Kagawong
Team Fermeijer
Fear naut! The MS Chi-Cheemaun is once again setting sail for the mighty Manitoulin, and you guessed it: we’ve decided it’s aboat time that we cruise into the deep waters of boat puns to kick off this week’s column. We figured that with the nice weather, we might as well do it schooner rather than later. So, break out your anchor-chiefs to wipe away your tears – they will be tears of laughter of course, it’s not like our column is ever an oar-deal. We’d hate to be considered keeljoys.
The waterline work on Old Mill Road has started. That road will be closed as the work requires excavation of the roadway to install a new water main and service connections. Residents will have access to their property but may have to use Newburn Road via Graham’s hill at times.
Not only is the fire hall rebuild making good progress, but the Billings Fire Department is also updating its tools and equipment to help keep the community safe. The department has received The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada Lifesaving Equipment Grant which will allow the department to purchase ten sets of Innotex Energy bunker gear which will help keep firefighters safe from heat and hazards they face while carrying out their all-important duties.
Did you know the township will accept your old batteries for recycling? Drop them off at the town office battery recycling box.
What does Jack Sparrow use to store his dinner leftovers? Pyrex of the Caribbean.
Calling all business owners within the municipality of Billings Township! Come out to the Billings Business Group meeting tonight (Wednesday, May 10th). Starting at 7 pm at the Park Centre in Kagawong, take the opportunity to meet other business owners and discuss issues of concern and opportunity! Contact westman@lambac.org or 705-282-3215 for more information.
Want to treat Mom and yourself this Mother’s Day? Bring her out to the Anglican Church Mother’s Day Lunch, Saturday, May 13th. The church is offering delicate sandwiches and delectable desserts from 11 am to 2 pm. The cost is $20 per person. Don’t limit yourself just to Mom. Bring dads, uncles, siblings, cousins and neighbours two-doors-down. All are welcome!
As the spring insects begin to emerge, instead of swatting at the blackflies grab a racquet and come out a-swingin’ at the annual Blackfly Tennis Tournament hosted by the Manitoulin Tennis Club. Mark Saturday, May 20 on your calendars (rain date Sunday, May 21), and contact ctheijsmeijer@gmail.com for more information.
A catamaran in the frostbite series race lost its mast and was nearly overturned by a large wave. The headline in the club newsletter the next day was “Cata-frostic Dismaster.”
Go fly a kite! No, really. On Sunday, June 4th in Gore Bay you can go fly a kite in the Kite Festival! From 1 to 4 pm you can enjoy kite flying at the Western Manitoulin Community Garden. It’s a free event and fun can be had for all ages. Enjoy the barbecue lunch, get crafty at the Make a Scarecrow station, and a Pop-up Play area for the littles. There will also be community service people and their vehicles for viewing and questions. Bring your own kite or use one the festival provides.
First it was the geese and the sandhill cranes, and now the colourful cabanas have begun their near-annual migration up the hill from the picnic pavilion to the Park Centre. That means the summer market season is just around the corner! Stay tuned for more details.
We wanted to make sure this week’s column had a ferry-tale ending. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
We have had a lot of rain but also some beautiful sunny days as well. My husband and I have gone for walks in the woods and drives in the countryside. It has been beautiful. We have been listening to the spring peepers, identifying interesting migrating birds, and counting new baby calves. It is amazing how quickly the calves grow.
The garden is full of dandelions, but the garlic is growing up beautifully as well as the asparagus. I had some asparagus for supper tonight and it was delicious.
Rose’s sister Donna has been up staying with Rose and we were over visiting with her. Poor Donna, we spent most of the time raving about our Tesla and how wonderful getting through its first winter turned out to be.
Meldrum is busy planning for future events. May 20th is the annual ATV ride. It is always a great time, and a lot of work is done getting access to interesting areas to ride in. Once again it will include a lunch and door prizes. The campground will be open for those who want to stay over.
On the 24th of May weekend the store will be offering hot dogs if you come for a visit and arrive hungry.
On the 24th of June there is a Poker Paddle being planned by Joe Weston. It will be on Lily Lake. Everyone has enjoyed this event over the last couple of years.
Have a great week.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
The income tax deadline has come and gone for another year.
Monday, May 1, Doug and Brenda Carter took Sara-Lyn Arnot and myself to euchre in Burpee. There were six tables of players.
Tuesday, Albert had another appointment with Sarah Smith-McEvoy. The massages are helping his back a lot.
Wednesday, I took another load of liquor cans to Mindemoya.
Thursday, May 4 the UCW meeting was held at St. Andrew’s United Church in Silver Water. There was a good crowd, lots on the agenda, and we were finished in an hour.
Thursday evening was euchre at the Silver Water Community Hall. We had four tables of players. Congratulations to Chris Bigras for having 82 points and taking home the money.
Brenda Carter and I walked on the days when it was dry enough. We are picking up lots of cans and bottles. Albert sorts them when we get home in the garage.
We have two deer coming to the yard each evening. They are quite thin and happy to have any vegetable and fruit scraps put out for them.
The daffodils are starting to bloom in my yard. I have lots of purple violets. The forsythia bush is covered in yellow flowers. I have no asparagus yet but I have had reports of neighbours eating their first ones.
Condolences to the family of Shelly LaFord. Condolences to the family of Mary Buie. Condolences to the family of Brian Lang. Condolences to the family of Frank Cada. Condolences to the family of Emily Falls.
Congratulations to Tori (Slomke) and Thomas Hayden on the birth of their daughter, Lennon Susan Lorraine Hayden, and to all the grandparents, and great-grandmothers, Kay Everett and Sheila Slomke, and great-grandparents, Penny and Jim Strain.
Get well wishes to Melody Hore.
George and Carolyn Calback visited and had supper with Darlene Orford on Tuesday.
Murray Montgomery’s daughter Erin has moved here recently and helping him on the farm.
Sandy Miller and daughter Fiona and her son Griffen from Ottawa are here for a few days visiting with Oliver and Barb Runnalls as well as Scott and Enid Runnalls.
