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Gooood morning Bay of Quinte!

This week’s rolling in with holiday magic, big wins, and some major city decisions worth knowing about.

• 🎉 Community Wins - From epic fundraisers to cookies supporting healthcare
• 🎨 Holiday Events - Lantern festivals, artisan shows, and holiday markets filling your calendar
• 🏛️ City Updates - Free downtown parking approved and millions redirected for doctor recruitment

Let's dive into it.

🚨 Belleville Ends Speed Camera Program Following Provincial Legislation
The City of Belleville announced its Automated Speed Enforcement program will be discontinued this Friday, November 14th, after the Province of Ontario removed municipal authority to operate ASE cameras. Another case of provincial overreach limiting local traffic safety tools! Vehicle owners remain responsible for paying fines from infractions recorded before the shutdown date, with the city promising to continue implementing alternative traffic calming measures on Belleville roads. (City of Belleville) Read More →

🅿️ Free Downtown Parking Approved
Belleville council voted 5-3 to implement free first two hours of downtown parking during weekdays, despite concerns over a projected $270,000 annual revenue loss. Sometimes helping local businesses means taxpayers have to dig a little deeper! The decision impacts Front Street (extending current one-hour free parking), downtown city spaces (new two-hour free period), and parking lots (maintaining free evening and weekend access) as the city faces budget pressures ahead of 2026. (The Intelligencer) Read More →

🍪 Holiday Smile Cookies Return to Support Local Healthcare Foundation
Tim Hortons locations across the region are bringing back their festive Holiday Smile Cookies campaign from November 17-23, with proceeds supporting $50,000 in community healthcare initiatives. Nothing says holiday spirit quite like cookies that give back to our local hospitals! The campaign will run through participating locations in Belleville ($15,000), Trenton ($20,000), and Quinte West ($15,000) to benefit the Trillium Health Partners Foundation. (InQuinte.ca) Read More →

🎨 INKED for Three Oaks Returns for Sixth Annual Fundraising Week
Three Oaks Foundation launches its signature tattoo fundraiser with $50,000 raised in previous years through unique body art experiences. Nothing says charitable giving quite like permanent ink for a good cause! The week-long event runs November 10-16 featuring partnerships with East Coast Tattoo Studio ($25 minimum donation), Three Oaks Foundation ($15,000 annual goal), and Trenton community ($200 average per participant) supporting local healthcare initiatives. (InQuinte.ca) Read More →

💰 Casino Revenue Redirected to Doctor Recruitment
Belleville council has approved reallocating Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation reserve funds to dedicate $2.5 million toward physician recruitment efforts by 2030. Smart move considering 15,000 residents are still without family doctors! The funding breakdown includes Quinte Health Care ($270,000), University Hospitals in Kingston ($500,000), and Belleville (remaining healthcare allocation) for primary care recruitment initiatives. (The Intelligencer) Read More →

❄️ Belleville Offers Free Winter Safety Materials
The City of Belleville has announced free sand and salt mix distribution for residents to help prevent winter slips and falls on their properties. Nothing says "Canadian winter prep" like the annual scramble for road salt! Pickup locations include Wallbridge Crescent (75), Ritz Road (29), and municipal facilities (multiple sites) for home use only with residents required to bring their own shovels and containers. (City of Belleville) Read More →

🎬 Merry Fetch-mas Movie Night | November 22nd | County Creative Studio
Watch Mean Girls while painting pottery because apparently we're all still trying to make fetch happen.

🎤 One Hit Wonders Open Mic | Wednesday 6-9pm | Coaches Pub Picton
Time to dust off "Come On Eileen" and remind everyone why some songs are perfect just once.

🏮 Firelight Lantern Festival | November 8 | Benson Park, Picton
This 13th annual celebration proves that grown-ups can still play with fire (safely) while wearing glow-in-the-dark costumes.

🎨 Mistletoe Magic Artisan Show | December | Belleville Armouries, 187 Pinnacle St.
Twenty years of handcrafted holiday magic awaits in this historic venue—plus your $5 admission helps feed local kids.

❄️ Red Barn Holiday Market | Nov 27-30 | PEC
PEC's biggest holiday market is back with special accessibility hours, a ticketed preview party, and Santa making his Sunday appearance.

❄️ Winter Wanderland Holiday Market | December 7 | Wander the Resort, Prince Edward County
Free holiday market with Santa photos, alpacas, live music, and local vendors—because nothing says winter magic like luxury Nordic cabins and furry friends.

🏰 Luxury Estate Retreat on 40 Private Acres in Quinte West

This remarkable custom-built estate showcases 9,875 square feet of finished living space across 40 private acres, featuring soaring ceilings, timeless design, and high-end finishes throughout an expansive open-concept layout with resort-style amenities including multiple pools, ponds, and entertaining spaces perfect for refined country living.

• 🏡 Expansive Living Quarters - Five bedrooms plus two-bedroom loft apartment with luxurious primary suite featuring spa-inspired five-piece ensuite and custom dressing room
• 🎯 Entertainment Paradise - Fully finished walkout basement with vast rec room, floating glass staircase, custom bar, private gym, sauna, and multiple outdoor terraces
• 🚗 Premium Storage Solutions - Three-car attached garage plus two separate detached garages providing 33 total parking spaces for vehicles, equipment, and hobbies

(REALTOR.ca) Read More →

🌡️ View current weather here.

🚗 See live traffic here.

⛽ Check out local gas prices here.

On Wednesdays we wear pink. On weekends, we shop holiday markets. Send this to your market-hopping bestie — bonus points if they circle the block for free parking like it’s a sport. 🎁

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