December 25, 2015

From the Team Fergmeijer family to your family, we wish you a very Merry Christmas! Despite the risks this season can pose to the Kagawong Gobble Brigade, the KGB seems in fine form along the shore of the Bay.

Speaking of fowl, we have received letters of complaint that “Plucky” - the new Kagawong Fitness Club mascot - seems “angry.” We prefer to think of it as “motivating.” Are you motivated to get active? Set up a sneak peek at the club’s facilities or start your membership by visiting the Kagawong Facebook page.

Be sure to mark January 3 on your calendar for Aus’ 90th birthday party! Join us at the Park Centre from 2-4pm that afternoon for cake and camaraderie, and a special presentation right at 2pm.

Rain, snow or shine, the Kagawong Canine Society continues to gather every Sunday at 1pm with more and more dogs and their humans joining in the fun.

Once the ice moves in, be sure to come out for some community skating on the rink by the marina! At this rate, we’ll see you there by mid-February.

Euchre tournaments run every third Wednesday of the month now through March, beginning at 7:30pm - BYOP (bring your own partner)! Having fun is in the cards.

If there are any community events you would like mentioned in this column, please let us know at the email address above.

Climate change winter pro tip: Instead of a snowman, why not make a festive mudman? There’s nothing a bright red scarf and jaunty hat can’t make jolly!

December 18, 2015

There may not be snow on the ground, but Kagawong is buzzing with Christmas spirit. Take a quick wander around to check out the decorations at local businesses. While you’re there, stop in to pick up that last minute goodie for family and friends! Team Fergmeijer prefers milk chocolate, in case anyone out there is wondering.

As promised, here is our full (and totally unbiased) review of the Kagawong Christmas Concert (sponsored by the Manitoulin Psaltery Psociety) last week: Best. Community. Christmas. Concert. Ever. Many thanks to Mary, Daphne, the Kagawong Folk Roots Collective, Superman & Supergirl, Lacey, Doug & Nora, MSS teachers, Jacquie, and Santa for a fabulous evening of laughs, nostalgia and song. Our fearless leaders Mike and Jill performed their MC’ing roles with gusto and gave us all a new appreciation for bad jokes.

Have you seen “Plucky” on the new sign for the Kagawong Fitness Club at 91 Main? To set up a sneak peek at the facilities or to start your membership, visit the Kagawong Facebook page.

Rain, snow or shine, the Kagawong Canine Society continues to gather every Sunday at 1pm with more and more dogs and their humans joining in the fun.

The next movie on the Library big screen will be The Martian, playing December 19th at 7pm.

Despite their shyness in reporting the results, we hear the folks who come out to the Euchre nights in Kagawong are an entertaining group and very welcoming. Contact Sharon Alkenbrack and the EDC for more information on weekly games and tournaments if you are interested in competing for title of Extreme Euchre Champion of Kagawong (EECK!).

In the spirit of the season, we offer you these words of wisdom: remember to mail your Christmas presents early so that Canada Post has lots of time to lose them in time for Christmas.

Have a great week!

December 11, 2015

St. John’s Anglican Church congregation enjoyed a lively potluck on Tuesday. It was a fun evening with friends, neighbours, and food galore! One Michael Coomes was seen leaving the church with his arms full of goodies. He assured Team Fergmeijer that he wasn’t smuggling snacks out without permission, but we’ll reserve our judgement until we speak with the ladies in the hall.

Tomorrow!! Come for the music, come for the laughs, come for the Superman! Saturday marks the return of the Kagawong Christmas Concert, sponsored by the Manitoulin Psaltery Psociety. You won’t want to miss it! Admission cost is a donation to the food bank, in the form of cash or non-perishable food items. Performers can visit the Park Centre tonight at 7pm if they would like a practice run or to test the sound system before the big night. Stay tuned to this column for a full (and totally unbiased) review of the concert next week.

