Hello ORLÉANS!

Welcome to the 4th edition of Orléans Connect!

Has it already been a month? 🗓️

Welcome new subscribers. We’re now in our fourth week of publishing this newsletter and we’re overjoyed about the connections we’re making in the Orléans community. Discovering the people and businesses that make Orléans so vibrant is one of the big reasons we started publishing in the first place.

You’ll notice a few changes in the newsletter this week as we continue to play with the format, but if you’ve got suggestions on what you’d like to see in the newsletter, just hit REPLY on this email and let us know.

Keep ‘em Coming… 📥

If you know of an upcoming event in Orléans you can submit it using this handy form.

If you own a local business or want to nominate one that you think is deserving of landing in our Business Spotlight, you can use this form to submit it.

Happy Birthday to The Ottawan 🎉

Our friends at The Ottawan, as you might have guessed it, are an Ottawa-focused newsletter, and this week they celebrated their five year anniversary. Congrats!

…. Here’s what’s happening Orléans in the coming week:

Spring is almost here (truly, it is - we know it hasn’t felt like it yet!) - and we are so happy that means spring MARKETS are popping up!

• 🎤 Friday, April 4th - It’s Karaoke Night at the Orléans Legion! Sing your heart out, dance, or just sit back and enjoy the show! Event open to the public, no cover. 🕖 7 PM📍Orléans Legion Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek

• 💃🕺Friday, April 4th - Saved by the Bell: Ultimate Throwback Dance Party: Dust off your neon leg warmers and scrunchies because it’s time to bring back all the classic jams that will have you dancing all night long. Grab your friends and come party like it's 1999! Hosted by St Peter's Parent Council. Beats by Mace x Kam x Bounce. This is a cash only, licensed event. Ages 19+. ID required. 🎟️ Tickets: $22.63. 🕗 8 PM - 12 AM

  📍 St Peter High School (Gym / Cafeteria), 750 Charlemagne Blvd

• 🛍️ Saturday, April 5th - Want to discover your new favourite local business? Check out a broad range of local makers, crafters and businesses at the GCCS Fallingbrook Spring Market, with funds raised going to CHEO! 🕙 10AM - 3PM

  📍679 Deancourt Cres at Fallingbrook Community Elementary School

• 🐕 Sunday, April 6th - Hop into Easter and celebrate with local vendors offering a wide variety of unique, handmade treasures the Easter Market (Dog Friendly). Enjoy free entry, free parking and the dog-friendly atmosphere! 🕙 10AM - 3PM

  📍RJ Kennedy Arena, 1115 Dunning Road, Cumberland

• 🏫 Saturday, April 12th - Dunning-Foubert School Council is pleased to announce their first ever Spring Craft Fair! Support local vendors as well as Dunning students who will be selling their products too. 🕙 10AM - 3 PM

  📍Dunning-Foubert Elementary School, 1610 Prestwick Dr.

• 🧠 Saturday, April 12th - Are you a trivia buff? Register today to support the St Matthew’s High School Council’s Annual Trivia Night (adults only). Doors open at 6 PM, and trivia starts at 7 PM.

  📍St Matthew High School, 6550 Bilberry Dr.

• 🐣 Saturday, April 12th - Join Councillor Laura Dudas (Orléans West) for the Annual Spring Egg-Stravaganza Easter Egg Hunt at the Orléans Fruit Farm! Make sure to arrive for 10 a.m., as the egg hunt will start shortly after.

• 🐰 Sunday, April 13th - Indulge in an Easter Cookie Decorating Class with M’s Sweets at Domaine Perrault Winery! You’ll learn to create beautiful and delicious 3D cookies, while you sip on exquisite wines. 🕐 1 PM - 3 PM

  📍 Domaine Perrault Winery, 1000 Perrault Road, Navan

• 🪻Saturday, April 19th - Join Queenswood Heights Community Association for the Third Annual Spring Fling! Activities include a colour content, free face painting and free bycycle decorating! There will be hot dogs, cotton candy and Girl Guide cookies for sale. 🕚 11 AM - 2 PM

  📍 Queenswood Heights Community Centre, 1485 Duford Dr.

• 🎨 Tuesday, April 22nd - It’s Paint Night at the Legion! Join the fun and paint the stunning Northern Lights. 🕕 6 PM 📍Orléans Legion Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek

📰 News you should know about…

🚌 OC Transpo is launching New Ways to Bus on Sunday, April 27th. This new bus network includes more than 100 routes and will open up new connections across the city. Every neighbourhood and most customers will see changes to their trip. To learn how these changes will impact you, attend the upcoming public information session being hosted by OC Transpo: Tuesday, April 15th from 7 PM - 8:30 PM (virtual - Zoom) Register Here

👏 The O-Train is coming, Orléans! Final construction activities and testing are well-underway, with plans for trial running to begin in the summer and trial operations in the summer and fall. (CTV News)

☔ April showers bring May flowers as they say. Did you know that in April, Ottawa generally gets 34 mm of rain and 2 cm of snow? Temperatures generally range between a low of -2 degrees and 11 degrees celsius. Keep those smiles on, because soon the tulips will be in bloom! 🌷

 🗳️ Want to get engaged in our democracy? Elections Canada is looking for Poll Workers for the advanced polls and during the upcoming federal election. This is a great way for youth to learn about our electoral system first-hand, and build their resumes.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT 🔦

This week’s Orléans business spotlight is…. 🥁 …. JUICE DUDEZ - With a brand new location in Orléans: 📍4471 Innes Rd. (they’re in the same spot that Menchie’s was in before).

We checked out this location earlier in the week and tried a few of their drinks (🍌 Banana 🍓 Strawberry smoothie and the Pistachio ☕️ latte - both were delicious).. But don’t be fooled by the name, this place is more than juices… it has a huge selection of items to try including protein shakes, smoothies, juices, desserts, ice coffee, regular tea, coffee, baked goods, gelato, and more!

What really stands out about Juice Dudez is the inviting atmosphere ☺️ and beautiful decor. They’ve even got a special seat that’s clearly designed for customers snapping a photo and sharing it on Instagram. There’s plenty of seating 🪑 with tons of power outlets making this an ideal new place in Orléans to do some work away from home on your laptop.

A big thumbs up to Juice Dudez - give them a visit and tell them Olréans Connect sent ya.