Local legend goes viral

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Gooood morning everybody! Welcome to our 327 new subscribers. You are now rockin’ with BOQtoday. The newsletter that has your Valentine’s Day plans sorted. We’ve got the events—you’ll have to find the date yourself. Heck, we can’t even get the date right in our own weather segment.

• Glanmore is world famous

• PEC Biz Awards

• Valentine’s Day Plans

and much more…

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🌡️ WEATHER

Monday, February 10
-3°C 🌡️ -11°C | ☀️ | 0% | W 15 km/h

Tuesday, February 11
-2°C 🌡️ -17°C | ☁️ | 0% | W 15 km/h

📈 TRENDING

The Glanmore and a man named Dave Cox are Famous?

Glanmore + TikTok = odd pair, right? Not anymore. Who knew Victorian-era bad ideas would make Glanmore National Historic Site the place to be on TikTok? Museum technician Dave Cox has turned Belleville’s historic gem into a viral sensation with his quirky, silent-butler-style videos that highlight the weirdest (and often most toxic) trends of the 1800s—like arsenic wafers, radioactive makeup, and electrified tablecloths (spoiler: they caught fire).

Glanmore’s TikTok now boasts 258K+ followers and 7.1M likes, surpassing actual global museums like the Smithsonian. Cox’s wildly popular “Victorian Bad Ideas” series has racked up millions of views, drawing fans from around the world. If you want to hear more about his discoveries (and maybe see the famous eyebrow raise in person), head over to the Glanmore for Heritage Week. Watch a video yourself below or read more here. The Intelligencer

@glanmorenhs

Glanmore Presents Victorian Bad Ideas: Victorian food colouring. Brightly-coloured confections and sweets were very desirable. Some recipe... See more

🗞️ WEEKEND WRAP-UP

🎓 L&A Career Fair Coming to Napanee
Looking for work? The second annual L&A Career Fair is coming to Napanee, giving job seekers a chance to meet with employers across multiple industries. (InQuinte.ca)

📈 Unemployment Rate Jumps to 8.3% in Quinte Area
The unemployment rate in Belleville–Quinte West rose to 8.3% in January, up from 3.3% in December 2024. The sharp rise follows an increase from 1.8% in November, though officials say small sample sizes may have impacted the data. (Quinte News)

💛 Welcoming Streets Program to End, Open House Planned
The Welcoming Streets Program in downtown Belleville, which has supported individuals facing mental health, homelessness, and substance use challenges, will end on March 31. To honour its impact, an open house will be held at the Belleville Public Library on March 4 from 1-3 PM. (Downtown Belleville)

📢 All-Candidates Debates Set for Belleville & Wellington
Two all-candidates debates are scheduled for the Bay of Quinte provincial election.

• 📍 Wellington Debate – Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. at Highline Hall, Wellington District Community Centre. Virtual viewing available via Zoom.

• 📍 Belleville Debate – Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at The Empire Theatre. Hosted by the Belleville Chamber of Commerce. Seating is first come, first served. (The Intelligencer)

🏒 Matinpalo Hits the International Stage
B-Sens defenseman Nikolas Matinpalo is off to the 4 Nations Cup with Team Finland, joining NHL stars like McDavid and Crosby. Former B-Sens goalie Filip Gustavsson will suit up for Sweden. (NHL)

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

Tired of snow pics? Same. Here’s a throwback to the beach—no Crocs, no Yeti coolers, no umbrellas. Just folks in their Sunday best, some casually scaling a birch tree at the dunes. Imagine showing up to the beach in a full suit or dress today? We should make it a thing this summer—Sandbanks first-ever Victorian Beach Day. Just to keep the tourists guessing.

💼 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

🏆 PEC’s Top Businesses of 2024 – The Prince Edward County Chamber of Commerce has named the winners of this year’s Business Excellence Awards! Top honours include Base31 (Business of the Year), Willful (Entrepreneurial Spirit), and The Royal Hotel (Employer Excellence). See the full list of winners here.

Reader Recommendations

Bibs Meats 📍 300 Bell Boulevard, Belleville, ON K8P 5H7

Know a must-visit local spot? Nominate your favourite business to be featured in BOQtoday! Submit here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Featured Event

The Dare to Dream Luncheon is set to celebrate International Women’s Day while raising funds for Uplift Her, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in the community. The event will focus on dreaming big, supporting one another, and embracing the power of women. Get more info here.*

Galentines & Valentine’s Day in The BOQ

Thursday, Feb. 13

Galentine’s Day | 12-10 p.m. | The Local Social House, Belleville | Free entry | Sip on The Love Letter cocktail, enjoy a 5-course prix fixe menu ($75), or order à la carte while celebrating with your girl gang.

Galentine’s Social | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Stirling Book Co., Stirling | A cozy evening filled with love, chocolate, and books. Bring your besties or meet fellow book lovers.

Happy Galentine’s Ladies Night | 6 p.m. | 22 Front St, Quinte West | Celebrate with live music by Vince Thornton, a charcuterie grazing table, and signature cocktails. Dancing encouraged!

Friday, Feb. 14

Love Italian Style – Valentine’s Dinner & Show | 5:30 p.m. | 313 Front St, Belleville Enjoy an Italian-inspired dinner with pasta pomodoro, fresh bread, and live music by Tony Vani.

Happy Funkentine’s Day | 8-11 p.m. | The CAPE, Picton | $30/person, $55/couple | A funky night of live music, light snacks for sale, and a high-energy Valentine’s celebration.

Saturday, Feb. 15

Galentine’s Glow-Up | 1-4 p.m. | County Creative, Prince Edward | $75 | A rejuvenating afternoon featuring yoga, a sound bath, pottery painting, and a mocktail-making workshop.

_{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

Together With Local Artist 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. Get the book here.

🎭 ART, THEATRE & CULTURE

Got a creative project in the works? 💰🎭

The City of Belleville’s Arts and Culture Grant is open, and they’re handing out up to $5,000 to support local artists and cultural groups. That means funding for events, public art, professional development, and more. Have a vision? Need a little financial boost? Just curious? Then you should apply. Deadline: March 31.

The County Foundation just launched the PEC Arts Fund, backed by the Municipal Accommodations Tax, to support local arts organizations, with grant applications open from Feb 10 – Mar 24, 2025 at 4 PM—learn more and apply here.

🎨 Love is in the Air at the BAA – The Belleville Art Association’s “All You Need is Love” exhibit is on now at 208 Front St. until March 1, featuring heart-filled artwork and unique gifts—just in time for Valentine’s Day. Don’t miss the opening reception on Feb. 15 (2-4 PM) with light refreshments and a chance to mingle!

🏅 LOCAL SPORTS INSIDER

🏛️ CIVIL NEWS

Belleville

🚧 Trail Extension in Belleville
A funding application for a the riverfront trail extension in Belleville (401 crossing to roundabout in Cannifton), has been recommended for approval. If granted, the extension will improve accessibility and enhance outdoor recreation options for residents. (InQuinte)

Quinte West

🚰 Boil Water Advisory Lifted in Trenton
The boil water advisory for Trenton Water Service users has been lifted after tests confirmed water meets provincial standards. Residents can resume normal use, but a Do Not Consume advisory remains in effect for 8 Wing/CFB Trenton.

Prince Edward County

🏡 Cold Creek Subdivision Heads to Council

A proposed 870-unit residential development in Prince Edward County is up for council approval on Tuesday. Updates to the plan include fewer units and increased wetland buffers, with a phased approach to construction. (CountyLive)

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