The Citizen, 2013-04-04, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013. PAGE 19.
Nominations wanted for
annual heritage awards
Cultural mapping the focus of annual tourism event
Residents often overlook great
opportunities lurking in their own
backyards – from swimming in Lake
Huron, hiking and biking on local
trails, fishing, golfing, or
experiencing local culinary
traditions to staying at a rural
country inn or a comfortable bed and
breakfast, and enjoying local
heritage, art and theatre. One thing
Huron County residents can always
count on – Huron County is a great
place to live, work, play and...visit!
The Huron Tourism Association
(HTA) will be presenting “Be the
Gateway - Know it! Grow it! Show
it!” at the 24th Annual Tourism
Event and Brochure Swap in Huron
County, on Tuesday, April 16, from
8:45 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the
South Huron Recreation Complex in
Exeter.
The event will kick-off with an
update from Huron Tourism
Association (HTA) President Tim
Cummings, then continue with
keynote presentations that will focus
on developing Huron County’s
cultural assets as a tourism and
economic generator. Huron County
Cultural Development Officer Rick
Sickinger will share information
about the Huron County cultural
mapping project – who’s on the map
and why you need to know. Greg
Baeker director of Authenticity and
a nationally recognized leader in
cultural mapping, cultural planning
and culture-led economic
development, will review basic
concepts and tools in cultural
mapping with particular attention to
its uses in tourism development.
“This annual tourism industry
event is hosted in a different
community each year to showcase
what great things that area can offer
to residents and visitors to Huron
County,” says Cindy Fisher, Huron
County Tourism Co-ordinator. “This
year, we’re proud to highlight the
Municipality of South Huron.”
Morning tours will feature three
themed tours to choose from:
Exploring South Huron’s History - a
guided bus tour of the area
highlighting points of interest,
indoor and active outdoor
recreational activities, and a lively
sharing of the culture and commerce
of the area. A guided walking tour
will invite participants to step back
in time with the Exeter and District
Heritage Foundation and hear stories
about the town’s early
“entrepreneurs”- some of whom
hung out their “Open For Business”
signs more than a century and half
ago. And, a third tour will be a
guided Flora and Fauna Natural
Trail Hike along the South Huron
Trail where guests will be
discovering living things on an
accessible natural oasis!
During the event, the HTA will
present the 2013 Annual Tourism
Development Award to a business
that demonstrates leadership,
creative inventions, partnership
initiatives, community impact and
excellence in the tourism industry.
Additionally, the 2013 Tourism
Champion Award will be presented
to an owner, operator, staff or
volunteer of a business, attraction or
special event who advocates for
local tourism initiatives. Businesses
are asked to nominate those who are
worthy of these awards by March 29
(forms are available from Marie
McGuire at 519.524.8394 x3 /
mmcguire@huroncounty.ca)
A silent auction offers an
opportunity to raise funds for
marketing Ontario’s West Coast and
provides supporters or members a
great opportunity to profile product
or attractions to their peers in
tourism. If you would like to
contribute to the silent auction e-
mail jujiye@huroncounty.ca
And, another major component of
the day is the brochure swap that
provides registrants with the
opportunity to distribute their
promotional literature to other
businesses and promoters. “As a
tourism business operator, it’s
important that you and your staff are
educated on what’s available in the
area,” says co-ordinator Karen
Stewart. “It helps to provide the best
customer service experience to
visitors.”
This event provides a great
opportunity for businesses to collect
material, distribute brochures and
network with other businesses in the
county who can promote tourism
businesses to clients, friends and
family who are visiting Ontario’s
West Coast. The new 2013 Ontario’s
West Coast Vacation Guide will be
available for pick-up that day along
with the other specialty brochures
The fourth annual Huron Cultural
Awards will take place on May 10,
at Hessenland Country Inn in St.
Joseph. The awards, produced by the
Huron Arts & Heritage Network
(HAHN) in partnership with the
Cultural Services Department of the
County of Huron, recognize the
outstanding contribution of Huron
County residents or organizations in
the following categories: individual
artist, community event or
organization, youth award, heritage
individual or organization and
community contribution of a
volunteer or patron.
“Huron County has a vibrant and
diverse cultural scene with many
committed individuals and
organizations,” says Deb Sholdice,
HAHN Chairperson. “These awards
provide an opportunity for us to
celebrate and honour those who
made a significant contribution in
arts and heritage in Huron in the last
year. We’re inviting everyone who
lives in Huron County to assist us in
recognizing the best the County has
to offer by sending in their
nominations.”
Finalist and winners in each
category will be chosen by a jury
made up of sector stakeholders and
Huron Arts & Heritage Network
members. This year’s winners in
each category will be presented with
a hand-crafted wooden bowl by
local artisan Tony Omahen of Sunset
Wood Turning near Goderich. A
short video presentation will also be
created for each of the award
winners.
If you would like to nominate an
individual or organization, you are
asked to fill in a nomination form
and write a short description
(maximum of one page) explaining
what your nominee did in 2012 in
their category and why that you
think it is worthy of recognition.
Nomination forms and award
information is available online at
creativehuron.ca or by following the
link on the Huron County Library
Facebook page. Printed copies can
be picked up at any Huron County
Library branch during regular
branch hours. Nominations in each
of the five categories will be
accepted until April 19, 2013.
This year’s Cultural Awards Gala
is Friday, May 10 from 8 to 11 p.m.
at Hessenland Country Inn. As well
as recognizing the finalists and
winners in each of the categories the
awards gala features entertainment
from a variety of Huron County
artists. Tickets are $12 and can be
purchased through the Blyth Festival
box office at 519-523- 9300 or toll
free at 1-877-862-5984.
Old Tyme
Country Breakfast
Sunday, April 7
8 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
at Londesborough Hall
• Eggs • Bacon • Sausage
• Pancakes and Homefries
Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.00
Children Under 12 . . . . . . . . . $3.00
Sponsored by Londesboro Lions Club
Proceeds to support minor ball program
Londesborough
United Church
33rd Annual
SONGFEST
Sunday, April 7
7 pm
Featuring:
Katie Dockstader - Soloist
The West Perth Singers
Peter Postill - Tenor
The Snell Family Singers
The Londesboro U.C. Senior Choir
Admission: $10
12 years & under Free
Refreshments to Follow
Entertainment Leisure&
Braving the breeze
Not even the cold could keep the Living Water Christian Fellowship congregation from
celebrating its sunrise service on Sunday morning. The lack of a sun didn’t even dampen their
spirits as they spoke and sang to celebrate Easter at a home just outside of Wingham. (Denny
Scott photo)
Continued on page 20
Get entertainment information
on the Entertainment section
of our website at
www.northhuron.on.ca