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  • Local County Staycation: November Edition
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Local County Staycation: November Edition

Wet, snowy days are soon to overtake those glowing moments of fall; but don’t despair. A local County Staycation is in order.

Staycation Vibes

What’s a local Staycation? It’s a chance to explore close to home. And when you explore close to home, the pace is slower, the experiences are richer and the connections are deeper. Take the time to make, read, cook, mix, dine and do to fill your November with County Staycation vibes.

Locals know it: November is a cozy and quiet time to explore the farms, shops, makers, tastes and activities that we’re known for. Here’s a list of things to do with your bubble to make the most of late Fall in The County.

Make Local

Be like a local maker and make something local! Knitting with local wool provides the ultimate cozy chill vibes.

Let hand-dyed organic wool from Honey Pie Hives & Herbals inspire your winter project | Photo by Honey Pie Hives & Herbals

Pick up yarn from local organic wool dyers such as Honey Pie Hives & Herbals or alpaca yarn producers like SHED Chetwyn Farms or Noble Beast. Let these locally-made fibres inspire your winter project. Pick up all your accessories at Rosehaven Yarn Shop (or sign up for one of their Friday night knitting classes). In need of some inspiration? Visit Boho Knits online for some locally-designed knitting patterns, including wraps, cowls and cozy slouch hats. 

If fibre arts aren’t your thing, check out the creative programs at The Baxter Arts Centre. Express yourself through dance, paint or pencil in a covid-considerate class led by local painter Stewart Jones, or choreographer Arwyn Carpenter.

Don’t have a creative bone in your body? Shop creatively instead. The County has some amazing makers. Usually this time of year they would be gearing up to show off their wares at holiday shows and markets. In lieu of bustling holiday markets, check out Busy Hands‘ online craft sale featuring 30+ local makers, or visit The Local Store‘s 12 Days of Christmas market with 120 County makers.

Read Local

A local staycation demands a local reading list, and Books & Company is the place to find your new favourite author. Local authors are well represented in their extensive selection, and their knowledgeable staff can help you find the perfect book. You can shop Books & Company online too, for delivery or curbside pickup.

The bookstore also features the catalogue of local publishing house Invisible Publishing. If you’re still feeling the Halloween spirit, pick up a copy of Be Scared of Everything by Peter Counter. If you want to read about County lore, there’s Don’t Honk Twice, an anthology of local stories. One of our favourites is Glory, by Gillian Wigmore, which was also a selected book for County Reads 2018.

County Heirlooms cookbook displayed on a picnic table.
Invisible Publishing’s popular cookbook County Heirlooms by Natalie Wollenberg & Leigh Nash | Photo by Daniel Vaughan

Cook Local

The County is home to some incredible chefs. There’s even a book about it: County Heirlooms, which features their stories and recipes. We’re so lucky that many of them share their recipes to help keep us creative in the kitchen.

Looking for comfort food on a rainy day? Then try cooking your way through Enid Grace’s Recipes. On both her Instagram and website, you’ll find some of her favourites, including Pappa al Pomodoro and Cantucci. Take a shortcut on some of the recipes by heading to Piccolina in Wellington. Pick up specialty pastas and Enid’s fresh made sauces and baked goods.

A variety of squash displayed on rocks and tables at Honey Wagon Farms on an autumn day.
In November, squash is definitely in season! Many farm stands are using the honour system, so remember to bring exact change! | Photo of Honey Wagon Farms by Gaby Cole

Want to challenge your culinary creativity? Take our Cook The County Challenge: pick a recipe and source as many ingredients as possible from Farm Stands and producers. It’s November, so the challenge is real. Focus on what’s in season: squash, potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, beets and apples.

With butchers, markets, cheese shops and even a mustard stand, you can find all your ingredients by shopping small. For local meats, cheese and sauces, check out Ralph’s Meat Market, Prinsville Dairy Farms, Prinzen Farms poultry, Aman’s Abbatoir, The Agrarian, Bloomfield Public House Market, Fifth Town, Lighthall and Black River Cheese Company.

We spoke to Chef Cynthia Peters of From The Farm Cooking School about what she loves to cook this time of year. She graciously provided us with one of her personal recipes for inspiration, so get cookin’.

