communities in bloom

COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM
COMMUNITY PROFILE 2013
Table of Contents
WELCOME TO SOUTH HURON ................................................................................................................................................ 3
FLORAL DISPLAYS .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
TURF AND GROUNDCOVERS ................................................................................................................................................... 6
LANDSCAPED AREAS ............................................................................................................................................................... 8
NATURAL & CULTURAL HERITAGE CONSERVATION ............................................................................................................. 12
TIDINESS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ............................................................................................................................................ 17
URBAN FORESTRY ................................................................................................................................................................. 19
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................................................................................... 22
SOUTH HURON COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM PARTICIPATING PARTNERS AND SPONSORS .................................................... 25
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WELCOME TO SOUTH HURON
South Huron is a lower tier municipality located in the southern part of Huron County. It
was formed by the amalgamation of Stephen and Usborne Township and the Town of
Exeter in 2001.
Described as a rural picturesque farming community, South Huron includes the urban
settlements of Centralia, Corbett, Crediton, Dashwood, Elmville, Exeter, Huron Park,
Grand Bend, Greenway, Kirkton, Mount Carmel, Shipka and Woodham.
South Huron has a lot to offer and we want to invite you to visit and stay awhile. There
is an opportunity to enjoy the rolling country side, take in a live theatre show, walk on
the beach and taste the wonderful local food. We invite you to participate in our events
and attractions that occur year round.
The Council of South Huron have a vision of a vibrant, attractive, peaceful, family
friendly, fiscally responsible, developer friendly and walkable community. In creating this
vision the municipality is implementing a flexible planning approach that focuses on
retaining jobs in farming, protecting agricultural lands, marketing our community, and
capitalizing on our geographic location and existing infrastructure. The community is
supported by many service groups, organizations and individuals that work together and
generously donate their time to make the community a great place to live in and visit.
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FLORAL DISPLAYS
South Huron is proud of its floral displays. Considerable effort and teamwork goes into
maintaining them. Within the town and the villages, there is a mixture of well-tended floral
baskets, hanging baskets, planters and gardens. In Exeter, the floral containers are sponsored
by the Exeter Business Improvement Association.
The Communities in Bloom (CIB) committee has located floral barrels at the Crediton
Community Park, the Centralia Hall, the Kirkton-Woodham Community Centre, the Kirkton
Store and thanks to a partnership with the Municipality of Bluewater - both sides of Main Street
Dashwood. A number of community members have assumed responsibility for watering the
barrels of flowers.
The flowers on the Exeter Bridge are especially eye-catching and are often praised by visitors.
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Fifty years ago, the Exeter Horticultural
committee established the zinnia as our official
flower. South Huron Communities in Bloom has
encouraged this tradition by giving away
thousands of packs of donated Zinnia seeds at
schools, churches, public places and local
businesses.
The floral displays in our parks exhibit a variety
of perennials, annuals and ornamental grasses.
Our smaller businesses and retail owners help to
add colour by placing their own flower boxes in
their storefronts.
The new Legacy Gardens situated at the Olde
Town Hall in Exeter were updated this spring
with the addition of new trees, shrubs and
flowers, and the replacement of paving stones
and diseased trees. The Communities in Bloom
volunteers met to mulch and plant flowers in the
beds in front of the Town Hall. The bench outside
of the library doors was also finished this spring
and is an excellent addition to the front of the
Town Hall.
Legacy Gardens
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TURF AND GROUNDCOVERS
South Huron has many green spaces
and recreational areas within the
town of Exeter and surrounding
hamlets. The Kirkton-Woodham has
a community center, with baseball
diamonds, soccer field and an
outdoor swimming pool. On Friday
nights, the baseball diamonds are a
bee hive of activity with over a
hundred young children playing t-ball, along with siblings and parents. The new
children’s playground built last year with fundraising from the local Optimists, is well
used with all the activities such as swimming lessons, public swim, soccer, baseball and
the Early Years Program partnering with the local library on Thursdays.
Dashwood Park has a children’s play space, picnic tables and sports area.
In Crediton, the park area has playground equipment, a covered pavilion, and sports
fields. Thanks to a grant recently received by the Municipality, Crediton is also home to
a brand new community centre, pavilion, and multi-use sportsplex.
