🔦 In This Issue of Kingston Spotlight
🍪 One Cookie at a Time: Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Supports Kingston's Inclusive Playground
🎵 The Healing Power of Music: Providence Manor Wins International Award
🏠 More Rooms, More Hope: Ryandale Opens Two New Transitional Homes in Kingston
🚀 To the Moon and Back: RMC Grad Jeremy Hansen Makes History on Artemis II
⚓ She's Baaack? The Great Lakes Museum Plots the Return of the Wolfe Islander II
🌉 LaSalle Causeway 2026 Marine Schedule Is Here - Plan Your Crossings Now
🚌 Kingston Transit Spring/Summer Schedule Changes Coming May 4
🎤 Savannah Shea Live and Unplugged | PM Thrift Bodega, 277 Montreal St | April 10
🌿 Kingston Botanical Market | Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning, 370 King St | April 11
🎤 Savannah Shea Live and Unplugged | PM Thrift Bodega, 277 Montreal St | April 10
🌿 Kingston Botanical Market | Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning, 370 King St | April 11
👗 YGK Thrift Pop-Up Clothing Drive | 165 Princess St | April 11, 2026
📚 Machete Comics: Canadian Destroyer #1 Release Signing | Nexus, 270 Bagot St | April 11, 12PM-3PM
🏆 Vote for The Spire | Next Great Save | Now Until April 24, 2026
🍽️ Spring Countylicious | Prince Edward County | Now Until April 26, 2026
🚌 City Trolley Tour | Visitor Information Centre | Weekends in April
🥑 Guac for Griff | Lone Star Kingston | Until May 10, 2026
🏛️ History Exposed: Enslavement of Black People in Canada | Kingston City Hall | Until May 22, 2026
📰 Kingston & Area Local News
🚀 To the Moon and Back: RMC Grad Jeremy Hansen Makes History on Artemis II

Photo from The Globe and Mail
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, a Royal Military College grad and Chaffey's Lock cottager, just made history as the first non-American to travel into deep space, circling the moon aboard the Artemis II mission. Even President Trump called him out by name, saying he has "a lot of courage, bravery and genius" — and the Opinicon at Chaffey's Lock is already planning a moon-sized scoop of ice cream for his return this summer. Kingston is beaming!
Read the full story at: The Kingston Whig-Standard
⚓ She's Baaack? The Great Lakes Museum Plots the Return of the Wolfe Islander II

In what may be the most ambitious April Fools' Day stunt in Kingston history, the Great Lakes Museum announced plans to raise the sunken Wolfe Islander II from the depths and press her back into ferry service this spring. Working with the Ministry and the Friends of Obsolete and Lost Ships (FOOLS), the museum says underwater surveys conducted this winter suggest the project is viable. "We believe we can have her up and running for the busy summer season," a museum rep said with a straight face. Wolfe Islanders, your backup ferry is coming. Maybe.
Read the full story at: Great Lakes Museum Kingston
🌉 LaSalle Causeway 2026 Marine Schedule Is Here — Plan Your Crossings Now

Photo from Canada.ca
Boaters, mark your calendars! The LaSalle Causeway modular bridge removal schedule for the 2026 marine navigation season is now confirmed. The main navigation channel opens for the first time on Sunday, April 19, with regular Sunday openings running through November 15. Summer openings (June 7–September 6) run 9 am to 7 pm, while spring and fall openings run 9 am to 5 pm. Note that bridge removal begins at 6 am, and road closures may be signalled as early as 5 am. Marine conditions permitting, so keep an eye on the page for any last-minute changes.
Read the full schedule at: Canada.ca – LaSalle Causeway
🚌 Kingston Transit Spring/Summer Schedule Changes Coming May 4

Heads up, transit riders! Starting Monday, May 4, Kingston Transit will be rolling out its spring/summer service adjustments. Key changes include:
Route 12 will offer service only during weekday peak times between downtown and CFB Kingston.
Express 601/602 Sunday service will be replaced by Route 60 — a flexible route option designed to accommodate any LaSalle Causeway closures on weekends throughout the summer.
Head to KingstonTransit.ca for the full updated network map and route schedules. For trip planning help, call 613-546-0000 or email [email protected]. You can also download the Transit App for real-time tracking.
Read the full update at: City of Kingston
🏆 Community Champions
🍪 One Cookie at a Time: Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign Supports Kingston's Inclusive Playground

