The Bank is a community-driven project, with the aim of keeping our heritage alive. This is what community members have said: 

“What a wonderful way to celebrate community by offering local classes and activities for our kids to learn about our community’s culture and their roots. This will help keep them involved in community life.”
Tracy Grant, Dutton-Dunwich resident, TVDSB School Board Representative

“The past is interesting but often we haven’t had time to ask all the questions needed to tell the full story. The Centre will give us a new opportunity to ask the questions again and get the answers now, so we don’t lose our collective stories forever. We will be happy to get involved.”           
Bill and Roxanne Nethercott, Rodney residents

“Restoring the bank building and establishing the centre will help to keep our heritage alive – it will be an important addition to the area. By involving local craftsmen and businesses, this will truly be a community project.”
Brian Simpson, West Lorne resident

"The Bank will provide a much needed venue to educate and celebrate the rich and diverse heritage and history of our area. It will allow young and old alike to explore, share, and experience the texture of the colourful tapestry which is our past. It will also provide a useful resource for educators and historical researchers and genealogists."
Larry Schneider, Rodney resident, (former) Principal, West Elgin Secondary School

“What you have described is a ‘living cookbook,’ an opportunity to see recipes come alive from the rich cultural make-up of our community. I can see the Centre as way for community organizations to celebrate our culture in a fun and interesting way.”
Bill Trask, West Lorne resident

“Our heritage can guide us to a bright future. With the enthusiasm of youth and the participation of our citizens, we can foster respect and support for all members of our community. This cultural and heritage centre has the potential to make this happen.”   
Jill Soos, Rodney resident

"I have been driving by that old bank for 44 years; I washed clothes there for several years and never once did I visualize it as a place that we, the community, would be able to share our history, our future and culinary skills. What a great use of the building-to promoting and preserving our community.”
Nancy McGregor, West Lorne resident

“Access to local general interest and enrichment programming is cheaper than having to travel out of our area and it benefits all of us who don’t want to drive that far. Plus [the Centre] will fill the niche for having a community space available for interactive audio-visual presentations.”   
Bill Prieksaitis, Rodney resident

“Really a good idea. We have to do something to keep these small towns alive. People need to know the history—not just use the towns as a place to sleep and then go to work.”
Debbie McCallum, "In A Jam" business owner

“Our existing industries are threatened so we need to look for other ways to draw people to the area. It doesn't matter whether (the cultural hub) is in West Lorne, Rodney, Dutton, Glencoe, or Newbury if all outlying businesses benefit. Everyone has to realize that [the Centre] will bring benefits to the region and West Lorne just happens to be the spot for the centre.”               
Nola Dow, Southwest Middlesex resident

“We are proud to support The Arts and Cookery Bank. We, in rural Ontario, need to encourage economic development as a way to keep our young people in our communities. This project will benefit the entire region and will be a place for residents and visitors to go to unite and look at our history. I am proud that our team at McNaughton's supports this centre. We look forward to moving forward.”
Monte McNaughton, Newbury resident, McNaughton’s

“This is a very unique way to celebrate our rural lifestyle. This centre could be an advantage for our kid’s especially with our fieldtrips and could actually tie right into our social science and visual arts classes.”
Chris Anger, former Principal Glencoe District High School

"There isn't anything like this in Elgin County."
Anne Kenny, retired business counsellor, Elgin Business Resource Centre