The County Podcast and Blog

A Roundabout Way of Improving Traffic Safety in the County

The Ontario Government is spending $2-million to improve the intersection of Highway 33 and County Road 1 west of Picton, by converting it to a roundabout. According to a Ministry of Transportation news release, "roundabouts are safer and environmentally friendly. They reduce speeds, traffic delays, fatalities, air and noise pollution." Work on the new roundabout is underway and is projected to be complete by summer 2009. 

While roundabouts are definitely safer than traditional intersections with stop signs and traffic lights, some drivers regularly get sweaty palms every time they spot a roundabout ahead. Tamara Mehta, an American living in London, says "I've even been known to take alternate routes to avoid going through a roundabout. They do keep traffic moving, but I'd rather deal with a four-way stop or a traffic light."

 Most drivers in Britain appear to love their roundabouts however. There's even a Roundabout Appreciation Society. You can buy a Best of British Roundabouts 2009 calendar, and now a book has been published with everything you every wanted to know about roundabouts. The author, Kevin Beresford, says "Roundabouts hit a soft spot in British hearts that, for example, traffic lights never can. They are aesthetically pleasing - they are often planted with floral displays. I think they appeal to our love of gardening and also the fact that we are an island race."

If you've never experienced driving through a roundabout, watch Chevy Chase in this clip from the movie European Vacation.

New County Economic Development Website Targets Investors

Prince Edward County's Economic Development office has launched a new multimedia website, BuildANewLife.ca, aiming to attract potential investors by allowing them to experience what it's like to work and live in the County. Featured content includes videos and podcasts, along with links to the County's own YouTube channel, Facebook and Flickr photography sites. You can visit the new website here.   

Murray Canal Swing Bridge Swings Again

"Brian O'Neil, chief engineer with the Trent Severn Waterway, said Thursday the goal is to have the bridge fully operational by Saturday. He said cranes are expected to pull the temporary bailey bridge, just metres west of the swing bridge, out of position early Friday afternoon."

Belleville Intelligencer

Read the full story here.

Other County Websites or Blogs You Should Visit -- #2

After a couple of intensive years of planning and construction, the Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company expects to begin producing hand-made goat and sheep milk cheeses by the end of March at its innovative 20-acre facility on the eastern ridge of Prince Edward County. A grand opening to the public is planned for early May. Designed as an advanced sustainable enterprise, Fifth Town aims to be platinum-accredited under the LEED Canada Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program.

Petra Cooper is founder and CEO of Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company. We first interviewed Petra for the County Podcast in January, 2006 during her early days of planning. We hope to record an update interview with Petra in April.

UPDATE: The Fifth Town retail store is now scheduled to open June 6th.

To listen to the archive interview click here:

or download the MP3 file here

Statue of Al Purdy to be Installed at Queen's Park

What do you suppose Al Purdy would make of the fact that on May 20, a 9'6" bronze representation of himself will be unveiled at Queen's Park in Toronto? According to a Globe and Mail story, poet Susan Musgrave, a former neighbour and friend of Al's, said, "He'd probably worry about the pigeons pooping on him...Wherever he is, he's probably looking down and laughing."

One of Canada's most important and beloved poets, Al Purdy and his wife Eurithe moved to Roblin Lake in Ameliasburgh in the 1950s, although in later years they divided their time between their Roblin Lake cottage and British Columbia. Al died in 2000 and his ashes are buried in Ameliasburgh at the end of Purdy Lane. A decade earlier, when Hill Street was renamed Purdy Lane in his honour, Al commented, "I've had people walk on me and now they can drive over me."

One of Al Purdy's most popular poems is At the Quinte Hotel. To listen to Al reading the poem click here:

or download the MP3 file here

A couple of years ago Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip paid homage with a video version of the poem:

 

County Culture Featured in New Podcast Directory

The federal government's Department of Canadian Heritage, in cooperation with the National Arts Centre, has launched a "cultural podcast" directory on its Culture.ca website. And what do you know, in the Canadiana section, after a long list of CBC podcasts, you'll find...the Prince Edward County Podcast. Who knew? 

Should we take a bow? Do we need to get a haircut and put on our clip-on tie? Does this mean we now qualify for overly-generous government grants?

Nah....
 

