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The Exeter Farmers’ Market is Back!

Exeter Farmers Market

By Diva Trista Russell

The Exeter Farmers’ Market has opened for the 2013 season and I’m looking forward to some getting my hands on some fresh food this summer. On opening day they had a variety of booths selling vegetables, fruit, baked goods, pork and beef, preserves, maple syrup, personalized signs, woodworking, plants, flowers, herbs, and more! I imagine as the growing season approaches, there will be even more products and vendors.

This year marks the 5^th year for the Exeter Farmers’ Market, so they had a special deal for shoppers. If you said “happy birthday” to the Market’s Manager, Terri Barr, you received a free $1 market buck. Score! I only had $10 cash in my wallet, so I challenged myself to stick to the cash I had on hand.

For $10 (actually $9 with the market buck), I got four fresh tomatoes ($3), a loaf of homemade multi-grain bread ($3), and bunch of asparagus ($4). The bread and asparagus were from the Bayfield Berry Farm, and the tomatoes from Good Luck Gardens were actually grown in the dirt! Plus, for each purchase you make at the Market, you get a ballot to win some prizes.

I think that one of the biggest challenges for Farmers’ Markets is convincing budget-conscious customers why they should shop there. Yes, fresh food isn’t cheap, but there are many other reasons, aside from the cost, why local food is good for you. I learned this early on as I grew up on a farm. One of the biggest advantages is that you appreciate your food more. I find local food always seems to taste better, and you enjoy it more and waste it less. Shopping at the Farmers’ Market makes me feel good as I know I’m supporting local farmers, the rural community, as well as Exeter.

Without knowing it, I later realized I had actually taken part in the $10 challenge by Ontario Table. They say that if every household in Ontario spent $10 a week on local food, we’d have an additional $2.4 billion in our local economy at the end of the year. Keeping that money circulating grows those dollars to $3.6 billion and creates 10,000 new jobs!

The Exeter Farmers’ Market is held every Thursday from 2 – 6pm until October 17th. The Market is located on Baldwin Street, off of Main Street Exeter (Highway 4), beside Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church. Parking is available on Victoria, Gidley, and Andrew Streets.

The Exeter Farmers’ Market is also on Facebook. There are many special Market events scheduled for this year, with the next one being a strawberry social fundraiser on June 20^th.

For more information, contact the Market Manager at manager@exeterfarmersmarket.ca

- – -

Brussels Market Opened May 17th too — full article on TasteofHuron.ca

Creativity of Local Youth on Display in Blyth

17 May

Blyth Festival Student Art Exhibit, May 2013

by Diva Nicole Olson

I recently had to opportunity to get a glimpse of the creativity of some our local youth by exploring the Student Show at the Blyth Festival Art Gallery. I have to admit, I was blown away by the talent that these young people possess. It was amazing to gain a little insight as to what inspires these people. The art that is on display is full of detail and I admired a lot of the techniques used. There were paintings, photography, works of mixed media and other genres of art as well. The artists are from various secondary schools within the Avon Maitland District and Huron Perth Catholic School Boards. Some of the pieces are for sale and this is a free event. Definitely worth checking out.

[Student Exhibit on display until May 23]

Blyth Festival Art Gallery
Bainton Gallery
Blyth Memorial Community Hall
423 Queen Street, Blyth, ON N0M 1H0
519-523-9300 / 1-877-862-5984

info@blythfestival.com
www.blythfestival.com

Open: 9am – 5pm Monday to Saturday

The Blyth Festival Art Gallery co-ordinates three professional juried exhibitions, a community art show and a secondary school student exhibition each year in the Bainton Gallery which is located in the Blyth Memorial Community Hall beside the Blyth Festival box office. The Gallery is open to the public during Festival business hours and has been operating under the guidance of an extraordinary group of volunteers since 1976.

Blyth Festival Art Gallery, Student Art Exhibit 2013

Tags: Avon Maitland, blyth, blyth festival, Blyth Festival Art Gallery, Huron County, Huron Perth Catholic, Student art

Bridges and Beaches

15 May

By Diva Jenna Ujiye

I’ve been wanting to get over to check out the Balls Bridge for a couple of months, but the weather wasn’t perfect until last weekend. This bridge is really amazing and it’s story is even better. They say that it is the “bridge that love built,” the original builder built it so his wife didn’t have to get her shoes wet walking through the river on her way to the market back in 1885. This bridge is also one of the older bridges in Ontario and the design is very rare with less than a dozen left in existence. To find out more about the Balls Bridge visit http://ballsbridgeontario.com The pictures tell it all!

