SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for October 23-30, 2025!
Hey there, Cornwall & SD&G crew! 👋
We’ve got lots to be thankful for this week - including you ! A big warm welcome to all our new readers who’ve joined The Scoop this month, we’re so glad you’re here. 🙌 Whether you’re here for local events, real estate buzz, or just to stay connected with what’s happening across Cornwall & SDG, you’re in good company.
Last week, we asked when you prefer to receive The Scoop and the results are in! 🗳️ Most of you said morning , while a good handful said “no preference - I’ll read it whenever it lands!” (We love that kind of dedication.) So, we’ll be sticking with our usual Thursday morning drop - coffee in hand, community news at your fingertips. ☕🗞️
And before we dive into this week’s lineup, we couldn’t resist sharing one more stunning shot of “Maple Lane” by Mark Day because let’s be honest, those fall colours deserve an encore. 🍂📸
Another fav from Mark Day
Let’s get into it, here’s what’s happening this week across Cornwall & SDG!
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉
What’s Happening This Week (October 23-30, 2025)
📅 Here are a few events you won’t want to miss:
🔸
Cornwall Comedy Classic @ Aultsville Theatre
📅
Friday, October 24
| 🕖
7:00 PM
|
📍 Aultsville Theatre, Cornwall
🎟️ Advance: $44.35 (including fees) | Door: $54.35 | 19+ Event
Need a good laugh?
😂 The
Cornwall Comedy Classic
is coming to Aultsville Theatre, and it’s shaping up to be a night of full-throttle comedy you won’t want to miss! Presented by
Jokers Canada
, this show will feature a powerhouse lineup of touring headliners and some of the best Canadian comedians hitting the stage (final lineup to be announced soon!). Grab your tickets early, round up your friends, and get ready for an evening of laughs, wit, and maybe even a few tears - the good kind!
😉
👉 Tickets available now:
Get yours here
🔸
Martha’s Closet – Free Clothing Giveaway @ St. James’ Anglican Church
📅
Saturday, October 25
| 🕘
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
|
📍 20 High St., Morrisburg (St. James Church Basement – use west entrance)
Looking to refresh your wardrobe or find something cozy for the colder months?
👚🧣 Head to
Martha’s Closet
in Morrisburg for their
free clothing giveaway
! Held on the last Saturday of each month (except July and December), this community initiative offers
free clothing and footwear for men, women, and children
- no questions asked, everyone’s welcome. This month’s event will also feature a special selection of
winter coats and warm wear
, perfect for the season ahead. By participating, you’re not only helping yourself or others - you’re also helping to
divert textiles from landfills
and keep our community sustainable.
🔸
Trick-or-Treat Monster Bash @ Cornwall Kinsmen Farmers’ Market
📅
Sunday, October 26
| 🕙
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
📍 St. Lawrence College, Cornwall
🎃👻 The grand finale of the
Cornwall Kinsmen Farmers’ Market
season is here and it’s going out with a
spooktacular
twist! Join in for the
Trick-or-Treat Monster Bash
, a fun-filled event where kids can dress up in their Halloween best and trick-or-treat around the market. Bring the whole family - little goblins, grandparents, and ghouls alike - to enjoy a festive day of local shopping, treats, and community spirit. With fresh produce, handmade goods, and Halloween fun at every corner, this is the perfect way to wrap up market season in style.
🧡
🔸
Table Tennis Mornings @ Royal Canadian Legion Branch 297
📅
Every Wednesday | 🕤 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM |
📍 415 Second St. W, Cornwall |
💵 $2 Drop-In Fee
Looking for a fun way to stay active and meet new people midweek?
🏓 Head over to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 297 for their weekly
table tennis (ping pong!) mornings
open to everyone, no membership required! Whether you’re a seasoned player with a killer spin serve or just looking to pick up a paddle for the first time, all skill levels are welcome. It’s a relaxed, social atmosphere that’s perfect for a bit of friendly competition and a lot of laughs.
👉 Drop in this Wednesday for just $2 and start your morning with some fun, fitness, and community connection!
🔸
Science + Nature On Tap: Bats After Dark with Dr. Brian Hickey
📅
Thursday, October 30
| 🕖
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (EST)
|
📍 Schnitzels European Flavours, Cornwall (back room)
Bats, Brian, and beers - oh my!
