SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for August 21-28, 2025!

Hey friends, welcome back to another week of the Scoop! 🌞

First off, a big thank you to reader (and turtle saver!) Debbie K. for giving us a little local history lesson after last week’s throwback. She let us know that the photograph of Shea’s Store in Williamstown had to be taken in 1934 at the earliest , since that’s when Coca-Cola first began distributing in Canada. How neat is that? We love when you share your knowledge and help us piece together our community’s story. Let’s keep those insights coming!

Speaking of community pride, take a peek at this gem: “The Heart of Williamstown”   💚 . From above, you can see a heart-shaped path mowed right into the field, and we think it’s the handiwork of Eric C. Sneath . What a beautiful way to show love for our little corner of SD&G.

So, whether you’re heading out to a festival, popping by a farm stand for fresh goodies, or just soaking up some live music downtown, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the week ahead. Let’s dive into what’s happening!

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉   What’s Happening This Week (August 21-28, 2025)

📅 Here are a few events you won’t want to miss:

🔸   Lost & Sound Festival – Vendor Village in Long Sault
📅 Friday & Saturday, August 22–23 | 📍 16133 County Road 36, Long Sault | 🎟️ Tickets: lostandsoundfest.com
The Lost & Sound Festival is back in Long Sault and this year’s Vendor Village is buzzing with excitement! 🎉 Spend the weekend soaking up the music and atmosphere while shopping unique, one-of-a-kind finds from some of our area’s most creative local makers. Browse everything from handmade jewelry and home décor to spices, apparel, and garden treasures. Vendors include: Hop Bomb Apparel, A Spice Affair, AJD Décor, Chica’s Collection, Lucken Booth, The Quails Nest, Loops and Lumber, Amethyst Claire, Homestead Gardner, Butlers Catering, Lawrence Ave Jewelry, and JoJo’s Creative Design.

🔸   Mini Mall Charity BBQ & Community Yard Sale
📅 Saturday, August 23 | 🕖 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 📍 3345 Second St E, Cornwall
Looking for a fun Saturday outing that supports a great cause? Head over to the Mini Mall in Cornwall for their Charity BBQ & Community Yard Sale in support of the OSPCA. The day kicks off bright and early at 7:00 AM with a bustling yard sale and Makers Market, perfect for treasure hunting and shopping from local vendors. At 11:00 AM, the BBQ gets fired up - with all proceeds from the food going directly to support the animals at our local OSPCA. 🐾 Whether you’re browsing for unique finds, grabbing a bite, or just enjoying the community spirit, this event is a fantastic way to spend the day while giving back.
👉 Interested in setting up a table for the market? Email cornwall@minimallstorage.com for more info.

🔸   Chalkboards & Champions Market & Fundraiser
📅 Saturday, August 23 | 🕤 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM | 📍 Cornwall Square, 1st Floor
Head down to Cornwall Square this Saturday for the Chalkboards & Champions Market & Fundraiser for Different Abilities , a special event that brings shopping, community spirit, and giving back together under one roof. It’s the perfect chance to shop for unique finds, support local makers, and contribute to a wonderful cause at the same time.
✨ Bonus: Local creators like Lise Oikle will be there, taking pre-orders for her 2026 pet calendar along with many other talented crafters.

🔸   Craft n Chat
📅 Wednesday, August 27 | 🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 📍 Christ Church, 2 Bethune Ave, Long Sault
Looking for a cozy midweek outing? Join the Craft n Chat group in Long Sault for a day filled with creativity, connection, and community spirit. Whether you’re into knitting, puzzles, card games, or just want to sip a warm cup of coffee while sharing stories, this welcoming gathering is the perfect place to spend a Wednesday. It’s all about learning, laughing, and making memories together and everyone is invited!

🎵   Where’s That Music Coming From (Aug 21-28, 2025)

🔸   Jamie Heath Blues Party @ Carrots N’ Dates
📅 Friday, August 22 | ⏰ 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍 Carrots N’ Dates, 102 Pitt St., Cornwall
Looking for a lively Friday night out? Head over to Carrots N’ Dates for the Jamie Heath Blues Party - a night filled with incredible blues music, good food, and great vibes in downtown Cornwall. Jamie Heath is known for his powerhouse vocals and fun, soulful performances that are sure to get the crowd moving. Pair that with Carrots N’ Dates’ delicious eats and scrumptious drinks (adult and otherwise), and you’ve got the perfect way to kick off the weekend.

🔸   Centre Lochiel Centre – 10th Anniversary Party
📅 Saturday, August 23 | 🕙 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM | 📍 Centre Lochiel Centre | 🎟️ Free Admission
The Centre Lochiel Centre is turning 10 years old and the whole community is invited to the party! 🎉 This all-day celebration will be packed with free entertainment, outdoor games, food and drinks (cash only), and door prizes . The entertainment lineup runs from morning until night, featuring local favourites including Roger Hamelin, Sidetrack Duo, The Ceilidh Drovers, Majinx, Backtrack, Lonesome Cascade, Panoramic, and Sidetrack Live with special guest Josee Lafontaine. 🎶 From live music to family fun, it’s the perfect way to spend a summer Saturday while celebrating a decade of community spirit at the Centre Lochiel Centre. Don’t miss this milestone event - come for the tunes, stay for the good times!

