Quinte West Family Life Spring 2023

2023

SPRING

SPRINGEVENTS& LOCALSHOPPING

HAPPY SPRING!

From Cheyanne O'Driscoll Founder Quinte West Family Life

I’m Cheyanne, the founder of the soon to be launched Quinte West Family Life. I'm a local mom and professional marketer who's passionate about creating a community for families and local businesses to thrive in.

I'd love to connect with local businesses who are interested in working together. Whether it's through collaboration with QWFL or working with me for marketing that will help your local business grow, let's chat and see how we can support each other

I want to give a shoutout to Carley Thompson, owner of On Board Grazing Co., for sharing her delicious recipe for Baked Brie with Yellow Pepper Jelly in this edition of our digital magazine.

We've also got an exciting article on the new whale exhibit at the Quinte Natural History Museum, and a feature on the soon-to-open live music venue in downtown Trenton, The Cardinal.

But I don't want to spoil all the surprises, so I’ll let you find your way through the pages and get to know the hidden gems in Quinte West for yourself.

We believe that it takes a village to raise a child, and we want to be a part of your village. Watch my socials for the official launch of Quinte West Family Life!

Quinte West Small Business Marketing Consulting

Need a marketing plan? Looking for social media content? Ready for videos that show off your amazing business?

I love helping our local businesses up their marketing game. If you're ready to invest in your brand, lets chat.

FIND ME ONLINE AT:

EASILY NAVIGATE TO WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR!

Hey there Quinte West parents! We totally get it - life is BUSY.

That's why we've made it super easy to navigate our magazine. Just click on the section you want to read and BOOM - you're there!

We appreciate you taking the time to read our articles and support our local small businesses. We know your time is valuable, so thanks for spending it with us!

Q U I N T E W E S T P A S T C O M E S A L I V E

Get ready to be transported back in time! Our friend Connie Beal from the Trent Port Historical Society has dug deep into their archives and found some fun Spring moments to share with us

These gems give us a glimpse into Quinte West's past and help us discover the stories that make our hometown special.

At Top of Page: 1960

A woman chooses her "Easter bonnet" in the hat department at the newly opened downtown Zeller's in 1960. Zeller's would later move to the Trenton Town Centre and Giant Tiger would occupy this store. When Zeller's closed at Trenton Town Centre, Giant Tiger once again moved to the same location.

April 1971 A group of students from Dufferin School and Stockdale Public School visited the farm of Mr. Paul Heissler in Stockdale. The students learned about the tapping and boiling of maple syrup and enjoyed some maple syrup candy.

1962 Spring Cleaning in downtown Trenton led by Mayor Jim McDonald.

1961 These youngsters happily splashed through spring thaw puddles. The old Fire Hall can be seen to the left and the Police Station on the right.

F R O M T H E A R C H I V E S

1963 Easter Sunday began at 5:30 am on Mount Pelion when the traditional sunrise service was held by members of King Street United Church.

1966 Kindergarten pupils at Marmora Street Public School made an Easter theme display for the front display board of their school.

1983

Easter window display at Gayle's Singer Sewing Centre. The display attracted the attention of many passing pedestrians as it featured a total of nine live rabbits. The store was located at 42 Front Street. Across the street was Eden's Furniture which is now the site of The Grind and Vine.

1988

Students from St. Peter's School presented Easter favors to Pat Marshall Lafferty of the Trenton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. The favors were used to decorate the hospital's lunch trays.

1971

Seven year old Paul Chambers was selected as Trenton's "Timmy" for the Easter Seal Campaign conducted by the Rotary Club. Paul was presented with a ceremonial first cheque by Mayor Duncan McDonald. Looking on is Rotary president Dan Senik.

Follow The TrentPort Historical Society on Facebook where they share fascinating insight into Quinte West's rich History.

