The coldest night of the year?

 Presented By

Bonjour, Bay of Quinte! Welcome to the 211 people who just joined us. This edition comes to you from Montreal — where it took me 45 minutes to get to my hotel and I was staring at it the entire time. A reminder to think twice before we complain about the “traffic in town” — but we will anyways.

Today around the Bay;

• Coldest Night of the Year

• Countylicious rollout

• Heritage Honour Roll

and much more…

Experience The Difference

Presented By Thairific

Thairific offers more than just food truck services; we provide full catering for private dinners, office lunches, or holiday gatherings. Experience the Thairific difference beyond typical meals at your next event! Whether you're hosting a small team lunch or a large party, we can accommodate your needs with a customizable menu that includes a variety of dishes—from savoury appetizers to mouthwatering entrees. Follow us on facebook and instagram to see our delicious food and offers.*

🌡️ WEATHER

Monday, February 24

5°C 🌡️ 0°C | 🌨️ | 0% | NW 20 km/h |

Tuesday, February 25

4°C 🌡️ -2°C | 🌥️ | 0% | NW 15 km/h |

Cold Nights, Warm Hearts
CONY Lights Up the Bay of Quinte

Even as winter bites, the Bay of Quinte proves that community spirit never freezes. This year’s Coldest Night of the Year (CONY) fundraiser brought out the best from Trenton, Belleville, and Napanee—no matter how frosty it got. The annual event is a family-friendly walk that raises funds and awareness to support local organizations helping people experiencing homelessness and hardship.

Trenton’s First CONY:
In a debut that set the tone, Trenton smashed its $20K goal, pulling in a whopping $45K for the Trenton Care and Share Food Bank. For 40 years, this local gem has been serving up food hampers stocked with fresh produce, eggs, meat, and more.

Belleville’s Warm Response:
Belleville’s Grace Inn Shelter, a 21-bed refuge that’s open year-round, raised $53K to keep doors open and support those in need. Their efforts prove community care is always in season.

Napanee Nails It:
Morningstar Mission in Napanee exceeded expectations, clocking in $100,110 to fuel programs tackling homelessness and food insecurity.

For those counting, that’s almost $200K in one night. CONY shows that even on the chilliest nights, we can all come together and keep the flame burning. Stay warm and spread the love, Bay of Quinte.

📰 WEEKEND WRAP-UP

🍽️ Countylicious Spring Lineup Unveiled
That time of year again, Countylicious is back — From Beau Bistro to The Blue Sail, your spring dining guide is here. Mark your calendars for March 27-April 13 and get ready to book that table! [Visit The County]

🏆 Heritage Heroes Honoured in Belleville
Belleville’s history got a major shoutout at the Heritage Revitalization Awards. Cairns Homes impressed everyone with their renovation at 256 Coleman St—preserving classic charm while meeting modern codes and even adding new dwelling units. Taskforce Engineering took home the Landmark Award for transforming The Memorial Market Place, keeping the spirit of the Memorial Arena alive and sparking new energy downtown. And Richard Hughes? His lifelong dedication—from backing the Hastings County Historical Society to safeguarding our United Empire Loyalist monument—earned him top honours for preserving Belleville’s past.[City of Belleville]

🔋 Spring Battery Pickup
Quinte Waste Solutions is set to collect your old batteries from March 10-21. Tape those terminals, bag ‘em up, and place them on your Papers Blue Box for a cleaner, greener spring. [InQuinte]

🏀 Nicholson Sweeps COSSA Basketball
This school is no stranger to basketball championships — Nicholson basketball teams clinched both the Senior and Junior Central Ontario titles. The Senior Nicks edged out Kenner from Peterborough for the COSSA championship and a shot at the Ontario High School title next month, while the Junior Nicks powered past St. Pauls 70-37 to defend their title. [Quinte News]

💧 Quinte Conservation Gets a New Captain
Quinte West Councillor Don Kuntze takes the helm at Quinte Conservation for the next two years, with Belleville’s Chris Malette as vice-chair. Expect a fresh wave of water and nature advocacy! [Quinte Conservation]

🚄 No High-Speed Rail Stop for Quinte
The new 1,000 km high-speed rail line from Toronto to Quebec City is full steam ahead—but Belleville isn’t on the map. The final route will pass through Peterborough and Ottawa instead. Construction is still years away, so never say never? For now, BOQ travellers will have to hop on in Toronto or Ottawa. (Source: CBC News)

Your Downtown Gym

Presented By The Fit Collective

Our focus is to provide you a comprehensive space to help you develop your fitness and confidence! With our balance of free weights and machines, plus our friendly down to earth environment, we have everything you need to have you leaving feeling your best! Check out our membership and class options HERE. And follow our instagram to stay up to date on events!

