SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for September 18-25, 2025!

Hey there, Cornwall & SD&G crew!   👋

Another week, another fresh Scoop and before we dive in, a big thank-you to everyone who voted in our last poll! The results are in and it looks like the majority of you can’t get enough of farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and live music shows . 🎶🍎🧶 We hear you loud and clear, and we’ll do our best to keep bringing that kind of content your way throughout the winter months.

Speaking of community love - wow, did you ever deliver last week when we asked you to tag your favourite local businesses on Facebook! 🙌 From shops to cafés to family-run spots, the list is long (and heartwarming). Thank you for taking the time to share your favourites. We’re now putting together the official list, and we’ll do our best to get as many of them as possible on board with The SDG Perks Pass - your chance to snag 10–20% discounts at the local gems you love most.

Haven’t added your voice yet? Don’t miss out! 👉 Click here to see the post and tag your favourites .

And now for this week’s Scoop:
🍎 Fall fun at the Iroquois Apple Festival
🎸 Live music from metal nights to cozy café sets
🥌 A chance to try curling for free in Cornwall
🏡 A dreamy century home straight out of a magazine
🐾 How you can help brighten the day for shelter kitties
👋 Plus, a visit with Brenda Mader, the “Alchemist of Pottery”

Grab your coffee (or maybe a warm cider 😉 ), and let’s dive into what’s happening across Cornwall & SD&G!

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉   What’s Happening This Week (September 18-25, 2025)

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

🔸   Iroquois Apple Festival
📅 Saturday, September 20 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 📍 Iroquois Plaza
Fall fun is ripening in Iroquois! The Iroquois Apple Festival is back this Saturday at the Iroquois Plaza, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season. From 9 AM to 3 PM, the plaza will be bustling with market vendors , fresh local finds, and of course, plenty of apples in all their delicious forms. Whether you’re looking to stock up on farm-fresh goodies, browse unique local crafts, or just soak in the festive atmosphere, this family-friendly event has something for everyone. 🍏✨
👉 Mark your calendar, bring your reusable bags, and come support local vendors while enjoying one of the tastiest traditions of fall.

🔸   Sunday Cornhole Night
📅 Sunday, September 14 | 🕔 Doors 5:00 PM, Bags Fly at 6:00 PM | 📍 17369 Cornwall Centre Road | 🎟️ $10 per player
Looking for some Sunday fun? Come out for a night of cornhole - all levels are welcome! 😀 Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking to try something new, this friendly event promises lots of laughs, a little competition, and maybe even a payout if you play your bags right. At just $10 per player, it’s an easy and entertaining way to wrap up the weekend with neighbours and friends. Grab a partner, bring your best toss, and get ready for some Sunday Funday vibes! 🌽🎯

🔸   North Dundas Job Fair
📅 Wednesday, September 24 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 📍 Joel Steele Community Centre, 577 Main St., Winchester
Job seekers, this one’s for you! The North Dundas Job Fair is happening September 24th at the Joel Steele Community Centre, and it’s your chance to connect directly with employers who are actively hiring. The event is free to attend and will feature a wide range of employers looking to fill positions across different industries. Whether you’re exploring new opportunities, re-entering the workforce, or just curious about what’s out there, this fair is the perfect place to network and take that next step in your career.
👉 Bring a resume (or a few!) and dress to impress - you never know, your next employer could be waiting for you in Winchester!

🔸   Try Curling for Free – Cornwall Curling Club
📅 Tuesday, September 24 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 📍 Cornwall Curling Club | 🎟️ Free!
Ever been curious about curling but never had the chance to try? 🥌 Now’s your moment! The Cornwall Curling Club is opening its doors for a free, fun introduction to the game. Volunteer coaches will be on hand to show you the ropes, so no experience is required - just bring a clean pair of running shoes, dress comfortably, and step out onto the ice. Whether you come solo or bring a friend, it’s a welcoming and lighthearted way to learn something new, meet great people, and maybe even discover your next favourite winter sport. ❄️

🎵   Where’s That Music Coming From (September 18-25, 2025)

🔸   Metal Night at Lola’s Pub
📅 Friday, September 19 | 🕗 8:00 PM | 📍 Lola’s Pub, Cornwall | 🎟️ Free Show
Calling all metal fans - Cornwall’s about to get loud! 🤘 Salem Trials and other heavy-hitting acts are rolling into town for a last-minute metal gig at Lola’s Pub this Friday night. Expect high energy, big riffs, and a whole lot of headbanging as these bands take over the stage. The best part? It’s a free show , so grab your crew and come out to support live music right here at home. Whether you’re a longtime metalhead or just curious to check out something new, Lola’s is the place to be this Friday. 🎸🔥

