This being the final 2022 print edition of the Napanee Beaver it only seemed fitting that we look back on the year that was.
As the Beaver always does this time of year, our staff has been combing through stories published over the last 12 months, compiling them into a retrospective that will be published to our website, www.NapaneeBeaver.ca in the coming days.
In that vein, we note that one of the biggest stories of the year actually happened when 2022 was just a few weeks old. On Jan. 27 the so-called ‘Freedom Convoy’ rolled along Hwy 401 as supporters across the province-Greater Napanee included-stood on highway overpasses to show their encouragement to transport truckers as they headed to Ottawa’s Parliament Hill to protest vaccine mandates.
This story would continue to evolve well into February when Justin Trudeau invoked the Emergencies Act to clear the streets around Parliament and restore order to downtown Ottawa. Though some in the convoy had descended upon the Hill with the intent of convincing Trudeau to step down, it was actually Trudeau’s closest rival, Conservative leader Erin O’Toole, who would end up losing his job during the protest. Talk about an unexpected twist. Whether or not the Emergencies Act was necessary continues to be argued almost one year later.
In March one of Greater Napanee’s oldest structures, a house located at 18 Water Street, was torn down by town staff. Dating back to pre-1855, the building was deemed too far gone to repair while also holding no real historical significance. Still, being as old as it was, its destruction was noteworthy.
June saw history made here in town when Greater Napanee hosted its first ever Pride March. That month also saw Conservative MPP Ric Bresee win the Hastings-Lennox and Addington provincial riding in a landslide, following suit with the rest of the province as Doug Ford earned a second term.
In early August the town welcome fast pitch teams from across Canada to the U20 Canadians, held at the Napanee Fairgrounds. The host Express did the town proud, reaching the finals before ultimately falling to the gold medal winning Tavistock Athletics. Just days later the Fairgrounds held its first fair in over two years, returning after a forced COVID-19 hiatus.
October saw Greater Napanee councillor Terry Richardson officially named mayor after running unopposed. Brian Calver was elected deputy mayor in a three-person race.
November marked the return of an in-person Remembrance Day ceremony while December has seen Santa Claus parades back in full swing.
These of course are just a small sampling of the many stories that shaped our community in 2022.
As always, it has been our pleasure to bring these stories-ones that have national impact as well as stories of our own residents’ successes and achievements. We look forward to doing it all again in 2023 when we return in print on Jan. 5. Be sure to check our website for any breaking news and some fun features over the next two weeks.
Until then, season’s greetings,
Adam Prudhomme.