Leeds Grenville
Economic Development eNews | May 22, 2018
Business Profile
Top feature photo: Barry and Sabina Vuolo on the dock of the lakefront vacation spot.

Photo above: Sabina with fresh yellow perch she caught earlier in the morning. 


Pennsylvania residents Ron Ernest and his son R.J., shown here in the fish cleaning station, have been coming to the area for 33 years with their extended family from five U.S. states.


Reeling in fish and having good times traditional at  Upper Rideau Resorts
WESTPORT  - Five decades ago American Barry Vuolo's life was forever changed when he first visited the Rideau Lakes.

The early experiences as a boy turned him into an avid angler and later an experienced fishing guide. Now he has become a partner/owner of Upper Rideau Resorts, a sprawling property overlooking Upper Rideau Lake. 

"I've fished a lot of places and this is still the best, still my favourite place," says Barry of the  3.8-acre resort southeast of Westport. "You can't beat it and people in this area are so nice."

Barry and his business partners first purchased the resort in 1998 and set about updating the prime location. Twenty years later, they continue to upgrade the property and its eight fully-appointed cottages and units on the water. All cottages have their own docks along the more than 300 feet of shoreline. There is a boat launch on site, a fish-cleaning station, 10 docks, a beach and playground for children and families.

"We have a lot of families that do water sports. We love fishing but this place isn't just about fishing. It is for the whole family," says Barry.  He and his wife Sabina have clients from both the United States and Canada. Most are repeat customers but they hope to spread the word to area Rideau Canal lovers.
 
"We're open from May to October. It's such a great place to relax and take in the view, the sunrises and sunsets. In the fall we have a spectacular view of the fall colours," says Barry.

Long-time client and friend Ron Ernest, from Pennsylvania, visits at least once a year. "My whole family comes here. Now my grandchildren are coming so that's my legacy," says Ron. A skilled fisherman who loves a good fish fry, Ron says he has great respect for the Rideau Lakes and admires how they are not overfished. Staying at Upper Rideau Resorts puts you right on the water and over the years he and his son R.J. have discovered many great fishing spots.

All fully-accessible, three-bedroom cottages have screened porches, six single beds, new furniture, ceiling fans, full-sized kitchen appliances, including microwaves and coffee makers, dishes, fire pits and charcoal BBQs. There is upgraded cable TV, DVD players and Wi-Fi. All you need to bring is food and bedding.

Learn more about Upper Rideau Resorts by visiting their website and Facebook page or its YouTube channel. Call them at 613-273-7224 or 1-800-216-9227 or send Barry an email

Celebrating Business

Susan Hreljac, second from right, accepts the Harry Pratt Ambassador Award on behalf of her son, Ryan Hreljac, founder of Ryan's Well Foundation. Presenting the award are North Grenville Economic Development Officer Matt Gilmer, Harry Pratt's widow, Sheila, second from left, and Melissa White, right, of the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce. 
Ryan Hreljac is Ambassador of the Year
KEMPTVILLE - Ryan Hreljac, the inspiration behind the Ryan's Well Foundation, is this year's Harry Pratt Ambassador of the Year Award recipient. 

The award was accepted by his mother Susan on May 18th at the North Grenville Breakfast Banquet in Kemptville. The event was jointly hosted by the Municipality of North Grenville and the North Grenville Chamber of Commerce.

"He is fiercely proud of being from North Grenville," Susan said, noting her son continues to build wells and champion safe, accessible water projects around the world. 

Ryan was just six years old when he decided to take action over the devastating consequences for people without access to drinking water. He inspired others and raised funds to build his first well in Uganda, Africa. Twenty years later, the Foundation has successfully brought clean water and sanitation projects to nearly one million people in 16 developing countries. 

The Ambassador Award is presented to community leaders who are committed to using their own networks to help promote North Grenville. The recipient must demonstrate leadership, business acumen, success, integrity and commitment. Longtime realtor Harry Pratt was the first recipient of the award in 2014. It was later renamed in his honour following his death in 2015. 

Nominees this year included: Corey Lockwood of Lockwood Brothers Construction; John Barclay of Triune Productions; Dr. Shahrooz Yazdani of Yazdani Dentistry; Daren Givogue of O'Farrell Financial Services; Jim McManaman of Peak Growth Business Advisors; Samantha Rivet-Stevenson of RBC Royal Bank; Geraldine Taylor of Geraldine's Gallery and the late Terry Butler, a North Grenville businessman and councillor.