QUINTE WEST UPCOMING EVENTS

MONDAYS 10:00-2:00PM

Network and Chill

The County Emporium

TUESDAYS 4/5/6PM

Tuesday Dinner Club

$25

Tasteful Trends Cafe

TUESDAYS 4:30-:6:00

Kids Art Classes

$70-110/month

these 4 walls

WEDNESDAYS

Open Studio project work space.

these 4 walls

WEDNESDAYS 5-8:00PM

Create and Collage Drop In these 4 walls

WED 4:30PM OR SAT 1:00PM

Kids Cooking Course

$180.00

Tasteful Trends Cafe

WEDNESDAYS AT 5:00PM

Open Mic

Old Church Theater

FRIDAYS 5-8:00PM

Kid’s Club

$80.00/month

Piece Board Game Cafe

FRIDAYS 5-8:00PM

Teen D&D

$80.00/month

Piece Board Game Cafe

SATURDAYS 7:30PM

Live Music Performance

Cost Varies

Old Church Theater

SUNDAYS 2:00PM

Live Music Performance

Cost Varies

Old Church Theater

APRIL 1ST 9 – 2:00 PM

The Mom Event

Free admission

Trenton Christian School

APRIL 1ST 6:30PM

Euchre Tournament

$30

these 4 Walls

APRIL 1ST 12:15PM

Wings Up Showcase

$10

Pegusus Cheer

APRIL 4TH & 11TH 9- 12:00PM SIPPING WITH STROLLERS & MOMS

The Grind and Vine

APRIL 4TH 6:30 – 9:00PM

Floral Workshop with Sips & Charcuterie $105

The Grind and Vine

APRIL 5TH 6- 7:30PM

Easter Cupcakes

Decorating $45.00

Tasteful Trends Cafe

APRIL 6TH 6-5:30PM

Whimsical Flower Painting Workshop $141.25

these 4 walls

APRIL 7TH 6-9:00PM

PERCEPTIONS

Opening Night

these 4 walls

APRIL 8TH 9-12:00PM

Easter Egg Hunt

Batawa Community Center

APRIL 8TH 12:30-3:00PM

EASTER LUNCH and Paint Activity $37.61

these 4 walls

APRIL 9TH 11:00AM

Easter High Tea $39.55

these 4 walls

APRIL 12TH 11:00-2:00PM

Adult Cooking Class $75.00

Tasteful Trends Cafe

APRIL 13TH 6-9:00PM

Ladies Wine Night Drop In

The Grind and Vine

APRIL 14TH 7-10:00PM

Kevin Weaver in the Gallery $10

these 4 walls

APR 15TH 12-3:00PM

Songwriter Series

$13.54

these 4 walls

APRIL 15TH 4:30- 6:00PM

Kids Cake Decorating $45.00

Tasteful Trends Cafe

APRIL 29TH 11-12:30PM

Spring Flowers Cupcakes

Decorating $45 00

Tasteful Trends Cafe

APRIL 15TH 7:00 PM

Amazing Puzzle Race

$48.50 per team of 4

Piece Board Game Cafe

DECEMBER 10 7:30PM

Platter or Plate! Glass

Fusing $155 00

APRIL 18TH 5-9:00PM

Taco Tuesday

$28.00

Pieces Board Game

DECEMBER 11 11-1:00PM

SPRING Fashion Show

$15

these 4 walls

APRIL 22ND 6:00PM

Race to Escape $50.00/team

Pieces Board Game Cafe

APRIL 27TH 6:00-8:30PM

Beginners Stained Glass

$225.00

Cracked Glass Design

APRIL 28TH 5PM- 30TH 3PM

Bay of Quinte Home Show

$3/adult | Children Free

Duncan McDonald Arena

APRIL 29TH 12:00-2:00PM

A Tribute to 'Elton John'

$13.54

these 4 walls

APRIL 29TH 4:30-6:00PM

Kids and Parents Cake

Decorating $65

Tasteful Trends Cafe

APRIL 29TH 5:00PM

Mystery Dinner

$37.50

Pieces Board Game Cafe

MAY 4TH 7:00PM

Star Wars Trivia

$25.00 for Team of 4

Pieces Board Game Cafe

Front Street Farmer's Market

May 6th- October 8:00 AM- 1:00PM

WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

FRONT STREET DOWNTOWN TRENTON

Written By: Carley Thompson of On Board Grazing Co

Baked Brie with Yellow Peppe J lly

Ingredients

Yellow Pepper Jelly:

1.5 cups sweet yellow peppers, finely diced

3 cups sugar

¾ cups apple cider vinega

1 pouch liquid pectin 85 ml

Directions

In a large stainless steel or enamel pot, combine diced peppers, sugar and vinegar

Over high heat, bring to a boil, stirring constantly, and boil for one full minute

Stir in liquid pectin, bring back to a boil, and boil hard for one full minute

Remove from heat and ladle into hot, sterilized jars.