The Crediton Conservation Area is open to people hiking and walking along the cut
areas. An off-leash dog run is also offered.
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Municipal staff ensure sidewalks and parks are maintained for the public enjoyment in
the town of Exeter. Grass cutting is completed weekly. The soccer fields and baseball
diamonds receive additional attention to ensure the safety of the players. The playing
fields are fertilized, aerated and rolled once a year. The only irrigation systems are in
the two sports fields in Exeter.
The maintenance of all the sports facilities, parks and cemeteries in the smaller hamlets
of Crediton, Dashwood, Centralia, Huron Park, Kirkton and Woodham is contracted out
due to economics. Every area has grass cutting done once a week.
In Grand Bend, near the Oakwood Inn, there is an Association that works diligently to
keep the dune grass growing. The dune grass keeps the sand on the beach and out of
cottages. Native dune grass is particularly important for stabilizing sand dunes. In
partnership with the Oakwood Inn, everyone works to educate the clients that come to
the Oakwood Inn as they have access to the beach and can damage the dune grass.
The dune grass is very fragile and everyone has to work together to protect it.
In October, the 2011 Great Community Challenge was a success in Centralia, raising
over $9,000 towards the Centralia Playground Project. The event featured a
recreational ball tournament, fireman’s breakfast, live entertainment, children’s events
and a train ride around the village. Organizers of the event were the South Huron
Optimist Club, the Centralia-Huron Park Lions Club, the Stephen Township Fire
Fighter’s Association, the Centralia Faith Tabernacle Church and volunteer residents of
the community. To date over $20,000 was raised for the project. The organizers
completed the new playground equipment at the ball diamond in the fall in 2012. There
is landscaping in progress with a deadline of this summer.
Centralia Playground
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LANDSCAPED AREAS
MacNaughton Park is maintained by the Exeter Lions Club and the Municipality of
South Huron. This park’s meandering pathways, gazebo, formal arbor with vines and
vast selection of perennials, ornamental grasses, shrubs, trees and dam with water is
enjoyed by all. The Exeter Lions have begun another rejuvenation project which will be
phased in over the next couple of years. This project includes redesign and replacement
of some of the ornamental grass beds and the replacement of damaged trees.
MacNaughton Park
Across the road from MacNaughton Park, is Elliott Park, another great picnic location
which offers overnight camping during the summer months. This area is used for people
looking for a quiet spot to eat their lunch.
Victoria Park is at the south end of Exeter and has had many upgrades over the years.
In October, community members gathered at Victoria Park for a ribbon cutting that
officially opened a new $22,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant and a $7,000
contribution from the Exeter Lioness Club. Workers installed the equipment in
September 2011.
Another popular park in the summer is Port Blake, north of Grand Bend, right on Lake
Huron. It currently has a pavilion with washroom facilities and access to the beach. The
Municipality asked the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business
to present a master plan on the beach property’s potential. They came back with many
recommendations such as improve public awareness of Port Blake, investing in
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improved signs, better promotion of the park on the municipal website, adding a new
pavilion, replacing the playground and upgrading the washrooms and change rooms.
The Municipality of South Huron has applied for $25,000 in funding from the Great
Lakes Guardian Fund to look at improving the dunes and the stairway down to the
beach. The Rotary Club of Grand Bend has offered to work with the municipality on the
project.
There are many smaller parks with playground equipment and other facilities that play
an important part of community. Many of the parks have received money from local
organizations to upgrade their children’s playground equipment to keep up to the
province’s safety guidelines.
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Thames Road – Elmville Community Park
In 1924, five acres of land was gifted to the now Thames Road - Elimville United Church
to be used for the community’s children. Since that time, many families and children
have used the park and its ball diamonds for recreational activities and gatherings.
With the help of many volunteers and local organizations, the park is being revitalized.
Our many endeavours include a natural playground augmented by equipment from the
former Usborne Central School, a redesigned ball diamond courtesy of Brad Gregus, a
meditation and wellness garden, an open area to be used for community events and a
dog run/park.
On September 26th, 2012, over seventy trees and shrubs were planted at the park, with
grants from MacLean’s Home Hardware, Trees Canada and Huron Clean Water. There
were over one hundred and fifty people helping with this event.
