HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-08-28, Page 22Office opens
The Innkeepers of Ontario has it head office on Brussels
main street. Executive Officer Kathy Nichol moved the
admininstration from her home into the building at 441
Turnberry St. recently. (Bonnie Gropp photo)
Last Chance!!
Bring in your minor
ball and minor
soccer team picture
this week to be
included in the The
Citizen's season
ending special
section.
Open Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to
5 p.m. unless she has a meeting to
attend, Nichol invites people to stop
by or call 887-8889 to ask any
questions they may have.
To order certificates by phone call
800-340-4667 or on-line at
'www.ontariosfinestinns.com.
Payment can be made with Visa,
Master Card, American Express,
cash or cheque.
.0b33.0,40. P•4 P .106.0.
' • 0 • O
°
Open Wedding
Rece tion
for
JEFF ZEHR &
ELLEN WORKMAN
on Saturday, Sept. 7
9:00 p.m.
at B.M. & G. Community
Centre, Brussels
Everyone Welcome
50' Wedding Anniversary
Please join the family of
Kathleen and Joe Semple
as they celebrate
their parents'
sah Wedding Anniversary
Saturday, September 7
at the family farm
from 2 to 5, 7 to ?
Best Wishes only please
not. Wedding Anniversary
The family of John a td Muriel Manning
invites you to attend
an Open House
in honour of their parents'
50th Wedding Anniversary
on Saturday, September 7, 2002
from 2:00 to 4:00 pm
at their home
250 McConnell Street, Blvth, Ontario
Best Wishes only please
PAGE 22.THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2002.
Innkeepers of Ontario open
head office in Brussels store
pt.*. o
O r
t. .
14 Walter and Donna Oliver 3
and
Ken Ohm and Beverly Ohm Smith ;
ywish to announce the • G.
• forthcoming marriage of
7.3 their children
Stephanie and Robert
on August 31, 2002
at Duff's United Church, Walton
o Open reception to follow at ;
• 9 pm at B.M.G. Community Centre
.inaoloa.NZaz
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Staying at a picturesque Ontario
inn can be the perfect getaway. And
Kathy Nichol, executive director of
the Innkeepers of Ontario can link
you to the province's best.
Nichol, who recently moved her
head office into an historic building
on Brussels main street, developed
the quality assurance program that
determines whether an inn can be
included in the Innkeepers guide.
"There are 28 of Ontario's finest
inns, including Benmiller and
Bayfield's Little Inn that belong and
we receive applications all the time,"
said Nichol.
To be approved an inn must meet
rigid criteria. It must have between
six and 60 guest rooms, each
individually decorated with its own
ensuite bathroom. The building must
have architectural or historic
significance. "The Little Inn for
instance, has been in existence since
the 1830s. They send guests to
places of local interest and play into
the village's local heritage. Guests at
inns, love to learn about the places in
which they are staying."
The innkeeper must have been
active in the management of the inn
for three years or more.
The grounds and rooms must
maintain the highest standards of
housekeeping.
Also, the inns must offer breakfast
on site and fine dining within 10
minutes.
"Each inn ,in our guide has
character and personality."
To ensure that the standards which
earn approval into the association,
anonymous inspections are done.
"The evaluation is on everything
from the initial phone call to the
welcome to the condition of the
grounds, the quality and variety of
the dining."
Higher points are awarded for
regional Ontario cuisine and for
drawing guests attention to local
attractions.
To remain a member, the inn
which receives a 14-page report
must have a grade of 80 per cent or
higher. Any establishment not
making the grade will be removed
from the guide.
"Our role is to help innkeepers
maintain quality standards," says
Nichol.
The association also offers
marketing support. "About 12 years
ago, the innkeepers felt that by
banding together they would benefit.
Cross-marketing was seen as a
strength, not a detriment, so they
developed the guide book."
In the front of the book, a map of
the province is divided into regions.
Points of interest are cross-
referenced with the inns in each area.
Another part of Nichol's job has
been setting up the website which
gives detailed information about
each of the inns, along with special
deals, rates, and packages. Limited
edition retail items are also
available.
To be launched this fall will be a
new website for meeting planners,
www.ontariosfinestmeetings.com.
Each inn will have its own page with
a searchable data base.
Gift certificates cabe purchased
on-line, by telephoner through the
Brussels office for dinner,
accommodation or spa visits at any
of the inns. These come in a gift bag,
made locally by Barmy Tech, along
with a copy of the guide.
As well, Nichol is exploring the
potential for retailing unique and
specialty items which complement
the brand of Ontario inns.
Nichol, who grew up near Orillia
studied hotel and food
administration at the University of
Guelph where she earned her
Bachelor of Commerce degree and
met her future husband Paul.
The couple moved to Brussels in
1989 and in 1991 Nichol first
became sales manager at Benmiller.
She was then innkeeper for a couple
of years.
When the Innkeepers for Ontario
received a grant from the Rural Job
Strategy Fund to work with partners
on developing a brand of Ontario's
fines inns, Nichol was hired for her
current position.
While the board meetings and
administration had been in Toronto,
moving was not a problem. "It
appeals to them to have the head
office in a rural community, as many'
of our inns are rural."
Originally Nichol worked from
home to accommodate the needs of
her two young sons, but this year she
felt the time had come to find *a more
high prOfile location.
"One of the reasons I took the
storefront was that I am quite busy
and would like to get some
administrative help. But it also
appeals to me to be part of the
community. My husband and I
would like to see Brussels grow and
prosper and if it helps to encourage
another business to come to town
because there is one more storefront
occupied then I'm glad."
,Qfk Please Recycle
This Newspaper
WEDDINGS
Performed - your location or our
indoor or outdoor chapel
(non-denominational)
For brochure call
REV. CHRIS MORGAN
ALL FA, 1-1-IS PASTORAL CENTRE
BENMILLER, 524-5724
CHRISTENINGS
* Napp,v 25"'n
atutitteta,atv
on Sept. 2
Maureen & Brad
Montgomery
.1/ Love Mom & Dad
Pc
TALK TO YOUR
PHARMACIST
... about your health
checklist •
The Canadian Pharmacists
Association reminds you that
there are important steps you can
take together with your
pharmacist to help you enjoy
better health:
3 Choose a pharmacy that meets
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only that pharmacy.
3 Keep your pharmacist up to
date on any prescription.
nonprescription or herbal or
natural health products (NHPs)
you are taking.
.1 Ask your pharmacist to help
you choose nonprescription
medications or herbal and NHPs.
3 Take your medications as
directed.
3 Talk to your pharmacist if you
are unsure about how to take or
store your medications or if you
are having any problems with
your medications.
/ Never leave the pharmacy
before you know the answers to
all your questions.
For more information, talk to
your pharmacist.
- News Canada
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