Put on lids and twist screw bands just finger tight

Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes

Allow to cool, in which time you should hear the pop of the sealing jars, and your jelly will thicken

This recipe will make about half a dozen 4 oz, or three 8 oz, (or ½ pint) jars

It’s important to sterilize your jars: Wash them in hot, soapy water, rinse well, and then boil for 10 minutes.

Keep the water that you sterilized your jars in boiling so that you can process your filled jars in it

The diced peppers in your jelly will float to the top of the jars. To keep this from happening and suspend them throughout the jelly, turn the jars upside down and then upright a few times during the cooling time.

Assembling

Set oven to 375 degrees.

Score the top of your Brie cheese by slicing lengthwise every inch then width wise every inch approximately 1/2” into cheese. You should create a grid pattern by doing this.

Take your wheel of Brie cheese and place on top of your round loaf of sourdough bread. Cut the bread by tracing around the Brie with your knife.

Carefully scoop out the bread until the wheel of cheese fits inside perfectly and is level with the top of the bread. Add some fresh thyme and rosemary and a 1/2c of your yellow pepper jelly on top.

Bake for 20 min.

Remove from the oven, pull pieces of bread off to dip in Brie and enjoy!

Meet Carley

Carley Thompson is the owner of On Board Grazing Co in Trenton ON, where she serves up beautiful charcuterie grazing boards, boxes and fully styled grazing tables for wedding, parties and events

Carley prides herself in using locally sourced meats, cheeses and accoutrements She is very passionate about building her business within her community and creating strong relationships within it.

Carley offers easy online ordering and grazing boxes, boards and tables almost too pretty to eat! Almost...

Check out our reel for a taste.

Written By: Robert Ormston, Stewardship Technician

STEP INTO SPRING WITH QUINTE CONSERVATION

Spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors The weather is mild and pleasant, days are long, and wildlife i very active and easy to spot. Quinte Conservation has several conservatio areas that we welcome you to enjoy Potter’s Creek and Sidney

Conservation Areas are located in Quinte West and offer visitors an excellent nature experience In this article, we’ll look at what you can see these two locations this spring, and some tips to make your experience more enjoyable

WILDFLOWERS

The arrival of spring brings out some of the Quinte region’s most beautiful native wildflowers The first flowers to bloom are violets. Around mid-April, these little flowers start appearing on the forest floor, ready to take advantage of the sun.

Despite the name “violet” they come in a variety of colours including violet, light purple, white, and even yellow!

In May, we get even showier flowers, like bloodroot, yellow trout lilies, and of course the iconic trillium.

You can find two kinds of trilliums at our conservation areas. The white trillium (our provincial flower) and red trilliums. The white trillium has a sweet smell, to attract pollinators looking for nectar, but the red trillium smells stinky, to attract flies that think it’s rotting food and trick them into spreading its pollen

As beautiful as they are, we ask visitors to not pick the wildflowers. Many of them are sensitive to picking and can be killed or take many years to grow back Please enjoy them with your eyes, nose, and camera!.

WILDLIFE

Animals are also becoming more active in the spring. Many species are coming out of hibernation or migrating back into the area from further south. At Potter’s Creek, several species of birds return in March and April, including the red-winged black bird. This species can be seen around the constructed wetlands or along the bay of Quinte shoreline. The males can be heard singing loudly to claim a territory and attract a mate In May and June, they will make nests close to the water and raise their chicks.

Spring also brings out hibernating insects, including several butterflies, which you might see as early as the end of March!!

The mourning cloak butterfly is one harbinger of spring that you might find at Potter’s Creek or Sidney Conservation Areas. This butterfly overwinters in tree hollows or amongst fallen leaves and comes out when the weather warms up They can be seen flying around, sunning themselves, or feeding on sap running from tree bark or branches.

Unfortunately for us, the warm spring weather also brings out ticks Ticks are small invertebrates that feed on animal blood and can transmit Lyme disease to humans. There are some simple things you can do to avoid a tick bite.

PROTECTION MEASURES INCLUDE:

Wearing long pants and socks

Applying bug spray to your legs and ankles. Keeping yourself and any pets on the trail and out of dense vegetation and leaf litter

Checking your whole body for ticks after your walk..