I ended at the Goderich boardwalk, a 1.5km trek along the three beaches in Goderich. My friend Cindy says it’s the best, because there are ice cream shops at both ends. While I was walking I probably passed 100 people enjoying the sun and getting a bit of exercise. I actually watched a couple of kids swimming at The Cove beach, but it was still pretty cold. I can’t wait for the water to be warm enough for me. This beach has the best waves and sand around! To find out more about these wonderful trails visit www.hikehuron.com

Tags: Auburn, balls bridge, Heritage, hikehuron.ca, hiking, Huron County, ontario's west coast, trails

It was a sweet kind of day

14 May

By Diva Jenna Ujiye

I have stopped in and picked up baked goods and food to go at the Queens Bakery in Blyth, but I hadn’t yet stayed in for a meal. I had a meeting with my friend Karen in Blyth, so we decided to go to the bakery for lunch. When we walked in the smells were great. There were 5 or so other tables of people dining and all of the food looked yummy. We chose a table and went to the front to check out the lunch specials, which all sounded good. Karen went with the chili and cheese biscuit with pesto and cheese on it and I ordered the chili and Reuben sandwich. Both of the meals were excellent and the price and service made this place top notch in my mind! Both of our meals came to only $18 and change and we were both full.

There are also so many great treats, which are freshly baked daily. They had over 20 different types of drinks (coffee, teas, juices, pop etc.), date squares, cookies, oat bars, tarts, muffins, loafs, cheeses, sandwiches, salads, soups and more.

Oh and did I mention they had cakes and ice cream too! Prices ranged from $6 for a sandwich, $3 for quiche and $3 for soup; desserts ranged from $1 – $4 depending on what you decide on. They are also licensed so if you want a beer, wine, specialty coffee or spirit you can. Another offering they have is accommodation upstairs. This summer you can go to Blyth, check out a show at the festival, eat at the Bakery and then spend the night (Plus you can stop in to the Blyth Inn and check out the shops)! For more information visit: www.queensbakeryblyth.com/

Tags: baking, blyth, Huron County, ontario's west coast, Queens Bakery

Eats in the Bend

9 May

Entrance to Dave’s Clubhouse at Oakwood Inn

by Diva Trista Russell

In my last post, I talked about the Grand Bend Area Studio Tour. As part of the “Eats” part of the Studio Tour, Dave’s Clubhouse at Oakwood Inn featured a special food sampling menu this past weekend. The Clubhouse menu has been redesigned this year, so I was excited to try out some of their new menu items. The sample menu included Oakwood’s bruschetta, mini skillet mac & cheese, single fish taco, four Bam Bam shrimp, mini baked white cheddar dip, single pork pretzel slider, samples size margarita flat bread, and mini chips and salsa. Each sample was only $2 and a generous size to split for two people. I sampled some of each (you know you ordered enough when it takes 3 servers to bring it out!!) and it was all delicious! My favourite was the flat bread with mozzarella and tomato and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. If you visit the Clubhouse, make sure you sit out on the patio overlooking the golf course. The view was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

You can follow Oakwood on Facebook and Twitter for their features of the day.

Margarita flat bread – yummy!

Oakwood is also offering Mother’s Day brunch in the Terrace Room this Sunday.

Oakwood Inn
70671 Bluewater Highway (Hwy 21 North of main intersection)
Grand Bend, ON

Pork pretzel slider

white cheddar dip

Oakwood’s bruschetta

Oakwood’s Sampling Menu

View from the Clubhouse patio

Tags: Arts Beats and Eats, Dave's Clubhouse, grand bend, Grand Bend Area Studio Tour, Huron County, Oakwood Inn, ontario's west coast

Art in the Bend

8 May

Hand carved boxes by Wayne Smith

by Diva Trista Russell

Art lover? Then check out Sunset Arts Gallery in Grand Bend this summer! The first weekend in May was the grand opening for their 2013 season. Sunset Arts Gallery was also part of the annual Grand Bend Area Studio Tour called “Arts, Eats, & Beats” that was held on the same weekend. This tour had three different routes, and Sunset Arts was part of the Grand Bend Central route. The gallery is located at 63 River Road, which is right beside the Grand Bend marina. At the grand opening, Sunset offered an opportunity to meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and art demonstrations.

