SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for May 8–15, 2025!

Hey SD&G — Hope You Brought Your Dancing Shoes! 💃🕺

This week’s Scoop is bursting with the kind of small-town goodness we love: from beginner-friendly line dancing and museum openings to sheep shearing, yoga, and—of course—a heated debate over who has the best pizza in the region (we’re lookin’ at you, Riverside 🍕 ).

We’re also giving a well-deserved shoutout to curling legend Kevin Baker, helping a lost pup find his way home, and sharing a dream listing that’s literally older than Canada. Seriously.

But hang onto your gloves and mouthguards, folks—because next week we’re stepping into the ring with Jorge Luis of Champ’s Eastside Boxing. He’s been shaping champions and building community behind the scenes for decades, and you won’t want to miss it. 🥊👊

Let’s dive in!

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉   What’s Happening This Week (May 15–22, 2025)

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

🔸   Introduction to Line Dancing (For Beginners & Ultra-Beginners)
🗓 May 17 | 🕐 1:00–4:00 PM | 📍 Civic Centre, 1 Dundas Street, Iroquois
No experience? No problem! This fun and social workshop is perfect for anyone 18+ looking to learn a few individual and partner line dances—no partner required, and two left feet are welcome!
👉 https://www.southdundas.com/en/recreation-and-leisure/adult-programs.aspx

🔸   Explore Local History at the Glengarry Pioneer Museum
🗓 May 17 (Opening Day!) | 🕡 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | 📍 Glengarry Pioneer Museum
Step into the past as the Glengarry Pioneer Museum opens for the season! Housed in a restored 1840s log building, this hidden gem is packed with artifacts and stories of the area's early settlers. It’s a perfect outing for families, history buffs, or anyone who loves a charming step back in time.
👉 https://glengarrypioneermuseum.ca

🔸   Ping Pong Night @ 610 McConnell
🗓 Monday, May 19 | 🕡 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | 📍 610 McConnell Ave, Cornwall
Your Monday night just got a whole lot more exciting! 🏓 Join a great group of locals for Ping Pong Night —an epic evening of fun, laughs, and friendly competition. All it takes is $2 and a willingness to give that paddle a whirl.
🔔 Pro tip: There’s a ring doorbell taped to the front door—just give it a ding and someone will let you in!
Bring your best energy (and maybe your reflexes) for a great night with good folks!

🔸   Mat Yoga for Everyone – Drop In & Stretch Out
📅 May 20 | 🕘 9:00 AM–10:00 AM (every Tuesday) | 📍 St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church Hall, Ingleside | 💲 $7 per class
Looking for a gentle way to ease into the week? Join Muriel and friends for a fun, drop-in yoga class every Tuesday morning. Whether you're a seasoned yogi or just curious, everyone’s welcome! Bring a mat, water, a blanket, or anything else to make your flow comfy. Kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 🧘‍♂️🧘‍♀️

🔸   “Game, Set, Match” - Tennis & Pickleball Courts Now Open!
🗓 Ongoing | 📍 Multiple Locations in The SD&G
Dust off your rackets and grab your water bottles—it’s court season in Cornwall! The City’s five double outdoor tennis courts are officially open and ready for some friendly competition (or a leisurely rally if that’s more your style).

🐑 “ Home Learners Farm Field Days” - Happy Little Farmstead
🗓 May 21 | 🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 📍 3418 Goodin Rd, Spencerville | 💲 $15 + tax
Calling all homeschoolers! It's time to get your hands dirty—in the best way possible. Join Happy Little Farmstead for a fun-filled day on the farm, designed just for home learners ages 4 to 10. From sheep shearing and wool felting crafts to planting activities and a wagon ride through the fields, it's the perfect blend of education and outdoor play.
👉 Register here: happylittlefarmstead.ca/home-learners  

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR
👋   Kevin Baker – Cornwall’s Curling Champion On and Off the Ice!

