We are so pleased to be partnering with the Maitland Trail Association for this year's Jane's Walk event to present an opportunity for the community to come together to talk about waste and how we can begin the work of moving towards a waste-free society.  All are welcome to join us in the green space behind the Makers Mercantile on Saturday, May 4, 1:30-4 p.m. for the Zero Waste Fair. Learn about the exciting programs being led in our local communities to move towards a reduction in waste, meet local makers who are working hard to create reusable alternatives to single-use products, share ideas on how we can move towards a zero-waste community, and participate in hands-on activities. 
Schedule of events:

• 1:30-4 p.m. - Goderich maker Jane Craig, of Plain Jane, will be available all afternoon to help you make your own reusable beeswax wraps. Beeswax wraps are a natural alternative to plastic wrap. While the fair is a free event, this activity is offered by donation to help cover the cost of materials, with proceeds being donated to Green Goderich. Local maker Corinne Kaufman will also be demonstrating how she takes plastic bags and weaves them into gorgeous long-lasting, reusable shopping totes. 
• 2 p.m. - Bluewater Recycling will address the recent changes to their blue box program
• 2:20 p.m. - Blue Bayfield will talk about their mission is to reduce the use of disposable plastics and prevent plastic and pollutants from entering our Great Lake and waterways.
• 2:40 p.m. - Learn about the newly formed group Green Goderich.
• 2:45 p.m. - Break - learn about locally-made alternatives to single-use items, enjoy refreshments (please lug a mug), make a beeswax wrap, visit with your neighbours.
• 3 p.m. - Learn about the new Goderich initiative Coastal Crowd Co., which aims to connect youth with the environment, themselves and each other in fun and exciting ways!
• 3:15 p.m. - Meet Courtney Henry who challenged herself and her family to go zero waste for an entire month. As she and her husband looked more deeply into what it was to be zero waste they began adopting more long-term zero waste habits. The ones that have been easy to stick to involve replacing single use items around the home, including paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue, and plastic wrap.
• 3:30 p.m. - Let's talk! This is a chance to share ideas with one another. Local businesses are also welcome to come and share movements their are making to provide reusable, environmentally-friendly alternatives.

This event will take place in the green space behind the Goderich Makers Mercantile, 43 West St., Goderich. Please bring along a lawn chair. And because this is a zero-waste event, please consider bringing your coffee in a refilled mug, your water in a refillable bottle, etc. Thank you!

April showers bring May flowers and an exciting new opportunity to receive weekly bouquets of fresh, locally-grown flowers all summer long! The Goderich Makers Mercantile is pleased to partner with Donnybrook Flower Farm to be the pick-up location for their new flower bouquet subscription. There are three seasonal blocks to choose from:

• SPRING BLOCK BOUQUETS - receive four bouquets in five weeks between May 10-June 17. This option includes a bonus bouquet from the summer block. Only 10 subscriptions available. Cost: $60
• SUMMER BLOCK BOUQUETS - receive eight bouquets in 10 weeks between June 21-Aug. 23. Includes bonus bouquet and one pick-your-own at the farm. 30 subscriptions available. Cost: $120
• AUTUMN BLOCK BOUQUETS - receive five bouquets in seven weeks between Aug. 30-Oct. 11. Includes one bonus bouquet in summer block. 15 subscriptions available. Cost: $75

Subscribers may purchase any or all of the above bouquet blocks. Pick up will happen at the Makers Mercantile, 43 West St. in Goderich on Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. or Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Communication about and payment for the subscriptions will happen directly with Gwen Richardson, of Donnybrook Flower Farm. For more information, call 519-529-7866 or email grr08@hurontel.on.ca
"Thank you for allowing me to garden in an efficient and sustainable way; by just picking and arranging the required amount of flowers each week," says Gwen. And keeping it super local!