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, October 4, 2026
THE COUNTY WRITES….THE COUNTY READS
Earth for Sale: The Fight to Stop the Last Plunder of the Planet by Maude Barlow has been called an urgent warning about the financialization of nature and the rise of corporate control over the planet’s resources. “We must not allow the movement to protect nature and biodiversity to be handed over to private interests whose driving motive is, and always has been, profit.”
In A Murmuration of Starlings: A Birder Murder Mystery by Steve Burrows, demons from the past await DCI Domenic Jejeune. Set against a backdrop of Australia’s environmental initiatives and echoes of its colonial past, two murder cases challenge loyalties and long-held beliefs. Steve describes the extraordinary research he conducted for this tenth novel in the series.
Monday, October 5, 2026
TOPICAL ISSUES & CURRENT EVENTS
Mayor’s Report: Steve Ferguson returns with his final monthly report to residents as Mayor of Prince Edward County.
Applications open: The Vital Impact Fund is open for applications until November 2nd. Dominique Jones, Executive Director of The County Foundation, explains that $180,000 will be directed toward addressing food insecurity in Prince Edward County.
Election: County FM’s News Director, Craig Foster, spotlights candidates in Ward 1 Picton and Ward 2 Bloomfield/Hallowell.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
VITAL CONVERSATIONS
Vital Conversations is a monthly series new to the Tuesday Grapevine, and this is its first episode. Join Executive Director, Dominique Jones and Anne VanVlack, Vital Signs Coordinator at The County Foundation, for a timely conversation all about data. They’ll talk about how the information is gathered and interpreted to the ways it influences community planning and decision-making. Listen in to also hear about the evolving role of artificial intelligence and what it could mean for the future of our communities.
CONSUMERISM
The Chamber of Commerce CEO, Duarte Da Silva, will explore the Chamber’s beginnings, the industries and entrepreneurs that shaped our local economy, and the changing main streets of Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington. We’ll reflect on how County businesses have adapted over the years—and what lessons that history offers for the road ahead.
SERVICES
Passing the family cottage to the next generation involves more than handing over the keys. Lesley Lavender, CEO of the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations (FOCA), joins us to discuss why succession planning matters, the conversations families should have early, and common issues they may overlook. We’ll also explore FOCA’s Cottage Succession Planning webinars and Fall Seminar, how to access these resources, and a few practical tips for closing the cottage for the season.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
COUNTY COOKS
Squashes and pumpkins abound. Orange, sweet, rich and fleshy, great for sweet and savoury. Chef Chris Byrne stops by to give all the tips and tricks for using these abundant versatile veggies.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Pearl Hucul speaks with Dr. Billi Prinzen, owner of The Spectacle Shoppe in Picton which has been serving the community since 2010. Learn about her early years, how her dad, Mark Campbell, worked with her, and how she has managed the business since.
THE COUNTY, NATURALLY
Photo: Cheepshot
The northern saw-whet owl is everyone’s favourite owl. And during the fall migration, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory often bands more of them than any other observatory in North America. Guest host Cristina Petrucci, of the Observatory, will talk to owl bander Ketha Gillespie about this cute little owl.
Thursday, October 8, 2026
COUNTY GROWS
Krista Hepburn speaks with local gardeners about their gardening successes, challenges, and secrets.
COUNTY PROFILE
Pulling from the vault this week, Timothy Luginbuhl speaks with OPP Community Engagement Officer Nicole Cordingley of the Prince Edward County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. “Nikki” as she’s known to family and friends talks with County Profile about growing up here, going away for school — and her first jobs in law enforcement in Kingston — and returning home to be close to her family.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Anne Russell speaks with Dorothy Speirs about the activities of the “Perfectly Preserved’ group. An arm of the PECMH Auxiliary.
Roxanne Mackenzie speaks with Brenda Little about Pumpkinfest 2026.
Friday, October , 2026
ARTSCENE
Pamela Mayhew chats with 4 artists, Diane Beauregard, Andrea Pillar, Anne Dubois and Delane Cooper about an exciting and oh so interesting exhibit called Inspirare. This show explores a unique, interlaced collaboration of painting, olfactory art, ceramics, and jewellery. Quite exciting!
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?
I Know That Voice presents a special dedication to the late, great Kevin Conroy. Conroy is most famous and beloved for his performance as Batman in the 90’s Batman: The Animated Series, a role which he would reprise for 30 years in various cartoons, films, and video games. We lost Conroy in 2022 and this episode will be a long overdue tribute to one of the greatest men to ever work in the voiceover industry.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS Oct 4-10
Kid’s Can’t Wait Radiothon Wed Oct 7th
Tune in to CountyFM 6a-6p to learn more about The Children’s Foundation and how they’re working to support and strengthen our community. We join stations throughout our region in this unique presentation.
99.3 Lifestyle and Adventure Auction On Now through Oct 15th
Quite incredible, 54 gifts from local donors – thank you. Get in some early holiday shopping or pamper yourself. Join us at https://www.32auctions.com/993countyfmauction2026 or via our website. Free to just take a peak to check out all of the wonderful items…art, dinner, adventure, gifts, music, sports and so much more.
Homegrown 2026 – Celebrate at 99.3 County FM’s 12th Birthday Party – Thursday Oct 15th
Get your tickets today PWYC. The Wellington United Church has a lot of capacity however we did sell out last year and would love to see you there. The Wellington United Church is a stunning, intimate venue renowned for its warm, natural resonance and rich sound. Homegrown 2026 features Steve Wilkinson, Astrid Young, Bill Wood and Chris Bennett, Annelise Noronha, Telegraph Narrows, Dusty Keller, Fearless Love, Megan Hutton, The Cast of “Next to Normal”, and Peter Rea. We will have our new merch there and you can get in last minute bids if you wish on the auction.
Please come early, join us downstairs at 6:15 for a pre-show meet-and-greet with refreshments, snacks and fun draws, show starts upstairs at 7. All proceeds support your volunteer-driven, non-profit community radio station. Limited to four tickets per order. Sponsored by Green Gables Gifts & Greetings in Bloomfield, Lockyer’s Country Gardens just off the roundabout, and Picton Home Hardware Building Centre. Tickets CLICK HERE or visit www.993countyfm.ca
Justin Rutledge fundraiser for the Baxter Arts Centre at The Regent Oct 9th
Justin Rutledge and his band take to the Regent Theatre stage for a fundraising concert in support of Baxter Arts Centre. Tickets theregenttheatre.org Made possible by generous financial support from the donor advised Elderberry Fund, media sponsor 99.3 County FM.
Live Broadcast – Mayoral Candidates Debate from The Regent Mon Oct 5th 7pm
Getting in on the action live on-site is always great however if you can’t make it to The Regent we will broadcast the event live. Doors open at The Regent at 6pm. Debate starts at 7pm. See www.993countyfm.ca
99.3 CountyFM Presents “Our Stories, Our History” a New Audio Archive
Listen to the stories we share on-air including the latest on the local election. It’s a new catalogue of audio for interviews, documentaries, specialty projects, images, and more. Each week we are loading more of our living history into the 99.3 COUNTY FM PUBLIC ARCHIVE. Go 993COUNTYFM.CA click on the magnifying glass or hit the word, “Search”