🔸   The Glengarry Bhoys Live at The Grotto!
📅 Wednesday, August 27 | 🕖 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 📍 The Grotto, 92 Centre Street, Alexandria | 🎟️ Free Admission
Big news, Glengarry - the legendary Glengarry Bhoys are coming home for a special performance at The Grotto! 🎶 Known for their high-energy Celtic sound and incredible stage presence, the Bhoys have spent decades performing at sold-out festivals and venues across Canada, the U.S., Scotland, and Ireland.
Their journey started right here in Cornwall back in 1997, when two police officers from the Cornwall Police Band began playing duo shows at local Irish pubs. It wasn’t long before the group grew and began taking their powerful blend of Celtic and folk music to international stages. Along the way, they signed with Universal Records, recorded songs that landed on a Hollywood movie soundtrack ( The Lakehouse ), and made multiple TV appearances on CTV, Canada AM, and more. By 2020, they had sold more than 600,000 albums worldwide and racked up over 3 million downloads!👉 Bring a lawn chair, grab some friends, and get ready for an unforgettable evening with the Glengarry Bhoys!

🔸   Final Show: Arts in the Park 40th Anniversary Celebration
📅 Thursday, August 28 | 🕔 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍 Lot beside Mexi’s, 60 Pitt Street, Cornwall | 🎟️ Free Admission
Close out summer with a vibrant evening of community, creativity, and celebration as Cornwall wraps up its 40th Anniversary Arts in the Park season in style! 🎉 This special finale, presented in partnership with the Downtown Cornwall Business Improvement Association, promises an unforgettable night right in the heart of downtown. Enjoy live music from Gordie Tentrees and The Young Bucks , browse the arts vendor market , sip a cold one at the Traveling Tavern beer garden , and soak in the energy of a true community celebration. Best of all? It’s free and family-friendly , so bring your friends, kids, and neighbours out for an evening of music, art, and fun under the summer sky.

WHERE TO GRAB A BITE
🥯   Back with Farm Stand Favourites at C & L Farmgate

Check their bagels out!

A little while back, we shared about the charm of local farm stands, and it turns out many of you are just as smitten as we are! Well, here’s some tasty news: C & L Farmgate in Ingleside has added bagels to their lineup, and not just any bagels. Think Cheesy Onion , Everything Bagels , and even a Garlic & Herb Artisan Loaf . Freshly baked, right at the farm stand!

Of course, the bagels are only the beginning. You’ll also find a colourful mix of veggies like curly green kale, red Swiss chard, garlic, zucchini, and patty pan squash. And if you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss their wildflower honey and homemade jellies/jams. 🍯

The farm recently shared a heartfelt thank you to the community for all the support and it’s clear the love goes both ways. These little farm stands are more than just a place to shop; they’re a reminder of the connection between neighbours, local food, and good old-fashioned kindness.

📍 Find them at 14083 Dafoe Rd, Ingleside and stock up on some farm-fresh goodness!

LOCAL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
🛒 Small Businesses - We See You!

Want to get your local business in front of thousands of engaged Cornwall & SD&G readers who love supporting local?

We feature standout businesses, shops, and services that help make our community shine - and we’d love to spotlight you next!

👉 Interested? Reach out to us at https://www.sdgscoop.ca/contact or jared@sdgscoop.ca and let’s chat!

THROWBACK CORNER
📸   Playing Cards on a Wednesday Night

Art by Nathan Gosweell and photo by Chris Malloy

If you’ve been with us for a while, you already know how much we love showcasing the work of local artist Nathan Gowsell , and this week’s throwback is another gem.

Here we have Nathan’s doodle-style artwork layered over a photograph taken by fellow Long Sault talent, Chris Malloy . The original photo, titled All That Glitters Is Not Gold , captures the charm of a local staple - Brown’s Grocery - and Nathan’s playful illustration brings it to life with a group of friends gathered around a card game outside the shop.

It’s a snapshot of small-town life that feels both familiar and timeless: the glow of the store lights, the Pepsi sign, and neighbours unwinding together on an ordinary Wednesday night.

🎨 Big thanks to Nathan for his creative touch and to Chris for the photography. You can check out more of Chris’s work at www.chrismalloyphotography.com .

What do you think, readers? Do you remember nights like these, where the best entertainment was just sitting around with friends, playing cards, and catching up on life?

PET OF THE WEEK
🐱   Spotlight on Rico’s Refuge Cat Rescue

This week, we’re shining a light on Rico’s Refuge Cat Rescue , a dedicated local group working tirelessly to reduce the suffering of community cats right here in Cornwall and SD&G.

Named in honour of one of their oldest fosters, Rico, this rescue began with a mission of compassion - to step up for stray cats who had nowhere else to turn. Their work spans across rehabilitation, TNR (trap-neuter-return), adoption, education, and advocacy , all with one goal: to create a kinder, safer community for cats in need.

