Kagawong – Team Fergmeijer
We came, we jigsaw, we puzzled! Thanks to everyone who came out to the puzzle swap at the Billings Library this past weekend. Here’s to many days of frustratingly trying to pound pieces into the wrong spot.
We are heartbroken to hear of the passing of John Buie on the weekend. He was a fixture of Kagawong and Manitoulin, with a ready smile and silly joke for anyone who crossed his path. We will miss him terribly and our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. John’s funeral will be at 11 am this Thursday, February 2nd at St. John’s Anglican Church in Kagawong with refreshments to follow.
Summer student positions with the township are open for applications. Positions available are: Public Works, Marina Assistant, Library Assistant and Museum Assistant. Applications will be accepted until Friday, February 10th at 12pm. Visit the township website for more information: https://billingstwp.ca/employment-opportunities/
In a bid to shift the local paparazzi’s focus off of themselves, it would appear that the KGB (Kagawong Gobble Brigade) has lured in an attractive distraction in the form of a rare Lewis’ woodpecker. Seen mostly in western regions, ‘Meriweather’ (as he has been named by the keen eye’d Phyllis C who spotted him) may have been blown off course in the nasty weather that passed through several weeks ago. The turkeys’ distraction tactic has worked, with dozens of keen twitchers stopping in to catch a glimpse, leaving the turkeys to roam the village in peace.
Happiest of happy birthdays goes out to the one and only Doug C. It’s a milestone year for Doug – he turns the big 2-9 this year. It’s a big enough deal that you should probably buy yourself something sparkly and new to celebrate. Maybe something with chrome trim, to set off your eyes. Also celebrating this week is Gabe H, although he is not quite at the 29 mark, we wish him cake and presents and fun for his big day!
The Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee is hosting a Family Day Skate and Slide event on Monday February 20th, 2023 at the Kagawong Outdoor Rink. If you haven’t tried out the new rink yet, now is your chance!
If indoor activities are more your thing, Zumba classes are also starting up at the Park Centre, Tuesdays (5pm) and Thursdays (6pm) beginning January 31st. So get on out there and boogie your way to healthy living!
Missed the last Billings council meeting? The township is now sharing Council Meeting Highlights in the days after the meeting. Check out the township website at http://billingstwp.ca. The next council meetings will be February 7th and 21st.
Reminder that the fire hall is still off-limits for safety reasons. Please utilize the water at the public works garage at 34 Carter Crescent. Please be mindful of the bay doors, and do not leave your vehicle unattended. NOTE: Please bring your own hose. Thankfully, a new bulk water system will be installed at the Water Treatment Plant by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) in the next few weeks.
February is here! To celebrate the shortest month of the year, we are pleased to announce the second annual Short Poems for a Short Month! Submit your haiku, rhyming couplet, limerick, or sonnet to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we will add them to the column!
Needing water to clean dirty clothes,
Off to the works building he goes!
He stopped in mid-week,
But ended up cursing a blue streak,
‘Cause he forgot to bring his own hose.
Have a good week!
Meldrum Bay – Elaine Bradley
Hello everyone. I hope that you had a Merry Christmas, and I am wishing you a Happy New Year.
At the end of November my aunt in Sault Ste. Marie broke her hip. We dropped everything and drove up to be with her. Rick left me there and came back to Meldrum Bay. He returned each week for a few days. I am finally back home, and my aunt is doing well. She is very frustrated with having to use a walker, but the physiotherapist has told her that in a month she should not need it anymore. So that is encouraging her.
I came home to find out that in a couple of days, Friday the 20th, there was a spaghetti dinner planned at the hall here in Meldrum Bay. Jan wanted to have a community get together. She organized the dinner with help from good friends. When I got home, she told me what was happening and asked me to bake a carrot cake. Being away for two months meant that the cupboard was bare, so Jan picked up some items for me in town. As I started baking, I still needed more things, and it was so nice to have the store open here in Meldrum. I was able to run down and pick up what I needed.
All afternoon Jan Joyce, Karen Noble, Diane Jones, Brenda Carter, and Linette Burton worked in the kitchen. Wendy Van Every came with the tractor and cleared out the snow for parking. Wendy, Linette, Rick and I worked in the kitchen doing dishes and putting things away. Helen Black worked at the entrance on cash and also helped with cleaning up. As people arrived, they brought lots of desserts with them. Rick loved the chocolate items.