Don’t let ticks spoil your walk! Stay tick safe when you’re out for a more enjoyable experience

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Warm spring days and sunshine make us want to hit the trails, but remember to bring a good pair of footwear that you don’t mind getting dirty! Thawing ground, melting snow, and spring rain conspire to make many sections of trail muddy and sometimes slippery. Potter’s Creek Conservation Area is especially prone to this, as the soil there holds onto a lot of water. Wearing a good pair of rubber boots or hiking boots can make your walk in the spring much more enjoyable until the ground dries.

PRACTICE GOOD CONSERVATION AREA ETIQUETTE

Last, but not least, please remember to practice good conservation area etiquette. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. Stay on marked trails to avoid damaging sensitive habitats and species, and do not remove any natural items. For your pet’s safety, please keep them leashed to avoid conflicts with wildlife, contact with invasive or hazardous plants, and for the courtesy of other trail users. Our conservation areas are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Potter's Creek won the 2022 vote for Best Trail and Best Geocaching Location.

Check out the our reel and you'll see why

We hope that you enjoy your visit to our areas this spring!

The Counter: Where Classic Deli Dishes Meet Fine Dining Flair

Looking for an elevated take on classic dishes in Trenton? Let us introduce you to The Counter. Owned by Braden and Kylie Lawther, who were handpicked by the previous owners of The Riverbrake Café, Raul and Connie, The Counter is quickly becoming a hot spot for both casual lunches and date nights.

The Counter After Hours

The Counter After Hours event on March 31st was a sold-out success, featuring a multi-course culinary adventure with dishes like Chicken Liver Mousse, Beef Tartar, and Duck Breast, all prepared by Braden and Kylie's fine dining backgrounds.

The owners themselves provide stories and explanations of each dish on the menu. The dinner is set up in a long table style, so guests can share the experience with their neighbors.

With the success of the first event, the owners plan to make this a monthly event, so keep an eye out for a menu that catches your attention.

Standout Dishes Location and Hours

If you can't make it to The Counter After Hours, be sure to try their regular menu, which features deli dishes with an elevated twist. The Reuben sandwich at The Counter is a must-try, and it's no wonder why. Everything from the corned beef to the dressing is made in-house with the impressive care and attention to detail. .

Kylie trim whole beef briskets, tenderizes them, and brines them for 6 days with a special spice blend. The cooked meat is shaved daily, then stacked with housemade aioli, sour cream, house ketchup, pickles, red onion, local sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese. It is then panini pressed until toasty and melty!

The Counter is open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, and is located at 11 Front Street in downtown Trenton. When patio season hits they will be open weekends as well.

To sign up for The Counter After Hours, simply call the restaurant at (613) 392 0168 or stop by in person.

With their passion and dedication to quality, it's safe to say that Braden and Kylie are off to a great start in the Quinte West community. Whether you're a foodie or just looking for a casual lunch spot, The Counter is definitely worth a visit.

EXPAND YOUR KIDS' HORIZONS: Experience the Quinte Museum of Natural History's New Whale Exhibit!

Tired of your kids watching the same show on repeat and constantly asking for snacks?

Take them on an adventure to the Quinte Museum of Natural History (QMNH) and explore the new exhibit, Diving Deep: A Tale of Whales Through Time.

It's a whale of a good time and a great way to get them interested in learning about the environment and conservation. Soon they’ll be correcting you on your whale facts!

Get your kids excited for their trip to the new whale exhibit by reading these 10 Fun Whale Facts for Kids to Explore together

DiscovertheQuinteMuseum ofNaturalHistory

Located in Trenton, QMNH is a small museum with a big mission: to provide educational opportunities for the community to learn about the natural world Led by Executive Director Deanna Way, the small staff has been working tirelessly to bring the new exhibit to life.

"We wanted to do the unthinkable," says Way, referring to the decision to switch from the hugely successful dinosaur exhibit to the new whale exhibit. "It was a big challenge, but we wanted to push ourselves and provide something new and exciting for the community."

The result is an engaging exhibit that takes visitors on a journey through the evolutionary history of whales, featuring life-sized whale skeletons that are sure to impress both kids and adults alike.

