countylive.ca year in review photos – November 2017

Countylive thanks our readers and advertisers for continued support of community news and we look forward to an interesting and informative new year!

Countylive is on holiday this week and will be updating at a minimum. Please enjoy exploring the site, and the year-in-review series of photographs from 2017.

Challenges and triumphs of Prince Edward County’s first Syrian refugee family, and the many volunteers who brought them here, unfold in the feature documentary ‘SponsorLand’ during a special screening at Picton’s Regent Theatre before the TVO national broadcasts. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Michèle Hozer, SponsorLand follows the day-to-day lives of the Al Jasem family – brought to Canada in the fall of 2015 by PEC Syria, a private sponsor group with 150 volunteers in Prince Edward County.

The power of the people produced nearly $10,000 in less than an hour to support adult literacy programs in Prince Edward County. The new “100 People Who Care PEC” group handed over 93 $100 cheques on Thursday to the Prince Edward Learning Centre – voted by members at their first gathering to receive the windfall. PELC supports adult literacy programs for County residents – the majority under age 30 – to help them finish high school, prepare for college, or apprenticeships. It receives funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development but doesn’t always have funds required for support services programming.

PECI’s junior and senior basketball teams left the Bay of Quinte Championships with medals. The seniors girls team won the Bay of Quinte Championship for the second straight year. The win capped off a perfect 12-0 season with a 61-48 win over Saint Theresa. In the junior final, the Titans beat the Panthers 38-28 in a defensive battle.

Heart-warming tales of a boy soldier filled hearts with pride, and coffers with support for the hall in the hamlet he called home. Robert Clarence Thompson, of Hillier, was a 13-year-old student at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute when he enlisted in 1915. Last week, on a blustery November day, students from PECI re-enacted the 100-year-old stories of Thompson who served in the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The adaptation of Suzanne Pasternak’s stage play was a fundraiser for upgrades at the Hillier Hall. Sharon Harrison photo

The Bay of Quinte Liberal riding has officially named Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff its candidate for the 2018 provincial election. Before a crowd at the Wellington and District Community Centre Saturday, Quaiff was nominated by Bay of Quinte riding president Peter Landry as the candidate to win the new riding.

It rained on the Firelight Lantern Festival’s parade but the fun shone on for the fifth annual event inside Picton’s Crystal Palace. The colourful community procession of costumed participants with lanterns, light and music usually wends its way along Picton’s Main Street from Benson Park to the Crystal Palace, but heavy rainfall saw organizers welcome about 640 participants directly at the Crystal Palace. – Sharon Harrison photo

There’s fewer people using the services of Wellington’s Storehouse Foodbank overall this year – but that’s not actually good news for volunteers now working furiously to help those in need have a happy Christmas. There are more than 300 people – including 103 children and three babies on the roster this year – fewer than the 460 individuals assisted in 2016 and fewer still, than the 577 on the books in 2015. On the surface, the decline appears to be good news, but Storehouse founder Linda Downey says the decline reflects the number of families who have moved away due to the lack of affordable accommodations in the area. Above, Linda Downey answers questions during an open house last week for the organization’s 10th anniversary. – Sharon Harrison photo

Picton’s Santa Claus parade was held under a bright, but chilly sky on Sunday afternoon as crowds lined the path from McFarland Drive, along Main Street to Talbot. – Olivia Timm photo

Warmer than usual temperatures ushered in Bloomfield’s Festival of Lights parade as the community was transformed into a twinkling, sparkling fairyland. The positively balmy evening brought the magic of the night to life for a few hours as colourful lights sparkled and twinkled, faces beamed and children squealed with joy. Above, parade watchers were delighted to see the special Canada 150 float. – Sharon Harrison photo

The Christmas spirit filled Isaiah Tubbs Resort in West Lake this weekend at the 24th annual County Festival of Trees. The three-day event, hosted by the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, showcases a silent auction of nearly 200 beautiful trees, wreaths, gift baskets and certificates decorated for the holidays by individuals, organizations and businesses. The event’s fundraising this year will help acquire mandatory cancer care unit equipment for the Picton Hospital’s endoscopy unit. – Olivia Timm photo

While firefighting has its serious side, there were smiles, much applause and camaraderie at the Wellington and District Community Centre for a Long Service Medal Ceremony. Fifty-eight members of the Prince Edward County Fire and Rescue received awards for 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45 years of dedicated service before proud family members, work colleagues and friends seated in the Highline Hall. Prince Edward County Fire Chief Scott Manlow thanked and congratulated the County’s firefighters for protecting citizens and visitors to the community. Above, 45 Year Service Provincial Bar recipients Leonard Bedford, William Bedford, Roger Flower and Robert Tolley with Chief Scott Manlow. – Sharon Harrison photo