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Huron County Playhouse
The Huron Country Playhouse is located in a country setting, just minutes from Grand
Bendʼs famous strip and the sparkling shores of Lake Huron. This popular destination is
the perfect spot to experience summer theatre.
In 2011, the theatre underwent a major $4.0 million renovation including upgrades in the
following amenities such as new washrooms, lounge, lobby, theatre seats for the main
stage, a brand new 300 seat Playhouse II auditorium (doubling its previous capacity)
and exterior landscaping.
The landscaping budget was $83,000 and it included: fourteen new trees and 72 one
gallon containers of grass, 200 feet of cedar rail fencing and lots of sod and mulch.
New concrete walkways and paths were built to direct patrons through the green space
to the theatre, along with new lighting/electrical infrastructure to showcase greenery and
create ambience. This project also included new irrigation system to maximize water
conservation.
Future area of development include flowering/garden areas throughout the grounds,
along with picnic tables and benches as many people come and have an early meal
before the show starts. The Grand Bend and Area Horticultural Society is a project
partner and work closely with the Playhouse.
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NATURAL & CULTURAL
HERITAGE CONSERVATION
The South Huron Welcome
Centre opened on 483 Main
Street, Exeter this year (the
former Bridal Elegance shop) and
the community is very excited.
The centre is a welcome addition
to the community, housing a
variety of services for visitors,
residents and businesses. The
Exeter BIA and Conestoga
Career Services moved into the
new facility July 2012. The
recently announced “Southern Tourism Gateway Pilot Project” is now operating from the
Welcome Centre. More business partners will be added in the near future. A mini art gallery
showcasing works of art by the Art aRound Town cultural group opened and in October, the
Exeter and Area Heritage Foundation began displaying items from their extensive collection of
local history and artifacts. Huron County maps, tourism and event information and even a
ticket kiosk will be added in the coming months. A gift shop featuring original creations by local
artists, photographers and authors is now open and the public is welcome to drop in and
browse. The South Huron Welcome Centre is operated by the Exeter Business Improvement
Association as a service to its member businesses, the public and visitors to South Huron.
The South Huron Heritage Advisory Committee was formed in 2010 with a plan to identify and
update historical information associated with the Heritage District of Exeter’s Main Street. In
partnership with the Exeter BIA, The Exeter and District Heritage Foundation, The South
Huron Heritage Advisory Committee, Communities in Bloom and Huron Tourism they are
putting together a new and improved walking tour brochure. The brochure will create an
electronic inventory of the buildings that are still a part of the downtown streetscape to-day
along with the histories associated with them. A number of buildings were built prior to Exeter’s
incorporation as a village in 1873 and with 2013 being the 140th anniversary of that event this
project carries special meaning.
The Foundation is also working on cataloguing its current inventory of donations and
memorabilia and rotating the displays that are set up at the Welcome Centre. It has been the
group’s wish for many years to have a site for a museum and the opportunity afforded us
through the generosity of James Eddington and the BIA to have a location within the Welcome
Centre. The goal is to have one day a week set aside at the centre where people can bring
their family histories, photos, etc. to be scanned as a digital record and receive a CD and the
Foundation will keep a copy for the archives. Again, depending on the community response
and volunteers available, this project could be expanded if there is enough interest.
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The Heritage Advisory Committee is also working on a 4th and 5th generation farm project to
gather the history of farms in the municipality dating from their first owners. By creating a
digital archive, with the permission and cooperation of owners, the committee hopes to
preserve an important segment of this area’s agricultural heritage. Plaques are available
through the Junior Farmer’s Farm Recognition Program and participating farms are
encouraged to apply for signs that acknowledge the age of their farms. This is an ongoing
project.
The Woodham United Church is closing its doors. In 1870 the original white brick church was
built where the present red brick building now stands. In October 2012, Woodham United
Church celebrated their final anniversary of 142 years with a celebration named a Trip Back
Down the Aisle which included music, skits, readings, displays, a parade of wedding attire
through the years and a renewal of wedding vows.
On May 14, 1958, William Nickle, Minister of Planning and Development officially opened the
Morrison Dam at a ceremony at the site.
The Huron Arts and Heritage Network (HAHN) received a $25,000 federal grant to
complete a project called Honouring the Elders. This project will allow for the creation of
a living memory by participation of seniors, relating their memories as a way to record
and archive the history of the region. Seniors taking part in this will attend memoir
workshops, recording interviews, and creating an exhibit to share with the community.
