Local Business Spotlight

🧀 Flight Cheese Shop: Kingston’s West End Hides a Seriously Impressive Cheesemonger

Kingston & Area Local News

🧯 Ready, Set, Go Bag: Emergency Preparedness Week
🧼 A Practical Heads-Up: Public Health Advisory on Stomach Illness
🥌 Hurry Hard to Kingston: Grand Slam of Curling Players’ Cup

Community Champions

⛺ A Summer Camp Boost: BGC South East’s Reg Shadbolt May Campaign
🌻 A Happy Warrior Remembered: Jim Neill
🍪 Sweet Support: Ongwanada Backs the Inclusive Play Project

New Events In and Around Kingston

🏠 Tiny Wonders, Big Fun | Portsmouth Olympic Harbour | May 9
🫖 Mother's Day Tea for a Good Cause | Tett Centre | May 10
🎭 Sneak Peek Season | Kingston Grand Theatre | May 12
🐾 Puppies + Jazz | The Caesar Company | June 28

Events Calendar

It’s gotten too long to include here in the summary! Click Events Calendar to see our list for the next few days.

👉 Please Share Your Feedback

Kingston’s west end has a hidden cheese gem, and you could easily drive past it without ever knowing what you missed. Flight Cheese Shop is tucked inside Winexpert on Princess Street near Bayridge, where owner Emma Sulley has built a small but seriously impressive shop for anyone who wants to level up their cheese board without heading downtown or out of town.

What makes Flight Cheese Shop stand out is Emma’s curation. She keeps an eye on what other local stores carry, then looks for cheeses that fill the gaps. On a typical day, the case has 35 to 45 different cheeses, and in December that number can climb past 90. She also offers In-Flight Features tasting boxes, with six cheeses, a cheese map, and descriptions to help curious customers figure out what they love without feeling intimidated.

Read the full story from our sister publication Best Eats Ontario East

Kingston Fire & Rescue is marking Emergency Preparedness Week from May 3 to 9 with a simple reminder: being prepared starts at home.

It is not the flashiest local news item, but it is one of those practical nudges worth passing along. The City of Kingston says residents should be ready to self-sustain themselves, their families and their pets for at least 72 hours in an emergency, with basics like bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, cash and an evacuation plan.

The City’s emergency preparedness guide also includes tips for severe weather, utility disruptions and what to keep in a go bag. Future You, stuck in a power outage with snacks and batteries, will be very grateful.

Southeast Public Health has issued a public advisory after an increase in infectious gastrointestinal illness in the Kingston area. It is not exactly the cheeriest local update, but it is the kind of useful, neighbourly information worth passing along.

The advisory says stomach illnesses can spread easily from person to person, and common symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or cramps, fever, and feeling very tired or weak. The big reminders are simple: stay home while sick, remain home for at least 48 hours after diarrhea has stopped, wash hands often with soap and water, and avoid pools or hot tubs while sick.

Kingstonist reports that Southeast Public Health later clarified it is seeing increased cryptosporidiosis cases among other GI illnesses in Kingston, while its investigation is ongoing. Public health’s advice remains focused on awareness and prevention, which is exactly the tone we are taking here: no panic, just please wash your hands and give your neighbours a fighting chance.

Read the full story from Kingstonist

More information from Southeast Public Health

Kingston is getting ready to sweep in something big. The Grand Slam of Curling Players’ Cup will take over Slush Puppie Place from Tuesday, Dec. 15 to Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026, bringing the world’s top men’s and women’s curling teams to town.

Kingstonist reports that the Players’ Cup is widely regarded by athletes as one of the most prestigious titles in professional curling. The week will also include a wheelchair curling championship hosted at Royal Kingston Curling Club, with the final match set for Slush Puppie Place.

There is a local boost here too. Kingston native Mike Cotton, co-founder and chief revenue officer of The Curling Group, told Kingstonist that Grand Slam events bring an average of about $6 million in economic impact to each host community. Translation: great curling, busy hotels, full restaurants and one more reason for Kingston to show off a little.

Read the full story from Kingstonist

BGC South East has launched its 26th Annual May Campaign, now renamed The Reg Shadbolt May Campaign in honour of Reg Shadbolt, a founding member of the Club in the 1990s and a lifelong supporter of young people.

