Discover Inner Creativity at Artastic Elgin

The Elgin Arts Trail is pleased to announce the first annual Artastic Elgin Art Tour on September 28 and 29.

During this two- day event, participating members of the Elgin Arts Trail will be offering workshops, gallery events, art talks, specials and interactive tours for the public. Visitors are encouraged to see behind-the-scenes as ideas come to life and learn first-hand how pottery is crafted, how paintings are created and how colourful stained glass is designed.

"This event will give visitors the opportunity to discover their inner creativity while engaging with local artists themselves," said Elgin County Tourism Coordinator Kathryn Russell.

The event will be held in conjunction with Culture Days, a national initiative designed to raise the awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement of Canadians in the arts and cultural life of their communities.

More information about Artastic Elgin and copies of the tour map can be found at all Elgin Arts Trail member locations, at the Elgin County Tourism office at 450 Sunset Dr., St. Thomas and online: 

 http://issuu.com/elginst.thomastourism/docs/artastic_elgin_b76b650c78ba57.

Kick off Apple Season at Great Lakes Farms

Great Lakes Farms is pleased to invite the public to celebrate the beginning of apple season with Apple Fest on the farm.

The event will be held on September 7 from 10 am - 5 pm and September 8 from 11 am - 5 pm and will include the opportunity for visitors to pick their own fresh crisp apples (MacIntosh and Gala) and to enjoy some delicious, made on the farm baked goods.

“Kick off the fall season with some good old fashioned farm fun,” said owner MaryAnne Van de Gevel. “Get lost in our corn maze or take a tractor ride around the farm.”

The farm will also be a stop on this year’s self-guided Elgin Farm Adventure Tour hosted by the Elgin Federation of Agriculture on Saturday September 7. For more information about the tour or to pick up a location map please visit Elgin County Economic Development & Tourism at 450 Sunset Dr., St. Thomas.

Great Lakes Farms grows high quality Elgin County fruit, just minutes from scenic Port Stanley. Fresh strawberries, juicy tree ripened peaches, pears, pumpkins and 12 varieties of crunchy delicious apples are available fresh when in season.

For more information about Great Lakes Farms, entrance prices or to learn about Apple Fest visit www.greatlakesfarms.ca or search Great Lakes Farms on Facebook or Twitter for updates.

Savoury Tomato Pie - The Perfect Taste of Summer

It's the time of year when gardens and farmers' markets are filled with delicious ripe tomatoes perfect for making salsa, tomato sauce or eating fresh in salads and on hamburgers! Elgin County is lucky to be home to some of the best sources of fresh local produce in the area. Check out our Savour Elgin website to learn more about the different locations you can visit to get all the ingredients to make your recipes unforgettable!

Check out this recipe for Tomato Pie - yes you read it correctly -Tomato Pie! This is not a traditional sweet pie but a savoury dish using fresh local tomatoes, onions and basil!

Ingredients

1 pre-made pie shell
4-6 medium tomatoes, chopped and drained
1 onion diced
10 basil leaves finely chopped
1 cup of real mayonnaise
1 tbsp hot sauce
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
Salt
Pepper

Directions

1. Chop tomatoes and let drain for approximately 20 minutes squeezing as much juice out of them as possible - this will ensure that your pie is not runny.

2. Pre-heat oven to 375 F and bake pre-made pie shell for 7-8 minutes. Remove to cool for 5 minutes. You can make your own pie crust too if you have the skills.

3.  Chop onion and place on the bottom of the pie crust.

4. Place drained tomatoes in pie crust on top of the onions.

5. Finely chop basil leaves and add to the pie crust.

6. In a separate bowl mix grated cheese, mayonnaise, and hot sauce. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the mixture.  

7. Spread the cheese and mayonnaise mixture on top of the pie.

8. Bake at 375 F for 35-40 minutes until topping is browned. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. 

9. Enjoy as a main course or a side dish! 

The Art Emporium: A Diverse Regional Collection

A popular destination for art enthusiasts, Port Stanley is home to the Art Emporium, Boathouse Gallery and Gift Boutique. Located at 177 Main St., Port Stanley, the facility consists of two unique sections: The Boathouse Gallery and the Gift Boutique.

The Boathouse Gallery is a bright and spacious area with a beachfront view. It houses the original fine art of a diverse group of over 30 talented local and regional artists. The artists work in many media spanning from paintings to sculptures, photography, pottery, textiles, and more.

While at the Art Gallery explore the Gift Boutique, offering a wide assortment of handcrafted items, made by artisans in the community. The handcrafted goods are a treasure trove of wood turning, hand painted silks, one-of-a-kind aprons, jewellery, bead-work, art cards and more. No two visits to the Art Emporium are the same; visitors and art enthusiasts alike are sure to find a unique memento or a special gift.

The artists of the Art Emporium demonstrate their passion for art and their desire to share it with others. The five members on the board of directors act as responsible members of the art community by giving their over 30 member artists input into decisions made at the gallery. They are committed to fostering growth in the arts community and supporting the efforts of the many talented artists in the area by providing an affordable display space and promoting the sale of fine art.

For more information about the Art Emporium or to discover the Elgin Arts Trail visit www.elginartstrail.ca.