Red Lentil and Apple Curry Soup: 2 tablespoons sunflower oil, 1 large onion chopped, 2 medium apples cored and chopped, 2 carrots chopped, 2 stalks of celery, 4 cloves of garlic chopped, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon yellow curry powder, 1 bay leaf, 1 cup red lentils rinsed, 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth no salt, half teaspoon salt, half teaspoon black pepper, 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or chives finely chopped. Over medium high heat, place a medium pot and add in the oil. Add the onion apples, carrots, celery and garlic and saute for three minutes. Add in the spices and stir for one minute. Add in the red lentils, stir and add the stock. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to a low simmer for approximately 30 minutes till the lentils and vegetables are cooked. Discard the bay leaf. Puree the soup in a food processor or with a handheld puree wand. Season with salt and pepper, taste and adjust the seasonings. Garnish with cilantro or chives.
Can you make this recipe using mostly County-sourced ingredients? | Recipe by Cynthia Peters

Mix Local

Why not try a County inspired cocktail on you local staycation? There are so many great ingredients you can buy locally. Find your cordials at Zest, bitters and spirits at Kinsip, and vermouth at Traynor. Pick up some maple syrup from one of our local producers and apple cider at Campbell’s. Combine these in fun ways to create a number of warming delights.

Need some inspiration? Just before it closed, The Back Room in Picton created a cocktail in honour of one of our favourite traditions: Maple in the County. To make their Maple Manhattan, take two ounces of Kinsip Whisky, add half an ounce of Traynor’s Haberdasher Red Vermouth, a bar spoon of County maple syrup and a few dashes each of Kinsip‘s chili espresso bitters and whisky smoke bitters. If you want a little kick, mix some cayenne pepper, cloves, all-spice and instant coffee with some turbinado sugar to rim the glass. If that doesn’t warm you, nothing will!

A dropper is used to put a drop of Coffee Pecan bitters from Kinsip Distillery into a glass
Kinsip makes a range of bitters available direct from the distillery or at shops like Zest Kitchen Shop and Agrarian Market | Photo by Jenny Thompson

If that’s a tad too fancy, take those cloves, add some cinnamon sticks and oranges to create a delicious mulled drink with locally crafted beverages. Try Crimson’s Mulled Hard Cider recipe, Campbell’s Orchards Mulled Apple Cider recipe, warm The Grange’s Spiced White for an easy mulled wine, or try something different with a mulled ale starting with Midtown Brewing’s Seasonal Ale.

Dine Local

As we adjust to cooler weather, you’ll find fire pits, heated patios, comfy dining rooms and hearty soups on every menu. Check out the new restaurant menus online and make sure to dress warmly for patios, call in to order take away, or pack your coziest mask for a safer dine-in experience.

Overhead shot of beef and peanut curry over rice in a blue bowl.
Warming Pan-Asian meals on Idle Wild’s Countylicious menu. | Photo (c) by Johnny CY Lam.

November brings Countylicious: a celebration of County culinary with $20 lunch and $40 dinner menus. With traditional prix fixe dinners, expanded lunch offerings and new take-away offerings, you’ll be able to sample so many items including warming soups, stews and curries. Check out this useful chart to see where you can dine in or order take away. Taste the flavours of the world and farm-to-table food on this ultimate local culinary staycation.

Along with a new menu that features a belly-hugging ramen, Parsons has Oysters & Stout Sundays all month long. Grab a pint and bundle up to their outdoor fire pit. Their merch line includes jackets and sweaters that can help keep you warm during your visit. 

A dozen adults gather around a large fire pit at sunset with children playing on wooden play structure in background
Gather around the fire pit at Parsons Brewing Company for Oysters and Stout | Photo by Jenny Thompsons

Many breweries and wineries are keeping the outside accessible and embracing the cooler weather. Cuddle up next to a fire or in newly installed heated pergolas at Gillingham Brewing Company. Breweries Parsons and Slake offer outdoor fire pits. Find a speakeasy vibe at the new Wine Lounge at Karlo Estates. Sherry Karlo has activated the cozy space with live music and activities such as scrapbooking and crafting with corks.

