Kagawong
Team Fermeijer
This is a long one, folks! There is just so much going on in the community, we can barely keep up with it all. No jokes today (well, maybe one), we have to get straight to the good stuff!
Today we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day! Here in Billings, be sure to check out the Billings Connections Trail. The Anishinaabeg (Odaawaa, Ojibwa and Pottawatomi) occupied what is now Billings Township long before European settlers arrived. Archeological and oral evidence has established at least 10,000 years of Indigenous occupation on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island). To learn more about the history of Billings’ original and settler inhabitants, visit the full series of historical plaques around the township, link to the QR codes on each plaque and drop in to the Old Mill Heritage Centre in Kagawong, as well as the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M’Chigeeng First Nation.
A familiar figure strolled through the village earlier this month: Wayne Aelick, along with his many supporters on Team Aelick participated in the Stroll for Liver, raising money for the Liver Foundation. This is just one of many reasons Wayne was crowned Senior of the Year by Billings Township! Congratulations, Wayne and thank you for all the work that you do in the Island community.
In just one week! Come out next Wednesday, June 28, for the first of the Kagawong markets featuring all sorts of crafts, veg, and baked treats. With a reported 70 plus vendors making regular appearances this summer, be sure to check out the colourful cabanas, the roofed arena and the Park Centre parking lot. Markets will continue throughout July and August on Wednesdays.
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.
The next event in the Kagawong Concerts series has been announced! Don’t miss fiddling and step dancing siblings The Fitzgeralds at the Old Church on the Hill, Wednesday July 5 at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://www.thefitzgeraldsmusic.com/tour.
Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is back as part of the ArtInfusion weekend on July 8th and 9th. Take part in a weekend of creativity and inspiration for all. Check out their page on Facebook for more information.
Local artist Willa Wilson is opening a new show! Willa is achieving interprovincial fame with the opening of a show with two friends in Baie St. Paul, Québec, that has been 40 years in the making. Félicitations, Willa!
We shutter to think you might 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 check out the latest displays.
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!
Excited about NorthWords Festival coming June 21st and 22nd? Keen to get tickets to the Book & Brew or to The Knitting Pilgrim show? You are in luck! In addition to purchasing at the library, tickets are now available online at https://northwords.ticketspice.com/northwordsfest or go to the NorthWords Facebook page to find the link (FB.com/NorthWordsFest).
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.
Whew! That is a lot of goings on. You know, they say that good looking people are always busy. Team Fergmeijer would love to tell you why, but we just don’t have a spare minute right now. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
On June 2nd there were four tables at euchre. Brenda Carter won the high ladies with a score of 68 points; high mens was Bob Benedict with 72 points; ladies’ lone hands was won by Myra Duncanson with six and men’s lone hands went to Harold Rogers with four. The most euchres was won by Guy Bigras with 11 and the juice was taken home by Karen.
On June 9th there were four tables and one three-handed table. The high mens was Tom Rumley with 80 points; high ladies’ was Rose VanEvery with 75 points; ladies lone hands went to Karen Noble with four; men’s lone hands went to Will with five; most euchres went to Diane Jones with 13; the juice was taken home by Lois Wismer.
Don’t forget Joe’s Poker Paddle on Saturday, June 21st. Last year everyone had a great time. It will be at Lily Lake in Meldrum Bay. Come on out and enjoy yourselves.
I had someone asking me about access to the lighthouse. The lighthouse is not open right now, so the public cannot get to it. If you want a nice drive and want to come to the West End; the campground at the Meldrum Bay waterfront is open. Goodies can be bought at the store.
On a nice sunny day a few days ago, we were treated to a nice lunch at Randi’s in Sheshegwaning. Rick had his usual hamburger which he really enjoyed. My friend ordered her usual salad with slices of chicken on top. I ordered the same and it was really good. I think I will try that again next time. We sat at a picnic table on the deck and visited and had a great time.
We were away for the weekend at my niece Jessica Nelder’s wedding in Thunder Bay. It was a bit sad because we were supposed to take my Aunt Lois with us, but she passed away a few months ago. She would have loved to have been there. Thanks to Kay Everett for playing the organ for me in Meldrum Bay on Sunday while I was away. It was a lovely weekend but it’s really nice to get back home.
Even though the last few days were cold and rainy we were thankful for the rain. It was getting very dry. The corn looks happier, and I am sure the cattle are finding the grass tastier.
Have a great week everyone.
Barrie Island
Lillian Greenman
Marcy Montgomery from Banff, Alberta visited her dad Murray and sister Erin a few days last week.
Lance and Lillian Greenman went with Natalie and Roger Hayden to the graduation of their daughter LilyAnn from the University of Ottawa, on June 9th at Shaw Centre. She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science and was on the Dean’s list. She is presently employed by the Federal Department of Public Safety. Sister Krystan Hayden and friend Jesse also attended. On the way home we stopped and visited Rosemarie Eagleson in Mattawa.
Silver Water
Karen Noble
The Duncanson’s Ken, Carolyn (with Paul), Myra and Iris (Clarke) and Irene travelled to Oro-Medonte/Orillia to attend the celebration of life for the very last first cousin William Ewart Lloyd on June 4. On Friday morning, I filled my biggest roast pan with the white beans I had soaked all day Thursday. The beans spent most of the day in the oven and the whole house smelled fantastic. Friday evening, June 9 we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay and had a good time.
Saturday, we had the market in our yard. We had lots of new people stop in on their way to the powwow in Sheshegwaning and some were heading to the bluegrass festival in Providence Bay.
After we closed the market, we made macaroni and cheese in time to go in the oven before my swim with Gladys Duncanson. We had a short swim. After I got home from the lake, the macaroni and cheese came out of the oven and the baked beans went in to heat up.
The ham dinner was very successful with almost one hundred people attending. Thank you to Kay Everett and Lynn Pickard and all the workers who put on a fantastic meal. Thank you to all the people who came out to eat, it was great to see everyone in the hall again.
Monday, we had a lot of people out to empty their recycling at the bins. We encourage everyone in the township to use this service.
Monday night, I took a car full to euchre at the Burpee Complex. They had six and a half tables. Congratulations to Tom Rumley and Sara-Lyn Arnot who split the money jar.
Thursday evening, I attended the Island wide waste management meeting in Kagawong. It was a very interesting first step and I learned a lot about the landfill issues. Everyone has their issues and ideas for solutions. The end plan is to save all the communities on the Island money and to reduce the amount going into landfill. This affects everyone’s taxes, and hopefully even more people will attend the next meeting in September.
There were lots of vehicles at the Silver Water Community Hall when I drove past on the way home. There were 17 euchre players. Congratulations to Rose Van Every who won the money jar.
Happy belated Father’s Day to everyone.
Condolences to the family of Harvey Sloss.
Condolences to the family of Doris Middaugh.
