May 15, 2024

Our faithful readers will know that long weekending is Team Fergmeijer’s favourite sport. Usually, our Saturdays and Sundays are spent with our bodies fighting off illnesses (what with our weekend immune systems and all), but a long weekend means extra time that we can jam-pack with all the things we love. Starting with a nap or two. Yep, long weekends mean less multi-tasking and more multi-slacking!

This weekend! Manitoulin Streams Outdoor Angling Trade Fair is right here in Billings, on May 18th and 19th. This event will be more than just a trade fair, it will include food, music, games, an auction, and a fishing derby. Whether you are a business owner, an angler, a tourist, or a local, the Trade Fair is the place to be this May long weekend! There is something for everyone, including the kids! Check out the Manitoulin Streams website for more information (www.manitoulinstreams.com) 

Welcome to Veronique Dion, the new Chief Administrative Officer / Clerk for Billings Township! We look forward to meeting you. And if you need any official puns for any reason, you know who to call. 

It must really be spring because the Chi Cheemaun is back in action! You can check out the sailing schedule on the Owen Sound Transportation Company website: www.ontarioferries.com/ms-chi-cheemaun/. 

The museum has launched a new program to honour veterans who lived in Billings Township. Families of veterans are invited to contribute towards the purchasing of a banner that will feature their loved one’s name, photo and regiment. Banners will be displayed throughout the village in the fall lead up to Remembrance Day. Contact the museum (oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca) for more information. And don’t forget that the museum will be open this weekend 10-5pm (Friday-Sunday). 

With all this sunny weather, things are definitely heating up! Kagawong is becoming quite the hot spot as well. Check out all the activities going on in Billings over the coming months: Team Aelick are gearing up for their Stroll for Liver in early June. Visit https://bit.ly/strollforliver to donate to this worthy cause. The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th. The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer! If you have (or know of) any other events and activities, let us know so we can let everyone else know! Email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com

Happy birthday wishes go out to Leslie M, who is turning 29 this week. You might be expecting us to make a funny joke here, but we know better. We respect our elders.

We don’t normally include personal or want ads in the community column, but this one was sent in to us and just seemed like too good of an opportunity to miss. Anyone interested can email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com: “Is anybody interested in a free ride in a helicopter for 4 people? I’m still looking for two more adults to join me and my wife. We leave early Saturday morning from Sudbury and will fly to Toronto, where we will have breakfast, and then have lunch on a friend’s yacht. We will then do a flight down to view Niagara Falls, returning to Toronto for dinner, then fly back home. If interested, please message me. Preferably someone with a helicopter and yacht, otherwise we can’t go.”

The Manitoulin Tennis Club is back in action for 2024! Players of all abilities are welcome to join in the club’s season kickoff with the Blackfly Tournament on Saturday, May 18th. Though this is a doubles’ tournament, no partner is required, and there is no registration fee. But watch out… you might just get bit by the tennis bug! For more information, contact ctheijsmeijer@gmail.com. 

Whether you choose to get out and explore, or stay home and appreciate that mortgage, make the most of your May long weekend. Have a great week!

May 8, 2024

This weekend, take a mom-ent to celebrate the mothers and mother-figures in your life. Team Fergmeijer is fortunate to have moms in their lives that have helped and supported them over the years, so to our Manitoulin Mom and our Mainland Mom, we wanted to let you know how much you mean to us in true Team Fergmeijer fashion. Because let’s face it, raisin us was a bit of a mom-umental task at times, but we clearly hit the mother lode when it comes to parental love. Not to get too cheesy, but you are absolutely grate! You can’t be beet. Thanks for pudding up with us; your love means a waffle lot to us. 

It must really be spring because the Chi Cheemaun is back in action! You can check out the sailing schedule on the Owen Sound Transportation Company website:www.ontarioferries.com/ms-chi-cheemaun/. 

Things moms know: cleaning with kids in the house is like brushing your teeth with Oreos. 

