Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Alexia Here with your Ice Age Fly.
Last night I read that if there is too much ice and snow on your roof it can and will collapse under the weight. I had a fitful sleep enacting scenarios of how I could save my daughter in the next room within seconds of said “roof collapse.” I decided that instead of worrying I would occupy my thoughts instead with RE scripts and brainstorming scathingly brilliant marketing ideas. To add to all the cabin fever and crunchy snow heaps that are making everyone go postal, we have had yet another local postal service interruption due to a staffing shortage. For people who rely on this service for their employment and for personal and/or pet supplies during the winter months, it’s just another shovel onto the heap, as it were. I am not going to complain. I am not going to live in a constant state of flight or fight. Instead, I will continue to giggle when I see the giraffe in snow memes and repeat the following mantra, we don’t have hurricanes, we don’t have earthquakes, we don’t have alligators… (the roof may collapse mind you) but at least we don’t have hurricanes, we don’t have earthquakes and we don’t have alligators. For now, wax your skis and boards, enjoy life and remember never get on a plane, never get off the boat (apocalypse now) and you should make it at least until the ides and high tides of March.
Here’s what’s happening: Providence Bay Arena, learn to skate on Sundays from 12 noon to 1 pm; public skating on Sundays from 1 to 3 pm; family sponge puck on Sundays from 3 to 5 pm. Sponsored by the Spring Bay/Providence Bay Recreation Committee. Helmets required.
McAllister Tourney coming soon! Stay tuned.
Providence Bay Curling Club continues to be busy with events and schedules.
Providence Bay Community of Christ Church Sunday Service: 10:30 am meet-up; 11 am service.
Winter workouts continue Friday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 am until March 14 at the Providence Bay Hall.
Tai Chi classes continue Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.
February knowledge sharing sessions continue on Wednesday, February 26 it is Fabric Weaving with Erin-Blythe. For information or to register for Knowledge Sharing Sessions contact Alison at 705-377-5726 or by email to asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca.
Gentle Yoga continues with Chair Yoga and Gentle Yoga on
Tuesdays from 1 to 1:45 pm and 2 to 3 pm at Providence Bay Hall TFN. Gentle Yoga continues Wednesdays at 6:15 pm at Spring Bay Hall.
Traditional Taekwon-do continues this Thursday and next Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday at 6 pm.
The Heavens: Upcoming astronomical events in 2025 include: March 13 to 14 total lunar eclipse; March 14, Worm Moon.
March 20, March equinox; March 29, partial solar eclipse; and April 12, Pink Moon.
Keep looking up! We have the gift of big sky here so enjoy the views!
The Fundraisers: Providence Bay / Spring Bay Lions Club bottle drive continues, drop off your empties next to the arena for a good cause! Check the Lions Facebook page for upcoming events.
The Friends: Congratulations to you February babies old and new, hope all your wishes come true.
Prayers, thoughts and regards to the Bock, Sloss, Corbiere and Cooper families.
Fear and loathing on the campaign trails comes to a big finish tomorrow as we vote in the Provincial Election. As March approaches, go easy and keep your head up. Spring Equinox will come knocking soon enough and we must make a point of enjoying every part of the ride and every season under the sun.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
– Hunter S. Thompson, The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Sometimes February feels like it lasts forever, but time Marches on. And although we enjoy the snowy months, by this time of year, we are ready to leaf winter behind. Our sense of humour sometimes seems a bit out of season, but with March knocking on our door, we wanted this week’s column to offer some laughs that will put a spring in your step.
Team Fergmeijer is really disappointed that we aren’t able to celebrate our birthday this month. Mostly because we weren’t born in February. People who actually have birthdays this week include Shirley F and Paula V-F who are both turning 29. Happiest of happy birthdays to you!
As winter swings into spring, there’s lots going on in Kagawong over the next few weeks.
St. John’s Anglican church is holding a chili luncheon on Saturday, March 8 (11 am to 2 pm). Now, these nice folks won’t get jalapeno business if you don’t stop by, but would you really want to miss out on some delicious homemade chili dinner that includes biscuits and refreshments for just $14? Desserts are available also, and it can all be eaten at the church or take it home with you.
On Thursday, March 13, Cambrian College is hosting a free community kitchen workshop at the Park Centre. In this full-day session, you’ll learn to cook a meal from start to finish and then feast together as a community. This is a great opportunity to enhance your cooking skills and maybe even meet some new friends! Registration is required – register no later than March 5 by contacting manitoulin@cambriancollege.ca or by calling 705-368-3194.
Spring dance season is just around the corner! Classes with Candice Irwin of Body Stories Dance Education & Performance are starting up again the week of March 17. Kagawong classes at the Park Centre Monday evenings include “Creative Movement” (ages 3-6), “Contemporary” (ages 6 and up), and “Mindful Movement” (adults and teens). Check out bodystoriesdance.com for more information.
Much like the month of February, our Short Poems for a Short Month challenge has come to an end. As a farewell (until next year) we offer this piece:
With a mere twenty-eight days,
February rarely gets praise.
It’s cold and it’s dreary,
With wind howling and eerie,
But March brings us sun’s golden rays!
What did May say to March after being accused of stealing? Ju-ly. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
I love February, it’s bright and sunny but also cold. My husband says he’s very tired of winter. Of course, he has to keep the driveway clear and the wood cut for the wood stove. Did I mention that I cook with wood? I love the wood cookstove, but it does require a lot of wood.
