Super Santa

by V. (Roni) Summers Wickens, Executive DirectorPicton BIA

For some time now, I’ve been hard-pressed to identify the single most appealing feature of picturesque Picton. Is it the sheer number of historically significant buildings, Picton’s friendly home-town charm, or the deep fried pickles at The Acoustic Grill that draws visitors from near and far to our beautiful town? Finally, I have the answer: today I met Super Santa.

John Zandarin, for a greater number of years than he is probably willing to admit, has volunteered his time to the Picton Santa Claus Parade, at first by default in his role as a municipal public servant and later, by choice. Indeed, Zandarin’s Super Santa is part of what draws kids of all ages to this fun festive event. In the hours leading up to the parade, where others might be making a list or checking it twice, Zandarin can be found at the Bluebird Building at Picton’s historic Crystal Palace welcoming toddlers and tots for their annual visit with Santa….and this year of course, is no exception. But, what makes this year special is that Zandarin has joined forces with Kate Redmond of Kate Redmond Designs to decorate Santa’s Village and there will be magic in the air, especially in light of Zandarin’s recent purchase: an original 1890’s antique McLaughlan cutter ~ just like those used by countless County farm families on countless County roads in years gone by. Purchased with his own funds and stored in his barn for fifty-one weeks of the year, Zandarin proves that what truly makes our community unique is that selfless spirit of giving that lasts the whole year through.

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and he (and his original antique sleigh) will be in Picton on November 28th courtesy of volunteer extraordinaire John Zandarin and the Picton BIA.

Dispatch: October 21, 2010

WOW, October has been extremely busy with Thanksgiving, the upcoming municipal elections and planning for the Christmas Holidays. With a busy schedule, Picton is still as busy as ever!

With this in mind, We would like to send out a hearty congratulations to David, Alexandra et all, on what promises to be a monumental occasion in Picton on Sunday October 31st at 1:00 p.m. Picton Noir, presented by the PEC Authors Festival & IFOA Ontario Picton features reading by authors Michael Koryta, Michael Robotham and Emily St. John Mandel. After a short intermission, authors Giles Blunt, Peter Robinson and Louise Welsh will take part in a round table discussion moderated by James Grainger. Don’t miss this afternoon of crime fiction events located upstairs at Books & Company (289 Main Street, Picton). IFOA.

We also offer our sincerest thanks to Andrew Smith from the Bank of Nova Scotia. Andrew has served on the BIA Board of Management and as the Treasurer of the Picton Santa Claus Committee for a number years and is leaving the area as a result of a promotion. We wish him great success in his new job.

On another note, this weekend is another busy October weekend for Picton – to start with, Saturday & Sunday (October 23rd – 24th) is the Prince Edward County Gravity Fest. This is a 2-day competition featuring North America’s best gravity sport athletes. Furiously fast and amazing to watch! Recognized by the International Gravity Sports Association, this event is the Canadian Championships! Course set-up (safety hay bales, etc.) begins Friday October 22, registration and practice on Saturday – then Sunday races include Junior Downhill Skateboard Race; Women’s Race and Classic Luge, then Downhill Skateboard and Street Luge. Please Note: The race will take place on Church Street and make its way down hill, through Pitt Street and turning onto York Street. Roads for local access will be open every 20 minutes. For more information visit: www.pecgravityfest.com.

Also on Saturday, Iris Nowell will be at Books & Company (289 Main Street, Picton) from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. to discuss and sign copies her new book; Painters Eleven: The Wild Ones of Canadian Art. Iris Nowell chronicles a major period in Canadian art history. Through her writing she shows a deep knowledge of Painters Eleven artists she knew over the years – notably Harold Town, Tom Hudgson, Kazuo Nakamura, and Walter Yarwood. In Painters Eleven Nowell brings to life, in personal, informative detail, the story of how Painters Eleven successfully changed the ruling culture of traditional art and brought to light the vibrant movement of Abstract Expressionism. Copies of her new book can be reserved by contacting Books & Company at 613-476-3037 or sales@pictonbookstore.com.

Then later on Saturday, The Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory Fundraiser Dinner & Silent Auction at the Waring House in Picton from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Special guest presenter Professor David Bird of McGill University, author of the The Bird Almanac. The title of his talk is “Watching Birds Naked” and by all accounts this will be a highly entertaining. Tickets can be purchased for $65 per person through the Festival Players; located at Books & Company or by visiting www.countytix.ca.

To top this all off, Strum (252 Main Street, Picton) currently has a Halloween / Anniversary Sale running until Sunday October 31st. All guitars are on sale – From 30-50% off all in stock strings and 10% off all accessories. You should go and take advantage of the savings while they last!!!!

On another note, Christmas is just around the corner – which means, Christmas in the County is November 26th – 28th…..This is a fun filled weekend with a number of activities happening throughout the County, including the Bloomfield Nighttime Parade, The Festival of Trees and the Annual Picton Santa Claus Parade. If your business or organization has any special activities going on during this time, we ask that you please let us know by contacting Norman Markland at 613-476-7901 ext 212 or events@picton-bia.onca by October 27th so that we can include your information in our promotional materials.

In addition, this year we are encouraging you, our Picton Merchants to extend their business hours on Thursday’s and Friday’s starting November 26th until December 17th to 8:00 p.m. to allow shoppers to shop locally in Picton. We ask that if your business is interested in participating in extending their business hours, to please let us know by October 27th. We will run a special holiday ad announcing all of the shops/services/businesses participating the extended hours campaign.
Norman Markland, Youth InternPicton Business Improvement Association

Dispatch: January 20, 2010.

A quick reminder that the BIA is hosting its annual general meeting on Thursday January 28, 2010. Dinner, hosted by the Waring House Gourmet, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. complete with a wine-tasting, hosted by Black Prince Winery. (Cost: just $10.00 per person). If you like food, wine, or networking, you should plan to attend this meeting.

The BIA has also taken this opportunity to bring together media partners from throughout the area who will be available to showcase their advertising products, rates, deadlines, BIA member prices, and vision for advertising in 2010. If your business plans to advertise in 2010, you should plan to attend this meeting.

If your business intends to participate in any of the many events hosted by the BIA or our partners in 2010, including: Maple In The County, Great Waterfront Trail Adventure, Canada Day, PEC Jazz Festival, Harvestin' The County, PEC Music Festival, or Santa Clause Parade, you should plan to attend this meeting.

If your customers or your employees enjoy the benefit of BIA partnerships with our municipality through the streetscape, use parking lots, or street furniture, you should plan to attend this meeting.

If your business has an interest in the secondary plan, retail holiday business act, or new development in Picton, you should plan to attend this meeting.

And finally, if your business is interested is representation by the Picton BIA on issues of relevence to the downtown, you should plan to attend this meeting.

Of course, we will also present an overview of activities in 2009, a 2009 financial report and will table our 2010 business plan and budget at the AGM. Richard Shannon, representing the Municipality will be on hand to share his thoughts on the importance of working collaboratively toward the economic prosperity of downtown Picton.

Therefore, if you operate a business in Picton, you should plan to attend this meeting.

Please rsvp by close of business Monday January 25, 2009 to 613.476.7901, ext. 212 to reserve your space.

RSW