Honorary Life Member - Kevin Baker

This week, we’re tipping our hats to Kevin Baker, who was just named the 2025 Honorary Life Member by the Cornwall Curling Club—and rightly so! 🧡

Kevin’s been sweeping his way into the hearts of Cornwall since the early 1990s. Not only is he a Governor General’s Champion, multiple zone titleholder, and provincial finalist, but he’s also the glue that keeps the curling community strong. From volunteering and sponsoring, to leading the charge on facility upgrades and event organization (Shorty Jenkins Classic fans, we’re looking at you!), Kevin’s dedication is unmatched.

He’s served as a Board member (including a long run as President), built lasting infrastructure, and always made people feel welcome—his legacy is as much about kindness as it is about competition. Through his business, LVB, and his unshakeable support, Kevin continues to be a true hometown hero.

🥌 Congrats, Kevin! We’re lucky to have you.

WHERE TO GRAB A BITE
🍕   Pizza Debates Start Here: Riverside Restaurant in Cornwall

We’re stepping into dangerously cheesy territory this week…

Let’s talk pizza — and specifically, the one coming out of the ovens at Riverside Restaurant on Montreal Road. This long-standing local spot might just have one of the best pies in all of SD&G (our contentious hot take!). Thick crust, generous toppings, that classic centre dough ball — it’s the kind of pizza that hits different when shared at the kitchen table with a cold drink and your best gossip.

Now, we know this will spark opinions (and probably a few friendly feuds), because everyone in SD&G has a “best pizza” pick, and rightfully so — and we want to hear yours!

📣 Head over to our Facebook page and tell us: who do YOU think has the best pizza in the area? Bonus points for those willing to share their go-to order.

Riverside is open daily — find them at 275 Montreal Rd, Cornwall.
And if you go… bring napkins and a big appetite. 🍽️ 🔥

THROWBACK CORNER
📸   Remembering Woolco at Brookdale Mall

Woolco at the Brookdale Mall in the late 1960s

Before Walmart took over our late-night grocery runs and aisle-wandering adventures, there was Woolco — and in Cornwall, we had one of the best! 🎯

Woolco opened its doors at Brookdale Mall on August 28, 1968, and quickly became one of the chain’s most successful stores across Canada. Locals remember it not just as a place to shop, but as a community hub — the spot where families browsed the toy aisles, grabbed deals on just about everything, and maybe even bumped into half their neighbours.

Woolco’s run came to an end in 1994 when Walmart swooped in and acquired 122 of the chain’s stores, including ours right here in Cornwall.

If you’ve got a memory from the Woolco days (or a family story to pass down), we want to hear it! Share your stories with us on our Facebook page. 🛍️ 💬

PET OF THE WEEK
🐾   Help Reunite This Lost Pup!

Look at those puppy eyes!

This sweet boy was found on May 11 near 9th and Pitt in Cornwall and is currently safe at the Ontario SPCA SD&G Animal Centre. He’s a young male Rottweiler with those heart-melting eyes that seem to say, “Where’s my family?” 💔

He’s not up for adoption — he’s a FOUND dog — and the shelter team is doing everything they can to help him get home. But they need your help!

If you believe this might be your dog, or you know who he belongs to, please contact the Ontario SPCA at 613-936-0072 .

To reclaim him, you’ll need:

1. A valid photo ID

2. Proof that the animal is yours (like photos, vet records, or microchip info)

3. A leash/collar or carrier to bring him home

4. Payment of any impound or reclamation fees

📍 Location: Ontario SPCA SD&G Animal Centre
📧 Contact: sdg@ontariospca.ca
📞 Phone: 613-936-0072

Let’s spread the word and help this handsome pup find his way back to the people who love him! 🐶 ❤️

COMMUNITY WINS
🏆 A Place to Sit and Wag!

Before

The pups at the Ontario SPCA SD&G Animal Centre are now enjoying a little extra comfort—and so are the volunteers and staff who love to watch them run, play, and soak up the sunshine!

