MANITOULIN—Not only do we spring forward with our clocks this weekend (one hour ahead at bedtime Saturday) this is the start of March Break for students in the Rainbow District School Board, M’Chigeeng School Board and all of Wiikwemkoong Board of Education schools.
Many students from First Nation communities will be attending and participating in the 49th Little NHL tournament in Toronto, so safe travels and good sportsmanship wishes go out to them.
The Island municipalities are planning a variety of useful and interesting activities for young people.
In Assiginack, the ski trails at McLean’s Park are groomed and there is free public skating on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the arena. Times are posted in an ad in this week’s paper.
There is also sponge puck fun on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Assiginack has “crafts for kids” too: March 13, 14, 16 and 17. Registration for these is online as space is limited. Check out www.assiginack.ca.
In Central Manitoulin, there are lots of lakes and the March Break activities revolve around fishing.
The “Central Manitoulin youth March Break Tournament” is long enough (it runs from Friday, March 11 through to Sunday, March 19) to allow youngsters to wet lines in Lake Mindemoya, Lake Manitou, Lake Kagawong, Big Lake, Long Lake and Windfall Lake (and others), all or part of which are within the municipality.
There are two categories: ages 13 to 18 and age 12 and under and more than $2,500 in cash and prizes is on the table thanks to a bevy of local businesses that are helping out. This year, participants must be youth attending CMPS or children or grandchildren, great-grandchildren or dependants of ratepayers in the Municipality of Central Manitoulin. There is an ad in this paper with more details about the categories in which a young person can enter their catch. Visit www.centralmanitoulin.ca/MarchBreakFishing.
In the Town of Northeast Manitoulin there is free public skating at the arena on Monday, March 13, 1 to 4 pm; Tuesday, March 14, 3:30 to 5 pm; glow skating, 2 to 3 pm; Tuesday, March 16, 2 to 3:30 pm and on St. Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17, from 1 to 2 pm.
There is also baking on Monday, snowshoeing on Tuesday, “Fairy House Making with the Grandkids” on Wednesday, more snowshoeing on Thursday and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day fun on Friday.
For more information, please consult the town ad in this paper. For signups, email lhallaert@townofnemi.on.ca.
In Gore Bay, a family skate will take place at the arena on March 13 and 17 from 3:30 to 6 pm and from noon to 1:30 pm on March 18. There will also be a hard puck shinny for those ages 10 years and up on March 13 and 17 from 1 to 3 pm at the arena. The town is also holding a snow sculpture contest. The entries need to be in by March by 4 pm via email to pfogal@gorebay.ca.
In Billings Township, the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association will be hosting a Maple Syrup Youth Rangers event. This event will take place March 16 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Billings Park Centre. Grade one to eight students will learn the maple syrup process (learn how it identify and tap maple trees on the Kagawong Trail). Register by end of day Friday, March 10. For more information or to register your child please email getinvolved.manitoulinstreams@gmail.com
Sheshegwaning First Nation will be holding activities for kids ever day during March break. For more information check out the Sheshegwaning Health Centre Facebook page.
If you want water that’s not frozen, the Espanola Swimming Pool has activities from Monday, March 13 through Sunday, March 19.
Times and activities are listed in an advertisement in this week’s paper.
Have fun, stay safe and warm! Enjoy your March Break!
