Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Sometimes yours truly starts to ponder the really deep questions in life and this week we found ourselves trying to decide which songs would go best with Shakespeare’s greatest works. We thought perhaps “Back Stabbers” (The O’Jays) might work well for Julius Caesar. Othello is of course paired with “Suspicious Minds” (Elvis), King Lear has to be Neil Young’s “Old Man” and Romeo and Juliet get’s the Amy Winehouse treatment with “Love is a Losing Game.” Antony and Cleopatra feels like a “Bad Romance” (Lady Gaga), while the Merchant of Venice would have to be “Money” by Pink Floyd. What about “The End” by The Doors for Hamlet? And of course, the song that fits best with Macbeth has to be Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid.” Did we miss any or get any wrong? Let us know! Fergmeijer@gmail.com
In a whirlwind, Cinderella story, the robotics team at Manitoulin Secondary School – Manitoulin Metal – qualified for the world championship in Houston! The team, including Kagawongian Daphne C, had to do some seriously creative efforts to raise the funds needed to fly themselves, and their robot, Bumblebee, down to Texas, but the Island community came through once again, donating more than $20,000 to the cause! At the time of writing, the team has completed the first day of competition with some stunning victories. We are confident they will continue to do Manitoulin proud!
We lost Mary Buie last week, and the whole Island and beyond has felt the loss. She was a force to be reckoned with and lived her life to the fullest. A quiet day for Mary was one where she had only six things on her agenda! There was very little that Mary did not have a hand in: Guides, church, choir (sometimes two or three at a time!), Burns Wharf Theatre, self-appointed welcome wagon and biscuit-maker, her work as nurse and midwife (not to mention her unofficial shifts as village nurse treating sprains, advising on aches, and removing the odd set of stitches), world travel, dancing in Carnivale, flower arranging at the cafe, coffee dates with friends, community Christmas concerts, carolling, the list goes on. And that doesn’t even touch on her love of her family and her friends.
Mary’s Celebration of Life will be Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the M’Chigeeng arena from 1 to 3 pm. Mary left strict instructions that there should only be bright, cheerful colours at the event.
It’s not just the grass that is looking a little greener! This past weekend was Earth Day and the Billings Climate Action Committee hosted a circular economy swap event, as well as a community clean-up and composting dehydrator demonstration. Looking to learn more about how our township is working to become greener? Check out https://billingscac.blogspot.com/
The Billings Volunteer Fair is on from 2 to 8 pm today (April 26) at the Park Centre. Stop in to meet the many organizations that work to make our community so special. Learn about their efforts and events, and you are sure to find a comfortable fit for you. There will be refreshments as well as prizes to be won.
Looking to do a little toe-tapping? Kagawong Concert presents bluegrass and roots music by The Barrel Boys at the Old Church on the Hill this weekend! Swing on by Saturday, April 29. Doors open at 7 pm and the music starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and free for kids 12 and under. Check out the Facebook event “Kagawong Concerts Presents: The Barrel Boys” for more information!
Are you a business owner within the municipality of Billings Township? Come out to the Billings Business Group meeting on May 10th. Starting at 7 pm at the Park Centre in Kagawong, take the opportunity to meet other business owners and discuss issues of concern and opportunity! Contact westman@lambac.org or 705-282-3215 for more information.
Not sure how to celebrate Mother’s Day? We’ve got you covered! Treat Mom this Mother’s Day and bring her out to the Anglican Church Mother’s Day Lunch, Saturday, May 13th. The church is offering delicate sandwiches and delectable desserts from 11 am to 2 pm. The cost is $20 per person.
Don’t forget – the landfill is now operating on summer hours. The Billings landfill will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Some fashion advice this week. We at Team Fergmeijer feel that there are just some things women shouldn’t wear. Like the weight of other people’s expectations and judgements. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
It was a quiet week in Meldrum Bay.
Some work was done on quilts and disaster relief supplies on Tuesday. But, there will be no cards this week because five of our community members are home coughing and getting over a cold. I tested myself for covid and it was negative, but I was sick enough to be totally useless. I’d better get well quickly. The others feel the same way.
Someone had a fire this week in their backyard, but some neighbours showed up and with a bit of work it was taken care of. Thank you to everyone who helped out.
There is a doe that loves to graze on the grass that grows over our septic bed. She was back this week with her two fawns from last year. They did their best to get every blade that they could. They are looking very healthy. My husband said good, less grass for him to cut.
Peggy had a fire, associated with her sugar bush. She is always so careful, I did not want to make her feel badly, neither had I asked her permission before printing. For that reason, I kept the details purposely brief. Everything got looked after with no damage to anything that is important.
Have a great week and stay healthy.
** This is Meldrum Bay’s correspondence from the previous week. **
We have had a beautiful week. Crocuses are blooming and the daffodils are close. There’s still snow in the woods, but spring is definitely here. We washed the car, but it was not a success. Instead of a muddy car, we now have a dusty car. It looked so good while it was still wet and shining in the driveway, but after it dried there were fine swirls of mud everywhere. We threw in the towel, so to speak, and left it for another day.
Thursday a group of us got together at the hall. We were filling bags (combs, towels, soap, toothbrushes, etc.) for disaster relief. We had fun getting together, but as we packed each one, I thought of all the people needing them. It is sad that there is so much disaster needing relieving.
Friday night at cards had four full tables; high lady was Myra Duncanson with 79 points; high man was Ken Reiss with 70 points; ladies’ lone hands were won by Elaine Bradley with two; men’s lone hands were won by Murray Duncanson with three; most euchres went to Bob Benedict with 11; and the juice was taken home by Ken Reiss. The money jar is still safe.
Barrie Island
Lillian Greenman
Sympathy to Oliver and Barb Runnalls and family in the passing of his sister Mrs. Helen Wasylenki (husband Ray) of Sudbury on April 14, 2023.
Sandy and Jim Miller from Ottawa visited with Oliver and Barb Runnalls and Scott and Enid Runnalls last week.
Enid Runnalls and Katie retuned home last week after spending a week in Vancouver, British Columbia. Family joining Scott and Enid for Easter supper were Oliver Runnalls, Cameron and Dione Runnalls and Micah.
Murray Montgomery had daughter Erin from Blind River here for the weekend.
Natalie and Roger Hayden from Lively were here on the weekend and visited their parents.
Doug and Linda Lane had Angela and Darryl Wunsch and Thomas were here for the weekend.
Lynn Calback visited George and Carolyn Calback on Wednesday.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
This has been a quiet week for me. I stayed home from all the euchre nights to keep from passing on this cold. I offer get well wishes to everyone else that I hear has gotten it.
Wednesday, April 19, I attended the Manitoulin Municipal Association meeting with a large group. I am still learning the names of the other members and figuring out where they are from.
Sara-Lyn Arnot arrived home last week after spending time with family for Easter in Southern Ontario.
We had a deer in the backyard on Thursday for the first time in months. She will soon have lots of grass to eat once the weather gets back to spring conditions.
I had one purple crocus flower. Now I am waiting for the hundreds of daffodil buds to open up.