🍻🦇 The
St. Lawrence River Institute
is back with another
Science + Nature On Tap
event, just in time for Halloween. Join Cornwall’s very own “Batman,”
Dr. Brian Hickey
, for a
spook-tacular
evening exploring the world of bats - from their mysterious nocturnal habits to their vital role in local ecosystems. Whether you stop by
Schnitzels
for a pint and live presentation or tune in from home via
Facebook Live
, you’ll discover why these winged wonders are worth celebrating (not fearing!). It’s the perfect mix of science, storytelling, and community — all with a Halloween twist.
🎃
🔸
Pumpkinferno @ Upper Canada Village
📅 October 17 – November 1 | 🕕 Evenings (select nights) |
📍 Upper Canada Village, 13740 County Road 2, Morrisburg
The magic of fall comes to life at
Pumpkinferno
, Upper Canada Village’s award-winning nighttime experience!
🍂✨ Stroll through the historic village paths as
thousands of hand-carved pumpkins
glow under the night sky, transforming the streets into a breathtaking display of artistry and imagination. Perfect for all ages, this one-of-a-kind event features
new exhibits every year
, so even if you’ve been before, there’s always something fresh (and a little spooky!) to discover. From whimsical scenes to intricate designs that seem too detailed to be real, Pumpkinferno is pure autumn enchantment.
👉 Tickets must be purchased online in advance (they sell fast!). Grab yours early, bundle up, and get ready for an unforgettable evening walk through the magic.
🎃🌙
🎵 Where’s That Music Coming From (October 23-30, 2025)
🔸
Alleycat Live @ Carrots n’ Dates
📅
Thursday, October 23
| 🕖
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
|
📍 Carrots n’ Dates, 116 Pitt Street, Cornwall
Get ready for a night of great tunes, good vibes, and maybe even a little dancing!
🎸 Alleycat - Cornwall’s own one-man rock machine - is bringing his energetic live show to
Carrots n’ Dates
this Thursday. Known for his classic rock and country rock covers, Alleycat sounds like a full band all on his own, delivering all the guitar parts, vocals, and crowd-pleasing hits you know and love. It’s the perfect night to sing along, tap your feet, and enjoy a cozy, up-close performance at one of Cornwall’s favourite local spots.
🎶
👉 Grab your friends, grab a drink, and let’s rock - see you there!
🔸
Halloween Event @ Essential Kitchen featuring Andy Cook
📅
Thursday, October 30
| 🕕
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
|
📍 Essential Kitchen, 109 Pitt St, Cornwall
Get into the Halloween spirit a little early with a cozy evening of
live music, delicious drinks, and festive vibes
at
Essential Kitchen
!
🎃🎶 Enjoy the smooth sounds of
Andy Cook
, a talented local guitarist and singer, while sipping from a
spook-tacular
$7 Halloween drink menu - featuring creative cocktails like the
Poison Apple Sour
,
Dracula’s Daiquiri
, and
Rosemary’s Hex
. 🍸 It’s the perfect weekday outing: relaxed, social, and wrapped up by 8 PM. Bring some friends, enjoy the great food and atmosphere, and toast to Halloween with a little local flavour.
👻
👉 Space is limited - reservations are recommended at
343-585-2520
.
MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR
👋
Ron & “The Bird House” (Again!)
The Birdhouse!
We have A LOT of new followers since we first featured Ron as part of our Meet The Neighbour feature of The SDG Scoop. We thought it would be worthwhile to bring back his fun interview - without further ado…
When Ron , an 82-year-old retired Domtar worker from Ingleside, decided to downsize a few years ago, he never imagined his next chapter would involve building over 300 birdhouses and feeders but that’s exactly what he’s done. What started as a way to stay busy has turned into a full-on passion project, known at the Morrisburg Flea Market as “The Bird House.”
Now in his fourth year , Ron can be found at his booth every Sunday from 8 to 4 , rain or shine, selling handcrafted birdhouses made with love, reclaimed wood, and a little help from the birds in his backyard. He’s met old coworkers, made new friends, and even hugged a woman from Maxville who bought four in one visit. His advice to other retirees? “You have to do something.” And as he puts it: “They’re not hard to make—but they are hard to sell.”
