A heartfelt thank you from the King family

My family and I would like to send a special thank you to all the wonderful people of Picton, following the passing of our brother, Don (Donnie as we knew him).

For many years, I watched my brother move from place to place, a little time here, a little time there. I often felt that he was looking for something. Something different, something special. He had worked many hospitality jobs and enjoyed many of them—others maybe not so much. Ever the optimist, he always believed there was something better coming, just around the next corner.

Then he found this lovely little corner in Ontario—or maybe it found him. “The County” was what he called this beautiful community. I truly believe that here he found something special. He found his home.  

He and Roy opened Portabella, and it took on a life of its own, becoming bigger and better than he could have ever imagined. They had created a wonderful space full of great food, great people, lots of fun, laughter and love.  Even after closing Portabella and leaving “the County,” the County never left him. Shortly thereafter, the call of this place and its people was deafening and he had to return.

Having heard Don speak so frequently of many of you, the fun stories, the stories of generosity and caring, and having met some of you on our too infrequent visits to your community, it certainly was easy to understand why he loved it.  

I have often heard it said that you can’t choose your family. But I think Don, Roy and all of you have proven that to be wrong. From the Portabella family, whom he loved dearly, to all the wonderful people at The Waring House, The County Cider Company,  and every person he called a friend, every soul he met in Picton—far too many for me to name or remember—you were all a part of his extended family. He chose you, and you chose him.

On behalf of The King family: Yvonne, Faye, Les, Ken, and I, Kelly, and our families, we say thank you. Thank you for all you did for Don and Roy over the years, and for all the kindness and generosity you have shown us since his passing. 

In closing, we want to extend an extra special thank you to Shannon, for being a light so bright we could see and feel it all the way in Niagara, and for everything she did during this very difficult time. To Kate, for being such a great friend for so many years, and to Nora and Chris for their generosity and kindness, and for hosting the lovely celebration of life.

Lastly, my dear Roy, we are comforted and grateful to know that you are surrounded by your Picton family. I will close as Don did every text: 

Love ya Hugs.

Kelly King, Niagara, Ontario

Principled Coverage

I wish to commend the Gazette for the thorough and principled way you covered the recent controversy involving Rebel Media and the local Tim Horton’s outlet.

Calling out racist comments and reaction was courageous and correct. Outlining for your readers the biased, non-journalistic purpose of Rebel Media was a public service.

In doing so, the Gazette showed moral leadership—a quality badly lacking in so much of our political and social discourse. 

As someone who is thinking of relocating to Prince Edward County, that counts as a priceless incentive. Keep up the good work.

John Miller, Hamilton Township, Ontario

I thought the County was better than that

Re: Hate Street (Editorial, October 8). I just read your editorial on the Tim Horton’s situation. 

Too bad that it even needed to be written. I thought Canadians, and particularly those in the County, were better than that. 

I hope there is only a small fringe group that is trying to fan the flames of discontent and hatred of “others.”

James F. Ford, Windsor, Ontario

Fair and Objective Reporting

Rebel News is the furthest thing from balanced or impartial journalism. The Picton Gazette coverage of the unfortunate Tim’s matter was professional, fair, and responsible — accountable and objective journalism as it should be. Thank you.

Councillor Bill Roberts, Sophiasburg