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  • At Home, Online, Outdoors for The Holidays
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At Home, Online, Outdoors for The Holidays

Picture of a table decorated for a Victorian-era Christmas meal, with a Christmas tree in background. Text on image says "December Staycation: At Home, Online, Outdoors for the Holidays"

‘Tis the season. And what a different kind of season it will be this year.

Messing with tradition can be hard, we all know it. For many people December is a month steeped in traditions. Quieter comforts will replace the hustle bustle of the December holidays this year.

We’ve compiled a list of some made-in-The-County ideas that we hope will spark a new tradition or two. Read on for our suggestions of how to make a merry and bright December: at home, online and outside. We’ve included local food pairings throughout to help you make it extra special.

For those who are reading from afar, we look forward to when we can welcome you to The County in the not-too-distant future. Stay home. Stay safe. And support local this holiday season: either by gifting from The County’s online shops, or shopping local wherever your local may be.

At Home

There’s no place like home for the holidays, so why not add a little festive sparkle to your nest. Here are some DIY projects that will help you create a festive home for the holidays. Get crafty, Prince Edward County!

Everything you need to make perfect sugar cookies | Photo supplied by Karlyn’s Cookies

Karlyn’s Cookies At-Home Cookie Decorating Kit

Kids of all ages can get into the holiday spirit by creating mini edible masterpieces. Karlyn’s Cookies at-home cookie decorating kit provides everything you need to make picture perfect sugar cookies in your home kitchen. From cookies to icing and festive sprinkles, Karlyn’s kits will help you nail it. Order by email by December 18th for pick up in Picton.

County Chic DIY Rustic Ornaments

County Chic is bringing the workshops to your home this winter with their Holiday Drop 2020. Pick up one of their DIY Rustic Ornament kits before December 19th to create a fun variety of decorations, ideal for an added touch on a special gift or to hang on your tree. The package includes all materials and instructions. To order, send them a message on Instagram or Facebook. Available for curbside pick up in Bloomfield only.

DIY Rustic Ornament Collections currently available at County Chic. | Photo with permission from @countychicworkships

County at-home food & drink pairing: We recommend pairing your adult crafting with Kinsip House of Fine Spirits “Perfect Old Fashioned” gift pack. Available for pick up at the distillery or free local delivery, the kit includes their bitters, Whisky and Whisky Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. Pair it with the Kinsip / Kaleidoscope fruit cake collaboration. This awesome cake of jolly features dried fruit and nuts that have been soaking in Kinsip’s Dark Waters Rum.

Kinsip House of Fine Spirits and Kaleidoscope catering collaborated on this epic holiday fruit cake | Photo by Kinsip

Online

We’ve all become used to the online life this year. Take a break from the office Zoom and tune into these County-made online events.

Art House Atelier County Art Auction

Going once, going twice… you’ve got until December 13th to place your bids for the Art House Atelier Prince Edward County Art Auction. The online auction includes pieces from accomplished County artists like Kyle Topping, Joanna McFarland, Allen Hirsch, and Milé Murtanovski. The pieces are large and small, many are perfect gifts for the holidays! Art House Atelier will donate 10% of the proceeds to the County Community Foundation to support arts scholarships for PEC students.

A wintery farm scene: “Tractor” by Milé Murtanovski is available in the Art House Atelier auction | Photo supplied by Art House Atelier

Christmas by Candlelight at Macaulay House

On Wednesday December 16th at 7pm, peek at the festive decorations at Macaulay House with The County Museums through the magic of Facebook Live. During this free event, you can explore Macaulay House by candlelight, chat with museum staff about the origins of different holiday traditions, and be transported to the world of a Victorian-era Christmas.

Macaulay House wearing its Christmas decor | Photo supplied by The County Museums.

County at-home food pairing: A mainstay of Victorian Christmas feasts would be a mince pie. My Pies in Wellington is serving up a modern take on mincemeat as part of their holiday menu. Start with a savoury Tourtiere, Turkey Dinner or Vegan Dinner Pie, then finish of with a classic holiday tart. Not into mince? Try the butter tarts, Bakewell or cherry chocolate instead! Order in advance and pick up at the Wellington shop by 4pm.

My Pies holiday menu features mince pies, butter tarts, chocolate cherry and more. | Photo supplied by My Pies

The Regent Theatre Presents Uncovered: Notes from the Heart

The Regent Theatre has been offering a virtual screening room throughout the pandemic, with first-rate films, Cinefest offerings and live Opera available for streaming.

The cast of Uncovered: Notes from the Heart | Photo by Dahlia Katz

On Saturday December 19th, The Regent Theatre presents a streamed concert performance by the acclaimed Musical Stage Company. Notes From the Heart is 65 minutes of iconic songs of hope by Bob Dylan, Carole King, Bob Marley, Elton John, and more, reimagined and performed by today’s leading Canadian artists. Hope is a perfect theme for the holidays. Expect to see big name musical theatre performers like Jackie Richardson and Hailey Gillis, plus Bruce Dow and Andrew Penner who have both performed on Festival Players of Prince Edward County‘s stages.