The museum has launched a new program to honour veterans who lived in Billings Township. Families of veterans are invited to contribute towards the purchasing of a banner that will feature their loved one’s name, photo and regiment. Banners will be displayed throughout the village in the fall lead up to Remembrance Day. Contact the museum (oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca) for more information. 

May had a, shall we say, damp-ish arrival, but nothing can dampen our excitement for all the wonderful events and activities going on in Billings over the coming months! Team Aelick are gearing up for their Stroll for Liver in early June. Visit https://bit.ly/strollforliver to donate to this worthy cause. The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th. The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer! If you have (or know of) any other events and activities, let us know so we can let everyone else know! Email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com

Things moms know: “It’s spicy.” is mom-code for “I don’t want to share.”

We’ve seen plenty of people taking advantage of the lavender Sic Sox boxes near the Kagawong Park Centre. Drop off any unwanted textile items and the Sic Sox team will take them from there. Items in good shape will be re-sold at the Sic Sox retail store. Other textiles that would otherwise be garbage are recycled into insulation. It’s a win-win for you and for the environment! 

Another great green initiative the township has is the used battery drop-off for recycling at the town office. 

Happy birthday wishes go out to Sherri C, who is turning 29 to the best of our recollection. Though to be honest, we believe that birthdays are like playing golf. It’s a lot more fun when you aren’t keeping count. 

Billings council has established an Ad-Hoc Committee to create a Municipal Owned Water System Policy. The committee will be responsible for developing clear procedures on capital projects and major upgrades to the water lines, as well as reviewing options for implementing a capital levy that can be used to create a water capital reserve, among other important tasks. The Township is looking for 4 members of the community to serve on the committee. Application details are available on the Township website.  

Things moms know: kids make a lot of plans for people who can’t drive anywhere. 

Be aware that the Old Mill Rd. Bridge replacement has begun and there will be several weeks when the bridge is out of service and the only access to properties on Old Mill Rd. will be via Newburn Rd/Graham Hill. Full closure of the bridge is expected to be no later than May 15th. Please note that construction will also affect those using the river trail. Anyone walking on the east side trails (along the bluff) will not be able to cross the river at the river mouth and will have to retrace their steps to the new pedestrian bridge. 

Silence is golden. Unless you have children. Then silence is suspicious. Have a great week!

May 1, 2024

How would you describe your perfect date? Although it’s a tough call, for Team Fergmeijer, it’s April 25th. It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold. Mostly you just need a light jacket. May isn’t too bad, either. Take this week for example - it’s Star Wars Day on Saturday! May the 4th be with you all! And don’t forget to go out and celebrate Cinco de Kylo, just beware of the Revenge of the Sixth. 

With April showers signaling spring is definitely here, you might want to start looking forward to some of the amazing events going on in the coming months as things really heat up in Billings! The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th (featuring Waubgeshig Rice, Kim Fahner, Emily De Angelis, Mark Seabrook, and Steve Paikin). Jabbawong organizers, if we’re honest, as impressive as all those participants are, you had Team Fergmeijer at Steve Paikin. 

The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer!

We’ve seen plenty of people taking advantage of the lavender Sic Sox boxes near the Kagawong Park Centre. Drop off any unwanted textile items and the Sic Sox team will take them from there. Items in good shape will be re-sold at the Sic Sox retail store. Other textiles that would otherwise be garbage are recycled into insulation. It’s a win-win for you and for the environment! 

If you or someone you love has a birthday coming up, let us know (fergmeijer@gmail.com). We’ll ‘honour’ the special occasion as only Team Fergmeijer can!

Billings council has established an Ad-Hoc Committee to create a Municipal Owned Water System Policy. The committee will be responsible for developing clear procedures on capital projects and major upgrades to the water lines, as well as reviewing options for implementing a capital levy that can be used to create a water capital reserve, among other important tasks. The Township is looking for 4 members of the community to serve on the committee. Application details are available on the Township website.  