The 100-mile County diet

The July/August issue of Christine Renaud's terrific upfront magazine is now available for you to pick up (free!) at many locations around the County. You can also access it online here. The lineup in this issue includes a timely story about the accelerating public interest in sourcing and eating locally grown food. As Christine says in her introduction:

Little did Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon know that their adventure in local eating would prompt a near cult of followers to take up the same crazy plan. The two writers from British Columbia decided to conduct an experiment: eat only foods obtainable within 100 miles of their home for one year. They wrote a book and since then - actually even before the book, as many were reading the couple's online blog - people all over the country and beyond are trying their own similar experiments. If you're wondering why? Or how? Or want to try it but don't know where to start? We've got a few answers. They may or may not persuade you, but they may well alter how you think about food.

You'll enjoy reading about Christine's quest to begin eating only foods grown and obtainable within 100 miles of Prince Edward County. You may also enjoy listening to a podcast interview with Alisa Smith and J. B. MacKinnon which is available on their publisher's website.

Full disclosure: I produce all of the author interview podcasts for Random House of Canada. You can find all of the author podcasts listed here.

New: Search The County; Leave a Message

No, we haven't been on vacation. Our crack technical team took over the place while they installed some hot new features here at the County Podcast. If you shift your gaze to the right, you'll first notice our spiffy new Prince Edward County search engine. Who needs Google or Yahoo when you can now do a fully customized search for anything related to the County and generate only County results in return? Is that cool or what? Just select whether you want to search the County Podcast archives exclusively, or try a general Prince Edward County search. Try it. You'll like it!

The second new feature is our very own County Podcast voicemail line: 206-337-0924. And don't worry, you won't be entering voicemail hell. You'll hear a greeting, a beep, then it's your turn. Simple as it can be. Do you agree or disagree with what you've heard in a podcast? Let us know. Are you considering a move to the County and have a question? We'd love to hear it. Got a story, a memory or a point of view that you'd like to share? Wonderful. And then we'll share your comments by including them in future County Podcasts. Our operators are standing by around the clock. Don't delay, call us today!
 

Read A County Newspaper Lately?

When was the last time you read a County newspaper? Wednesday? Last weekend? Maybe last Christmas?  Or do you use the weekly papers -- particularly the ones that are chucked onto your driveway -- to line your Blue box or protect the floors while training a new puppy?

Many say that newspapers, at least the big city ones, are in trouble and staring at oblivion. Readership is way down. Young people don't read newspapers anymore. Radio, television and the Internet are preferred choices for getting the news, say the experts.

Funny thing about trends though. The County has  three weekly newspapers and they all appear to be surviving quite nicely: the Picton Gazette, the County Weekly News, and the Wellington Times. We also have the South Marysburgh Mirror, without a doubt a delightful and colourful read, even though it's considered a monthly newsletter.

There's really no secret ingredient.Their competitive advantage is, and always has been, localism. County residents will always want to know about the schools, businesses, taxes, teams, events, births and deaths closest to home. And no news organization is better positioned or staffed to supply this information than competent weekly newspapers.

However it's important that our County weeklies don't get too complacent or boring. There's still a need to ask tough questions, address sensitive issues, and hustle for new and fresh content. And the best example of this is the Wellington Times, under the direction of owner-publisher-editor Rick Conroy for the last two years.

Join Janet for her conversation with Rick Conroy. You can download the podcast by clicking here.

Running time: 11:52                    File size: 5.8 MB

Investment Opportunities in Prince Edward County

This podcast presentation is sponsored by the Economic Development office of the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward. 


Prince Edward County is experiencing a rural renaissance. For years the County was one of Ontario's best-kept secrets. But today we're being discovered -- or rather rediscovered. And our economic outlook has never looked better.

In this podcast, you'll hear about the three major economic waves the County has experienced since the United Empire Loyalists settled here over two hundred years ago. The strong resurgence we're now experiencing is based on four economic pillars: commerce and industry; tourism; arts, culture and heritage; and agriculture. You'll also hear some of our top business people explain in their own words why they were attracted to the County, the success they've experienced, and the opportunities for growth that exist here.

They include:
            - Lanny Huff, Huff Estates Winery
            - Petra Cooper, Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company
            - Peta Hall, Pottery
            - Carl Wiens, Print & Web Illustration
            - Jason Willard, Midtown Meats
            - Michelle Laframboise, Clearwater Design
            - Edward Shubert, Merrill Inn
            - Norah Rogers, Waring House Inn/Claramount Inn & Spa

Host of the podcast is Dan Taylor, Economic Development Officer for Prince Edward County. For further information about investment opportunities in the County, contact Dan at his Picton office by calling (613) 476-2148, ext. 246, or by emailing him here.

You can download the podcast by clicking here.

Running time: 16:31                    File size: 7.6 MB