PROVIDENCE BAY
ALEXIA HANNIGAN
Alexia here with your friendly fly! Labour Day is a labour movement promotion and celebration of labourers and the working class and I reflect on that with great respect. I also emphatically believe that parents and teachers have earned their right to be celebrated under this day as well. Why? Because preparing and stocking students for back-to-school supplies, snacks, schedules, signed consents and style, council and sports, team worthy clothing hauls remains one of the most exhausting and labourious tasks under God’s good earth. Despite being a seasoned mother and former teacher, this time of year always leaves me an anxiety-ridden, hot-lunch mess. The flip? I will soon get more REM sleep, more space and be able to see the entrance hallway floor again less all the sand, summer shoes and baseball gloves. Despite the chill in the air, fall harbours warm memories in my heart. Here we turn into the final chapter of 2024. As we carve, catapult and slide our way into the silly seasons of sugar, pumpkin spice and everything nice. Halloween haunts, hayrides, hunt camps, turkey supper and Christmas parties’ beckon with all the bells, whistles, howls and hoopla of seasons past and the promise of new adventures, memories and Manitoulin milestones.
Here’s what’s happening: Providence Bay Arena and Fairgrounds: Family Rec Nite continues Friday night from 7 to 9 pm through September. Drop-in and join the fun! Drop in to play pickleball, badminton, basketball, cornhole, ping pong and air hockey with friends, family and neighbours.
Providence Bay: exercise class, adults age 55+ from 10:30 to 11:30 am starting Friday, September 20. It is a 12-week program. For information contact Alison, 705-377-5726 asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca.
Spring Bay/Providence Bay Lions Club are looking forward to their golf tournament and fundraiser on September 21. For more information contact: chris_bryan84@outlook.com.
Lions Bottle Drive: Drop off your empties next to the arena for a good cause, this helps keep our township clean and helps us give back to the community.
Providence Bay Boardwalk and Discovery Centre: That’s a wrap! Sunset Music Series is finished for the season. Thank you to all the incredible talent who graced our Sunset Series stages and to Lance who brought music to the masses.
The Discovery Centre had a fun season and run; thanks to Tom, Jacob and Garrett, wishing you all a great year ahead! Lance and crew worked their hides off keeping everyone well fed and watered, thank you all! Huron Island Time will remain open through the early fall season. Be sure to drop by for a smoothie, ice cream, and savoury food and Island souvenirs! Stroll along the beach and boardwalk, enjoy the spectacular views along Lake Huron and the Mindemoya River. Be sure to visit our local eateries and cafés for some good eats, great inspiration and good company before they all close for the season.
Dear beachcombers, visitors, friends and neighbours, please keep our beaches and waterways clean and safe for our kids and pets!
Providence Bay Community of Christ Church Sunday meeting is at 10:30 am; Sunday service at 11 am; Youth Group is Wednesdays at 6 pm with a September 18 start date.
Reminder: Harvest Glory Days deadline is ,corner-so now is a great time to get those creative hay bales rolling!
The Heavens: September is packed with exciting astronomical events including a partial Lunar eclipse, Saturn at opposition, a full harvest Super Moon on Tuesday, September 17 and the autumn equinox on Sunday, September 22. The word equinox means equal night, meaning night and day are roughly the same amount of time. Equinox marks the start of the fall season in the northern hemisphere.
Mentions: Happy 150 years of postal service to the Providence Bay Post Office. Thank you, Pam and the Canada Post staff, for all that you do. Remembering all the amazing posties of the bygone years including Ceilidh’s great-grandpa Andrew Beaudin!
“May the last four BER months hold the happiness, the dreams, the peace of mind we’ve all been searching for.”
KAGAWONG
TEAM FERGMEIJER
Yours truly adore the summer months (suns out, puns out as far as we are concerned), but September holds a special place in our hearts, too. The excitement of back to school (for kids AND for parents) is in the air, though it can be intimidating for some. Just remember to keep an ion the chemistry teacher, but the geometry teacher usually has acute sense of humour. All joking aside, drivers are reminded to watch for little ones getting on and off buses around the Island this week.
We want to wish a hearty happy birthday to Diane L and to our Manitoulin Mom who both turned 29 recently. These Kagawong stalwarts aren’t getting older; like any good antique, they are just increasing in value!