❤️ We’ll continue shining a spotlight on neighbours like Ron who make our community special. If you know someone we should feature whether they’re creating, giving back, or simply doing something quietly meaningful - hit reply and let us know! We’d love to hear their story.
And because we believe it’s important to share these stories in our neighbours’ own words, we’ll also include Ron’s original message , just as he wrote it. It’s honest, heartfelt, and 100% authentic - just like him.
I never thought, that I would ever be making bird houses, in my lifetime ...I worked at Domtar for 36 years , had a hobby farm, and raced horses.. so there was always , something to do .. I had trouble getting help, to take the hay off, and i was getting older, I am 82, so decided to sell and down size. Bought a house in Ingleside, and it had a little work shop, in the basement. It didn't take long, before i was getting bored ..lol. I bought some tools, and started making bird houses for the back yard.
This will be my 4th yr, making bird houses & feeders. I buy my material, locally... and some time, people will give me some wood ..I took down a long fence, for a guy... and at the time, I said, I'll never use all that wood, well i have 3 pieces left. I am sure, I have made over 300 bird houses. I had a man from Ottawa order 25 bird houses, with stands, that went in the ground. He was celebrating his 30 wedding anniversary, and was going to give, everybody a bird house.
I have a booth (outside) at THE MORRISBURG FLEA MARKET open, every Sunday from 8 to 4. I have over 100 bird houses & feeders for sale. I meet a lot of nice people, and old coworkers from Domtar, that i hadn't seen in 20 years. And it is funny.. you never know , who is going to buy something... just yesterday, this elderly lady came in from Maxville, she bought 4 bird houses, and said, she will be back for more .....I gave her a big hug...lol
In the back yard, i have several bird houses & feeders , and it buts up against a bush...we get wild turkeys that come in and pick off the ground, that the cardinals, bluejays, robins etc. drop, from the feeders.. It is always nice to see I think it is the same 15 every day .. one day , we had over 50, I don't know why ...lol
When you get older and retire, you have to do something, either a part time job, volunteering, or gardening, but don't make bird houses ,,to sell, everybody is doing it...lol ..,. I tell people, they are not hard to make, but hard to sell . If you have never been to the flea market in Morrisburg, you should take it in, you will be surprised , in what they have there, I know, I was.
Ron, the awesome birdhouse crafter
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
📸
The Old Cornwall Railroad Bridge
Here’s a blast from the past! This striking photo captures Cornwall’s old railroad bridge , taken over a century ago - a true piece of local history that once connected communities across the St. Lawrence River. 🚂🌊
If you look closely, you’ll spot the Steamer Sirius cruising beneath the bridge - a reminder of just how bustling our waterways used to be. The bridge itself stood as a feat of engineering for its time, carrying both people and progress across the river long before the days of the Seaway or the modern bridge crossings we know today.
It’s hard not to imagine the rhythmic clatter of trains above and the whistle of boats below - a soundscape of Cornwall’s industrious past. 🛳️ ✨
Do you (or your family) have any memories or stories about Cornwall’s old bridges or river crossings? We’d love to hear them!
PET OF THE WEEK
🐶
A Friendly Reminder for Our Early Morning Walkers
This week’s Pet of the Week feature comes with a special shoutout to all the early risers - especially our dog walkers who hit the road before sunrise! 🌅 🐕
A local school bus driver from Kemptville recently shared a thoughtful (and much-loved) post that’s since gone viral - reminding morning walkers and joggers to wear something bright or reflective when heading out in the dark. As he put it, “You all look like very nice people, but I don’t want to meet you at that time of the morning!” 🚍 😅
As the days get shorter, visibility drops and that quick pre-work stroll with your pup might be happening in near darkness. So whether it’s a reflective vest, coat, or even a glow-up leash, it’s a simple way to stay safe (and stylish) out there.
Here’s to keeping both paws and people visible on those early morning walks - your local drivers (and your dogs!) will thank you. 🦮💛
COMMUNITY WINS
🏆
A Big Win for Local Animals - and the Community!