Kingston's Inclusive Play Project is 92% of the way to its $1.5 million goal for the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground — a community-driven space where children of all abilities can play, connect, and belong. And this spring, a cookie could push them over the finish line. From April 27 to May 3, participating Kingston Tim Hortons locations will donate 100% of Smile Cookie proceeds to the project. "Small acts -- like buying a cookie -- can make a big difference," says IPP Founder Rachel Doornekamp. Go grab one (or a dozen).
Read the full story at: City of Kingston
🎵 The Healing Power of Music: Providence Manor Wins International Award

Photo from Providencecare.ca
Providence Manor has received the 2025 Ginny Gives Award from the Dementia Society of America, recognizing its Music Therapy Program for innovative, person-centred care for residents living with dementia. The $2,500 award, delivered by certified therapists from Synergy Music Therapy, has allowed the program to resume after a pause due to limited funding, with two sessions per month now funded for the rest of the year. "Music therapy provides a space where residents can reconnect with themselves and one another beyond words," says Certified Music Therapist Kim Dolan. Want to help keep the music playing? Donate through the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.
Read the full story at: Providence Care
🏠 More Rooms, More Hope: Ryandale Opens Two New Transitional Homes in Kingston

Screenshot from CKWS Global News video
Ryandale Transitional Housing has opened two new supportive living homes in Kingston, expanding its capacity to help men experiencing homelessness find stable housing and overcome addiction. One of the new homes is located at 167 Braemar Road in the Lakeside District, opened in partnership with the City of Kingston. A registered not-for-profit that has been serving Kingston for over 40 years, Ryandale provides sober living spaces and connects residents with community supports to help them rebuild their lives.
Watch the Global News story at: Global News
🆕 New Events In and Around Kingston
🎤 Savannah Shea Live and Unplugged | PM Thrift Bodega, 277 Montreal St | Friday, April 10 at 8:00 PM

A favourite neighbourhood bodega is turning up the volume! PM Thrift Bodega is hosting local artist Savannah Shea for a live, unplugged performance this Friday. If she can put together an outfit and hit notes like an angel, this is one tiny concert you won't want to miss.
Get your tickets here: square.link/u/7P0CXqLC?src=qr
🌿 Kingston Botanical Market | Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning, 370 King St | April 11

The Kingston Botanical Market -- lovingly known as "The Market for Plant People" -- is back at the Tett Centre! Browse rare plants and botanical-inspired goods from local and regional vendors, including pots, terrariums, art, flowers, self-care products and more. There's also a free plant swap. Admission is by donation at the door, with proceeds going to the Kingston Humane Society and future Market activities.
📅 Events Calendar
🎤 Savannah Shea Live and Unplugged | PM Thrift Bodega, 277 Montreal St | April 10
🌿 Kingston Botanical Market | Tett Centre for Creativity & Learning, 370 King St | April 11
👗 YGK Thrift Pop-Up Clothing Drive | 165 Princess St | April 11, 2026
📚 Machete Comics: Canadian Destroyer #1 Release Signing | Nexus, 270 Bagot St | April 11, 12PM-3PM
🏆 Vote for The Spire | Next Great Save | Now Until April 24, 2026
🍽️ Spring Countylicious | Prince Edward County | Now Until April 26, 2026
🚌 City Trolley Tour | Visitor Information Centre | Weekends in April
🥑 Guac for Griff | Lone Star Kingston | Until May 10, 2026
🏛️ History Exposed: Enslavement of Black People in Canada | Kingston City Hall | Until May 22, 2026
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All feedback and suggestions are appreciated!
Too long? Too short? About right?
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Email Les at [email protected]
📣 Your Turn: Share a Local Gem
Do you have a favourite local business, community champion or organization that deserves a moment in the spotlight? (You can nominate yourself too!)
Help us celebrate the people who make the Kingston area shine. Tell us who they are and why they’re great—or give us the "inside scoop" on your own mission or business!
🌊 This Newsletter is just the tip of the iceberg
Beyond the Inbox ➕
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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