5) We will miss the music of Grand Bend this winter - a lot.

Sure, we will have our CD's but will miss the energy of the live performances. From pub shows to concerts to jam nites. We will miss them all. I created 10 videos since the start of this contest. Some of them repeat the music so here is a link to each video that features a different song and here is a set of pics of some new kids on the block and the usual suspects (musically speaking) around the Bend. Hey maybe a title "Around the Bend" (miss grand bend is taken).

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miss grand bend - Brian - miss grand bend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZPnlWm25j8

beach bums - Ruth's Hat - I used to miss you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0RrwDIsH58

300 grand bend sunsets - Brian - sail on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCFNWA7wH1Y

hwy 21 strip and downtown - Natalie - not enough to cry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIvMbH5A9So

farmers market 2009 - Brian - ferris wheel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppJyqSDbecI

the dogs of grand bend & chippy - Natalie - my heart would know

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPpl5oXZbv4

the oakwood - Brian - see you in june

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWtmjH6c_5w

I guess I better throw in jam night again considering this is paying tribute to the music - Ruth's Hat - I used to miss you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS2UiGkw9F8

6) We will miss our ever changing Great Lake

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I don't know what else I can say about Grand Bend's neighbour, Lake Huron that I haven't said already. The lake is ever changing in colour in sound and shape. It's like it's dancing in a different costume every minute to a symphony orchestrated by the sun and wind and clouds. It's huge and powerful but fragile and serene. It commands and deserves our respect. We will miss its majesty and can't wait to see it again at the end of the winter as the ice is melting and the blue, blue water returning to our sandy shores. Thanks for the pics Meg.

7) We will miss the diversity of Grand Bend

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Grand Bend is incredibly diverse. The Pinery Provincial Park is one of the nicest parks in the province and just across the highway from our place. There is an 8 km bike path that will take you from the Pinery to downtown. We have enjoyed biking, hiking and canoeing at the Pinery. The Parachute club is just east of town and while I am confident it is something I will never do myself, I do enjoy watching first jumps out of GB on the internet. We have yet to get to the dragstrip but I love to hear the roar of the engines when we are sitting by the fire and the wind is blowing in the right direction. Our next door neighbours race so we get updates from them. The Grand Bend Motorplex attracts thousands of people every summer. We do get to the Huron County Playhouse once or twice a year. Alex Mustakas does a brilliant job directing this very professional theatre troupe which is part of Drayton Entertainment. The theatre is unique and just oozes character. These are just 4 examples of the diversity of our little gem. Thanks to Rhea of burnt marshmallows for the Pinery pic. Once again here is the Burgerfest parachute jump from 2008 and a beautiful view of the Bend.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raJEnSn-09s

Interupt our countdown for more media coverage

This time it's Lynda Hillman-Rapley from the Lakeshore Advance. Here is the link. Go Lynda, Go Bend.

http://www.lakeshoreadvance.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2137969

8) We will miss the Sense of Community in our Bend

Maybe it's the small town atmosphere of the Bend but I have never experienced a place with the sense of community spirit that is prevalent here. The Aquafest day was a massive volunteer effort as was Burgerfest and the Canada Day Concert not to mention the Fireworks volunteers. I bought tickets on 3 different fundraisers at the farmers market. I don't know how many thousands of dollars the Scatcherd Golf Tournament has raised over the years. We have an incredible fireworks display at our little Klondyke park every year along with free concerts and dances all set up and financed by volunteer efforts. The first comment I received on our Canada Day video back in July was from the fireworks volunteers. They heard and enjoyed the whole concert while they were setting up on the pier but couldn't see any of the acts or activities until the video pics showed up. We will miss the team spirit of Grand Bend and are proud to be part of that team. Here are 3 video links that have been under the links all along but this will make your access easier. Just look for and appreciate the volunteers it takes to make it happen. Go Bend, Go Volunteers, go bend family.

Free Canada Day Concert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbaXXB8ekMM

Free Aquafest Day and Concert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx6JUpxxp2M

Free Fireworks Canada Day - video from coraldiva you can see volunteers setting it up in the Canada Day Concert Video above and this was the result
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPlWed7CHZI

Another navigational tip - voting link

Thanks Northern_Light - the voting link is always right here at the top of the blog - just click on the little orange cbc logo on the top right - it will always be there.

9) Animals ... continued from below

Sorry, my posts got out of order a bit. The first 9) Animals is below with a video. I didn't publish it until after my Casey post directly below this one but I set it up before so they got out of order. Here are some pics to bring them together. These are some of our 'other' favourite animals. In the case of the one footed sea gull - he kind of adopted us and followed us everywhere. (click on them to enlarge any)