Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Alexia here with your Friendly “Frozen” Fly.
All my chatter and babble about the warm weather and sunshine brought back the harsh reminder that despite the spring equinox, we are still in the throes of the good and reliable Canadian weather and wind chill.
Winter’s return ushered the good people of Providence Bay indoors and the Cranston Road chickens in a huddle. A little snow never stopped anybody around here. Sugar shacks are still smoking, sap is still flowing and everyone is enjoying an early maple syrup season. Ceilidh and I can also confirm that smelt season is also here as we found a wayward frog at the beach the other day and relocated him back to the pond. Word is if you hear or see the frogs, the smelts are here. Some folks have said they spotted some rainbow trout in the Mindy River. The songbirds birds are certainly back, isn’t it wonderful hearing their song as the sun rises? Judy and Glenn Black announced the arrival of a spring lamb aptly named “Friday” as he arrived on Friday last. Judy, Nancy and I went to the March Happy Quilters meeting last week. It was a busy and fun-filled event. Show and tell featured so many beautiful blocks and easter inspired pieces. Brenda Pakkala made a beautiful batik piece of Easter eggs for the March batik challenge. The company was terrific as were the treats. We had coffee, tea, banana bread, date squares, cold cuts and cheese, cookies and squares I was very inspired by all the lessons and expertise shared. I also attended the Hawberry Quilters Guild meeting in Mindemoya last Thursday, always a wonderful time. Show and tell featured some incredible pieces. The Hawberry Quilters Guild is always open to new members. A fun, creative and charitable forum that supports local community with pride.
I had the great pleasure of attending last Thursday’s Coffee Club meeting at the Providence Bay Hall. I had a wonderful time chatting with many local folks including Counsellors Brian Mitchell and John Bisaillon. We chatted about all sorts of things including the wonderful people at
“The Angel Bus” who recently purchased a used wheelchair accessible bus, providing transportation for Manitoulin Lodge residents and other medically vulnerable citizens of Western Manitoulin Island, at no charge. The Angel Bus accepts donations and provides locals with access to seasonal activities such as picnics, community activities such as school performances, theatre and music events, farmers’ markets and shopping excursions and to attend medical appointments. A great service to know about for anyone in need of a ride!
Lonely Bay Potter Gertha Griffiths of Spring Bay and I chatted about the upcoming Island art tours and local musician Chris Walker and I chatted about his upcoming songwriting workshop. I was delighted to see Annette Murphy who I hadn’t seen in many moons, we talked about quilts and family and she showed me all the board games, shuffleboards, table top and floor etc. I stayed on for coffee and treats and had a great time. I stopped in to say hello to Pam at the Post Office and bumped into Peter and Jan. As I headed home, I noticed fresh rabbit tracks in the snow! The Easter Bunny is In Providence Bay, kids! Looking forward to all of the Easter fun, festivities and fellowships this weekend including the Good Friday morning service at 11 am followed by the Hot Cross Bun fellowship at the Providence Bay Community of Christ Church.
Here’s What’s Happening: Providence Bay Arena, Bradley McAllister memorial. 4 on 4 tourney marked the close of the skating season! Congrats and well done to all teams, players and organizers. See you all next season; keep em sharp!
Providence Bay Curling Club: Last bonspiel of the season was a great success, curling, music, fish fry and fun and just like that, the season is swept. Congratulations to all the teams and players and contest/draw winners.
Providence Bay Hall: Seniors drop -in on Thursday, March 28 from 2 to 4 pm with coffee, tea, treats, fun and games! Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Club Coffee Club is Thursday, April 4 from 8 am to 1 pm. Quilters sewing bee, Friday morning downstairs.
Providence Bay Christ Church: Good Friday service 11 am. Hot Cross Bun Fellowship following the service.
Island-Wide: Manitoulin Streams Island-wide garbage cleanup competition continues through to April 26. Keep up the good work keeping our beautiful Island clean! Visit: ManitoulinStreams.com.
Easter Eggs Hunts are Saturday, March 30 at 11 am, check your local township or municipality for registration and details.
Happy Peter Cottontail weekend everyone! Have a wonderful Easter with family and friends.
