MUST BUILD THE FUTURE
Construction of the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital is underway with hats off to all contributors! The project will result in improved equipment and facilities, including a 24-hour emergency department, helipad, surgical suite and dialysis unit. The final phase of the Back the Build fundraising campaign is going strong. “County residents and businesses have been planning, wishing and waiting for this hospital for over 10 years. I am thrilled that we have officially broken ground on this exciting new chapter,” says campaign chairperson Nancy Parks. While the new hospital is being built, operations will continue uninterrupted so people can expect the same level of service – and look forward to more innovation in rural healthcare. pecmhf.ca
MUST SHARE
The holiday season can be a time of need. Why not share your blessings with others? Your local food bank is a wonderful place to start. Leading up to the holidays, these devoted organizations are looking for more non-perishable goods, but there’s also demand for holiday items like canned gravy, canned pineapple, packaged stuffing and instant potatoes. Many of them, like Northumberland Fare Share in Cobourg and Port Hope, welcome longer-lasting fresh produce like squash and bags of potatoes, onions, carrots and apples that people can use for their own special meals. If you’d rather give money, your donations help purchase fresh turkeys, hams and whole chickens.
fareshare.ca
hastingsfoodbank.org
gleanersfoodbank.ca
hillscommunitypantry.org
pictonunitedchurch.ca/pages/picton-food-bank
MUST CAROL
Now here’s an invitation: “If you’re not singing now, take it up! It’s the best thing you can do for yourself.” That’s from one of the close-knit group of singers in the Belleville Choral Society, who’ve been gathering since 1959 to make beautiful music. The group is a non-profit and non-auditioned community choir that meets on Monday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at St. Thomas Anglican Church in Belleville. You might know the group from their concerts (two more are coming up in February and May 2025), or maybe you’ve seen them strolling the downtown to do some impromptu and festive Christmas carolling in the holiday season. Don’t miss two special guest appearances this December, with the Quinte Symphony on Saturday December 7 and with Brass Action “An Evening in December” on Friday December 20. bchoral.ca
MUST ARRIVE ALIVE
Holiday parties are about enjoying good food and drink with friends and family, sharing stories, swapping cookie recipes and raising glasses to toast the year ahead. But when the party’s over everyone has to get home safely. Operation Red Nose is a national program that offers free, confidential, volunteer-driven rides to any person who doesn’t feel fit to drive their vehicle. Locally the initiative is sponsored by the YMCA of Central East Ontario and covers Belleville, Quinte (including PEC) and YMCA Northumberland (which marks its 10th anniversary this season). While the service is free, donations received will support the YMCA Strong Communities Campaign.
MUST STAMP
Stamp collecting has always been an addictive and potentially lucrative hobby. Local stamp clubs offer the perfect opportunity to buy, sell and trade your stamps while at the same time developing friendships. The Trenton Stamp Club held its first meeting before the end of the Second World War. Since then, local philatelists and newcomers have been gathering twice a month to buy, sell, trade and talk about stamps. The Cobourg Stamp Club also meets twice a month. Come join in; members are not only knowledgeable, they are always happy to help assess your collection. Maybe you’ll be lucky enought to discover that you have a rare 1840 Penny Black on an old envelope.
For more information:
Trenton Stamp Club: trentonstampclub.ca
Cobourg Stamp Club: canadianstampnews.com
MUST GET ORGANIZED
While we’re indoors for the colder weather, it’s a good time to do some closet organizing and decluttering. The actiity will make a little more space for clarity and peace of mind! We live in an age of accumulation so it can be easy to get surrounded by more stuff than we actually use. But how do we tackle the mess? How many of us have bags of clothes or packed boxes waiting for us to purge? Experts say make a to-do list to prioritize the rooms in need and start with a single drawer. The process doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Then sort items into three piles: keep, toss and donate. When it comes to letting go, we feel better knowing our stuff isn’t ending up as landfill, and donation centres welcome all kinds of items to re-home.
