Don Stanton’s first experience of the County was monumental – his very first breath. He was born in Picton Hospital. Don grew up in the County and probably had other equally exciting firsts here. But I didn’t ask, and he didn’t say when I met him one morning in his office on Main Street. What he did say is that he LOVES Prince Edward County, and he repeats that on all of of his advertising. Don is manager of the Picton branch of McDougall Stanton Insurance Company and a partner in the company. In his business ads he stands in front of County places and things that are special to him. There’s Don on the sidewalk outside the Regent Theatre on a warm summer night, his shirt lit up by the old theatre’s brilliant neon lights. Here’s Don wrapped up against the cold, leaning on a sugar maple with sap buckets all around him during Maple in the County. And there’s Don in the autumn, smartly dressed at the lookout on Lake on the Mountain, over his shoulder the Glenora Ferry is heading for the mainland.

“It was the ad agency’s idea for managers to connect with clients by saying things like “I love Camping,” or “I love Hockey,” said Don in his self-deprecating way. “It was almost too easy for me, because I do love the County. That’s all I need to say. That, and standing in front of well-loved landmarks.” Do the ads appeal to people? “Actually people are calling me up these days to ask me to come and stand in front of their favourite place,” he said with a grin.

He calls himself a County Boy, he’s a Queen’s University graduate who worked for a while in Toronto then came home to work with his dad and, ultimately, buy the business. When we spoke last week, he was preparing for a much-needed vacation, but he wasn’t planning on going far. “Nope, this time we’re sticking close to home,” he said. Of course this place that Don calls home is a vacation destination for thousands every year.

A generous sponsor of community events and County festivals, Don is particularly proud of his involvement in TASTE! a celebration of regional cuisine that’s popular with the very people who are steadily growing his business. Coincidentally, TASTE! takes place at the old Crystal Palace, a stone’s throw from the hospital where Don was born. That’s the County for you!

Tags: McDougall Insurance & Financial, TASTE! a celebration of regional cuisine