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The Citizen, 2016-10-06, Page 1INSIDE THIS WEEK: FAIR - Pg. 9 2016 Brussels Fall Fair results are featured FIRE - Pg. 13 Local volunteer firefighters are honoured AWARD - Pg. 28 Local woman honoured as Brussels Citizen of the Year Publications Mail Agreement No. 40050141 Return Undeliverable Items to North Huron Publishing Company Inc., P.O. Box 152, BRUSSELS, ON NOG 1H0 4Citiz Volume 32 No. 39 n WELCOME TO BINT H $1.25 GST included Serving the communities of Blyth and Brussels and northern Huron County Thursday, October 6, 2016 Making friends Twin brothers Anthony and Sebastian Hayden found themselves fascinated with their new friends at Sunday's Fall Colour Tour, hosted by the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority at the Wawanosh Nature Centre. The event featured the traditional wagon tours through the centre as the leaves begin to change colour, but also welcomed Scales Nature Park from near Orillia with their turtle and snake friends, which kept many in attendance entertained. (Vicky Bremner photo) R2R conference heralded as success By Denny Scott The Citizen Blyth's population swelled Sept. 28-30 as delegates from around the world converged on the village to talk about what matters to rural communities. The Rural Talks to Rural (R2R) Conference, held by the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC), which is a part of Blyth Arts and Cultural Initiative 14/19 Inc., brought more than 103 delegates and 66 presenters to Blyth last week. The event was held to bring innovators in rural communities and rural -focused enterprises from across the country together to share success stories and focus on the problems facing rural Canada Five different groups of panels were held looking at everything from youth retention to rural stories to health care in rural communities and organizer and 14/19 Project Director Peter Smith said that the panels were well-received, but success of the conference would be determined by what comes out of it. "As they say, the proof is in the taste of the pudding," Smith said. "We have to see what we're going to do with the ideas and the themes that were brought up and continue that energy and that problem -solving process through the next year." Smith, at the end of the conference, announced that it would be held again in 2018, and said that the CCRC will be looking at projects and events during the off-year to keep people's mind focused on changes that need to happen for rural communities to be successful. "We're considering TED -like talks where people discuss things that interest them," he said. "We want people to come back and talk about investment in rural communities, the growth of rural areas and what ideas were spawned from the conference." Karen Stewart, 14/19 administrator, also felt the event was successful, stating that participants were excited to be involved and that important conversations were held throughout the event. "The challenge now is to keep it going," she said. "We had people engaged and excited, and now we have to make sure we capture that energy." Huron -Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson also spoke at the end of the conference and, in later correspondence with The Citizen, explained that the conference was a real benefit to rural stakeholders. "The commitment to rural communities as the common thread amongst participants was clearly evident," she said. "I am pleased my team in Blyth attended the conference. As I said at the closing luncheon — it is my hope the dialogue `Rural2Rural' continues so we can continue increasing awareness of rural opportunities, as Continued on page 26 Project awarded grant The Township of North Huron is pleased to announce the influx of $979,907 toward the renovation of Blyth Memorial Community Hall. The money was made possible through a successful grant application to the Minister of Canadian Heritage for a Cultural Spaces Fund. The funding will be applied to the components of the renovation project that directly support the professional artistic programming undertaken at the hall, such as the technical sound and lighting equipment, the stage renovations and the new art gallery lighting. "We know how important infrastructure is to organizations dedicated to arts and culture across the country," said the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. "By supporting the construction and renovation of cultural spaces like the Blyth Memorial Community Hall, we help create jobs, strengthen communities and put arts and culture within reach of all Canadians" Reeve Neil Vincent said the successful funding application success was a joint effort. "This funding would not have been obtained without the collaboration between the Township of North Huron and Blyth Centre for the Arts," he said. "Deb Sholdice and Gil Garratt were instrumental in assisting the township with the application. "This is a significant contribution to the project and builds momentum for all the tremendous initiatives that 14/19 Inc. is contributing to Blyth," he said. "This federal recognition and investment in the Memorial Hall project speaks volumes to the reach that our arts community in Blyth has across the country." Garratt, Artistic Director for the Blyth Festival, said the grant shows that showcasing Canadian work is not a fringe activity in Canada but paramount to the Canadian experience. "What we have built in Blyth Continued on page 17 Cowbell site plan approved Central Huron Council approved the site plan for the Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company just south of the village at a special meeting of council last week. While councillors had expressed their concern at previous meetings regarding the ongoing construction in the absence of a site plan control agreement, there was little discussion about the property or the proposed plan at council's Sept. 26 meeting. The plan referred to the entire Cowbell property, listed under Henry Blyth Farms Inc. It listed its two entrances and exits, one off of London Road and the other off of Blyth Road, as well as its parking plan, which will include 47 spaces. The plan also includes the company's wastewater treatment facilities, which will be located to the southeast of the main building. Council approved the site plan, signed by Mayor Jim Ginn, Clerk Brenda Maclsaac and Steven Sparling of Cowbell, at a special council meeting held on the night of its strategic planning session.