Recently, Rico’s Refuge has been hard at work helping vulnerable cats with medical needs, including surgeries, treatments, and fostering until they’re ready for adoption. Local partners like C & L Farmgate have even pitched in to spread the word and support their efforts, highlighting just how much this rescue means to our community.

But here’s the thing: rescues like this can’t do it alone. Whether it’s financial donations, volunteering, fostering, or even just sharing their posts , every little bit helps to keep their mission alive.

If you’d like to learn more, support their work, or follow along with the incredible transformations they make possible, visit their Facebook page here: 👉 Rico’s Refuge Cat Rescue .

🐱 From saving one cat at a time to advocating for the humane treatment of all, Rico’s Refuge is proof that compassion really does change lives.

COMMUNITY WINS
🏆 Free Tree Planting in Cornwall and More Turtle Releases

Here’s a cool way to make our streets a little greener - literally! The City of Cornwall offers a free tree planting program for residents (we weren’t aware of this!). If you own property in Cornwall (renters can ask their landlords to apply), you can request to have a tree planted on the city boulevard in front of your home.

City staff will help assess the space and provide you with a list of trees best suited for urban conditions. Once planted, all that’s asked of residents is a little TLC - things like watering the tree once a week during dry spells to help it thrive. 🌱

It’s a simple way to add beauty to your street, provide shade for neighbours (and their pups on walks!), and make Cornwall even more welcoming.

👉 Learn more and request your free tree here: City of Cornwall Tree Planting Program

Also, great news for our local wildlife! Thanks to the hard work of two dedicated volunteers, five turtles were released back into the wild this July across Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry. Four of the five were adults, giving them a strong chance to thrive and contribute to the health of our ecosystems.

A huge shoutout to the volunteers of SDG Turtles and the OTCC team for helping protect and preserve one of our region’s most fascinating (and ancient!) creatures. Every turtle released is a step forward for conservation in SDG. 🐢💚

JUST FOR FUN
🎯 Games Corner – Just for Fun!

Here’s a little local trivia to test your Cornwall smarts!

Between 1921 and 1931 , Cornwall saw its largest population boom ever — the city grew by a whopping 50% in just 10 years! 🚀

Another big growth spurt happened between 1951 and 1961 , thanks to the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway , which brought jobs and new families to the region.

And here’s the kicker: Cornwall reached its all-time high population in 2021 , with 47,845 residents - a 2.7% jump from 2016. Not bad, eh?

👉 Fun challenge: Do you think Cornwall will break the 50,000 mark by the next census? Drop us a guess and let’s see who’s right in a few years!

ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏡 A Charmer in Long Sault

While we’ve recently shared some of the big-ticket waterfront estates (with price tags well into the millions), this week we’re highlighting something a little more on the “affordable” side — and right in the heart of the wonderful community of Long Sault .

This charming 3-bedroom bungalow at 11 Moulinette Road W is listed at $399,900 , making it a cozy option for families, retirees, or anyone who loves the idea of main floor living with no stairs to worry about. The home has been nicely updated and sits on a generous double lot , giving you space to stretch out and enjoy.

Inside, you’ll find an open-concept kitchen and dining area , an oversized living room with a gas stove for those cozy nights, and a large walk-in closet that could double as a home office. Outside, it’s all about summer living — there’s an in-ground pool , oversized carport, and plenty of space for hosting BBQs or just relaxing after a dip.

Best of all, this home is located just steps from parks, biking and recreation trails, and those beautiful Long Sault beaches. Plus, it’s a quick commute into Cornwall or even Ottawa.

👉 Take a peek at the listing here: View Property

JOBS AND CLASSIFIEDS
📢   Who is Hiring?

FULL TIME YARD WORKER - Emard Brothers
📍 Cornwall
Full time yard worker at the Cornwall location.
📧 Apply by emailing: apply@emardlumber.ca

PAID ON CALL FIREFIGHTERS - South Dundas
📍 South Dundas
Firefighters are essential to the emergency response network and play a key role in protecting our people. There is no experience required. We provide the training.
📧 Apply online: https://www.southdundas.com/municipal-centre/job-opportunities

PAINTER - Cornwall Painting Plus
📍 Cornwall
Cornwall Painting Plus is looking for an individual with painting experience or a willingness to learn.
📧 Apply online by completing the careers form: https://www.cornwallpainting.ca/careers

CLOSING CALL
That’s a wrap for this week, friends! 👋

That’s a wrap on this week’s Scoop, friends! 💌 From heart-shaped fields in Williamstown to bagels at the farm stand, to turtles making their way back into the wild, it’s weeks like this that remind us just how much spirit and heart our little corner of SD&G has.

As always, we’d love to hear from you — whether it’s a local story, event, or even just a photo of your week, send it our way so we can keep celebrating our community together.

Until next time, take care of one another, support local when you can, and don’t forget to stop and enjoy the simple joys around us.

Know someone who’d love The Scoop? Forward this their way or invite them to subscribe here:
👉 www.sdgscoop.ca

See you around the neighbourhood!
— The SD&G Scoop Team