Hold on to your toques today folks!

 Presented By

⚠️ Environment Canada Special Weather Statement for our region:
🌬️ Up to 90 km/h winds Mon-Tues—secure loose items! ⚠️

Gooood morning everybody! Welcome to the 432 new subscribers. This is BOQtoday, and with this weather, we’re starting to think we should have started this newsletter somewhere warmer. “Costa Rica Today” sounds great right about now.

Today Around The Bay

• Big funding announcements (we apologize in advance for this “snowball” of a newsletter)

• Local artist spotlight

• B-Sens sign NHL vet

and much more…

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, January 27, 2025
High 🌡️ 1°C Low -15°C | ☁️ | 20% | SW 80-90 km/h

Tuesday, January 28, 2025
High 🌡️ -10°C Low -13°C | ☁️❄️ | 30% | W 25 km/h

WEEKEND WRAP-UP

TOP STORY

🗳️ Ontario’s Going to the Polls Early

Forget waiting until 2026—Ontario is heading to the polls on Feb. 27 for a snap provincial election! Premier Doug Ford says it's to tackle upcoming economic challenges. Local voters will see NDP, Green, and PC candidates, but the Liberals? Still TBD. Full scoop here. InQuinte

🚧 $20M to Fix County Road 49

You know that road between Picton and the Skyway Bridge? The one that’s been ranked as the 4th worst road in Ontario? Well, it may finally get a makeover. Ontario is pouring $20 million into the $52.3 million project to repair County Road 49, which sees 6,000 vehicles a day. 2,000 new homes could pop up in Picton in the next decade due to the work. Full news release here. BOQtoday

🚧 $11M for Quinte West’s Urban Upgrade

Quinte West scored $11 million to upgrade Highway 2 and 2nd Dug Hill Road, with new lanes, sidewalks, and pathways. This will pave the way for 3,500 new homes by 2027. Full details here. BOQtoday

🚧 $1.25M for Belleville’s New Housing Road

Belleville’s getting a $1.25 million boost to build a new road leading to the Fairgrounds on Black Diamond Road—setting the stage for 300 new homes. It’s all part of the push for more housing in the city. Full story here. InQuinte

Presented By The Fit Collective

Welcome to your downtown gym. A space dedicated to giving you what you need for an amazing workout in a down to earth environment. Check out our membership and class options HERE. Oh, and please follow our instagram!*

🎞️ A MOMENT IN TIME

If you think we’ve had a streak of bad weather, check this out. Those things in the picture below? Ice chunks, just floating around Lloyd’s gas station in Belleville sometime in 1936. I guess you don’t need to go to the gas station when all you can use is a rowboat anyways.

Have a cool historic shot you’d like to see here? Shoot us an email [email protected] to be featured in our Moment in Time section.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Gift from the Heart 🦷❤️

Gift from the Heart (GFTH) has officially opened its new clinic at 20 Joseph Street, Trenton. Gift from the Heart is a nonprofit organization that provides free dental hygiene care to underserved communities in Ontario, focusing on those who face barriers to accessing traditional dental services.

Serving seniors, individuals with disabilities, and people without benefits, GFTH also delivers care through mobile units and their Mobile Dental Trailer. Learn more at giftfromtheheart.ca, email [email protected], or follow @giftfromtheheart.

Sponsored By The Bay of Quinte Clothing club

Welcome to the Bay of Quinte Clothing Club. Check out this new apparel line made by people from the Bay of Quinte, for people from the Bay of Quinte. Shop now to get yours! Free local shipping.*

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Upcoming Events in Quinte & Prince Edward County

🎉 Trivia Night
📅 Monday, Jan. 27, 2025
⏰ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
📍 Boston Pizza, 180 Bell Blvd, Belleville
💵 Free to play

Grab your smartphone, your smartest friend, and head to Boston Pizza for a night of fun, food, and trivia!

🧶 Crochet Circle at Quinte Arts Council
📅 Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025
⏰ 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
📍 Quinte Arts Council, Bridge Street East, Belleville
💵 Free

Community members are invited to bring their crochet skills and contribute to a collaborative art installation.

🎨 Mixed Media Collage Painting for Adults
📅 Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Quinte Arts Council, Bridge Street East, Belleville
💵 $25

Adults are invited to explore their creativity and learn collage techniques during this hands-on mixed media painting workshop.

🏒 History Talk: The Mighty Macs
📅 Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM
📍 The Andrew, Picton
💵 $30

Learn about the Belleville McFarlands' historic 1959 World Hockey Championship win during this engaging talk. Perfect for hockey fans and history buffs alike!

🧀 Fondue Fridays at The Eddie
📅 Friday, Jan. 31, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 The Eddie Hotel & Farm, 15786 Loyalist Parkway, Bloomfield
💵 $55 per person

Enjoy a cozy evening of delicious fondue, perfect for a winter night out in Prince Edward County.

_{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

ART THEATRE & CULTRE

Artist Spotlight: Shelley Vanderbyl Brings Healing Art to Belleville

Shelley Vanderbyl, a military spouse and ovarian cancer survivor, is showcasing her unique art at Belleville Frameworks, her first show since 2016. On display until February 22, this exhibit invites viewers to explore her deeply personal and healing artwork.

Vanderbyl, originally from Hay River, Northwest Territories, has called Trenton home for the past few years. She and her husband have moved frequently across the country due to his military career. Her art reflects this nomadic lifestyle, as well as her journey through illness. After battling ovarian cancer, her work focuses on themes of healing, comfort, and hope.

For Vanderbyl, the power of art is more than aesthetic—she believes art has the ability to heal and provide comfort in times of trauma.

Vanderbyl invites the community to visit the exhibit and experience her art, which she hopes will offer a sense of peace and restoration. Learn more on her website at shelleyvanderbyl.com or read this great segment by Watershed Magazine.

LOCAL SPORTS INSIDER

NHL Vet Sam Gagner Brings Big Game to Belleville Sens! 🏒

Hockey star Sam Gagner joined the Belleville Sens on a PTO, bringing 1,000+ NHL games and 529 career points to the ice. With experience across top teams and international gold, his impact on the B-Sens should be immediate. Sam, lookin’ good in the Sens uni. More on the signing here.

CIVIL NEWS

Belleville

💰 Belleville’s 2025 Draft Budget Needs You!

The draft 2025 operating budget is out, and your feedback matters! This budget outlines the day-to-day costs of delivering essential services to ratepayers. Your input will be shared with Council ahead of the budget meetings on Feb. 20 & 21. Don’t miss your chance to have your say—take the survey here. Learn more about the budget process at Belleville.ca/Budget and help shape the city’s future.

Brighton

Brighton Fills Vacant Seat

Brighton’s 22-year-old Hannah MacAusland has been appointed to fill the vacant councillor seat left by the passing of Byron Faretis. After hearing from nine candidates, she will take her oath of office on January 27, 2025, becoming potentially the youngest person ever to serve on Brighton Council. More here. Brighton Today

Prince Edward County

PEC Council Meeting: Affordable Housing & Climate Action 🌱

Council meets Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. Key topics: property tax exemptions for affordable housing, Councillor appointments to the PEC Affordable Housing Corporation, and climate protection plans. Attend at Shire Hall or watch online. Public comments? Email [email protected] by noon Jan. 28. More here.

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