Tuesday 26 March 2013

Easter Activities in Elgin

There are a bunch of fun Easter activities to do in Elgin County this weekend! Check out a list of area Easter Egg Hunts below. Make sure to visit www.relishelgin.ca or http://www.elgintourist.com/Tourism/Festivals-and-Events for a complete listing of area events.

Port Stanley Terminal Rail- Easter Egg Hunt Trains

Although the bunny doesn't speak much, he is very friendly and has lost some eggs along the station grounds at Union.

When: Fri Mar 29th, Sat Mar 30th & Sun Mar 31st
Time: Trains depart at 11am, 1pm & 2:30pm
Tickets: Adults $15, Children (2-12) $9
Where: Port Stanley Terminal Rail
Address: 309 Bridge Street, Port Stanley
Contact Phone: 519-782-3730
Website: www.pstr.on.ca

Belmont HUB Easter Egg Hunt
Children are divided up into different age groups to hunts for “eggs” (golf balls) in a different area of the park. The eggs are exchanged for goodie bags of treats at the end of the hunt. Every child receives a candy bag regardless of how many balls they find. At the end of the hunt children can visit with the Easter Bunny.  There is a BBQ at the end of the event as well.

When: Fri Mar 29th
Time: 11am
Where: Union Street Park
Address: Belmont
Website: www.belmonthub.ca

West Lorne Optimist Easter Egg Hunt

When: Sat Mar 30th
Where: Scout Hall
Address: 142 Chestnut Street, West Lorne
Contact Phone: 519-768-1055

Rodney Easter Egg Hunt

An exciting time for children to get together, meet the Easter Bunny and hunt for eggs indoors and out. Children are well rewarded!

When: Sat Mar 30th
Where: Rodney Park
Address: 135 Queen St, Rodney

Easter Bunny Visits Sparta
One free picture with the Easter Bunny, colouring and prizes! Easter egg hunts, gifts, draws and picture mounting. Fun and surprises. Donations to Caring Cupboard greatly appreciated.

When: Sat Mar 30th
Time: 12–3pm
Where: Side Room of the Sparta Tearoom
Address: Main Street, Sparta
Contact Phone: 519-775-0054
Website: www.spartacandles.com, www.spartahouse.com

Annual Family Easter Event
Easter Egg hunt, Puppet Lady, animal balloons, crafts, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Sponsored by the Union-South Yarmouth Optimist Club. No cost for the family.

When: Sat Mar 30th
Time: 10-11:30am
Where: Union Community Centre

St. Thomas Kinsmen Club Easter Egg Hunt
The Easter bunny will be hiding over 500 pounds of chocolate. For three different age groups: 1-4, 2-7 and 8-12. Special eggs that can be claimed for Easter prizes. There will be face painting, food and refreshments available. Washrooms will be open.

When: Sat Mar 30th
Time: 10:30am
Where: Pinafore Park, Main Pavilion
Address: 89 Elm Street, St. Thomas

Monday 11 March 2013

March Break Staycation Fun!

Staying at home this March Break? Don't worry Elgin County Economic Development & Tourism has a list of fun-filled activities to make your Staycation great!

Springwater Maple Syrup Festival
Springwater Conservation Area, Aylmer
Weekends in March and everyday during March Break
10 am -3pm
519-773-9037
www.catfishcreek.ca

Enjoy wagon rides through Springwater forest. Tour the old fashioned sugar shanty for demonstrations on maple syrup production. Maple products are available for sale. Dine at the pancake house which is operated by local community organizations.

Palmer's Maple Syrup Festival
3408 Lake Ln, RR #1 Port Stanley
Sat & Sun in March, 9am - 3pm
519-769-2245

Palmer's Maple Syrup is a great place for the family to enjoy a shanty tour, self-guided woods excursion, pioneer storyteller, log-sawing and maple leaf branding.

March Break Day Camp
St. Thomas Timken Centre
March 11-15
519-633-7112
www.city.st-thomas.on.ca

Boot Camp: Savour the Flavour, a Five Day Kids Culinary Adventure
The Arts & Cookery Bank, 242 Graham Rd, West Lorne
March 11-15
518-768-9986
www.theartsandcookerybank.com

Public Skating Sponsored by Eastlink
East Elgin Community Complex
March 11-15
519-773-5631
www.eastelgincommunitycomplex.ca

March Break Program at Union Community Centre
Union Community Centre
March 11- 15th
Vicki, 519-631-3840 or Joy, 519-633-6403


Movies, outdoor games, crafts and lots of fun. Lunches and snacks provided. Call to register.

