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The Citizen, 2017-06-15, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2017. PAGE 3. North Huron staff working towards magic festival By Denny Scott The Citizen North Huron Chief Administrative Officer Sharon Chambers shared a report regarding the Festival of Wizardry being hosted in Blyth with the village Business Improvement Area (BIA). Chambers, who was attending the BIA's June 7 meeting for alternative purposes, gave her report on the festival, which was formerly known as the Transfigured Town and had been set to be hosted in Goderich. Chambers said staff are working to finalize plans for the event but council did need to approve a contract with the organizers before it was official. She said the BIA would be informed and kept involved with the event to capitalize on the 9,000 ticket holders set to come to the event. *** A feasibility study focused on accommodation in Blyth will proceed according to North Huron Chief Administrative Officer Sharon Chambers. The study, which will look at accommodations in the community, will be going forward thanks to private contributions. Chambers said the municipality wouldn't need to wait on a grant to go forward thanks to the contribution. She said accommodation is and will continue to be an issue in the municipality, especially with recent economic development in Blyth and programming offered at the Emergency Services Training Centre. No date was given as to when the study will commence. *** The Blyth BIA has started the final stages of a new strategic planning initiative. Members of the BIA, alongside private citizens and representatives from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, laid out four priorities for the organization including planning for the future, engaging the BIA's membership, engaging the community and attracting visitors and tourists. Members of the group responsible made a presentation at the BIA's June 7 executive meeting and invited those present to weigh in on some ideas presented such as a pop-up store for home-based vendors, social contests and future considerations such as improving intersection safety at County Roads 4 and 25. The BIA was also encouraged to finalize a vision and mission statement. The group will return to the BIA's July 5 meeting to discuss the BIA's reaction to the suggestions. *** The election of officers and adoption of the BIA's 2017 budget will be discussed at a special meeting on June 21 at 8 a.m. at the Leading the service The Blyth Union Cemetery dedication service was held at the cemetery south of the village over the weekend under the direction of the Blyth Legion and Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Huron Chapel's Pastor Mark Royal! led the service meant to recognize the importance of the site and those remembered in it. (Quinn Talbot photo) Meals at Anglican church, Legion Happy birthday to Emily Phillips, Myrtle Badley and Amy and Garret Caldwell who celebrate June 16 and Karen Glousher and Jim Taylor, June 20. Don't forget the Blyth Legion monthly luncheon on Thursday, June 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Legion Hall. Chicken is on the menu. Come out and enjoy the delicious food. Take-out and delivery are available by calling 519-523- 9535. The lift is available for those who need it. Two Toonie Tuesday is June 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Blyth Trinity Anglican Church Hall. The menu for this month is ham and salad plate and dessert. Come out and enjoy the food and fellowship. A great bundle of sticks far too large for us to lift! (John Newton) Sometimes I compare the troubles we have to undergo in the course of a year, to a great bundle of sticks far too large for us to lift. But God does not require us to carry the whole at once. He mercifully unties the bundle, and give us first one stick, which we are able to carry today; and then another, which we are able to carry tomorrow; and so on. This we can easily manage --if we would only take the burden appointed for us each day. But we foolishly choose to increase our trouble, by carrying yesterday's stick over again today --and adding tomorrow's burden before we are required to bear it. "As your days --so shall your strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25 A Grace Gem Submitted by: Immanuel United Reformed Church, Listowel, ON 519-291-1956 Blyth Community Centre. The meeting is a general membership meeting, meaning any member or associate member of the organization can attend. The truncated Blyth BIA Streetfest program is moving forward for July 28. Committee Chair Irene Kellins explained that plans are being finalized for the event and there will be space for 32 vendors along the east side of Queen Street in the village's commercial core. She explained that vendors are being contacted to fill the spaces and housekeeping issues are being handled by the organization. The event will be fenced in for safety and Kellins said that volunteers will be needed to set up the fences on the day of the event. Streetfest traditionally closes down Blyth's main street, however, as the Blyth 140th celebration is the same weekend this year, the BIA decided to shrink its celebration. *** The Blyth Friends of the Village report to the Blyth BIA highlighted some of the activities of the group throughout the community. Aside from the activities of the group in keeping the green spaces of the village in top shape, liaison Lissa Kolkman explained that there have been more than 100 of the Blyth Belle daylily sold. Sixty of those 100 are set for spring delivery, Kolkman said, with more coming shortly. The group also had a second set of 500 tickets being printed for the raffle the organization is running. The winner receives a Canada - themed quilt. BIA Chair Rick Elliott said the flower bed in front of the southern village sign looked good as a Canadian flag and thanked Kolkman for the group's work. *** News of the businesses donating to make the annual Blyth BIA Golden Ticket fundraiser continues to roll in through fundraiser organizer Peter Gusso. Gusso said 2,000 tickets were purchased for the draw which will include two tickets to each of the four performances on the main stage in the Blyth Festival 2018 season. The prize includes the tickets plus $30 gift certificates to local restaurants from the Blyth Inn, Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company, Part II Bistro and more prizes from local businesses like Wonky Frog studios. The tickets are being printed and should be available when the Blyth Festival starts its season later this month. North Huron Economic Development officer Connie Goodall reported to the BIA that the Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story went well with events held throughout the municipality. The event took place June 2-4 and was held in both Blyth and Wingham, with one event on June 4 in Goderich. "The festival is growing," Goodall reported. "Friday and Saturday were very well attended with a lot of walk-ins this year." She said some of the master classes were over -populated, which she described as an "awesome problem to have." The classes, which involve professionals from the field of literature, will be organized differently next year as a result of their popularity this year. FROM BLYTH Moccasins Bainton's Old Mill Downtown Blyth 519-523-4740 Children's Fishing Derby Radford's Fish Pond Highway #4, south of Blyth SUNDAY, JUNE 18 10 a.m. - 12 noon LARGEST FISH CATEGORIES 2-5 yrs. 6-9 yrs. 10-12 yrs. 13-15 yrs. PRIZES, HOT DOGS AND POP TO ENJOY Prizes provided by Canadian Tire, Goderich; Food Basics, Blyth Legion; Zehrs, Walmart and Fish On Bait & Tackle, Clinton Each child must be accompanied by an adult, 2 fish limit per child. Bring your own fishing equipment & bait. Sponsored by Blyth Legion Branch 420 & Radford Group Admission by donation Come out 4- hare a good time! SMALLEST FISH 2-5 yrs. 6-9 yrs. 10-12 yrs. 13-15 yrs.