Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Team Fergmeijer has been doing a bit of online research on a variety of topics; most recently, we’ve been learning all about animals. We learned that dolphins swim in salt water because pepper water makes them sneeze. And grizzlies can dance (though just bearly). What we were really after in our research was to find out why elephants aren’t kept indoors, but nobody wanted to talk about that. We know these animal jokes are pretty sealy (though very amoosing). Just be glad we didn’t throw in all the puns about pigs. We left them out so as not to boar you half to death and have to call the hambulance.
There are a bevy of birthdays to celebrate this week! Best wishes go out to Ezra and Andrew T (even though they are not quite 29 yet), as well as Emma T-T (who is getting dangerously close to 29). MBB, Jen C, Tijs T, Meredith C-N and Beth G are also celebrating, but they have all reached the ripe old age of 29. Of course, we dare not forget our Manitoulin Mom, who is celebrating on the weekend. I’m sure her children have something fantastic planned (assuming they want to stay in the will, anyway).
The Manitoulin Tennis Club postponed their tennis tournament, so it’s not too late to register! Players of all abilities are welcome to come out this weekend to the Manitoulin Secondary School courts for some friendly sets. Contact Chris at 705-618-7155 for more information or to register or check out the Manitoulin Tennis Club on Facebook.
Manitoulin Secondary School is hosting a Grade 9 barbecue on Wednesday, August 30. Incoming Grade 9 students can attend to pick up their timetables, get tours of the school, get their lockers set up, and meet some of their teachers. The event is free. Contact the school for more information.
We have been pondering whether to take up horseback riding this fall. It’s a big decision and we’ve been going back and forth over it. Really, Shakespeare said it best: To be or not to be, that is equestrian.
Parks Recreation and Wellness Committee is looking for community feedback on rejuvenating or possibly repurposing the cedar maze. Email your thoughts and ideas to tmills@billingstwp.ca by October 13, or stop by the maze itself! There’s a chalkboard on the door to the maze where you can share your ideas.
The Township is also requesting proposals for a five-year comprehensive strategic plan, as well as a corporate website. Interested? For more information on the request for proposals, check out the township website at billingstwp.ca or contact Emily Dance, CAO/Clerk at edance@billingstwp.ca.
American Sign Language instructor Andrea Wist generously spent several days over the course of the summer (and during her own holidays no less!) offering free ASL lessons in the village. In all, 10 participants completed the sessions (nearly the equivalent of a college-level course). Congratulations to you all, and huge thanks to Andrea for her time and enthusiasm this summer!
Body Stories Dance Instruction is offering dance classes at the Park Centre in Kagawong this fall, for ages five through adult. Check out their fall schedule for more information, or to register: https://www.bodystoriesdance.com/schedule#schedule.
4elements Living Arts has announced the return of the annual Elemental Festival, September 23 and 24 this year. The festival celebrates the beauty, bounty and history of Mnidoo Mnising. There will be singing, dancing, artistic workshops and a new dinner and performance event with chefs and performers collaborating to highlight the delicious bounty grown here on Manitoulin. Visit the festival Facebook page for more information.
It makes us sad to think there are only a few Wednesdays left this summer, which means there are only a few more times the Kagawong Market will be up and running! It’s not too late to visit with the approximately 70 vendors showcasing amazing, creative, delicious and practical things at the largest market on the Island. Check it out Wednesdays from 10 am to 3 pm all through August at the Park Centre. There’s lots of parking available down in the village.
Have a birthday or news you’d like shared here? Reach out at fergmeijer@gmail.com. We love hearing from you. Team Fergmeijer received an email just last week explaining how to read maps backwards. It was spam. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
This weekend will be busy in Meldrum Bay. There will be a gathering at the hall to celebrate the life of Mike Steele on Friday night. The Van Every clan will be at the hall on Saturday to celebrate a very important anniversary. Our love goes out to all of you.
I did not mention the source of the wonderful beef on the August long weekend beef barbecue that was such a success. Thanks Jim and Birgitte Martin and to Burt Farms, thanks for your part of our great meal.
We have had some beautiful boats at the marina. One group of boaters, Thursday morning, were looking for a ride to Little Current. Rick and I were off to Espanola for an appointment, so we stuffed the three adults into the back seat of our Tesla. They were from the United States and we talked the whole distance. They were such friendly interesting people. We thoroughly enjoyed their company and hope that they have a great time visiting the Island.
On the way back to Meldrum, someone from Meldrum driving east, stopped and said to us, “I hear that you are running a taxi business.” Earlier in the week we drove someone into Gore Bay who needed the ride but he did pay us with a quart of maple syrup.
