SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for March 12-19, 2026!

Hey there, Cornwall & SD&G crew! 👋

Happy (belated) International Women’s Day to all the amazing women reading The Scoop today! The majority of our readers are women, and we just want to say how much we appreciate you - your support, your stories, and the way you help make this little community newsletter what it is.

We hope everyone is staying dry and warm out there. This week’s freezing rain has been… let’s just say enthusiastic. Sidewalks are slick, trees are sparkling, and everyone is collectively wondering why Mother Nature chose March to host her own ice sculpture festival. The good news? The number of events popping up around SD&G is starting to feel like a real sign that spring isn’t too far away.

Also, quick question for the group: can we all agree it might be time to get rid of Daylight Saving Time? Wouldn’t it just be easier to keep our clocks where they are and call it a day? No springing forward, no falling back - just peaceful, consistent timekeeping.

Alright, let’s get into this week’s Scoop - there’s a lot happening around the community!

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉 What’s Happening This Week (March 12-19, 2026)

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

🔶 Iroquois–Matilda Lions Club St. Patrick’s Party
📅 Saturday, March 14 | 🕔 Social Hour 5:00 PM | 🍽 Dinner 6:00 PM | 🎶 Entertainment 7:00 PM |📍 Matilda Hall
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? The Iroquois–Matilda Lions Club is hosting their annual St. Patrick’s Party, and it promises to be a great night out for a great cause. Kick things off with a social hour at 5 PM, followed by dinner at 6 PM, and live entertainment starting at 7 PM. There will also be a silent and live auction, making it a lively evening filled with community spirit and a little friendly bidding.
🎟 Tickets are $60 per person, and proceeds will support Scouts, Guides, and Community Living initiatives in the area.

🔶 Cornwall Seedy Saturday
📅 Saturday, March 14 | 🕙 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | 📍 Benson Centre
Spring might not fully feel like it yet, but Cornwall Seedy Saturday is a sure sign that gardening season is just around the corner! 🌷 Hosted by Transition Cornwall+ Food Action Group, this free, family-friendly event celebrates all things seeds, plants, and sustainable growing. Browse local seed and plant vendors, pick up supplies for your garden, and chat with experts at the Ask a Gardener Station to get tips for the upcoming season. You can also take part in the Seed Swap & Share Table, where gardeners can trade seeds, books, and supplies with fellow green thumbs. It’s a great opportunity to meet local growers, discover community gardening initiatives, and get inspired for the warmer months ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this event will help you plant the seeds for a great season. 🌱

🔶 Beginner Mouse Taxidermy Class
📅 Sunday, March 15 | 🕒 Time TBD | 📍 The Odd Stop (501 St. Lawrence St., Winchester)
Looking for something a little different to try this month? Our friends at The Odd Stop are hosting a Beginner Mouse Taxidermy Class led by instructor Renee — and yes, it’s exactly as unique as it sounds. This hands-on workshop will walk participants through the fundamentals of taxidermy, and the best part? All supplies are included, making it perfect for curious beginners or creative hobbyists looking to try something new. You’re also welcome to bring your own props or miniatures to personalize your final creation. Whether you’re interested in the craft, love quirky workshops, or just want a story to tell afterward, this class promises to be a memorable experience. Spots are still available — so grab your ticket and give this unusual art form a try!

🔶 March Break Arts Camp for Kids & Teens
📅 March 16–18 | 🕘 9 AM – 4 PM (doors open at 8 AM for early drop-off) | 📍 Cornwall Civic Complex
Looking for a creative way to keep the kids busy during March Break? Dream Maker Productions is hosting its March Break Arts Camp for ages 7–15, where imagination takes centre stage! For more than 36 years, Dream Maker Productions has helped young storytellers explore the worlds of stage & film acting, music performance, improvisation, role-playing, scene development, and filmmaking - all while having plenty of fun along the way. The camp also includes a creative arts program, giving kids a chance to experiment with different artistic outlets.
💲 Cost: $80
📞 Register / Info: 613-932-3510

🔶 March Break Nature Discovery Day
📅 Thursday, March 19 | 🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | 📍 OPG Saunders Hydro Dam Visitor Centre
Looking for a fun and educational way to spend part of March Break with the family? The St. Lawrence River Institute is hosting a hands-on outdoor learning event all about local wildlife and biodiversity. Families can join the Institute’s education team for guided nature walks where you’ll search for birds and animal tracks, with binoculars and field guides available to help you spot local species. Inside the visitor centre, there will also be interactive stations where you can learn about different animals - from large vertebrate bones to tiny aquatic creatures under the microscope. Best of all, the event is free and open to all ages, making it a perfect outing for curious kids and nature-loving families. Registration is required, so be sure to reserve your spot before heading out to explore the wild side of the St. Lawrence!

