Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Alexia here with your Friendly Frozen Fly!
If the deer were not on the move last week, they certainly will be now that snow is on the ground. Hunters and families are busy processing and preserving for the long winter ahead. The turkey supper has come and gone, and the first bonspiel of the season is a sweep that can only mean one thing! Christmas! What? Yes, I said it! Christmas. While the reindeer are at the North Pole training camp prepping for their 2024 world tour, Santa and his crew will be in Mindemoya this weekend for the grand parade and tree lighting ceremony. Guess what kids? Today is also Santa’s list day and National Cookie Day. So, take a deep breath, bake some sugar cookies or gingerbreads, trim the tree with your family and make a list for Santa. You don’t have to worry about the postal service strike. A little birdie told me that if you tuck your letter to Santa into your Christmas stocking or place it near a bell or angel decoration on your Christmas tree the elves will be sure to find it and whisk it away to Jolly Old St. Nick himself! Or better yet – just send Santa a dm via text.
Here’s what’s happening: Providence Bay Arena, I smelled ammonia the other day and have seen a few more trucks parked out front so that can only mean that yes finally the Providence Bay Arena is ready to roll soon for sponge puck and public skates. Check the Providence Bay/Spring Bay Recreation Committee Facebook page for updates. Last year they opened it up on December 6 with the first skate on December 10.
Providence Bay Curling Club: The first bonspiel was amazing, the curling club season is popping and well underway! Youth curling continues Saturdays, and regular league meets continue in the evenings. Check out the Providence Bay Curling Club Facebook page for regular updates and events.
Providence Bay Community of Christ Church Sunday Service, 10:30 am meet-up; 11 am service; December 20 Christmas Fireside Sing-along social.
Providence Bay Town Square and Hall: Final Friday exercise class, 10:30 to 11:30 am this Friday, December 6. Contact Alison Sloss at 705-377-5726.
Tai Chi Class continues Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Contact Jean Pearce at 705-885 8444.
The Horses: Keep an eye on the Manitoulin Horse enthusiasts Facebook page for fun winter events and activities. We will be happy to see all our horse friends in the Christmas parade!
Fundraisers: Freshwater Community Church presents Island Singers on Sunday, December 8 at 3 pm.
Manitoulin Pet Rescue Operation Santa Paws pet food and supply drive is in full swing. Check the Facebook posts for details on where to donate and what items are needed!
Providence Bay/Spring Bay Lions Club bottle drive continues. Drop off your empties next to the arena for a good cause!
The Heavens:
The next full moon will occur on Sunday, December 15 at 4:02 am. It is also known as the Cold Moon. The next meteor shower is the Geminid meteor shower which is active till December 24. It will peak overnight on December 13 to December 14. Clear nights on the Island are always a delight, keep your eyes to the skies! Be sure to check the NORAD tracks Santa Facebook page to keep an eye on when Santa is close to you! Check out the fun games and videos at www.noradsanta.org.
Mentions: Congratulations MSS Robotics on yet another successful fundraiser! Doughnut deliveries are tomorrow! Thank you all, shout out to everyone who participated in local food drives for Manitoulin Family Resources. Vanessa and crew said the extra food has helped them tremendously. Always give back and donate whenever you can!
Shout out to the volunteer fire fighters who helped us when we had an old dryer fire, you are all amazing! Shout out to Lance Baptiste for his BB coaching and mentoring, you make a difference! Shout out to our Postie Pam, we miss you and we are rooting for you. Hope the strike comes to a resolve soon in favour of the hard-working Postal Services Reps. Christine Lee McNaughton you are a champion of courage and a beacon of light! Linda Gilchrist you are such a beautiful and loving soul, wishing you the happiest birthday and Christmas ever surrounded by your family and friends who love you.
Happy and safe Christmas everyone! See you all at the tree lighting.
