Kettle Creek Conservation Authority hosts strawberry social

The Kettle Creek Conservation Authority invites the public to a Strawberry Social Celebration to honour the planting of its one-millionth tree.

The celebration will be held on Saturday June 22 from 11 am - 2 pm at Dan Patterson Conservation Area and will include a BBQ, children’s activities, a bird’s of prey presentation and free strawberries, cake and ice cream. A Tree Planting Ceremony and speeches by local dignitaries will take place at 11am.
The Conservation Authority in partnership with Elgin County Economic Development worked to ensure that the food served at the celebration was sourced from local producers and businesses. Strawberries for the event will come from Howe’s Family Farm Market, Shaw’s will provide the ice cream and Killer Desserts & Café will be donating a cake. Hamburgers and hot dogs for the BBQ will be donated by the local Swiss Chalet.

"Local food producers provide a significant contribution to Elgin County’s economy," said Economic Development General Manager Alan Smith. "We are pleased to be able to work with the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority to increase local food awareness and promote the use of local products."

For more information regarding the Strawberry Social Celebration or the One-Millionth Tree Planting Ceremony call 519-631-1270 ext.224.

Rhubarb Cheesecake Squares

It is Rhubarb season in Elgin County! Rhubarb's tart flavours are perfect in pies, tarts and desserts of all types when sweetened with a little bit of sugar! Visit our local farmers' markets for some fresh Rhubarb and try out this delicious recipe below! 

Elgin County Rhubarb

RHUBARB CHEESECAKE SQUARES

These delicious square contain three parts- a buttery shortbread crust, a rich and creamy cheesecake centre and a sweet crumbly topping. To make these squares a bit healthier substitute whole wheat flour.

Ingredients you will need:

For the shortbread crust:

½ cup butter, at room temperature
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
pinch of salt

For the cheesecake filling:

1 8-ounce/250g block cream cheese, at room temperature 
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 egg
2 cups fresh rhubarb, cut into small pieces

For the topping:

¾ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
¼ cup large flake oats
½ cold butter, cut into cubes
pinch of cinnamon

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Prepare an 9-inch square baking pan by lining with parchment paper. 

2. To make crust:
In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugar until creamy. Add in salt and flour. Beat until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into prepared pan. Randomly prick fork into bottom. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. 

Shortbread Crust

3. To make cheesecake filling:
In a mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese and sugar. Add in vanilla extract and egg. Beat until incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as you do. Add Rhubarb. Pour filling into baked shortbread crust, smoothing with a spatula. 

Cheesecake Filling

4.To make topping:
In a different bowl, whisk together flour and sugar and oatmeal. Add in butter. Use a fork to incorporate butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle the mixture over top of the cheesecake filling before baking.

Crumble Topping

5.Bake for 30-40 minutes. Cheesecake filling will jiggle a bit in the middle when it's done. It will set as it cools. 

6.Once it comes to room temperature, place in the refrigerator for about 2-4 hours. Cut into squares and enjoy! 

Finished Rhubarb Cheesecake Squares

Elgin County Shifts Tourism Season Into Drive With New Van!

Elgin County Tourism is pleased to announce that tourism season in Elgin is finally here. Elgin’s three tourism kiosks are open for the summer and our Elgin Tourism Cruiser is ready to hit the road!

Each summer Elgin Tourism staffs several kiosks across the County that provide residents and visitors with tourism information, maps, guides and other promotional materials from area attractions. This year Elgin County Tourism has added a van that will act as a mobile tourism kiosk, travelling to events across the county.

"The new Elgin Tourism Cruiser is a great way to promote our superb local attractions at events both inside and outside of Elgin County." said Tourism Development Coordinator, Kathryn Russell. "Look for us as we travel across the county this summer!"

The kiosks open on the Victoria Day long weekend in May and remain open until Labour Day weekend in September. They are located in the Port Stanley Festival Theatre building, at the historic Port Burwell Lighthouse, and at the Backus-Page House Museum in Wallacetown.

For more information about the kiosk locations call (519) 631-1460 ext. 164, email tourism@elgin-county.on.ca or visit Elgin County Tourism at 450 Sunset Dr. St. Thomas.

Celebrate Mother's Day in Elgin County

Looking for some last minute ideas to treat Mom this Mother's Day? There are lots of options in Elgin County to make this Mother's Day one she won't forget!

