Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Alexia here with your Friendly Fly! Nothing shocks and delights the nervous system more than the silly season. Just like that, your life as you know it is ass over teets and you’re reading Christmas ads on page six. How anybody survives this time of year without a mental breakdown is still a mystery to me. And while the marketers are pushing Christmas, I need to revel a little longer in the merriment and joy of Hallowe’en. Kids love the costumes, candy and the door-to-door trick or treating. Parents on the other hand, pumpkin seed-covered hand love a good scare and everything pumpkin (lattes, pie, soup and roasted seeds); most of all, we love seeing the trick or treaters. This season of the Witch I had the pleasure of being the ticket person at a school Hallowe’en dance and it was quite possibly the most fun I have had all year. Dozens of families and kids all dressed to the nines with incredible costumes, hair, makeup and accessories. The event was a graveyard smash! Highlights the trolls, ghouls, witches, clowns, scarecrows, skeletons, dragons, fairies, strawberries, Wednesdays, Beetlejuice creatures, Ghostbusters, rocket ships, foxes, cows, princesses, diy Zombies, nothing better! Then a shark, a little black kitty cat, a T-Rex, a hot dog, a half-eaten banana and a rubber chicken walk up to you; I have never smiled for so many hours consecutively. I laughed until my face hurt. It was awesome. Enter November, with Hallowe’en in the bag, let’s hope the weather cools to more seasonable temps so the hunters can see a little action. Here’s hoping families get a good hunt and haul to get them through winter months. Be sure to continue donating to Manitoulin Family Resources whenever possible. A lot of families will need our help this season. Keep up the good work Vanessa and volunteers, you guys rock!
Here’s What’s happening:
Providence Bay Arena, skate season is around the corner, stay tuned!
Providence Bay Curling Club: Curling season is here! Come by the club and learn about all that the Providence Bay Curling Club has to offer. Visit the free curling clinic on November 10 from 1 to 4 pm. No special equipment needed, just indoor running shoes and warm comfortable clothing. The Club provides the rest.
Providence Bay Hall: Providence Bay Fair fundraiser chart toppers Music Bingo Fundraiser is sold out! Thank you again to everyone for their overwhelming support, we are so excited for Saturday, November 9 at the Providence Bay Hall!
Community Living Manitoulin presents the Starry Night Masquerade with DJ Deanna Smith on Friday, November 8 from 7 to 10 pm. Bring a mask or use one that is provided. Its $10 per ticket.
Exercise class Fridays, Adults age 55+ from 10:30 to 11:30 am. For information contact Alison at 705-377-5726, asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca.
Tai Chi Class is 10 am to 12:30 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. Contact Jean Pearce at 705-885-8444, the
Canadian Tai Chi Academy.
Spring Bay/Prov Bay Lions Bottle Drive: Drop off your empties next to the arena for a good cause. This helps keep our township clean and helps us give back to the community. Thanks to everyone who came out in support of the food drive!
Providence Bay Community of Christ Church: Sunday Service is at 10:30 am; Youth Group Meetups is Wednesdays at 6 pm.
Providence Bay transfer station at 4077 Government Road. Hours: Thursday and Saturday 1 pm to 5 pm till May long weekend.
Mentions: Thank you, Tom and Robin from Cooper Farm, for all the pumpkins! The Lions food drive was a huge success!
Remember to donate your old pumpkins to farm sanctuaries and farms or repurpose them as bird feeders!
Happy November Everyone! ‘Tis officially the countdown to Christmas.
Remembering and Honouring the men and women that served. Lest we forget
Alexander L. Fraser
“Fear not November’s challenge bold. We’ve books and friends, and hearths that never can grow cold. These make amends.”
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Always keen to increase community spirit, as well as bring more people to town, Team Fergmeijer is putting together a proposal for a new event for the council’s consideration. We figure the salmon run has real potential to be the central feature of a fall festival. People are practically swooning at the sight of them jumping up the falls each year. Along with education around these amazing fish, we could incorporate music and art, bonfires and dancing, kind of like a smaller version of Coachella. We could call it Salmon-ella! It’s a work in progress, but we’ll keep you updated on our progress.
If you have lived in or visited Kagawong over the past 20 years, you have likely seen the impact of the 4elements living arts organization. Over the years, 4e has shared art, writing and poetry, fibre arts, music, workshops, festivals, film screenings and even a River School along the Kagawong River, with many events taking place within the township. A huge thank you to all the volunteers that have made 4elements the amazing organization that it is.
