SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for February 19-26, 2026!

Hey there, Cornwall & SD&G crew!   👋

If your heart rate hasn’t quite returned to normal after that Canada vs. Czechia nail-biter… you’re not alone. 😅🏒 What a game. The kind that has you pacing the living room, texting the group chat in all caps, and reminding everyone why hockey is basically a national personality trait.

Speaking of hockey pride, we’ve got a little flashback of our own in this week’s issue - a throwback that might stir up some serious local nostalgia. Let’s just say… if you love vintage logos, old-school swagger, and Cornwall hockey history, you’ll want to scroll.

And in more local win news (we LOVE this part), Big Ben Ski Hill just secured $25,000 through the Tourism Innovation Challenge   🎉 That’s a big boost for a place that means a lot to so many families in our area. More momentum. More growth. More reasons to hit the hill.

There is a lot happening this week and even better, a lot of it is positive. Community wins, local talent, throwbacks, events… it’s one of those editions that reminds us just how much good is happening right here in SD&G.

Quick question for you: would you be interested in occasionally seeing a small travel section ? We’re thinking quick features on cool places, events, or hidden gems just outside our little SD&G corner - close enough for a day trip, far enough to feel like an adventure. Let us know. ✈️

Alright — grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s get into it.

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉   What’s Happening This Week (February 19-26, 2026)

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

🔸   Maxville & District Lions Club Bonspiel
📅   Saturday, February 21, 2026 | 🕘 9:00 AM | 📍   Maxville Curling Club
Sweep into the weekend for a great cause! The Maxville & District Lions Club is hosting their annual Charity Bonspiel and it’s shaping up to be a full day of curling, community, and classic small-town fun. Teams can enter for $200 , which guarantees two games , plus bragging rights (of course 😉 ). Your entry also helps support important local community initiatives so every rock thrown is for a good cause.
👉 To register your team, contact Kevin Currier at 613-551-8188 .

🔸   Mario Kart 64 Tournament @ Lost Villages Brewery
📅   Saturday, February 21 | 🕧 12:30 PM | 📍   Lost Villages Brewery, Long Sault
Start your engines… Mario Kart is BACK at Lost Villages Brewery ! They’ve pulled together a last-minute Mario Kart 64 Tournament , and if you’ve been before, you already know - it’s competitive, chaotic, and ridiculously fun. If you missed the last one, here’s your shot at redemption (or at least some serious bragging rights).
👯‍♂️ Sign up in teams of 2
💰 Entry fee to play
🏆 Prizes in LVB product up for grabs
🍺 Show up early, grab a drink, and get ready to drift
They’re sticking with the same smooth tournament format as last time so expect tight races, dramatic blue shells, and a few friendships tested along the way. See you on the track! 🏎️ 💨

🔸   Ski Fest Loppet at Summerstown Trails
📅   Sunday, February 22 | 🕐 1 PM | 📍   Summerstown Trails
Wax those skis and get ready to glide! The Ski Fest Loppet is back at Summerstown Trails this Sunday and it’s shaping up to be a fantastic day on the snow.
Choose your challenge:
❄️ 6km, 8km or 13km Classic Ski
❄️ 8km Skate Ski
And for the young shredders? The Kids Skittles Loppet features 1km, 2km, or 3km classic ski distances - the perfect way to get the next generation loving winter just as much as we do. Whether you’re racing for a personal best or just in it for the fresh air and post-ski bragging rights, this is one of those winter events that makes you appreciate living here.
👉 Register now at summerstowntrails.com/skifest and we’ll see you out on the trails!

🔸   Sir John A’s 2026 Great Canadian Kilt Skate
📅   Sunday, February 22 | 🕙 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 📍   Char-Lan Recreation Centre | 🎟️ FREE Entry
Dust off your tartan and lace up those skates — South Glengarry is celebrating its Celtic roots in style at the 2026 Kilt Skate ! 🇨🇦🏴
The morning kicks off with Opening Ceremonies in Tartan Hall (10:00–10:15 AM) , followed by a lively performance from the MacCulloch Dancers (10:15–10:45 AM) . Then head rink-side for a Char-Lan Skating Club performance (11:00–11:30 AM) before the ice opens up for the main event… ⛸️ Open Kilt Skate from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM. Yes - kilts on ice are highly encouraged. And because no winter celebration is complete without treats, enjoy free hot chocolate and cupcakes in the lobby while you warm up between laps. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to celebrate Glengarry’s heritage and it won’t cost you a dime. Slàinte to that! 🥳

🔸   Chesterville & District Agricultural Society – Annual General Meeting
📅   Thursday, February 26 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍   Nelson Laprade Centre (Downstairs), 9 William St., Chesterville
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of the Chesterville Fair and all the amazing community events tied to it? Here’s your chance to find out — and maybe even get involved! The Chesterville & District Agricultural Society is hosting their Annual General Meeting , and they’re inviting anyone interested in volunteering, joining a committee, or simply learning more about how it all comes together. Whether you’re passionate about agriculture, community events, or just looking for a meaningful way to give back, this is a great place to start. Pop in, meet some friendly faces, and see how you can be part of something that keeps this community thriving year after year. 🌟