If you have some time in the next couple of weeks, take a tour around town and check out the wonderful Christmas lights and decorations around the town. As local holiday enthusiast Jamie Ward says, “Get in the spirit, yo!”

The next movie on the Library big screen will be The Martian, playing December 19th at 7pm.

Despite their shyness in reporting the results, we hear the folks who come out to the Euchre nights in Kagawong are an entertaining group and very welcoming. Contact Sharon Alkenbrack and the EDC for more information on weekly games and tournaments if you are interested in competing for title of Extreme Euchre Champion of Kagawong (EECK!).

One half of team Fergmeijer popped in to visit the Buie family last weekend and was treated to a surprise turkey dinner with all the trimmings! The other half of the team was properly jealous. Now, we’re aren’t saying every visitor to that household gets a full 5 course dinner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the other half starts making excuses for impromptu visits on a regular basis from now until New Years.

Have a great week!

December 4, 2015

‘Tis the season! We were in the post office the other day, where we saw a lady asking Michael if she could buy some stamps. “What denomination do you want?” asked Michael. “Goodness!” the lady replied. “Has it come to this? I suppose you'd better give me twenty Catholic and twenty Presbyterian.”

Come for the music, come for the laughs, come for the Superman! December 12 marks the return of the Kagawong Christmas Concert. You won’t want to miss it! Anyone interested in performing can contact us.

Happy 29th birthday to Nora and Dwyne!!

There’s no better way to spend a Saturday night than at the movies! Stop by the Billings Library this Saturday to see Pan. Show starts at 7pm.

Rain, snow or shine, the Kagawong Canine Society continues to gather every Sunday at 1pm with more and more dogs and their humans joining in the fun.

The Rolling of the Balls was delayed due to weather conditions during Christmas in Kagawong, but the results are finally in. 1st Prize went to Barb Bright, 2nd to Diana Benoit, 3rd to Marcel Beneteau. The Booby prize went to Sharon Jackson. Congratulations!

You euchre players can’t keep it a secret forever! Someone will tell us the scores of the weekly games eventually! Please let us know who the Extreme Euchre Champion of Kagawong (EECK!) is, so we can publish their glories. Interested in playing? Contact the EDC.

The Kagawong Fitness Centre has a new sign and mascot, “Plucky!” Stop by 91 Main Street and take a peek at the great variety of exercise equipment. For more information, or to start your membership, visit the Kagawong Facebook page.

It’s a busy time of year, and we all need a little sanity saver. Next time the phone rings and it’s a telemarketer, hand the receiver to your three-year old child, and tell them it’s Santa.

November 27, 2015

Team Fergmeijer will be celebrating Black Friday today in their traditional way… by completely ignoring it! We got our head start on holiday shopping this past week thanks to many amazing local vendors. Christmas in Kagawong was a huge success again this year. Between Friday night’s community supper (hosted by EDC), the fabulous silent auction supporting the library, and the skilled artists and craftspeople, it was one for the books! Thank you to all of the vendors and volunteers at all of the various venues for kicking off the holiday season in style.

Come for the music, come for the laughs, come for the Superman! December 12 marks the return of the Kagawong Christmas Concert. You won’t want to miss it! Anyone interested in performing can contact us.

Happy belated 29th birthday to Mary Buie! You can hear Mary sing with the Manitoulin Community Choir as they present their annual Song & Cider concert tomorrow at 7:30pm at the Park Centre. Tickets available at the door.

The Kagawong Canine Society continues to gather every Sunday at 1pm with more and more dogs and their humans joining in the fun.

We know there’s Euchre happening on Wednesday evenings at the Park Centre, but we never hear tell of the scores! Please let us know who the Extreme Euchre Champion of Kagawong (EECK!) is, so we can publish their glories. Interested in playing? Contact the EDC.

For more information on the Kagawong Fitness Centre or to start your membership, visit the Kagawong Facebook page.