A new dove representing peace was installed on top of the Exeter Cenotaph on October
3rd, 2012. The Cenotaph, built in 1919, originally had a bird on the top of the monument
and it was removed in 1920 after local residents said they did not like how it looked. The
top of the Cenotaph remained bare since then.
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The Municipality is planning for the future of Exeter’s Main Street with the Community
Improvement and Streetscape Design Plan. The Community Improvement Plan covers
facade improvements to downtown commercial buildings, downtown revitalization,
supply of parking lots and grants and incentives to help with projects. Improvements
suggested have included lighting, planting, street benches, enhancement to town
entrances and sidewalk improvements.
Another great partnership was the students at South Huron District High School’s Grade
12 art class set up their annual Graduation Art show at the Exeter Library. Carleen
Hone, art teacher at the high school said a variety of work is on display, including
painting, drawing, sculptures and illustrations. Students had to create their own body of
work and choose their media. The show ran from January to mid-February during
regular library hours. What a great opportunity to see the talent of our local students in a
public place.
The Conservation Dinner is organized each year by the Exeter Lions Club, Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Foundation and other community members on the committee.
The support of businesses, donors, patrons, volunteers and artists has helped the
annual event raise more than $650,000 for local projects in the event’s history which
spans almost two and a half decades. The Conservation dinner supports accessible
trails for environmental and human health,
conservation education and recreation
opportunities for young people and the youngat-heart. The commemorative woods that
improve forest conditions and remember loved
ones are among other important conservation
work that could not happen without this kind of
public generosity.
The Exeter Little Free Library (LFL) on
Somerset Street is officially registered as #
6345. South Huron Communities in Bloom
volunteer, Dianne, has a new project! Kids and
adults stop by and take a book or leave a book
on an honour system. This is getting D.W.’s
large collection of children’s literature into the
hands of kids. Adults seem more timid about
borrowing books or magazines from the LFL,
but word is starting to spread in the
neighbourhood. Dianne hired a retired
Woodworking teacher to build her “Little Red
School-house” model of LFL which opened on
June 12, 2013. For more information visit
http://www.littlefreelibrary.org
Exeter Little Free Library on Somerset Street
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TIDINESS
Tidiness requires a continuous joint
effort between groups, individuals,
and the Municipality. It is always
great to see people cleaning up and
taking pride in their property and
surrounding areas.
Elementary school and High school
students participated in garbage
pick-up on Earth Day and Huron
Village Green residents participate in
this important exercise throughout
the year. Also, the Municipality
ensures that each year Earth Day is
promoted on the Municipal website
with ideas on how to participate and
reduce the size of your carbon
footprint.
The Centralia-Huron Park Lions
participate regularly in the
Adopt-A-Highway program as
does Communities in Bloom.
Communities in Bloom have
adopted Highway 4, starting at
the south end of Exeter and
continuing to the Crediton Road.
This year, the local boy scouts
partnered with Communities in
Bloom to clean the ditches.
During National Volunteer Week volunteers from Friends of the South Huron Trail were
active around Earth Day getting the trails ready for the season at the annual spring
clean-up. Volunteers maintained the trail surface, replaced shingles and pruned and
they did a fabulous job!
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The town of Exeter has over 150
participants in a spring, town wide
year sale to encourage the re-use and
recycling of items. This yard sale
takes place in June and the entire
Municipality participates and attracts
visitors from all over. This year South
Huron Communities in Bloom sold
perennials at the Yard Sale, accepting
a donation as payment. Crediton,
Huron Park and Dashwood organize
annual town wide yard sales, as well.
A new addition to Main Street Exeter is the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store which
recycles lots of good used furniture, appliances, doors and windows. This reduces the
number of large items going to the landfill and places them in a new home where they
can be used again.
The Communities in Bloom volunteers have completed the Legacy Garden’s space
planned in partnership with the Exeter Legion. We received $17,000, matched by our
fundraising money (Buy-A-Brick), with in-kind donations and volunteer hours. The
revitalization of the gardens helped the Heritage Committee plan for the 2012
Celebration of the 125th Anniversary of the Olde Town Hall. In 2012 the Library also
marked ten years of being in their new building. This spring, the arbor sitting bench was
completed and placed in front of the main library entrance.
