Watershed Magazine

11/28/2025

From carving trails through snow-dusted forests, crossing suspension bridges above frozen rivers to catching kite surfers tearing across icy waves – these outdoor activities are sure to keep you busy this winter.

Get Outside!
by Micol Marotti with Illustration by Valentina Giannangeli

GANARASKA FOREST
The Ganaraska Forest boasts 35 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails and 10 kilometres of snowshoeing trails: grca.on.ca

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY FOREST
From December to March the Beagle Club Trailhead is open only to cross-country skiers: northumberland.ca

GOODRICH-LOOMIS CONSERVATION AREA
For a quintessential winter snowshoe experience, wander through the hilly backwood trails: ltc.on.ca

FERRIS PROVINCIAL PARK
Although the park is officially closed in October, self-guided winter use is allowed. For more information visit: ontarioparks.ca

VANDERWATER CONSERVATION AREA
Spot the QR codes that link to an audio tour about the surrounding landscape and rock formations: quinteconservation.ca

H.R. FRINK CENTRE
This outdoor education centre just north of Belleville is the starting point for cross-country skiing trails that are suitable for beginners and experienced skiers: quinteconservation.ca

SANDBANKS PROVINCIAL PARK
Park at Dunes Beach and watch the kite surfers take on the chilly winter waves; or walk the miles of shoreline and look for the ice formations: ontarioparks.ca/park/sandbanks

https://watershedmagazine.com/departments/get-outside/

11/27/2025

The season sparkles with togetherness – familiar faces, local traditions, and the comforting sense that home is more than a place.

Unwrapping the Holidays with Christy Wright and Photography by Christine Reid Photography

In the rush leading up to the holidays, it’s sometimes easy to lose sight of the little things that bring the season to life. It’s really all about sharing – not only sharing presents but also sharing time, traditions and memories with special friends and family. We turned to some familiar faces from our area and asked them to walk us through the ways they make their holiday festivities a little more personal, a little more joyful, and, of course when it comes to gift buying, a little more local.

Discover Meaningful, Memorable and Inspiring Gift Suggestions from our Experts: Bev Carnahan, Director of the All Canadian Wine Championships; Autumn-Leeh Saunders,
Owner of Tall Birches in Port Hope; Justin McClenaghan,
Owner of Justin's Pet Store, Cobourg; Taylor Russett,
Owner of Belleville’s Lafferty’s Menswear, The Grind and Vine in Trenton and Russett Photography; and Claire Telford,
Owner and Founder of Telford Basics in PEC.

https://watershedmagazine.com/features/meaningful-memorable-and-inspiring/

11/26/2025

Must Toast and Sip

Some of the very best bottles from the County will be showcased at events this winter. Yes, take note! Wassail, put on in November by the PEC Winegrowers Association marks the preparations of vineyards for winter, and vintners will host vintage sampling and festivities at County wineries. “Wassail” comes from the Old English phrase “be hale” – be in good health – and folks would go “a-wassailing” from house to house to sing carols and drink to the season in a lively way. Sounds like the perfect time to toast and sip with a tour of PEC wineries.

In March, there’s Élevage: Winter Wine Festival, a unique passport experience to County wine appreciation with conversations with winemakers, specialty samples and plenty of joie de vivre to warm the heart as you sip and mingle.

Wassail, Nov. 15,16, 22, 23, 29 & 30, 2025 pecwines.com/featured-events/wassail
Élevage, March 8 – 9, 2026 pecwines.com/featured-events/elevage-winter-wine-festival

https://watershedmagazine.com/departments/must-must-must-winter-2025-2026/

11/25/2025

Watershed is Lovin’ the Local: A showcase of locally made and locally inspired products that reflect the heart and soul of entrepreneurs rooted in the region.

Divine Designs by Lori

Hand-painted meditative art created in Port Hope; custom orders and workshops are also available.

– Instagram: –

https://watershedmagazine.com/departments/lovin-the-local-winter-2025-2026/

11/24/2025

A Labour of Love

Innovation by Allison Nichol Longtin

Trenton locals Jannine and Dwayne Gray bravely embarked on a massive project on Front Street that serves as a shining example of revitalization efforts in Quinte West.

A series of handsome, stately red brick facades in downtown Trenton is home to CLOVE. Lofts on Front., a commercial and residential development that spans much of the west side of the block. The residential component of the project boasts seven light-filled units with soaring 20-foot ceilings and windows that stretch almost as high. The lofts have been created without sacrificing style and provide all the comforts one might hope for. At street level, the retail/commercial spaces are at the heart of Trenton’s downtown.

Jannine Gray, lover of all things design, and her husband, Dwayne, master electrician and her partner on this project, own and operate Diamond Electrical Contractors, employing 40 locals in the Quinte West area.

The couple were captivated by their building’s charm as soon as it became available. The Victorian building, known as the Saylor Block, had many uses before it came into the Grays’ possession. In its nearly 150-year history, it has been home to hardware store, a groceteria, a barber shop, a fabric shop and even a pool hall. The 19th-century commercial structure, built by Samuel Cooley in 1877, survived a fire that devastated much of downtown Trenton in 1978, thanks to a firewall that Mr. Saylor Sr. had insisted upon during renovations.

Trenton locals Jannine and Dwayne Gray bravely embarked on a massive project on Front Street that serves as a shining example of revitalization efforts in Quinte West.

11/23/2025

Christmas Arrived Early! The Winter Issue is Here!

Get Outside with our Day Trip to local Conservation Areas by Micol Marotti, complete with a stunning illustration by Valentina Giannangeli; Virginie Martocq helps Restore Joy with a Holiday House Tour, photographed by Christine Reid Photography; Share Meaningful and Memorable Holiday Traditions with our Local Experts by Christy Wright; Create your own Ice Lantern with Karen Hawthorne in Must Must; Chill out at the Mill Restaurant with Signe Langford, photographed by Knott Studio; Meghan Sheffield keeps warm at Sip Saunas in PEC; discover the labour of love happening in Downtown Trenton with Allison Nichol Longtin; Lonelle Selbo stargazes with Jordan Martin de Rosales at Picton's Merrill House, with photos by Chloe Tremblay; and of course our perennial favourite - Holiday Fiction by Ted Staunton, complete with a festive illustration by Tim Zeltner. And don't worry ... Jeanne Beker will be back in the Spring with more Joie de Vivre adventures!

Don't miss out - grab your Winter Watershed now!

https://watershedmagazine.com/

11/20/2025

The Winter Issue is here! 🎄

11/19/2025

11/18/2025

Watershed is on the road… There’s a chill in the air as we celebrate the harvest and support the businesses that are working hard to create the food we savour and the shops we love.

Follow the Food with Karen Hawthorne

Old Bank Café
1 Mill Street, Frankford
oldbankcafe.com

Dakama Chocolate
The County Food Hub, 406 County Road 15, Picton
dakamachocolate.com

Beautifully Delicious
Cobourg
beautifullydelicious.ca

Red Fox Crafters
Cobourg
redfoxcrafters.ca

County Thyme Farm
3857 County Road 8, Picton
countythymefarm.ca

Flossie’s Sandwich Parlor
250 Sidney Street, Belleville
flossiessandwiches.com

The Charcuterie Co.
Picton
thecharcuterieco.ca

https://watershedmagazine.com/departments/follow-the-food-spring-2025-2/

11/17/2025

Watershed is Lovin' the Local with Roxella's Creations

Fun, fashionable and fully customizable handmade pet accessories designed in Quinte West.

– Instagram: –

https://watershedmagazine.com/departments/lovin-the-local-fall-2025/