Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Alexia here with your friendly fall fly! As I stock my fridge with all the fixings for the upcoming feasts, festivities and family fun. I ponder with the notion that before people used to carve pumpkins the original jack-o-lanterns were root vegetables like potatoes, turnips and beets. In the 19th century, “turnips or mangel wurzels, hollowed out to act as lanterns and often carved with grotesque faces,” were used on Halloween in parts of Ireland, Wales and the Scottish Highlands. It is suggested that the name Jack-O-Lantern had ties to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a drunkard who bargained with the devil and was doomed to roam the earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way. The term jack-o-lantern was originally used to describe the visual phenomenon ignis fatuus (lit., “foolish fire”) known as a will-o-the-wisp in English Folklore in reference to the phenomenon of strange lights flickering over peat bogs.
Now I don’t know if any of you have tried to carve or cut a turnip before, but those bad boys are tough as nails and not the easiest vegetable to carve. I imagine more than one Celt had bloodied and bandaged hands in and around that tradition. The more accommodating and festive pumpkin would eventually replace the root veggies and well, the rest of course is history. John Carpenter would agree, carved gourds are equally eerie and effective in warding off any unwanted ghouls or guests. Carving and eating pumpkin ‘everything’ right down to the roasted seeds is indeed the best part. Harvest is about just that. Reaping the rewards and bounty the labours of the land and giving thanks. Wishing everyone safe journeys, peace and bountiful harvests this Thanksgiving season.
Here’s What’s Happening: Market, Central Manitoulin Markets 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! It will be tons of fun and a great opportunity for getting some gifts for the holidays.
Providence Bay Curling Club: Curling season is finally here! Stop by the club on Sunday, October 20 from 2 to 4 pm and join the Providence Bay Curling Club at 84 Munro Street for their Wine and Cheese open house, come by for drinks and snacks and learn about all the Providence Bay Curling Club has to offer. Register to become a member. Hope to see you there!
Providence Bay Fair Fundraiser: Thank you so much to everyone who has purchased tickets, we are so excited to announce that our Chart Toppers Music Bingo Fundraiser is sold out in roughly five days! We are going to start a waitlist if tickets do become available, but at this time they are all spoken for. Thank you again to everyone for their overwhelming support, we are so excited for November 9 at the Providence Bay Hall!
Exercise class Fridays, Adults age 55+
10:30 to 11:30 am, it’s a 12-program. For information contact Alison, 705-377-5726 asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca.
Tai Chi Class 10 am to 12:30 pm on Mondays and Thursdays. For information contact Jean Pearce, 705-885-8444 at the Canadian Tai Chi Academy.
The 7th Annual Mindemoya Haunted Trail, Phantoms of the Forest is Saturday, October 26 from 6 to 10 pm.
The Central Manitoulin Lions Club presents its 7th Annual Haunted Trail in Mindemoya. The Pioneer Museum Trails are transformed into a dark wooded phantom nightmare. Daylight hours from 6 to 7pm are less scary and better for young kids. Full scare mode is in effect from 7 to 10 pm. Proceeds to benefit the Central Manitoulin Historical Society. Donations are also accepted! Reserve your ticket online at https://mindemoyahauntedtrail.as.me and pay $5 per person at the gate, 30 tickets sold per half hour block.
Providence Bay Spring Bay Lions Club Food Drive, a pumpkin for a non-perishable food item. Come visit the Lions on Saturday, October 26 from 2 to 4 pm in Providence Bay. Visit the Lions club pop-up pumpkin patch on Hwy 551 in Providence Bay, drop off a non-perishable food item pick and pick up a pumpkin, take some fun photos and give back to a good cause! We want to try to gather as much non-perishable food as we can to donate to the Mindemoya Family Resources food bank ahead of the festive season. Happy pumpkin day in Providence Bay!
Spring Bay/Prov Bay 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, 10:30 am; Youth Group meet-ups, Wednesdays at 6 pm.
The Heavens:
On Thursday, October 17th the Hunter’s Moon will reach peak illumination at 7:26 am EST. It will be below the horizon so wait until sunset to watch it rise and take place in the sky. The Hunter’s Moon rises around the same time for several nights, bringing early light to aid harvesting and hunting. Visit https://www.manitoulinecopark.com/darksky-events The Manitoulin Eco-Park hosts a variety of fun, educational and nature-inspired events throughout the spring, summer and fall in their commercial Dark Sky preserve.