We are pleased to have our Manitoulin Mom back after her extended stay in the big smoke. We hear the staff at her hotel were lovely, but the room could have used an upgrade. She is now home and enjoying being in her own space again.
On Monday, November 11, at 11 am, all are welcome to a Remembrance Day service at the Kagawong Park Centre. Sponsored by the Kagawong Cenotaph Board, there will be a silver collection and a potluck lunch following the service. Before or after the service, be sure to take some time to see the banners around Kagawong honouring local veterans. Lest we forget.
MPP Mike Mantha will be holding constituency clinics at a variety of locations across Manitoulin this month. On Tuesday, November 12 you can book an appointment to offer your thoughts and ask questions of our local representative at the Kagawong Park Centre from 1 to 2 pm. Contact the constituency office to make an appointment or for more information (1-800-831-1899, mmantha-co@ola.org).
Many happy returns go out to Jody K and Connie F who are celebrating their 29th birthdays. We just think it’s so cool that you were born in the 1900s!
Get your lists and start checking them twice, Christmas in Kagawong is coming up on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16! On Friday, vendors will be set up from 4 to 8 pm at the Park Centre and the Gore Bay Legion will be hosting supper. On the Saturday, vendors will be back from 10 am to 4 pm. Rumour has it, St. Nick himself will be putting in an appearance that day from 11 am to 2 pm at the ice rink, where you can also pick up lunch hosted by the Billings Museum Board. Round out the day with a visit to the Anglican Church for their annual meat pie fundraiser, bake sale, craft table and gift bags.
The Billings Library will be holding their annual online silent auction starting on Thursday, November 21. All bidding is done via facebook.com/groups/libraryauction. Contact the library for more information.
Did you know? You can tune a guitar, but you can’t tuna fish. Unless of course you play bass. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
It’s Halloween tonight, and I am working on my column. Some of the decorations are quite nice. One of the houses has two ghosts, a big one and a little one. They look really cute and not scary at all.
On Saturday, October 26 in Silver Water there was a Christmas Fair. Rose and I went and had a great time. First, we went to Karen Noble’s house. Josie Daniels from Meldrum was there with items from her market garden at Loon Lake. A lady from Meldrum was selling jewelry. There were other vendors as well. We stopped for a coffee and muffin. After Karen’s, we went to the hall. There were a large number of vendors. Seven2One Studio from Mississauga Lighthouse Road had a table with Paul and Tracy McAllister manning it. Jamie and Norma, my brother and sister-in-law from Meldrum also had a table displaying Norma’s decorated travel cups, bracelets, key chains and other items. We bought honey from Joan Sheppard, which was beautiful, clear and tasty. The biggest attraction were her twin grandsons. After visiting with everyone and spending our money, we went downstairs, looked at more displays and had lunch. We sat with good friends and had a great time.
Wednesday, we had an appointment in town at 10 am. We left early, and almost reached Silver Water by 9 am. There on its side, in the ditch was a service vehicle with a police car nearby. On the way home the road was blocked by two tow trucks working to get the vehicle out of the ditch. We turned around and got to Meldrum Bay via Silver Lake Road. People going to town from Zhiibaahaasing or Sheshegwaning had to go around via Silver Lake Road as well. I have no news about the driver, I hope that he was ok. We also saw four does at the side of the road, lined up, watching us go by, thank goodness they stayed put. One evening, in a field off of Mississauga Lighthouse Road, we saw a really good-sized buck with a large rack eyeing two does. He was quite outstanding to look at.
Finally, we’ve had rain, lots of rain. It’s been very dry and the rain is welcome. No frost yet, I’m still getting greens from the garden, but we’ve seen the snowbirds. We know what’s coming.
Rick and I were out picking up prizes for euchre this week. Everyone always has a great time. Friday night, October 25 there were two tables with two sit outs. High lady was Karen Noble with 67; high man was Nathan Riach with 75; ladies’ lone hands went to Lois Wismer with three; men’s lone hands went to Doug Carter with two; most euchres went to Brenda Carter with seven; the money jar is safe; the 50/50 draw was won by Todd Murray. Thanks to everyone who came out, see you next week.
Barrie Island
Enid Runnalis
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve written here as I was off on a little holiday in Sardinia, Italy, a sunny island with an ancient and fascinating history and very good food. I had a wonderful time but am so happy to be back on beautiful Barrie Island where fall has arrived with its glorious golden foliage and moody skies. The Barrie Island farmers are bringing the cattle in off the pasture. It’s been dry so it’s hard to plough, but they’ve done some fall tillage.