Child-Friendly

What really sets QMNH apart is its child-friendly atmosphere. From the hands-on "Fossilized Quinte" display to the room set up for kids to color and play in, QMNH is a welcoming and engaging space for families to explore and learn together

FuturePlans

And QMNH has bigger goals in sight. In addition to providing educational programs focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, the museum hopes to eventually create a world-class facility that will serve as a hub for STEAM learning opportunities for the entire community. By supporting QMNH, parents can play a key role in helping the museum achieve this goal and provide even more exciting learning experiences for their children in the future.

AdmissionandHours

General admission to the museum is just $8.00 per person, and children 5 and under are free. And with the winter season hours being Wednesday to Sunday, 10 AM - 5 PM, and the summer season open 7 days a week, 10 AM - 5 PM, it's the perfect place to bring your little ones on a play date.

Book your tickets here.

Get a peak inside the museum.

Watch our reel to see all the fun things you and your kids can explore on your visit.

With the new whale exhibit and exciting plans for the future, it's a small museum with big things in store.

Written By: Meaghan and Emily Gibbs of Tidy Planet Adventures

Local Authors Invite Kids on a y

“Lucy thought of herself as openminded. Her family was always telling her that she had a very active imagination. She believed frogs could really be princes and that animals in the woods could be her friends, but this was beyond what she could have possibly hoped was real. It was as though she had never really seen anything before.”

Tidy Planet Adventures

Join ten-year-old Lucy Dodd as she embarks on a magical adventure where she meets new friends and learns the importance of taking care of the planet

The Tidy Planet Adventures is the first book in a series by sisters Meaghan and Emily Gibbs. Meaghan is a resident of Quinte West, Emily lives in the town of Coaticook in Quebec. Meaghan and Emily both love to write. Living in different provinces they found that sharing their love of writing by mail and through email, brought them closer. The first instalment of the Tidy Planet Adventures was written in a notebook they sent back and forth through the mail. Recently, they have been working on the second book in the series, Lucy and the Fairy Queen, which will be released this spring.

The books are a family affair and labours of love. They used pictures of family and friends for the characters in the books. The characters in the book are even named for family and friends and hidden in the book as little Easter eggs. The original story started out based on fairy stories their grandmother told them when they were growing up but quickly evolved. The characters took on lives and voices of their own. Soon enough, the enchanted forest in the story came to life and seemed as real as any forest they had ever been in.

Local Inspiration

To combine the magic of the story to the beauty of nature, Meaghan and Emily chose to illustrate their books with pictures taken of different forests and spots in nature that are special to them. Some of the local areas featured in the books are views of the Trent River, Bain Park and a beautiful weeping willow in Zwicks Park.

Teaching a Love of Nature

In the process of writing the Tidy Planet Adventures and taking pictures for the books, nature took on an important part of the story. Nature is a main character in the book and taking care of the planet is an ongoing theme throughout the books They address the problem of pollution and keeping our forests and water clean, that we all have to do our part.

The sisters wanted to share more than just their family stories with others. They want to encourage families to read together, pass down their own family stories and spend time outside together. Any time spent together as a family is time well spent.

The Tidy Planet Adventures is available on Amazon or locally at Rollin’ Oats Coffee Shop. Lucy and the Fairy Queen will be available Spring, 2023.

HOW TO START YOUR FIRST FAMILY VEGETABLE GARDEN

Written By: Heather J. Landry, Volunteer Quinte West Gardens and Growing Community

With the continuously rising cost of groceries, families are looking for innovative ways to obtain healthy food options Family gardening is increasing in popularity and is a wonderful way to meet their nutritional needs.

Growing your own fruits and vegetables can be an activity for all ages and it doesn’t need to be an expensive hobby or require a lot of space

Resources for Beginner Gardeners

Seed, soil, sun, and water. That does not sound too complicated. For beginners, there are many gardening resources available at the Quinte West Public Library, gardening clubs, social media platforms, your green thumb neighbours and at your local garden centre. The Quinte West Gardens – Growing Community is a friendly and welcoming organization that would be pleased to assist new and experienced gardeners with their questions and concerns.

The garden is in full bloom and harvesting has begun.

Engaging Children in Gardening

Gardening can start out as simple as children sowing beans in recycled plastic containers on a windowsill.

As their little bean sprouts grow, so will their interest in the magic of gardening. This is a terrific opportunity to engage their curiosity and wonder, to encourage young minds to grow along with their own individual plants.

Container Gardening for Limited Spaces

Container gardening could be the next step. Inexpensive containers can be used to grow vegetables such as milk jugs, two-litre pop bottles with the tops cut off, five gallon plastic buckets, recycling boxes and plastic kiddie pools.