Old Mill Rd. Bridge replacement will begin today, May 1st! There will be several weeks when the bridge is out-of-service and the only access to properties on Old Mill Rd. will be via Newburn Rd/Graham Hill. Full closure of the bridge is expected to be no later than May 15th. Please note that construction will also affect those using the river trail. Anyone walking on the east side trails (along the bluff) will not be able to cross the river at the river mouth and will have to retrace their steps to the new pedestrian bridge. 

The local librarian has some reading suggestions for Star Wars day: Qui-Gon Girl, Gone with the Windu, A Bendu in the River, Heart of Darthness, and of course, The Fault in Our Death Star. Have a great week!

April 24, 2024

There’s been a lot going on in the township recently. But not only that, there are some days being celebrated on a national scale that we wanted to recognize here in our community column! First up, April 18 was National Exercise Day. It was also National Velociraptor Awareness Day. Which makes sense to us since once you become aware of a velociraptor, you better start running!

Got bedding, curtains, clothes, or other fabrics that you don’t want any more? Drop them into the lavender deposit boxes near the Kagawong Park Centre. Items in good shape will be re-sold at the Sic Sox retail store. Other textiles that would otherwise be garbage are recycled into insulation. Either way, it’s a win-win situation for the environment! 

Happiest of happy 29th birthday wishes go out to Kagawongians Jean W and Kristy C, as well as seasonal Kagawongian Marilyn P. We find birthdays are an excellent time to look back over our lives and reflect on the really big questions. Like, can you believe we used to think people our age were adults and had their life in order?!

Sunday (April 21) was Big Word Day. Not to be too sesquipedalian, but Team Fergmeijer finds that absolutely supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!

Come out the Rotary Club of Gore Bay fundraiser “Life on a Farm” this Saturday, April 26th being held at the Gore Bay community hall. Enjoy an evening of song and poetry with Vernon Bailey and John McCleneghan, featuring the poetry of Charlie Smith of Massey. Tickets are $25 and are available at Central Pharmacy and at the door. 

Billings council has established an Ad-Hoc Committee to create a Municipal Owned Water System Policy. The committee will be responsible for developing clear procedures on capital projects and major upgrades to the water lines, as well as reviewing options for implementing a capital levy that can be used to create a water capital reserve, among other important tasks. The Township is looking for 4 members of the community to serve on the committee. Application details are available on the Township website.  

Today (April 24) is National Pig in a Blanket Day. It is also Stop Food Waste Day, so in honour of the day, pass over the rest of those pigs in blankets!

In other township news, Todd Gordon has been appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Administrative Officer/ Municipal Project Manager, effective immediately. The Deputy CAO role is an integral part of the Senior Management Team and acts as the CAO in the CAO’s absence. Todd is a dynamic and experienced municipal leader with a demonstrated history of managing projects and strategic initiatives in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Congratulations!

Old Mill Rd. Bridge replacement will begin on May 1st! There will be several weeks when the bridge is out-of-service and the only access to properties on Old Mill Rd. will be via Newburn Rd/Graham Hill. Full closure of the bridge is expected to be no later than May 15th. Please note that construction will also affect those using the river trail. Anyone walking on the east side trails (along the bluff) will not be able to cross the river at the river mouth and will have to retrace their steps to the pedestrian bridge. 

The worst part of April is when the meteorologist keeps predicting sprinkles and you just get regular droplets of water like always. Have a great week!

April 17, 2024

Turns out, today is International Bat Appreciation Day! Just bat-tween us, Team Fergmeijer loves watching them flit around at dusk, doing their acro-bat-ics. We imagine they would be pretty good if they played bat-minton. Except bats don’t really know about it; they like to be kept in the dark about most things. Now, don’t give us any bat-itude; just because we are kind of winging it with these puns, doesn’t mean they aren’t fang-tastc.  