Arriving on October 14, a new grandchild for Jim and Sandy Runnalls Miller! Parents, Fiona and Ben Perry and big brother Griffin are so pleased to add this bundle of joy to their family home in Ottawa. They’ve named him Rowan Oli Grant (they’ve got some grandfather’s names in there) and he is adorable!
Richard Runnalls had his nephew Peter Scott of Midland here for a few days to carry on with his honey harvest and processing. For those keeping track, he has now collected 630 lbs.! Those honeybees are keeping him busy!
And … his cat came back! Not the very next day, but after about two weeks. Yes, Richard’s beloved kitty (adopted from Ohio) escaped his vehicle at the gas station near Birch Island and now has been safely returned to him. He was worried that she was heading towards the border, but the gas station owners made the rescue and all is well.
Some of our local hunters were recently up in moose country. I’ve heard that they had a few sightings and a good time. They’ll try again with the deer hunt in the coming weeks.
Have you seen Carolyn Lane Rock in her new blue Honda CRV? It’s quite a snazzy little vehicle and she reports that everyone has been admiring it, even the deer. Unfortunately, one little buck got too close as she was driving by, so she will be taking it in for repairs.
Last night, on Hallowe’en, it was reported that a little skeleton was haunting up and down the East Line Road. He was seen knocking on the front doors of a few houses, scaring the neighbours out of their wits and collecting treats. Then he zoomed off with a warlock in an old white truck! How spooky!!!
Did you see any other trick-or-treaters on Barrie Island or have any news to share? Please let me know!
Silver Water
Karen Noble
On Friday night, October 18 we went to euchre at the Meldrum Bay Community Hall.
On Monday there was euchre at the Burpee/Mills Complex.
On Tuesday, October 22 there was chair yoga at the hall at 1 pm.
On Wednesday at 7 pm there was the Local Services Board pre-budget meeting at the hall. Most of the discussions related to waste issues. The community will be arranging an electronics recycling bin this fall and a metal recycling bin for July 2025. Other suggestions were made and will be investigated. The community will continue to have GFL Environmental pick up the garbage and collect the recycling from the bins. Thank you to everyone who came out to the meeting. The next meeting is the budget meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 27 at 7 pm.
On Thursday evening there was euchre at the Silver Water Community Hall at 7 pm.
On Friday, October 25, TJ Murray, Nathan Riach and their wives brought us four bushels of Cortland apples that will be turned into applesauce and pies when time permits. On Friday evening we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay. There were 10 players.
Saturday was a very busy day at our house. We hosted seven vendors at the Annual Christmas Market. I had my Avon set up in the garage where it was not as cold as expected. Thank you to all the people who came out to shop locally with us. There were 17 more vendors set up at the community hall. There was chili and tea biscuits for lunch. The vendors at our house closed at 12 noon and went to check out the hall vendors.
Saturday afternoon, Albert Meijer and Shawn Noble had the recycle bins open from 1 to 2 pm. They had lots of people come out. The recycle bins will continue to be open each month on the second Monday and fourth Saturday. There will be a 50/50 draw on each date going forward.
On Sunday, October 27 I went to the service at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Gore Bay. It was the church’s 70th anniversary. There was a potluck supper afterwards.
On Monday, October 28, we went to euchre at the Burpee/Mills Complex. There were lots of people attending.
On Tuesday there was chair yoga at the community hall in the afternoon. Tuesday evening was fire practice in Silver Water with a good number of people out for it.
On Wednesday there was an accident on the highway just past Kemp Lake Road. There was a truck rolled on its side in the ditch and it took several tow trucks to get it out.
On Wednesday, October 30, there was a Hallowe’en party at the hall.
Happy Hallowe’en to everyone last Thursday. There was euchre at the Silver Water Community Hall.
There will be a luncheon and euchre tournament on Sunday, November 10 at the Meldrum Bay Community Hall.
There will be a potluck supper for Remembrance Day on Monday, November 11 at 5 pm at the Silver Water Community Hall. The proceeds will go to the Angel Bus.
The Kits and Quilts meeting has been changed to Tuesday, November 12 at the Meldrum Bay Hall.
The Hunters’ Pancake Breakfast will be on Sunday, November 17 from 8 to 10 am at the Silver Water Hall. The proceeds will go to the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary. The UCW will have baking for sale.
Happy 90th birthday to Wilda Hunter on November 3.