In an act of extreme sneakiness, Team Fergmeijer recently got ahold of a classified document outlining the township office’s holiday policies:

• Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.
• Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden (it runs up an incredible long distance bill)
• Work requests are not to be filed under “Bah humbug.”
• All fruitcake is to be removed from the lunch room BEFORE July 25.
• Despite constant lobbying by a certain mayor, who shall remain anonymous, egg nog will NOT be dispensed in the vending machines.

November 13, 2015

Wednesday was Remembrance Day with ceremonies across the Island, including one here at the Heritage Centre. Kagawongian Hailey Ferguson made us all proud as she recited ‘In Flanders Field’ at the ceremony at the Gore Bay Legion. Lest we forget.

The Kagawong Canine Society continues to gather every Sunday at 1pm with more and more dogs and their humans joining in the fun. Coming soon is the Kagawong Canine Book Club!

For more information on the Kagawong Fitness Centre or to start your membership, visit the Kagawong Facebook page.

The Billings Library’s next movie night will be Saturday, November 21st . They’ll be showing Mission Impossible: Rogue Agent (PG-13). Show starts at 7pm.

The town Christmas tree is going up in front of the Old Mill! Community members are invited to help decorate the tree on Saturday at 1pm. Like last year, only wildlife-friendly decorations will be used so bring out your fruit, berries, nuts, seeds, popcorn and other delicious edibles for the birds and squirrels to enjoy.

Christmas in Kagawong is coming! On Saturday, November 21st there will be vendors at the Park Centre, and St. John’s Anglican Church will be a hot spot with baking, a craft table, gift baskets, as well as Christmas cake and hot cider. Also running that weekend is the library’s second Seed Swap at 1pm. Bring your extra seeds, or those you have harvested and saved this fall, to trade with other gardeners.

December 12 marks the return of the Kagawong Christmas Concert! Stay tuned for more details - you won’t want to miss it! Anyone interested in performing can contact us.

We usually close our column with a funny quip, but Team Fergmeijer understands that life isn’t all fun and games, so we would like to offer this bit of self-defence advice to help you get out of a dangerous situation: If you are ever attacked by a mob of clowns, go for the juggler.

November 6, 2015

Team Fergmeijer has been seeing Betty and Noella out walking nearly every day, taking in this lovely fall weather. They’re out even when the weather isn’t so lovely! Those two walk so much we’re starting to feel a bit inferior, so we plan on getting a dog and calling him “5 miles” just so we can say we walk 5 miles every day.

Kagawong’s annual BYOP pumpkin carving party was a great success again this year, with carvers of all ages creating a fabulous collection of spooky and silly jack-o-lanterns. The gourd bowling was fun, the cookies at the decorating station were delicious, and the pinata was a blast with Z celebrating his birthday with a smashing hit releasing the goodies held inside! Thanks to everyone who came out and thanks to the Recreation Committee who put on the event.

Saturday was a busy night in town with all sorts of gruesome, gory, silly and cute characters running around in the rain. One standout for us was the Wards who made a convincing Gru with his minions, complete with fart gun.

The museum has a fantastic military exhibit on now through November 11th. Don’t miss it! Check the website www.kagawongmuseum.ca for more information on the exhibit and Remebrance Day services.

Don’t forget about Sundays with the Kagawong Canine Society. Socialize with your favourite pups and people every Sunday at 1pm.

The Kagawong Fitness Centre (at 91 Main Street below 4e Living Arts) is back open for business after closing for a few days to dry out after a bit of water seeping in on Thursday night. The floor is dry and everything is back to normal. For more information on the fitness centre or to start your membership, contact Sharon Jackson.

Come out on Wednesday nights for Euchre at the Park Centre. Contact Sharon Alkenbrack or other members of the EDC for more info on joining the regular weekly games at the Park Centre.

