GRAPEVINE NEWSLETTER – Sunday, May 10 to Saturday, May 16, 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, May 10, 2026
THE COUNTY WRITES….THE COUNTY READS

Happy Mother’s Day! Natalie MacMaster, multi-award-winning Cape Breton musician, member of the Order of Canada, is author of I Have a Love Story. She recounts learning to play the fiddle at age 9, becoming an international performer in her teens, meeting Donnell Leahy, the love of her life and, as a mom of seven, combining motherhood and a demanding career.
Monday, May 11, 2026
TOPICAL ISSUES & CURRENT EVENTS

Hospital update! Stacey Daub, President and CEO of Quinte Health and Shannon Coull, Executive Director of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, provide an update on the construction of the new hospital, its facilities, fundraisers, and timeline for completion.
Are you prepared? Carson Arthur and Carlyn Moulton explain why they, and several others, created ReadyPEC, a community-led initiative focused on strengthening local readiness and mitigating the impact of crises, while helping reduce pressure on municipal emergency services.
Mandatory voting? ICYMI: Excerpt from CWCR interview with Andrew Coyne, author of The Crisis of Canadian Democracy, discussing Mark Carney’s first year as Prime Minister and the case for mandatory voting.
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
SERVICES

The annual Wiggle Waggle Walk event at the end of this month is a perfect time to spotlight the incredible work of the Hastings and Prince Edward Humane Society. Executive Director, Melanie Cressman, joins us to talk about one of their most anticipated community events of the year, highlighting the vital role the Humane Society plays in caring for vulnerable animals in our region. From what participants can expect on event day to how fundraising efforts directly impact animal care, let’s learn how to get involved and make a difference!
HEALTH & WELLNESS

May 11th to May 17th is National Nursing Week in Canada. We welcome Nurse Practitioner Breanna Carr and Registered Practical Nurse Emma Prinzen from the Prince Edward Family Health Team to tell us about this year’s theme, “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health”. We’ll also learn how nursing professionals here in Prince Edward County play a critical role in delivering primary health and how the Government’s plan to transform primary care in Ontario is changing the roles, programs and services offered by the Family Health Team.
CONSUMERISM

A warm welcome to the new interviewer, Trisha Peech! She invites owner and founder of Sip Saunas, Michael Dellios, to join us live in studio to talk about designing and building handcrafted saunas that are rooted in the Finnish tradition. The conversation explores the deeper philosophy behind sauna culture, the connection between wellness and community, and why design details matter. Plus, hear about Sip Sauna’s upcoming 3rd anniversary celebration happening May 16th in Wellington.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
COUNTY COOKS

This week on County Cooks tune in for part 2 of our chat with Chef Chris Byrne and Registered Herbalist Tamara Segal. They talk about the second wave of spring greens up now in the County and how to prepare and preserve them for optimal enjoyment.
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS

Pearl Hucul speaks with Daniel Jukes whose interest in balloon creations began in 2011. That interest has developed into a popular local business called County Balloons which supplies fabulous balloon decor, installations, and party services for a wide variety of events and client tastes.
THE COUNTY, NATURALLY

Photo: Imageperson
Congratulations to Belleville which this week earned its designation of Bird-Friendly City from Nature Canada. But what the heck is a bird-friendly city? And why does it matter anyway? Dan Guenther of Quinte Field Naturalists explains all that, and tells Pamela Stagg why establishing a bird-friendly city can be an important step in creating a more people-friendly city.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
COUNTY GROWS

Astrid Young presents current news, views, and practices in our local wineries & vineyards.
COUNTY PROFILE

For 10 years Dianne Kennedy has steered the helm of the Picton legion, while gardening a prolific bounty of salad veggies, crafting magnificent reconstructed bags, capturing the world in watercolour and using her talents to help PEC with her absolutely infectious laugh! Renay Weissman-Stanners says the hardest task when editing this County Profile was controlling her laughter!
WHAT’S HAPPENING

Pictured: Susan Donly and Linda Mitchell of the Women’s Institute with Denise Boos of the Friends of the Bloomfield Branch Library.
Friday, May 15, 2026
ARTSCENE

Time to check in with Georgia Papanicolaou about her passion for theatre. She loves bringing plays to us that tell stories full of discovery and ways to find our place in the world. This time, Shatterbox is staging “Silent Sky”, written by Laura Gunderson, all about the women who mapped the stars in a man’s world of astronomy. Enjoy her insights in conversation with Sarah Moran.
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

On a special re-airing of I Know That Voice, we pay tribute to one of the most influential and famous disc jockeys and voice actors of all time, Casey Kasem. Kasem was known in the voice acting community for performing numerous characters, including, possibly the most popular, Shaggy from Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? Gage Broderick takes us on a journey to see how Kasem’s journey led him from the mixing board to the Mystery Machine and beyond.
Radiothon 2026, our 12th annual celebration – June 4th-7th
Four days of great live local music. Special thanks to our title sponsor “Wellings of Picton”.
Join us Monday May 11th as we announce our musical line-up.
This year’s theme is “Grown Here” celebrating our agricultural community and everything created right here in Prince Edward County. Special thanks to this year’s Honorary Chair Jane Thompson.
Please help bridge the funding gap. The goal this year is $77,000 thousand dollars. Learn more online at www.993CountyFM.ca Thank you to this year’s sponsors Wellings of Picton,Heidelberg Materials, Angie’s Pooper Pumping Service, JJ International Media and Management Solutions, Lockyer’s Country Gardens, McDougall Ins & Financial (Picton), Prinzen Ford, Royal Hotel, Stormy’s Auto Group, Veenstra and Lloyd’s Plumbing Heating and Cooling.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with 99.3 CountyFM
Send in your requests to promotions@993countyfm.ca Listen Sunday May 10th as we play requests. Congratulations to Pamela Fraser, winner of the Mother’s Day brunch for two at the Waring House and a Regent Theatre special night out entertainment package including tickets to see The Devil Wears Prada 2. The Waring House brunch buffet runs from 10:30 to 2:30. Plus wagon rides from 12 to 2. For bookings call 613-476-7492.
The Ultimate County Kid Presented by Marysburgh Mummers May 8-17
An original Mummers Musical by Megan Hutton,a high-energy musical comedy set in Prince Edward County. Fictional county contestants compete in answering questions about county heritage, culture, and more! A celebration of our past, present, and future. The show runs Friday May 8 to 17 at the Mount Tabor Playhouse in Milford. For tickets and more info Ticketscene.ca or www.993countyfm.ca Media Sponsor 99.3 CountyFM
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
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.
