SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for January 15-22, 2026!

Hey there, Cornwall & SD&G crew…and Happy New Year!   👋

We’re back! This is our first Scoop of the year and our first one since returning from a little holiday recharge, so we hope everyone had a wonderful break and kicked off 2026 in a way that felt just right for you.

A quick note before we dive in: thank you to everyone who wrote in over the holidays. If you’re still waiting on a reply, our apologies for the delay - we promise it wasn’t intentional. And to everyone who sent kind notes and holiday wishes our way… you truly made our season brighter.

We’re excited to get back into the rhythm and do what we love most: sharing what’s happening across Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry - celebrating local people, businesses, events, and stories that bring our community together. That’s the heart of The SDG Scoop , and we’re all in for another great year.

Before we jump into this week’s news, we couldn’t resist starting with a moment of beauty. Take a second to soak in Anne Menard-Crites’ stunning red sky morning photo , which is a perfect reminder that even on the busiest days, there’s incredible beauty all around us if we pause long enough to notice it. 🌅

Photo cred: Anne Menard-Crites

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉   What’s Happening This Week (January 15-22, 2026)

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

🔶   Living Locally Fair 2026 – Shop Local, Eat Local, Love Local!
📅   Saturday, January 17 | ⏰   9:00 AM – 2:30 PM | 📍   St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School, Russell
If you’ve been looking for an excuse to support local (and maybe do a little shopping while you’re at it 😉 ), this is the one to circle on your calendar. Living Locally Fair 2026 brings together an incredible mix of local makers, artisans, producers, artists, food vendors, small businesses, and community groups - all under one roof for one day only. Come ready to browse, snack, discover new local favourites, and chat with the people behind the businesses that make our region thrive. Pro tip: bring your shopping bags and your appetite - you’ll want both. A perfect Saturday outing that supports local talent and keeps dollars close to home.

🔶   The Big Ben Railyard 2.0
📅   Friday, January 17 | ⏰   2–6 PM | 📍   Big Ben Ski Centre
Things are about to get rowdy at Big Ben. The Big Ben Railyard 2.0 is back and it’s shaping up to be an all-out winter throwdown you won’t want to miss. Expect high-energy vibes, serious skills, and a packed afternoon of ski & snowboard action featuring jams, finals, and cash-for-tricks. The day kicks off with grom heats, rolls into an open jam for all riders, and wraps with Top 10 finals and cash prizes - all under a best-of-three format that will crown one ultimate champion. Add in music, cash, prizes, Golden Tickets, and a stacked lineup of local sponsors, and you’ve got the recipe for a legendary rail session. Whether you’re riding, cheering, or just soaking up the atmosphere, this is one winter event that promises big tricks, loud energy, and unforgettable moments. 🏂 🔥

🔶   SDSG Greens Present: A Talk on Microplastics
📅   Tuesday, January 20 | ⏰   Doors open 6:30 PM · Talk starts 7:00 PM | 📍   Apple Hill Community Centre
Kick off the new year with a thought-provoking (and eye-opening) community talk hosted by SDSG Greens . Local environmental advocate Gordon Kubanek will be presenting Plastic People - a lively discussion on microplastics, their impact on our health and environment, and what practical steps we can take to reduce our exposure. The event takes place at the Apple Hill Community Centre , with refreshments provided and everyone welcome. Come curious, bring your questions, and leave with a few new ways to think (and act) greener in 2026. 🌱

🔶   Cornwall’s Sporting Past Comes to Life!
📅   Tuesday, January 20 | 🕖 7:00 PM | 📍   Schnitzels Restaurant (Back Room)
Cornwall has always been a sports town , and this week its legendary stories take centre stage! 🏒 ⚾ Join the SD&G Historical Society for a special Speakers Series presentation with local historian, broadcaster, and storyteller Thom Racine , as he brings Cornwall’s rich sporting history vividly to life. From early lacrosse matches and iconic hockey moments to championship runs, historic arenas, and unforgettable local characters, this talk is packed with fascinating stories that shaped Cornwall’s athletic identity. With decades of experience uncovering and preserving local history, Thom has a knack for storytelling that will leave you entertained, informed, and full of hometown pride. The evening features a 45-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session - perfect for sports fans, history buffs, and anyone who loves a great local story. Come out, grab a seat, and relive the moments that made Cornwall a true sports town!

🔶   Free Crafting Classes at the Agape Centre Community Hub
📅   Wednesday, January 21 | ⏰   1:30 – 3:30 PM | 📍   The Agape Centre, Cornwall
Looking for a cozy, creative way to spend a winter afternoon? 🧶✨ Head upstairs at the Agape Centre Community Hub for free crafting classes led by Warm Up Cornwall. Whether you’re curious about knitting, loom work, or crochet, you can learn (or brush up on) a craft of your choice in a welcoming, laid-back setting. All skill levels are welcome, and it’s a great excuse to slow down, get creative, and connect with others in the community. Bring your curiosity and maybe some yarn - and let the crafting begin!