County at-home food pairing: Keep it classy with a holiday board from Bloomfield Public House Market, complete with house-made charcuterie or smoked fish, Lighthall Vineyards cheese, and all the requisite BPHM pickles, chutneys and mustards.

Instant Rivalry headlines a County Christmas concert | Photo supplied by Instant Rivalry

Instant Rivalry’s Back Forty Christmas Special

The County’s musical talent is on display for the holidays. Our favourite brother and sister country music duo, Instant Rivalry, has pulled together an impressive lineup of local and regional talent for an online Christmas special premiering December 22nd. The Wilkinsons, Miss Emily, Justin Rutledge and more will help you celebrate the season from the comfort of your home. Expect a visit from Santa!

County food pairing: Make it feel like a party with classic festive appetizers. Matron Fine Beer is offering a Appetizer Party Box available for pick up from the brewery Dec 22-24. Sausage rolls, marinated goat’s cheese, meatballs and more pair nicely with their farmhouse ales, aromatic IPAs & balanced lagers.

Matron Fine Beer is has your bubble party snacks covered | Photo from Matron Fine Beer

Outdoors

This winter, we’re getting creative about outdoor, festive fun. From drive-through parades to light installations to late-season markets and solstice walks with a donkey… County folk have plenty of reason to get out of the house and enjoy the holidays, among community, safely outdoors.

County food & drink pairing: Each of these outdoor activities pair well with a warm bevvy from one of The County’s many coffee shops. Check out our recent Coffee Blog for details on where to find espresso, drip, teas and cocoa.

Picton Town Hall Holiday Farmers’ Market

The last outdoor market of the season will be held Saturday December 12th at the Picton Town Hall. Mask up and keep your distance as you shop 100% locally made gifts from food stuffs to flowers to wood work and more. Among the nearly 20 vendors, you’ll find honey and bee products from Curious Goat General Store, java from Stone Temple Coffees, holiday decor from Locust Tree Designs, and Kawthar’s Creations Syrian jams, pickles and marinated Labneh.

Find Scrunchie & Go’s festive collection at the Picton Town Hall Market, made by County youth Cody-Rae Fowler | Photo by Scrunchie & Go.

Loch Sloy Santa Extravaganza Drive Thru

On Saturday December 12th from 6 – 10 pm, get ready for The County’s first reverse Christmas parade. Stay in your car and tour through the Loch Sloy Business Park (a former WW2 air force training base) to see floats and installations, a 30-foot tree of lights, video chats with Santa and a concert by Instant Rivalry. The event is by-donation, raising funds for The ROC and Alternatives For Women.

Picton Rec Committee Holiday Home Decorating Contest

Category is: Best Dressed Holiday Homes. Picton residents will be vying for top honours in this neighbourly competition sponsored by the Picton Rec Committee. Homes will be judged on Sunday December 13th, with the three best-decorated homes receiving gift cards for local shops. There is a People’s Choice Award with nominations open until December 20th, so tour around in the car, or bundle up for a winter walk and enjoy the lights in Picton. Then cast your vote by email.

Spirit in the Square

Local artists have created light installations at the Armoury Square on Main Street Picton. Visit after dusk any time from December 14th until Boxing Day. On Saturday December 19th, the Square will come to life with music and more. This event is coordinated by Raising a Village Quinte, who helps to sponsor hundreds of children with essential items each year.

Ready for a winter wander at Macaualy Mountain Conservation Area? | Photo by Trevor Crowe

Winter Wander Walk

Join County Flora for a physically-distanced solstice hike at Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area on Monday December 21st at 8:30 am. Take the time to enjoy the stillness of nature and reflect on and celebrate your accomplishments throughout the year as you prepare for the one ahead. A short hike followed by a meditation on rest: sounds like the perfect way to celebrate the official changing of the season.

Walking With Thunder

Join ====\\DeRAIL and the Department of Illumination for a meditative, quiet walk honouring the Winter Solstice… with a donkey named Thunder. This is the third installation in a series of site-specific, community-engaged projects intended to animate a western section of the Millennium Trail. Meet at Fort Kente Road at the Millennium Trail (southwest of Hwy 64/Gardenville Road) at 3:00 pm to walk the trail with Thunder, his artist-handler Conrad Beaubien and musician Kat Burns. Physical distancing is a must: stay 6 feet from all humans and donkeys.

Artist Conrad Beaubien takes Thunder for a meditative walk to celebrate the solstice | Photo by Karen Palmer
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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... ⁠🎀⁠
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There are countless stories of how The County's tourism and hospitality sector supports local causes. Here's another worth highlighting:⁠
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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:⁠
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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... ⁠🎀⁠
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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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