🔸   Alleycat Live at Carrots n’ Dates
📅 Saturday, September 20 | 🕖 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍 Carrots n’ Dates, 116 Pitt St, Cornwall
Looking for a cozy Saturday night out with some great live music? Head over to Carrots n’ Dates where local musician Alleycat will be performing an intimate set of classic rock and country rock. 🎸 With the energy of a full band packed into a solo performance, Alleycat is sure to get toes tapping and maybe even a few folks dancing in their seats! Seats are limited - capacity is only 40 - so be sure to reserve early to guarantee your spot for this special evening. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy a relaxed, personal vibe while supporting live local music.
👉 Reserve now by calling: 613-935-3658

🔸   Fundraiser for Cornwall Hospice @ Wood Brothers Brewing
📅 Saturday, September 20 | 📍 Wood Brothers Brewing Co., Cornwall
🎟️ $30 online | $40 at the door | Tickets: woodbrothersbrewingtogo.com
Mark your calendars, folks — Wood Brothers Brewing is hosting a big fundraiser for Cornwall Hospice this Saturday, and it’s shaping up to be one heck of a night! Enjoy live performances from 21 Gun Salute (AC/DC tribute band), The Riffs, Rusty Bucket Band, Andre Cadieux, and Rachel Campbell — all while supporting a cause that touches so many in our community. That’s not all: there will be a lottery to win a motorcycle and even a motorcycle burnout competition (contact Zach Chenier to enter). Talk about adding some extra horsepower to the evening! 🏍️ 🔥 Tickets are just $30 online or $40 at the door — and every dollar raised goes toward supporting Cornwall Hospice. Good beer, great music, and a meaningful cause… this one checks all the boxes.
👉 Grab your tickets before they’re gone and come raise a glass for a good cause!

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR
👋   Brenda Mader, the “Alchemist of Pottery”

Tucked away along the country roads by the Garry River in Alexandria, you’ll find something truly special - Master Potter Brenda Mader , known to many as the Alchemist of Pottery .

Brenda’s work is a blend of tradition, art, and philosophy. She specializes in wood-fired pottery and the ancient Japanese 16th-century art of Shino glazes . These pieces are treasured for their earthy beauty and their connection to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi — finding perfection in imperfection. ✨ Her creations carry a natural elegance that feels both timeless and grounding.

Whether you’re a pottery enthusiast or just love discovering local art, a visit to Brenda’s studio, The Potter in the Woods , is worth the drive. Each piece she creates feels like more than pottery - it’s a story, a reflection, a little slice of mindful living.

And while we’re definitely not rushing the seasons just yet, we couldn’t help but think how thoughtful and meaningful her pottery would be as a gift come holiday time. 🎁 (Don’t worry, we’re still enjoying pumpkin spice season but it never hurts to plan ahead!)

👉 Next time you’re in the Alexandria area, take the scenic route and see why Brenda’s artistry has earned her such a magical nickname.

WHERE TO GRAB A BITE
🥕 Farm Fresh at Double Dutch Produce

Photo by Chelsey Romans

This week we’re shining a light on Double Dutch Produce in Winchester Springs - a spot that proves farm stands are so much more than just a place to grab veggies. 🌽🍅 Not only do they have a fantastic selection of fresh produce and fall décor, but they’ve also created a welcoming space complete with a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and even a play area for kids (at no extra cost!).

What really makes Double Dutch special is the care and thought the family has poured into it - every corner feels like it was made with love. And with food prices climbing everywhere, visiting our local farm stands is truly a win-win: you support hardworking farmers while bringing home fresher, tastier food for less. 🙌

We’re planning to feature more of these local gems in upcoming Scoops because our farmers deserve the recognition. They keep our tables full, our families nourished, and our community strong.

👉 If you’ve got a favourite farm stand or market you think we should feature, let us know!

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 Bob Turner Memorial Centre

Anyone know who took this photo?

This week’s throwback takes us to a place that so many in Cornwall remember fondly - the Bob Turner Memorial Centre (correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t this called the Si Miller?!). Whether it was hockey games, community events, or just hanging out with friends, this arena was a hub of activity and memories for decades.