🎵   Where’s That Music Coming From (February 19-26, 2026)

🔸   70s, 80s & 90s Retro Party at The North Mulligan
📅   Saturday, February 21 | 🕘 9 PM – 1 AM | 📍   The North Mulligan – 20511 McCormick Rd
Dust off the denim, tease that hair, and get ready to rewind time! ⏪ This Saturday, The North Mulligan is throwing a 70s, 80s & 90s Retro Party featuring none other than Jukebox Pete spinning all your favourite throwback hits. From disco and classic rock to 80s pop and 90s dance floor anthems, expect a full-on nostalgia night with tunes that’ll have you saying, “Oh wow, I forgot about this song!” 🎶 The party kicks off at 9 PM and goes until 1 AM, with snacks, drinks, and a small appy menu available to keep you fuelled between dance breaks. And the best part? It’s a free event — just bring your crew and your best retro vibes. Where great music meets great people… and possibly some questionable dance moves. 💃🕺

🔸   Live Music with Nick Seguin at Jet Set Pub
📅   Friday, February 20 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍   Jet Set Pub – Dev Hotel & Conference Centre, 1950 Montreal Rd., Cornwall
Looking for the perfect way to kick off your weekend? 🍻🎸 Head to Jet Set Pub this Friday as Nick Seguin takes the stage for a night of great tunes, cold drinks, and good company. Music starts at 7 PM, so grab your crew, claim your spot, and settle in for an easygoing evening filled with live acoustic vibes and all your favourite pub feels. Great music. Great people. The perfect Friday night combo. 🙌

🔸   Listen To The Music – The Ultimate Doobie Brothers Tribute
📅   Saturday, February 21 | 🕑 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM | 📍   Upper Canada Playhouse, Morrisburg
Warm up your winter with some classic rock at Morrisburg’s Upper Canada Playhouse as Listen To The Music brings the legendary sounds of the Doobie Brothers to the stage for two electrifying performances! Get ready to sing along to hits like China Grove , Long Train Runnin’ , What a Fool Believes , Black Water and more - all performed by some of Canada’s finest musicians. 🎸🔥 It’s a high-energy tribute concert that kicks off Upper Canada Playhouse’s 2026 season in style. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just love a good live show, this one promises big harmonies, iconic riffs, and feel-good vibes from start to finish. Two shows. One unforgettable soundtrack.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR
👋 Courtney Sarault Collecting Medals For Canada

If you’ve been watching the Olympics and yelling at your TV lately… same. 🙌🇨🇦

This week’s Meet Your Neighbor spotlight goes to Courtney Sarault , Team Canada short track speed skater currently competing at Milano Cortina 2026 — and absolutely crushing it. Four medals so far. FOUR. 🥇🥈🥉🥉

While Courtney calls Moncton, New Brunswick home, we’ve been hearing she has strong family roots right here in the SD&G area - which means we’re officially claiming her as one of our neighbours (respectfully, of course 😉 ).

Short track speed skating is not for the faint of heart. It’s fast, tactical, a little chaotic, and wildly exciting to watch. And Courtney brings the intensity every single race. The focus. The grit. The “let’s gooo!” energy (which, judging by that photo, she clearly has mastered).

There’s something special about seeing athletes with local connections representing Canada on the world stage. It reminds us that big dreams can start in small communities and that the road from SD&G roots to Olympic podiums is very real.

Courtney, we’re cheering you on from home. 🇨🇦
And SD&G is proud to be even a small part of your story.

SUPPORT THE SCOOP
☕ Keep the Good News Brewing

The SDG Scoop is a free, independent local newsletter built right here in SD&G - by locals, for locals. Each issue takes time, coffee, and a whole lot of love to put together.

If you enjoy reading the Scoop and want to help keep it going strong, you can buy us a coffee (or two!). Every little bit helps us share more good news, highlight local stories, and celebrate the best of our community.

Thanks for the support, friends!

THROWBACK CORNER
📸   Royals Forever

Courtesy of Isaac Hunt

Now this is a beauty.

Isaac Hunt shared this incredible vintage Cornwall Royals hockey jacket and we couldn’t scroll past it without giving it the spotlight it deserves. The deep blue corduroy. The bold stitched “Royals” crest. The classic shoulder patch reading “Matthew 9 – L. Wing.” The red, white, and blue striping on the cuffs. Absolute perfection.

There’s just something about the old Royals logo and branding that hits differently. It’s gritty, proud, and unmistakably Cornwall. You can almost hear the crowd at the Civic Complex and feel the energy of junior hockey nights in town.

Pieces like this remind us how strong Cornwall’s hockey roots run, and how iconic the Royals era really was.

Honestly… how amazing would it be to see the Royals name and colours back on the ice again? 👀

Huge thanks to Isaac for sharing this gem. If you’ve got old Royals memorabilia tucked away in a closet somewhere, we’d love to see it. Let’s keep the memories (and maybe the dream) alive.

