Local Business Spotlight
🧀🍇 Unboxing an Edible Adventure: Sarita Machado, Stagecoach Charcuterie

Kingston & Area Local News
🏒 A Season-Ending Washout at Centre 70
⚡ High Voltage Hopes vs. Low Battery Reality
🏠 Open Doors and Warm Welcomes: 928 Sydenham Road

Events in and around Kingston
🌙 A Recipe for Kindness: Partners in Mission & Ramadan | Starting Feb 18
🩰 Glowing Pirouettes: Ballet of Lights | Friday, February 20
🎸 Boots, Roots, and Big Hearts: Almost Home Benefit | Saturday, February 21

Is it a meal or a treasure hunt? Go "behind the lid" with Sarita Machado of Stagecoach Charcuterie to see how her passion turns local food into an edible adventure. From "salami roses" to her "no gap" building style, she creates masterpieces designed to bring people together.

👉 Read the full story here

Source: A local business spotlight by our sister publication Best Eats Ontario East.

If you were planning on hitting the ice at Centre 70, you'll need to look elsewhere for the rest of the winter. The City has officially announced that our favorite west-end arena will remain closed for the remainder of the season due to extensive water damage from a major pipe break that affected the ice plant and refrigeration systems.

Crews are working on a massive cleanup and restoration project, with a goal of reopening the doors in Fall 2026. In the meantime, City staff are working with local hockey leagues and skating groups to shuffle bookings to other municipal pads, ensuring everyone still gets their time on the ice.

Source: City of Kingston News Release

While the world is buzzing about high-speed rail, a Queen’s University professor is pointing at our shiny new electric ferries and saying, "Not so fast." The project—meant to be a green win for the area—has turned into a "perfect storm" of delays, from a lack of trained staff to the fact that the charging infrastructure at the docks still isn't ready to actually power the boats.

The lesson here is that big, flashy transit ideas are great on paper, but if you don't have the "boring" stuff like infrastructure, maintenance plans, and staffing sorted out first, you end up with very expensive, very quiet paperweights. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most important part of a high-speed project is making sure you have a place to plug it in—and someone to drive it.

Source: The Kingston Whig-Standard

More than 60 community members recently stepped inside the new shelter at 928 Sydenham Road for a guided tour and some real talk about local support. It was a chance to meet the team from Doors of Compassion and see firsthand how this coordinated response will help our neighbors in need. If you couldn't make it to the tour, don't worry—a video walk-through is being created so everyone can see the progress.

The facility will start welcoming residents late this week using a phased approach, with everyone expected to be settled in by the end of February. This slow-and-steady transition is designed to give folks stability and dignity as they move in. The City is asking neighbors to respect the privacy of new residents during this time. If you want to connect with the team or have questions, you can reach them at 613-483-6732.

Source: City of Kingston Facebook Post

Ramadan is right around the corner, and a beautiful new partnership is taking the idea of "loving thy neighbor" to a whole new level. Partners in Mission Food Bank is teaming up with the local Muslim community for the "Give 30" campaign to make sure nobody in Kingston goes to bed hungry. It is a great reminder that while our traditions might look different, the goal of looking out for each other is exactly the same.

The initiative focuses on raising much-needed food and funds during the holy month to support those in need across the city. With food costs being what they are lately, this team-up could not come at a better time. If you have been looking for a way to give back, keep an eye out for how you can contribute to this cross-cultural hunger-fighting squad.

Source: The Kingston Whig-Standard

Forget everything you know about traditional ballet. This isn’t your grandmother’s Sleeping Beauty. The Isabel is hosting "Ballet of Lights," where professional dancers perform in high-tech costumes woven with fiber-optic lights. Every leap and turn creates a literal trail of glowing color, making the classic fairytale feel like something out of a sci-fi dream.

It’s a 60-minute production that’s perfect for families or anyone who appreciates a "bright" idea (pun intended). Because the costumes are the stars of the show, the atmosphere is dark and immersive. Pro tip: seats are first-come, first-served within your zone, so get there early to snag the best view of those glowing tutus.

Source: Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty

Get ready to tap your boots for a great cause. This Saturday, The Spire is hosting a powerhouse night of Canadian talent to support Almost Home—the local legends who provide a "home away from home" for families with seriously ill children. Headlining the night is The Western Swing Authority (WSA), known for their infectious, vintage-meets-modern sound that’ll have you out of your seat in no time.

Opening the show is Kingston’s own Savannah Shea, whose soulful vocals and heartfelt stories are the perfect way to kick things off. Every dollar raised goes directly to keeping Almost Home’s doors open, ensuring families can stay close to their little ones while they receive medical care here in town. It’s world-class music with a real community impact—the best kind of Saturday night.

Source: Almost Home Benefit Concert

👉 Spirit of Winter: Enchanted Now until February 28, 2026.

👉 Kingstonlicious Now until March 28, 2026.

I find way more "local gold" every week than I can actually fit in this newsletter without turning it into a novel! If you want the daily updates, extra tips, and the cool stuff that didn't make the cut, come hang out with us on our social channels.

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