Pinkies up! The Township of Billings is hosting a Seniors’ Tea on Friday, September 6 at 10 am at the Park Centre. Stop in and share ideas for senior-focused events and activities in the community.
NorthWords and 4e’s Elemental Festival are partnering to bring an amazing weekend of fun for the whole family! Friday, September 20 starts with workshops in the afternoon for adults and kids and in the evening is the popular ‘Book & Brew’ at SplitRail brewery. Enjoy complimentary small bites, purchase a drink (including non-alcoholic options), and get up close and personal with featured authors Coltrane Seesequasis, Mike Strobel, and returning favourite, poet Vera Constantineau. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at Billings Library or at the door.
Carol Pasternak, the “Monarch Crusader”, is this year’s keynote speaker (Saturday at 1pm). She has authored multiple books on the iconic local pollinators. Saturday also has workshops galore with family-friendly sessions in the morning (including children’s author Sahar Golshan), and author-led writing workshops for adults in the afternoon. Saturday evening come out to experience Melody Johnson’s dramatic reading of her fantastic show, “Person of Interest” (admission by donation). Check out the festival ad in this edition of the Expositor for full details of all events, as well as online (Fb.com/NorthWordsFest & Fb.com/4eelementalfestival), or you can email NorthWordsFest@gmail.com for more information. Pre-registration for workshops is recommended.
The Manitoulin Tennis Club would like to thank everyone who came out for the end-of-the-summer tennis tournament last Saturday. Drop-in tennis continues 6 pm on Wednesdays and 10 am on Sundays at the Manitoulin Secondary School courts. All are welcome!
The new bridge span rolled through the village this past week, and rumour has it the new bridge will be completed by the end of September. We’re not sure yet just how smooth or bumpy it will be when finished. We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we get to it.
Today is your last chance to explore Kagawong’s Wednesday market! Browse vendors galore and pick up a little something special at the rink and surrounding area from 10 am until 3 pm.
The township has posted an Administrative Assistant – Finance position and is accepting resumes via e-mail or snail mail to Véronique Dion, CAO/Clerk, Township of Billings, 15 Old Mill Road, Kagawong, ON P0P 1J0 or cao@billingstwp.ca until 12 noon. Friday, September 6 is the deadline for applications. Get full details on the township Facebook or web page.
The library has officially returned to its regular ‘winter’ hours (Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 7 pm; Saturday from 10 to 1 pm). The board would like to thank summer librarian Rock for the fantastic job they did again this year and wish them good luck at school this fall!
Team Fergmeijer’s back to school advice is: the best way to get straight as is with a ruler. Have a great week!
MELDRUM BAY
ELAINE BRADLEY
On Sunday evening, August 25, the Meldrum Bay Church hosted a potluck at the community hall. The food was scrumptious and there was a large variety of deserts. The best part was sitting and visiting with locals and visitors. It turned out very nice. Afterwards we had a water themed service at the church which was mainly musical punctuated with readings and short expansions on the readings by Janice. It was well put together and really lovely. There was also a display of quilts made through the Kits and Quilts Program and baby outfits which were just darling. We also had a dedication of a prayer shawl.
Monday night was a community get-together that I missed due to getting together with my son and his family in Providence Bay. We had fish and chips followed by ice cream.
Tuesday was Kits and Quilts at the hall. It is wonderful to think that these items might bring a bit of joy to people undergoing unbelievable tragedies.
There are a lot of campers here at the waterfront. We had some come on bicycles and they slept in small domed tents. The large boats seem to be getting fewer, another sign that fall is approaching. I must admit, I don’t like seeing the reddened leaves on the maple trees.
I am now writing this on Thursday and my brother and sister-in-law are busy baking for a dinner tonight. I have bread rising. My son and family will be coming to their place for dinner. But Rose is also busy in her kitchen as she has family coming this weekend and there will be lots of good food there as well. Peggy’s company was out to the Sunday dinner, but they have now left. This Sunday is a baby christening at the waterfront. Bear, the youngest member of our community, will be baptized on Sunday. Congratulations to Diane Jones and family. We are so happy for you.
