Happy 25th Birthday to Us!!!
Cottage Country Connection is now 25 years old as of April 2019. To celebrate we look back on its growth!
Heritage is so important, and we work to bring you interesting information about the history of our area – our Cottage Country. The past 25 years have been years of great change and growth in the world, and certainly here in Cottage Country. Let us welcome the change, but also work hard to preserve our natural environment and our traditions.
With its beginnings in April 1994 as a newspaper called The Causeway Connection – in reference to the James A. Gifford Causeway which spans Chemong Lake between Bridgenorth and Ennismore – it embraced the symbolism of connection between communities, between the natural beauty and the people who live and play here. Founded by Andrew and Catherine Shedden, The Causeway Connection welcomed readers by engaging them in the history of the causeway – in the 1940’s it was a floating bridge which could be tricky to cross at times – as well as offering tax tips, articles about local businesses and information on community groups and activities.
The second issue in May 1994 gave a full history of the lake crossing before the current causeway. Chemong Lake was crossed by a “scow” before there was a bridge. The first floating bridge was opened May 24, 1870 and cost $1,000 to build. In total there were three floating bridges before the current J. A. Gifford Causeway was built. The story continued in the June 1994 issue with a description of the June 23, 1949 opening of the current causeway named after James Alfred Gifford, a long time Reeve of Ennismore and Warden of Peterborough County.
The newspaper was a success in the local community, and its readership and distribution expanded. In May 1996 the last issue titled The Causeway Connection dropped the Bridgenorth and Ennismore reference, focusing on the word “Connection” on its cover.
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September 2003 was the last issue published by the Sheddens, and the paper now known as “The Connection” was sold ahead of the October issue to Chantal and Pierre Saville.
The Savilles, a young energetic couple, moved their lives from Toronto to the Kawarthas looking for a change of pace. They ushered the paper into the Internet age, immediately establishing the connectionnewspaper.com website. The first issue the Savilles published in October 2003 had the banner “Serving the Township of Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield”, and true to its roots, it had a photo of the J.A. Gifford Causeway on the cover.
The Savilles operated the paper, expanded circulation beyond the current Selwyn Township, and developed a thriving website. They operated the Connection for over 10 years before deciding it was time to move on in January 2014.
With new owners, 2014 marked more new growth for The Connection; the beginnings of social media. This brought a new dynamic and energy to the publication. Soon after, the publication name was changed to “Cottage Country Connection”, and in 2016 the newspaper took the leap to a high gloss magazine.
In 2015, Cottage Country Connection received the Peterborough Chamber Marketing & Promotion Award of Excellence & in 2016 received the Kawartha Chamber Award of Excellence for Entrepreneur Innovation and a nomination for Tourism & Hospitality.
As of 2019, Cottage Country Connection again has a new owner. Kelly Welsh purchased the publication with the vision of making the publication a place for readers to find interesting, relevant local information. An award-winning graphic designer, Kelly has been designing the publication since its newspaper days in 2014. As the new owner she promises nothing but the best throughout the stunning pages of the newspaper turned magazine. Kelly understands the significance, as well as the importance, of sticking to your roots – Cottage Country roots that is!!
There have been many impassioned, creative and talented hands in making Cottage Country Magazine what you see today.
Currently the publication prints six issues per year. The issues are produced bi-monthly with a readership per issue of approximately 108,000. Distributed from Peterborough to Haliburton and from Fenelon Falls to Campbellford, with over 130 pick-up locations, and via Canada Post, there is an issue close to you.
The magazine employs a team of friendly consultants who are happy to reach out to cottage country businesses and the folks who run them, working with them to meet their individual needs, and every member of the team lives right here in Cottage Country!!
This area sees thousands of seasonal residents flock to our beautiful region year after year, looking to enjoy our sparkling lakes and laid-back lifestyle. The team at what is now lovingly referred to as “Cottage Country Magazine” realize an opportunity to show all these keen seasonal friends everything we have to offer right here in Cottage Country – the many unique, interesting and helpful businesses, services and products that make our region one of the best!
This issue of Cottage Country Connection reminds us to look back nostalgically at the first 25 years of the Connection and stride forward to the future. That future includes, of course, the internet and the ability to communicate and inform far beyond what a monthly printed newspaper could do. Printing and graphic technology has changed with the help of computers, allowing us to present a higher quality publication.
Striving to keep pace with new technologies which help us bring instant information, Cottage Country Magazine is active on social media – follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Pinterest. The magazine can also be read online, making it accessible anytime, anywhere at www.cottage.rocks
The full magazine is available online and you can read it easily on any device, but we recognize that most people still like to hold a physical magazine in their hands when they read. This is true especially when they are relaxing on the dock at the cottage or in a country home. You can leave technology behind, and enjoy peace and quiet within the pages of our magazine.
25 years have passed for the Connection, and along with other exciting changes, the magazine is celebrating by giving away a three-night Egan Houseboat Rental. (Check out the Cottage Country Magazine Facebook page for more details.)
Also new this year, the Cottage Country team will be hosting a “Kick-off to Cottage Season” at their Trade & Vendor Show on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the Lakefield Arena. We would love to see you there!
We hope you enjoy reading, the Connection’s 25th Anniversary issue, and we are proud to bring it to you.
https://www.cottage.rocks/cottage-country-lifestyle-trade-show/
Meet the team ↓↓↓↓↓↓