The Billings Library’s next movie night will be Saturday, November 7th (tomorrow). They’ll be showing Mission Impossible: Rogue Agent (PG-13). Show starts at 7pm.

Did somebody say MEAT PIE?? There’s a MEAT PIE dinner on the Friday, November 20th, followed by Christmas in Kagawong on Saturday, November 21st! Also running that weekend is the library’s second Seed Swap. Bring your extra seeds, or those you have harvested and saved this fall, to trade with other gardeners and green thumbs in the area. Come by the library between 1 and 2pm on the Saturday to participate in this free swap!

Rumour has is the Kagawong Christmas Concert will be back in December! Stay tuned for more details - you won’t want to miss it!

Big thanks for all the compliments we have been getting on the column. We really appreciate the good thoughts, especially since we suffer from a bit of an inferiority complex (though it’s not a very good one).

October 30, 2015

Tomorrow is National ‘Eat Your Kids’ Halloween Candy After They Go To Bed’ day!

The scarecrow hunt is still on, so get out there and track down those creepy creatures. Speaking of creepy creatures, Saturday is Halloween and Kagawong’s tiniest ghouls will be out roaming, so keep an extra close watch as you are driving around town.

Have you carved your pumpkins yet? Don’t want to mess with the, well, mess of creating a jack-o-lantern masterpiece? Come out to the market pavilion on Saturday at 10am for the annual BYOP pumpkin carving party! With games, a pinata and hot drinks, it’s a great opportunity to get the carving done and leave the mess for someone else!

The museum will be launching its military exhibit on November 1st and it will run through the 11th. Check the website www.kagawongmuseum.ca for more information on the exhibit and Remebrance Day services.

Don’t forget about Sundays with the Kagawong Canine Society. Socialize with your favourite pups and people every Sunday at 1pm.

Come out on Wednesday nights for Euchre at the Park Centre. Contact Sharon Alkenbrack or other members of the EDC for more info on joining the regular weekly games at the Park Centre.

The Billings Library will be giving away treats and non-food treasures on Halloween night. Stop in for a great goodie bag! The library’s next movie night will be Saturday, November 7th. They’ll be showing Mission Impossible: Rogue Agent. Show starts at 7pm.

Christmas in Kagawong is only a month away! Mark November 21st on your calendar so that you don’t miss out, and get a head start on your shopping. There’s a MEAT PIE dinner on the Friday night, and you do not want to miss out on that!

Also running that weekend is the library’s second Seed Swap. Bring your extra seeds, or those you have harvested and saved this fall, to trade with other gardeners and green thumbs in the area. Come by the library between 1 and 2pm to participate in this free swap!

Little known fact: Team Fergmeijer loves Halloween! Last year at this time we went to a haunted house to try and capture a ghost on film. We encountered one spectre who very kindly posed for several shots, but when we got home and developed the film, the pictures were all underexposed and completely blank. Turns out the spirit is willing, but the flash is weak.

October 23, 2015

The Kagawong scarecrows are back! As you take in the beautiful fall colours, keep an eye open for these creepy visitors all over town. Thank you to everyone who loaned the Recreation Committee festive autumn decorations. The township looks fantastic!

The museum is still looking for artifacts and photographs to augment their Harbour Island exhibit. If you have some you would be willing to loan or know of any leads, contact the museum at 705-282-1442.

Congratulations to Willa Wilson on growing the tallest sunflowers in all of Billings! It surely was due to her constant attention and tender care over the last several weeks.

Don’t forget about Sundays with the Kagawong Canine Society. Come out to the dog park with Fido on Sunday at 1pm.

Wednesday night is Euchre night in Kagawong. Contact Sharon Alkenbrack or other members of the EDC for more info on joining the regular weekly games at the Park Centre.

The Billings Library will be giving away treats on Halloween night. Stop in for a great goodie bag! The library’s next movie night will be Saturday, November 7th. They’ll be showing Mission Impossible: Rogue Agent. Show starts at 7pm.

