Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Hello, Providence Bay! Alexia here with your friendly wind-blown fly!
If you’re reading this, smile big because you have survived the first of many spring/summer windstorms, the eclipse-alypse and you did not burn your retinas beyond repair. So what’s next? The season of the elements is upon us: earth (aka mud); air (aka helium balloons); wind (aka windstorms) and fire (aka by-laws) as we begin the daunting task of spring cleaning, gardening prelims and yard clean-up. Remember that you need a fire permit to burn wood, brush, leaves and grass outside during the fire season (April 1 to October 31) daytime burning is prohibited. Burn permits are $5 and can be obtained at the municipal office at 6020 Highway 542, Mindemoya.
Ceilidh had a nice surprise visit from her friends from school the other day they drove over from Mindemoya for a beach stomp at Providence Bay beach and had tons of fun. The coffee club met again last week and Joanne and Marianne and I chatted about the foxes, bobcats and the geese. Joanne and Ingrid were busy this past weekend, taking down and tidying up from the holidays with spring cleaning and polishing downtown Prov. Kudos, ladies, you are awesome!
I was busy with spring decorating our Community of Christ Church and I have seen a lot of posts and pictures of local folks and kids participating in the garbage and beach clean-ups; well done everyone! Earth Day is every day and we want to keep our beautiful township beaming!
Providence Bay arena and outfield: stay tuned for Nerf wars, community rec and youth soccer events coming soon dates to be announced.
Providence Bay Curling Club announced the winner of the beer for a year raffle, congratulations Kim Cooper. Congratulations to the Providence Bay youth and junior curling club who rocked the end of season in Niagara Falls representing Team Northern Ontario.
Providence Bay hall: stag and doe season means the hall will be busy in the coming months! Paul Wright (aka Island Taxi) mentioned he is very busy so make your travel plans well ahead of time if you need rides in, around and off of the Island. Lions Club meeting is tonight, Wednesday at the hall. I will continue to keep you all posted on the coffee club and other important dates and local events.
Providence Bay Community of Christ church food handler’s certificate course this Saturday, April 13, 9:30 am to 4 pm. For information and registration contact Alex Baran or Natasha Sweeney at Sudbury and Districts Public Health unit https://www.phsd.ca/contact/.
At the Providence Bay beach, can’t wait to mermaid. It’s getting warmer! Keep it clean folks. We want to enjoy it for years to come.
Island Quilters Guild (pre-registered) spring workshop this Saturday, April 13 at the Mindemoya Community Hall. I will be in Sudbury and will miss this amazing event. Happy quilting ladies, I will see you again on April 18.
This weekend I will be going on a day trip to Sudbury for a girl’s birthday party and spring spree! March into April are busy birthday months for many! Happy birthday wishes to Mya, Nixon, Brooklyn, Jackie, Ruth, Tina, Chris Bryan and yours truly.
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
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 13 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 7 pm 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 to 6 pm, and weekends 10 am to 4 pm.
Next weekend, the Billings Climate Action Committee is hosting an Earth Day event. Come out Saturday, April 20 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 20 at 2 pm 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!
Barrie Island
Lillian Greenman
Fiona, Ben, Perry and baby Griffin from Ottawa were here for Easter weekend. They joined Oliver and Barb Runnalls at Scott and Enid Runnalls and Cameron Runnalls and Micah for supper on Friday.
Joining Lance and Lillian Greenman on Saturday for supper were Terry Greenman and Laurie, Kayla Greenman and Will, Kyle Greenman and Krystan Hayden and Jessie.
Some upcoming happenings in the municipality of Gordon/Barrie Island are: 1) Everyone invited to come out to thank our volunteer members of the fire department at Gordon Hall on Wednesday, April 17 at 7 pm. 2) You are invited to our tree planting ceremony for Earth Day 2024 at Gordon Hall on Friday, April 19, 4 pm. 3) Come out to celebrate Wayne Fogal’s retirement from the Municipality of Gordon and Barrie Island with a potluck on Friday, April 26 at 7 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion in Gore Bay.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
On Friday, March 15, lunch at the Watersedge Pub included a birthday celebration for Molly Ainslie.
On Friday evening there were three tables of euchre players in Meldrum Bay.
The maple syrup season has been very successful this year and some people plan to continue once the current cold temperatures are over.
On Sunday, March 17, there was a potluck supper at the Silver Water Community Hall. Fifty people attended and over $800 was raised for the Angel Bus.
On Monday, March 18, Vince Grogan and Bill Orford held an information session in the Silver Water Community Hall about the Island Wide Waste Management committee and their current progress with several programs.
On Tuesday afternoon there was an exercise class at the hall.
On Wednesday, there was line dancing at the hall in the evening.
On Wednesday, the Manitoulin Municipal Association meeting was held in Mindemoya. Representatives from the OPP gave a presentation about how the municipalities are invoiced for their services each year.
On Thursday evening, there were 24 euchre players at the Silver Water hall.
Brenda Carter returned on Wednesday after a week in the Hamilton area visiting family.
Condolences to the family of Dave Slater.
Condolences to the family of Alan Wheable.
Doug and Brenda Carter went to southern Ontario on Wednesday, March 27 for the Easter weekend.
Tom and Linda Rumley were at their Silver Water home for several days.
There were six tables of euchre players at the Silver Water Community Hall on Thursday.
There were church services at St Andrew’s United Church in Silver Water on Good Friday and at the Anglican Church in Gore Bay.
Euchre in Meldrum Bay was cancelled on Good Friday, March 29.
Keith and Iris Clarke and some of their family were at their cottage for the Easter weekend.
There was six handed euchre played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Murray and Gladys Duncanson travelled to Espanola to spend Easter with their son Blake and his family.
Shawn Noble and Anne Boyd joined us for Easter dinner on Sat, March 30.
Euchre in Burpee and Mills was cancelled on April 1.
The fire team was called to assist with a bush fire in Elizabeth Bay on Tuesday. It was discussed at length at fire practice that evening.
Exercise class was held Tuesday afternoon. It will continue each Tuesday until mid-May.
There was a Sic Sox Circular bin delivered to our yard on April 2. This bin is for fabric recycling and will be open for the west end residents to fill up.
On Wednesday, April 3 in the afternoon, there was a group that met with a doctor who is currently part of a program that may lead him to practice locally. There are numerous steps still to go.
On Thursday, April 4 the UCW meeting was held in the afternoon. There were 14 ladies out.
On Thursday evening, there were five-and-three-quarter tables of euchre players at the Silver Water hall.
Alexis McVey with the rest of the MSS Robotics team travelled to McMaster University in Hamilton last weekend and to Mississauga this past weekend.
There were a few snow days in the last two weeks, but it is all melted now.
Happy 90th birthday to Alfreda Wickett on April 25.
Condolences to the family of Cam Clark.
