Review-Mirror

By Margaret Brand The Review-Mirror Agricultural producers came together Friday in Lansdowne to learn more about capitalizing on the opportunities by adding value to production on and off the farm. The summit was orga- nized by Leeds and the Thousand Islands Eco- nomic Development Com- mittee in recognition of the importance of agricul- ture to the local economy. Ontario Culinary and Tourism Alliance (OCTA) Executive Director Rebec- ca Mackenzie was the morning keynote speaker. Mackenzie has devel- oped successful tourism products including Prince Edward County's Taste Trail and Arts Trail. "I think there is enor- mous potential here," said Mackenzie who was part of growing Prince Edward County's tourism and agri- culture economy from $26 million to over $100 mil- lion in 2006. "If you build it they will come but you need to build it authentically," she said likening the key ingredients of culinary destination as making a cake. OCTA has spent the last 10 years working with destinations across the province helping them to increase their food tourism offerings including the successful Apple Pie Trail around Collingwood, Creemore, Meaford, Thornbury, Beaver Valley. Mackenzie said tourists have to eat and local ingre- dients included in those offering have a multiplier effect of three times. Craft beer and wine also provide a boost to local economies. An Ontario VQA wine pro- vides $12 to the economy compared to 65¢ for an outside offering. Culinary tourism, said Mackenzie, is any food or drink experience where one can learn about and or appreciate food or drink that is produced regionally provincially or nationally and that tells a story. "Whether it connects you with the agriculture, A proposal to change the booking, maintenance and rental fees for Rideau Lakes five community halls is part of a report councilors will be dis- cussing at their Jan. 9 Municipal Services meet- ing. During 2017 budget deliberations it was noted operating costs, revenues and usage of the five halls operated by the township varied widely. Occupancy of the halls over a three-year average , based on a 12-hour day year round, ranges from 23.5 per cent in Elgin; 20.2, North Crosby; 17.8, South Elmsley; 16.8, Newboro; and 2.1 in Morton. Cost recovery based on personnel costs and build- ing expenses, against rental revenues over a The Joint Services Committee (JSC) of Leeds and Grenville has approved the hiring of four full-time paramedics and a supervisor to address a rise in call vol- umes. A majority of JSC members voted in favour of adding staff in 2017 after hearing Leeds and Grenville Paramedic Ser- vice Chief Chris Lloyd's Service Delivery Review report at a meeting Wednesday. Requests for staffing increases in 2018 and 2019 were tabled until later. Chief Lloyd, along with Deputy Chief Jeff Carss and data analyst John Cunningham, pre- sented statistics showing the significant rise in ser- vice calls from 2010 to 2015 and the need for additional resources to maintain legislated service standards. Thursday, December 15, 2016 Serving North Leeds and area since 1893 Vol. 125, No. 50 $1 incl. tax Canada Post Contract No. 40021501 Operating five halls cost taxpayers $67,616 in 2015 Township reviewing hall rental system to cut costs More frontline staff for Leeds Grenville Paramedic Service •Continued on page 3 •Continued on page 3 Students at South Crosby Public School entertained friends and family on Tuesday afternoon and evening with their annual Christmas concert which included singing and dancing. 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage Soho's Self Storage 75 units from 6'x6' to 12'x36' Easy year round access right in Westport 43 Bedford St., Westport 613-273-8848 soho@rideau.net •Continued on page 3 Local food branding theme could provide tourism boost Shop, Spend and Eat Local See pages 8-9 Mirror The Review Christine Jennings, Owner 20 Whelan St., Westport, Ontario 613-273-9800 Full Service Dog Grooming Salon Call 359-5660 53 Main St., Elgin duncan s TV & APPLIANCES Experience luxury with the complete line-up of GREAT CHRISTMAS IDEAS Continuing a 30 year tradition serving North Leeds - Delivery & Set Up Available SMALL APPLIANCES Review-Mirror holiday schedule Next week's edition will be the final one for 2016. Due to the Christ- mas break, we will also be publishing a day earlier, on Dec. 21. Deadline is Monday at 12 noon. Our first edition in the new year will be Thurs., Jan. 12. Mirror The Review Christmas Greetings Edition Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2016 See page 5 for more information

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