SD&G Scoop – Your Local Lowdown for October 9-16, 2025!

Hey there, Cornwall & SD&G crew! 👋

We hope everyone is gearing up for a cozy, laughter-filled long weekend - full of good food, good company, and maybe a second (or third) slice of pie. 🥧✨

Before we dive into all the weekend fun, let’s check in on last week’s poll results and it was a close one! 🗳️ 32% of you said your biggest splurge is on health and wellness, while 27% said food and drink takes the cake (or kale smoothie?). It seems like a balance of indulgence and self-care is the SDG way, maybe we’ll start adding a little more health and wellness content to the mix!

We also have a quick correction from last week’s Community Wins story 🐢 - Nicole from SD&G Turtles kindly reached out to let us know that it was the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre who assisted with the rescue, and the first responder on scene was Lucie! A huge thank-you again to everyone who helped - such an inspiring reminder of the compassion in our community.

Now, with Thanksgiving weekend upon us, there’s plenty happening across SDG - from fall markets and pottery shows to live music, pumpkin magic, and more. Grab your cozy sweater, fill your mug, and let’s see what’s happening this week around our neck of the woods. 🍂☕

WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK
🎉 What’s Happening This Week (October 9-16, 2025)

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

🔸 Annual Pottery Show @ Marlin Orchards
📅 Thanksgiving Weekend (October 10–13) | 📍 6864 Orchard Rd, Cornwall | 🏺 Marlin Orchards & Garden Centre
Looking for the perfect Thanksgiving weekend outing? 🍁 Head to Marlin Orchards for their Annual Pottery Show, featuring the incredible work of Ann Marlin and friends. Wander through rows of beautiful, handcrafted pottery - from rustic mugs and vases to one-of-a-kind art pieces that make thoughtful gifts (or maybe a treat for yourself!). This beloved local tradition pairs perfectly with the cozy fall vibes at Marlin Orchards — think crisp air, warm colours, and creative craftsmanship at every turn. Whether you’re a collector, a casual admirer, or just in it for the pumpkin donuts and apple cider, it’s a must-visit stop this Thanksgiving weekend. 🍂✨

🔸 Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser @ Seaway Valley Theatre Company
📅 Friday, October 10 | 🕓 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM | 📍 Seaway Valley Theatre Company, 30 Sixth St. E, Cornwall | 🎟️ $20 Adults | $8 Children
Skip the cooking and enjoy a delicious meal for a great cause this Friday! The Seaway Senior Citizens Club is hosting a fundraising spaghetti dinner at the Seaway Valley Theatre Company and it’s the perfect way to kick off the Thanksgiving weekend. Choose between meat sauce or vegetarian sauce, served with Caesar salad, garlic bread, and dessert - all the essentials for a cozy comfort meal. Dine in and catch up with neighbours or grab takeout to enjoy at home. 🍽️
🎟️ Advance tickets are available at the Centre Reception (506 Pitt Street, Cornwall). Proceeds go toward supporting the Seaway Senior Citizens Club and their amazing community programs.

🔸 Final Long Sault Farmers’ Market of the Season
📅 Friday, October 10 | 🕑 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | 📍 Long Sault Plaza
It’s your last chance of the year to shop the beloved Long Sault Farmers’ Market, and you won’t want to miss it! 🥕🍞 Stop by this Friday afternoon to stock up on farm-fresh produce, homemade goodies, and local treats from some of your favourite vendors before the season wraps up. Browse stalls featuring Arukah Worm Farm, Avonmore Berry Farm, Ingleside Tomatoes, North Grenville Sourdough, Lunenburg Gardens, Thum’s Kitchen, and many more. Whether you’re grabbing a basket of veggies for Thanksgiving dinner or one last loaf of fresh sourdough, it’s a great way to show your support for local growers and makers. 🌻
👉 Bring your tote bags, enjoy the fall market atmosphere, and help send off another amazing market season in style!

