Economic development in a rural region is not a short-term venture.

The board and staff at the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) have been working day after day for nine years establishing their own credibility with the business community, and finding out what works and what doesn’t work in Frontenac County.

At their AGM two weeks ago, FCFDC Board Chair Paul Vickers outlined some of the work that has been done over the past 12 months.

The FCFDC loaned out $900,000 between July 2011 and July 2012, and 90% of the loans the agency metes out go to Frontenac County-based businesses.

With the help of FCFDC staff, those receiving loans have been able to use them as leverage to access more funding, a total of $4.5 million in the same period.

Among the businesses that have worked with the corporation are a number of the more innovative companies in the county, including: Beckwith Contracting in Sydenham, Seed to Sausage and Sharbot Lake Country Inn in Sharbot Lake, Goldline Mobility and Conversions, and Canadian Shield Forest Products.

The speaker at the CFDC meeting this year was Olivia Groenewegen of the Limestone Creamery, which held its grand opening last weekend. The creamery is now carrying a line of dairy products produced exclusively from the dairy cattle on the organic Groenewegen farm, located just yards away from their retail store on Sydenham Road.

Another new venture that is just getting underway in the village of Harrowsmith is something that CFDC Executive Director Anne Prichard has been trying to get underway for a number of years. She has been frustrated over the years because a number of institutions and businesses have approached her about locating in Frontenac County but they have been stymied by a shortage of office or retail space

Terry Grant, of T. Grant Custom Homes, has now broken ground on an 8,000 square foot commercial development on the east side of Road 38 just north of the village of Harrowsmith. The development will be comprised of two 4,000 square foot buildings with a breeze-way between the two units. Grant has an ambitious construction schedule. He hopes to have the buildings ready for leasehold improvements before winter.

Business owners wishing to learn more about leasing space may contact Kelly Hineman at 613-544-7000.

In addition to providing loans, information and workshops about business opportunities, the FCFDC also administers a granting program, the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) which has also been very active since it was revamped in the fall of 2011. The next deadline for applications for EODP funding is November 1.

For information on the EODP or other services offered by the Frontenac Community Development Corporation, call 613-372-1414 or go to frontenaccfdc.com 

Addington Highlands Community Centre - Denbigh: Councilor Tony Fritsch said that the gym could be used now for events that do not require tables and chairs (the center does not have any) and that queries have already been made to use it for a sports event. Council will draw up a rental agreement template.

Fritsch also brought up the possibility of a small business opportunity at the center, such as someone opening a small coffee shop, though he said it wasn't clear how viable a business like that would be. The idea was shelved until council could find out what insurance and regulations, e.g. about drinking water, would be needed for such a venture. The center's parking lot is presently being excavated, to a depth that created steep embankments in some places. Works Superintendent Royce Rosenblath said that the embankments have been sloped more gently, which has taken up some of the parking space, but is preferable to having to build a 200 ft retaining wall.

Lion's Toll Booth - The Land o'Lakes Lions will be holding their annual voluntary toll in the village of Northbrook from June 28 to June 30.

Waste sites - Reeve Henry Hogg said that the township received a letter from a senior environmental officer, stating the ministry's satisfaction with the conditions of all five of the township's waste sites. Reeve Hogg commended Royce Rosenblath for his work in bringing the sites to their present condition.

Firehall Engineering Plans -The township received a draft layout from Jewell Engineering for the proposed new fire hall. However, Reeve Hogg questioned the need for the township to "spend a lot of money on fancy engineering work". He said he had been reminded that in the past a similar layout had been done by the township's then chief building inspector. Council voted to meet next week with Fire Chief Casey Cuddy to develop the floor plan of the fire hall.

Road Reconstruction - Council voted to receive plans and cost estimates that had been prepared by Jewell Engineering for work on the Deerrock Lake Road and the Beatty’s Curve Road. In the case of the Deerrock Lake Road, over the years the road has gradually encroached on a private property in a certain spot. the project will cost $62,000 and Deputy Mayor Bill Cox commented that it would be cheaper to buy the property than to reconstruct the road.

For the Beatty's Curve Road, property owners have requested that the township maintain the part of the road that the township owns. The township would need to buy land, and faced with project costs of over $250,000, council will notify the landowners that they cannot afford to do anything now. They will also ask if the property owners can contribute towards a "joint effort on these roads"

The township is also waiting for a report from Jewell Engineering on all its roads.

Photo: Maureen Marlin and Lori Ellerbeck, the two proud owners of the new Mazinaw Lakeside Resort near Cloyne that opened on May 5.

