The calendar says autumn but it sure feels like winter! There is a skiff of snow on the ground and beautiful ice formations along the shoreline. I watched a mating pair of bald eagles soaring over the lake yesterday. They have a youngster who hasn’t quite got the white head and tail as yet. The eagles are catching rainbow trout at the mouth of the river.
The pancake breakfast was well attended on the first Thursday of the month at the Providence Bay Curling Club. The buffet breakfast with eggs, bacon, sausage, home fries, toast, fruit and dessert with coffee, tea and juice is hard to beat. Next month’s breakfast will be Thursday, January 9 to allow everyone to return to the Island or recuperate after Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Friday evening’s Mindemoya Shopping Spree was well attended. Most businesses were open with lots of specials and draws. The annual Journey to Bethlehem brings visitors from all over the Island and off-Island. This is a very special event where all the congregations from the local churches are involved.
There are rainbow trout being caught at Lake Wolsey, just off shore. Bob Caddel and Don Orford can attest to this!
Many attended the KTEI Snowflake Gala on Saturday evening including this writer. The food, entertainment and decorations were fantastic. Everyone looked wonderful in their special outfits. The Tribute to Elvis and the Green River band Tribute to Creedance Clearwater Revival got everyone ‘a rockin!’ Proceeds from the gala went to KTEI culinary students’ bursaries.
The children have been busy rehearsing for the Providence Bay Community Christmas Pageant. The annual pageant is held in the Providence Bay Community Hall. The Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Club Bake Sale is always in conjunction with the pageant. Please contact Janice at 705-377-6707 or Leanne at 705-377-6134 if you’d like to donate to the bake sale. We appreciate your kind donations. Join us Saturday, December 14 at 7 pm.
The euchre tournament results from November 26 in Providence Bay are: 1st, Fred P. and Jim L.; 2nd, Bill T. and Brad P.; 3rd, Margaret C. and Mary Ann P.; and 4th, Bill and Linda A. The Mindemoya euchre tournament is December 12 at 8 pm. The next euchre will be in the New Year on January 9 and it will be a tournament. Good luck!
The Manitoulin Family Resources Treasures Christmas Craft Show which took place on November 23 at the Mindemoya Missionary Church and was a huge success.
A large crowd attended the cheery Christmas event. The Help Centre volunteers who hosted the show were very impressed with the turnout. Over 15 vendors sold their wares with lots of great gifts for purchase. Santa Claus made a visit too!
The baby shower for Allison Pyette was on December 1 in Spring Bay. Allison received so many beautiful gifts for her expected little bundle of joy.
On Tuesday, December 3 the new sign was erected at Central Manitoulin Square on the Foodland corner and is looking awesome! There will be other economic developments in Mindemoya so keep an eye out.
Shelley and André Pelletier from Paper Works in Espanola made a business trip to Spring Bay to furnish the new office for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church on Saturday, November 30. Ingrid Blay is visiting her aunt in Germany. We wish her a safe return.
There are many Christmas parties this time of year with the Providence Bay Community Christmas Pageant on December 14, Central Manitoulin Public School Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 pm and the awards night at Manitoulin Secondary School on December 18. These are events you don’t want to miss.
We’re glad to hear that Laura E. Scott is out of the hospital and is at home. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to Peter Fathers, Marilyn Haner, Don Burke and Blair Sullivan. Good wishes to all who are under the weather and their friends and families taking such good care of them. Please keep an eye out at their homes and help keep their drives clear. A big thank you to Anna Orford and Cheryl Dewar-Giroux who have been busy making literally hundreds of bags for the hospital auxiliary. These bags are filled with sample size bottles of shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, toothbrush and more for your hospital stay.
We’ll soon see the fishing huts on the inland lakes. Be careful out there and good luck with the fishing. If you’re travelling to visit friends and family we wish you safe travels. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful holiday season.
Remember to shop locally and support your Island businesses. There are many B&B’s and motels open year round for your visitors to the Island.
Please call 705-377-4909 and leave your notes, news and tidbits on the answering machine or email centralchatter@gmail.com. That’s all the news that is fit to print! Take good care.