🔶   Grief Support Group – Dundas County Hospice
📅   Thursday, January 22 | ⏰   1:00 PM – 3:30 PM | 📍   Dundas County Hospice
Grief is a journey, and no one should have to walk it alone. Dundas County Hospice is hosting its monthly Grief Support Group , offering a warm, welcoming, and confidential space for anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one - whether that loss is recent or from years past. This group is facilitated by trained bereavement volunteers and provides an opportunity to share, listen, and find strength alongside others who understand. The group is open to residents of North and South Dundas and surrounding areas, and all are welcome. If you or someone you know could benefit from gentle support and connection, this is a meaningful space to find it. 💛
📧 For more information or to join: gb@dundascountyhospice.ca | 📞   613-535-2215

🎵   Where’s That Music Coming From (January 15-22, 2026)

🔶   Pickheads with Frank & Mike (plus special guest Tommy Heatley!)
📅   Friday, January 16 | ⏰   7:00 PM | 📍   Jet Set Pub
Kick off the weekend (and shake off those January blues) with a night of live music at the Jet Set Pub! Frank and Mike are back for their first gig of 2026 , and they’re bringing along special guest Tommy Heatley for an extra dose of great tunes and good vibes. Expect a relaxed, toe-tapping night of music, cold drinks, and that classic pub atmosphere we all love. Grab a seat, grab a drink, and settle in - it’s shaping up to be a fun one. 🎶🍻

🔶   Caleb Taylor LIVE at Lost Villages Brewery   🍻
📅   Saturday, January 17 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍   Lost Villages Brewery, Long Sault
Live music + great beer = a perfect Saturday night. Caleb Taylor is taking over the taproom at Lost Villages Brewery with an evening of laid-back, feel-good tunes to sip along to. It’s been a while since he’s played there, so expect a cozy taproom vibe, solid live music, and plenty of reasons to grab “just one more pint.” Swing by, settle in, and let the music carry you through the evening. Cheers to good tunes and great brews! 🍺😎

🔶   Hotel California LIVE (Eagles Tribute)
📅   Saturday, January 17 | ⏰   7:30 PM | 📍   Aultsville Theatre
Dust off your denim and get ready for a night of pure classic rock nostalgia. Hotel California , one of Canada’s premier Eagles tribute bands, is bringing all the timeless hits to the Aultsville Theatre for an unforgettable live show. From Take It Easy to Desperado to (of course) Hotel California , this is a note-for-note celebration of one of the greatest bands of all time. Expect soaring harmonies, flawless guitar work, and the kind of songs everyone knows by heart. Whether you’re a lifelong Eagles fan or just looking for a great night out downtown, this show promises big sound, great vibes, and a packed house. 🎸✨
🎟️ Tickets available through the Aultsville Theatre - this one’s a classic for a reason.

WHERE TO GRAB A BITE
🔥   Crooked Rubz!

If your idea of a good time involves slow smokes, sizzling BBQ, and bold flavour done right, you’ll want Crooked Rubz on your radar. This husband-and-wife passion project was born in the kitchen (and at the smoker) with one simple goal: create rubs they actually wanted to use. After coming up short on store-bought blends loaded with sugar and salt, they rolled up their sleeves and started experimenting - 12-hour smokes, stovetop classics, and everything in between.

The result? Handcrafted rubs that pack serious flavour without overdoing it on the extras. Every blend is thoughtfully made, rooted in family, and designed to elevate whatever you’re cooking—whether it’s backyard BBQ, weeknight dinners, or your next big cookout. Crooked Rubz is all about quality ingredients, honest food, and sharing the love of great cooking. Trust us… your grill will thank you. 😌🍖

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
📸   When the Passport Took Its Final Voyage

This striking photo captures a dramatic moment in local history - the sinking of the SS Passport at the entrance to Lock 15 of the Cornwall Canal . The date most often cited is May 8, 1953 , during the massive transformation of the St. Lawrence as crews prepared for the future St. Lawrence Seaway .

The Passport wasn’t just any vessel. She was a sternwheel steamboat that had spent decades moving passengers and goods along the St. Lawrence River, a familiar sight in the Cornwall area in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1950s, her working days were long behind her, and she was being removed as part of canal and shoreline changes tied to the Seaway project.

Tragically, during that removal process, something went wrong. While many people were rescued, lives were lost , turning what was meant to be a routine operation into a somber chapter in local history. The image freezes that moment in time…half-submerged, tilted, and silent—marking the end of an era just as Cornwall and the river itself were about to change forever.

It’s also a powerful reminder that the Seaway didn’t just reshape maps and shorelines… it reshaped lives, communities, and history , often at great cost. If you’ve ever walked along the waterfront and felt like the river holds stories beneath the surface… this is one of them.

Have a family connection to the Passport or remember hearing stories about it? We’d love to hear them.

PET OF THE WEEK
🐶   Meet Goldie!

This week, we want to introduce you to Goldie , a sweet 3-month-old puppy with a heart far bigger than her tiny paws. Despite being dealt a tough start in life, Goldie has been thriving in a loving foster home since November and you’d never know she’s facing a challenge by the way her tail wags and her eyes sparkle.