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Oh, for peep’s sake, it’s Easter this weekend! We hope you have an egg-stra good time this long weekend. We at Team Fergmeijer are a big fan of the Easter punny, and we know you are just dyeing to find out what puns we have in store for you. We hope we meet your eggs-pectations – we included so many Easter puns, it’s not even bunny. As always, feel free to poach some of our egg puns if you like. Now, on a serious note, it’s easy to go off the peep end on the holidays with plans and activities, so make sure you take some time for yourself. We don’t claim to be eggs-perts, but it is always a good idea to get in some eggs-ercise to ensure you don’t eggs-haust your social battery. No eggs-cuses when it comes to self-care!
This weekend! The Easter Bunny is hopping back into Kagawong on Saturday, March 30 for the annual Easter egg hunt! Youth of all ages are welcome to come by the Kagawong Park Centre at 11 am that day and fill their baskets with goodies. Who will find the golden ticket? You’ll have to come out to see! Thanks to the Billings Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee for hosting this event.
With the equinox last week, we’re getting into the swing of spring with lots on the go in Kagawong! First up, “Come as You Are” on Saturday, April 13 and enjoy an evening of contemporary inspirational music (and sing-along) courtesy of Cia and Bill Savage at St. John’s Anglican Church. The fun starts at 7 pm with refreshments provided. Donations towards repairing the front stained-glass window of the church are greatly appreciated.
On the following weekend, the Billings Climate Action Committee is hosting an Earth Day event. Come out Saturday, April 20 for a community clean-up, a “junk in the trunk” sale, activities for youth and information on green technologies. Interested in being a vendor? Contact Vince Grogan at vgrogan@billingstwp.ca for more information.
On the same weekend, join The Island Singers as they celebrate their 60th anniversary! On Saturday, April 20 at 2 pm, at Manitoulin Secondary School, current and past members of the choir will be presenting a concert of classics and modern favourites. Tickets are $20 and available at the door. Visit “The Island Singers – Manitoulin Island” on Facebook for more information.
Later on in May, Manitoulin Streams is hosting an outdoor angling trade fair right here in Kagawong! More details on the May long weekend event will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information, check out manitoulinstreams.com, or contact anglingtf.manitoulin@gmail.com or 613-857-9877.
Happy 29th birthday to former Kagawongian Micki B. who turns 29 this weekend. Someone once said that the best gift is the gift of laughter. So, we are gifting you with the entire back catalog of this column (teamfergmeijer.blogspot.com). You’re welcome!
The township is currently seeking members for the new Ad Hoc Municipal Owned Water System Committee. If you are a resident of Billings and own property that currently derives or will derive a benefit in the future from the Kagawong Water System, you may be eligible to serve on the committee. If interested, please submit your application no later than April 5, 2024 at 4 pm to tmills@billingstwp.ca
Word to the wise: a boiled egg for breakfast is really hard to beat. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
Purvis’s boat is at the dock again for another year of fishing. Nets have been set out. When it first appeared, we saw it as an early sign of spring. But since then, it has snowed and been bitterly cold. We’ve been thinking it must be pretty cold out there fishing.
My brother had an interesting story. His SUV, which is still under warranty, had a problem. He took it in and discovered that although some parts needed were available one part had to be ordered from Japan. It’s been almost two weeks and the vehicle is still in the garage waiting for its part. Thank goodness the Ford truck is running well.
We are not without issues either. A group of us were cutting down old poplars which were starting to snap off part way up and were endangering our friend’s house. One of the trees fell down very close to our truck. We now need a new tonneau cover and a replacement for the tailgate. We phoned McQuarrie’s and they are sure that they can help us.
We saw a robin last week between M’Chigeeng and Kagawong and today we saw two robins in Meldrum Bay so spring is coming. Hopefully.
On Friday, March 15 at cards there were three tables and one sit-out. High lady was Rose Van Every with 71 points; high man was Donna K. MacDonald with 72 points; ladies’ lone hands went to Elaine Bradley with two; men’s lone hands went to Elaine McDonald with seven; most euchres went to Murray Duncanson with seven; the special prize went to Lisa Townsend; Karen Noble took home the juice; the money jar is safe for another week.
Have a good week.