Mother's Day Cookie & Wine Pairing

Quai Du Vin Estate Winery

Saturday May 11 - 10am -5 pm  Sunday May 12 12pm -5 pm

Free
www.quaiduvin.com

Mother's Day Countryside Ride & Winery Tour
Rush Creek Wines
Sunday May 12
Adults $15
www.rushcreekwines.com

A 20 minute wagon ride followed by a 90 minute winery tour with 9 tastings, food pairings and goodie bags. Pre-registration is required.

Mother's Day Open House
Heritage Line Herbs
Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12
www.heritagelineherbs.com

Potted Herbs, Heirloom Vegetables, Gifts for the first 5 Moms each day.

Aylmer Community Theatre Presents: Honeymoon for Three by Uwe Meyer
Old Town Hall Theatre, Aylmer
May 9 - May 18
Mother's Day Matinee Sunday May 12 2pm
$15
(519) 773-3372
www.aylmertheatre.ca

Elgin Theatre Guild Presents: Old Love by Norm Foster
Princess Ave Playhouse, St. Thomas
May 9 - May 19
Mother's Day Matinee Sunday May 12 2pm
$15
(519) 633-8530
www.elgintheatreguild.ca

Mother's Day Out at Sparta House Tearoom
May 12
(519) 775-2313
www.spartahouse.com
*Reservation Required*

Steed & Company Lavender Mother's Day Season Opening
May 12
(519) 494-5525
www.steedandcompany.com

Mother's can indulge in a lovely lavender gift.

Lavender Sense Season Opening
May 12
(519) 762-2188
www.lavendersense.com

Saxonia Hall, German Canadian Club Mother's Day Dinner
Sunday May 12 @ 1pm
(519) 773-5271
www.saxoniahall.com

Schnizel, cabbage rolls, garden salad, mashed potatoes and gravy + more!

Mother's Day Treats
Broderick's Ice Cream Parlour
www.brodericksicecreamparlour.com


Make reservations at one of the following Savour Elgin Member restaurants!

Green Frog Tearoom at Pinecroft
(519) 773-3435
www.pinecroft.ca

Kettle Creek Inn
(519) 782-3388
www.kettlecreekinn.com

Killer Desserts & Cafe
(519) 782-9987
www.killerdesserts.com

Mad Hatters Tea Room
(519) 913-1278
www.quakerbarrel.com

Ruby's Cookhouse
(519) 773-8786
www.rubyscookhouse.com

Windjammer Inn
(519) 782-4173
www.windjammerinn.com

Savour the Spring Flavours with ElginLicious

Savour Elgin is pleased to announce the return of its popular ElginLicious event this spring.

ElginLicious is an opportunity to take advantage of the area’s restaurants, wineries, specialty food shops and agri-tourism destinations at three great price points. Special promotions will be running at $10, $15 and $25 at participating Savour Elgin businesses from May 23 to June 2, 2013. ElginLicious features restaurants offering fixed price menus and also allows visitors to enjoy unforgettable experiences at a wide variety of Elgin County culinary destinations.

"This is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to savour the spring flavours in Elgin County," said Savour Elgin Coordinator Kate Burns. "Plant a patio herb garden, enjoy a traditional high tea with friends, tour a winery, sample some hand-made fudge or indulge in a delicious meal made with fresh local ingredients."

For a full listing of ElginLicious promotions or information about the Savour Elgin program visit

www.savourelgin.ca and click on the Events link or call 1-877-GO-ELGIN ext. 168.

　

2013 ElginLicious Promotions

$10

Clovermead - Your choice of 4 types of honey in 90 gram jars with a small honey dipper. Retail value $15.

Empire Valley Farm Market & Greenhouses - Plant your own herb container.

Farmgate Market - Lunch special - deli sandwich, homemade salad, and drink.

Mad Hatter's Tea Room -Traditional High Tea. Retail value $15.

Tasty Sweets - Choice of sandwich, soup or side salad, dessert and drink.

Rush Creek Wines - 90 minute tour for 2 with wine tasting and food pairings, $5 gift card for each person to be used on a minimum $20 purchase. All tours much be registered on regular tour dates.

$15

Steed & Company - Lavender jam, honey, marmalade sampler.

Heritage Line Herbs - Pizza with a side salad, tea, coffee, lemonade or juice OR Vegetable lasagna, salad and garlic bread plus a drink.

