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The Times Advocate, 2004-07-21, Page 28Wednesday,July 21, 2004 Exeter Times–Advocate 27 hensall.by.design raises money for United Church By Scott Nixon I'IMES-ADVOCATE STAFF HENSALL — Organizers are pleased with last weekend's "spotlight on the creative" in Hensall, which included a home and garden tour, an art show, a cafe and a tour of Iceculture. The hensall.by.design show was held July 17-18 and served as a fundrais- er for the Hensall United Church building fund. Final numbers weren't available at press time, but church board chair- person Mary Lou Hyde said "hundreds" attended the art show and garden tour. She said sales from the art show, the cafe and free-will donations raised just under $9,000 before expenses. While the Hensall and Community Horticultural Society has held its home and garden tour in the past, this was the first year the event was com- bined with an art show, a cafe and tours of Iceculture. The Home and Garden tour included nine properties in and around Hensall. Jan Hoover, who was involved with the art show, said 32 artists took part in the show, display- ing 102 pieces of art. Artists from as far away as Kingston, Toronto and Southampton participat- ed. She said some artists have already asked about signing up for another event next year. The art show was a multi -media event, and included fabric art, pot- tery, clay, water colour paintings, acrylics and pastels. Winning the juried art show were Elsie Moser and Doreen Hagill of Dorchester for their quilt, with Barry Richman of Grand Bend taking home honourable mention. Hyde said the show received "rave reviews from the artists and the judges and the people who attended." Hyde, who came up with the idea to have the art show, said the reason for the weekend was to bring attention to Hensall, attract people to the vil- lage and raise money for the United Church build- ing fund. She hopes to continue with the week- end in future years. Toronto artist Susan Brown heard about the show from a friend in Hensall and decided to get involved. Brown said she was impressed with the job the committee did putting the weekend together. She said the show had a good variety of high quality art. "People have done an excellent job," Brown said. Brown said much of her artwork is based on pho- tographs she takes. After taking the photos, she develops the paintings from them. Among the several pieces of art she had on display last week- end was a series of paint- ings from a powwow she attended and another series on scenes from Nova Scotia. Hyde said the cafe did "a marvellous job," offer- ing fresh food on an inter- national menu. Rain put a slight damper on the events Sunday afternoon when some of the outdoor art displays had to be moved indoors. Between 40-50 volun- teers worked on the event. Bill and Betsy Rowcliffe's King Street home was one of the properties on display last weekend in Hensall during the hensall.by.design show, which included a home and garden tour, a juried art show and sale, a tour of Iceculture, a floral design show and a tea room.The weekend was a fundraiser for the Hensall United Church building fund. (photos/Scott Nixon) KayWise's home on King Street was built in 1890 and displayed many pieces of antique furniture and quilts. Rob Cameron's home on Nelson Street was built in 1884 and has been in his family since April 16, 1912, the same day the Titanic sunk. Cameron has lived in the house for 80 years. His home features numerous antique clocks, pianos, lamps, China and Scottish memorabilia. Susan Brown ofToronto was one of 32 artists to take part in the hensall.by.design art show and sale on the weekend. She said she was impressed with the quality and variety of art displayed. Rising lake levels a relief for boaters GRAND BEND — The below average water levels of Lake Huron are beginning to rebound from their 60 cm deficit last summer. According to Alec Scott, Water and Planning Manager at the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA), Lake Huron's water levels have risen 23 cm in May, which is 14-17 cm more than the normal May increase. "The lake levels are a function of how much precipitation we get and the level of evaporation," says Scott, adding this is good news for boaters and marina own- ers, who won't have to do as much dredging of the water channels this year due to the rainfall. Environment Canada states the rise in lake levels can be attributed to three things: the mild early winter, early spring thaws and more than average precipita- tion received by the Great Lakes basin in May. The water level in Lake Huron sits at 28 cm below its all-time average, but when asked if the wet May brought Lake Huron up to par with its all time average water level, Scott responded, "It's too early to say." He pointed out a similar trend could be observed in November 2001, but with- in a few months, the water levels dropped to below average again. Lake Huron water levels have fluctuat- ed over a range of 1.9 meters — almost six feet. The cycles of rise and fall remain fairly unpredictable. "There are people who talk about a seven year cycle or a ten year cycle," comments Scott, "but I can't see that; it's definitely not reliable enough to make predictions." Water levels in the Great Lakes basin are measured by both Environment Canada and the U.S. Core of Engineers. Several Water Level Recording Stations measure the water level every hour, to accumulate an average for each month. According to Scott, the changing water levels also mean changes to the beaches. The low water levels of the past few years have contributed dunes of sand to the beaches that will now be wearing away with the rising water. There could be some slight drops in the beach near the water due to erosion, and Scott says this is a natural process. In their monthly newsletter, Level News, Environment Canada cautions boaters the rising water levels can be deceiving. Navigation hazards that were once exposed don't lie far below water and still remain hazardous despite Lake Huron's 23 cm rise in May.