Nestled on the shores of the Upper Mazinaw Lake on Hwy 41 just north of Cloyne sits a cluster of small buildings on a six-acre parcel of land. This is the new home of a dream business that two women have been hoping to see come to fruition for years. Maureen Marlin and Lori Ellerbeck are the two very proud owners of the Mazinaw Lakeside Resort, a brand new business that offers everything that visitors to the area may be looking for.

With a view of Mazinaw Lake and ample wooded areas, the two hosts are hoping to attract visitors seeking to enjoy the charm that the area has to offer. The resort opened officially on May 5 and includes a 26-seat eatery that offers up a wide selection of fresh breakfast and lunch entrées plus a regular hot daily special. The eatery is open 7 days a week from 8am - 3pm.

Maureen said that their aim is to provide good, simple fare using fresh ingredients in a casual and friendly setting. Lori said their other aim was to price all items on the menu under $6. Though the kitchen closes at 3pm, the owners keep a self-service counter open until 8pm every night except Sundays (until 6pm) so that visitors can always have something available to them.

The accommodations at the resort include two winterized cabins with kitchenettes, one tent trailer and a Road Trek camper van, each of which can house numerous campers. There are also 15 rustic and more private un-serviced campsites available on the property. The owners are also awaiting the arrival of two Clean Air Yurts, specially designed for campsites on the property, which should be set up by the end of the month. Made from sustainable ash and natural fabric the yurts will boast a panoramic window and skylight. For campers’ convenience there is a grocery store on site that stocks basic grocery/health and toiletry items, camping gear, worms, and ice. And for the kids there is a gaming room that houses video and board games, a Wii, play station, a lending library, slot machine and darts.

For outdoor activities, there is a pedal boat and row boat available to rent, and swimmers can cross the highway and descend a steep slope to a dock for swimming. For boaters, the public boat launch lies just 4 km away. Mazinaw Lake offers great fishing: lake trout, bass, pike, pickerel and perch; plus beautiful sunrises, sunsets and access to Bon Echo Park just a few kilometers away. For wilderness enthusiasts the Buckshot Trail passes right through the property, offering ATVers, snowmobilers, cross country skiers and hikers ample bush to explore.

The two hosts are looking forward to a busy first summer season. Close to 200 visitors attended their grand opening on May 5 where they offered a free BBQ, live music and wilderness education by Lori's son Matt Ellerbeck, a well-known conservationist who entertained visitors with his wide selection of live turtles.

The new business brings about a career change for both owners. Lori, who worked for 10 years at the Desert Lake Resort near Verona, has ample experience in wilderness hospitality, while Maureen spent years working with the school board. Both are thrilled with their new enterprise and its particular location. “We've been talking about doing something like this for years,” Lori said, “and now that our kids are grown we are able to take it on.” Maureen added, “When this property came up for sale we immediately fell in love with it and knew it was the right place. It has a rustic charm about it, offers all of the amazing characteristics of the geography up here, the lake of course, the Canadian shield, and forests of white and red pine, silver birch. We absolutely love this spot and immediately recognized its growth potential.”

This Sat. May 19 Matt will be back offering visitors another look at his turtles and Barbie G will be hosting an open mike session and will also be performing an acoustic set on site. The hosts invite those interested to check their website for other upcoming special events. Visit www.mazinawlakesideresort.com; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 613-336-1760.

Photo: SLHS graduate and new nutrition expert on the Marilyn Dennis Show Miranda Malisano with Marilyn Denis. courtesy of Miranda Malisano

Miranda Malisani (Tallon), who graduated from Sharbot Lake High School in 2000, recently landed a job as one of 15 experts on the popular national CTV daytime television show, The Marilyn Denis Show.

On Jan. 20, Miranda shared some of the steps that led to her career success with students at her old high school. In a Skype interview from her home in Toronto with grade 10 students in Mr. McCullough’s Civics/Careers Class, Miranda first outlined her education.

After graduating from SLHS she studied broadcast journalism at Ryerson University and graduated from the program in 2004. She then landed a job as a production assistant working for the Gemini Awards and after that managed the office at the Toronto Naturopathic Clinic where she also co-wrote a health column for 24 Hours, a free daily newspaper owned by the Toronto Sun.

Her love of the subjects of nutrition and health eventually led her back to school and she studied at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and at the Edison Institute for Nutrition. In order to pay off her earlier school debt she worked while studying as an events planner. After marriage and the birth of her son, who is now 2 years old, she took maternity leave and set up her own business called Live Light Nutrition (livelightnutrition.com) which she still operates today.