Two red antique couches surround a coffee table and fireplace in the Karlo Estates barn.
Cozy up in Karlo Estate’s wine lounge with a fireplace, antique couches and curtained-off pods for physical distancing. | Photo supplied by Karlo Estates

Naturally Local

You can still commune with nature in November, taking advantage of The County’s natural spaces, farms, flora and fauna.

With sweeping landscapes, there are plenty of lookouts and conservation areas in The County. At this time of year, with thinning leaves, you can see more and further. Hiking Macaulay Mountain is perfect in November, followed by a coffee at one of Picton’s great cafes.

For some stellar views, check out the Millennium Lookout over Picton and Slake Brewery whose brew pub fire-pits overlook Hallowell, Bloomfield and Athol. On the short drive between these two spots you’ll pass a spectacular WW2 British Air Force Gunnery School. Its history is quite amazing and worth learning in this time of remembrance.

Want to bring the outside in? We have some lovely green thumbs in The County who offer gorgeous orchids and houseplants that can keep you company over the winter. Pick one up from Jonathan Kaiser’s Shop, Flowers by Marvin, Parlour Studio or Coriander Girl. Or head to Carson’s Garden + Market on Wilson Road. You can warm up in the balmy greenhouse, find the perfect succulent, visit the adorable goats and shop an epic holiday décor selection.

Commune with more cute animals by heading to SHED Chetwyn Farms. During the fall and winter months watch alpacas from along the fence lines as they frolic in the snow! Alpaca are mountainous animals so love the colder weather. Head inside the shop to check out the throws, blankets and wearables that will help you take that warm-as-an-alpaca feeling home.

Five alpacas outdoors in the snow in their paddock
Alpacas love the snow. Catch a glimpse at SHED Chetwyn Farms. | Photo by Edward Pickering

There are so many ideas to keep you cozy, well-fed, active and engaged. Enjoy your local County Staycation: staying close to home has never been so fun!

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visitthecounty

Official tourism account. #PrinceEdwardCounty: a rural community bursting with creative talent & natural stunners. See also @countylicious

