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April 2011 Muskoka's Business Newspaper Since 1997

Muskoka Springs wins gold

By Chris Occhiuzzi The list of awards won by Muskoka Springs Natural Spring Water just got a bit longer. In February, Muskoka Springs won gold in the best non-carbonated bottled water category at the 21st annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition. With over 100 different waters competing in a variety of categories, it is the largest water tasting competition in the world. "We feel happy," Michael Billinghurst, owner and president of Muskoka Springs, says about winning gold. "It just keeps on showing that we're consistently producing a good tasting product." Muskoka Springs finished first among 42 bottled waters tasted by a panel of 12 judges. Bottled waters sampled came from numerous nations, including the United States, Argentina, Japan, Tasmania and Switzerland, according to the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting website. Judges used guidelines similar to a wine tasting, with appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel and aftertaste being rated. This was Muskoka Springs' second gold award at the International Water Tasting held in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The first was in 2007. "For the last several years we've put samples in and won a variety WATER - p. 15

Picking up the pieces

GRAVENHURST FIRE: Randy Brown stands in front of his store, Cottage Cravings, which was badly damaged by fire. See story on page 2.

Jeweller prepares to face Dragons

By Don McCormick If you're a fan of the CBC's hit TV show Dragons' Den then you will want to pay particular attention to this coming season. Muskoka jeweller Stan Tait may be appearing on the show to pitch his angel pendant project. Tait, who is self-taught, has been designing and making jewelry since 1974. "Original design and pure creativity is really my hallmark," says Tait. He moved to Muskoka in 1984 and became immersed in the local arts community. He works out of his home studio just off Highway 117 near Highway 11. In December of 2004, Tait received a phone call from a client asking him to make an angel pendant for her to give to her closest friend who was recovering from cancer surgery. "Her friend loved angels and she loved her friend," recounts Tait. Tait's angel pendant became a part of his jewelry repertoire and a very popular item for sale. In 2009, Tait was contracted to supply angel pendants to a large U.S. retailer. The pendant was sold in 1,200 stores across the U.S. and Canada generating sales to date of $4.5 million. According to Tait, 50,000 angel pendants have been sold in the last 10 years. "The thing I found so powerful about the angel pendant is that it was a gift that could convey an amazing range of messages to a loved one," explains Tait. "It is a vehicle for conveying a very BIG HOPES - p. 7

Going green in Muskoka - see p. 8 - 11

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TO BE CONFIDENT ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SECURITY Just because the economy is uncertain doesn't mean you have to be. Talk to me. Alan Paton, CFP, B.Eng 705-789-5246 38 Glenwood Drive Huntsville, ON P1H 1B6 © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2010.

End of an era

Robertson's Apparel closes its doors after 34 years.

See p. 3

Radio station proposed

Port Carling may be home to a new station.

See p. 7

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