"A Taste of South County" was the theme of the 17th Annual Celebrate South County Day...and the rest of the state" held at the State House on Tuesday, May 12. "Celebrate South County Day" is a collaborative event that increases awareness of the travel and tourism industry's economic, social and cultural contributions to the region. The event generated great media coverage. Click here to see the story that aired on NBC10.

 

Chowder, Johnny Cakes and oysters were enjoyed by Legislators, General Officers and visitors touring the State House. A special thank you goes out to Aunt Carrie's, B&B Referrals of South Coast RI, Babcock Smith House Museum, Cracker Barrel in Coventry, Del's of South County, Fortuna's Sausage Company, Kenyon's Corn Meal Company, Matunuck Oyster Farm, Nana's Ice Cream & Gelato Cafe, Newport Vineyards, Shelter Harbor Inn, Updike's Newtowne Coffee Roasting Company, US Fish & Wildlife and Yawgoo Bakes & Barbeques for providing samples of South County's finest specialties.

 

Other participants included Interstate Navigation/ Block Island Ferry, Friends of the Kingston Station, General Nathanael Greene Homestead, RI Resource Conservation & Development Area Council, Seabee Museum, South County Chambers, Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation/Tourism Division and the other tourism regions.
 
And a big thank you to Sweenor's Chocolates of Wakefield for donating SCTC branded, scallop shell chocolates as a token to all our Legislators and General Officers. Again, thank you for the perfect touch!

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to:

 

Yankee Magazine's Best of New England 2009 Editors' Choice recipients: Stone's Throw Inn in Narragansett for Best Inn Breakfast, The Cooked Goose in Westerly for Best Reason To Greet The New Day, Jim's Dock in East Matunuck for Best Fresh Seafood, Ocean State Job Lot for Bargains-A Lot to Choose From, Brickley's in Wakefield and Narragansett for Best Homemade Ice Cream, Shelter Harbor Inn in Westerly for Best Place to Play, Black Point in Narragansett for Best Beachside Hike, Narrow River Kayaks in Narragansett for Best River-to-Ocean Glide, and The Towers in Narragansett for Best Dancing at Sunset

 

Matunuck Oyster Bar & Seafood Market for their new restaurant opening in June next door to their Matununk Oyster Farm. Both the market and restaurant specialize in locally grown produce and seafood.

 

Inside Scoop for the opening of their 2nd South County location on Route 2 in Exeter.

 

Aunt Carrie's in Narragansett, The Coast Guard House in Narragansett, Jigger's Diner in East Greenwich, The Olympia Tea Room in Watch Hill, George's of Galilee in Narragansett, The Pump House in South Kingstown for their ability to "stand the test of time, especially given the economic gloom and doom these days", according to Providence Business News' Bruce Newbury.  

 

Westerly's Wilcox Park and Art Stroll made AAA Horizon's "10 Free Things To Do in Rhode Island" list and Misquamicut State Beach made the "Best of the Beach" list in their July issue.

Combining the Registry of Motor Vehicles offices has brought an increase of visitors to our offices at the Stedman Government Center.  Can you believe almost 700 people are processed every Wednesday and Thursday?  You are invited to take advantage of this increased 'traffic' and drop off your brochures at our office and we will be happy to display them on our front rack at no charge.

Tour Rhode Island, which is a collaboration of all regions with the State Division of Tourism, requires many hours of planning. Thank you to all of our South County partners for making this year's event a huge success: Gilbert Stuart Birthplace Museum in North Kingstown, the Department of Environmental Management, South County Museum in Narragansett, Wilcox Park and Westerly Public Library, Westerly Armory, Babcock-Smith House, General Nathanael Greene Homestead in Coventry, the Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum & Nuweetooun School in Exeter, Arcadia Management Area, Kenyon's Grist Mill in Usquepaugh, and Smith's Castle in Wickford.  And a special thank you to Tim Cranston and Carol Salisbury who added their historical magic to the South County tours.

Karen Cooke, Marketing/Promotion Manager, has assumed new career adventures. The Council is grateful to Karen for her efforts over the past 4 years. We certainly understand Karen's desire to achieve career growth and her work on behalf of SCTC promoting South County will be missed.

 

We are very pleased to welcome Michele Bednarick as Promotional Specialist. Michele is a graduate of Rutgers University with a major in Computer Technology. Her extensive background will be invaluable to the Council in achieving its goals to promote and encourage tourism.