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The 2012 review of South Dundas website statistics will serve as a benchmark to help measure the success of the site, and the impact of the work being done to build up online traffic to the site.

Nicole Sullivan, South Dundas economic development officer recently reviewed the statistics.

“Now that we have a benchmark, just under 90 visits per day, we can better comment on the success we’re having with viewership in the coming years,” Sullivan said.

Having now established a benchmark for viewership over the full year, Sullivan has some insight into what information viewers are most interested in and how they arrived at the site. 

Knowing how someone arrives at the South Dundas site, is a key piece of information that will allow Sullivan to work on increasing the use of the site.

While most of the traffic to the site appears to be locals seeking municipal information, the visit and business sections average 300 to 350 hits per month.

“I am always looking at ways to increase the number of visits,” said Sullivan.

With that in mind, Sullivan plans to work with community partners to strengthen the connection between their websites and the South Dundas website. She plans to dedicate some of the marketing budget to online advertisements linking viewers to the website.

Sullivan will continue to build on the information disseminated through the “Experience South Dundas” Facebook page. 

Four per cent of referrals to the South Dundas website come from that Facebook page. 

Twenty-one per cent of referrals come from the United Counties of SD&G website.

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“My recommendation is to brand South Dundas Recreation,” said Ben Macpherson, Recreation Program Coordinator for South Dundas, at the January 17th council meeting.

Council agreed to the recommendation and Macpherson will soon be introducing a logo design contest to South Dundas residents of all ages.

Macpherson suggested that “the winning design would be launched  on the cover of the upcoming Spring/Summer Recreation Guide.”

According to Macpherson, both North Dundas Recreation and North Grenville Recreation have created their own logo and branding. “I felt that this was a very good way to improve the visibility of programming in the township,” he said.

“Branding will, over time, help develop an instant recognition of any program or activity run by or in partnership with South Dundas Recreation and the township,” suggested Macpherson.

“The underlying goal,” he continued, “is to foster community ownership through continued efforts, partnerships and cross-promotion of events involving residents, community groups and local businesses.”

Macpherson believes that “the symbol can be recognized as one of commitment, by the Township of South Dundas, to improving the quality of life of its residents.”

[…]

Marilyn Boissonneault says she wanted to make a gingerbread house this year, she just didn’t know who to make it for.

Last Christmas, Boissonneault lovingly created a gingerbread house for her dear friend Carol Froats, who passed away this past June.

“Carol loved Christmas,” explained Boissonneault last Wednesday as she and husband Jim prepared this year’s house for transport. “Carol loved the holiday so much that it took her an entire week to decorate her house. Even last year, when she was so sick, she did the best that she could.”

“Last year, I decided to make her a gingerbread house. She had never had one before. When we dismantled it together, Carol removed the little plastic burro and dog and handed them back to me for ‘next year’s house’.”

“I wanted to do another one so much this year. I just didn’t know who to do it for. So I talked to Carol Richer at the Christmas Exchange, and she came up with the perfect idea.”

“Carol told me about this young lad at CHEO. When I asked her what the family’s name was and she said ‘Froats’, I thought I had been given a push.”

With loving care and in memory of her dear friend Carol, Marilyn went to work on this year’s creation for Brody Froats and all the children at CHEO this holiday season.

Marilyn explained to Brody’s grandparents, Carl and Gail Robinson, and little brother Brett, who arrived for pickup on Wednesday, December 19, that her gingerbread houses aren’t the frilly traditional style.

“My gingerbread houses are styled after the southwestern style Adobe Casita. It is furnished and you can take its roof off and look inside,” Marilyn told Brett.

Caramel candies, icing, gingerbread…the Adobe Casita destined for Brody at CHEO is entirely edible, except of course for the tiny burro and dog that graced Carol’s Casita last Christmas and were now at home in Brody’s gingerbread Casita.

[…]