Friday 17 April 2015

Celebrate Canadian Film with a Mini Film Festival in Elgin

Celebrate Canadian Film Day with a FREE mini film festival at several locations across the County between April 30 and May 2. For more information visit www.stelip.ca.


April 29, Opening Night
The Snow Walker
Reception 5:30 p.m./ Movie 6:30 p.m.
Port Stanley Theatre
Call 226-456-7881 or e-mail festrela.stelip@gmail.com to reserve seating.

Thursday April 30
6:00 p.m. Aylmer Library  - Breakaway
6:00 p.m. Dutton Library  - Breakaway
6:00 p.m. St. Thomas Public Library
- Sabah
6:30 p.m. Northside Neighbourhood Hub - Breakaway

Friday May 1
11:30 a.m. Northside Neighbourhood Hub - Stories We Tell
6:00 p.m. St. Thomas Public Library - Stories We Tell
6:30 p.m. Talbot Teen Centre - Prom Night in Mississippi

Saturday May 2
2:00 p.m. St. Thomas Public Library
- Breakaway




Loans for Elgin County Businesses

Are you a small business owner or an entrepreneur looking for funding? The Elgin Business Resource Centre (EBRC) may be able to provide you with the funding you need to get your idea off the ground or make valuable improvements to your existing operation. As Elgin County’s Community Futures Development Corporation, The EBRC is able to provide qualified entrepreneurs, established businesses and co-operatives with business loans of up to $250,000 and micro loans of up to $ 5,000. These loans must be used to directly affect the growth of the business. New projects, working capital and equipment purchases are eligible but mortgages are not.


With its funds and mandate coming from Federal Economic Development Agency of Canada (FedDev), the EBRC is able to consider higher risk loans to businesses that traditional lenders may not. In order to be eligible for an EBRC loan, applicants must have first approached and been denied by, two traditional lending institutions. The goal of the EBRC is to help new businesses with great plans but no proven track record go from high risk start-ups to bankable. The organization is interested in the story of the business or business idea. How will it benefit Elgin County and St. Thomas? Will it create jobs? Is the idea original and will it add diversity to the local economy?

Although the EBRC’s lending criteria are less risk adverse than traditional lenders, it still undertakes an in-depth analysis of each loan applicant that is based on the 5 C’s of Credit:

Credit Worthiness – the EBRC will review the applicant’s credit score to determine history of borrowing and credit management including amount of debt, payment history and timeliness of payments.

Capacity – What income does the applicant have available to repay the loan as it becomes due? Will the business generate income in excess of its expenses?

Collateral – What will the applicant liquidate (sell) in order to pay the loan if the business fails to make payments?

Capital – What resources has the applicant invested in the business? Traditional lenders will not consider any applicants who have invested less that 35% of the value of the loan; however, the EBRC will consider as little as 10% invested. 

Capabilities – The best way to evaluate the applicant’s capability is to review his/her business plan. What are the qualifications of the owner? Who are his/her professional advisors? What plans exist for marketing, operating, and financing the business?


If a business owner or aspiring entrepreneur is able to meet these criteria, he/she may be eligible to receive funding. For more detailed information about the loans process or to book a consultation with a knowledgeable staff member at one of the EBRC’s three office locations (Aylmer, Dutton and St. Thomas) call (519) 633-7597 or visit www.elginbusinessresourcecentre.com

The Road to Culloden Comes to the Backus-Page House Museum

This May journey back in time to 1745 and witness ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ and his loyal Jacobite supporters march across Britain to reclaim the throne for the House of Stuart.

This first ever Scottish living history event at the Backus-Page House Museum will be held on May 16 and 17 and will feature historical re-enactors from across Ontario and the United States. Traditionally held at a location in the United States, the organizers of this re-enactment group were looking for a Canadian location. The Backus-Page House Museum is regularly used for re-enactments and historical demonstrations and links between the War of 1812 re-enactment community and the Jacobite re-enactors led to the location being selected for this year’s event. 

"Bonnie Prince Charlie"

The group will re-enact minor skirmishes leading up to the Battle of Culloden in 1746, when Charles Edward Stuart, also known as ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ attempted to regain the British throne for the exiled House of Stuart with the support of Scottish Highland clans, Scottish nobles and French noblemen. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with Highland warriors, British redcoats, nobles and common folk alike. They will also have the opportunity to walk through historically accurate Jacobite camps, listen to traditional singers, storytellers and bagpipe music, and witness sword and musket demonstrations. The Backus-Page House Museum will provide food for purchase throughout the two-day event.


The Road To Culloden
A Two-Day Scottish Living History Weekend
Backus-Page House Museum, 29424 Lakeview Line, Wallacetown
May 16 & 17, 2015
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Age 13+ $6.00 Age 12 and under FREE
(519) 762-3072
www.backuspagehouse.ca