Leeds Grenville
Economic Development eNews | March 29, 2016
News
Maple syrup producers, pancake houses have deep roots in Leeds Grenville
For maple syrup lovers, it's good to know Leeds Grenville has some of the most established sugar bushes in eastern Canada.

Robert Drummond, of Drummond's Sugar Bush and Pancake House near Spencerville, has been tapping trees since childhood.  His family's maple syrup operation is one of the oldest in Ontario - dating back to 1802. He is the 8th generation to produce the sweet stuff.

"People start arriving at 7:50 a.m. and we run steady after that," Robert says of the pancake house on County Road 21. It is open every Saturday and Sunday until April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The dining area seats 68 with a typical weekend draw of more than 1,200 people. 

A visit to the pancake house has an added bonus - it's also a museum with memorabilia and photos documenting over 200 years of syrup production. Robert's father, the late George Drummond, would be proud of how the operation's history is on display for visitors.  

The family, including brothers Scott and Russell, mother Marilynne and sister Heather, have 17 kilometres of line (tubing system) running through their bush with more than 1,500 taps. Maple syrup is sold at the pancake house (cash only) and at the Drummond's Gas Bar in Spencerville. They also do special customer orders. The sugar bush has an average yield of about 325 gallons. For information call 613-658-2188.
 
Over in Leeds and the Thousand Islands Township, George and Linda Horton operate a sugar house on Sand Bay Road. Their family has farmed the land for seven generations since 1836. Syrup production dates back 5 generations, according to George.

"I do it for the enjoyment of it," says George, who takes pride in his 415-acre sugar bush. Calling it a retirement project, George makes 80-120 gallons each spring. Horton's syrup is sold at the Lansdowne Freshmart and the Gananoque No Frills. He also uses a tubing system and a high performance evaporator.

Drummond's and Horton's are two of many maple syrup operations in Leeds Grenville. View more on our website's Maple Syrup page. The Lanark and District Maple Syrup Producers Association (LDMSPA) represents Leeds Grenville, Frontenac County and Ottawa area producers. Visit the LDMSPA website for more information and mapping. 
Top feature photo: Syrup bottles on display at the Drummond family Pancake House near Spencerville. 


Robert Drummond checks the consistency of the syrup. 



William Elliott-Sherman gets ready to enjoy pancakes and syrup at Hunter's Maple Products & Pancake House on County Road 21. 



George Horton is shown testing his syrup in his evaporator room.

Employment Services


Top feature photo: Small Business Advisory Centre Manager Cindy James and Youth and Client Services Co-ordinator Kim Angell-McCormick.



Above photo: Ongoing workshops and seminars are there to support small business owners.
Small Business Advisory Centre supporting new businesses in Rideau Lakes, Merrickville
If you are a new business, or are looking to start a business in the Westport, Rideau Lakes and Merrickville area, take advantage of the resources at the Small Business Advisory Centre of Smiths Falls/Lanark.

"We're the first stop for small business owners to be equipped with the right information to move in the right direction for their business, " says Centre manager Cindy James.

"We provide in-person and online consultation," Cindy says of their services, including helping businesses register. "Surprisingly, a number of business owners use third-party online sites where they pay unnecessary fees. Registering your business should only cost $60," Cindy says.

The office provides business plan help. Cindy and Youth and Client Services Co-ordinator Kim Angell-McCormick can help you with the steps toward writing a good business plan and will review it once it is complete. The Centre hosts ongoing seminars on finances, marketing, government program regulations and social media. 

Youth entrepreneur Starter Company and Summer Company programs help launch new enterprises. "We've had big successes in Elgin and Merrickville, to name a few," Cindy says. Applications are currently being accepted with more information available by contacting their office at 613-283-7002, ext. 109, or online.

Learn more about the Small Business Advisory Centre by visiting their website or their  Facebook page. You can also find them on Twitter and Instagram.

This is the fifth in a series featuring local employment service providers for employers and jobseekers in Leeds Grenville. Visit our eNewsletter Archive page to read previous articles.
Workshops and Seminars
Social Media Essentials 
for Small Business 

Augusta Township, in partnership with the Thousand Islands Chapter of Professional Engineers Ontario, Ontario Network of Entrepreneurs and the Leeds Grenville Small Business Enterprise Centre, is hosting this workshop.

MERC Hall, 120 East McLean Blvd., 
Maitland
Thursday, April 14, 8-11 a.m.
Continental breakfast included
Cost: $25
Seed and Capital Application Workshop

Community groups interested in learning more about the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant process are encouraged to attend this workshop. It provides tips for Seed and Capital applications, how the action areas, grant results and application questions interconnect, and how each application is assessed.

Elizabethtown-Kitley Library,
4103 County Road 29,
Spring Valley
Wednesday, March 30, 1-3 p.m.
FREE
Economic Development Office
32 Wall Street, Suite 300, Brockville, ON Canada, K6V 4R9
TF. 1.800.770.2170  T. 613.342.3840  F. 613.342.3298
Leeds Grenville