GRAPEVINE NEWSLETTER – Sunday, February 8 – Saturday, February 14 , 2026
99.3 County FM is dedicated to keeping you informed about our programming.
To this end, we are sharing with you highlights of the next week on Sunday’s The County Writes…The County Reads and Monday to Friday Grapevine (noon hour & repeat 6:00 p.m.) plus any other unique programming specials.
This newsletter is sent once per week. If you prefer not to know what’s happening on Grapevine, please inform us by emailing reception@993countyfm.ca.
Sunday, February 8, 2026
THE COUNTY WRITES….THE COUNTY READS
BASEBALL & POLITICS: Best-selling author Brad Smith returns with Billy Crawford’s Double Play in which the star of the Rose City Rounders becomes an unlikely candidate for mayor. Brad says the plot combines elements of his two favourite spectator sports: baseball and politics.
BASEBALL: Andrew Forbes, author of Field Work: On Baseball and Making a Living.
POLITICS: Thomas Harrison, author of Searching for Richard Nixon: Finding Refuge and Making a Home in Prince Edward County.
Monday, February 9, 2026
TOPICAL ISSUES & CURRENT EVENTS
Sarah Bobas and Christina Zeidler of the Wellington Town Hall Foundation explain how they plan to retain the Hall as a community-owned hub and what’s contained in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the County and the Foundation.
Congratulations to 99.3 County FM for receiving the Not-for-Profit Award and the Excellence in Arts & Culture award at PEC Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards. GM Craig Mills congratulates all County FM volunteer contributors including the Artscene team.
In January 2025, the home of Raymond Francis, a Canadian working at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, was destroyed by the Eaton wildfire. Now, the sunflower seeds Raymond scattered on his burned-out lot are in bloom and he returns to the Grapevine with an update on his plans to rebuild.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
CONSUMER INFORMATION
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Tune in for an informative conversation that may change how you see your neighbourhood pharmacy. We’re joined by Jessica Leavitt, a PEFHT pharmacist, and Maya Abdul Majed, a pharmacy student from the University of Waterloo, when they visit our studio and we learn what it means to be a pharmacist. From vaccines to chronic care support, we’ll explore the expanding services offered by today’s pharmacies and how pharmacists help keep patients safe.
CONSUMERISM
We’re joined by professional interior designer, Andrea Panacci, for a conversation regarding where interior design is heading — and why it’s becoming more meaningful than ever. We will talk about heritage furniture, architectural paint techniques, wellness-focused recovery rooms, wall murals, and fabrics that shape our space. We will learn how comfort, craftsmanship, and longevity are redefining modern luxury. It’s a thoughtful look at interiors that don’t just follow trends — they support real life!
SERVICES
Join us for an important conversation with Amelia Huffman of the Alzheimer Society HPE as we break down the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We will discuss how connection, understanding, and community support can make a powerful difference — and why no one should face dementia alone. This discussion will offer practical ways we can support those living with dementia and their care partners. And we’ll chat about their large upcoming auction fundraiser available both online and on location at the Dinner/Dance $125 ticketed event.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
COUNTY COOKS
Liz Moran speaks with Jennifer Hamilton, the founder of The Charcuterie Co. Their custom charcuterie boards and boxes are made with local ingredients right here in Prince Edward County.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
County business owners share their experiences and advice with Duarte Da Silva, Chief Executive Officer of the PEC Chamber of Commerce
THE COUNTY NATURALLY
Photo: Jerzy Opiola
It’s an invading army that no-one wants. Water soldier has entered the Bay of Quinte and some County residents have already seen it along their properties. Now the fight is on to prevent Water Soldier from reaching the open waters of Lake Ontario. Mary Gunning of Quinte Conservation talks to Pamela Stagg about the help that’s available in this battle.
Thursday, February 12, 2026
COUNTY GROWS
This week on the County Grows, Viticulture, Astrid Young catches up with Keith Tyers of Closson Chase Vineyards, where, since 2003, he has been deeply involved in growing and making some of the County’s most storied chardonnay and pinot noir. We’ll hear what it was like to work with the legendary Deborah Paskus and how he has carried her legacy forward while carving out his own, built on grapes that captured the world’s attention before Prince Edward County was even a DVA.
