St. Joseph Island and Desbarats saw a year of change, celebrations, fund raisers, celebrity visit as well as a numerous recreational activities.
Among those events that made the news included the 2016 Can Am Poker Run, Matthews Memorial Hospital Association charity golf tournament, 20th Anniversary Canada Day Tractor Trot, Purina Walk for Guide Dogs, opening of the Central Algoma Elementary School and renaming of Matthews Memorial Hospital to the North Shore Health Network Richards Landing- Matthews Site.
Among those honoured included Seniors of the Year from MacDonald, Meredith and Aberdeen to Plummer Townships including St. Joseph Island, MacKenzie Hulme- Samara's 20015 Everyday Political Citizen and Central Algoma Secondary School Senior and Intermediate Athletes of the Year (2015).
Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) won a visit by Rick Mercer, CASS also won Vimy Foundation Classroom Challenge.
Other events included the Ghost Walk, Rocky Ridge haunted tour, St. Joseph Island Plowing Match, St. Joseph Island Horticultural Society Flower and Vegetable Exhibition, St. Joseph Island Lions Club expanded menu, Rescue Buddies and fall scenes from across the island.
Recreational activities such as Ernie Eddy Memorial Children's Ice Fishing Derby, Reg McHale Memorial Fish Derby, Family Day hosted by Hilton Village and Hilton Township and the Jocelyn Township Snow Day were also covered.