STEPAC March Break Workshops for Children
St. Thomas- Elgin Public Art Centre, 301 Talbot St. St. Thomas
March 11 - 15
9am-3:30pm
$35/day or $160/week
519-631-4040
www.stepac.ca


March Break Activities at St. Thomas Public LibrarySt. Thomas Public Library, 153 Curtis Street  St. Thomas
Mon Mar 11th to Fri Mar 15th
519-631-6050
www.st-thomas.library.on.ca


Rose Klein Workshops at the Art Emporium
Art Emporium,  177B Main St. Port Stanley
Tues Mar 12th & Mar 19th
 226-658-1888
 roseklein52@hotmail.com
www.artemporium.ca


Register at least 48 hours in advance by phone or email.

Woven Beads - Mar 12th, 10am-1pm - $60, includes all materials
Altered Books -  Mar 19th, 1pm-4pm - $45, includes all materials


Aylmer-Malahide Museum March Break Programs
Aylmer-Malahide Museum & Archives, 14 East Street, Aylmer
Tues Mar 12th to Sat Mar 15th
Times: 11am-12pm, 12-1pm, 2-3pm, 3-4pm
 $5
519-773-9723
www.amtelecom.net/~aylmermuseum


Kids aged 5-8 create their own front page newspaper. If more than one per family attends, adult accompaniment required. Includes free treat!


Tundra Swan Migration
Aylmer Wildlife Management Area, 10594 Hacienda Road (beside the Ontario Police College)
Tues Mar 12th to Sat Apr 6th (approx)
www.amtelecom.net/~aylmermuseum


Each year in March, between 10,000 and 25,000 Tundra Swans stopover at the Aylmer Wildlife Management Area while migrating to the high Arctic region between Alaska and Baffin Island. At the
AWMA, there are trails, wildlife viewing stands, interpretative signs & brochures and plenty of parking.

Call the Swan Hotline, 519-773-7926 (773-SWAN) for Aylmer updates on the migration. This line is seasonal, in partnership with the Aylmer & District Museum, East-Link and the Order of
Good Cheer.

Railway Adventure Day
Elgin County Railway Museum, 225 Wellington St., St. Thomas
Wed March 13th
12-4pm
$5/adult, $2/child, under 2 free
519-637-6284
www.ecrm5700.org

March Break fun for kids of all ages! Create your own engineer’s hat and go on a railway adventure. Board a caboose and steam engine, try your hand a the telegraph key and see the History In Motion model railway. Warm up with complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn.



 

 

 

 

 

Friday 8 March 2013

Elgin County Conference Series focuses on customer service

Elgin County Economic Development is pleased to present the next installment in the popular Elgin County Conference Series. On March 27 participate in a day long seminar and workshop focusing on customer service.

Essentials of Service Excellence is an interactive workshop designed to help organizations reach the next level of customer service and create a customer-centric organization. The workshop will focus on the key role that individuals play in creating positive service experiences for customers. Topics presented will include: service excellence essentials, communications excellence, the service process and first impressions. The workshop will be delivered by the Ontario Tourism Education Corporation and will be funded in partnership with the Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation.

"Quality, consistent customer service is of vital importance to a business’ success,"
said Alan Smith, General Manager of Economic Development for the County. "This workshop will provide Elgin County business owners with the tools and techniques they need to build customer satisfaction and loyalty."

The workshop will take place Wednesday, March 27 from 9 am – 2 pm at the New Sarum Diner. The cost to attend is $30 with a student rate of $20. A continental breakfast and a lunch will be provided.

For more information visit
www.progressivebynature.com. Seating is limited so please pre-register by calling
519-631-1460 ext. 168 or email
jberinger@elgin-county.on.ca.

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Elgin County Makes Donation to United Way

Elgin County is pleased to announce that it has raised $2,453 for the Elgin - St. Thomas United Way, through efforts of the Economic Development and Tourism department, at the recent London Wine & Food Show.

"The London Wine & Food Show attracts over 10,000 visitors each year," said Elgin County Warden Cameron McWilliam. "The show provides an opportunity to showcase Elgin’s quality culinary attractions while raising money for a good cause."

For several years the County’s Economic Development and Tourism department has had a considerable display at the London Wine & Food Show to promote the area’s restaurants, wineries and agri-tourism attractions to the London market. In 2013 County staff sold cocktail plates with wine glass holders and bottled water with all the proceeds going to the United Way.

"The County of Elgin is one of our largest contributors," said Paul Shaffer of the Elgin - St. Thomas United Way. "We appreciate the support we receive in these tough economic times."

The Elgin County United Way Special Events Committee (ECUWSEC) presented the donation to the Elgin - St. Thomas United Way on February 21, 2013. The committee is also responsible for several other fundraising initiatives throughout the year including the annual Warden’s Golf Tournament in June and the Motorcycle Ride held in May.


For more information about Elgin County’s contributions to the Elgin – St. Thomas United Way please contact ECUWSEC at (519) 631 – 1460 ext. 456.



Photo: (Iona Woolley, Elgin – St. Thomas United Way; Lindsey Morritt, Marketing Assistant, Elgin County; Jessica Beringer, Economic Development Assistant, Elgin County; Alan Smith, General Manager Economic Development, Elgin County)