The gallery features the work of a dozen different artists, with a variety of paintings of landscapes and abstract art, as well as pottery, hand carved wooden boxes, and handmade jewellery.

Catherine Weber, an artist from South Huron, is the founder of Sunset Arts. It’s great to see local artists at work. Local art is unique, and you can be one of a select few to have these art pieces in your home!

Pottery on display by Nancy Marshall

Sunset Arts Gallery Hours:
May 4 to June 16: Saturday 11 – 6pm, Sunday 12 – 6pm
June 17 to September 3: Monday – Saturday 11 – 6pm, Sunday 12 – 6pm
September 7 to October 14: Saturday 11 – 6pm, Sunday 12 – 6pm

Sunset Arts Gallery
63 River Road
Grand Bend, Ontario
N0M 1T0

Telephone: 519-238-6914
www.sunsetarts.info

View of the Grand Bend Marina behind Sunset Arts

Rear entrance to Sunset Arts Gallery

Beach landscapes on canvas by Martina Bruggerman

Artwork by Mary Lynn Smith

Live art demo at Sunset Arts Gallery

Tags: artists, Arts Eats & Beats, Catherine Weber, Grand Bend Studio Tour, ontario's west coast, Sunset Arts

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Categories Festivals & Events, ontario's west coast, Shopping
Author kstewart@ezlink.ca

There is no shortage of amazing art in Huron

8 May

by Diva Jenna Ujiye

Last week I went down to Exeter to do a bit of shopping, eating and exploring. I stopped in at the South Huron Welcome Centre to visit my friend Brittany Fry (who is also the Exeter BIA manager) and was able to check out the Art aRound Town display in the centre. There were a variety of different kinds of art from jewellery, books, paintings, photography, pottery and more!

The centre is set up in a couple of different rooms that you can explore and the unique mix of artistry is wonderful. Art aRound Town is a small group of artists and volunteers who are working together to promote the visual arts in southern Huron County. They organize Art Shows featuring original works by local artists, hold Art Classes and Workshops with visiting Artists for all ages, and do what they can to bring Art into the lives of art enthusiasts. You can find them at 483 Main St. South (at corner of Huron St). Exeter, ON. or online at artaroundtown.net

Open on Thursdays from 2:00 – 6:00 pm.

As well as Saturdays – May 11, 18 & 25 from 2:00 – 6:00 pm.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Tags: art, Art aRound Town, Artist, books, Catherine Weber, Exeter, huron, jewellery, paintings, photography, pottery, South Huron

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Categories Culture, ontario's west coast
Author ontariotraveldivas

Another Successful Fish Fry in “Beantown”

27 Apr

Greg and Cheryl Becker, front and Carolyn and Peter Mathoni enjoy the Zurich Lion’s Fish Fry

by Diva Kerri Gingerch

It’s not surprising that tickets were sold out before the end of the night for the 8^th Annual Lions Club Fish Fry and Silent Auction held last Friday night in Zurich.

‘This year was one of the best yet’, says Lion / Bartender John Becker. The meal, comprised of crispy, battered whitefish, tartar sauce, dinner roll, baked potato with butter and sour cream, coleslaw and pie for dessert was absolutely amazing and Chef Terry Johns and his crew did a fantastic job. The intermittent rain didn’t put a damper on their spirits as they worked outside at the portable fryer that was their ‘kitchen’ for a good part of the evening.

You’ll always find yummy desserts being served a community dinners in Huron County. Home-made pie is one of the most popular.

The hundreds of items graciously donated by area businesses for the silent auction also contributed significantly to the success of this fundraiser. As a local resident since birth I think I can say that Zurich doesn’t exactly have the reputation of the classiest village in the area but what we do have is a lot of caring individuals who are actively involved and trying to make a difference, and this event was indeed a class-act.

