As a singer-songwriter, performing as Evening Hymns, Jonas Bonnetta found living in Toronto was a good way to become part of the Canadian indie music scene, but he came from a rural background near Peterborough, and said he always knew he would eventually leave the city. This led him to move to Tay Valley several years ago, although he was drawn back to Toronto a lot, and was touring most of the year as well. On one of those trips to Toronto along Hwy. 7, he turned off at Mountain Grove Road to see a property he had heard about through a real estate website. The property is very close to the highway, but is still pretty secluded. It has a treed canopy entrance-way leading to a small house and an outbuilding on a piece of land that is adjacent to a larger farm. He hasn’t looked back.

Turning inspiration into art takes great talent, patience and dedication. Taking it one big step further and turning this creative impetus into a successful handmade business takes a further set of skills, as well as even more patience, dedication and courage. Jodie Hames, owner of Clayworks Pottery in Bethany, ON, possessed the former cache of characteristics in abundance for most of her life. She later learned to develop the acumen necessary to create a handmade business – not just once, but twice.

The Opinicon Dining & Resort - this region's adored, ‘Grand Old Dame of the Rideau’ - is back to its iconic glory. After more than three years of extensive restoration, this picturesque destination on the Rideau Canal system overlooking Opinicon Lake is once again offering unique accommodations, food, live entertainment and so much more. "We're back!" says owner Fiona McKean, the passionate driving force behind this massive and authentic rejuvenation project of a distinctive vacation spot with roots dating back into the late 1800s. There is a charming ice cream parlour, gift shop, a bakery, a playground and walking paths. The newest feature is an in-ground pool.

A former church nestled in the village of Enterprise, the setting could not be more fitting for the quirky collection of salvaged architectural objects showcased at Salvage Garden. Giving new life to old objects and materials is the methodology of Salvage Garden business owners David Wood and Andrew Halkewycz. Working directly with collectors, designers, builders, and do it yourselfers; Salvage Garden has an eclectic inventory of factory windows, tin ceilings, industrial lighting, advertising signage, tables, seating, vintage metal cabinets and an abundance more.

Ron Haslam has been in the sign business for pretty much his entire working life. It’s his passion, not just his vocation. And his commitment to excellence, pride of purpose and a resolute policy that customer service is king has meant his firm, Maximum Signs, has been the ‘go to’ sign company for municipalities, developers and lots of other organizations for the past 28 years.

Every small town has that one local icon, a location or venue that is rife with memories for locals and with a rich historical background that draws interest from visitors from the surrounding community and beyond.  In Smiths Falls, that icon is Davidson Courtyard, once home to the well-known Davidson Bakery and today a popular destination for shopping and dining in Smiths Falls.

Since opening the business in 1996, and reviving a struggling 200-year-old feed mill in the process, Wilton Tack has become the ‘go to’ source for local farmers and pet owners. Whether looking for quality feed, or the latest gear and apparel for horse owners Wilton Tack is the place to shop. It’s location at 308 Simmons Road, just outside Odessa is a haven for equestrian aficionados but also a growing number of the region’s farm families.

Linden Mackey’s grandfather had a vision of a way to not only improve and expand his business horizons, but be on the forefront of life celebrations for his friends and neighbours in Lindsay, Ontario. The founder of Mackey Funeral Home Inc. in 1916, James Mackey believed there needed to be more options for celebrating the life of a deceased person – and even to celebrate life and family in more general terms. – in a comfortable setting that mixed the traditional needs of a family during a time of grieving, with changing desires for how those occasions should be marked.

A visit to Chuckles Jack is an exploration of the senses – centrally located in downtown Smiths Falls, Chuckles Jack entices diners with delectable culinary creations focused on authentic Indian and Canadian cuisine, all served in a spacious and tastefully decorated interior complete with top of the line fixtures and stylish décor. Looking around Chuckles Jack’s well-furnished interior, it’s hard to believe this community centrepiece spent months with its doors closed to the public, struggling through a difficult and challenging move and renovation. It was Chuckles Jack co-owner and chef, Ram Mogandas,’ passion for food and commitment to offering his guests a one-of-a-kind dining experience that prompted the restaurant’s move from its former Centre Street location, to the new Russell Street building, formerly Manhattan Bar & Grill.

It is a story of compelling inspiration, of the power of hope and positivity and a true lesson in perseverance, not just for other entrepreneurs, but for anyone striving to better their circumstances and their lives. The story of SnapCab® is the story of Glenn Bostock and how he took advantage of every opportunity thrust his way, made many more of his own opportunities and did not allow negativity, a rough experience in school and the prospect of failure to deter him from maximizing his potential and creating an innovative and successful business.