Christmas in Kagawong is only a month away! Mark November 21st on your calendar so that you don’t miss out, and get a head start on your shopping. There’s a MEAT PIE dinner on the Friday night, and you do not want to miss out on that!

Also running that weekend is the library’s second Seed Swap. Bring your extra seeds, or those you have harvested and saved this fall, to trade with other gardeners and green thumbs in the area. Come by the library between 1 and 2pm to participate in this free swap!

The last couple of weeks have been dominated with talk about the election. My friends didn’t believe me when I predicted a Liberal win. It was Trudeau.

October 16, 2015

Inspired by the recent 4elements soundscape activities, Team Fergmeijer came up with an idea for an excellent addition to the Kagawong River Trail. Unfortunately, the township turned down our proposal to have the Lion King’s “Circle of Life” playing on repeat at the base of the falls for the fish. Even without this though, the trails were hopping all weekend with visitors admiring the new art installations, cheering on the jumping salmon, and taking in the beautiful weather.

The Kagawong scarecrows are back! As you take in the beautiful fall colours, keep an eye open for these creepy visitors all over town. Thank you to everyone who loaned the Recreation Committee festive autumn decorations. The township looks fantastic! Between the scarecrows and the salmon, we must have at least doubled the population of Billings last week.

The museum is still looking for artifacts and photographs to augment their Harbour Island exhibit. If you have some you would be willing to loan or know of any leads, contact the museum at 705-282-1442.

Happy 29th birthdays go to Brian R. on Monday, Claire last Wednesday and Jef today. Thank you to Margaret and Frank who brought the warm weather up with them from the Niagara Region last weekend. And belated congratulations go out to Tahnee Pate (aka Tahnee Park) on her recent marriage.

Don’t forget about Sundays with the Kagawong Canine Society. Come out to the dog park with Fido on Sunday at 1pm.

It’s Euchre time! Euchre is back in Kagawong every Wednesday at the Park Centre! Contact Sharon Alkenbrack or other members of the EDC for more info on joining the regular weekly games or taking part in the monthly tournaments.

The Library is showing movies every second Saturday through the fall and winter. The votes are in, and the movie you chose to watch on Saturday is Fantastic Four! Show starts at 7pm.

Only 10 Fridays before Christmas! Mark November 21st on your calendar so that you don’t miss out on Christmas in Kagawong, and get a head start on your shopping. There’s a MEAT PIE dinner on the Friday night, and you do not want to miss out on that!

Also running that weekend is the library’s second Seed Swap. Bring your extra seeds, or those you have harvested and saved this fall, to trade with other gardeners and green thumbs in the area. Come by the library between 1 and 2pm to participate in this free swap!

The autumn colours are pretty spectacular this year, so go out and enjoy them while you can. I personally find fall leaves to be the most beautiful when they are being raked by somebody else.

October 9, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving! Has anyone seen the Kagawong Gobble Brigade around? They seem to have gone into hiding all this week...

Locals Mary Buie and Heather Theijsmeijer completed the CIBC Run for the Cure in Sudbury last Sunday, raising a combined total of $1990 toward breast cancer research, support and outreach. Thank you to everyone who sponsored them! Donations can still be made by going to http://supportcbcf.com, clicking on “Donate,” and then searching for one of their names.

Kagawong played host to not one, but two concerts last weekend, as part of the 4elements Elemental Festival. The Kagawong Folk Roots Collective played to a near-capacity crowd at St. John’s Anglican church Friday night, rockin’ the pews with old-timey, gospel tunes. Saturday night saw Sudbury’s Pistol George Warren take the stage at the Park Centre. Roving reporter Jamie Ward was on the scene: “They were amazing! Really great band, lots of energy, yo.”

The Elemental Festival also included sound walks (for both young and old alike), postcard exchanges, and an art exhibition. New art installations along the river were revealed over the weekend as well. A huge thank you to all the folks at 4e, volunteers and those who came out for the fun.

