4 Red Apple Rides for the price of 3!

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Thu Dec 14 12:05:17 PST 2017

Gift certificates for Red Apple Rides are available on their website, and some last-minute savings are available: Last chance for their Christmas discount of $40 for a $50 gift card Or get 4 Tour passes for the price of 3 Deal expires Dec 24th, 2017.  A very Unique Christmas Gift! Red Apple Rides offers guided scenic, historic, and culinary bike tours and bike rentals in Port Dover and Norfolk County.  More about Red Apple Rides

Economic Development Symposium highlights how ‘We Grow Our Own’

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Wed Dec 20 12:38:46 PST 2017

Business and community leaders attending the annual Norfolk County Economic Development Symposium on January 31, 2018, can expect to learn, meet new contacts, and get motivated to achieve success. The Symposium is now in its twelfth year. The day starts at 7:30am in the Vittoria Community Centre with the “Morning Mingle” – a fun way to meet others in the business community. General registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the Symposium program gets underway at 9:00 a.m. This year’s theme is ‘We Grow Our Own’, and keynote speaker EJ Carrion will set the tone. He is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and preeminent thought-leader on success. EJ grew up in a low-income community and a single-parent household. He overcame his circumstances to graduate both high school and college debt-free by receiving the prestigious Bill Gates Scholarship. EJ has even presented at the White House. Lunch will feature Norfolk County restaurants and chefs. There will also be tastings of Norfolk County wine and beer. Norfolk County will announce the Entrepreneur of the Year and the Travel Writer Award. Venture Norfolk will present the award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The afternoon speaker, Amanda Brodhagen, is a proud fifth-generation farm girl and digital marketing manager for The Grower Magazine. She will showcase a positive message for Canadian agriculture, as the Ontario Ambassador for AgMoreThanEver.ca. Registration is $60 plus HST per person. For information, visit www.norfolktourism.ca/symposium. Lead sponsors of the Symposium are Norfolk County Tourism & Economic Development and Venture Norfolk. Other sponsors include BDC, Davids, Libro, Mechanical Contractors Association Hamilton, MyFM, Rassaun Services, Scotlynn Group, Simcoe Reformer, TD, and Vallee.

Norfolk Getaways News – Dec 6, 2017

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Wed Dec 06 11:18:44 PST 2017

The latest edition of Norfolk Getaways email news is now available. Every two weeks, Norfolk County Tourism publishes “Norfolk Getaways” email news. It’s a curated assortment of information about upcoming events, local tourism attractions, local news and more. Headlines: Secrets of Simcoe Christmas Panorama New Trails website 1 weekend of ‘Spirit’ left at wineries & breweries #GoNorfolk: Top winter activities Upcoming holiday events To receive the latest edition of Norfolk Getaways, subscribe here. By subscribing, you will receive future editions as they are published every two weeks. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your information will never be shared.

5 tips to stay active during the holidays

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Tue Dec 19 07:54:25 PST 2017

The holidays are a time to be with family and friends celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. The holidays often also mean eating treats, sweets, fatty foods and more alcohol than usual. Nothing wrong with celebrating but what about finding more balance during the celebrations with 5 tips to stay active? Making a plan for the holidays is key. Going in with clear intentions is the best way to come out of the Christmas break with the best mindset to start the new year. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the season and to forget about our health. Here are my tips to stay active during the festivities: 1. Plan to walk every day Make a commitment to getting out for a least 10 minutes daily. It doesn’t have to be long but make a plan to step outside each day. Walk around your neighbourhood or find a trail nearby. (The St-Williams Conservation Reserve is a beautiful spot for a nature walk). It is so easy to find excuses not to get outside. Yes people may be over for a visit. Yes you have many commitments but taking 10 mins of your day is doable and it will increase your level of energy. So worth it! Challenge family members to join you on your daily walk. Walking outside is amazing for your physical and mental health, make it happen for you! 2. Try something new (or something you haven’t done in a while) Think outside the box and try a new activity during the holidays. Fat biking might be a good one to try, reach out to Elevation Mountain Bike Camps and Coaching to rent a ride or get on a tour. How about snowshoeing, cross country skiing or skating? Find something that scares you a little and make a plan to attempt it at least once during the festivities. It is never too late to try something exciting. Fit it in your calendar and you will be empowered to keep moving in 2018. 3. Family time Be a kid again and have some fun playing in the snow with your kids, nieces, nephews or grandkids. Build a fort or plan to play tag or hide-and-go-seek. Take some time off the electronics and just play! Dress warm, put on your snow pants, mittens and tuques and use your imagination to have a great time outdoors. What about setting up a family challenge? Create an event that everybody can participate in and award some small prizes to the winners. Scavenger hunts can be amusing for anybody in your group. 4. Create a new tradition Instead of passing out on the couch in a food coma after the big holiday meal, gather everyone for an annual family game of road hockey, tag frisbee or capture the flag! Set up on the yard or at a park nearby, make teams and have a blast playing together. Whatever game you choose, your heart will be pumping and you will feel refreshed. Make the activity a new holiday tradition to look forward to every year. Keep scores to keep the excitement at a high level. Bragging rights make for a good conversation for years to come! This holiday season, take time to connect, play and laugh together. I wish you a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. I want to take the time to say thank you for following along with me on the GoNorfolk adventures over the last year. That was 11 free events, 19 blog posts, 17 live broadcasts and the start of an amazing active community. Continue to be active and empower others by posting your pictures of active living around Norfolk County by using the hashtag #GoNorfolk. About the blogger Amélie Chanda is a Norfolk County based wellness coach with a passion for active living. She works with individuals and organizations that are ready to make a commitment to a healthy life. She provides support, tools and motivation to help her clients reach their health goals. In 2017 she launched the #GoNorfolk community initiative to empower people to get off the couch and to explore Norfolk County. She is now the Active Living Ambassador for Norfolk County.

