Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
The 30th annual Bradly McAllister Tournament was an enormous success as usual and if you’d like to be part of the 2026 event in support of Muscular Dystrophy (MD) awareness and in Bradly’s memory, either as a sponsor or through a donation to MD, please reach out to Renee Cranston or Brenda McAllister.
Here’s what’s happening: baseball, soccer and summer camp registrations are rolling out Island-wide! Some rosters are already filled. Chat with neighbourhood coaches and team leads for updates!
Providence Bay Soccer Club is slowly finding volunteers and coach support. If you are interested or know someone who can coach or volunteer, you can reach the Providence Bay/South Bay Recreation Committee via email or via their Facebook page.
Providence Bay Curling Club: The Providence Bay Curling Club Program thanks everyone for another incredible season and for all your support! Keep an eye on their Facebook page for updates and upcoming yard sale events!
Providence Bay Community of Christ Church: 10:30 am joys and community chat; 11 am musical worship.
Anishnabe.centre@gmail.com
Providence Bay Hall: On Saturday, April 26 join us at the Providence Bay Centennial Hall from 8 am to 12 pm for a pancake breakfast fundraiser benefitting Manitoulin Metal Robotics FRC 6865 sponsored by Providence Bay/Spring Bay Lions Club.
Gentle Yoga continues with Chair Yoga and Gentle Yoga,
Tuesdays from 1 to 1:45 pm and 2 to 3 pm at Providence Bay Hall/Mindemoya Hall check with Instructors. Gentle Yoga continues Wednesdays at 6:15 pm at Spring Bay Hall, contact Alison at 705-377-5726 or email for registration and info asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca.
The birds, they’re back! “When robins appear, loved ones are near”.
The Heavens: April 13 – Full Moon. The Moon will be located on the opposite side of the Earth as the sun and its face will be fully illuminated. This full moon was known by early Native American tribes as the Pink Moon because it marked the appearance of the moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the first spring flowers. This moon has also been known as the Sprouting Grass Moon, the Growing Moon and the Egg Moon. Many coastal tribes called it the Fish Moon because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.
April 21 – Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation. The planet Mercury reaches greatest western elongation of 27.4 degrees from the sun. This is the best time to view Mercury since it will be at its highest point above the horizon in the morning sky. Look for the planet low in the eastern sky just before sunrise.
April 22, 23 – Lyrids Meteor Shower. The Lyrids is an average shower, usually producing about 20 meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher, which was discovered in 1861. The shower runs annually from April 16-25. It peaks this year on the night of the 22nd and morning of the 23. These meteors can sometimes produce bright dust trails that last for several seconds. The thin crescent moon will not pose much of a problem so this should be a good show. Best viewing will be from a dark location after midnight. Meteors will radiate from the constellation Lyra, but can appear anywhere in the sky.
Venus will pop out as the “Morning Star” from April 1 to November 20 and be visible in the East and Southwest just before sunrise.
Wishing you clear skies and bright sights! Happy sky-gazing.
The Friends: Congratulations to you early April babies and fools old and new. Hope all your wishes come true. Happy Spring and April showers everyone!
Regards to friends and family of Patsy Gilchrist and the M’Chigeeng and Wiikwemkoong communities wishing you courage and strength of spirit.
“If not for you, winter wouldn’t hold no spring, couldn’t hear a robin sing. I just wouldn’t have a clue, if not for you.”
– Bob Dylan
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
We at Team Fergmeijer have decided that Brendan Fraser and Keanu Reeves could do a movie together called “Movie” and our entire country would line up at the theatres to watch it.
Thank you to the competitors from far and wide who met up this week to show off their best Sandhill Crane impression on Tuesday, April 1. This year, an incredible lineup of cooing hopefuls met on the steps of the Old Mill at the crack of dawn and gave it their best shot. Honourable mentions go out to competitors #6 Jack Potte and #32 Walter U. Upto, but the ultimate coo-ing champion of 2025 was contestant #75 Pat Miback. Congratulations to all participants (but mostly to Pat).
It’s April! Which means the landfill hours shift to spring and summer hours. Stop by to say hi to Denis (and drop off your sorted garbage and recycling) Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 pm and weekends from 10 am to 4 pm.
We would like to wish a happy 29th birthday to Sharon A. this week. We didn’t know where to start on your birthday present, so we figured we’d trawl the internet for inspiration. After a couple of hours, we found some really good stuff. But then we remembered we were supposed to be finding you a birthday present and it was too late. Sorry!
Did you know? There are two new ways to stay up-to-date with the goings-on in the township. You can sign up for emails from the township’s events calendar (https://calendar.billingstwp.ca/default/Subscription), and/or you can download the TOWNApp for the Township of Billings. The easy-to-use, free app provides updates about safety, events, road closures, taxes and allows you to report road issues, accidents, floods and other concerns directly through the app. Just download the app and enter “Billings.”
