🐝Is Dragon Rolls going to open?!🐉

🐝 Gooood morning everybody! This is the last time you will see the Buzz this year. And actually, the last time you’ll see the Buzz, as the Buzz. I’ll explain below.

Publisher’s Note: 2024 Wrap-Up (Please Read 🙂)

I'd like to say thank you to ALL of you, whether you’ve been with us from the start, or just joined us today. About 5 months ago I sent my first email to 27 family and friends, and today this email will be delivered to 5,317 people in our community. I truly hope that this newsletter brings you helpful info, keeps you connected and, if anything, maybe a little grin or chuckle to start your day. I want to hear your feedback so feel free to send me an email - I love hearing from our readers, it’s the best part of this adventure.

First, this will be the last email of this year because to be quite frank, who wants an email the day before and after Christmas and I'm going to take some time to enjoy my son’s second Christmas with our family. It’ll also be the last email as 'The BoQ Buzz”.

Second, in the new year when we show up in your inboxes, we are going to look different (new year, new me - ha… ha…). I’ve been working on a re-brand over the last month to create a better look and feel that will resonate more with our community and what we’re doing moving forward. The newsletter will be cleaner and easier to read with the same great content. Not to toot my own horn, but it looks awesome and I’m excited to share it. Bye-bye little bee, you’ll be missed ☹️. If you see something that starts with BOQ in your inbox in January, that’s still us!

Third, over the past month we have connected with so many amazing organizations and partnered with them for press, news and media to continue to bring the most accurate and up to date info for you. So, our content is going to be even better.

Lastly, your support means a lot. This engine doesn’t run without you so thanks for staying on-board. We are striving to bring our community together so you can always know what’s going on in a positive and engaging environment. That being said, we keep this running by partnering with local advertisers. So please, if you see an ad or event in here, check the business out, give them a follow, go to the event!

So, for one last time THANK YOU, we have big plans for 2025 so stay subscribed and most importantly happy holidays, from my family to you and all of yours!
- Shane

MONTHLY MORTGAGE MEMO
PRESENTED BY RHONDA SCHMIDT AT CENTUM MORTGAGES

Wondering how the recent Bank of Canada rate drop to 3.25% affects you? Rhonda Schmidt offers expert advice on the ever-changing mortgage market. Benefit from lower monthly payments and personalized mortgage solutions. Give her a call today!

THE DIGEST

Still Time To Shop
It’s still not too late to get some last-minute gifts, if you are still searching, check out our shop local holiday gift guide here for some ideas. If you do end up getting some gifts, do yourself a favour and head to the United Way gift wrapping outlet in the Quinte Mall (beside Bath & Body Works), on until December 24th.

Downtown History
Have you ever wondered what it was like to shop downtown Belleville in the early-mid 1900’s? Before Amazon, before Shopify, before Etsy. You’re in luck - Connie Carson submitted a piece to us that we’re happy to share with some awesome old photos. A little bit of holiday nostalgia reading for you over the Winter break. View it here.

Holiday Eats
Linguine’s Italian Restaurant and its group are offering 100 free meals at each location on Christmas Eve. Enjoy Penne Bolognese at Linguine’s (Belleville) and Dimitris Pizzeria (Frankford) from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, Spaghetti at Golden Valley (Trenton) from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, and Veg Biryani at Bayleaf (Downtown Belleville) from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

Upcoming Charity Event
The 4th Annual O’Quinn Team Kitchen Party will raise funds for the Trenton Memorial Hospital ER expansion on January 25, 2025, at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. The goal is $500,000, with live music, a gourmet dinner, auctions, and a diamond pendant raffle. Tickets are $250.

Top Baby Names 2024
The top baby names in Canada for 2024 are out. For girls, Olivia and Emma are leading the pack, while Liam and Noah top the list for boys. Nature-inspired names like Willow and River are gaining popularity, reflecting a love for the outdoors. Unique spellings, such as Jaxon instead of Jackson, are also on the rise. Compared to 1993, when Jessica and Michael were the top names, it’s clear that naming trends have evolved significantly over the years. Here’s the list for 2024. The differences between the names now and 1994 is wild!

Win Big Bucks for Your Community
Coca-Cola is looking for the kindest community in Canada. It’s so easy to nominate your city or town, just share acts of kindness that you or others have done that have made life a little kinder, for the chance to win $50,000 CAD for a local non-profit organization in the community! Go here to nominate today, and let’s get our good news stories out there and bring the money home to the BOQ!

Generous Donation to the Y Centre For Life
The YMCA Centre for Life in Belleville received a generous $300,000 donation from the Beatty Family Charitable Foundation. Kevin Beatty, along with his parents David and Ann, contributed to support the new facility. More here.

Hit The Slopes
We double dare you to do a double black diamond. Batawa Ski Club is now open for the season. Check out the calendar of operations here. Who’s going to Apres Ski with us?

