P.E.I. — Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa are proving quite the boon to Prince Edward Island’s tourism sector, as they tape four episodes of their New York-based talk show, Live! with Regis and Kelly, at Confederation Landing Park in Charlottetown this week.

According to the CBC, although the province and federal government spent $1 million to attract the popular talk show, the return has made the investment worthwhile. "We estimated that we've got about $5-million worth of advertising so far, and that was even before we started broadcasting from here in Confederation Landing," P.E.I. premier, Robert Ghiz, was quoted as saying by the CBC.

By now you may have already heard that the namesake stars of the New York-based show Live! with Regis and Kelly are heading to Prince Edward Island to film four episodes of their popular morning program in July. The excitable duo has plans to explore the entire Island and discover all there is to learn about P.E.I. history, culture and food.

It is good news for restaurant owners who are already hoping for an influx of American tourists after the show airs, especially considering the fact that 2009 was such a miserable year for tourism. And, the province is banking on it — as they’ve allegedly invested $750,000 to bring the show north.

HERMANVILLE, P.E.I. — When it comes to the food world, Prince Edward Island is known for shellfish, potatoes and, well, more shellfish. As it turns out though, two industrious islanders have turned one of those commodities, potatoes, into more than just french fries, and upper Canadian imbibers are only now getting a taste.

Announced as part of the June 12 Vintages release at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Prince Edward Distillery Potato Vodka, produced by Arla Johnson and Julie Shore, looks to make a big splash in this summer’s cocktail scene.

STRATFORD, P.E.I. — A husband and wife team of vegetable farmers in Stratford, P.E.I., are in a serious battle with an unruly — and hungry — flock of crows, and it’s threatening their livelihood.

Greg and Tanya MacKenzie recently planted two hectares of turnip seedlings, only to discover nearly 98 per cent of their turnip crop had been pulled up by the crows. And now they’re fearful for their remaining crops, too.