Friday night at cards, August 23, there were three full tables and one sit out. High lady was Karen Noble with 72; high man was Tom Rumley with 73; ladies’ lone hands went to Natasha McVey with four; men’s lone hands went to Doug Carter with five; most euchres went to Lisa Townsend with eight; Natasha took home the juice; the money jar is safe for another week; Brenda Carter won the 50/50 draw and Myra Duncanson took home the door prize. Euchre is Friday nights at 7:30 pm. Come on out and have a good time!
BARRIE ISLAND
ENID RUNNALLS
Please join me in congratulating Lillian Greenman on her retirement from many years as the reporter of the Barrie Island News to the Manitoulin West Recorder and The Manitoulin Expositor. Lillian was handed the task by her neighbour, the late Evelyn Lane, over 25 years ago who took over the job from her mother Clara Lane. Now the duty has fallen into my hands! I am looking forward to sharing the news of this special place each week, so Barrie Island people, please keep me in the loop!
Thank you to all who came out to the Barrie Island Causeway last Friday evening. Over 50 people (locals, seasonal residents and guests alike) gathered there for the annual Beach Barbecue sponsored by Gordon/Barrie Island Township! Burt Farm hot dogs were provided and everyone contributed a salad or dessert. It was a warm and breezy evening at the beach and a good time was had by all as we pulled up our lawn chairs to listen to Chris Walker sing and strum his 12-string guitar. Special thanks to the Gordon Barrie Island Township Councilor Isobel Harry (and team), Deputy Clerk Pam Fogal and maintenance staff Logan for all they did!
Barrie Islanders have enjoyed many visitors this week.
Dawn Calback and her son from Garson were here to see family for a few days.
Scott and Enid Runnalls had cousins from Berlin, Germany. Katie Runnalls visited for a few days during their stay.
Fiona and Ben Perry and their son Griff journeyed from Ottawa to visit Jim and Sandy Miller at their cottage and then were joined by Ben’s parents, Bill and Sue Perry of Kingston.
Carolyn Lane-Rock had a visit from Bonnie Depencier. They enjoyed golfing and kayaking.
SILVER WATER
KAREN NOBLE
Albert Meijer and I went to Gore Bay for the market and café on Friday, August 23. The three church groups provided the treats and beverages together. They had a successful day.
On our way home from town, we had the excitement of seeing a bear lope across the road.
I went to euchre in Meldrum Bay with Myra Duncanson, DonnaKay McDonald and Lois Wismer on Friday night. We had a good time.
On Saturday morning, my niece Larissa headed back to Peterborough for her fourth year of university. She had a busy summer working at the Watersedge.
On Sunday evening there was a potluck supper in Meldrum Bay. There was a church service after.
On Monday, I went to work in Mindemoya for the whole day. On my way home, I did the grocery shopping for the funeral on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Albert went to Sudbury to do some shopping.
Wednesday morning, four UCW ladies met at the Silver Water Hall to prepare all the food for the funeral luncheon in Gore Bay. Myra Duncanson and I went to the funeral home where Marie Leeney joined us to help set up and serve.
Blake Duncanson and his daughters, Willow and Shelby, spent last weekend with his parents Murray and Gladys Duncanson. They did a lot of fishing and spent a day in Kagawong.
Alysha McDonald and her daughters Kinley and Everly were at the cottage of her parents Randy and Lori Walker.
Lynn and Mike Tyler are at their cottage. They took Anne Boyd with them on Wednesday to the Kagawong Market and for a tour of the town.
Colleen and Eric Julseth spent a few days vacationing on Lake Superior last week.
Penny Addison and Debbie Addison Brawn are at their parents’ home for a few days.
Julie Meredith is here with Joe Addison at his camp until school starts when she will go home to drive a school bus.
We saw lots of deer last week on our travels and in our yard. Some of them still have spots and some have new antlers.
Gladys and I are still swimming almost every day. The water has not warmed up much, but it is still nice enough to use. We call it refreshing.
The UCW meeting is Thursday, September 5 at St Andrew’s United Church in Silver Water.
Tehkummah has a euchre tournament on Sunday, September 8 starting at 1:30 pm.
The UCW hosts a fashion show on Saturday, September 21 in the afternoon at the Silver Water Hall.
There will be a luncheon followed by a euchre tournament on Sunday, September 29 at the Silver Water Hall.
Condolences to the family of Aldeen Crate.