Learn more about the Ambassador program by visiting the North Grenville website.

Find out more about Ryan's Well and Ryan's Story by visiting the Foundation website



Ryan Hreljac, now 26, started his quest in Grade 1.

Cindy Manor, General Manager of the Upper and Lower Ottawa Valley for Metroland Media, was the keynote speaker. She urged people to bring empathy and kindness to the workplace.
Garden Trail

The 4th Annual 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail launched this month with garden owners and local officials gathering at 1000 Islands Village in Maitland to get the award-winning garden tour underway.
Popular Garden Trail ready for 2018 season
MAITLAND - Spring is finally here and with it the launch of this region's 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail.

This acclaimed garden trail is part of Canada's Garden Route. It gained national notoriety last year when it was the only trail given the 'Canada 150 Garden Experience Designation'.

"A vision of a must-see destination has been achieved," said David Cybulski, Co-Chair of the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal Garden Trail. 

"It is important for us to reflect and celebrate our trail success highlighting our natural beauty within the world-renowned landscapes of the Rideau Canal Corridor, Frontenac Arch Biosphere, 1000 Islands and the St. Lawrence River," he said.

In 2015, the Leeds Grenville Economic Development Office launched the 1000 Islands and Rideau Canal  Garden Trail initiative linking private and public gardens and garden centre displays throughout  Leeds Grenville.

The trail is now in its fourth season with many unique gardens featuring perennials, shrubs, trees and food production. The gardens showcase a range of plant matter from native plants to the uncommon. Specialty beds include shade, sun, bog, woodland, scree and pollinator gardens. Added experiences i nclude native butterflies, honeybees and birds, monarch butterfly way stations, fountains, ponds,  contemporary art exhibits, statuary and so much more.

"Tourism is important to all of our communities in Leeds Grenville," said Robin Jones, Warden for  the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. "The time and commitment each garden has  made to the trail is greatly appreciated by Counties Council."

Leeds Grenville has taken a leadership role in facilitating collaboration to develop new tourism products. 

"Garden tourism is on-trend as a key travel motivator that results in new revenues being generated in local businesses," said Ann Weir, Economic Development Manager for the United Counties of Leeds Grenville and Co-Chair of the Trail.

"More than 142-million consumers are within a day's drive. Leeds Grenville is part of Regional Tourism Organization 9, which in 2016 saw nearly 8 million visitors that generated over $800 million in direct spending," she said.

Both guided and self-guided tours are available. For garden hours and contact information, visit the website. Garden Trail brochures are available at each site as well as various tourism centres throughout the region. 


Warden Robin Jones thanked trail members for opening their gardens to visitors. Below: The 2018 brochure features Van Berlo Gardens on the cover.
Workshops and Seminars
Managing Your Cash

Presenter Michael Di Lauro, CMA, will teach tips, tricks and the traps of cash management. You'll learn how to raise cash, manage it and make sure you don't run out. You will discover the five biggest cash-flow mistakes and how to win over your banker.

WHEN: Thursday, June 14,
10 a.m. to 12 noon.
WHERE: Small Business Advisory Centre, 91 Cornelia Street West, Entrance B, Smiths Falls.
COST: $20
Desktop versus Cloud Computing

In this session presenter Michael Di Lauro, CMA, will explore the cloud solutions to consider, including QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks, Wave Accounting, Kashoo and Xero.

WHEN: Thursday, June 14, 
1-3 p.m.
WHERE: Small Business Advisory Centre, 91 Cornelia Street West, Entrance B, Smiths Falls
COST: $20
Surf into Summer: Get Ready for Summer Employment with CSE training courses

CSE Consulting is offering courses throughout May in both Kemptville and Prescott to help prepare employers and employees for summer employment opportunities. 
W.H.M.I.S

WHEN:  Thursday, May 24: 
WHERE: North Grenville Employment Resource Centre, 125 Prescott Street, Kemptville

Contact the Kemptville CSE Consulting
 office for more information at 613-258-6576 or visit the CSE Consulting website for more detailed information.
Prescott sessions

WHEN: 
Wednesday, May 30: Food Handler's (few spaces left) 
WHERE: South Grenville Employment Resource Centre, 191 King Street East, Prescott. 
Contact the Prescott CSE office for more information at 613-925-0222.
Learn more about these sessions and how to register on our Workshops and Seminars page.