This year’s goal is a record $160,000 to help 650 children attend summer camp without barriers. The campaign supports food, education, inclusion, transportation and safe spaces for kids and youth, at a time when BGC South East says demand for subsidies has reached record levels.

There is already plenty of proof that families need this. According to the story, when camp registration opened after March Break, programs were more than 80 per cent full within the first two hours. Donations made in each community are intended to support programs in that same community.

Read the full story from Kingstonist

Kingston is remembering Jim Neill as a caring, optimistic and deeply committed public servant who spent decades showing up for his community. Neill, who passed away on Apr. 26 at age 74, was known through many roles: high school teacher, community activist, Kingston City Council member and Limestone District School Board trustee.

The Kingstonist story paints a picture of someone who cared about both big ideas and everyday neighbourhood concerns. Mayor Bryan Paterson described Neill as a “happy warrior” who fought for what he believed in with honesty, authenticity and a smile. Others remembered his support for worker rights, public education, environmental causes, social justice and the people he represented.

One detail feels especially fitting: Neill’s obituary asked that anyone wishing to honour him simply extend an act of kindness and look for opportunities to engage in their local community. That is a pretty lovely legacy to leave behind.

Read the full story from Kingstonist

After an incredibly successful compliance review, Ongwanada had a pretty sweet way to celebrate: the team purchased 200 Smile Cookies to support the Inclusive Play Project. That means a workplace treat also helped move Kingston closer to a more inclusive playground where children of all abilities can play, connect and belong.

The 2026 Kingston Smile Cookie campaign supported the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground, with participating Tim Hortons locations donating 100 per cent of Smile Cookie proceeds from April 27 to May 3. According to the City of Kingston, the $1.5 million project was already 92 per cent funded heading into the campaign, with volunteers hoping cookie sales would help push it across the finish line.

Ongwanada also gave a shoutout to Serenity Sips Café for providing treats, making this a small but lovely example of local organizations and businesses cheering each other on.

Read the original post from Ongwanada’s Facebook Page

The Miniature Enthusiasts of Kingston and Area are bringing their biennial Dollhouse and Miniatures Show and Sale back to Portsmouth Olympic Harbour on Saturday, May 9. Expect miniature displays, dollhouses, dolls, furniture, animals, roomboxes, LEGO, dealers from across Ontario and beyond, a scavenger hunt with prizes, and a free draw for a miniatures-related item made by M.E.K.A. members.

Mother’s Day Tea in Support of the Kingston Interval House returns Sunday, May 10 at the Tett Centre’s Malting Tower, with tea donated and served by Starbucks, plus treats, sandwiches, desserts and other dishes from local food makers, live music, photos, local makers and special services. Tickets are $35, with 100 per cent of proceeds donated to Kingston Interval House.

Grand OnStage 2026/2027 Season Launch is giving arts lovers a first look at next season on Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30 PM in the Kingston Grand Theatre’s Rosen Auditorium. Expect a sneak peek of upcoming performances, guest appearances by Shakura S’Aida and James Keelaghan, light refreshments with treats from Pan Chancho, and a chance to win a 2026/2027 Grand OnStage subscription.

Puppies + Jazz brings Craig Jones & The 20th Century Jazz Band to The Caesar Company at 177 Princess St. on Sunday, June 28, in support of Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs. Puppies, jazz and a good local cause is a pretty strong little trio.

🧪 Science Rendezvous Kingston: IGNITE Your Imagination | Slush Puppie Place | May 9

🏠 Dollhouse and Miniatures Show and Sale | Portsmouth Olympic Harbour | May 9

🫖 Mother's Day Tea in Support of the Kingston Interval House | Tett Centre | May 10

🎭 Grand OnStage 2026/2027 Season Launch | Kingston Grand Theatre | May 12

🏛️ History Exposed: Enslavement of Black People in Canada | Kingston City Hall | Until May 22

🎭 The Comedy of Errors | Domino Theatre | Until May 9

🥑 Guac for Griff | Lone Star Kingston | Until May 10

🐾 Puppies + Jazz | The Caesar Company | June 28

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