Community Champions

🎨 Art with a Heart: Napanee Artist Mark Thompson Supports Veterans

Business Spotlight

🔌 F.W. Black: 76 Years of Staying "In the Black"

Kingston & Area Local News

☔ Flood Alert: Rain and Melt Raising Water Levels

❄️ Plow Problems: Should the City Clear the End of Your Driveway?

✊ Breaking the Silence: Human Trafficking in Our Backyard

🐾 Expanding Pawsibilities: A New Home for the Humane Society

🎬 Lights, Camera, Kingston: Our City Continues To Go Hollywood

New Events In and Around Kingston

🌿 Braiding Sweetgrass with Monique Gray Smith | March 12 | Queen's University

🎵 Songwriters Onna Lou & Keri Latimer | March 12 | Home Routes House Concert

🐘 Seussical the Musical | March 14 | Kingscourt Free Methodist Church

ICYMI: These Events Are Still Happening

Suite Surrender | Domino Theatre, March 5 - 21

Maple Madness | Little Cat, March Weekends + March Break

Maple Celebrations | PEC, March Weekends

Braiding Sweetgrass | Monique Gray Smith, March 12

2 Songwriters | Home Routes House Concert, March 12

Seussical the Musical | Kingscourt Free Methodist, March 14

Cassie and Friends Run | City Park, March 15

Ramadan in the Limestone City | Partners in Mission, Now until March 19

Kingstonlicious | Now until March 28

Please Share Your Feedback

It is not every day you see a local business celebrate over three-quarters of a century in the community! F.W. Black is officially marking 76 years of service in the Limestone City. What started as a small vacuum repair shop way back in 1949 has grown into Kingston’s largest independent appliance sales and service center.

The business has quite the history, moving from its original Brock Street roots to its present showroom at 685 Arlington Park Pl., where it is currently undergoing another expansion. Now operated by Ernie Curragh and his family, the shop remains a true local success story. They have seen the evolution of appliances through the years and have managed to thrive as an independent player in a world of big-box stores. It is a testament to the family's hard work and the community's support since those early vacuum-repair days!

Read the Full Story Here: The Whig Standard

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Mother Nature is pulling a fast one on us this week! With temperatures climbing and some heavy rain on the way, all that beautiful white snow is about to turn into a giant slushie. Cataraqui Conservation has issued a flood outlook, especially for inland lakes and streams. That unusually high snowpack is going to start moving—and fast!

While we aren't expecting a total "Titanic" situation just yet, low-lying roads and yards are likely to see some puddles turning into ponds. If you're out for a walk, stay well back from the water's edge and keep a close eye on the kids and pets. Those creek banks are going to be slippery enough to send you for an accidental swim!

Read the Full Story Here: The Whig Standard

Is there anything more frustrating than finishing your driveway just in time for the city plow to drive by and leave a giant "gift" of heavy snow (or worse, a frozen icy ridge) blocking you back in? We call them windrows, but most of us have much more colorful names for them. Well, one Kingston councillor, Ryan Boehme, has heard our collective groans and wants the city to explore what it would actually cost to have the plows clear those blocks for us.

It’s a debate that happens every winter, but this time it might actually get some traction. Clearing the end of the driveway is a huge hurdle for seniors and folks with mobility issues, not to mention anyone who doesn't want a 6:00 AM workout with a shovel. We’ll be keeping an eye on this one to see if the city decides to help us dig out!

Read the Full Story Here: Kingstonist

It’s a tough topic to talk about, but it’s one we can’t afford to ignore. A recent piece by The Queen’s Journal is shining a light on a major myth: that human trafficking only happens in big cities or in movies. The reality is that it’s happening right here in Kingston, often because our location right between Toronto and Montreal makes us a frequent stop for traffickers.

Local experts say that recognizing the signs (like a friend suddenly missing classes, losing control over who they spend time with, or becoming very secretive about a new relationship) can be the first step in keeping our friends and neighbors safe. Kingston has some amazing organizations ready to help survivors, but the goal is to stop exploitation before it starts through education and looking out for one another.

Read the Full Story Here: The Queen's Journal

Our furry friends are getting an upgrade! The Kingston Humane Society is officially moving forward with a plan to build a brand new, much larger shelter. While they’ve done amazing work in their current spot, they have basically outgrown the space, and the goal is to create a more comfortable environment that helps animals find their forever homes even faster.

