The Prince Edward County Chamber celebrated International Women’s Day in style with a splendid lunch at the Royal Hotel, served at extra-long and convivial tables of 20 in the hotel’s lovely dining room. The lunch was also outgoing and much-loved Chamber CEO Lesley Lavender’s farewell event. Chef Albert Ponzo honoured his mother by preparing her sensational Lasagne alla Fiorentina, lamenting only that she was not alongside to give advice.

The owners of local County businesses, Shannon Hunter of Wander the Resort, The Bloomfield Beauty Co. sisters, Emma and Annie Woodman, and Alyssa Zwonok of Nomad Cre8tive, shared the stories, memories and inspiration behind their successful entrepreneurship. A star-studded roster of guests included the County’s CAO Marcia Wallace, the legendary Libby Crombie, Rotary’s Nancy Griffin, Prince Edward Community Theatre Director Cheryl Singer, Oeno Gallery’s Carlyn Mouton, Base31’s Liz Kohn, and the Chamber’s Interim CEO Duarte da Silva, to name just a few.