Friday night at cards we had four tables and one sit out, 17 people. We really have a great time talking, munching and drinking coffee. High lady was Millie Kelly with 67 points; high man was Bob Benedict with 73 points; ladies’ lone hands went to Lois Wismer with four; and men’s lone hands went to Doug Carter with four; most euchres went to Elaine Bradley with nine; Lisa Townsend brought home the door prize; the 50/50 draw was won by Murray Duncanson; and Bob Benedict brought home the juice. Thanks to everyone who came out.
Sunday was the Fun Day. Mother Nature was not on our side overnight and into the morning. There was lots of snow and highway 540 was not plowed until shortly before the chili and stew dinner started. We had more food than people, but we were pleased with the number who made it despite the weather. Afterwards we had a euchre tournament. There were 20 people there and the players who drove the farthest won first prize. First place went to Larry and Sylvia Pfeifer with 88 points, they won $100; second place went to Doug and Brenda Carter with 80 points, they won $30; third place went to Karen Noble and Myra Duncanson with 77 points, they won $20; the 50/50 winners were Diane Jones, Lisa Townsend, Larry Pfeiffer, Marie Leeney and Janice Cada. Our first tournament was 25 years ago this month.
Mark your calendars for the quad run which will be happening in May.
Barrie Island
Enid Runnalis
Congratulations to Canada on last night’s win of the 4 Nations Tournament (February 20)! Very exciting for the entire country!
We are enjoying the Strain’s new flag flying at the Barrie Island causeway and many others are returning to their Canadian patriotism and local shopping in an effort to boost the economy and the national spirit.
Carolyn and George Calback celebrated their birthdays this week, when life-long friends Darlene Orford, Helen Strain and Marie Sloss surprised them with a little visit. It is an annual tradition for this group to gather in between George’s and Carolyn’s birthdays. They enjoyed a cup of tea and birthday cake. Congratulations to Carolyn who turns 75 this month and to George on his 91st birthday!
Jim and Sandy Miller are visiting family this weekend and staying at the home of Barb and Oliver Runnalls. Sandy will be hosting dinner for the Grandview Farms staff from there, this afternoon.
Carolyn Lane-Rock and friends are now on mainland Portugal where they are enjoying the sunshine, surf and culture. But rest assured, Carolyn is keeping up with the hockey games and Canadian politics; and by keeping up, I mean she is up at the crack of dawn to follow it all!
Richard Runnalls has been packing his suitcase for his trip down under in the middle of March. He’s leaving soon to visit two of his children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren in Australia. It will be a very exciting reunion for him as he has yet to meet some of this next generation! He will likely return just in time to get started with his tremendous garden and beehives.
Cameron Runnalls has just returned from Toronto where he attended the Annual General Meeting of the Beef Farmers of Ontario. He travelled back and forth with Nikolas Martin who is a current Director for the BFO and Brenton Best who is a Delegate. Hoping to have a little more information on this by next week’s paper.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
We went to euchre in Meldrum Bay on Friday. There was a good group and we enjoyed our Valentine’s Day outing.
Craig Duncanson visited his parents Murray and Gladys on the weekend.
On Sunday, February 16 it was the Dawson Citizen’s Improvement Association’s Family Day fun day in Meldrum Bay. When Albert and I headed out at 11 am, the highway was not plowed yet. Our car drug snow all the way to the community hall. It took twice as long as usual to make the trip. I had a short visit with Alfreda Wickett on the way. The chili and stew lunch were fantastic as usual. The snowplow had gone past the church just in time for the attendees to drive on clear roads to get to the lunch. There was a euchre tournament in the afternoon with 20 players. There were a lot of laughs. Congratulations to first place Larry and Sylvia Pfiefer; second place Doug and Brenda Carter; and third place Myra Duncanson and Karen Noble. Thank you to Myra Duncanson and Brenda Carter for helping run the tournament. Thank you to all the people who made the food and organized the lunch.
I hope everyone had a great Family Day last Monday, February 17. We went to euchre at the Burpee/Mills complex. There were eight full tables of players. The Monday night games are fundraisers and everyone is welcome. The game starts at 7 pm.
On Tuesday, I went to Gore Bay in the morning.
The exercise class was held at the Silver Water community hall starting at 1 pm in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, Albert and I both went to Gore Bay. The car needed an oil change. While McQuarrie’s had the car, they cleaned all the snow and ice from the tires. That made the drive a lot smoother on the way home.
Gladys Duncanson and I went for a walk on Wednesday afternoon. We had a short visit with Rebecca Bender and her friend Linda who had attended the line dancing class. We also had a visit with Janice Frame who was helping shovel the snow from the ramp at the hall.
There was euchre at the Silver Water Hall on Thursday evening.
My brother Shawn, niece Tamara and brother-in-law Chad left to go to Ottawa on Friday morning. They have a U-Haul rented when they get there. They are packing up Tamara’s apartment and moving her to Silver Water.
Congratulations to Grandmother José Daniels on the arrival of Samara Wilcox. She was born on February 6 to parents Jen Daniels and Ben Wilcox in London, Ontario.
On Sunday, March 2 it is the Tehkummah euchre tournament.
On Thursday, March 6 there is a service for World’s Day of Prayer at St. Andrew’s United Church in the morning and then the UCW meeting in the afternoon. We will go to Stop 540 for lunch.
On Friday, March 14 there is an Irish Stew supper in Burpee/Mills.
On Monday, March 17 there is a St. Patrick’s Day potluck supper at the Silver Water Hall with the proceeds going to the Angel Bus.