Killer Desserts & Café - Raspberry Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza, individual size, choice of any Dessert and Coffee or Tea.

Windjammer Inn - Choice of Lunch entree with soup/salad; Dessert.

Empire Valley Farm Market & Greenhouses - Large patio tomato trellis and farm tour.

Harbourtown Fudge - Buy one pound of fudge for $15 and get a quarter pound free. Over twenty different flavours, featuring our Chocolate Cabernet Fudge during the ElginLicious campaign.

Pinecroft - Choice of daily special with a soup tasting, dessert and beverage for $15. Regular value $24.85.

Railway City Brewing Company - Tour and up to 3 samples each for up to 4 people, 1 souvenir glass, 1 souvenir t-shirt & $5 gift card, value $35 for only $15.

Lavender Sense - Selection of lavender tea blends, culinary lavender sample, lavender jam, marmalade, jelly or honey. Value $20.

$25

Kettle Creek Inn - Choice of appetizer, entrée, dessert and coffee or tea.

Ruby's Cookhouse - Soup or salad, Mediterranean Chicken Breast served over rice with your choice of potato and vegetable, house made apple pie.

Quai du Vin - 2010 Vidal Gold - Dessert Ice-wine, regularly priced at $40.50.

Windjammer Inn - Choice of Special Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert.

The Arts and Cookery Bank - Rhubarb Pies & More - Telegraph House hosts a Touch & Taste demonstration on pies May 23rd. Book in advance space is limited.

Holistic Awakenings Day Spa Celebrates One Year Anniversary!

Elgin County Economic Development is pleased to announce the one year anniversary open house at Holistic Awakenings Day Spa in Sparta.

The open house will be held on April 19 and 20 from 10 am - 4 pm and will include a gift bag for the first 40 visitors, samples, demos, snacks, refreshments and no tax on retail products and gift cards.

Holistic Awakenings Day Spa is owned and operated by Tammy Caughill a certified Reflexologist, Aroma Therapist, Hot Stone Massage Therapist, Esthetician and Holistic Practitioner. Caughill provides a spa experience that is defined by excellence and offers a unique combination of natural healing spa services and holistic body products.

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity," says Caughill, who is committed to providing her clients with a complete healing spa experience.

Located at 46349 Sparta Line, Sparta, Holistic Awakenings Day Spa offers a variety of services including: hot stone massage, Swedish massage, aroma therapy massage, body wraps, sugar scrubs, foot reflexology, paraffin wax hand and foot therapies, facials, hair removal, pedicures and manicures. In addition, the spa also offers a line of completely natural health and beauty products for sale. Holistic Awakenings Day Spa has recently become a member of Elgin County Tourism and is a valued member of the Sparta business community.

For more information about Holistic Awakenings Day Spa or to learn about monthly specials please call

519 - 775 - 2606 or visit www.holisticawakeningsdayspa.com.

Seating Area at Holistic Awakenings Day Spa

Elgin Business Resource Centre satellite office opens in Dutton

The western Elgin County office of the Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) is now open for business. The office is located at the Municipality of Dutton-Dunwich office, and will service residents of western Elgin County.

"The services offered by the Elgin Business Resource Centre will help creative entrepreneurs make their business goals a reality," said EBRC General Manager John Regan.

The new location will offer the same services as the St. Thomas location including; business counselling for new and existing businesses, access to loans and grants, a resource library, educational workshops, networking opportunities and access to several programs including Summer Company, the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP) and the Access to Self-Employment Benefits Program. The office will be open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.

This one-year pilot project is a partnership between the EBRC and the County of Elgin. The County has a long history of entrepreneurial spirit and entrepreneurial support programs are an important resource for the growing number of small and home-based businesses in the area.

"Entrepreneurs and small businesses are an important part of Elgin County’s economic success," said Elgin County Warden Cameron McWilliam. "We are pleased to be able to partner with the EBRC to offer support services for businesses in the western portion of the county."

"Elgin County successfully partnered with the EBRC in 2012 to open a satellite office in eastern Elgin County and we hope to replicate this success here," said West Elgin Mayor Bernie Wiehle.

Contact the qualified staff of the Elgin Business Resource Centre today to set up an appointment by visiting 199 Currie Road in Dutton, or calling Mark Masseo at 1-877-450-2128 ext. 471.