Must Heal
Mental health is on everyone’s radar these days as we recognize the need for support services and access to care. Now the walk-in clinic at Northumberland Hills Hospital Community Mental Health Services office has more capacity for counselling services to meet the growing need. The expansion is the result of a partnership between the hospital and Rebound Child and Youth Services with the addition of Community Health Centres of Northumberland. Well done! The aim is to expedite treatment options for people – especially youths age 7 to 18. No physician referral is required and visitors over 12 don’t need a parent’s or guardian’s consent.
Must Run a Long, Long Way
Crossing the finish line of an hours-long road race is a moment of teary, jubilant joy (and a sigh of relief) for many competitors who test their limits along the 42.2 kilometres of a marathon. The County Marathon, coming up the weekend of October 1, is a big draw for serious runners and new recruits to the sport. It’s a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon and offers course routes for the marathon, half-marathon and an ultra 50K that show off the pastoral beauty and inspiring nature of PEC. Recognized as Canada’s largest small-centre marathon, this year marks the event’s 20th year. Lace up!
Must Watch
Quinte Film Alternative (QFA), first established in 1995 by a group of independent film lovers, gives locals access to indie and foreign films on large screens in Belleville theatres. The group has been a permanent tenant of the restored Empire Theatre since 2002, with popular matinee and evening shows on QFA Wednesdays – 19 films a season – supported by the membership fees. They’ve also received a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to keep doing what they do.
Don’t miss The Miracle Club on November 8, the heart-tugging story of a women’s road trip from their home in Dublin to Lourdes in France.
Must Holler
The moonshot for most kids who play hockey (and get up for those early games and practices) is a chance to go professional in the big leagues. The news that two local hockey players have recently been drafted to the NHL is a jaw-dropping piece of inspiration. Port Hope’s Owen Beck, 19, a gold medalist for Canada at the 2023 World Junior championships, has been drafted to the Montreal Canadiens. He split last season between the Mississauga Steelheads and the Peterborough Petes. Cobourg native Ethan Miedema is going to the Buffalo Sabres. The “tantalizing future battering ram” split last season between the Windsor Spitfires and the Kingston Frontenacs.
Must Stand Guard For Nature
The monarch butterflies that arrive at the south shore of Prince Edward County every year during migration season now have a protected area named in their honour – Monarch Park Conservation Reserve. The new designation by the Ontario government covers about 4,000 acres of undeveloped shoreline, which includes Ostrander Point Crown Land Block and Point Petre Provincial Wildlife Area, both of which contain examples of rare geology and serve as habitats for migratory birds and at-risk species like the Blanding’s turtle. It’s also a win for the local conservancy group, the South Shore Joint Initiative, which advocated to protect the area (and blocked proposed wind turbines a few years ago). Enjoy the trails, wildlife and natural beauty.
ontarioparks.com/parksblog/monarch-point/
Must Frame Memories
Supersized photos of Quinte West landscapes, waterways and people doing what they love are all part of the 25 Years of Community celebration that marks the anniversary of the city’s amalgamation. These public art displays are year-round fixtures with rotating photos created by local residents, who share their memories and experiences of the community over the years. Look for the art frames in Trenton’s Riverfront Square and the pop-ups in Centennial Park and Frankford’s Tourist Park – all part of the inspiration and genius of the city’s new Art on the Trent public art program.