With team work from many local businesses, the new welcome sign at Highways 83 and
4, is complete and will attract much attention to downtown Exeter. The electronic sign
was funded with grants, Exeter Business Association funding, local business donations
and many hours of local volunteer hours. The sign is a project of Mainstreets Exeter,
which works with the Exeter Business Improvement Association, Council and residents
to make Main Street beautiful.
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ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
The Municipality of South Huron is committed to raising the level of awareness regarding
environmental issues.
The Bluewater Recycling Association is a unique rural based non-profit organization which
provides integrated waste reduction and environmental services ranging from collection and
processing to marketing superior quality products and services. It is one of the largest multimaterial resource management municipal cooperative organizations in Canada. An upgrade is
completed of the award winning services of the Bluewater Recycling Association which
provides for the Municipality of South Huron. Automated Collection Technology consists of a
special collection vehicle equipped with a mechanical arm that collects waste and recyclable
materials set out by customers in a specially designed wheeled bin. The bins reduce blowing
trash, odors, animal scavenging and health concerns. Last year, the Association introduced
the new “wheelie” bins in South Huron to make it easier for everyone to gather, store and set
out their valuable recycling materials. There will no longer be mismatched containers, bags
and other unsightly containers, thus providing a more aesthetically pleasing environment. We
are very pleased about this new system.
The Bluewater Recycling Association, along with the Municipality of South Huron are working
together to capture more garbage and recycle it, instead of adding it to the landfill site. The
area has been cleared and the roads are built. The next step is for buildings. Some of the
additional items to be recycled are tires, shingles, and other building materials.
The owners of Crabby Joe’s Tap and Grill in Exeter are offering an electric vehicle charging
station in their parking lot starting in the spring of 2013. The owners are concerned about the
environment and feel that it is important to provide this
service to their customers.
The South Huron area is currently in the beginning
phases of a renewable energy project with about 60 to
70 wind turbines to be built on privately owned leased
lands. The project includes towers, step-in transformers,
an overhead electrical collection system and sub -station
to connect to Hydro One power grid. It is being met with
mixed reaction from the community.
The School Yard Planting project, part of “The Huron
Sustainability Project” an initiative developed in 2011, in
partnership with the Maitland Valley and Ausable
Bayfield Conservation Authorities. It created naturalized
outdoor classrooms at three of Huron County’s
elementary schools. The Grade Six students, at Our
Lady of Mt Carmel School, have collaborated with
Electric vehicle charging station at the Exeter
Crabby Joe’s Tap and Grill
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selected landscape designer Jane Eligh-Feren to develop a plan about the ideal appearance of
the school yard considering sun, wind and present vegetation in 2011 and how they would like
to change it. Working with those constraints, Jane presented the students with a plan for the
entire school yard. In November, those students, now Grade Seven, began work on two of the
areas - an outdoor classroom on the south side of the school and an area beside the pavilion
on the west side, which will eventually provide a shaded area. They planted over 100 trees,
shrubs and perennials. McCann Redi-Mix Inc. donated their services to dig the beds and
provided the top soil. John Rutten, of Signature Landscaping, provided the mulch. There is still
more work required to finish the other two areas - either through community assistance or
through possible grants.
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URBAN FORESTRY
Throughout the Municipality of South Huron mature trees line streets and properties.
They improve our air and water quality and provide long term social and economic
benefits. Trees bring us many tangible pleasures. South Huron is located on the northern
perimeter of the Deciduous Forest Region.
A recent review determined that a significant number of trees were in decline and needed
to be removed. Where appropriate, trees have been planted in boulevard areas. The
Municipal Tree Planting Program provides a guideline for tree replacement and species
suitability. If a tree needs to be removed it will be automatically be replaced at the
request of the homeowner. In response to a tree bylaw proposal it was determined that
we would follow the by-laws, under the umbrella of Huron County. Long term municipal
management plans require developers to plant boulevard trees, as evident in the Darling
Boulevard and Eastern Avenue extension in Exeter.
A five year planting program has been in place at the landfill site since 2007. Species
that have been planted include white pine, spruce, hemlock, maple, oak and black
cherry. Spring and fall plantings of bare root trees continue in public areas and parks in
Exeter and surrounding communities.