The dinner went well. The beef for the sauce came from Martin’s farm and the sauce was rich and beefy. There was also a vegetarian version, a garden salad, a caesar salad and lots of garlic bread.
About 50 people attended. Thanks so much to the many Silver Water and Zhiibaahaasing people who attended as well as our local people. Where I sat, the conversation revolved around farming issues and I found it very fascinating to listen in.
Next, in February, we will be having the annual Fun Day and dinner. Mark your calendars for that event and come if you can.
After the dinner we cleared up the dining area and set up for euchre. We had three tables and two people sat out. High lady was Joyce McDonald with 73 points; high man was Donna Kay McDonald with 67 points; Lois Wismer won ladies’ lone hands with three; Rick Bradley won the men’s lone hands with three; most euchres went to Helen Black with six. The money jar is still untouched till next week.
Barrie Island – Lillian Greenman
Recent visitors last week at George and Carolyn Calback’s were Lorne and Dawn Calback and boys, Don Farnel, Lynn Calback and Darlene Orford.
Kyle Greenman, Kayla Greenman and friends Will McIntosh and Taegan Townsley visited Lance and Lillian Greenman on Saturday afternoon.
Silver Water – Karen Noble
There was a yoga class at 1 pm at the Silver Water Community Hall on Monday. Everyone is welcome if you are interested.
Downstairs in the community hall at the same time, the Local Services Board met with Kristin Luoma from the Ministry of Northern Development and some of the community members to discuss applying for a grant. The grant will be for repairs to the fire hall. Some of the changes to the fire department were also discussed. The guys have even more training in their future.
Wednesday night there was another big crowd at line dancing. Everyone is welcome.
Albert and I went to Gore Bay on Wednesday to do shopping and Avon deliveries.
Doug and Brenda Carter went to Sudbury on Thursday for an appointment and shopping.
There were three tables of euchre players in Silver Water on Thursday night.
Friday after lunch, I picked up Brenda Carter and we went to Meldrum Bay to help get ready for the spaghetti dinner. We spent the afternoon working and visiting with Lynette Burton, Janet Joyce and Diane Jones. We went home early enough to pick up some euchre players to go back for supper. There was snow while we were at the hall, but it was all finished by the time the euchre was over.
Murray and Gladys Duncanson were in Sudbury on Friday.
The recycle bins were open on Saturday afternoon. We had 20 households. Thank you to everyone who donated their liquor containers. We will get them returned and the money will go to the community hall.
Saturday night, Albert and I went to the pasta dinner at the Lyons Memorial United Church. They had set up for 60 people and we didn’t see any empty chairs. The food was delicious. They had a silent auction of almost 90 art pieces. I heard after that they raised a lot of money which they gave to the current Angel Bus fundraiser.
Sunday morning, I cooked a chicken and turned it into soup to take to St Andrew’s United Church. They were having lunch after the service and then the annual meeting. They had over 30 people in church and most of them stayed for lunch and the meeting. They had some of the quilts and children’s pajamas on display that are being made by the group in Meldrum Bay.
I had a long visit with Lillian Greenman on the phone this week. I had a short visit with Jean Steeves which ended when another call came to her phone. I had a long visit with Clarke Duncanson on the phone this week. I am glad I do not have his commute to work every day. I had a call from Marjorie Bell this week.
The UCW meeting is being held at the United Church on Thursday, February 2 at 1:30 pm. All the ladies are welcome. Wear a Valentine and bring an item for the food bank.
We are looking forward to the Winter Fun Day on Sunday, February 19 with lunch first then a euchre tournament in the afternoon. Watch for the advertisements with the details. Please come out to play even if you do not have a partner and we will pair you up.
There will be a Valentine’s Day potluck supper at the Silver Water Community Hall on Monday, February 13 at 5:30 pm. It is being organized by St Andrew’s United Church with the proceeds going to the Angel Bus.
Speedy recovery to Alysha McDonald.
Happy 80th birthday to Gladys Duncanson on
February 5. Happy birthday to Gertrude Nicks.
