One of Belleville’s finest and most storied traditions will write the next chapter tomorrow (Thursday) as we gather for fun and fellowship.
The New Year’s Levee will be held at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre starting at 11 am.
I have attended the event many times over the years, both as reporter and citizen, and I can honestly say that it lives up to the hype.
You get the chance to hear from Mayor Neil Ellis and Council and take a look at the year that was and the year ahead (especially interesting in an election year), but it’s much more than that.
You get a feel for the mood the city is in.
You see familiar faces and reflect with them on what is happening now and what’s on everyone’s mind for 2026.
As a journalist, I see the faces of those who made the news happen, and others who were more swept along by the events of the day.
It’s also a rare chance for real connection. A New Year’s Levee is neither more nor less than a chance for those who truly care to greet the new year together.
If Belleville truly is the Friendly City, it is this moment that provides the first taste of what that means in the 365 days that follow, making it a unique window into the soul of the city itself.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