The amount of work it must have been to put on an event of this magnitude is not something some might even consider but is something that really should be appreciated. Go Lions!

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Categories Festivals & Events, ontario's west coast
Author kstewart@ezlink.ca

Family Treasures and Talent

26 Apr

Quilting products and accessories for sale.

By Diva Trista Russell

As I mentioned in a previous post, the Bach Festival Heritage Quilt Exhibit was held a couple of weeks ago in Exeter. They had visitors from London, Kitchener, Grand Bend, Goderich, Stratford, and many other towns and cities.

I have to admit that quilts have never been a great interest of mine, yet I was quite impressed at the intricate detail and talent it takes to create a quilt. Like works of art, each quilt had its own unique design. What was even more impressive was the heritage and stories behind each quilt, with some over 200 years old. I even found a quilt that had a connection to my own family!

Photos aren’t normally allowed to be taken at the Quilt Exhibit, as they want to encourage people to come out and view the quilts in person, so lucky readers of the Travel Divas blog get an exclusive peek. You can also find more photos on the Bach Music Festival’s website.

If you didn’t get a chance to visit this year, you can order a CD slideshow of the 2013 Quilt Exhibit. The tea room offers a variety choices for lunch, including my favourite: homemade pie. I was able to enjoy lunch in the tea room while watching the slideshow on TV…what a great idea!

This quilt originated during a fundraising campaign for the Exeter United Church. Men in the church were challenged to donate a tie and then the women in the church put the pattern together. This quilt hangs in the church sanctuary.

The Quilt Exhibit is a fundraiser for the Bach Festival of Canada being held in South Huron on July 14-20, 2013.

Bach Music Festival of Canada
264 Main St, P.O. Box 253
Exeter, ON N0M 1S6

Phone: 519 235-2565

This quilt is stitched with French knots and is over 100 years old. The knotting is a very intricate technique.

Part of the Bach Music Festival Team: Louise Fagan, Executive Director, and Jean Jacobe, Volunteer Coordinator.

This was the oldest quilt on display that I could find. It was made in 1795!!

Visitors viewing the items on display.

Quilts, quilts, and more quilts!

People enjoying the Quilt Exhibit at the Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church in Exeter.

This coverlet was made prior to 1851 and has been handed down through the generations.

This is a “crazy quilt” which refers to the crazy patchwork.

This christening gown is 115 years old and is made for a three month old infant. This gown has been worn for four generations of one family, with plans to continue wearing this treasured keepsake for the fifth generation.

Not all quilts are traditional…B is for Bach!

Tags: Bach Music Festival, Exeter, Heritage Quilts, ontario's west coast, South Huron

Unique objects, vintage collections at Collector’s Show

22 Apr

Bill Osborn, from Mitchell, shares his collection of scales.

by Diva Karen Stewart

The 13th Annual Bayfield Historical Society Collector Exhibition was held this past weekend at the Bayfield Arena. The show included 33 “Taste of Huron” packages sold at the live auction on Saturday as well as a Silent Auction that ran throughout the two-day event and included over 160 packages.

Co-ordinators Binnie Sturgeon and Phil Gemeinhardt say the show receives good support from local sponsors as well as businesses and individuals who contribute to the auction packages. ”There are just two rules about participating as an exhibitor in the show,” says Gemeinhardt “1) don’t bring the same display two years in a row, and 2) don’t come back if you didn’t have fun. Many exhibitors return year after year, but we try to recruit new-comers too.”

New exhibits this year included a sizeable collection of memorabilia from the Huron County Museum re: The Great Storm (this is the first event in the year-long schedule of activities commemorating the extra-ordinary storm that hit the Great Lakes in November 1913); and, Tim Wellstead and Jodi Jerome who are, as we reach the 100th anniversary of the start of the great war, researching stories to share of Huron’s WWI battalion soldiers for The Huron 161st Battalion Project.

Other exhibits included heritage tools, steam engines, model trains, Queen Elizabeth Coronation, First Nations, toys including a collection of riding toys, Warhammer Collectables and He-man Toys. This was, for me, a wonderful way to spend a snowy late-April afternoon.

The Bayfield Historical Society & Archives
20 Main Street
Bayfield, ON N0M 1G0
www.bayfieldhistorical.ca