🎵 Where’s That Music Coming From (March 12-19, 2026)

🔶 Classic Generation Live at the Cornwall Legion
📅 Friday, March 13 | 🕖 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM | 📍 Royal Canadian Legion Branch 297, Cornwall
Dust off your dancing shoes! Classic Generation is bringing a night of live music to the Cornwall Legion this Friday, playing all your favourite pop, rock, and country hits from the 60s through the 90s. The band will take the stage from 7–11 PM, delivering an evening of nostalgic tunes and great harmonies that are perfect for dancing, or just enjoying with friends. Even better? There’s no cover charge, so everyone is welcome to drop in and enjoy the show. Feeling hungry before the music starts? The Legion will also be serving up their popular Fish & Chips dinner from 4:30–6:30 PM, making it easy to turn the night into dinner and a show. So gather a few friends, grab a drink, and get ready for a fun night of music and dancing as Classic Generation “springs” back into action!

🔶 Live Music with Dad Rock at Carrots N’ Dates
📅 Friday, March 13 | 🕖 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍 Carrots N’ Dates, Cornwall
Looking for a cozy night out with good food, coffee, and live music? Carrots N’ Dates is hosting Dad Rock this Friday night for an evening of laid-back tunes and great vibes. The duo will be performing live from 7–9 PM, bringing a mix of familiar favourites and easygoing acoustic sounds that pair perfectly with a warm drink or a healthy bite. Whether you’re stopping in for dinner, dessert, or just a latte, it’s a great way to unwind and enjoy some local talent.

🔶 Dimo James Live at Lost Villages Brewery
📅 Saturday, March 14 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍 Lost Villages Brewery
Looking for a relaxed Saturday night with great music and great beer? Dimo James is taking over the taproom at Lost Villages Brewery with an evening of soulful acoustic classics. 🎶 From 6–9 PM, Dimo will be performing live, bringing the perfect soundtrack for a laid-back night out. Grab a pint, settle in with friends, and enjoy some smooth acoustic tunes in one of the area’s favourite brewery hangouts. It’s the kind of night that pairs perfectly with good company, local craft beer, and live music - taproom vibes at their best. 🍻🎵

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR
👋 Adelajt Papraku (Tagwi Secondary School)

This week’s shoutout goes to Adelajt Papraku, a talented student from Tagwi Secondary School who is clearly putting some serious dedication into his art.

Adelajt recently completed an impressive ink and charcoal drawing, showcasing incredible attention to detail, shading, and storytelling through his work. From the intricate characters to the snowy landscape scene, it’s the kind of piece that makes you stop and take a closer look.

As the final shadows were added to the drawing, there was even a laugh about the very short pencil left at the end of the project… a true sign of an artist who’s put in the time!

Amazing work, Adelajt. It’s always inspiring to see the creativity and talent coming out of our local schools. Keep it up! 🎨👏

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
📸 Downtown Cornwall in the 1930s

This week’s trip down memory lane takes us back to Cornwall in the 1930s, featuring The Walker Store.

At the time, The Walker Store was a well-known stop for locals looking for everything from dry goods and menswear to hosiery and women’s clothing. In the photo, you can spot a classic 1930s automobile parked out front - a reminder of just how much everyday life has changed over the past century.

Like many buildings of its era, the storefront had plenty of character, with large display windows and detailed brickwork designed to draw shoppers in from the street. It’s easy to imagine residents strolling downtown, popping in to browse the latest styles or pick up essentials.

Photos like this offer a glimpse into Cornwall’s bustling downtown in the early 20th century, when local shops like The Walker Store were at the heart of community life.

If you look closely, you can almost picture the conversations, the shopping bags, and the rhythm of a busy day in Cornwall nearly 100 years ago.

PET OF THE WEEK
🐶 New Rescue Pups at Chance’s Rescue

This week we’re shining the spotlight on three adorable new arrivals at Chance’s Rescue - Biscotti, Bree, and Tessa.

The trio recently made their way safely to the rescue thanks to some amazing “flight angels” who helped transport them, and they’re now settling into foster homes while the team learns more about their personalities and what kind of forever homes will suit them best.

All three pups have already seen the vet and are doing great as they adjust to their new surroundings. While adoption applications aren’t open just yet, they will be soon, so if you’ve been thinking about adding a furry friend to the family, this might be the perfect time to keep an eye out.

For now, these sweet pups are enjoying some much-needed love and care as they begin the next chapter of their journey toward finding their forever homes. Stay tuned! 🐾

COMMUNITY WINS
🏆 Feel Good Stories x 2!