For me, some of the best memories were of cheering on the Cornwall Colts here - the roar of the crowd, the smell of the rink, and that classic small-town arena atmosphere that can’t be replicated. Of course, not every memory was quite as picture-perfect… like the time I got clocked in the head with a puck! (Don’t worry, I lived to tell the tale. 😉 )

The old Bob Turner may be gone now, but thanks to photos like these (shared by Vintage Cornwall Archives ), its legacy lives on. It’s clear from the comments and shares online that thousands of us still carry a soft spot for this building - and the countless hours we spent inside it.

👉 Did you spend time at the Bob Turner? Maybe you played hockey there, watched a concert, or have your own “puck-to-the-head” story? We’d love to hear your memories - send them in and we’ll feature a few in an upcoming Scoop!

PET OF THE WEEK
🐾   Help the Kitties Play!

This week, our spotlight isn’t on just one furry friend, but on all the cats at the SD&G Animal Centre who are waiting for some extra love and enrichment. 💕

The team at the centre is in need of cat wands and enrichment toys simple but important items that help cats express their natural hunting instincts, get exercise, and, most importantly, have fun while they wait for their forever homes. 🐈 ✨

Donations can be made in two easy ways:
📦 Order toys online and have them shipped directly to the SD&G Animal Centre (550 Boundary Rd, Cornwall, ON K6H 6J5).
📍 Or, drop off your goodies in person anytime between 11 AM and 6 PM.

Every little bit makes a difference - whether it’s helping a shy kitty build confidence, or giving a playful one the outlet they need to burn off energy. And honestly, who doesn’t love the image of a room full of cats happily chasing feathers and strings? 🪶💚

A huge thank-you in advance for your kindness and generosity - our community has the biggest heart when it comes to caring for its animals.

JUST FOR FUN
🎯 Games Corner – Just for Fun!

Here’s a bit of local history that’s as fascinating as it is surprising. Did you know that the towns of Ingleside and Long Sault only exist because of a massive project in the 1950s? When the Moses-Saunders Power Dam was built, it required the flooding of 58,000 acres of land between Iroquois and Cornwall - a week-long event beginning on July 1, 1958, that gave rise to what we now know as the Lost Villages .

Entire communities were relocated, and the new towns of Ingleside and Long Sault were created to rehouse the displaced residents. Beneath the waters of the St. Lawrence River , the remnants of those farms and villages still remain, forming an island chain out of the old hilltops.

👉 Fun challenge: Next time you’re driving along the parkway between Ingleside and Long Sault, see how many spots you can name that pay homage to the Lost Villages . Have you visited the museum or one of the memorial sites?

Pretty wild to think that whole communities now lie beneath the river we all know and love! 🌊

ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏡 A Century Home Straight Out of a Magazine

Every now and then, a house comes along that just makes you stop and say wow — and this stone century home is exactly that. Bursting with old-world charm, it blends history and cozy comfort in a way you just don’t see too often anymore.

From the exposed stone walls and real hardwood floors to the sunlit rooms and quaint gardening shed out back, every detail of this home whispers character. The kitchen is bright and timeless, the bedrooms feel straight out of a design magazine, and the staircase and entryway are the kind of details that make you fall in love the moment you walk in.

It’s the perfect example of why older homes still have that special something newer builds can’t always capture — craftsmanship, character, and a story in every stone and beam.

✨ Whether you’re a sucker for historic charm or just appreciate homes with heart, this one is sure to tug at you.

JOBS AND CLASSIFIEDS
📢   Who is Hiring?

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

FACILITIES ATTENDANTS & OPERATORS - South Dundas
📍 South Dundas
If you're a team player who enjoys working with the public and helping to maintain our community spaces, we’d love to hear from you! Both positions are vital in keeping our arenas and recreational facilities safe, clean, and running smoothly.
📧 Apply online: https://www.northdundas.com/community-recreation/career-opportunities

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

That’s a wrap on this week’s Scoop, friends! 💌 From apples in Iroquois to live riffs at Lola’s and even a chance to try your hand at curling, there’s no shortage of ways to keep busy and connected in SD&G.

A special thanks again to everyone who chimed in on our poll (farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and live music are clearly fan favourites!) and to those who tagged their go-to local businesses for The SDG Perks Pass . You’re helping shape something pretty special for our community, and we can’t wait to see where it goes. If you haven’t yet, hop over here and add your voice: Vote for your favourites here .

Until next week, keep warm, keep supporting local, and keep those stories, photos, and memories coming - they’re what make The Scoop truly ours. 💚

👉 Love what you’re reading? Forward The Scoop to a friend and invite them to subscribe here: www.sdgscoop.ca

See you around town, neighbours! 👋