Pulling Out All the Stops to Back the Build

bboyce • April 4, 2023

PICTON, April 4, 2023 - It was music to the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation’s ears!

Members of the St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church in Picton and Organist Murray Baer presented the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) with a donation on Tuesday. The funds were raised through a free will offering that was part of St. Mary Magdalene’s “Pulling Out All the Stops” organ concert held on Sunday, March 26.

The concert, part of a series of planned events to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, raised $2,345.00 to help Back the Build for a new hospital in Prince Edward County

Organist Murray Baer, known for filling our County churches with the sound of the organ, brought the organ pipes to life and wowed a sold-out audience of 230 guests with music from well known movies, Broadway productions and even classic rock tunes.

PECMHF’s Back the Build Campaign aims to raise $6M over the next four years to help purchase the major medical equipment needed for the new hospital and incorporate environmental sustainability enhancements and smart technology into the design.

“The hospital foundation is privileged to have gifted individuals and dedicated organizations within the community who share their talents and fundraising efforts for the betterment of our community,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “Our County’s generosity is remarkable and the Back the Build team is grateful to Organist Murray Baer, the many volunteers at St. Mary Magdalene, and to the audience members who ‘pulled out all the stops’ and supported this concert through their free will offerings.”

The parishioners of St. Mary Magdalene believe a vibrant hospital is a benchmark of a strong community.

“It’s an privilege to help Back the Build for a new County hospital,” said Herb Stone on behalf of St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church. “St. Mary Magdalene believes in strengthening our community and this concert helped us achieve just that. We were so pleased to be a part of such an incredible event and can’t wait to host another event this July that will help equip our new hospital with major medical equipment.”

The parishioners are looking forward to having Murray back at St. Mary Magdalene on Sunday, July 9, 2023, for another exciting and charming afternoon filled with his music.

The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the patients of the hospital and the people of Prince Edward County.

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Pictured at St. Mary Magdalene Church from left: Kathy Condie, warden with St. Mary Magdalene Church; Sally Cowan, Back the Build campaign cabinet member; Murray Baer, organist; Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson and Herb Stone, warden with St. Mary Magdalene Church.

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Community Spirit Shines as Bake Off Breaks Fundraising Record PICTON, September 24, 2025 – The sweet smell of success filled the air at the Picton Fair as the 16th annual Bake Off Challenge raised a record-breaking $18,700 for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF). With more than 50 entries and enthusiastic bidding, the community once again proved that a passion for baking can translate into life-changing support for local health care. Proceeds will go toward the purchase of a digital mammography machine, a critical tool for early breast cancer detection. Since 2007, the Prince Edward Agricultural Society, who host the Bake Off has raised over $64,500 for the hospital. This year’s event included a special one-time memorial apple pie category in honour of the late Deputy Fire Chief Jim Young, who was the inaugural Bake Off winner in 2007 with his unforgettable apple pie. A total of 26 apple pies were entered in his honour, raising an incredible $8,250 on their own. Jim’s parents, Colleen and Murray, and daughters, Dahnon and Kendyl, were present to celebrate his legacy. Entries were judged by Ken Menlove, a local lawyer; Jordan Smart with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Auxiliary Unit; Mike Roy, a community member; and Chris Malette, MP for Bay of Quinte. The auction produced plenty of highlights. Firefighter Autumn Benlap’s Caramel Apple Spice Cheesecake topped the apple pie category and sold to Dr. Sarah Waterston, and Elizabeth Lodge’s Lemon Cream Pie, named best overall pie, sold to Herman Prinzen. “The Bake Off is more than a fundraiser — it’s a celebration of community spirit and generosity,” said Shannon Coull, executive director of the PECMH Foundation. “This year’s proceeds will support the purchase of a new digital mammography machine for the new County hospital, and we are so grateful to every baker, bidder, and volunteer who made that possible.” “The Bake Off has become a highlight of the Picton Fair, and it’s inspiring to see how much it has grown,” said Susan Harrington, president of the Picton Fair Board. “The generosity of our community never ceases to amaze us. Thank you to everyone who baked, bid, or volunteered to make this year such a success.” The Agricultural Society also expressed its gratitude to the many individuals and local businesses who made the event possible. “There’s something truly special about seeing friends, neighbours, and businesses come together over pies and cakes to support health care,” said Nancy Parks, Back the Build campaign chairperson. “This event proves that even the simplest of traditions can make a lasting impact on our community.” The Foundation is proud of its longstanding partnership with the Agricultural Society and looks forward to welcoming everyone back to next year’s Picton Fair. The Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to advance health care for the people of Prince Edward County and patients of the hospital.