Wow! Things are really happening in Providence Bay. Our little village has got other communities sitting up and taking notice of our happenings. Let’s keep it up. Keep on with the summer fun and don’t forget to let us know when something is happening so that we can let everyone know.
The weekly euchre nights at the Providence Bay Seniors Twilight Club results for the past two weeks are as follows for June 14: ladies’ high, Marilyn Holmes with 82; ladies’ lone hands, Deanie with 4. Men’s high, Glen with 87; men’s lone hands, Ken with 4. June 2: ladies’ high, Marion with 83; ladies’ lone hands, Irene M. with 4; men’s high, Marge Arnold with 94; and men’s lone hands, Marge Arnold got a whopping seven of them. Way to go! The monthly tournament will have been held last night. We will post the results as we receive them.
Thanks to everyone who’s been watering our community flower beds. If watering at the cemetery, be sure to bring a little water with you to prime the hand pump and make sure you leave some water in the watering can for the next person.
On June 22, the Municipality of Central Manitoulin issued a fire ban for the entire municipality due to dry conditions. No open fires are permitted at this time.
The new cell phone tower that has been erected just north of Prov on Highway 551 is still being worked on. Although it appears that the tower itself is complete. The receivers still have to be installed. It’s amazing the heights that the workers go to ensuring that we will be connected to the rest of the world. The tower can be seen on the horizon when driving into town or from the lighthouse at the point. Another sign of great progress for Providence Bay.
Work continues on the Providence Bay Village Square. Many volunteers were out on Saturday, June 25. Any other interested volunteers are welcome to join a core group of workers every Saturday morning at 10 am (rain date on Sundays). Special work bees will be organized throughout the summer to complete a specific phase of the project. The next work bee will be on July 9 to finish preparing and mulching the planting beds and leveling/raking the areas for grass seeding. Bring garden rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows. A reminder to all gardeners, that any donations of perennial plants and/or shrubs are most gratefully accepted. Either bring them to 5252 Hwy 551 (blue house on the main street in Prov) and plant them temporarily in the driveway nursery garden or bring them to the Square later in August when a specific work bee will be held for planting. A huge thank you goes out to all those who have donated time, energy, materials and funds to make this beautification project a reality. It is truly a community effort.
The adult exercise equipment that is on the beach has all been repaired and is ready for use. What better place for a workout then on the beach with the sound of the waves lapping up against the shore and with the soft breezes cooling you down while you sweat.
Darryl Robert Lewis passed away after a short battle with cancer at the Sault Area Hospital on Wednesday, June 15 at the age of 37. A graveside service was held at Grimesthorpe Cemetery on Saturday, June 25 and a luncheon was held at Providence Bay Hall. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to Sam Bruno PET Scanner (Sudbury), or SAH Cancer Care Fund.
Hay bales were displayed in McDermid’s field on Highway 551 at the Blue Road as a bride and groom announcing the upcoming wedding of Pam and Kevin on September 17.
Mariah McDermid was celebrated at a 90th birthday party that was held in her honour on Saturday, June 25 at the Providence Bay Curling Club. There was a great turnout.
The Manitoulin Island Dirt Riders Association (MIDRA) held an event June 25 and 26 at their track in Providence Bay behind the Fairgrounds. We don’t have the results as yet, but tune in for next week’s update.
Wildlife report: A cougar was spotted out on the Blue Road. There have also been some sightings of coyotes. You can certainly hear them.
For all the hunters out there, don’t forget that the deadline to apply for an antlerless deer validation tag is quickly approaching. The deadline this year is Thursday, June 30. The results are available by August 8. Don’t forget, you require a valid hunting version Outdoors Card to apply online, by phone or in person.
The Canada Day long weekend will soon be upon us. The children will all be done school this week so we expect and welcome an influx of visitors to our community.
Canada Day celebrations will again be held at The Discovery Centre on the beach. There will be children’s games during the day, and local musicians playing their tunes at 7 pm. There will be Canada Day cake and lemonade served in the Hall starting at 6:30 along with a family dance starting at 6 in the Providence Bay Hall. Many thanks go out to the local Lions Club for putting on the dance. The annual fireworks display will be on the beach by the playground at dusk. All are welcome to attend.
The Providence Bay Library will be closed on Friday, July 1.
Happy Birthday wishes go out to Marcel Turgeon who will be turning 80 years young on July 1, 2016. He is the husband of Deanie, Don Prescott’s sister. Don and Naida are settling into their home in the Manor in Little Current.
The Providence Bay/Spring Bay Lions Club Annual Yard Sale is being held Friday, July 1 from 9 am until 3 pm. If you are able to donate anything to this wonderful initiative, it would really help out a group that does so much to benefit the community. If we could get 200 people to donate an item that they could charge $10 for, they would easily raise $2,000. It really and truly helps when everyone is able to contribute. Any gently used items are welcome. Please drop off any donations to Matt Young at 5271 Mira Street (Highway 551).
Kate and Mitch Anderson-Dargatz and their children have returned for the summer from out west. We all hope that they had a great journey.
If you have any events, birthday wishes, visitors or trips that you would like included in the news, please let us know. You can contact Cheryl at 705-377-7511 or by email at prov_chick@hotmail.com It makes the column much more interesting when we have input from other community members. All submissions must be made by Sunday at 3 pm for inclusion in the following Wednesday paper.
