GRAPEVINE NEWSLETTER – Sunday, April 26 to Saturday, May 2, 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, April 26, 2026
THE COUNTY WRITES….THE COUNTY READS
From the archives: Jeannie Marshall, author of All Things Move: Learning to Look in the Sistine Chapel, discusses Michelangelo’s masterpieces – The Last Judgement, The Deluge, The Creation of Adam – and how art can change our lives. Lorraine Johnson, co-author of A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee: Creating Habitat for Native Pollinators, offers advice on cultivating space for a pollinator paradise.
Monday, April 27, 2026
TOPICAL ISSUES & CURRENT EVENTS
Mike Branscombe, Fire Prevention Officer. and Elis Ziegler, Affordable Housing Supervisor, describe the issue of hoarding households in the County, the types and levels of hoarding and the supports available through HART, the Hoarding Action Response Team.
Mark Johnson of saveourhistory.ca explains why he asked County council to restore the Sir John A. MacDonald Holding Court statue to Main Street, Picton, and his reaction when council voted nay.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
CONSUMERISM
We sit down with Tim Kuepfer, head of PEC Wine for a timely conversation about the state of the County’s wine industry.
We will discuss:
- the impact of this season’s unpredictable spring weather on local grape varieties
- explore what big changes are happening amongst our 40 plus wineries and what those shifts mean for the future of the region, and
- learn about the Terroir Tasting event at The Eddie Hotel & Farm—an opportunity to experience the best of County wines and ciders all in one place!
SERVICES
Is that warning light urgent? Is that new squeak or rattle something serious? Could that rust spot lead to a major problem? Cars and trucks are complicated and expensive to maintain these days and even with Google and AI it is often hard to know what to do. Custom Automotive owner and mechanic, Chris Rice, joins us to answer listeners’ questions regarding what’s going wrong with their vehicles. If you have a question about your vehicle and would like Chris to answer it on air, send it to questions@993countyfm.ca before April 27th and tune in to hear the answer!
HEALTH & WELLNESS
After a couple of unexpected delays, we’re delighted to finally bring you this conversation, and appreciate your patience. Building on the important conversation we shared with the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan’s Action Team addressing Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse, we continue that dialogue focusing on the mental health impacts of sexual assault. This conversation with Psychiatrist, Dr. Joe Burley, will take a deeper look at how trauma can affect individuals in both the short and long term and discuss pathways toward healing and recovery.
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
COUNTY COOKS
Krista Hepburn speaks with Victoria Hunt about her culinary history and her recipe for a unique Iranian vegetarian dish called “Kuku Sabzi”.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Craig Mills speaks with Taylor Russett who purchased Lafferty Menswear which was established in 1972 in downtown Belleville. Taylor continues to honour Lafferty’s rich heritage, while also pushing the envelope on quality menswear for all ages, seasons, and fashion sensibilities.
THE COUNTY NATURALLY
Photo: James Buchanan
What would you learn if you could take a state-of-the-art research vessel into the Bering Sea and grab a bunch of mud from the ocean floor? Lots, if that mud came from an ancient lake bed and you happened to be an Ice-Age researcher at University of Alaska Fairbanks. In fact, you could re-construct complete ecosystems from the Ice Age.
Dr. Mat Wooller will talk to Pamela Stagg about his research into the ecosystems of 11,000+ years ago and what the mud of the Bering Sea has taught him.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
COUNTY GROWS
Jane Thompson’s guests are the incoming president of the Prince Edward Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Daniel Parks of Parksdale Farm and Lynn Ward, a leader of the new 4-H Field Crops Club. Together we discuss what farm folks from 9 to 90 are doing with crops this year.
COUNTY PROFILE
Worth repeating: Gage Broderick speaks with County FM volunteer and fellow Friday Grapevine host, Raj Dhillon. Raj is the host of the Friday Grapevine segment, ScreenPLAY, and will divulge her extensive film knowledge and what led her to volunteering at County FM.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Barbara Sweet and Liz Zylstra discuss all things poetry. This bust of Al Purdy is housed at the Ameliasburgh branch.
Friday, May 1, 2026
ARTSCENE
Enjoy listening to Sally McCubbin chat with Sarah Moran. Sally looks for beauty in the everyday and creates it in glass, something she dreamed of doing since she was young. Her work is much awarded and lives in public and private collections around the world. Here in the county she works as a solutions-driven artist and designer.
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
Screenplay
Raj Dhillon shares interviews, reviews, and analysis of all things film and movie related.
I Know That Voice takes on a unique twist this week as we primarily focus on one particular voice performance by the late, great Robin Williams in the Disney film Aladdin. However, the story of the production and marketing of this film leads to the origin of why so many animation projects are promoted on their celebrity voice cast in today’s market. Find out the story this week on I Know That Voice.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Spring for Cash 50/50 –
Thank you to all of those who have purchased tickets!
Congratulations to John Lyons who was announced on the Jim JJ Johnston Morning Show, Monday, April 20th at 8:40 AM. Stay tuned for feature Raffles and chances to win!
License number RAF1519149
Community Radio Initiative
99.3 CountyFM and more than 250 radio stations across the country like us, need your support. Day in and day out, we work to bring you the local news that matters, the music you won’t hear anywhere else, and we are here in support of our community. The CRI is an initiative for community radio stations to receive some support in the federal budget. If you would like to assist it takes less than five minutes and a few clicks. Go to www.mycri.ca Thank you
The PEC Jazz Festival special launch event May 8
It’s the start of another exciting festival season and 99.3 CountyFM is excited to return as a media sponsor. At the kick off, dance the night away to the fabulous sounds of The Crap Shooters Jive Band. You’ll also be among the first to know the full Main Stage lineup for the 2026 Prince Edward County Jazz Festival. Location: Waring Hall 395 Sandy Hook Rd., Picton. Tickets through Eventbrite.
County Kids of Steel Triathlon June 7
Please support The County Kids of Steel Triathlon. This is a community-focused event, open to participants ages 3-17! The mission is to foster fitness, perseverance, and fun through sports. While promoting safety, healthy development and local family engagement.
Go to www.countykidsofsteel.ca for more information and to register!
Promotional support sponsored by Books and Co, Picton Family Dentistry, Shannon Warr-Hunter, and 99.3 County FM.
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Volunteer Opportunities
Donations Coordinator – responsible for maintaining the process surrounding financial donations from individuals and businesses that support the operations of our community radio station, while fostering strong relationships with donors and working well with our volunteer team.