Big tail wags to Patrick, who donated a brand new picnic table, and an anonymous community member who stepped up with a beautiful bench to replace the one that didn’t survive winter. The bench now sits proudly beside the dog-run, where it’s already getting good use by two- and four-legged visitors alike. 🐕 🪑

It's simple acts of kindness like these that keep tails wagging and spirits high. Thank you to all who offered to help—we see you, and we appreciate you! 💗

New picnic table

After :)

JUST FOR FUN
🎯 Games Corner – Just for Fun!

Here's a fun fact that might stump even the most seasoned SD&G history buffs...

🧐 Did you know the Martintown Mill was built way back in the 1800s and played a key role in the region's agricultural economy?

Question: What year was the Martintown Mill officially constructed?

A) 1812
B) 1846
C) 1889
D) 1901

Take a guess and scroll to the end of the newsletter for the answer! 🏛️ 👀

ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏡   Own a Piece of Canadian History

Auberge Chesley’s Inn – Downtown Cornwall

If walls could talk, these ones would have centuries of stories to share. This week’s featured listing is none other than Auberge Chesley’s Inn , established in 1814 — yes, before Canada was even Canada .

This Georgian-style gem is one of Cornwall’s oldest standing buildings and a registered historic landmark, lovingly restored and updated for today’s world without sacrificing its 19th-century charm. Think: four elegant ensuite bedrooms, a two-bedroom self-contained apartment, and details so rich in character they practically write the guestbook entries themselves.

Located just a five-minute walk from the St. Lawrence River and steps from Cornwall’s best cafes, shops, and Lamoureux Park, the Inn has been a stopover for adventurers, romantics, and road-weary cyclists alike. And with zoning in the Central Business District and seven parking spots , there’s potential here that stretches beyond its B&B roots.

Whether you’re dreaming of running your own inn, launching a boutique wellness retreat, or simply owning one of the most iconic buildings in SD&G , this property is a once-in-a-century opportunity — or in this case, once in two .

🔑 Dreaming of owning a little slice of history? This might be the sign you’ve been waiting for. https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/27945584/40-first-street-w-cornwall-717-cornwall

JOBS AND CLASSIFIEDS
📢   Who is Hiring?

FULL-TIME SALESPERSON - Emard Lumber Bros
📍 Morrisburg
Emard Lumber is looking for a Back Counter Salesperson for our Morrisburg location. If you are friendly, organized, and have experience in building material or hardware, we want to hear from you!
📧 Apply online: apply@emardlumber.ca

PART-TIME SALESPERSON - ReStore
📍 Thousand Islands, Brockville
Come and join the family at The Brockville Restore as a Part-Time Salesperson
📧 Apply online: www.habitat1000islands.org

LICENSED 310T MECHANIC - Cornwall Gravel Co. Ltd.
📍 Cornwall
Cornwall Gravel Description: Licensed Mechanic for Dump Trucks and tractors and heavy construction trucks and attachments.
📧 Apply online: brian@cornwallgravel.ca

CLOSING CALL
📩   Your Turn!

That’s a Wrap, Neighbours! 🎁

Thanks for scrolling, sipping your coffee, and staying in the loop with us this week! Whether you’re planning to paddle into a ping pong rally, wander through a slice of local history, or debate the region’s best pizza (again), we’re so glad you’re here with us.

🙌 A big thank you to everyone who continues to share events, stories, and community love. This newsletter is powered by YOU.

💡   And before we go… The answer to our Games Corner trivia?
B) 1846 — That’s when the Martintown Mill was officially constructed. Over 175 years of riverside resilience and rural history!

We’ll be back next week with a very special Meet Your Neighbour feature on Jorge Luis from Champ’s Eastside Boxing—you won’t want to miss it. 🥊💪

Until then, keep showing up for your neighbours, your communities, and your four-legged friends.
And hey, if you spot a great event, story, or local gem… you know where to find us. 😉

📰 Not yet subscribed? Join the Scoop here: https://www.sdgscoop.ca

Stay kind, stay curious,
—The SDG Scoop Team ❤️📬