The Ontario Government is spending $2-million to improve the intersection of Highway 33 and County Road 1 west of Picton, by converting it to a roundabout. According to a Ministry of Transportation news release, "roundabouts are safer and environmentally friendly. They reduce speeds, traffic delays, fatalities, air and noise pollution." Work on the new roundabout is underway and is projected to be complete by summer 2009. 

While roundabouts are definitely safer than traditional intersections with stop signs and traffic lights, some drivers regularly get sweaty palms every time they spot a roundabout ahead. Tamara Mehta, an American living in London, says "I've even been known to take alternate routes to avoid going through a roundabout. They do keep traffic moving, but I'd rather deal with a four-way stop or a traffic light."

 Most drivers in Britain appear to love their roundabouts however. There's even a Roundabout Appreciation Society. You can buy a Best of British Roundabouts 2009 calendar, and now a book has been published with everything you every wanted to know about roundabouts. The author, Kevin Beresford, says "Roundabouts hit a soft spot in British hearts that, for example, traffic lights never can. They are aesthetically pleasing - they are often planted with floral displays. I think they appeal to our love of gardening and also the fact that we are an island race."

If you've never experienced driving through a roundabout, watch Chevy Chase in this clip from the movie European Vacation.

Been to a drive-in movie theatre lately?  If not -- surprise, surprise -- some are reopening, others are expanding, and a handful are better and more popular than they ever were in their earlier years. That certainly applies to Prince Edward County's Mustang Drive-in. Picton-based illustrator extraordinaire, Carl Wiens, recently took his family for an evening of movies under the stars at the Mustang on County Road 1. Naturally, he brought his sketchbook along and scribbled down some notes about the experience. From Carl's blog, here's the end result: 

Prince Edward County's Economic Development office has launched a new multimedia website, BuildANewLife.ca, aiming to attract potential investors by allowing them to experience what it's like to work and live in the County. Featured content includes videos and podcasts, along with links to the County's own YouTube channel, Facebook and Flickr photography sites. You can visit the new website here.   

"Brian O'Neil, chief engineer with the Trent Severn Waterway, said Thursday the goal is to have the bridge fully operational by Saturday. He said cranes are expected to pull the temporary bailey bridge, just metres west of the swing bridge, out of position early Friday afternoon."

Belleville Intelligencer

Read the full story here.

Julia Steinecke, The Toronto Star, June 14, 2008

Read the full article here

© Steve Beland        You can view more of Steve's work here

In chapter 22, a picnic at the shore and a magical mirage bring us to the end of the story.

If you've been faithfully following along since we began presenting weekly chapters of The Palace of the Moon last September, thank you for listening. We hope you enjoyed Janet's authentic tale of Prince Edward County. And if you're just getting started -- no worries. We'll continue to make available all 22 chapters of the book in our audio archives.

You can also find information about Janet's second novel, The Pear Shaped Woman, by visiting her website.

To listen click here:

or download the MP3 file here

                               © Earl Dunbar

Thinking about home grown tomatoes beats watching the snow melt, right? The Victoria Day weekend is less than two months away, and Vicki's Veggies will be having their annual sale of over 100 varieties of heirloom tomato starter plants.

In chapter 21, Steve resurfaces in Cara's life, and she thinks she has finally found answers to the many questions she has always had about her parents' lives. She also thinks that she has a solution for many problems, but only if Steve's wife Marcie agrees.

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or download the MP3 file here

After a couple of intensive years of planning and construction, the Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company expects to begin producing hand-made goat and sheep milk cheeses by the end of March at its innovative 20-acre facility on the eastern ridge of Prince Edward County. A grand opening to the public is planned for early May. Designed as an advanced sustainable enterprise, Fifth Town aims to be platinum-accredited under the LEED Canada Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Program.

Petra Cooper is founder and CEO of Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Company. We first interviewed Petra for the County Podcast in January, 2006 during her early days of planning. We hope to record an update interview with Petra in April.

UPDATE: The Fifth Town retail store is now scheduled to open June 6th.

To listen to the archive interview click here:

or download the MP3 file here

In chapter 20 Bernice presents a solution to Edna's problems. Cara's career takes off. Randy, a rock musician, leaves her a present. Edna meets William. Mickey arrives.

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or download the MP3 file here

What do you suppose Al Purdy would make of the fact that on May 20, a 9'6" bronze representation of himself will be unveiled at Queen's Park in Toronto? According to a Globe and Mail story, poet Susan Musgrave, a former neighbour and friend of Al's, said, "He'd probably worry about the pigeons pooping on him...Wherever he is, he's probably looking down and laughing."

One of Canada's most important and beloved poets, Al Purdy and his wife Eurithe moved to Roblin Lake in Ameliasburgh in the 1950s, although in later years they divided their time between their Roblin Lake cottage and British Columbia. Al died in 2000 and his ashes are buried in Ameliasburgh at the end of Purdy Lane. A decade earlier, when Hill Street was renamed Purdy Lane in his honour, Al commented, "I've had people walk on me and now they can drive over me."

One of Al Purdy's most popular poems is At the Quinte Hotel. To listen to Al reading the poem click here:

or download the MP3 file here

A couple of years ago Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip paid homage with a video version of the poem:

Over the next three weeks we'll reach the conclusion of The Palace of the Moon, written and performed by Janet Kellough. You can find an archive of all of the chapters of the book here.

In chapter 19, it's a very scary time for Edna as she and Vera work together to cover Len's tracks. In the process Edna thinks she discovers why Len married her in the first place. Vera disagrees.

To listen click here:

or download the MP3 file here

In chapter 18, tragedy strikes the Collins household, with enormous ramifications, and Edna, with Vera's help, must think quickly to avert total disaster.

To listen click here:

or download the MP3 file here

Cara and Steve go fishing. Edna and Vera conspire to get Steve out of Cara's life. Cara is furious and refuses to talk to her father. Len confides his problems to Francine.

To listen click here:

or download the MP3 file here

One of the many "escape artists" in Prince Edward County is Carl Wiens, a freelance illustrator who happily moved from Toronto to Picton with his wife and young family. Instead of losing contact with his big city clients, computer technology and a high-speed Internet connection have allowed him to grow his national and international business, while picking up a healthy amount of local design work as well.

Some of Carl's major clients include The New York Times, Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Forbes, Fast Company, BusinessWeek, Macleans, Cottage Life and Today's Parent.

You can view Carl's blog here. A great example of his humorous and whimsical illustration style is The Man's Underwear Repair Kit, to be published in late April by Running Press. And don't miss his illustrated representation of Birdhouse City, a colourful collection of over 100 birdhouses located at the base of Macaulay Mountain, a conservation area on the outskirts of Picton.