You can even use a plastic bag of soil if space is an issue. Peppers, kale, lettuce, onions, radishes, spinach, and tomatoes grow well in containers.

Companion Planting for a Healthy Garden

If you have an existing flowerbed, consider making space for some companion planting. Growing beefriendly flowers in the same bed as vegetables is an easy and natural way to keep plants healthy, attract native pollinators and beneficial insects.

Calendula grow nicely in a vegetable garden and you can be sure it will appear year after year. Marigolds are great companions for tomatoes and you can plant hot peppers in flower baskets.

Not all flowers pair well with all vegetables – do your research!

Renting Garden Plots & Supporting the Community

Some local municipalities provide seasonal garden plots for families to rent. Not only does this provide the accessibility of fresh fruits and vegetables, it also promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages relationships

The Quinte West Gardens – Growing Community grow and provide fruits, vegetables and herbs to the local food bank and numerous community kitchens. This season, they decided to increase the number of raised beds for families to rent at a very reasonable cost to address the need for affordable food.

This decision reflects what this organization represents – growing community! Apart from the raised garden beds, they offer walking paths, a children’s play area, an orchard, a river rock garden bed with seating, picnic tables, a space for reflection and much more.

A group of Quinte West Gardens - Growing Community volunteers in front of the 'Community" mural that was painted by well-known visual artist Christopher Bennett.

Gertrude Jekyll says,

“The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.”

The Personal Benefits of Gardening

The benefits of family gardening extend beyond the satisfaction of growing your own food and healthy eating. The sights, sounds and smells of being in nature promote relaxation.

Gardening provides exercise, vitamin D and improves your mood. Being in the garden allows you to unplug from social media and experience gratitude and achievement.

The Quinte West Gardens - Growing Community is a registered non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors with the help of dedicated volunteers and garden helpers. They are supported by a long list of generous community partners who donate funds and supplies.

Everyone is welcome to join as a member or who is happy to assist with the numerous garden tasks.

The river rock flower gardens await your visit

The seeds and seedlings are planted. Let the magic begin!

Quinte West Public Library Spring Reading

Head down to the library and check out these spring books for kids and parents handpicked by the staff.

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

By Kenard Pako

Join a boy and his dog as they explore nature and take a stroll through the countryside, greeting all the signs of the coming season.

When Spring Comes

By Kevin Henkes

A board book where animals and children alike watch as the world transforms from the dark and dead of winter to a full and blooming spring.

The Spring Book

By Todd Parr

Celebrate all the joys and wonders that the Spring season brings including holidays, spring cleaning, allergies, and the Earth.

Abracadabra, It’s Spring!

By Anne Sibley O’Brien

Winter turns to spring in this lyrical book that celebrates the magic of nature and the changing seasons. Eleven gatefolds open to recreate the excitement and surprise of spring's arrival

One Springy, Singy Day

By Renee Kurilla

A joyful ode to toddlerdom that follows a group of little ones through one buzzy, busy day One Springy, Singy Day is a vibrant, joyful story that follows a diverse cast of young children as they play throughout their day

The Month-By-Month Gardening Guide

By Franz Bohmig

This is practical advice for the home gardener, arranged by month. More than 1,000 tips to keep one's garden thriving month by month.

Grow Food At Home

By John Tullock

In Grow Food at Home, gardening expert John Tullock shows readers just how easy it is to enjoy "farm"-fresh produce grown right on the windowsill, the porch, or in a tiny backyard.

Compost Science for Gardeners: Simple Methods for Nutrient Rich Soil

By Robert Pavlis

Create your own compost and grow better plants With breathtaking clarity, Compost Science for Gardeners demystifies composting practices and helps readers determine the best technique for their unique situation.

100 Plants to Feed the Birds: Turn Your Home Garden into a Healthy Bird Habitat

By Laura Ericksond

In-depth profiles offer planting and care guidance for 100 native plant species that provide food and shelter for birds throughout the year.

Your First Garden: A Landscape Primer for New Home Owners

By Judith Adam

Find out the basic steps toward transforming an empty yard into a welcoming, appealing space.

CONTACT THE LIBRARY FOR MORE GREAT SPRING READING SUGGESTIONS!