🔸 Volunteer Opportunity: Phragmites Removal with the St. Lawrence River Institute
📅 Thursday, October 16 | 🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 📍 Rotary Creek (southwest of the RCAF Association, 240 Water St. W, Cornwall)
Looking to get your hands dirty for a great cause? 🧤 Join the St. Lawrence River Institute at Rotary Creek for an afternoon of conservation action focused on removing phragmites - an invasive reed that threatens local wetlands and wildlife habitats. Volunteers will help with cutting and bagging seed heads (a lighter task) and use a technique called spading to cut stems below ground for deeper removal. It’s a fun, hands-on way to help restore balance to our local ecosystems and no prior experience is needed! Be sure to dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. If you’ve got them, bring along work gloves, clippers, or a spade to pitch in. 🌱
👉 Sign up here to get updates or in case of event changes: https://loom.ly/HtJrHZw
💌 Questions? Email: [email protected]

🔸 Pumpkinferno @ Upper Canada Village
📅 October 3 – 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 9-16, 2025)

🎻 Fiddlers From Two Worlds Meet – A Unique Concert in Alexandria
📅 Saturday, October 11 | 🕑 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | 📍 The Barn, 20990 Glen Robertson Rd., Alexandria | 🎟️ Free Admission
Get ready for an afternoon of music that bridges continents and cultures! 🌏🎶 This Saturday, Ashit Nergui, a world-renowned Mongolian throat singer and horse head fiddle player, joins David MacPhee, Glengarry’s own beloved fiddler, for a truly one-of-a-kind concert experience. Together, these two incredible artists will weave the haunting, soulful sounds of Mongolia with the lively, traditional tunes of Glengarry - creating something both unexpected and unforgettable. Supported by The Embassy of Mongolia in Canada, Groovy Yurts, and Brian & Liz Caddell, the concert celebrates friendship, music, and cultural connection in the most magical of settings.👉 Admission is free and everyone’s welcome!

🎶 Grace & Eric (aka Hopeless Wanderers) Live @ Lost Villages Brewery
📅 Saturday, October 11 | 🕕 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM | 📍 Lost Villages Brewery, 16133 County Road 36, Long Sault
Your Thanksgiving weekend soundtrack is here! 🎸 The Hopeless Wanderers - better known as Grace & Eric — are back at Lost Villages Brewery for a night of great music, good vibes, and local brews. From heartfelt covers to energetic crowd-pleasers, this talented duo always knows how to get the taproom singing along. There won’t be food vendors this weekend, but you’re welcome to bring your own snacks or have something delivered right to the brewery - perfect for pairing with your favourite LVB pint. 🍻
👉 Grab your friends, claim a table, and settle in for a laid-back Saturday evening filled with music, laughter, and local cheer.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOUR
👋 A Friendly Reminder from the Road

This week, we’re not featuring one specific neighbour but rather, a gentle reminder from all of them. 🚗🐴

As the leaves change and more folks head out to enjoy our beautiful backroads, we’re asking everyone to take a moment to slow down and move over for horses and riders you may encounter on rural roads. These magnificent animals may be strong, but they can also be easily startled - by a loud vehicle, a flying rock, or even a leaf blowing across the pavement.

To those who already pass with care: thank you. It means more than you know. Your small act of slowing down helps keep riders, horses, and even drivers safe, while ensuring everyone can continue enjoying the countryside we all share. 🌾💛

So next time you spot a horse and rider on the road, take a deep breath, ease off the gas, and give them a little space. It’s a simple way to show kindness and respect for our neighbours - both the two-legged and four-legged ones. 🐴✨

WHERE TO GRAB A BITE
🥧 Double Dutch Produce – Thanksgiving Goodies & Homemade Preserves

If your Thanksgiving table could use a little extra homemade magic, Double Dutch Produce in Winchester Springs has you covered! 🍂 From mouthwatering take-and-bake pies (apple and strawberry-rhubarb - yes, please! 🥧) to rows of old-fashioned preserves, this local gem is full of small-batch goodness perfect for your holiday feast.

Their shelves are stocked with all the classics - dill pickles, corn relish, mustard bean pickles, cowboy candy, red pepper jelly, and more - plus delicious jams and pickled veggies that’ll make any meal feel like a farm-fresh feast. And if you’ve got your heart set on pie (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), get your orders in by Wednesday, October 8, for pickup on Friday, October 10.

📍 Located at 3375 County Road 31, Winchester Springs, Double Dutch Produce is open Thursday to Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and accepts cash or Interac.

👉 Stop by, stock up, and bring a little taste of local harvest to your Thanksgiving table. 🍁

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!