Speaking of staying up-to-date on community events, we’re so egg-cited, and we just can’t hide it – the annual Easter egg hunt is back! Starting at 11 am on April 19 at the Park Centre, bring your basket, meet the bunny and put all your eggs in one basket, courtesy of the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee.
The Manitoulin Community Choir is back performing in Kagawong this Saturday, April 5 at 7:30 pm at the Park Centre. Come, relax and enjoy a mix of songs and styles. Admission is $15 with tickets available at the door.
There’s no time like the present to get involved! The Township of Billings is looking for citizens interested in joining the Lake Kagawong Resource Committee, the Climate Action Committee, the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee and the Ad Hoc Water Advisory Committee. Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 11 at 12 noon.
The township is planning for some new, seasonal banners to go up around town and your pictures could be featured on them. The deadline to submit your high-quality photos is Monday, April 14. Contact the town office for full details.
It may not always be easy being green, but the Billings Climate Action Committee is making it a little easier! Join in the township’s Neighbourhood Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 26 by coming out to the Park Centre for a “junk in the trunk” community yard sale. If you’d like to book a table for the event, reach out to Vince at vgrogan@billingstwp.ca. Cleaning up around your neighbourhood? You can bring any collected waste in clear bags to the Park Centre parking lot that day where it will be sorted, weighed, and then brought to the landfill. Easy peasy!
While you are at it, why not take part in Manitoulin Streams’ Great Manitoulin Island Clean Up?! With awards for the school, community, business, individual, seniors and group of four who clean up the most bags of garbage. It’s a win for you and for the Island environment! Check out Manitoulin Streams on Facebook for full details of how to take part.
Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
Friday night at cards there were five tables. High man was Bob Benedict with 76 points, he also had six lone hands and brought home the juice; ladies’ high was Janice Cada with 74 points and four lone hand; ladies’ lone hands went to Karen Noble with three; men’s lone hands went to Rick Bradley with four; most euchres went to Steve Gugelyk with eight and the door prize was won by Jean Cada. The money jar is safe for another week.
On Sunday we had a luncheon with roast beef, barbecued chicken and coleslaw. To top it off we had homemade buns. We sat around a big table, visited and had a great time. It was really nice. After we had eaten, we went to the service at St. Andrew’s Church. After the service there was a business meeting. We are planning a breakfast on Easter after the sunrise service. The plans are still being developed but it should be really nice.
The sugar shacks in the area are still busy collecting and boiling down sap.
This Sunday there is a lunch and euchre tournament in Silver Water. A group from Meldrum Bay will be going.
Have a great week.
Barrie Island
Enis Runnalls
Spring has officially arrived on Barrie Island and to prove it this weekend we are looking forward to a freezing rainstorm. A good time to stay off the roads.
Enid Runnalls jumped in the car with Katie on her return to Toronto. She thoroughly enjoyed a theatre performance of ‘Come from Away’ and dinner out.
Lance has been making progress with his health since getting back home. Natalie has been over to help out.
Our condolences go out to the Calback families as they grieve the loss of Lynn, daughter of Ashton and Nina.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
On Monday, March 17 there was a potluck supper held at the Silver Water Community Hall which raised over $700 for the Angel Bus. Thanks to everyone who came out and gave their support.
On Wednesday, March 19, I attended the Manitoulin Municipal Association meeting in Mindemoya.
On Friday, March 21, we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay. There were four tables of players.
On Saturday the recycle bins were open from 1 to 2 pm. There were quite a few residents out.
On Sunday there was a luncheon at the Meldrum Bay Community Hall. Albert Meijer and I went to it. Most of the attendees went to the United Church afterwards. On our way home, we parked at Essing Road and did some roadside cleanup. The wind kept our walk short. After we got home, Brenda Carter and I went for a walk on the highway and did some more picking up.
On Monday, I went to work in Gore Bay in the morning. After supper I took Dianne McCallum, DonnaKay McDonald and Myra Duncanson to euchre at the Burpee/Mills Complex. There were 34 players.
On Tuesday afternoon there was exercise class at the hall.
Tuesday evening was fire practice in Silver Water.
Wednesday afternoon was the last line dancing class for the season.
On Thursday there was euchre at the hall.
I had a phone visit with Max Trick this week. He and Linda are planning their May arrival at camp.
On Saturday, April 5, there is a spring market and lunch being held at the Silver Water Hall starting at 10 am.
On Sunday, April 6, Tehkummah holds their euchre tournament starting at 1:30 pm.
On Sunday, April 13, there is a euchre tournament at the Burpee/Mills complex beginning at 1:30 pm. There will be no regular euchre on Monday, April 14.
On May 3 it is the Snowduster’s fish dinner in Silver Water. I will be asking for volunteer workers soon.
Happy April Fool’s Day to everyone!
