Kagawong
Team Fermeijer
Team Fergmeijer is always happy to see spring in full swing, but we know not everyone shares our joy in the season. Our neighbour refused to believe it was already June. She has always been such a May-sayer. We focus on the positive: April showers bring May flowers. But she leans to the more pessimistic: May flowers bring June bugs. We tend to think her lack of enthusiasm stems from the family reunion they hosted last June. During the potluck dinner, most of the attendees got sick from eating some bacon that was a bit past its best before date. It was May-ham!
At the time of writing, there is a total fire ban in place in Billings Township due to the dry conditions. Check in with the township for up-to-date information (billingstwp.ca and FB.com/billingstownshipkagawong).
Congratulations to Brad MacKay, recipient of the Billings Township Volunteer of the Year award for 2023! Brad does so much around the community, most of it inconspicuously and out of the spotlight. Of course, the main exception to this are his annual Christmas displays. Nothing inconspicuous about that! And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Be sure to congratulate him when you see him!
The annual Anglican Church yard sale and barbecue is just around the corner! Saturday, July 1st (10 am to 4 pm) head to the Kagawong market pavilion to find treasures galore.
Friends! Kagawongians! Countrypeople! Lens me your ears! Don’t miss out on the vintage camera and photographic exhibit at the Old Mill Heritage Centre. The museum is now open seven days a week, so be sure to pop on by!
And that’s not all the Old Mill Heritage Centre has up its historical sleeve. Be sure to save the date: “Speakers Night in Kagawong” with Arthur Milnes and Steve Paikin will be July 13th at the Park Centre!
Rumour has it that there would be no selfies or autographs, so being superfans, we are thinking we might bring our life-sized Steve Paikin standup with us.
Billings Library has officially announced that their first annual NorthWords Festival is coming Manitoulin on July 21st and 22nd! NorthWords celebrates all the ways in which we use language. With the support of the Ontario Arts Council, authors Shelley Pearen and Claire Ross Dunn, poet Sophie Ann Edwards, playwright Kirk Dunn, artist Michael Cywink, and former Sudbury poet laureate Vera Constanineau are bringing their creativity to the festival. You can get full details on all the events and featured guests on the festival Facebook page (FB.com/NorthWordsFest) or email NorthWordsFest@gmail.com.
A very happy 29th birthday goes out to honorary Kagawongian Karlene S who celebrates today! Always remember that age gets better with wine.
Only a few more weeks until the first Kagawong market of the summer! Be sure to come out to the Park Centre Wednesday, June 28 for the first of the weekly markets, featuring all sorts of crafts, veg, and baked treats. Markets will continue throughout the summer on Wednesdays.
The annual Elemental Festival is back! Some fantastic plans are in the works to celebrate the beauty, bounty and history of Mnidoo Mnising, September 23 and 24 in Kagawong. Artist Announcements and Festival Schedule will be coming soon. Interested in getting involved? Contact info@4elementslivingarts.org to learn more.
If we are honest, the biggest difference between May and June is every single letter. Have a great week!
Barrie Island
Lillian Greenman
Carolyn Lane-Rock returned home recently from a 10-day holiday in the Amsterdam area. She was on a boat cruise/biking holiday with friends. Marilyn Orford from Espanola is visiting with her for a few days. Sandy and Jim Miller from Ottawa are here for a few weeks and visiting with family.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
Friday night we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay. There were four tables. Saturday morning we had the market in our yard. The black flies were out in full force. They left once the barbecue started up.
Monday night we went to Burpee to play euchre. They had seven tables. They have confirmed they will hold a euchre tournament on Sunday, June 25 at 1:30 pm. A potluck supper will be held afterwards.
Tuesday, we decided late in the afternoon that we should go to Gore Bay to do our errands and then have supper at Purvis’ in the red roof pavilion. We were eating when we realized that it was fire practice night, and that Albert was going to miss it. There were lots of vehicles at the fire hall when we drove past.
Wednesday, the Local Services Board held their meeting at the community hall. Games night was upstairs in the hall.
Thursday night I attended my godson, Colton Chevrette’s, graduation at Manitoulin Secondary School. Paul and Denise Sheppard’s son, Garrett, graduated. John and Lori Mastelko’s son, Brett, graduated. There were a lot of happy relatives in the room.
There were quite a few vehicles still at the Silver Water Community Hall on my way home. They had 21 euchre players.
Albert has spent the week working at the stove wood for the winter. The wood processor and other machinery has been a big help.
Saturday, June 17 the UCW is holding their big yard sale in the basement of the Silver Water Community Hall starting at 9 am. There will be muffins and coffee for sale.
Congratulations to Eric Julseth on his early retirement. He should have more time to spend at the cottage this summer.
Get well to Mike Tyler and to Marie Leeney.
Condolences to the family of Jack Burmaster.
Condolences to the family of Darren Nodecker.
Condolences to the family of Margaret Lane.
Condolences to the family of Wendall McKay.