Another splash of colour has been added near the Kagawong rainbow cabanas! Sic Sox is a new program which will help divert textile waste (i.e. clothing) from island landfills. Got bedding, curtains, clothes, or other fabrics that you don’t want any more? Drop them into the lavender deposit boxes near the Kagawong Park Centre. If what you drop off is still in good shape, it will be re-sold at the Sic Sox retail store. Other textiles that would otherwise be garbage are recycled into insulation. Either way, it’s a win-win situation for the environment! 

Rumour has it that the one and only Carol L is celebrating a birthday this week. Although we are sure she is turning 29, rumour has it she is old enough to remember bell bottoms and love beads. Either way, we wish her a very hippie birthday.  

We’re back to summer hours at the Billings Landfill! Stop by to say hi to Denis (and drop off your sorted garbage and recycling) Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and weekends 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

It’s time to get your green on! In an early celebration of Earth Day, there is a full day of activities planned in Kagawong on Saturday, April 20th, brought to you by the Billings Climate Action Committee and Manitoulin Streams. All morning long, join community members in picking up garbage around Billings Township. Before noon, bring it by the Park Centre for sorting into garbage and recyclables so waste can be properly diverted (bonus points if you bring it pre-sorted!). From 9am until 3pm, bring some previously-used treasures to sell at the “junk in the trunk” community yard sale! Pop open your trunk or spread out into the covered rink - limited tables under the roof will be provided. For the younger environmentalists, children’s activities will be happening downstairs in the Park Centre from 10am-12noon hosted by the Billings Parks, Recreation and Wellness committee. And don’t forget about the vendor displays on green technologies, happening upstairs in the Park Centre, with possible presentations around 1pm.

That same weekend, join The Island Singers as they celebrate their 60th anniversary! On Saturday, April 20th at 2pm, at Manitoulin Secondary School, current and past members of the choir will be presenting a concert of classics and modern favourites. Tickets are $20 and available at the door. Visit “The Island Singers - Manitoulin Island” on Facebook for more information.

Come out to Life on a Farm - a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Gore Bay on Saturday, April 26th being held at the Gore Bay community hall. Enjoy an evening of song and poetry with Vernon Bailey and John McCleneghan, featuring the poetry of Charlie Smith of Massey. Tickets are $25 and are available at Central Pharmacy and at the door. 

Save the date! Manitoulin Streams is hosting an outdoor angling trade fair right here in Kagawong! More details on the May long weekend event will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information, check out manitoulinstreams.com, or contact anglingtf.manitoulin@gmail.com, or 613-857-9877. 

What is a bat’s favourite dessert? Upside down cake. Have a great week!

April 10, 2024

Caution! Do not stare directly into these eclipse puns! The humour may seem obscure, but they could do real damage. Team Fergmeijer took a road trip down to southern Ontario so we could be in the path of totality for the eclipse. We were heading where the sun don’t shine. It’s a long drive to get to the viewing place for the eclipse, so it’s good we packed a light snack. Afterwards, we attended a solar eclipse party. It was a wonderful solar-bration. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, it was a good experience, but if we had to rate it, we’d only give it one star.

This weekend! “Come as You Are” on Saturday April 13th, and enjoy an evening of contemporary inspirational music (and sing-along) courtesy of Cia and Bill Savage at St. John’s Anglican Church. The fun starts at 7pm with refreshments provided. Donations towards repairing the front stained glass window of the church are greatly appreciated. 

Happy 29th birthday wishes go out to Maya H. We hope you get out there and seize the day! Remember, some only dream of cake, others bake it happen.

We’re back to summer hours at the Billings Landfill! Stop by to say hi to Denis (and drop off your sorted garbage and recycling) Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and weekends 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

Next weekend, the Billings Climate Action Committee is hosting an Earth Day event. Come out Saturday, April 20th for a community clean-up, a “junk in the trunk” sale, activities for youth, and information on green technologies. Interested in being a vendor? It’s not too late! Contact Vince Grogan at vgrogan@billingstwp.ca for more information.

