She Walks. They Rock. We Read.

Presented By Rhonda Schmidt
Professional Mortgage Broker

Gooood morning Bay of Quinte!

First up, big cheers to Bayleaf Belleville — they snagged Savour the Sips People’s Choice award for their Royal Mango Lassi! If you missed out, it’s on their regular menu so you can grab it anytime.

Here we go…

Mortgages, made easy

Together with Rhonda Schmidt

Looking to secure your dream home or refinance with ease? Rhonda Schmidt at Centum Mortgages offers expert guidance and tailored solutions to simplify your mortgage process. With years of experience, she’s here to help you every step of the way. Check her out online or contact Rhonda today to get started 613-885-1454

News Notes

🥾 She's walking the Camino so others can walk into a hospital that’s ready Kristin Crowe is hiking Spain’s Camino de Santiago to raise $101K for a new tissue processor at Belleville General—and thanks to a $25K matching pledge, every step counts double. You can support her journey and regional cancer care with a donation right here.

🎸 Empire Rockfest is back—and louder than ever Get ready to shake Belleville’s bricks: Empire Rockfest 2025 lands downtown in July for two nights of outdoor mayhem and amps turned way up. Mark your calendar or risk serious FOMO. The Arkells are coming… ever heard of ‘em?

• Friday July 25 - DAVID WILCOX + TROOPER + LUSCIOUS

• Saturday July 26 - ARKELLS + LIGHTS + JAKE CLEMONS BAND

🏛 Peek behind Belleville’s pretty faces Local historian Connie Carson just released a love letter in book form to Downtown Belleville’s facades—complete with secrets of ash-selling teens, vintage barbershops, and the bones of 68 buildings that built a city. ‘Facades on Front’ packs 180 pages of architectural gossip and bygone characters who gave Front Street its spine.

Submit your news, press or tips here.

Local Biz

☕️ The Kafana — Myra and Corinne are serving up more than just meals at their Belleville restaurant; they're cultivating a sense of community and connection. It’s all about making everyone feel right at home. Read more about their inspiring story. (Bay of Quinte Marketing Board)

City

🪑 Malette bids farewell as councillor — Chris Malette has officially left his post on Belleville City Council after being elected as the new MP for Bay of Quinte. The council is now looking to fill his seat, with former councillor Kelly McCaw next in line.

📊 Belleville wants your two cents Council’s cracking open the books and asking locals to weigh in on where the cash should go—lawn bowling or potholes? Have your say in the 2025 budget process.

📦 Parking expansion for Sandbanks park — Prince Edward County is set to partner with Sandbanks provincial park for paid parking along County Road 12. Read more

The ALCDSB ranks in the top 20 of Board graduation rates of the 72 Boards in Ontario

Presented by ALCDSB

The ALCDSB's four-year graduation rates surpassed the province again this year with the four-year grad rate of 89.5% and a five-year grad rate of 90.9%. The Board is pleased to celebrate the success of our students and Catholic school communities!

Events

Live Music at Keint-he | May 16–18 | 3pm–6pm daily | Keint-he Winery and Vineyards
Three days of smooth tunes and vineyard views with live sets by Back in Five Trio on Friday, Robert Keyes on Saturday, and John Sharkey on Sunday.

The Commissary Re-Opens | Saturday May 17 | 11:00 AM | Base31, Picton
Base31 kicks off the season with its open-air food and drink market featuring live music, returning favourites, and new local eats.

QFN Plant Sale | Saturday May 17 | 8am – 12pm | Joseph’s Catholic Church, Belleville
They’re back with trees, shrubs, perennials, veggies, and garden gear galore—all in support of local tree planting.

Announced

Sip & Shop Craft Market | June 21 | 10 AM–4 PM | Quinte Isle Campark Rec Hall
This one's all about sipping handcrafted cider, meeting the makers, and stocking up for your next lakeside hang. County Cider, Prince Eddy's, Traynor Vineyard and more.

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

Hosting an event? Submit it here.

Looking to feature an event? Go here.

@BOQtoday

Tag @boqtoday on Instagram with your Bay of Quinte highlights for a chance to be featured in our next newsletter.

Trending Coast 2 Coast

🥬 Ontario lettuce goes hands-free (and pesticide-free) with AI Haven Greens in King City is growing millions of pounds of lettuce using solar power, automation, and zero human touch—no soil, no pesticides, just crisp greens straight to the shelf within 48 hours. Space lettuce is here people.

⛽️ Gas tax slashed, 407 East tolls zapped Ontario’s making its 5.7-cent-per-litre gas tax cut permanent and scrapping tolls on the 407 East from Pickering to Clarington.

Speaking of AI…

🤖 Canada gets its first AI minister Evan Solomon has been picked to lead Canada’s AI and digital innovation file—yes, really.

By The Numbers

🏒 3 Canadian teams. As fears of a recession chill spending, the deep NHL playoff runs by three Canadian teams could heat up local economies just when they need it most, according to economists.

💪 17 pull-ups. That’s how many reps 73-year-old Ginny MacColl can crank out after becoming the oldest female athlete ever to conquer an American Ninja Warrior obstacle according to The Guardian.

🔌 $15 billion. Honda Canada just hit the brakes on a massive EV investment in Ontario, delaying plans for a battery plant and a revamped vehicle assembly facility.

Hot Links

• My wife has decided she’s done — she's still in love, but menopause might have kicked libido out the door.

• Garlic might be your best armour if you're tired of walking through clouds of midges.

• Canada Child Benefit payments could drop thousands tax-free into parents’ accounts as early as next week.

• 🛒 Promote your biz for just $50. Our a la carte storefront makes it easy to get seen by thousands—no contracts, no fluff. Start here.*

Weather

Wednesday
High: 20°C 🌡️ Low: 13°C | 🌥️/🌧️ | 30% precip | SE 20 km/h

Thursday
High: 22°C 🌡️ Low: 14°C | ⛅ | 20% precip | SE 15 km/h

🌡️ View current weather here.

🚗 See live traffic here.

⛽ Check out local gas prices here.

Signing Off

That’s it until Friday - send this to someone you likes their news like their concerts: loud and local.

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