“You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I’m telling you why-Santa Claus is coming to town.” Haven Gillespie
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Every once in a while, Team Fergmeijer gets questions from our loyal readers and by far the most popular one is “where do you get your jokes from?” The answer is that we are always on the lookout for the most groan-inspiring puns and bad jokes. When we come across one, we make a note of it and file it away in our well-organized online dad-a-base (for all our “dad” jokes, you see). It lives there until we find just the right column to include it in.
With the winter weather seemingly settling in on us, don’t forget that Billings council meetings are all available by remote Zoom link if you are not able to attend in person. You can find more information on their Facebook page (www.fb.com/billingstownshipkagawong) or contact the town office directly.
The township is now accepting applications for those interested in joining the new Senior’s Advisory Committee (SAC). If you are interested in this opportunity, check out the town website for more information and submit your application by December 11 at 4 pm to tmills@billingstwp.ca.
All the snowfall this week really makes it feel like winter for most people. For us, it is the switch to winter landfill hours. You can now access the landfill Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 6 pm, Saturdays from 1 to 4 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Another question Team Fergmeijer often gets asked is “if you could go anywhere (other than Billings) where would you go?” We’ve actually been discussing taking a trip to Rome this year! Of course, we can’t travel in the winter for work reasons, and while the spring and summer of Rome is appealing, it is peak tourist season and we don’t relish the experience of all those crowds. It probably goes without saying that we really don’t want to experience the fall of Rome either.
Any other questions you want answered by your intrepid reporters? Email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com.
The Island Singers (which includes many Kagawongians) are hosting their holiday concerts this weekend! Join them on Saturday, December 7 at 3 pm at the United Church in Little Current and Sunday, December 8 at 3 pm at Freshwater Church in Mindemoya. Tickets for either concert are $10 and are available at the door.
Got birthdays? Want to make someone you love feel special? When you send their info to us to include in the column, you can ensure they will get that warm feeling inside. Could be joy, could be embarrassment, but the point is, we can make it happen!
The library wishes to thank everyone who took part in the annual silent auction fundraiser, and to remind you that auction winners can pick up their items by Tuesday, December 10 at the library (Tuesday and Thursday 4 to 7 pm; Saturday 10 to 1 pm). Contact the library directly if you need to arrange a pickup outside of regular library hours. Any items not paid for/picked up by the deadline will be offered to the next highest bidder.
‘Tis the season to appreciate family. Not many people know that one of our parents was born a conjoined twin, though they were separated when they were kids. It’s true! Of all our uncles, our favourite is on our father’s side, once removed. Have a great week!
Silver Water
Karen Noble
On Monday, November 25 in the morning, Doug and Brenda Carter went to Little Current with a load of liquor containers to return to the Beer Store. The proceeds were $110 which is for the food bank. Thank you to all the hunt camps and residents who donated their empties. Thank you to the gentleman who gave Brenda his proceeds right at the store.
On Monday evening we went to Burpee/Mills to play euchre. There were 26 players.
Tuesday evening was fire practice with 10 people in attendance.
Wednesday evening was the Local Services Board budget meeting. It went very well, the tax levy will be the same as the prior year. Thank you to everyone who attended.
On Thursday afternoon, three Ontario Fire Marshal representatives arrived at the fire hall with a load of new equipment. It was a full afternoon’s job to remove the old hoses, etc. and replace them. Thanks to all the volunteers who showed up to assist.
On Thursday evening there were 13 euchre players out.
The next UCW meeting is on Thursday, December 5. It is the Christmas party which is starting at 12 noon with a potluck lunch at the Silver Water Community Hall. There will be a Loonie table full of items to bid on. DonnaKay McDonald is collecting donated items for that. All ladies are welcome to join in.
On Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 there is an estate sale at the Arthur and Jean Addison house on Burnt Island Road, starting at 9 am.
The community turkey dinner for all residents of Robinson and Dawson Township is on Saturday, December 14.
Condolences to the family of Fred Hunter.