At her first vet visit, it was discovered that Goldie has a broken back leg. While it hasn’t slowed her playful puppy spirit one bit, it will cause issues down the road. After consulting with a trusted surgeon, a plan is in place for a future leg amputation once she’s a bit bigger. The hope now is to find Goldie a foster-to-adopt home , so she can settle in with her forever family before surgery and recover surrounded by love.

Goldie is currently safe and cared for through Chance's Rescue , who will also be fundraising to help cover the significant medical costs ahead. Through it all, this little pup remains carefree, cuddly, and full of joy - completely unaware of how many hearts she’s already won.

If you’d like to learn more about Goldie, help support her journey, or explore fostering or adoption, you can contact Chance’s Rescue directly at 613-601-0274 . Let’s rally around Goldie and help ensure her future is as bright, pain-free, and love-filled as she deserves. 🐶

COMMUNITY WINS
🏆 Running Strong on the River

This one’s a big feel-good win for SD&G. Just one week after registration opened, the St. Lawrence Marathon has already welcomed 650 runners , filling over 70% of available spots for race day this April—and that excitement isn’t just local. Runners are signing up from across Eastern Ontario, Quebec, and beyond, all drawn to our beautiful waterfront and the welcoming vibe our community is known for.

With four race distances (5K, 10K, Half, and Full Marathon), this surge in interest is a powerful reminder of how much people value healthy living, outdoor activity, and community-driven events . Seeing so many people lace up for a goal that celebrates movement, connection, and our stunning St. Lawrence River is something to be proud of.

Way to go to the organizers, volunteers, and everyone who’s already registered—SD&G is showing up (and running strong)! 💪🌊

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 – Seaway Showdown!

Think you know the St. Lawrence Seaway? Let’s have a little fun with a local classic. Every year, 3,000–4,000 massive commercial ships pass through this incredible waterway, carrying everything from grain and iron ore to steel and containers - linking our region to over 50 countries around the world.

Before you scroll… take a guess:
👉 How many locks do you think make up the St. Lawrence Seaway system?
👉 And how long do you think the entire system stretches from end to end?

This vital route quietly keeps North American trade flowing, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic and supporting jobs and industries far beyond SD&G.

The answer:
The Seaway system spans an impressive 2,300 miles and includes 16 locks —a true engineering marvel right in our backyard.

Next time you see a ship gliding by, you’ll know just how far it’s come (and how many locks it conquered to get here!).

ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏡 A True SDG Showstopper

If walls could talk, this one would have stories for days. 👀 Listed at $724,900 , this remarkable stone home on County Road 18 in South Stormont is affectionately known as “The Stone House on the 18” … and for good reason.

Built circa 1842 , this is the kind of property that rarely hits the market. Set back more than 300 feet from the road on a picturesque 1.5-acre lot , this historic beauty has been fully gutted and professionally restored with no expense spared, blending 19th-century craftsmanship with modern comfort. Think exposed stone walls in every bedroom, restored wood beams and floors, and over 2,300 sq ft of living space that manages to feel both timeless and turnkey.

Behind the charm is all-new everything—plumbing, electrical, HVAC, insulation, roof, windows, kitchen, bathrooms, and more, so you get the romance of a heritage home without the headaches. Add in new porches, a carriage shed/barn, Amish shed, and a long paved driveway, and this property starts to feel less like a house and more like a legacy .

Old stone homes like this don’t come around often in SD&G and when they do, they don’t stay quiet for long. 👀✨

📌 View the listing: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29242102/16950-county-rd-18-road-south-stormont-716-south-stormont-cornwall-twp

👉 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?

CAMP COORDINATOR - The Learning Centre
📍 Cornwall
The Learning Centre is hiring a Camp Coordinator for its Summer Camps located in Cornwall, Long Sault, Iroquois and Winchester.
📧 Apply online: https://www.giag.ca/en/employment-services/job-board-job-posting-form/?jobId=ddb4683a-e5e4-42d1-a424-b3d0f106896e

PROGRAMMING CLERK - Cornwall Public Library
📍 Cornwall
Cornwall Public Library is seeking an energetic, creative, and tech-savvy “Programming Clerk” (not computer programming) enthusiastic about interacting with the community.
📧 Apply online: https://www.library.cornwall.on.ca/about/careers

RESIDENTIAL CARE WORKER FT - Maison Interlude House
📍 Hawkesbury
As a shelter worker, most of your job will involve welcoming and supporting women who are victims of violence, as well as their dependents, with compassion and empathy.
📧 Apply online: https://www.minterludeh.ca/carrieres/postes-disponibles/

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

That’s a wrap on this week’s Scoop! 🎉 Thanks for spending a few minutes with us and for continuing to support local, show up for your neighbours, and celebrate all the good happening across SD&G. If you spotted something we missed, have an event coming up, or just want to say hello, our inbox is always open.

Until next week - get out there, enjoy the season, and don’t forget to look up once in a while (you never know when the sky might steal the show 🌅 ).

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

With gratitude,
The SD&G Scoop Team