Twelve Days of Christmas with local food & drink

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Wed Dec 13 06:04:36 PST 2017

On the 1st day of Christmas… My true love gave to me: A ticket to Ride the Bine “Sit back and relax on a locally guided tour of some of Norfolk’s best wineries and craft breweries!” On the 2nd day… My true love gave to me: 2 bouquets from Blossoms & Scoops “Fresh fruit arrangements made with local fruit when possible … hard and soft ice cream and Picard’s products” On the 3rd day… My true love gave to me: Three meals at our restaurants From eggs and bacon to delicious wraps and sandwiches to Lake Erie perch … our chefs make our food taste spectacular. On the 4th day… My true love gave to me: 4 bottles of hard cider from Norfolk County Sorry … someone drank the Blueberry Hill cider in the photo. On the 5th day… My true love gave to me: 5 jars of Dennis Horseradish “Dennis Horseradish is committed and dedicated to producing the highest quality of horseradish on the market … grown and processed right here in beautiful Norfolk County.” On the 6th day… My true love gave to me: 6 baskets of bread and pastries from our bakeries British Baked Goods … Courtland Bakery … Joy Bakery Cafe … The Good Bread Company … Trish’s Bakery … Harmony Pastry Shop & Cafe … On the 7th day… My true love gave to me: 7 jars of Apple Pie In A Jar from The Cider Keg “Go Local! Featuring the best produce, delicious fresh and sparkling ciders, local gourmet, gifts, pies, tarts and ice cream. Don’t miss this unique shopping adventure.” On the 8th day… My true love gave to me: 8 Designated Driver rides to our craft breweries That’s two trips to each of Norfolk County’s craft breweries, including the new one – coming soon! On the 9th day… My true love gave to me: 9 pies from Austin’s Market “Austin’s Pick Your Own takes pride in maintaining locally grown and produced fruits and vegetables for their road-side stand that you can buy with peace of mind.” On the 10th day… My true love gave to me: 10 bags of Kernal Peanuts “Locally grown valencia peanuts and peanut products. White chocolate popcorn, gift baskets, fudge, maple syrup, honey and more!” On the 11th day… My true love gave to me: 11 bottles of Norfolk County wine “Celebrate with award-winning wines that truly reflect the history and character of the region, fresh fermented hard ciders, and exceptional craft-brewed beers.” And on the 12th day… My true love gave to me: 12 Apple Cider Doughnuts from The Apple Place “Pies, juice, cider apple donuts, baked goods, gift baskets, cider, apples.”

Norfolk Getaways News – December 19, 2017

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Tue Dec 19 08:48:35 PST 2017

The latest edition of Norfolk Getaways email news is now available. Every two weeks, Norfolk County Tourism publishes “Norfolk Getaways” email news. It’s a curated assortment of information about upcoming events, local tourism attractions, local news and more. Headlines: 12 Days of Local Stocking Stuffer ideas Awesome New Year’s Eve Party plans #GoNorfolk: Tips to stay active during the holidays Secrets of Simcoe Christmas Panorama Upcoming holiday events To receive the latest edition of Norfolk Getaways, subscribe here. By subscribing, you will receive future editions as they are published every two weeks. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your information will never be shared.

Norfolk Flavours News – Dec 13, 2017

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Wed Dec 13 05:52:52 PST 2017

The latest edition of Norfolk Flavours email news is available. Featuring: Twelve Days of Christmas with local food and drink Every two weeks, Norfolk County Tourism publishes “Norfolk Flavours” email news. It’s a curated assortment of information about Norfolk County food and drink, restaurants, farmers, chefs, wine and beer launches, new menus, recipes, local food events and more. Subscribe to receive the latest edition. You will also receive future editions when they are published. You can unsubscribe at any time

The Joyce of Cooking visits Norfolk County

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Fri Dec 22 06:51:30 PST 2017

The Joyce of Cooking recently visited Norfolk County and has now released a short video produced about the culinary delights of our communities. Watch the video Joyce Leung, site owner and media relations manager for The Joyce of Cooking.com, was very impressed with her visit, which included Port Dover Silver Lake Farmers Market and The Country Fork in Port Rowan.