PET OF THE WEEK
🦙   The Alpaca Crew at Heart of the Willow

Heart of the Willow Alpaca’s

Okay… how did we not know this was right in our backyard?!

Meet the absolutely majestic (and slightly judgmental-looking 😅 ) alpacas of Heart of the Willow . Just look at that lineup — like a fluffy farm boy band ready to drop their debut album.

One of the true joys of writing The Scoop is stumbling across local gems like this. Not only are these alpacas adorable, they’re also the source of some seriously cozy, high-quality products - think alpaca socks, hats, and insoles that might just change your winter survival game forever.

And here’s the wild part: you don’t have to order from across the country. These incredible alpaca products are made right here, close to home.

Soft. Warm. Local.
We love to see it. 💛

If you haven’t discovered Heart of the Willow yet, consider this your official nudge. Supporting local has never been so fluffy.

COMMUNITY WINS
🏆 Community Wins x2: Big Investments in Our Backyard

We weren’t planning to double up this week… but there’s just too much good news not to share. 🙌

💧 $30 Million for Cornwall’s Water Infrastructure

MPP Nolan Quinn announced that the Ontario government is investing up to $30 million (largest ever investment in Cornwall from Ontario) to expand and strengthen Cornwall’s water infrastructure through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program.

What does that mean in real terms? A new secondary water intake from the St. Lawrence River - adding reliability to a system originally built in 1955 and helping ensure safe, secure drinking water for decades to come.

It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes investment that doesn’t always make flashy headlines but it protects homes, businesses, future housing growth, and our entire community. Clean, reliable water = long-term prosperity. That’s a big win.

⚡ Maxville Fairgrounds Get a Boost

Over in North Glengarry, the Kenyon Agricultural Society received a Capital Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to complete essential electrical upgrades at the Maxville Fairgrounds.

Translation? Safer, modernized infrastructure that supports the fairs, festivals, and community events we all know and love.

These upgrades help future-proof the fairgrounds and ensure they can continue hosting events that bring people together year after year.

It’s easy to focus on the challenges but weeks like this remind us that serious investment is happening right here at home.

Stronger infrastructure. Safer facilities. Long-term community growth.

We love to see it. 👏

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!

JUST FOR FUN
🎯 Games Corner – Just for Fun!

Tick-tock, trivia time! ⏰

Cornwall’s Clock Tower in Lamoureux Park isn’t just a pretty face - it’s a replica of the original that once stood tall on the old Post Office at Second and Pitt Streets. The Post Office came down in 1955, but the clock itself lives on! It was lovingly repurposed in the 1992 rebuild we see today.

Now every time you stroll past it, you can impress your walking buddy with a little local time-travel trivia!Here’s a bright piece of local trivia for you - Cornwall holds a shocking place in Canadian history! 🔌

ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏢 Pitt Street Throwback Turned Investment Opportunity

Okay… this one might bring back some memories.

272 Pitt Street just hit the market for $1,549,000 and longtime locals will recognize it right away. Yes, this used to be Carl’s Smoke Shop back in the day. 👀

If you grew up downtown, there’s a good chance you walked past it (or popped in). And even if you didn’t, you probably remember the iconic mural on the side of the building. Some properties are just buildings. Others are landmarks. This one is definitely the latter.

Now? It’s being marketed as a turnkey 6-unit mixed-use investment property , featuring:

• 4 residential apartments

• 2 commercial units

• Over $450,000 in recent capital improvements

• A reported Net Operating Income of $104,040

• A 6.7% cap rate

Major upgrades include new plumbing, hot water tanks, electric heating, updated interiors, and modern finishes - a far cry from its corner-store days.

We usually feature cozy homes and family properties in this section… but every once in a while, it’s fun to spotlight a piece of downtown history that’s evolved with the city.

From smoke shop staple to income-generating multi-unit investment - that’s quite the transformation.

And let’s be honest… the nostalgia factor alone might be worth a walk down Pitt Street.

📌 View the listing: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29368971/272-pitt-street-cornwall-717-cornwall?view=imagelist

👉 Got a property for sale or rent in SD&G? Let us feature it in next week’s Scoop - the most-clicked section of the newsletter!

JOBS AND CLASSIFIEDS
📢   Who is Hiring?

BOOK KEEPER/ ADMIN COORDINATOR - Emard Lumber
📍 Cornwall
Emard Lumber is looking for a detailed book keeper/ admin coordinator to join their team!
📧 Apply online: apply@emardlumber.ca

👉 Have a business and looking to hire help? Let us feature your job/ business in next week’s Scoop!

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

From edge-of-your-seat hockey moments to hometown throwbacks and big wins for Big Ben, it’s been one of those weeks that reminds us why we love shining a light on this corner of the world.

There’s a lot happening - and even more good quietly unfolding behind the scenes in our communities. Thanks for reading, sharing, replying, and cheering alongside us. The Scoop is only as strong as the people who open it (that’s you 😉 ).

We’ll see you next week with more local goodness.

Stay warm, stay proud, and stay in the loop.

📬 Not subscribed yet? Join the Scoop fam here: www.sdgscoop.ca

With gratitude,
The SD&G Scoop Team