PROVIDENCE BAY — Alexia Hannigan
Alexia here with your friendly fall fly! Can you feel it? That chill in the air, this time of year is truly my favourite when the leaves change colour and the air turns crisp. Whenever September 11 comes, I recall of a lot of profound emotions. The day the earth stood still, 9/11. Everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing. I was working at Bally Total Fitness back then as a Program Director in their brand new flagship location, in the heart of downtown Toronto at the Eaton’s Centre. My colleagues, patrons and I watched in disbelief as the smoke and chaos from ground zero in NYC was televised. We were all told to finish our business for the day and go home to our families. Shortly after I went home, there were news reports of the Pentagon being under attack and I thought that was it for all of us. I obsessively started stock-piling food and water. I think that was the second time I became very aware of my own mortality. The first time being when I cared for my ailing mother in France, who’s health became ravaged by bone cancer. I was 21 when she passed and that was my first of many game changers. We all have them. Those life altering ah-ha and ‘holy hawberry’ moments when we recognize how important it is to enjoy the small gifts in life, that there really is no better time than the present and that we must not take anything for granted, ever. To always stop to smell the roses and eat the cake. Why? Because life is hard, the pendulum and balance that holds us firm and steady can suddenly tip and topple at any given moment. There will always be winters of discontent that are, rest assured, followed by springs of renewal, intent reflection and quiet reprieve. To every living thing, there is a season. As we enter the season of gratitude and grace, Providence Bay residents and businesses breathe a sigh of elation, emphatically giving thanks and taking a bow for the successes, the new legacies and lessons learned of another incredible, busy and bountiful summer ‘down by the bay.’ Well done!
Here’s what’s happening: Providence Bay Arena and Fairgrounds: Family Rec Nite continues Friday nights from 7-9 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.
Fall Market: Central Manitoulin Market invites you to the Fall Market at the Providence Bay Arena on Saturday, October 19 from 10 am to 3 pm, over 60 vendors all under one roof! Will be awesome!
Providence Bay Hall: Exercise class is Fridays, adults age 55+ is from 10:30 to 11:30 am with a September 20 start for a 12-week program. For information call Alison, 705-377-5726 or email her at asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca.
Spring Bay/Providence Bay Lions Club golf tournament and fundraiser, 50/50 draw, silent auction, contests and prizes! Dinner, golf and fun all for a great cause. It is happening on Saturday, September 21 at the Brookwood Brae Golf course (tee-off at 8:30 am) for more information contact chris_bryan84@outlook.com or 705-348-0493.
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 Community of Christ Church: Sunday service at 10:30 am; Youth Group meet ups are Wednesdays at 6 pm as of September 18.
Providence Bay Curling Club: Interested in learning about ice maintenance? Visit https://curlinginontario.ca and sign up for the Ice Tech Assistant Course on October 26 from 8 am to 4 pm at the Espanola Curling Club.
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. The comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will reach perihelion, and visit the inner Solar System, it’s closest to the sun at 36 million miles (58m kms) on Friday, September 27 followed by its closest approach to Earth on October 12. So, keep your eye to the sky!
The Horses: check the Manitoulin Horse Enthusiasts Club Facebook page for upcoming events.
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, sweet and savoury food and Island souvenirs! Stroll along the beach and boardwalk. enjoy the spectacular views along Lakes Huron and the Mindemoya River. Be sure to visit our local eateries and cafes for some good eats, great inspiration and good company before they all close for the season.
Mentions: Sending happy and healing prayers and vibes to Christine Lee McNaughton. You are a strong, unrelenting spirit! Happy Birthday to Pam at the Post Office, to Auntie Sharon Gilchrist. Miigwetch to M’Chigeeng and sponsors for hosting and organizing an incredible powwow. Thank you, Jennifer and Matt, for getting the kids where they need to go this season. Thank you, Sharon Dewar, for lending us the awesome hand-pulled wagon we used in the parade and we will incorporate it into our Harvest Glory Days/scarecrow decorum and for the scarecrow assembling tips. Now is a great time to get a handle on the broomsticks and hay bales. If you need to repurpose anything you can check out Treasures in Mindy, local yard sales or the Providence Bay Transfer Station at 4077 Government Road. The hours are Thursday and Saturday from 1 to 5 pm (September long weekend to May long weekend).
Every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a difference.
The Scarecrow of Oz
“ There was a great cornfield beyond the fence, and not far away she saw a Scarecrow, placed high on a pole to keep the birds from the ripe corn. Dorothy leaned her chin upon her hand and gazed thoughtfully at the Scarecrow. Its head was a small sack stuffed with straw, with eyes, nose, and mouth painted on it to represent a face. An old, pointed blue hat, that had belonged to some Munchkin, was perched on his head, and the rest of the figure was a blue suit of clothes, worn and faded, which had also been stuffed with straw. On the feet were some old boots with blue tops, such as every man wore in this country, and the figure was raised above the stalks of corn by means of the pole stuck up its back.”
– L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
KAGAWONG — Team Fergmeijer
Set phasers to pun! September 8 was Star Trek Day and Team Fergmeijer can’t help but reverse polarity and celebrate. We know the puns are a bit out there this week, but what can we say, we have a one Trek mind. When it comes to puns, we’ve always been of the enterprising sort. We do have to be careful though that our spicier puns don’t get us into any tribble.
A very happy birthday goes out to Jamie W and Kim B, both of whom are turning 29. Don’t think you are fooling anyone when you are talking about getting lit on your birthday. Everyone knows you are just referring to the cake.