PRESENTED BY THE BELLEVILLE SENATORS

The 'Battle of Ontario' is coming to CAA Arena on Saturday, December 28, at 7 PM! Don’t miss a rivalry Saturday night showdown between the Belleville Senators (AHL affiliate of the Ottawa Senators) and Toronto Marlies (AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs). Tickets are selling quickly, so secure yours today! For group rates or premium experiences, email [email protected].*

THE BUSINESS

Binapalooza 
📍 287 Dundas St E, Unit 3, Trenton
Local couple Savanah Williams and Colby Wilson have launched Binapalooza, a unique discount shopping experience in the east end of Trenton. Shop overstock and returned items from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target at deeply discounted prices. Prices start at $25 on Friday and drop to just $2 by Wednesday. Every Thursday, the bins are restocked with items like home goods, electronics, and other treasures.

Coming Soon!?
We found the below payment from Dragon Rolls Corporation on the Nov building report for the City of Belleville. Looks like it may be coming soon. For those folks who don’t know, Dragon Rolls was a staple of Belleville for years before it caught on fire. Are you excited to have them back? Stay subscribed to get all the deets.

The Salon
📍 Memorial Marketplace, Belleville
We teased this in an earlier edition, now it’s official! The Salon, a beloved downtown Belleville institution for over three decades, is relocating to Memorial Marketplace in 2025!

PRESENTED BY THE BABES OF QUINTE

This week it’s me 🙂! babe: /bāb/ being a babe has nothing to do with physical features, gender or sexual orientation. It’s a vibe. An aura. A quiet confidence. If you believe you’re a babe, you are. Welcome to our club. Listen to the latest podcast here.*

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

^{_{Some events need tickets and might be canceled or have different times. Check the event venue's website or contact them before you go}}

🏒 Belleville Senators to host World Juniors Pre-Tourney Game
📍 CAA Arena, Belleville
📅 December 23, 2024 - 3:00 PM
Cheer on the future stars of hockey as Sweden takes on Germany at this exciting World Juniors match. More Info on that here. Only accessible seating is available.

Pie Santa Event
📍 Third Bay, Midtown Brewing, Wellington (same entrance as the Christmas Market)
📅 December 21, 2024 - 11:30 AM
Join them the Pie Santa event this Saturday! Pies are $35 each, with $5 from each pie going directly to the @storehousefoodbank. CASH ONLY. Limit of 2 pies per person. No holds! Pie Details: Roast Turkey, Squash, Sage & Onion, Cranberry Sauce, and Gravy.

🎶 Holiday Carols for Ukraine
📍 The Kafana 199 Front St 101 Belleville, ON
📅 Sun, Dec 22, 2024 , 3:00pm-5:00pm
Join us for a community singalong event to benefit Ukraine. Learn traditional carols, with easy English alphabet lyrics provided. No experience necessary. More here.

🎶 Other Side Media presents – Jingle Bell Hop 2024
📍 The Smokin’ 116 Bistro & Bar
📅 December 20, 2024 - 7:00 PM
Dance the night away at this festive holiday event. More Info

🎻 Holiday Cabaret Special featuring AJ Stewart
📍 Adega Wine Bar, PEC
📅 December 21, 2024 - 6:00 PM
A special holiday performance by AJ Stewart. More Info

🎶 The Brian Barlow Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas with special guest Kalya Ramu 📍 BASE31, Picton
📅 December 21, 2024 - 7:30 PM
Enjoy a jazz performance of "A Charlie Brown Christmas." More Info

🏒 Belleville Senators vs. Springfield Thunderbirds 
📍 CAA Arena, Belleville
📅 December 21, 2024 - 6:30 PM
Belleville Sens Cheer on the Belleville Senators in this exciting hockey game. More Info

PRESENTED BY QUINTE SPORT AND SOCIAL CLUB

Hey if you haven't heard of us before, we are the Quinte Sport and Social Club and we are a fun community for adults live, play, work, and connect by participating in the largest, most organized, and FUN assortment of sports leagues, tournaments, social events, and classes! Currently we are open for Winter registration in Basketball, Dodgeball, Floor Hockey, Soccer and Volleyball leagues across the area. Also, if you sign up before December 13th you will save $50 on your team or $10 on an individual registration for the Winter 2025 season! Go here to register and save today!

LOCAL SPORTS INSIDER

CIVIL NEWS

The County

Taxi By-Law
The County of Prince Edward is seeking public input on its taxi by-law through a survey available until January 10, 2025, to improve local taxi services. Go here.

Quinte West

Sand and Salt
A sand/salt mix is available for Quinte West residents at the Public Works Operations Centre (177 North Huff Ave.) and Wolfe Street in Frankford. Residents should bring a shovel and pail, and only take a bucketful for personal use.

New Stop
A new all-way stop has been installed at the eastern Lester Road and Freedom Crescent intersection.

Thanks for reading! Send this email to someone who still believes in Santa.