Gooood morning Bay of Quinte!
From beauty queens making international waves to local businesses earning community recognition, this week brings a mix of achievements and changes across the Bay of Quinte region.
While some sectors celebrate growth and success, others navigate seasonal shifts that tell the story of our evolving local landscape.
Plus, the holiday spirit is in full swing with Celtic Christmas magic and country music filling our stages.
Let's roll!
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken "
— Oscar Wilde
Taste the Difference
TOGETHER WITH THAIRIFIC
Thairific caters everything from team lunches to big celebrations with a customizable menu of flavour-packed apps and unforgettable entrées.
Check their website for up-to-date hours, special pop-ups, and event bookings. Planning something special?
News Notes
📚 Local Catholic Schools See Reading and Math Gains
The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board posted improved EQAO scores in Grades 3 and 6 for reading, writing, and math. Credit goes to their Math Action Plan and Science of Reading programs — though secondary scores stayed flat. (Quinte News) Read More →
🏆 Bay of Quinte Crowns Local Champions
Over 1,700 votes poured in to crown winners across 274 categories in this year's Best of the Bay awards. Finally, every community gets its moment - voting switched from regional to individual towns, meaning Brighton, Greater Napanee, and Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory now have their own champions alongside the usual Belleville and Quinte West winners. Six businesses earned the coveted five-time winner status, including Tomasso's Italian Grille and Burger Revolution. Read More →
🏥 New dermatology clinic opens its doors on Maitland Drive
Dr. Laura Pickett has launched Quinte Dermatology at 405 Maitland Dr, offering everything from skin cancer screenings to Botox treatments. Finally, a local option for both medical needs and cosmetic touch-ups. The clinic handles acne, psoriasis management, and advanced procedures like Morpheus8 RF microneedling. (InQuinte) Read More →
🏗️ Belleville's Building Boom Takes a Breather
Construction values dropped to $6.2 million in November, down from $64.4 million last year. The city issued 38 building permits compared to 45 in 2023, though 167 residential units have still been completed year-to-date. (The Intelligencer) Read More →
🏆 Belleville's Rachel Murgel Makes History at Miss International
The 25-year-old beauty queen just returned from Japan after placing Top 10 out of 80 contestants at Miss International 2025. Not bad for someone who only had two months to prepare. She's reportedly the third Canadian ever to achieve this ranking in the pageant's history. (InQuinte) Read More →
Continued Learning
Together with Loyola School of Adult Learning and Education
Ready to earn your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)? Loyola offers free, flexible learning designed for adult learners.
📚 Continuous enrollment from Sept–June
💻 Courses available online and in-person
Whether you’re finishing what you started or planning your next step, Loyola is here to help you succeed.
👉 Learn more at learningatloyola.ca
Events
Country star Dallas Smith strips it down for an intimate acoustic evening with special guest Brock Phillips.
Local artists are decking the halls with everything from fused glass to decorative brooms—because nothing says Christmas like artisanal cleaning supplies.
Help BCS raise funds by chucking pucks during the Senators vs Marlies game – wear your school colors and bring your hockey spirit!
Five siblings from Cape Breton serve up traditional holiday tunes with enough Celtic instruments to fill Santa's sleigh, plus harmonies that'll make you homesick for the Maritimes even if you've never been there.
Three Irish tenors bring holiday cheer and Celtic charm to Front Street for an evening that'll warm your heart faster than a hot toddy.
Weather
📍 Belleville, Ontario, CA — 3-Day Forecast |
Mon ☁️ -7°C -17°C | Tue ☁️ -3°C -13°C | Wed ❄️ 1°C -4°C |
🌡️ View current weather here.
🚗 See live traffic here.
⛽ Check out local gas prices here.
What did you think of this edition of BOQtoday?
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