🎞️ A MOMENT IN TIME

If you ever had the pleasure of watching a Bobcats, Bulls, Bearcats, McFarlands or Timbits game at the historic Memorial Arena, you’ll remember this clock. This is just one of the many pieces that was preserved in the construction of the Memorial Marketplace.

💼 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

🏪 Tiger Chicken & Ribs Closes, Rockstars Bar & Grill Set to Open
Seemingly over night Tiger Chicken & Ribs shuts its doors. However, you may have noticed a new sign on the facade when you were savouring the chill this weekend. Rockstars Bar & Grill, a new sports bar serving draft beer, food, and fun, is set to open on March 1. Stay tuned for more info. [Instagram]

🛍️ Pure Honey Clothing Finds a New Home 
After closing its Belleville location, Pure Honey Clothing has settled into a new space at Green Gables in Bloomfield. Originally a pop-up, the boutique is now a permanent fixture. Shop in-store Wednesday to Sunday or browse online anytime. (Pure Honey Clothing)

Unplug & Recharge

Presented By I-Float Spa

This local float spa is changing the way people relax—helping them de-stress, sleep better, and relieve pain effortlessly.

If you’re constantly feeling drained, dealing with sore muscles, or just need a break from the chaos of daily life, floating might be exactly what you’re looking for. A one-hour float in a weightless, sensory-free environment has been shown to reduce stress, improve sleep, and even enhance creativity.

Kick-start your wellness journey today. Try a float session and experience total relaxation—mind and body. Get your first float session today. Book now.*

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Monday, Feb. 24
Lost Together: Blue Rodeo Documentary | 7-10 p.m. | The Regent Theatre, Picton | Prices vary | Experience a heartfelt, humorous, and honest look into the remarkable 40-year journey of Canada's beloved band, Blue Rodeo—featuring iconic voices Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor. One night only!

Tuesday, Feb. 25
Buck(ish) Shuck Oysters | 3-10 p.m. | The Local Social House, Belleville | Market price ($1.50-$1.75 per oyster) | Savour fresh Raspberry Point oysters every Tuesday at market cost—pair with your favourite drink and make Tuesdays your new go-to night. Reservations recommended.

Wednesday, Feb. 26
Belleville Senators vs. Manitoba Moose | 7 p.m. | CAA Arena, Belleville | $24.42-$56.60 | Cheer on the Sens as they face off against the Manitoba Moose for a midweek hockey showdown.

Thursday, Feb. 27
Breathwork for Stress Relief | 6-7:30 p.m. | We Thrive Wellness Centre, Belleville | $35 | Join holistic nutritionist and somatic coach Breanne Queen for a relaxing breathwork session to ease anxiety, muscle tension, and stress—leaving you calm and refreshed.

Friday, Feb. 28–Sunday, March 2
Belleville Psychic & Crystal Fair | Fri: 2-10 p.m., Sat: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Ramada Hotel, Belleville | $10 (weekend pass) | Explore crystals, jewellery, aura photography, energy healing, and readings from Canada's top psychics, mediums, astrologers, and more—with a chance to win over $3000 in door prizes, including diamond earrings.

📅 Plan Ahead

Saturday, March 8–Sunday, March 9
Élevage Winter Wine Festival | Times vary | Prince Edward County | Prices vary | Sip, savour, and explore at this unique winter wine celebration featuring 10 elevated tastings, chats with local winemakers, and an up-close look at the wine ageing process.

📅 Friday, March 7–Sunday, March 9
Quinte Sportsman Boat & RV Show | Times vary | Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre, Belleville | $12 adults, $10 seniors, $20 weekend pass | Gear up for fishing, boating, camping, and more at this annual showcase for outdoor enthusiasts.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

🔗 To see more info on these events and many more, hit the button below

Hosting an event? Submit your to our calendar here.

Growing Pains

Presented by Local Author
Sarah Taylor-Malo

Have you ever looked at your life one day and thought, “How did I get here?” Maybe you don’t recognize yourself or the life you’re living. You thought by this time you’d be somewhere else. But here you are, and you have so many questions.
If this sounds familiar, this book might be for you. While the specifics always differ, the common threads of personal hardship, fear of the unknown, and self-discovery remain. Buy the book here.

🏛️ CIVIL NEWS

Belleville

🚛 Half-load Restrictions in Thurlow Start March 10
Belleville’s Thurlow Ward is set to ease the load—literally. From March 10, heavy trucks will have to stick to half-loads on most roads to fend off freeze-thaw damage. A few key routes like Casey Road, Millennium Drive, and several others are exempt, so drivers take note and check your route. [The Intelligencer]

That’s a wrap folks…

I missed Savour the Chill this weekend and was pretty bummed about it. Can you help cheer me up? What was the best soup from this weekend?

Oh, and share this with someone who moved to the BOQ from Montreal.