Thirty-one people attended Jean McGauley’s 80th birthday party at her cottage on Point Simcoe Rd. on Sunday, July 31. It was part of a week-long family reunion that filled up three cottages and two trailers until this past weekend. A special treat was having 10 members of the Alberta branch of the family from Cold Lake. Among those attending were Jean’s four children (Laurie, Chris and Vickie McGauley, Lisa Lalonde), seven grandchildren (Jesse Brady, Kyle and Meghan McGauley, Josh and Jenna Lalonde, Max and Sam Merrifield) and four great grandchildren (Madeleine and Nicholas Brady, Anna McGauley and Layla Merrifield). Jean’s brother-in-law, Robert McGauley of Espanola, spouses, girlfriends and a few good friends including Randy and Jan McEwin from Cambridge rounded out the company. A good time was had by all.
Condolences go out to the family of Paul Springer who passed away on July 31. He and his wife Marjory, who predeceased him in May 2015, lived in Providence Bay for more than 30 years of their retirement, enjoying the outdoors and showing hospitality to everyone who knocked on their door. Paul’s passion for fishing accelerated on Manitoulin Island where he could often be found walking to his favourite spot across the street from his house to the river. He had many fishing buddies, showing them where and how to catch the “big one.” He kept a diary of his daily catches. He was a fantastic photographer of nature and some of his art can still be found.
A visiting tourist was lucky that they parked in front of ‘The Hummingbird Retreat,’ the summer home of Glen and Mona Bryan. He was stung by a bee and is severely allergic and had an expired epi-pen. Glen called the ambulance for him while Mona helped by getting him to sit down and gave him some Benadryl and an ice pack to reduce the swelling. Our EMS arrived and the paramedics were able to quickly transport him for medical treatment. Way to go guys.
Thank you goes out to George Nuska and his grandsons Ethan and Carter Hunt who have been watering the community planter at the Welcome to Providence Bay sign on the Government Road. Happy 14th birthday wishes also go out to Ethan and congratulations on fulfilling his 40 hours of mandatory volunteer work at the Providence Bay Day Camp program. Your grandparents are very proud of you.
The Beach Action Day that was held on August 3 and was very well attended. There were approximately 50 concerned volunteers that showed up. There is a great deal of concern about the looks and accessibility of the beach area and it showed by the number of people willing to give up their day to come and work in the sweltering sun to clean up the beach. The day was sponsored by the Manitoulin Phragmites Project. This day was to specifically target one of the invasive species that have overtaken the beach. The volunteers were required to pick white sweet clover. Volunteers came from town as well as residents of the park. A big thank you goes out to everyone for your time and efforts. We’re one step closer but there is still a lot of work to do.
The monthly curling club breakfast was held again on the first Thursday of the month as usual. The next one will be held September 1.
Congratulations go out to Mr. and Mrs. Bob and Kat Jones (nee Dalcourt) who were united in marriage on Saturday, August 6 on the beach with the reception being held at the Providence Bay Community Centennial Hall. The DJ was fantastic and also provided karaoke. The brides’ family members are very musically inclined so along with other local guests they were entertained all night. A great time was had by all.
Dr Janice Gilbert, a wetland ecologist and Ontario’s expert on Invasive Phragmites, will give a free presentation on this foreign grass on Tuesday, August 9 at 10 am at the Providence Bay Hall. This invasive grass is becoming a serious issue in quite a few places on Manitoulin’s shorelines. This presentation will tell you more about what can be don’t to control this plant. All are invited to attend.
The Discovery Centre Team will be hosting a wildlife identification activity on Friday, August 12 with an approximate 1 pm start time. They are inside the Harbour Centre on the beach in Providence Bay. Drop-ins are welcome or you can call them at 705-377-5025, or email discovery@eastlink.ca
The 27th Annual Lake Kagawong Small Mouth Bass Live Release Derby is being held Saturday, August 13 at the Spring Bay Club on Lake Kagawong. The awards ceremony and fish fry will be held at the Providence Bay Hall on Sunday, August 14 commencing at 2 pm and is licenced under LCBO. Proceeds will go to the Starlight Foundation to be used for the Manitoulin Island area. For tickets or information call 705-377-5639. Fish fry costs $10 for non-fishermen and is included in the $40 per team registration fee for participants.
The Manitoulin Expositor Salmon Classic is still being held. It wraps up on Sunday, August 14 when all prizes will be given out at the Providence Bay Marina commencing at 2 pm. Light snacks will be available and there will be a major announcement about next years’ derby.
If you have anything that you would like to contribute the Providence Bay News and Notes please send in your submission by 3 pm each Sunday. You may call Cheryl at 705-377-7511 or you can email prov_chick@hotmail.com