It was around this time that she became aware that Marilyn Denis was looking for a number of lifestyle experts to do segments on her new show. On a whim Miranda sent in an application with a photo. She later found out that 3500 people had applied for the job in person. She received a call back and though she was not initially chosen as one of the 15 experts, the show directors asked to her pitch six ideas. They liked her and what she pitched, and that led to her doing five segments for Marilyn’s first season, after which she landed a job as the nutrition expert on the show.

Miranda definitely has come a long way from her first summer jobs. As student at SLHS she worked as part of the maintenance crew at Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, scooped ice cream, and cleaned cottages in Plevna. It is no wonder that Miranda had lots of great advice to share with the grade 10 students. “I told them that every step that they take in life will help them to find their way, whether it helps them to become a better a team player or encourages them to think more creatively,” Miranda said when interviewed by phone. “I also told them that they'll know when they are doing something that they truly love because it doesn't feel like work at all.”

She continued, “I have been extremely lucky. I had two loves, one for broadcasting and the other for health and nutrition and how I have been able to do both. I have the firm belief that when you are doing something that is true to yourself it brings with it a passion and an authenticity that others recognize. It is this amazing positive energy that comes as a result, which is what can make you truly successful.”

Some other pieces of advice for the students were: “Don't let your peers dictate your choices and the courses you may chose to take. Do things that you yourself feel strongly about and remember to try new things but to also follow your heart.” Not just good advice for students but for everyone. For more information about Miranda’s business visit livelightnutrition.com where you can also see clips of her segments on the Marilyn Denis Show

Photo: Ella with one of her daughter Kristen's “Barbie” cakes and store clerk Tracey

Ella Vanderburgt, owner of Ella's Cafe and Bakery located at 4946 Road 38, has recently expanded her enterprise. Little did she know that in meeting her most recent goal of moving the bakery side of her business across the road to an empty section of the Starkes Convenience store, she would also become that store’s new owner.

Both the café and the bakery have been steadily increasing in business since they were opened a year ago.

“I approached Burt Starke in September about leasing the empty space beside the store in the hopes of relocating the bakery there since the bakery business has been outgrowing its current location,” Ella said earlier this week.

In fact, Burt Starke has been hoping to sell the store for years, and when Ella approached him, he told her that if he didn't sell the store by December he would be closing it down.

“I knew that I needed a bigger space so I thought, why not take on the store as well? By taking it over I knew I could meet my own needs for the bakery and also keep the 20-year-old store alive, which I feel is a business in the community that many local residents really depend on.”

Ella has since completely restocked the store with all new inventory, including all of the typical convenience items and said that she plans to expand the fresh produce section as well and will be able to offer competitive prices to customers looking to buy fresh produce.

With the help of her husband and brother-in-law, she renovated the bakery side of the store, which once was operated as a video rental but which has stood empty for years. The renovations included redoing the electrical wiring and plumbing, laying a new tile floor, and painting, as well as installing two Doyer ovens and new shelves and work tables.

Ella's sister Colleen, and youngest daughter Kristen, will continue running the bakery side of the business, which now makes up 25% of the overall business, in the new space. The bakery will continue to offer customers a variety of fresh baked pies, bars, cookies, donuts and breads. “My goal in the move is also to begin wholesaling our baked goods which is something that we could not have done if we had remained at the old location,” Ella said.

Meanwhile, across the street, the café has taken over the former bakery side of the business. It now offers more tables and can seat upwards of 60 diners. Ella informs me it fills up completely at least once a day. She is also planning to add a few new items on her weekly menu.

During our interview one longtime customer stopped in to pick up one of Ella’s infamous potato donuts, a popular seller derived from an old family recipe that Ella’s sister Colleen has perfected over the years.

Ella also invited me to sample her famous short bread cookies, which come in a variety of six different flavors and I tasted the chocolate-dipped shortbreads that melt in your mouth.

Ella definitely has her work cut out for her and says there are “not enough hours in the day… Ever since I opened it’s been a matter of playing catch up. Business is booming and I love all of the challenges that go along with it.”

Ella also does her own books and cooks the morning shift at the café, which means days that start at 4:30 AM.

What's next, I ask? She hesitates, then says, “I have another dream business that I'd love to open - an indoor running track with walls of flat screen TVs since I don't get outside to run much anymore and only have time to run on a treadmill at home; but we’ll see about that.

The store is open 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, Sunday 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. The Café is open 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. every day.