Prince Edward County 🏖🍇🎨🌈
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
County Artists Give Time and Talent⁠
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Throughout the year, The County's visual artists step up and support so many causes. When they are not in the studio or welcoming visitors to their galleries, they are helping the community however they can. 🖌️👨🏼‍🎨⁠🖼️⁠
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They donate or provide deeply discounted artwork to charity auctions, they donate proceeds of sales to causes, and they give their time and talent to community projects, designing posters and merch, creating murals and installations, and so much more.⁠
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🎨 This year, @pamelacarterstudio ran two fundraising sales for the @foundationpecmh Back the Build campaign. A detail of her painting "Winter Dreams #2" is pictured here.⁠
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❤️ Artistic giving takes many forms, from the Love Wall community art project by @nellarules that brought joy and hope in the early days of the pandemic to the recent @arthouseatelier County art auction that raised funds for arts scholarships for students, to the twenty artists who created work for the pop-up display "Intersections - an Anti-Racist Conversation on Sir John A MacDonald."⁠
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The County's artists make this a vibrant, beautiful, thoughtful and kind place to be.⁠
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🎴 You can support The County's artists this holiday season by stuffing some stockings with County Art Playing Cards from @countyarts. Proceeds help to build their artist career development fund. (Link in bio)⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #community #art #buyart #charityauction #artforgood #visualart #painter #scultpor #artforchange @southeast.ontario
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
Singing the Praises of County Musicians⁠
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🎸 🎤 🥁 They entertain us at events, restaurants, wineries, pubs and concerts. The musical talent hiding in plain sight here in The County is, quite frankly, awesome. The musical generosity is awesome as well.⁠
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Year-round, The County's musicians step up and share their talents in support of charities, causes and community spirit. ⁠
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🧡 Cases in point: the holiday jams at @karloestateswinery raising funds for the Wellington Storehouse Food Bank, years of Christmas in the County albums in support of @princeedwardlearningcentre (download previous years' albums through @zuniordave) or The Reasons playing impromptu concerts at the windows of the HJ MacFarland Nursing Home... ⁠
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💜 Or take Instant Rivalry and their studio "Back Forty Productions" - Since March they have produced 36 live streams, some for charities like the @unisonfund. They produced a five-hour Canada Day Broadcast for the community, and recorded nearly 40 acts in their studio for the Radiothon fund raiser for our community radio station @993countyfm ⁠
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Tonight (December 22nd, 7pm) they are offering a free online concert "Back Forty Christmas Special" featuring @themissemily, @justin_rutledge, Lenni Stewart, The Brian Legere Trio and so many more. Check @instantrivalry to tune in.⁠
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📸 of @tonyforbesmusician recording for the Radiothon at Back Forty Productions⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #musicgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #community #music #communityradio #singersongwriter #livemusic #supportlocalmusic #countymusic #supportlocal #localband @southeast.ontario
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The County Heirlooms Cookbook⁠
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⁠It's been called the ultimate way to "triple down" on supporting local this holiday season: gift a copy of a County Heirlooms Cookbook purchased at a County store.⁠
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📚 Not only will you be supporting a local retailer like @bookscompany_picton @zestkitchenshop or @thelocalstorepec (among others), but you'll also be purchasing a locally-published book (by The County's @invisibooks) AND, all royalties from the book are donated to @foodtosharepec. ⁠
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Oh, and the recipient gets a beautiful collection of stories and recipes from County chefs, farmers and producers.⁠
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👏🏼 Wins all around!⁠
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The team behind County Heirlooms is a force of County creativity: writer/editor @nashls, food stylist @ruthgangbar and writer/photographer @natwollenberg (who, at the helm of @555brewingco and @jacksonsfallscountryinn supports local causes year round, from food security to the LGBTQ+ community to @allwelcomehere and local arts and sports.) They interviewed and photographed 40+ icons of The County's hospitality sector who graciously shared their most beloved recipes. Like @waltssugarshack festive Rosemary and Maple Glazed Nuts pictured here.⁠
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🥦 🌽 🍎 Food To Share is a volunteer-run charity that turns excess food crops and donated food into healthful frozen meals for The County's local food banks. 👀 Link in bio.⁠
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Photo by Natalie Wollenberg, food styling by Ruth Gangbar⁠
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 #countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback #foodsecurity #foodtoshare #foodbank #foodisahumanright #knowyourfarmer #cheflife #eatlocal #supportlocal #shoplocal #dinelocal
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:  Main Street Picton Supports RAV-Q  ⁠Tonight (Saturday December 19) is Picton Night of Lights, a sparkly celebration of community and the holiday spirit. Until 9pm, many businesses on Main Street Picton will stay open late. Festive music plays in the Armoury Square where County artists have installed playful light installations to brighten the night, all organized by @raising.a.village  @thevicdrivein is collecting toy donations for RAV-Q’s Merry and Bright campaign that provides holiday gifts to children in need in The County and Quinte. They are also selling $2 tater tots in support!  ⁠RAV-Q is a charity that helps families in need by providing essential children’s items. Many businesses involved in tourism step up to help through cash donations, in-kind support and donations of sales.  Friends of RAV-Q include @beaconbikebrew who supported through a Chrismukkah event last year, @countychicworkshops and @goldandgingerstudio who donate product to the Merry & Bright children’s gifts, @carbonlifepec where you can pick up the cutest gingerbread cookies this holiday season to support RAV-Q, and so many more!  Visit The Armoury Square anytime from December 24th through until Boxing Day to see the beautifully created light installations.  #countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback #ittakesavillage #toydrive #supportfamilies #community