The township and recreation committee have installed the new (decommissioned) fire hydrants at the dog park. There have been several trees donated by local Roger Lloyd and by MPP Mike Mantha. They will be wintered over and planted in the spring. Come out with Fido on Sunday at 1pm to check out the new additions!

The museum is looking for artifacts and photographs to augment their Harbour Island exhibit. If you have some you would be willing to loan or know of any leads, contact the museum at 705-282-1442.

The Billings Recreation Committee will be decorating in front of the Old Mill this year and could use some donations to make it as spectacular as possible. If you have small hay bales, mums, pumpkins or gourds to spare, let a member of the committee know, email us, or send a message through facebook.com/kagawong1.

You may have noticed something missing from this column lately… but now Euchre is back in Kagawong every Wednesday at the Park Centre! Contact Sharon Alkenbrack or other members of the EDC for more info on joining the regular weekly games or taking part in the monthly tournaments.

The Library is showing movies every second Saturday through the fall and winter. The librarian is unusually indecisive this month and is leaving the choice of movie title up to you. Check out www.facebook.com/kagawonglibrary to vote for your choice.

If you ask me, it’s never too early to be thinking about Christmas, so mark November 21st on your calendar so that you don’t miss out on Christmas in Kagawong!

Despite the recent cold, it’s a wonderful time of year to get outside. I always start running in the fall. Not all of me, just my nose. Have a great week!

October 2, 2015

Happy first week of autumn! Tourism in Kagawong has been slowing down, but that doesn’t mean it’s quiet around this town! And I don’t know about you, but for us this time of year can be summed up in three words: pumpkin-spiced cupcakes!

Fall weather is the perfect time to take Fido out for a run. Everyone is welcome to the weekly socials at the dog park on Carter Crescent. Meet up your favourite pups and people at the dog park each Sunday at 1pm.

Barb Erskine’s career as a psychologist with Noojmowin Teg was celebrated last week as she moves from being busy with work to being busy with retirement. In related news, she is now the undisputed queen of blanket forts. Congratulations Barb!

A very happy birthday goes out to John Buie. It was a big one, a landmark celebrated in style while he, Mary, and all the Buie offspring took a tour of the Agawa Canyon. Happy 29th, John!

TONIGHT! The Kagawong Anglican Church will be hosting an evening of gospel music tonight at 8:15pm. Performed by the Kagawong Folk/Roots Collective, it's sure to be a fun evening! Tickets for this fundraiser are $10 each, available at the door.

The busy folks at 4elements Living Arts are hosting the Elemental Festival this weekend, with events Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Check their website (4elementslivingarts.org) and look for their ads for more details.

Heather Theijsmeijer is just two days away from running her sixth CIBC Run for the Cure event in Sudbury. At time of writing, she is still shy of raising her goal of $1500. If interested in donating, please check out http://supportcbcf.com/goto/HeatherT

The museum is looking for artifacts and photographs to augment their Harbour Island exhibit. If you have some you would be willing to loan or know of any leads, contact the museum at 705-282-1442.

The Billings Recreation Committee will be decorating in front of the Old Mill this year and could use some donations to make it as spectacular as possible. If you have small hay bales, mums, pumpkins or gourds to spare, let a member of the committee know, email us, or send a message through facebook.com/kagawong1.

The Library is showing movies every second Saturday through the fall and winter. According to the library Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KagawongLibrary), tomorrow night will be Terminator Genisys.

The library isn’t just books and movies! They are also planning another seed swap during Christmas in Kagawong. Come out Saturday November 21st with your extra seeds, or even some you saved from the fall harvest, to talk and trade with other gardeners from across the Island! Stay tuned here for more details in the coming weeks!

As we watch the leaves start to fall in the yard, it occurs to us that if money did grow on trees, autumn would be the best season ever! Have a great week!