Organic Purslane and Quinoa Greens in Sonoma’s West County

by Tyler Suchman @

Sat Jun 14 12:57:42 PDT 2014

In the west county of Sonoma, ninety minutes north of the culinary mecca of San Francisco, springtime brings an abundance of the local, the sustainable and the organic. Berries, dark greens, fava beans, cheeses, breads, jams and so much more line the rows of the farmers markets dotting the towns of Occidental, Sebastopol, Guerneville and […]

The post Organic Purslane and Quinoa Greens in Sonoma’s West County appeared first on .

#GoNorfolk: Top Winter Activities

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Tue Dec 05 06:21:46 PST 2017

Mother Nature tends to offer kind winters to Norfolk County. Being born and raised in Northern Quebec, I am still amazed by the typically mild winter weather that we usually experience in south western Ontario. The ground is still bare but the forecast is calling for some flurries soon and that gets me excited about winter activities. I love winter, yes I do! I love breathing the cold air into my lungs and always try to enjoy as much of the season as possible. Here are my top 8 winter activities in Norfolk County: 1. Nature Walk The network of groomed trails in Norfolk is perfect for winter hikes. I love Hay Creek just outside of Port Dover for a shorter, family and dog friendly trail. Backus Woods is also one of my favorites. Hike ‘Sugar Bush’, a 3km trail for a wonderful winter experience. Would you like to join a walking group? Check out Discover Norfolk! They meet the 1st Thursday of each month from now until May. Meet the group at 5:30pm on December 7 at the Heritage Trail at the end of Alice St. in Waterford. 2. Polar Bear Dip This one is not for the faint of heart! Every January 1st, Port Dover offers the craziest way to start the New Year. Come take a swim in the frigid waters of Lake Erie to start 2018 refreshed!! Open to all and guaranteed to raise your heart rate! 3. Fat Biking Winter fat biking is a super fun outdoor activity. Contact Elevation Mountain Bike Camps and coaching to rent your fat bike. Book a guided tour or ask for trail recommendations. The 80+kms of mountain biking trails in Norfolk County are sure to offer an experience like no other. 4. Winter Sunset on the Beach A beautiful sunset on the beach is an amazing way to enjoy a winter day. Plan for a walk to start, bring some warm locally made cider from the Cider Keg and soak up the scenery! Set up in Port Dover or Turkey Point with some chairs and blankets. Cozy up and watch the sun disappear into the horizon. 5. Holiday Lights We might not get loads of snow in Norfolk but we go all out for the holidays! Take a stroll through Simcoe Christmas Panorama and the parks of downtown Simcoe to see the incredible display of lights. Get into the spirit of the holidays with a brisk walk with friends and family. There are also many homes around the county who entered the “Lights of the County Tour” contest. Walk around and spot the Panorama signs in the yard of participating homes. 6. Sledding When the snow comes, plan on digging out your sled for a fun family adventure. So many cool spots around Norfolk to have some winter fun. Every town has its own special spot. I love the hills in Port Dover but there are also some fun ones in Waterford or Delhi. Dress warmly and play outside, it can be a blast! 7. Skating Being on the ice is a truly a Canadian winter activity. Lace up your figure skates or wear your hockey gear this season. Every arena offers public and adult skating opportunities around the county. Rather be outside? How about road hockey at one of our multi-use complexes like the Community Sports Complex in Port Dover? Gather your friends, make teams and challenge each other! 8. Snowga Yes, Yoga + snow= SNOWGA. Don’t let the colder weather stop you. Practice yoga in the snow! You can set up at your favorite spot and just get moving, stretching and breathing. Book a private session with me or other local yoga teachers and have fun trying something new this winter! No need to dread winter, find activities that you enjoy. Challenge yourself to try at least 1 of these activities this winter. If you are ready for a challenge, why not make a commitment to trying them all? Other honorable mentions: Curling Stargazing Ice fishing Brisk morning jog Get outside and have fun while being active this winter. Dress warmly and try something new to keep fit! I encourage you to post your pictures of you being active in Norfolk by using the hashtag #GoNorfolk. Empower others to move! About the blogger Amélie Chanda is a Norfolk County based wellness coach with a passion for active living. She works with individuals and organizations that are ready to make a commitment to a healthy life. She provides support, tools and motivation to help her clients reach their health goals. In 2017 she launched the #GoNorfolk community initiative to empower people to get off the couch and to explore Norfolk County. She is now the Active Living Ambassador for Norfolk County.

Workshop: Grant Writing for Business

by Clark from Norfolk @ Norfolk County Tourism

Fri Dec 01 06:41:57 PST 2017

On January 10, 2018, there will be a Grant Writing Workshop for Business. Carmina Hamstead will outline her approach to successful grant writing, outlining the nuances that are worth bearing in mind when making a grant application. Nick Kinkel (OMAFRA) will speak on how grant applications are assessed, what is the assessor looking for how to make the application to fit mandates, sustainability, eligibility etc. He will also explain what the assessor is looking for, how to make the application fit mandates, sustainability, eligibility and so forth. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/grant-writing-for-businesses-tickets-41089670310 This workshop is sponsored by Norfolk County Tourism & Economic Development and Venture Norfolk. For more info, contact Jerry Sucharyna at 519-426-5870 ext 1305.