A belated bonvoyage to Mike, as he heads to the land of the badger to pursue his education. The town is a little less wormy without you.
Team Fergmeijer would like to send heartfelt get-well-soon wishes to Kagawongians Sadie and Cali. We know you’ll both be up to your usual shenanigans in no time.
TONIGHT! Come by the Kagawong on Centre Wednesday, September 11 at 8 pm for a concert by Juno-nominated Canadian Chamber Choir, featuring Sherryl Sewepagaham. This special concert is part of the choir’s ‘Where Waters Meet’ CD release tour and will feature 20 professional singers from across the country. Tickets are $30 at the door. Don’t miss this incredible performance!
The Wednesday Kagawong markets may be done for the year, but the next evening market is right around the corner! Saturday, September 14, come on out to the covered rink in Kagawong from 3:30 to 8:30 pm to check out the amazing vendors and support local!
Flutter on into Kagawong Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21 – NorthWords and 4e’s Elemental Festival are partnering to bring an amazing weekend of fun for the whole family! Friday starts with workshops in the afternoon for adults and kids, and in the evening the popular ‘Book & Brew’ is back at Split Rail brewery in Gore Bay. Enjoy live music, complimentary snacks, purchase a drink (including non-alcoholic options) and get up close and personal with featured authors Coltrane Seesequasis, Mike Strobel and poet Vera Constantineau. Book & Brew 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 festival keynote speaker (Saturday at 1 pm). 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 and Fb.com/4eelementalfestival), or you can email NorthWordsFest@gmail.com for more information. Pre-registration for workshops is recommended.
The library has officially returned to its regular ‘winter’ hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm). The landfill continues with its summer hours until the end of October (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm).
Ever wonder why Star Trek was so successful? We think it was because it had good Genes. Have a great week!
MELDRUM BAY — Elaine Bradley
On Saturday there was a lasagna dinner at Silver Water Hall. The Community Memorial Hall celebrated its 75th birthday. A friend of mine went and said that the lasagna was very good and the selection of desserts was fantastic. We missed it, we were driving across the Island to Little Current to buy a trailer hitch for our truck. It is very hard on the Saturday of a long weekend to purchase a trailer hitch.
Last Sunday, John and Sharon McDonald entertained us with their good music at our church service. John played the banjo and Sharon played the bass viola. It is always a delight when they come, thank you John and Sharon.
Sunday afternoon, Diane Jones’ grandson was baptized in Meldrum Bay, not the village, the bay. Everyone said it was very nice. Janice Frame waded into the water and officiated. Amanda and Mike Vanderform are the proud parents.
Tuesday was Kits and Quilts at the hall.
Friday night, August 30, at Euchre we had four tables and two sit outs. Lynda Rumley won high ladies with 74 points; Lisa Townsend won high men with 76 points; ladies’ lone hands went to Brenda Carter with three; men’s lone hands went to Tom Rumley with three; most euchres was won by Steve Gugelyk with 11; Karen Noble brought home the juice; the money jar is still safe; Diane Jones won the 50/50 and also took home the door prize.
Have a great week everyone.
BARRIE ISLAND — Enid Runnals
It’s back-to-school week for our Barrie Island students and we wish them a wonderful year of learning! There are about five students riding the Barrie Island school bus. Otherwise, summer happenings have carried on.
Sandy and Jim Miller spent the long weekend in McGregor Bay with Bruce and Anne Miller. They celebrated the milestone birthday of their baby sister Sue Miller Nyhof along with Dag Nyhof.
A few days later Anne and Bruce Miller visited the Millers and the Runnalls families on Barrie Island.
Natalie Hayden of Lively, was over for the weekend to visit her parents, Lance and Lillian Greenman.
Caroyln Lane-Rock enjoyed a road trip and camping adventure to Pancake Bay always a beautiful spot.
SILVER WATER — Karen Noble
On Friday we went to Gore Bay for errands. Marlene Burns won the draw for the bench from the Anglican Church. She donated it to a couple from Little Current. Friday evening we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay.
Saturday morning, August 31, we had a market in our yard. There were lots of vendors and lots of shoppers. In the afternoon, there was a celebration of the community hall’s 75th anniversary. Marie Leeney had done an excellent job of preparing the history story for a large crowd. There were plenty of pictures to look at. Afterwards there was a lasagna dinner downstairs which was well attended. The Silver Water Recreation Centre made about $1,000 towards their upstairs bathroom project. There will be other events to help them reach their goal.
On Tuesday morning, Albert and I went to Meldrum Bay for Kits & Quilts. Another two quilts were tied and 230 hygiene kits were packed. There will soon be another load to go to New Hamburg.
Tuesday evening was fire practice.
Wednesday morning, Albert took our car to the garage for four new tires and an alignment.
Thank you to everyone for my birthday wishes and gifts on Wednesday. I had notes from three of Albert’s siblings in Holland with lots of updates.
Thursday afternoon, the UCW meeting was held at St Andrew’s United Church in Silver Water. We discussed some upcoming events and some donations that will be made. The roll call was to bring non-perishable food items for the Lyons Memorial United Church food cupboard. The next meeting is October 3 at Peggy Morrison’s home.
Sharon Beaton and her mother Kathy are staying at her friend’s cottage for a week. Gladys and I had a swim with her on Thursday.
The garden is still growing this week. The cucumbers are almost done, which is good since we have lots of pickles in the basement now. The tomatoes continue. The beans are done.
The UCW is hosting 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.
Happy birthday to Jordan Duncanson on September 3 and to Blake Duncanson on September 6.
Condolences to the family of Bernice Lewis.