The plan is to move into a bigger facility on Hyperion Court over the next few years. This won't just mean more room for dogs and cats; it will also allow for a dedicated low-cost spay and neuter clinic to help even more families in our community. We are totally paws-itive that this is going to be a huge win for the animals and the people who love them!

Read the Full Story Here: The Whig Standard

If you have ever walked through downtown and thought it looked like it belonged on a movie poster, you are not alone. During the recent Kingston Canadian Film Festival, industry pros were talking all about how our city is becoming a major destination for TV and film crews. Between our historic buildings and the beautiful waterfront, Kingston has exactly the kind of "main character energy" producers are looking for!

Beyond just looking pretty on camera, these productions bring a ton of jobs and excitement to town. Local film experts are working hard to make sure Kingston isn't just a place where movies are filmed, but a place where local creators can build their careers. Who knows, the next big Netflix series might be filming on your street sooner than you think!

Read the Full Story Here: The Whig Standard

Napanee artist Mark Thompson is turning his creative spark into a helping hand for his fellow veterans and first responders! Through his Wild Expressions Studio, Mark is using his vibrant, emotionally charged paintings—often inspired by the Salmon River and rural life—to raise money for Wounded Warriors Canada.

As a veteran himself, Mark knows firsthand how important mental health support is for those who serve. He sees his art as a way to process and connect, and by donating a portion of his sales, he is helping his "brothers and sisters in service" find the same kind of peace. We love seeing local creators use their unique talents to give back to our community heroes!

Read the Full Story Here: Kingstonist

Two seriously talented singer-songwriters are rolling into Kingston, and you're invited to hear them up close, like really up close. Onna Lou brings a rich blend of Latin pop-rock, tango, flamenco, and jazz, all wrapped in poetic lyrics she's been performing on international stages since 2011, including collaborations with not one but two Latin Grammy winners, Javier Limón and Alejandro Sanz. She also graduated with honors from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Keri Latimer is a Winnipeg veteran with 20+ years of touring under her belt, known for her evocative storytelling and some seriously cool tricks, including playing the theremin (look it up, it's wild). She's performed as a soloist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and composed music for award-winning films like Frozen River.

This is part of the ongoing Home Routes concert series, now in its final three shows for the season. The vibe is intimate, the musicians stick around to chat, and the appetizers start at 6:00 with music kicking off at 6:30. Tickets are $25 per person and it's BYOB, so plan accordingly!

Interested? Reach out to John at [email protected] to grab your spot, these fill up fast.

Read About The Artists Here: onnalou.com | kerilatimer.com

Looking for a meaningful way to spend your Thursday evening? Queen’s University is hosting a very special community gathering featuring internationally renowned author Monique Gray Smith. She’ll be giving a talk inspired by her book Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults (the adaptation of Robin Wall Kimmerer's famous bestseller). It’s not just a book talk; it’s a chance for the community to come together and chat about care, connection to the land, and how we can all look out for one another.

The best part? It is completely free! Plus, the first 50 people through the door will get a free copy of the book to take home. There will also be local vendors, refreshments, and a book signing after the talk. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or just someone who loves a good story, this is a night you won’t want to miss.

The Details:

Get ready to enter the colorful world of Dr. Seuss! The Spirit Borne Performing Arts team is bringing Seussical to life right here in Kingston. It’s a heart-warming musical that follows Horton the Elephant as he tries to protect a tiny speck of dust containing the Whos while guarding an abandoned egg. It’s a vibrant, high-energy show that’s perfect for kids (and the young at heart), celebrating empathy, loyalty, and the famous reminder that "a person's a person, no matter how small."

Presented by Quinte Youth Unlimited, this Christian faith-based production features talented high schoolers using music and drama to explore themes of kindness and grace. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon or evening with the family!

The Details:

Suite Surrender, Domino Theatre | March 5 - 21

Maple Madness, Little Cat | March Weekends + March Break (March 16-20)

Maple Celebrations, PEC | March Weekends

Braiding Sweetgrass with Monique Gray Smith | March 12

2 Songwriters in a Kingston Living Room | March 12

Seussical the Musical, Kingscourt Free Methodist | March 14

Cassie and Friends Run for Juvenile Arthritis, City Park | March 15

Ramadan in the Limestone City, Helping Partners in Mission | Now until March 19

Kingstonlicious | Now until March 28

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All feedback and suggestions are appreciated! Email Les at [email protected]

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