It’s official - the Ontario SPCA & Humane Society has broken ground on a brand-new 8,000-square-foot Cornwall & Region Animal Centre and Veterinary Clinic ! 🐾✨ Set to open in 2027 at 2151 Second St. W., this modern facility will more than double the space of the current Boundary Road location, expanding capacity to care for up to 57 animals at a time (compared to just 24 now!).
The new centre will be a game changer for animal welfare across SDG - helping boost both intakes and adoptions by about 30% while providing a more comfortable, health-focused environment for the animals. Even better? It will include the region’s first in-house charity-based veterinary clinic , offering affordable spay/neuter and basic care services for families and their pets. ❤️
With support from community donors and $4 million in philanthropic funding, this project marks a huge step forward in tackling the animal care crisis in our region. Beyond the wagging tails and happy purrs, the facility will also bring new jobs, educational partnerships, and volunteer opportunities to Cornwall and the surrounding areas.
🐶🐱 As Ontario SPCA Manager Candice Gordon said best: “The need is great, and it’s growing. This new facility will allow us to support the community with the tools to curb and ultimately solve the animal care crisis in our region.”
👏 A big round of applause to everyone who helped make this paws-itively incredible milestone happen!
JUST FOR FUN
🎯 Games Corner – Just for Fun!
Here’s a fun fact that’ll make you see the St. Lawrence River in a whole new light! 🌊 Each year, over 200 million tonnes of cargo travel through the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway System and yes, Cornwall plays a big part in keeping things moving. 🚢
From grain and steel to salt and stone, this massive transportation network connects the heart of North America to the Atlantic Ocean, fueling trade, jobs, and communities all along the route. It’s pretty wild to think that ships passing through our own stretch of river are part of what keeps Canada’s economy flowing strong. 🇨🇦 ⚙️
So next time you’re by the waterfront and see a freighter glide by, take a moment to appreciate - you’re watching global trade in action, right here in Cornwall!
ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏡 A Country Chalet with Charm to Spare in South Stormont
If you’ve been dreaming of a peaceful country escape - with all the comforts of modern living - this custom-built two-storey chalet at 16855 County Road 18 might just be the one. ✨ Priced at $669,000 , this 3-bedroom, 3-bath home blends rustic warmth with contemporary elegance, just minutes from the city.
Step inside to find soaring vaulted ceilings , exposed wood beams , and polished hardwood floors that flow throughout the open-concept main level. The cozy fireplace makes the living room a perfect gathering spot, while the spacious kitchen offers plenty of cabinetry and a welcoming spot for family dinners. The main-floor primary suite feels like a retreat of its own, complete with a roomy ensuite and easy access to the outdoors.
Upstairs, you’ll find two generous bedrooms - ideal for growing kids, guests, or even a home office - plus a sitting area that overlooks the serene countryside. And when it’s time to unwind? Head outside to enjoy your wrap-around deck , screened-in gazebo , and above-ground pool surrounded by open fields and quiet views. 🌾 ☀️
With thoughtful updates like a new air conditioner (2024), shed shingles (2024), and pool upgrades, this property offers the best of both worlds: the tranquility of the country with the convenience of nearby Cornwall and an easy commute to Ottawa.
📍 Listed at $669,000 - and just waiting for its next family to call it home!
📌 View the listing: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/29015012/16855-county-rd-18-road-south-stormont-716-south-stormont-cornwall-twp
JOBS AND CLASSIFIEDS
📢
Who is Hiring?
CUSTOMER SERVICE REP - MacEwen
📍 Hawkesbury
We’re seeking a highly organized, service-oriented individual to join our Hawkesbury team as a Customer Service Representative.
📧 Apply online:
https://www.macewen.ca/careers
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 for this week’s edition of The SDG Scoop - thanks for tuning in and keeping the local spirit alive! 🌾 Whether you’re checking out a fall market, catching some live music, or just soaking up the colours along a backroad, we hope your weekend is full of good company and even better community moments. 🍂✨
We’ll see you next Thursday morning with more stories, smiles, and local happenings from across Cornwall & SDG.
And hey - if you’ve been enjoying The Scoop as much as we love putting it together, feel free to buy me a coffee ☕ ( jared@sdgscoop.ca ). It helps keep the good news brewing, absolutely no pressure though!
📬 Not subscribed yet? Join the Scoop fam here: www.sdgscoop.ca
With gratitude,
The SD&G Scoop Team
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