County Profiles return in March
For six weeks, 99.3 County FM presents Seniors & Technology Embracing the Digital World. Every week of our documentary we explore topics and trends that can help you navigate through the maze of today’s technology. Canadians struggle to discern between true and false information. This is especially true of visual misinformation that is slippery (meaning it contains some element of truth in it). In this Thursday’s episode “Misinformation” we will be investigating the sources of online misinformation, the steps our government is taking to protect Canadians from various forms of cyber threats and what we can do to distinguish between online fact and fiction.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Craig Mills speaks with Mark Houghton, Community Engagement Volunteer, Picton United Food Bank, about the Coldest Night of the Year event on Feb 28th. An event to better understand food insecurity and show our support of the FoodBank.
Brenda Mercer Garvey speaks with historian Peter Lockyer about two of his upcoming Flashback February events “George Ellsworth, a County man who became an infamous Confederate soldier” on Feb 18th, and “The 1884 Lazier Murder Trail” on Feb 25th. Both events at Base31.
Friday, February 12, 2026
ARTSCENE
Catelyn Thornton invites her co-hosts to play her second annual trivia game The Arts of Love to celebrate Valentine’s Day this week. This year though, the theme of her questions will revolve around luck as well as love, since the show airs on Fri., Feb. 13th. Who’s superstitious?! Tune in to test your knowledge of trivia in visual arts, music, literature, dance, film and more.
SPORTS ROUNDUP
The Prince Edward County Sports Hall of Fame showcases memorable athletes and events.
PET REPORT
Dave Wheatley reports on lost and found cats as well as profiling the ones looking for a forever home.
WHAT’S THE BUZZ
Pat Larkin presents current music trends, artists, and releases.
2025 Prince Edward County Business Excellence Awards. This week 99.3 CountyFM won the award for “Excellence in Arts & Culture” and CountyFM tied with County Kids Read as co-winners of the award for “Excellence in Not-for-Profit Organizations. Congratulations to all the nominees. These awards created by the PEC Chamber of Commerce are a welcome recognition for the contribution of all our volunteers and staff however they are also reflective of all of our donors and advertisers support. Thank you all for your efforts to help us serve our community.
Wellington Dukes Play by Play
Catch all of the action with your play by play host Craig Foster & producer Gage Broderick. Saturday Feb 14th 4pm Wellington Dukes vs Haliburton County.
Family Day Feb 16 2026
Celebrate and connect with your County neighbours at the Wellington & District Community Centre from 9am to 3pm. Join 99.3 CountyFM for for fun activities such as skating, games, arts and crafts, etc. Free soup and chili provided by the Wellington Rotary Club from 11:30 am – 1 pm. Presented by Kin Canada and the Fire Department.
The Coldest Night of the Year Feb 28
6,000 of our friends and neighbours in Prince Edward County are food insecure. 1,500 people utilize the services of foodbanks while the other 4,500 presumably go without. February 28 at 5pm is “The Coldest Night of the Year”. It’s a walk through Picton to raise money for the Picton United Church Food Bank. By walking in the cold, you’ll feel a hint of the challenge faced by those experiencing homelessness during winter. To register or support others, visit cnoy.org 99.3 County FM is a proud sponsor of this event.
Newsletter Sign Up
99.3 Grapevine newsletter, signup button on the top right of our website or click here to subscribe.
Volunteer Opportunities
Grant Writer – work with our fun team and take on exciting projects to serve our community.
Newscasters – openings – a few hours a week.
IndigiVibes – Indigenous host – Wednesday 7p-8p
C’est Bon – French host – Wednesday 8p-9p
Call the station at 613-476-2229 to learn more or email
99.3 Grapevine newsletter, signup button on the top right of our website or click here to subscribe.
Call the station at 613-476-2229 to learn more or email