The Horses: Kicking Mule Riding Stable is having a fall ride and potluck lunch on Sunday, October 20t at 11 am, visit the Manitoulin Horse Enthusiasts Facebook page for details.
The Providence Bay transfer station at 4077 Government Road. Hours are Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 5 pm. Till May long weekend.
Mentions: Love and courage to Christine Lee-McNaughton and family, your community is here for you. We wish you well as you begin your healing journey and home visits. Congratulations to the Manitoulin Youth cross country teams on your successful meets and runs! Well done everyone!
Wishing everyone a fun and incredible hockey and curling season ahead.
Congratulations Team Douglas on yet another top tiered win and for representing Manitoulin Island on the motocross circuit.
Congratulations Century 21 on the grand opening of your branch office in Mindemoya. Wishing you all a happy, safe and successful fall season.
Prayers and courage to families and folks affected by the hurricanes and weather systems south of the border.
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/10/organizations-providing-relief-efforts-for-hurricane-milton.html.
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Our friend Alice had never seen the Northern Lights, so we were really excited to have her on the Island last week to see them. We’d been out on the shore for about 20 minutes when we noticed she didn’t seem very interested, so we had to ask her, “Do the Aurora boreyouAlice?”
Congratulations to the township on their new website! Head over to billingstwp.ca to see the glow up that has been done on the town’s online hub. Check out the township’s latest monthly newsletter while you’re there, to keep on top of all the goings-on in Billings.
Greetings, puzzle lovers. We come in pieces! This Saturday (October 19) the Billings library is holding a fall puzzle swap. Come by the library on Upper Street from 10 am to 1 pm and trade in your used jigsaws for new-to-you puzzles.
Time is almost up! Don’t miss your chance to vote on the name of the covered rink in Kagawong. Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HSDCSV9 to have your say. Voting will close Tuesday, October 22 at 12 noon.
The next Youth Rangers event by Manitoulin Streams is coming up on Thursday, October 24 from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Kagawong Park Centre. Children in grades 1-8 are welcome to come and learn about the salmon of Manitoulin. Rumour has it there may also be some sweet treats! Cost is $5 per child. Contact getinvolved.manitoulinstreams@gmail.com for more information or to register.
You’ve heard of elf on the shelf, but have you heard of the lark in the Park (Centre)? Christmas in Kagawong is coming up on November 15 and 16! Mark the date in your calendar and get ready to explore all the Kagawong Christmas market has to offer on those two days.
Mark your calendars and get your bidding hand ready: the Billings Library will be holding their annual online silent auction from Thursday, November 21 to Sunday, November 24. Last year’s auction had over 70 items up for bid and this year is shaping up to be just as impressive (can anyone say Ripley’s Aquarium tickets?!). All bidding is done via facebook.com/groups/libraryauction and with nearly 400 participants, it is always a lively event. If you would like to donate an item or service to the auction, or would just like more information, drop a line to billingsreads@gmail.com.
The Kagawong Gobble Brigade has been laying pretty low these days – understandable given the time of year we suppose but we are still keeping an eye out for them just in case it ends up involving fowl play.
Congratulations to Sophie Edwards on her new release, Conversations with the Kagawong River! Join Sophie for an author reading and book launch, Saturday, November 30 from 3:30 to 6 pm at Split Rail in Gore Bay. There will be a Q&A, book signing, live music, snacks and more!
Happy birthday wishes go out to Islanders Sue W and Ken F. Non-Islander Jef with one f is also celebrating his birthday. Jef, keep an eye out for the two gifts we sent you. We wrapped them in a weird, nubby fabric instead of smooth wrapping paper because even though we can’t be with you on your big day, we wanted you to feel our presents.
Did you know? You can catch up on all past Team Fergmeijer columns at http://teamfergmeijer.blogspot.com/. That’s right – all the punfoolery in one spot.
Did you know? The Aurora Borealis isn’t heavy at all. In fact, it’s pretty light. Have a great week!
Barrie Island
Enid Punnalls
Happy Thanksgiving!
Richard Runnalls further added 100 lbs of honey to his previous gathering, bringing his production to a total of 400 lbs. Those bees of his were sure busy this season.
