|The South Marysburgh Mirror 7 CHANGE 2 Well Christmas is over and I trust you had as happy a time as Valerie and I did. The children made different plans this year so we didn’t have them as we have for a number of years. Were we lonely, anything but! We visited, had peo- ple in, went to sundry parties and generally had a splendid time reminiscent of our first years here. An enjoyable change. Now, I suppose, we are expected to look forward to the New Year and we are doing that. We will spend New Year’s Eve and New Year’s morning with the same dear friends as we have for the past number of years. A great celebration in- cluding our own fireworks display over the Reach to wel- come 2008. From my perspective we can look forward to a year of change, not only around the rest of the world but right here in the County. The assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Parki- stan is sure to have an ominous effect on the Middle East and particularly Afghanistan where our troops are trying to effect change in that war tom land. The real estate crisis in the U.S.A. will likely have a serious impact on our trade as we are by its largest trading partner and our strong dollar could affect our trade world wide. It looks, however, despite the negative effects; we here in Prince Edward County will see a lot of economic develop- ment. I was reminiscing the other day and got to discuss the chang- es that have occurred in the last fourteen years since we ar- rived. No Frills, Canadian Tire on the Highway, a much en- larged Waring House, and an expanded IGA which together with the A & P are now open 24 hours a day. There are many new stores and businesses on the Main Street and a number of new apartments. I must mention the new restau- rants and the re-done Merrill Inn and of course, the beautiful Claremont. Of course, I have to mention the Wineries which, in my view, act as a magnet for people to visit and enjoy the County and leave money in our various commer- cial establishments. I was chatting the other day with a woman who moved here about six years ago. Prior to that, she had been a senior offi- cial in the Muni of N the-Lake for a number of years. She said that in her view one of the major differ- ences between Niagara-on-the-Lake and Prince Edward County is the number of fine restaurants we have which NOTL doesn’t have. PELA — CFDC (Prince Edward & Lennox and Addington Community Futures Development Corporation) co- sponsored the development of a new web site — eastquest.ca which outlines all the activities throughout the municipalities in eastern Ontario and permits users to custom plan their trips and arrange accommodation — with the specific aim of attracting our fellow Canadians from Quebec. So as a vol- unteer on the Board of PELA CFDC, I was pleased earlier is fall when the papers commented on the increase in tour- ism, particularly visitors who came from Quel Let’s consider some of the changes that will occur in 2008 that ‘we are sure of. There will be a significant number of Two 1 are now under construc- tion one at the west end of Picton and the other on the Hill. Other exciting developments will also include condos, the Edward Building now under construction on Main Street and the Royal Hotel that will begin renovations in 2008. When Valerie was on the Regent Theatre Board some years ago she used to say that the east end of Main Street would some day become a major attraction for visitors and residents alike. I think she may have been right since the two projects mentioned and the new Book Store and Café project will sig- nificantly change the character of this area and coupled with the Regent Theatre and existing restaurants and will become a ‘destination’ to visit. We will also have a new Home lardware our on the west end and a record number of build- ing permits for both business and housing will ensure contin- ued growth. I can recall when the second stop lights were installed on Main Street and Picton became, to my knowledge, the only town in North America to have lights into Tim Horton’s! This occasion was made famous by the Frere Bros in their song. I wonder what song they will produce when the roundabout becomes operational in 2008. I’m sure for a while it will make very interesting watching as we all get used to going around and around and maybe end up in Home Hardware, the Waring House or Hallowell Nursing Home before we manage to get back on highway 33 or Schoharie! All in all 2008 has all the signs that it will be a year of con- tinuing growth and prosperity. Change always makes us Continued on page 8 OBJECTIVE OPTICAL BINOCULARS MICROSCOPES TELESCOPES Repairs to all makes New and used sold :xcellent access to parts & accessories for all makes years experience R.R. 2, Milford, ON KOK 2P0 Fax (613) 476-2955 Prop: Phil Mathewson Phone (613) 476-2418