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THE magic of Merry Muster shoppers is still rippling around the region with one Ballandean business calling the visitors an “injection” of love for local stores.
Last weekend, over 370 shoppers showed up to Ballandean Estate for the Granite Belt’s biggest picnic of 2020.
Fourth-generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi said locavore picnic experience took days to prepare and a whopping 3850 pieces of sesame lavosh, 70kg of hand roasted capsicums, 40kg of grilled zucchini and more. Merry muster shoppers at Ballandean Estate.
“When Christine Bonner, founder of the Merry Muster, called last week to speak to Barrelroom chefs Matt and Bobbi Wells about last minute menu requests, and mentioned 370 people, I was flabbergasted. It was hard to keep my cool or contain my excitement!,” Ms Puglisi-Gangemi said.
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Subscriber only A NEW tourism project is set to guide tourists from farm to fork, showcasing the tireless efforts of Southern Downs producers along the way. The Southern Downs and Granite Belt Food Maps was launched by Southern Downs Regional Council and the Southern Downs and Granite Belt tourism yesterday. The Food Maps support locations and products which use at least 50 per cent locally grown ingredients or are grown 100 per cent on-site. The maps also encourage visitors to use cafes and restaurants who incorporate locally grown ingredients on their menus. The maps come in two forms - the Buy and Eat Local Map for tourists and the Farm and Produce Map for the food industry including cafe and restaurant owners.
QUEENSLAND is set for a golden summer with holiday hordes expected to inject more than $4 billion into the state s economy over the next two months. Yesterday s call by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to reopen the Queensland border to New Zealand travellers, hot on the heels of the move to allow visitors from Sydney and Victoria, means the state s three biggest tourism markets are now free to return to Queensland. With the stars finally aligning after a year of coronavirus-induced misery, tourism operators are again feeling optimistic for the first time since January. Tatiana Reyes, 24 from Chevron Island is looking forward to the summer holidays. Picture: Nigel Hallett.
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Subscriber only ROSE City residents will be rushed off their feet this weekend with the amount of must-see events. Whether you re looking for something Christmassy, community-minded or just a good shop, the Southern Downs truly has you covered. Here are the top 10 activities to get up to this weekend: Â
STANTHORPE CHRISTMAS CAROLS Rock along to Jingle Bells or Silent Night with a family favourite, Carols in the Park. Almost canned due to coronavirus, the Southern Downs Regional Council event is back with a bang this weekend. WHEN: Tonight, from 6.30pm
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A PROMINENT fast food restaurant in Stanthorpe, Uncle Bob Restaurant, is on the market for a record $30,000 bargain.
Sitting at 53 Maryland St, the restaurant is best known for its Korean-Australian fusion food.
Owner Hee Jay purchased the restaurant in April 2018 and prior to that, it better known as the spot of Granite Belt Realty. The Maryland St exterior of Uncle Bob Restaurant.
Mr Jay said he was looking for the right person to take over the restaurant and lease by the end of the month or early December, stating the quick sale was due to medical reasons.