Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
We had a wonderful time at the waterfront Wednesday at 12 noon. Marcus and Randi of Randi’s Snack Shack hosted a barbecue as a fundraiser for the community. We enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs, sausage on a bun and macaroni salad. My hamburger was delicious. Marcus and his friends provided music which added to the ambience. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to make it a success.
I have some personal good news. My brother and sister-in-law have bought the Van Every house on Front Street and will be moving to Meldrum Bay. We are really happy to have them as neighbours. They joined us at the barbecue as well.
Several local artists are featured at the Art Tour this year which I mentioned last week. But, I did not mention that there will be a Meldrum Bay quilt display at the quilt show in Manitowaning. Be sure to take it in. The volunteers have worked hard to make those quilts as well as other supplies that are sent to families in need all over the world. I am so proud of the people who have worked so hard on this.
Although the lighthouse is not open, the campground, marina and store are all open and the store has ice cream inside and serves hamburgers and hotdogs outside.
Set your calendars for the Strawberry Social at the Hall on Sunday, July 23 and the beef barbecue on Saturday of the long weekend, August 5.
Friday night, July 7 at cards 15 attended. There were three full tables and one three-handed table. Myra Duncanson was high lady with 73 points; Tom Rumley was high man with 67 points; Sara-Lyn Arnot had four lone hands; Karen Noble had six lone hands for the men; Diane Jones had six euchres.
Kagawong
Team Fermeijer
Team Fergmeijer has been very careful over the years to protect our secret identities, and we appreciate the Expositor staff going above and beyond to keep the public from finding out who we really are. That said, we aren’t sure moving to Silver Water is entirely necessary just yet.
Kagawong Concert Series continues to amaze and delight with their performances at the Old Church on the Hill. Check the Teilhard Frost and Chris McKhool page to be the first to get info on the next fantastic concert.
Team Fergmeijer can only hope we look as good in our old age as some of the cars at the Show and Shine this past weekend. Thanks to the Billings Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee for hosting!
Congratulations to the Old Mill Heritage Centre on hosting another fantastic history event in Kagawong! Last Thursday, Steve Paikin and Arthur Milnes delighted the audience at the Park Centre with tales from past encounters with historical figures, complete with a surprise musical tribute. Thank you to everyone who attended!
Many happy returns to Laura H who turned 29 last week. Randy N celebrated a watershed 29th last weekend, too. We sure hope you checked with the fire department when the birthday cake came out; the number of candles on your cake might mean it falls under the fire ban!
Due to popular demand, the next session of free American Sign Language (ASL) classes have been shifted to be in the evening! July 25 and July 27 join Georgian College ASL instructor Andrea Wist from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Market Pavilion near the Old Mill to learn some foundations of ASL. Classes are open to all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Come to one or take them all! For more information, email the library billingsreads@gmail.com.
NorthWords Festival is this weekend! The festival kicks off Friday at 1 pm with the opening ceremony featuring the M’Chigeeng Ladies Drum Group followed by author Shelley Pearen as keynote speaker. Shelley will discuss her work on the “Wiikwemkoong Diarium” as well as her other works. Friday night is the much-anticipated Book and Brew at Split Rail Brewery in Gore Bay. Mix and mingle with featured festival authors, enjoy the light tapas menu and savour some great craft beer. On Saturday, the library is holding its annual book sale from 11 am to 3 pm at the red-roofed pavilion (or the covered rink if the weather doesn’t cooperate). You can also take in the author showcase there, with Mnawaate Gordon-Corbiere, James Simon Mishibinijima, Don Roberts and Stephanie Malo, among others who are excited to chat with visitors! And the festival’s partner 4elements Living Arts has brought in artist Michael Cywink to create a live plein-air painting throughout the day as well. There will be workshops running throughout the day that you can take part in, too: poetry with Sophie Edwards, writing with Claire Ross Dunn and creative knitting with Kirk Dunn. Saturday evening wraps up the festival with a performance of Kirk’s fantastic one-man show, “The Knitting Pilgrim.” Tickets for Friday’s Book and Brew and Saturday’s performance can still be purchased at the Billings Library or online (bit.ly/northwordsfest). You can also contact NorthWordsFest@gmail.com for more information.
Billings Township has been having quite the population boom the last year or two. Welcome! New to the area? Be sure to stop in the town office at the Old Mill to have your questions on all-things Billings answered.
The Kagawong market is a must-see event every Wednesday through July and August. The new venue (the covered rink) offers a fantastic shopping experience. Until the parking area along Henry Drive is completed, your best bet for parking is on Old Mill Road and near the river trail entrance across from Upper Street.
The Angel Bus fundraising committee is at it again – they are selling tickets for a chance to win a fabulous, hand-made quilt all summer long. You can find them at the Kagawong market on Wednesday and on Fridays at the Gore Bay market. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Funds raised supports the ongoing operating costs of the Angel Bus.
Fun fact: Koi fish always swim in schools of four to protect against predators. When attacked, koi A, koi B and koi C will swim quickly away, leaving the predator to target the D koi. Have a great week!
Silver Water
Karen Noble
Friday, July 7 we travelled to euchre in Meldrum Bay. Saturday morning, we attended the graveside funeral service for Danny Brawn at the Silver Lake Cemetery. Afterwards everyone went to the Community Hall for the luncheon.
Murray and Gladys Duncanson left on Saturday afternoon to go to St. Catharines. They had a good visit with their son Clarke, his wife Heather and grandsons Ethan and Aiden. They returned home via the Chi-Cheemaun on Wednesday.
On Sunday, Brenda Carter, Diane Jones and I went to Massey to pick strawberries at the Emiry Farm. We picked two rows of the Archer variety. The berries were huge and plentiful. When we got home, Albert helped me take the tops off of them and pack them into freezer bags. Everyone had some laughs watching me try to reach the ground on Monday and Tuesday because my muscles were very sore.
Tuesday evening, the UCW held their ice cream party at Linda Thiessen’s home. The theme for the picnic on June 29, 2024 is “the farm.” We hope everyone will start thinking of ways to decorate their yards and create floats for the parade.
For lunch on Wednesday Brenda Carter, Albert and I went to the marina in Meldrum Bay. Randi and Marcus had a fundraising barbecue lunch for the Dawson Citizens. The food was good and the crowd was big. It was great to see everyone out to support them. I understand there are a few projects to complete and the money will be put to good use.
I heard from Irene Duncanson that the play she attended on Wednesday night in Gore Bay was very good and the attendance was likely a sold-out crowd.
Thursday night at the Silver Water community hall there were six tables of euchre players.
We have been picking white currants, sour cherries, raspberries and the last few strawberries in our yard this week.
