All Welcome Here, Picton, ON (2026)

05/30/2026

5th Annual POCnic - next Saturday!!

Cost: nothing. Eat, drink and be merry 😃

This year, Judy and Hans at Paper Kite Farm are our hosts and we’re so excited!! They will be giving us a farm tour. Even if you don’t farm, I think it’s always super interesting to get insight into where our food comes from. Plus sheep!!

Speaking of: No dogs this year as we’re on-farm and there are working farm dogs.

This year, we’re featuring amazing food from , , .farm and, of course, .pec. Would it even be a POCnic without Cookie Mama?!

If you’d like to bring a dish for sharing, that’s fabulous! Please remember to bring along a sign with the ingredient list for allergies and preferences. There is NO pressure to bring anything - this is a free event and the joy is in seeing everyone and meeting new friends. 💜

When: June 6 from 12-3pm
Where: Paper Kite Farm - 212 County Rd 16
What: The POCnic is a picnic for the PEC BIPOC community
Why: This gives the BIPOC community the opportunity to connect, enjoy good food, music and relax and laugh in good company!
Who: Anyone that identifies as BIPOC and their close friends & family members (BIPOC or not)

Please share this post

- Judith💜💜

04/20/2026

Hoo boy. Here we go again?

Tomorrow night, County Council is set to receive a deputation requesting that JAM statue be returned to Picton Main Street.

I know that the County now has a Public Art Policy. It also has a process for public art on public and PRIVATE property in Picton and Wellington. Both are officially designated as Heritage Conservation Districts.

I know that pretty much anyone can go to Council and talk to them about whatever that want (within reason I’m sure). Yay democracy. Seriously.

It’s been almost 5 years since the statue was finally removed. Now someone wants to “Save Our History” and bring it back. I think we all know what they mean by “Our.”

Back then, an entire working group heard from various County residents, some experts, and just interested people. Eventually, Council did vote to remove it. But please remember that they first voted to keep it there and only changed their minds following public pressure.

Sitting on that working group was rough. Some testimonies were devastating and some outright felt that my humanity was lesser than theirs.

I won’t speak for any other members but I experienced multiple racist attacks by a member of the working group. I also had to deal with members of Council trying to get me fired from The County (from my (then) 1-day-a-week job).

It has to be said that there were lots of positives and amazing support from some on Council, County staff and so, so many folks in our community.

This makes me feel so tired and sad, thinking about having to go down this painful road again. We worked hard to try and help us all to be intentional about supporting and building on a community where we all belong. Even if that means not having your very expensive bronze chunk sitting out on the street.

Public space belongs to all of us. Removing statues does not erase history. Reconciliation means action and stepping out of privilege and entitlement.

So, I’ll be at the meeting tomorrow and I hope you’ll let your councillor know what you think. I’m sure I’ll see some of you in chambers

- Judith 💜

04/18/2026

We’re excited to be partnering with The Prince Edward County Arts Council (County Arts) and offering support to local BIPOC artists and BIPOC residents who want to do some creative learning! We have 3 scholarships to give away - first come, first served.

This is limited to BIPOC artists who live in the County (part or full time).

WHAT: take any late spring session class with County Arts and the class fees are taken care of! More info here: https://countyarts.ca/community-arts-classes/

HOW: send us an email to [email protected] and let us know who you are and where you live - name, address, and let us know you’re BIPOC. First three get the scholarship and we will send you a special registration code within 5 days. You don’t need to specify what class you want to take in the email.

IMPORTANT to know:
- you must register by June 1st or the scholarship will expire and be given to the next applicant.
- scholarships are only for the late spring session
- check County Arts for any age limits and for further information.
- This scholarship pays a maximum of $277, including materials.

- Judith 💜

03/18/2026

Hi BIPOC families! We’re having a little party at Wildlings Play Café at Base31! March 22 3-5PM - bring your kids for a FREE play and hang (ideal for kids 0-8yrs old). Please register on Eventbrite so we know you’re joining us.

You can also fill out a waiver for Wildlings Play Café online through their website before your visit.

First 5 people to register will also get a free play pass giftcard to use another day!

See you then!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bipoc-family-meetup-wildlings-play-cafe-tickets-1984936860583

02/28/2026

Please make some time to join our hero at The Carriage House by Macaulay House in Picton!! An incredible opportunity to hear from youth as they lead a conversation and share reflections with Delane’s powerful and moving piece, Straddling Grief, as the backdrop.

- Judith 💜

From :

Join us for a meaningful afternoon of reflection and youth-led conversation at Straddling Grief, a public art installation exploring themes of grief, loss, and memory.

This gathering invites young people to come together and model for our community what it means to show up for one another, especially when conversations feel difficult. Youth will share short reflections with Straddling Grief as a backdrop.

The afternoon will include a welcoming, youth speakers and closing remarks + gratitude. Following the gathering, guests are warmly invited to Macaulay House for hot cider and cookies.

All are welcome to attend this free event.

As Straddling Grief is situated in a sheltered, but unheated space, attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather.

Tomorrow at 1:00 -35 Church Street

01/19/2026

We wanted to share our deep sadness on the passing of Dr. Aruna Alexander earlier this month.She was a champion for inclusion and a tireless worker to make her community stronger.

Her biography is fierce and I would encourage everyone to read it and be astounded! For instance, she founded the Quinte Branch of the United Nations Association in Canada and was a leader at the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities. She was an ordained minister of the United Church and served congregations here, in Prince Edward County.