Partnerships
An effective example of partnerships is the commemorative plantings at Morrison Dam
Conservation Area. Partners include the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authorities
(ABCA) and Haskett Funeral Home. Donations are made by the Funeral Home on behalf
of families and the ABCA plants trees in areas that require reforestation. A registry has
been established that hold the names of those who have had trees planted in their
memory.
A survey completed in Oakwood, Grand Bend was commissioned by the Oakwood Park
Association. The report was done with the goal of conservation and management of this
resource for the homeowners. Ian Jean from the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
came and assessed the trees in their area. There are some very big trees that would
take a long time to replace and Oakwood Association wanted to make sure that the trees
are healthy and to learn about succession and be proactive about maintaining their
wooded area.
Norway spruce and Autumn Blaze maples have been planted at the Exeter Cemetery as
part of a ten year reforestation plan. There many large spruce trees scattered over the
Cemetery and they have been there a long time, so the Municipal employees are being
proactive.
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In November 2012 Hydro One began
marking boulevard trees for removal as
part of their vegetation maintenance cycle.
Many people were alarmed at the number
of trees being marked and made their
concerns known to council. Work was
halted and a Joint Tree Advisory
Committee was established. Members of
the committee include two councilors, two
municipal staff, one representative from
South Huron Communities in Bloom,
Hydro One staff, and members from the
community.
Joint Tree Advisory Committee
Initially 261 trees were marked for removal
or transplant. After meetings and a walking tour, the following terms were agreed upon.
The sixty trees marked for transplant will be trimmed as required. There were sixty-six
trees marked for removal. Forty-four will be removed with the remainder receiving
extensive trimming. There are one hundred and thirty-five trees marked for removal on
private property.
Hydro One will assist in relaying information to homeowners who are interested in
replanting. Contact will be directed to Communities in Bloom and if enough interest is
indicated a fall tree sale will be organized by Communities in Bloom.
The Municipality of South Huron agreed to not plant under hydro lines and to promote
“Right Tree Right Place.” Hydro One has agreed to partner with the Town of Exeter and
an account for $5000 will be set up with a nursery to purchase trees. After Hydro One
has completed their work it will be determined what locations will receive new trees.
South Huron Communities in Bloom in partnership with
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority held a second
annual tree sale in April and it was a very cold and windy day.
We even had snow flurries and the trees were sold out very
quickly. Native species were sold at a reasonable cost to rural
and urban homeowners. Knowledgeable volunteers were
available to help, written planting instructions were handed
out and high school
students assisted with
loading.
2008
Since 2008, Communities
in Bloom members have
conducted tree planting
sessions and given away
tree seedlings to area
school families.
2012
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Our promotions for tree placards to mark significant and mature trees along the
McNaughton Morrison Trail have been initiated last year along a portion of the trail. The
Friends of the Trail are installing the signs which were designed by students at South
Huron District High School. Additional new signs have been made for placement this
year.
Emerald Ash Borer
As you enter South Huron, you will
see signs posted by the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency prohibiting
the removal of firewood. Research
shows that the borer moves very
slowly on its own but the spread is
accelerated by people moving
firewood from infected areas. Ash
is a predominate tree found in both
the forest and in urban settings.
Diversified plantings will be
necessary to sustain our tree cover.
ABCA has sourced different tree
species that property owners may
consider as replacements for ash
such as maple, oak, sycamore,
tulip tree, hackberry and honey
locust.
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
There are many community involvement events that occur in a year in South Huron and
the challenge is to pick the highlights. There is a Family Literacy Day at the Library, Big
Brother Big Sister organizing “Adopt a Family” for the holiday season, Exeter Farmers’
Market, the Exeter Lioness Club presenting the annual tree lighting celebration at
MacNaughton Park, and many more.
The annual Exeter Harvest Celebration is held during the last weekend in September,
beginning with an Oktoberfest event Friday night, adjacent, to the Trivitt Memorial
Anglican Church.
Saturday continues
with children’s
games, a chili cookoff, vendors,
entertainment, and
road hockey,
culminating in a
Sunday community
service at the
church and a
barbecue chicken
dinner.