THROWBACK CORNER
📸 Barn Raising in Moose Creek – 1880s

Now this is teamwork! This incredible photo, shared by Allan Benton in the “Historic Cornwall and Area in Photos and Stories” group, shows a good old-fashioned barn raising in Moose Creek back in the 1880s. 👷‍♂️🐴

It’s amazing to think about how neighbours and families came together for a project like this - no power tools, no cranes, just strong backs, determination, and a real sense of community spirit. You can almost hear the hammering, the laughter, and maybe even a fiddle playing in the background. 🎻

And here’s the fun part - we can’t help but wonder if this barn is still standing somewhere in Moose Creek today. Given how many of those sturdy old barns still dot the countryside (built to last, unlike most things today!), there’s a good chance it’s out there, quietly carrying a piece of history.

👉 If anyone recognizes this barn or has a family connection to the Grants of Moose Creek - we’d love to hear from you!

PET OF THE WEEK
🐾 Farm’s Best Friends — Willow, Diesel, Jackie & Fox

If the name C & L Farmgate sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve featured their charming farmstand in a past Scoop and this week, we’re shining the spotlight on the real MVPs of the farm! 🐕❤️

Meet Willow, Diesel, Jackie, and Fox — the loyal guardian dogs who keep a watchful eye on the flock, ensuring the sheep (and other barnyard residents) stay safe from predators. While the animals may get most of the attention during market season, these hardworking pups are quietly patrolling the fields, protecting their charges, and embodying the true spirit of farm life.

Behind every peaceful pasture and grazing herd, there’s a good dog, or in this case, four. 🐾

👉 You can follow C & L Farmgate on Facebook to see more of their beautiful farm life (and yes, more adorable animal cameos!).

JUST FOR FUN
🎯 Let’s Talk Trees! 

Here’s a fun fact that’s rooted in local pride: the Raisin Region Conservation Authority (RRCA) has added over 1.3 million trees to our local landscape since 1994! 🌲 That’s right - over a million little saplings that have grown into forests, river buffers, and green spaces that protect our homes from flooding, reduce erosion, and make our region even more beautiful.

Whether you’re looking to grow a forest, protect your shoreline, or just reduce how much lawn you have to mow (we see you 😉), the RRCA can help make it happen!

🧩 This week’s challenge:
Can you name three native trees that thrive right here in SDG? Bonus points if you’ve planted one yourself!

ESTATE & NEIGHBOURHOOD BUZZ
🏡 Luxury Meets Country Charm in South Stormont

If you’ve ever dreamed of living in a home that feels like a European retreat, this Greece-inspired masterpiece in South Stormont might just be “the one.” ✨ Listed at $1,295,000, 16935 Beaver Dam Drive is pure elegance from the moment you step through the door - we’re talking gleaming granite floors, a curved staircase worthy of a movie scene, and details that balance grandeur with comfort.

Built in 2003, this 4-bedroom, 3-bath estate was crafted with luxury in mind. The formal dining room, framed by stately columns, flows into a cozy living area complete with a gas fireplace, while the kitchen’s granite countertops overlook the family room for that perfect open-concept warmth. Upstairs, the primary suite is a private oasis - featuring a six-piece ensuite, a balcony with tranquil views, and all the serenity you could want at the end of the day.

And let’s not forget the fun side, a games room with a pool table, two fireplaces, and a large balcony that’s perfect for morning coffee or evening stargazing. 🌙

Nestled in the prestigious Beaver Dam subdivision, this home is more than an address - it’s a lifestyle. A place where luxury meets the serenity of country living, and every detail feels thoughtfully curated.

📍 16935 Beaver Dam Drive, South Stormont, ON

📌 View the listing: https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/28143733/16935-beaver-dam-drive-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

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! 👋

As we head into Thanksgiving weekend, we just want to say how grateful we are for each and every one of you who reads, shares, and supports our little corner of local goodness every week. 🙏

Whether you’re spending the long weekend gathered around the table, exploring a local market, or sneaking in one more slice of pie (no judgment here 🥧), we hope it’s filled with laughter, warmth, and maybe a little time to slow down and soak in the fall colours. 🍂

We’ll see you next week with more stories, more neighbours, and more reasons to love SDG but until then, from all of us at The Scoop: Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃💛

P.S. If you’re thankful for something (or someone) local, hit reply and tell us - we might just feature it in next week’s newsletter!

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

With gratitude,
The SD&G Scoop Team