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Together With
Gooood morning Bay of Quinte!
December's delivering the perfect mix of holiday magic and local wins worth celebrating.
• 🏆 Sports & Community — World champions, holiday helpers, and major facility moves
• 🎄 Holiday Events — Light tours, wagon rides, and festive experiences across the region
• 🍷 Local Spotlight — From G7 tables to cozy winter bars, our taste makers shine
Keep reading for all the details.
Taste the Difference
Together with Thairiffic
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
🏢 Belleville's Bridge Hub Prepares for Major Move
The Bridge Integrated Care Hub is making real progress at its new 1 Alhambra Square location, with the main floor set to open in early spring 2026. Director Ashley Vader reports clients are already finding housing through the temporary site, which now serves 67 overnight visitors. The new facility will be twice the size of the current location and include expanded services like case management and wound care training for staff. (The Belleville Intelligencer) Read More →
🎄 Quinte West's Holiday Light Tour Returns for Festive Self-Guided Adventure
The annual Holiday Home Tour kicks off tonight, running through December 26 from 6-11:30 p.m. nightly. Perfect timing for those post-dinner family walks. Residents can vote online for their favourite displays in categories like Winter Wonderland Home and Let it GLOW Home, with prizes for winners. Quinte Transit offers shuttle service December 13 and 21 (7-9 p.m., reservations required at 613-392-9664). (City of Quinte West) Read More →
🍷 Local Winery Pours for World Leaders
Potter Settlement Artisan Wines discovered their Portàge was served to G7 heads-of-state in Alberta this summer. Security kept it hush-hush until now. Global Affairs Canada just returned for more bottles destined for diplomatic gifts and foreign consulates. (Quinte News) Read More →
🏆 Picton Gym Takes World Stage by Storm
Spartan Stamina's athletes brought home three podium finishes from the Deka World Championships in Florida. Not bad for a gym that's barely three years old. Connor Bell's crew secured first place in team competition and two bronze medals across multiple events. (InQuinte) Read More →
🗳️ Future Municipal Candidates Get Leadership Boost
AMO's launching Strong Leaders, Strong Communities workshops for anyone eyeing the 2026 municipal election. Two streams available: one for seasoned politicians seeking re-election, another for first-time candidates ready to dive in. The four-session series runs February to May, developed with Nominee to strengthen leadership skills. (City of Belleville) Read More →
🎁 Belleville Firefighters Launch Holiday Toy Drive
The city's bravest are collecting new toys, books and games for families in need this Christmas. Drop-offs accepted at both fire stations plus local spots like Quinte Mall, Canadian Tire and Walmart because nothing says community spirit like firefighters doubling as Santa's helpers. (City of Belleville) Read More →
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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
🎄 Victorian Christmas at Glanmore | December 17 | 257 Bridge Street East, Belleville
Step into a festive Victorian wonderland with docents, toy collections, ornament-making, and a special visit from Santa himself.
🏠 Quinte West Holiday Home Tour | December 14, 2025 | Ontario
Drive around and judge your neighbors' decorating skills while sipping hot cocoa from the comfort of your car.
🐴 Holiday Wagon Rides | Dec 15-23 | Downtown Trenton
Bundle up for free horse-drawn rides through downtown Trenton every night from 5:30-8:30 PM, because nothing says holiday magic like clip-clopping through the streets.
🎄 Paint with Santa's Alpaca Reindeer | Dec 22, 12-2pm | County Creative Studio
Paint pottery while actual alpacas roam the studio because apparently regular art classes weren't chaotic enough.
🍵 Teacups & Tinsel Holiday Tea | December 20, 2pm | Waring House
Cozy up with bilingual Christmas carols, singalongs, and festive treats in an intimate holiday setting ($40 per person, call 613-476-7492 x 1).
Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.
Holiday Spotlight
Drake Devonshire's Sleigh Bar Opens for Winter — that cozy lakeside lodge energy you've been craving just landed in Prince Edward County. Think chalet vibes meets craft cocktails with a view.
🍸 Drake Nog leads their new winter cocktail menu — because regular eggnog is for amateurs.
🍷 Mulled wine and boozy apple cider on tap? Consider your après-ski fantasy complete.
✨ Open nightly 5-9PM with those lake views that make every sip feel cinematic.
Winter just got a whole lot warmer — time to get swept up in the magic.
🌡️ View current weather here.
🚗 See live traffic here.
⛽ Check out local gas prices here.
Signing Off
Here’s to hoping your Monday is as warm as your peppermint mocha—rich, joyful, and exactly what you need to start the week strong. ☕✨
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