It’s always inspiring to see the SD&G community come together to support great causes — and this week there are a couple of heartwarming examples worth celebrating.

Annual Community Food Drive Returns
Local organizer Christopher Leclair is once again kicking off his annual community food drive to support local food banks and soup kitchens. Now in its 5th year, the initiative encourages local businesses to host donation boxes so residents can easily drop off non-perishable food items for those in need.

Last year the community showed incredible generosity, with restaurants even stepping up to donate hot dogs and pizza to help feed more people. If your business would like to host a donation box or contribute, Christopher is currently looking for local partners. It’s another reminder that small acts of kindness can add up to a big impact. ❤️

Chesterville Legion Raises $10,000+ for Homes for Heroes
Meanwhile, the Chesterville Legion recently hosted the second annual Homes for Heroes dart tournament, and the event was a huge success - raising over $10,000 for the cause.

The tournament brought together volunteers, sponsors, and community members from across the region. Special thanks were given to organizer Paul Awalt, along with a long list of volunteers, donors, and local businesses who helped make the event possible.

Events like this show what can happen when a community rallies together - great people, a little friendly competition, and a whole lot of generosity.

👏 Big shoutout to everyone involved in both of these initiatives for helping make SD&G such a supportive place to live.

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 [email protected] and let’s chat!

JUST FOR FUN
🎯 Games Corner – Just for Fun!

Think you remember the Ice Storm of 1998? This week’s Games Corner is a quick trip back to one of the most unforgettable winter events in SD&G history. See how many of these facts you already knew!

❄️ Over 4 Inches of Ice
During the storm (January 4–10, 1998), Cornwall and the surrounding SD&G region were hit with about 108 mm of freezing rain - that’s over 4 inches of solid ice accumulation.

⏱️ 80+ Hours of Freezing Rain
This wasn’t just a quick storm. The region experienced more than 80 hours of continuous freezing rain and ice pellets, creating layer upon layer of ice on trees, roads, and power lines.

🌨️ One of the Hardest-Hit Areas
While many parts of Eastern Ontario and Quebec were affected, Cornwall was considered one of the epicentres of the disaster due to the sheer amount of ice accumulation.

⚡ Massive Power Outages
The weight of the ice caused widespread infrastructure damage, knocking down about 30,000 utility poles and 130 transmission towers across the region.

Do you remember what you were doing during Ice Storm ’98? Many locals still have stories of generators, candles, and neighbours helping neighbours through one of the most memorable winters in our region’s history.

ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏡 Big Changes Brewing at the Domtar Lands

Big changes could be on the horizon for Cornwall’s waterfront.

A major development proposal is currently being reviewed for the western portion of the former Domtar property at 800 Second St. W., a large industrial site that has been part of the city’s landscape for decades. If approved, the project could bring around 966 new residential units across roughly 41 acres.

The proposed neighbourhood would include a mix of housing options such as:
• Single-detached homes
• Semi-detached homes
• Townhouses
• Apartment buildings up to 9–10 storeys
• A small commercial area to support the community

The development would also involve new municipal roads and infrastructure, along with the demolition of several remaining structures on the property - including the well-known Domtar smokestacks that have stood over the area for generations.

Because the land is a former industrial “brownfield” site, environmental remediation will play a big role in preparing the property for residential use. Soil cleanup studies and pilot programs are already underway to determine the safest approach.

City planners say the project could help address housing demand in Cornwall, though some residents have raised questions about building heights, waterfront views, and environmental cleanup.

💬 Public input is still open, and residents who want to share their thoughts can contact the city’s planning department.

One thing is certain - the future of the old Domtar lands could reshape a big piece of Cornwall’s waterfront in the years ahead.

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: [email protected]

LEGAL ASSISTANT - Dube Law
📍 Cornwall
The successful candidate will assist the lawyer and staff with client intake, file management, document preparation, searches, closing procedures, and post-closing reporting.
📧 Apply online: [email protected]

EXPERIENCED COOK - Shawarma Depot
📍 Cornwall
Shawarma Depot is looking for an experienced cook to join the team.
📧 Apply online: [email protected]

👉 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! 👋

Between the freezing rain, the growing list of local events, and the hopeful signs that spring might actually be on its way, it’s shaping up to be an interesting week around SD&G. If you’re heading out to any of the events we shared, send us a message or photo - we love seeing the community out and about.

As always, thank you for reading and supporting this little newsletter. It’s grown into something pretty special thanks to all of you.

Stay warm, stay safe on those icy sidewalks… and maybe keep an eye out for the first signs of spring. 🌱

See you next week!

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With gratitude,
The SD&G Scoop Team