Many locations
across South Huron
took part in Doors
Open Huron,
Defending a Nation,
which paid tribute to
modern day armed
Exeter Harvest Celebration
forces, as well as
remembering the
men and women from the area who served in past wars. South Huron Mayor, George
Robertson received a plaque commemorating the First World Way battle of Vimy Ridge
from cadet warrant officer Wes Lenting and Captain Rob Martin. Goderich Author Jim
Rutledge has written “The Men of Huron County”, about the Second World War and is
working on a First World War book. He was at Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church with his
book and artifacts. In Huron Park at the James T. Field Airport, the Harvard and the de
Havilland Tiger Moth took to the skies as part of the Doors Open Huron. The Harvard
was used as an advanced trainer by 137,000 aircrew who came from all over the world
to learn to fly in Canada as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
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The Annual Exeter Santa Claus Parade is held on the last Saturday of November. Many
people line the Main Street to see the floats and people. The weather was very cold and Santa
Claus did come.
The first “Pink on the Rink” girls hockey tournament for breast cancer research was held in
January with 51 teams representing nine divisions playing in six area arenas. A “Survivors
Skate” was held Friday night at the South Huron Recreation Center to help raise money for
breast cancer research.
On Family Day, the local groups such as Exeter Lions Club, The Friends of the South Huron
Trail, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority, Municipality of South Huron, South Huron
Optimist Club and South Huron Fire Department - Exeter Station to name a few, organized the
third WinterFest Day with many activities for local residents, adults and children. This year,
despite the wintery weather, a large amount of people came for the breakfast, sponsored by
the Exeter Lions Club, free public skating at the South Huron Recreation Centre, and
fireworks.
The South Huron Community
Youth Choir performed “Life
of the Party - The Story of
Mary and Martha” in May at
the Trivitt Memorial Anglican
Church.
The Bach Festival is held
every other year, with the
next one scheduled for July
14 -20, 2013, and Gerald
Fagan said there is
something for everyone –
WinterFest
from a world famous flautist
to one of Canada’s finest jazz
musicians; from the newly formed Festival Chamber Choir to an organ virtuoso; and
from young local talent to renowned international singers and players. The Closing Gala
Performance of the great St John Passion features a one hundred voice choir, seven
acclaimed soloists and full orchestra. Certain to be one of the most memorable events,
the setting of this concert will be in the state of the art showroom of Huron Tractor,
creating a legacy of musical memories.
South Huron hosted its first volunteer recognition evening on Tuesday, April 2 at the South
Huron Recreation Centre, a night to thank volunteers for the work they do in the community.
The event started as a MainStreets Exeter initiative and involved the Municipality of South
Huron, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Exeter Business
Improvement Association. The evening was a way to get the different community groups
together to talk about their initiatives and what their plans are for the future.
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Communities in Bloom hosted a creative
workshop named Wheelbarrows of South
Huron. The workshop was held at the
Recreation Center and featured
internationally known horticulturist and
landscape designer Charlie Dobbin, who
entertained our audience with stories and
helpful hints on gardening. Charlie
demonstrated the ease of planting and
decorating a wheel barrow. People
thoroughly enjoyed the evening. South
Huron has some very creative and
talented gardeners who have joined the
wheel barrow contest as you can see as
you drive around the Municipality.
South Huron CIB members creating a beautiful wheelbarrow garden
A very creative wheelbarrow display found on Andrew St. in Exeter
Wheelbarrows of South Huron, featuring guest speaker
Charlie Dobbin
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SOUTH HURON COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM PARTICIPATING PARTNERS AND
SPONSORS
South Huron Communities in Bloom Committee Members
Cathy Seip
Linda Tghart
Dave Atthill
Dianne Waun
Maryann Topp
Lynn Keyser
Carol Dougall
Dorothy Henderson
Cathy Prance
Kelly Holtzman
Peter Tghart
Samantha Daymen
Sofie Coolman
Sharon Straus
Laura Gaiser
Carla Goodfellow
Chair
Gardener
South Huron Facilities Manager
Secretary
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Volunteer
Student Volunteer
Consultant
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO…
Municipality of South Huron
Exeter Moffat & Powell RONA
MacLean’s Home Hardware
McDonald’s Exeter
Goodalt Landscape Designers
Exeter Legion
MyFM
Municipality of Bluewater
Mainstreets Exeter Trivitt Memorial Church
Eddington’s
Exeter Tim Hortons
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority
Bonnie Sitter for photos