Featuring exciting new local businesses in Quinte West.

NEW BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Downtown Trenton is about to welcome a new business that will thrill parents looking for a night out. This new business will rock your socks off with live music and a cozy atmosphere that's perfect for a chance to unwind.

Meet The Cardinal, the latest addition to Trenton's entertainment scene.

The Cardinal, located at 56b Quinte Street, is an intimate and upscale venue in Trenton that offers a refreshing addition to the local nightlife scene. The three owners, Will Montreuil, Mac Cairns, and Alexander Rhindress, are longtime friends and members of the community, each with their own unique background. They have a passion for live music that's infectious.

These guys are passionate about bringing something special to Trenton

The Cardinal's interior is an inviting blend of rustic and modern. The live edge wood bar and dark walls give it a cozy vibe, while the premium bar and upscale decor add a touch of sophistication The intimate space is perfect for a night out with friends or a romantic evening with your significant other.

But The Cardinal is more than just a pretty face. The owners have big plans to engage with the local performing artist community. They're already gathering local artists and performers for their lineup. Not only can you enjoy a night out with friends, you can also support the local arts scene.

The Cardinal's hours are 3-12 Sunday to Wednesday, and 3-2 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. So whether you're looking to unwind after a long day at work or let loose on the weekend, The Cardinal has got you covered.

They will also be offering pub fare and a premium bar, that way you can grab a drink and some food while enjoying the show.

With their love for live performing, The Cardinal’s owners are excited to bring something new and exciting to Trenton that they feel has been missing The venue’s intimate setting will make it easy for the audience to connect with the performers and have a great time.

Make sure to mark your calendars and come check out The Cardinal for a night of live music and good vibes.

Keep an eye on their social media pages for updates and sneak peeks of what’s to come. Aiming to open in mid April, it's sure to generate a lot of buzz.

They hope to create a hub for live entertainment and a place where the community can come together to enjoy music and performing arts.

Trenton, Ontario just got a whole lot yummier with the arrival of a brand new bakery, promising to bake us the tastiest bread with all the good stuff.

If you are a parent who cares about your family's health and nutrition, then Whole Note Grains Co is the place for you!

Whole Note Grains Co is the brainchild of Michelle MacKinnon, a former motion picture industry professional who found her calling during the COVID-19 pandemic. After developing a passion for baking bread, Michelle honed her skills and perfected her signature sourdough recipes.

She moved back to her hometown in Ontario to open up her own bakery, and the result is a delicious assortment of bread and baked goods that are sure to please your taste buds

Whole Note Grains Co. apart is committed to using sustainably-grown whole grains that are free of herbicides, fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers. Michelle sources the wheat from her family's farm in Ontario, where it is grown with respect for the ecology and local habitat.

And who doesn't love feeling like they're doing their part to save the planet while also indulging in some delicious carbs?

The wheat is naturally leavened with wild yeast and takes three days to make from fermentation to oven, ensuring that every loaf is fresh and of the highest quality.

For parents who want to feed their families healthier bread and baked goods, Whole Note Grains Co is the perfect solution

Michelle's passion for quality and attention to detail can be tasted in every bite, making it an incredible opportunity for Quinte West families to have access to really high quality bread and baked goods.

Whole Note Grains Co. has a pre-order system in place to ensure that customers can get their hands on their favorite breads. You can pre-order online up to seven days in advance and pick up your purchase on the day you've scheduled, ensuring that your favorite items are available. Walk-ins are always welcome, but availability is not guaranteed. Michelle is also happy to take on custom orders and large bakes with prior notice.

Whole Note Grains Co 's storefront is located at 8 Frankford Crescent in Trenton, Ontario. The space has been beautifully renovated to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere for customers. The bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and closed on Mondays and Sundays.

For Michelle, Whole Note Grains Co. is more than just a bakery. It's a community supported bakery, focused on bringing people together through a shared love of real bread made the good way. And for the millennial parents of Quinte West, it's a place where they can feel good about feeding their families with natural, wholesome ingredients

If you're a parent in Quinte West looking to introduce some healthier options to your family's diet, or if you just really love bread and want to feel good about your choices, check out Whole Note Grains Co.

Their star product is the Whole Note Baguette, a small-batch bread that is perfect for any meal or just as an everyday staple. It's like if Wonder Bread had a glow-up and got really into mindfulness and self-care.

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