I first met Aruna in real life back in 2021. She invited myself and some of All Welcome Here’s Board to an Annual Leadership Summit on Inclusivity that focused on anti-racism. The event was held in Belleville and it was genuinely phenomenal to meet so many folks engaged in anti racism in our region. It was also inspiring to see so many Belleville politicians and other community leaders attending and engaging in the work.

Since then, we’ve sat on committees with Aruna and been to each others’ events. We remained constantly inspired by her dedication and focus. She worked with anyone and everyone in Belleville and around to help ensure that everyone felt welcome in their home community. She worked in her faith community and across faiths, she worked with youth, she worked on anti-racism and immigration.

She spoke with everyone she could and helped bring people together. She believed that we’re all better off when everyone is at the same table.

Dr. Alexander will be profoundly missed.

- Judith 💜💜

10/22/2025

Our deepest and massive thanks to Professor Natasha Henry-Dixon!

Thanks to her for coming out to The County last week and sharing some of her incredible knowledge of Black history in our region.

It was such a true pleasure getting to meet her in person, even if it was too short. I wish we would have had more time to chat about her work, her research, and what life here is like as a Black person.

I learned so much from her talk and was particularly struck by what life may have looked like existing in an economy and society where enslavement exited.

You can learn more about her work by visiting One Too Many: Enslaved Africans in Early Ontario, 1760 - 1834™.
https://enslavedafricansinearlyontario.ca/

You can also find her work in The Canadian Encyclopedia and by googling her name! She works to tell the actual stores of Black folks who were enslaved here in Ontario. Stories that have gone unresearched and stories that have sometimes been deliberately hidden.
https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/author/natasha-l-henry

Special thanks as ever to the Museums! We’re always proud to work with you and appreciate your support - and all the laughs too 💜

Thanks also to the Royal and to Jackson’s Falls Inn for hosting Professor Henry Dixon (and her family).

Thanks to everyone who came out, in person and online (and thanks to the online attendees for bearing with our tech challenges).

We all have a broader, more fulsome, and deeper sense of our shared history because of Dr. Henry-Dixon. Thank you!

- Judith 💜

Pic: Professor Natasha Henry-Dixon and AWH’s Judith Burfoot at Macaulay Museum.

PS I know the links don’t work in IG, but it helps to know what you’re looking for!

10/15/2025

TONIGHT!! Hope to see you there 😃

We are beyond excited to be welcoming the phenomenal Dr. Natasha Henry-Dixon back!

She first shared with us virtually in August, 2022 and we’re thrilled that she is coming out to the County to share her work in person.

This is a collab with MUSEUMS, with thanks particularly to Jess Chase 💜. The Museums have been an amazing partner to AWH over the years and I hope this is another in a long line of fun AND educational events.

We also want to thank for supporting.

And special thanks to the Royal for their direct support 💜

Event: The Reaches of Slavery in British North America, with Connections to Prince Edward County
Date: Wednesday, October 15th at 6:00 pm
Where: Virtual AND Macaulay Museum (23 Church St, Picton)

Please register to attend virtually or IRL by contacting Jess at [email protected] or calling 613-476-2148 x2524.

Admission is FREE but space is limited!

- Judith 💜

10/14/2025

Honestly, I think the recent piece and editorial in the (October 8, 2025) really lay it all out. Calls out the racism so clearly and identifies rebel “news” as a non-journalistic propaganda machine.

Like so many, I see the vitriol online and I’ve overheard it in real life. I’ve seen the video of the cop refusing to enforce the law. I’ve also heard the bizarre story of the arranged marriage proposal that kicked it all off.

It’s a great video exposing why so many people of colour don’t bother calling the police. Do you think that the officer would have spoken to someone white the same way? Do you think the tone would be different if he was speaking to someone who was NOT a minimum wage earner at a rural Tim’s franchise (American company BTW, in case you didn’t know). Race and class, baby.

The OPP has put out a statement stating that the officer’s actions did not “align” with the law.

The garbage online is so sad, infuriating and scary.

It isn’t new but it is on vivid display. How does it feel being a person of colour here? We see how quickly and easily some folks can trot out gross stereotypes and dive right into hate.

Am I looking over my shoulder at the no frills? Am I trying to keep my head down at the gas station or the LCBO? Am I waiting for the slur to be yelled by someone driving by? Am I waiting for worse?

Honestly, no more than I ever have. I’m not trying to be a pollyanna here. This stuff wears on people, it impacts our health, it’s exhausting. But I refuse to put my focus there.

I don’t seek out racists. And just tsk-ing while you stare at your phone means nothing.

I seek out people who want a community where everyone belongs and where we face problems. We call out racists and we don’t placate them around a thanksgiving table. To me, The County has always been a place where we look out for ALL our neighbours.

- Judith 💜

09/17/2025

“GENEVA — A team of independent experts commissioned by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council has concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, issuing a report Tuesday that calls on the international community to end the genocide and take steps to punish those responsible for it.

The deeply documented findings by the three-member team are the latest accusations of genocide against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as Israel carries on with its war in Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands of people...”

Associated Press via CTV news

Please note the specific call to action to other nations to take action to end the genocide and punish those responsible.

Tell Chris Malette, our Liberal MP, what you think and want.

For those who can, show up for local protests supporting Palestinians and Palestine.

[email protected]

House of Commons *
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada
K1A 0A6

Telephone: 613-992-0752 (Ottawa)
Telephone: 613-969-2121 (Belleville- constituency office)

* Mail may be sent postage-free to any member of Parliament.

- Judith 💜

All Welcome Here

05/30/2026

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