That same weekend, join The Island Singers as they celebrate their 60th anniversary! On Saturday, April 20th at 2pm, at Manitoulin Secondary School, current and past members of the choir will be presenting a concert of classics and modern favourites. Tickets are $20 and available at the door. Visit “The Island Singers - Manitoulin Island” on Facebook for more information.

Save the date! Manitoulin Streams is hosting an outdoor angling trade fair right here in Kagawong! More details on the May long weekend event will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information, check out manitoulinstreams.com, or contact anglingtf.manitoulin@gmail.com, or 613-857-9877. 

What is Mr. T’s favourite month? April, fools. Have a great week!

April 3, 2024

This time of year Team Fergmeijer channels their inner pirate and has a good time walking the prank. Some people can go a bit far with the pranks, though. Like the person who stole all the lavatory equipment from the OPP station in Little Current. Police report that they are investigating, but at this time they have nothing to go on. And that friend of ours who went a bit overboard with his prank last year. He swapped the price labels on the gas pumps at that local station. Looking back, it was not a great April Fuels joke.

We were so excited to see Providence Bay’s community column back up and running - welcome back!

Happy 29th birthday wishes go out to Kagawongian Sharon A, seasonal Kagawongian Tahnee P, and Andrew C who, back in the day, was Kagawong-adjacent. Remember, you are only as old as you feel, so don’t let it get you down that you now require multiple packs of candles for your cake. 

Special thanks to the Easter Bunny who hopped back into Kagawong this past weekend working with the Parks, Rec, and Wellness committee in an amazing collaboration! Kids of all sizes were on the hunt for goodies and everyone had a wonderful time. As always, the key to a good easter egg hunt is to remember that if you find a chocolate on the ground, but it’s not wrapped in foil, it’s not chocolate. 

This year’s Annual Manitoulin Sandhill Crane Coo-ing Competition on April 1st had a record number of competitors take part! While we can’t name them all, we can give you the highlights of the event. In 5th place was Randy Holeweigh (seemed quite out of breath, which may have affected his score), in 4th place was Kent C. Strait (an optometrist from the Sudbury region). Jenna Rossity (who brought gifts for all the competitors) came in 3rd, and Juan Manband (who had his own squeeze box and harmonica to accompany his coo-ing) placed 2nd. Honorable mention goes out to Lowden Cleer (who had the coo heard the farthest away), but the top performing entrant was Andy Wineriss with a truly inspired coo. The only moment to mar the occasion was a brief encounter between two competitors that got a bit heated. We interviewed one of the individuals, Kirstin Swoare, but the Expositor refused to publish her comments. 

As of April 1st, the landfill hours shift to spring & summer hours. Stop by to say hi to Denis (and drop off your sorted garbage and recycling) Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and weekends 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

“Come as You Are” on Saturday April 13th, and enjoy an evening of contemporary inspirational music (and sing-along) courtesy of Cia and Bill Savage at St. John’s Anglican Church. The fun starts at 7pm with refreshments provided. Donations towards repairing the front stained glass window of the church are greatly appreciated. 

On the following weekend, the Billings Climate Action Committee is hosting an Earth Day event. Come out Saturday, April 20th for a community clean-up, a “junk in the trunk” sale, activities for youth, and information on green technologies. Interested in being a vendor? Contact Vince Grogan at vgrogan@billingstwp.ca for more information.

On the same weekend, join The Island Singers as they celebrate their 60th anniversary! On Saturday, April 20th at 2pm, at Manitoulin Secondary School, current and past members of the choir will be presenting a concert of classics and modern favourites. Tickets are $20 and available at the door. Visit “The Island Singers - Manitoulin Island” on Facebook for more information.

Later on in May, Manitoulin Streams is hosting an outdoor angling trade fair right here in Kagawong! More details on the May long weekend event will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information, check out manitoulinstreams.com, or contact anglingtf.manitoulin@gmail.com, or 613-857-9877. 

How do you keep an Islander in suspense? We’ll reveal all in the next column! Have a great week!