There were no cards this week on Friday, August 18 in the Meldrum Bay Hall due to the fact that the hall will be so busy. But last week, August 14, there were four tables and one sit out. High lady was Helen Black with 76 points; high man was Irene Kelly with 80 points; ladies’ lone hands went to Karen Noble with four and men’s lone hands went to Tom Rumley with five. Most euchres were won by Larry Pfeiffer with nine; Ken brought home the juice; the money jar is safe for another week.
Barrie Island
Lillian Greenman
George and Carolyn Calback and Ashton and Nina Calback received word that their niece Carolyn Dowdell passed away recently, she was the daughter of George and Edith Bartlette (Calback) (deceased) of London.
Don and Betty Greenman of Innisfil visited Lance and Lillian Greenman a few days last week.
A community potluck will be held Friday, August 25 at Julia Bay from 4 to 7 pm. Barbecued hot dogs provided, music will be provided by Paul and Jane Best. Bring a chair.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
Friday, August 11 I went to Gore Bay in the morning to do some Avon deliveries. I had a look at the market vendor tables where there are a lot of items for sale. I went to the cafe and had cake and coffee where the Silver Water UCW ladies had a lot of choices of cake and cinnamon buns. I took the car to McQuarrie’s for an oil change and then did my errands while I waited. After the car was ready, I did the grocery shopping and picked up my empty cake pans at the cafe.
I had a visit with Arlene McQuarrie on Friday morning in her home. She told me that Gail (Kemp) Caddel had come from Sault Ste. Marie for a visit to her former home. She grew up on Burnt Island Road in a house that is no longer there. She has been visiting as many of the residents she knows as she can. I heard she was to see George and Irene Purvis. I heard she had lunch with a number of ladies in Gore Bay one day.
Friday night, we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay.
Murray and Gladys Duncanson had their son Blake, and his daughters Willow and Shelby for part of the weekend.
Randy and Lori Walker had their daughter Alysha and her daughters Kinley and Everly for the weekend.
Mike and Lynn Tyler left their cottage early in the week. Steve and Karen Marshall arrived at the cottage for their vacation.
Friday afternoon SLM Recycling in Rockville delivered a 20-yard bin to our yard. The neighbours spent the weekend filling it full of metal for recycling. Old batteries were also collected and sent for recycling. The bin was very full by the time it was picked up on Tuesday morning. The proceeds are for the Silver Water Community Hall.
Saturday morning there was a market in our yard. Jose Daniels is bringing more produce each week which is very popular.
Gladys Duncanson and I continue to swim regularly. We are realizing already that the temperature is headed down a bit.
Sunday after the United Church service was finished in Silver Water, I picked up Brenda Carter, Donna Kay McDonald and Myra Duncanson. We went to Tehkummah to the euchre tournament. There were no prizes came home in my car, but we all had a good time.
Monday the recycle bins were open in the afternoon. We had a really good turnout. The bins are both full and waiting to be emptied next week. We got lots of egg cartons for the local producers, pop cans and liquor containers to fundraise for the community hall.
Tuesday evening was fire practice. The trucks went to John and Pat Wickett’s cottage on Silver Lake Road for part of the time.
Colleen (Smyth) and Eric Julseth arrived at their cottage on Wednesday afternoon. Eric retired in May and Colleen has retired as of last week. They have sold their house in Southern Ontario. The cottage will be their full-time home until the weather is too cold in October. Congratulations to them both.
Thursday morning, Kay Everett and I went to Gore Bay to purchase the groceries for the luncheon on Friday after Mike Steele’s funeral. We had a short visit with Marlene Burns in the store. The rain was just starting when we were packing the car.
Thursday, Murray and Gladys went to Mindemoya to take their granddaughters Willow and Shelby out for supper.
Thursday evening at euchre, there were seven tables of players. Congratulations to Ken Duncanson and Arie who split the money jar. It was nice to have Lloyd and Jean Steeves out to euchre. Jean will be a vendor at the Providence Bay Fair on the weekend.
Donna Kay McDonald told us that they had a bear on their front porch. It stood up and looked in the window at Doug. She had her back to the window and by the time she got up, the bear had left.
Lois Wismer told us that one night this week when she got home and it was dark, she could see a shadow on her porch by the light from the solar lights. She carefully turned on the motion light and saw the skunk clearly. He was between her and the door, so she waited 20 minutes or so until he left the deck.
Happy Birthday to Shirley Anne Smyth LeSage.
