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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-04-26, Page 19Everyone tied to Huron County’s tourism industry met last week and pooled their knowledge on Captivating the Customer to achieve their common goal. Scott Evans, president of the Huron Tourism Association, spoke at the Huron County brochure swap in Blyth and reiterated why the association holds these events. “We are partners together in a business and our business is tourism and we all own a part of the business,” Evans said. “We want to let people know that they don’t have to drive two hours to have an amazing time, that it’s right here in their backyards.” This, the 18th annual tourism event and brochure swap, included door prizes, lunch, a silent auction, guest speakers and the main event the networking and swapping of information of local tourist attractions. Huron County warden, Deb Shewfelt, spoke to the good that the association has brought to the county. He said that tourism is a bright spot to focus on in the face of the farming crisis and several international businesses that are affecting the area’s intake. “Our bright spot is tourism and there’s only one way to go; and that’s up,” Shewfelt said. “This event is a great opportunity to grow and helps us to understand that one hand washes the other in this industry.” Shewfelt spoke to the theme of the event, Captivating the Customer, and the networking aspect of the event was the key to the collaborative effort of tourism in Huron County. Shewfelt hoped the outcome of this day to be when people come to Huron County, and they attend an event, that other local establishments are encouraged to keep funds flowing into the community. Further to that point, the 2007 recipient of the Blyth Festival Tourism Development Award was announced after the greetings and just before everyone dug into lunch. Honoured was Hessenland Country Inn in Zurich. Elizabeth Ihrig was on hand to accept the award. Hessenland was chosen out of 19 nominations for 13 businesses, a larger pool than usual. With 2007 being the Ihrig family’s 25th year in Canada, they will have reached a milestone and now have two generations working beside one another, presiding over the Inn. In this, their 23rd year in business, the Inn was praised for its menu, the wine list, the attention to detail in connecting wines with dishes with an emphasis on local product. The staff was also called warm and personable which adds to the atmosphere of the Inn. When Ihrig accepted the award, Ihrig said that upon travelling to Huron County from Toronto, she knew she would never go back. She added that she was very honoured to be a part of the association and of the county. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2007. PAGE 19. Making it happen And the winner of the 2007 Blyth Festival Tourism development Award is Elizabeth Ihrig of Hessenland Country Inn. Laurel Armstrong (left) praised Ihrig, going over all the finer points of the Inn. Armstrong called the menu excellent, she praised the emphasis on local product, the wine list, the personality and expertise that come together to make a warm and welcoming atmosphere. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Tourism event held in Blyth A historic walk Local historian Brock Vodden led two walking tours around Blyth last Friday as a bonus to the 2007 tourism event held at the Community Centre. It was a great day for a walk too as Vodden and his wife Janis led a group of approximately 20 people around Blyth, regaling the group with stories of Blyth’s past. (Shawn Loughlin photo) Several recommendations from committee were approved at the North Huron council meeting of April 16. The first was that North Huron enter into an agreement with Think Plastics Inc. for the disposal of used bale wrap, greenhouse film wrap and other plastic products. A new cruiser for the Wingham Police Services will be purchased with funds in reserve. *** The tender from Fortress Fencing for the Optimist ball park was accepted as the lower of two. *** A zero turn mower will be purchased from CA Becker in Lucknow at a cost of $13,608. *** The winning tender for calcium chloride for East Wawanosh roads was from Da-Lee Dust Control. *** Council supported a resolution from the Twp. of King asking upper levels of government to provide funding assistance for municipal infrastructure and to review certain programs. *** Permission was given to the Alzheimer Society to hold its annual Tag Day fundraiser in North Huron. 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