Not one to sit still, Richard has moved on to making wine from his garden-grown grapes. After the picking, he was assisted by Carolyn Lane-Rock, Katie Runnalls and Enid Runnalls in stemming and pressing the grapes. He will finish up the process in due time and has hopes of at least a few bottles of fine blush wine.
This week Richard will be entertaining his son John and daughter-in-law Rosie who have voyaged all the way from down-under Australia to visit with him!
Sandy and Jim Miller returned from Ottawa after celebrating their grandson Griffin’s 2nd birthday. Griffin is looking forward to being a big brother any day now!
The Grandview Farms “Little Free Library” (at the corner of 5th Side Road and East Line Road) is drawing readers from far and wide; several books have been circulated and Lil found a Clive Cussler book that Richard had donated and thought it was pretty good. Carolyn selected a book by ‘44 Scotland Street’ by Alexander McCall Smith; Enid just found a book by Colleen Hoover, when she’s done reading it, it will go back to the free library for you to borrow.
Edna Robbins Wright (nee Runnalls) turned 90 on Thursday, October 3. Her children Eric, Mark, Diane and Kevin, along with their spouses Beverly, Sharon, Bob and Lisa were here to celebrate the milestone birthday. Edna, who currently resides at the Manitoulin Lodge, is the second oldest Barrie Island born person, just behind George Calback (91), and ahead of her cousins Oliver Runnalls (89) and Richard Runnalls (87). Some might say that Barrie Island is the “Blue Zone” of Manitoulin!
Terri Galbraith-Thrasher and her mother Marilyn spent a wonderful week of summer-like weather on Barrie Island. Then during the next weekend, the rest of the family, husband Mark, Shannon and Dave, Kyle and Lisa joined them for a visit. It was perfect timing to enjoy the changing of the autumn leaves!
Darlene Orford visited George and Carolyn Calback last Tuesday.
This past week Scott and Enid Runnalls ventured to Stratford to enjoy two plays (‘Twelfth Night’ and ‘La Cage aux Folles’) and spend some time with old friends. Then they went to Toronto to spend a few days with their daughter, Katie.
Also, Oliver’s 94-year-old cousin Jack Runnalls, drove up from London with his daughter Janet. Jack is the son of Norris (Ted) Runnalls. Barb noted that Oliver and Jack traded many stories and had quite a few laughs during their visit.
If you have any news to share, drop me a line!
Silver Water
Karen Noble
Murray and Gladys Duncanson went to Toronto on Wednesday, October 2 for her appointment. Their son Craig went with them and they stayed overnight with their son Clarke and his family. They were back to Sudbury to attend the Celebration of Life for her sister, Alberta Graham on Friday. Then they went to the French River to visit a friend and stay overnight with him. They returned on Saturday.
On Friday, October 4 there was euchre in Meldrum Bay. Rick Morden joined us. Lyle and Ann Addison brought his niece Liane and her husband and another couple with them.
On Saturday, there was the last regular market in our yard. The fundraising totalled $530 at the end of the day and the food bank has been sent that amount. The next market is the Christmas themed one on Saturday, October 26 starting at 9 am. There are lots of vendors lined up to participate. There will be more vendors at the Silver Water Community Hall starting at 9 am and serving chili for lunch and ending at 2 pm. Please come out to shop locally.
On Monday, October 7 there was the annual meeting for the Local Roads Board. The new board is Eric Thiessen, Jerry Martin and Doug McDonald. Thanks to George Purvis for all his years of being on the board.
On Monday morning, Albert Meijer, Eric Thiessen, Kit McEvoy and Charles Pickard went to the fire hall to clean out the one fire truck to prepare it to leave for repairs. The replacement truck arrived on Monday evening and was readied for service by Tuesday afternoon. There were members of the OFM here to do the requisite interviews with the new fire chief, Rick Graham and the new deputy chief, Brian Deeg.
On Monday, there were a number of people who went to euchre at the Burpee/Mills Complex.
On Tuesday I went to town for an appointment and several other errands.
Tuesday afternoon there was chair yoga at the community hall.
Thursday evening, there were five tables of euchre players at the Silver Water Community Hall. I was one point short of winning the money jar.
Andy Cull is here visiting his mother, Ardith, for a few days.
The Local Services Board is having the pre-budget meeting on Wednesday, October 23 at 7 pm.