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
Sponsors of The Regent Theatre⁠
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Celebrating just over 100 years in Picton, the Monarch of Main Street has lived through two global pandemics. ⁠
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🎵🎭📽️ @regenttheatrepicton - our non-profit cinema and performing arts theatre - has had a challenging year, to say the least. As one of the first businesses to close, and likely among the last to re-open, The Regent needed the help of the community to keep the lights on.⁠
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Dozens of County hospitality and tourism businesses are among The Regent Theatre's sponsors. They stepped up in 2020, even as they faced their own COVID challenges, and continued their sponsorships. Tourism related business like @huffestateswine @theroyalhotelpicton and @city_revival made Platinum level contributions!⁠
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Over the last year, while the theatre was dark, The Regent used the theatre's marquee to thank their sponsors.⁠ The marquee has been a heartening reminder of community spirit!⁠
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Don’t miss The Regent’s presentation of “Uncovered: Notes from the Heart” by @musicalstageco this Saturday Dec 19th. It’s an online concert by Canada’s top musical theatre performers, full of songs of hope by Bob Dylan, Carole King, Bob Marley and more! Tickets are available on The Regent’s website.⁠
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Bravo! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #sponsorship #localtheatre #theatre #cinema #countyarts #communitytheatre #heritagetheatre #historictheatre #savehospitality #hospitalitygivesback
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
ANDARA Gallery Backs the Build⁠
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County artists Tara Wilkinson and Andrew Csafordi are the owners of @andaragallery on Wilson Road. "With COVID-19 impacting everyone's mental health, we asked ourselves 'What can we do to help?,'" says Wilkinson. "We decided to get a really big Christmas tree, put it in our barn and decorate it from top to toe and create some festive seating areas in front of it." 🌲⁠
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This epic backdrop became a place where families and bubbles could make some happy holiday memories. 🎇📷⁠
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Guests get comfortable in the cozy barn setting, Wilkinson - a photographer by artistic trade - takes a festive photo on the guests' phone. Donations are collected for the @foundationpecmh⁠ "Back the Build" campaign to build a new hospital for Prince Edward County.⁠
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Win. Win. Win. 👏🏻⁠
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The holiday photos in the barn continue until December 23rd. County folks still have time to take a pic and make a gift to our local hospital!⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #ruralart #encausticartist #photographer #holidayphoto #christmasphoto #artinthebarn #epictree  #christmas #holidays #backthebuild
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The ROC Empty Bowls Fundraiser⁠
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Start with a beautifully crafted bowl from @theye11ow studio, fill it with homemade soup and bread from one of 13 restaurants, add a sweet treat on the side. ⁠
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Supporters of the Recreation Outreach Centre were treated to a simple but meaningful meal last week as part of the physically-distanced Empty Bowls Fundraiser.⁠
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🥣 The bowls were donated and hand-crafted by Dawn Stafrace-Middleton of The Ye11ow Studio in Picton, with the help of her team led by manager Vanessa Molyneaux. Clay and glaze donated by @tuckers.pottery and @spectrumglazesinc. ⁠
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🍜 Yums were donated by @thevicdrivein @themaranspec @thedrake @blumengardenbistro @idle_wild_pec @555brewingco @picnicpecfood @thewaringhouse @hartleystavern @midtownbrewingcompany @flameandsmith @chefmichaelhoy1 @thebeancountercafe. Dozens of local businesses sponsored the event.⁠
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🤗 The event sold out and The ROC raised much needed funds to support programming for youth. The ROC is a barrier-free space that believes that every young person in The County has an equal chance to excel in life. 💙💛⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #collaboration #cheflife #feaston #southeasternontario #youthprogram #nonprofit #giveback #empower #youthempowerment #youth #PECYouthCentre #ROCPEC  #supportingyouth #mentorship #youthengagement #leadership #skillsdevelopment #afterschool
🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality give 🎀 In the giving season, County hospitality gives back... ⁠🎀⁠
⁠
There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's one worth highlighting:⁠
⁠
The County Food Hub Holiday Feast⁠
⁠
Congratulations to @countyfoodhub @chefjamiekennedy @chefalbertponzo and all of the volunteers who have made this weekend's Holiday Feast fund raiser a sold out event.⁠
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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⁠
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These two tremendously talented chefs paired up to create a take-out holiday feast to raise funds for The County Food Hub: "the kitchen that saved a school."⁠
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When the Sophiasburgh Central School was slated for closure, the community rallied to build the County Food Hub in the school. This leading edge commercial "sharing" kitchen leased excess space from the school board and saved the rural school from closure. A huge win for children, families and community in rural Sophiasburgh. ⁠❤️⁠
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#countyup #visitthecounty #thecounty #princeedwardcounty #tourismgivesback #community #volunteer #charity #dogood #socialgood #fundraising #collaboration #cheflife #feaston #southeasternontario #foodsecurity #foodeducation #rurallife #ruralschool #rural
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