August 28, 2015

I know it’s been pretty damp lately, but remember: April showers bring May…. oh, right, it’s August.

Rehabilitation work continues on the Kagawong River in anticipation of the salmon run this fall. Parts of the river trail will be blocked off to the public for safety reasons. Once most of the cleanup and bank restoration is done, the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association (MSIA) will be looking for volunteers to help with tree planting.

Congratulations to Billings student librarian Mackenzie Gilmore on being crowned this year’s Providence Bay Fair Ambassador! Hours spent fielding library patrons’ inquiries prepared her well for the question and answer component of the competition, and she was able to answer the judges with poise and confidence.

Members of the Kagawong Bike Gang recently toured the fine medical facilities at both Elliot Lake and Sudbury. Best wishes to Randy to get well soon. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Ardiss on Merv’s recent passing. He will be missed.

The Kagawong Gobble Brigade (KGB) has been spotted roaming around the Lebar hill area. Love them or hate them, they make an impressive sight as they ramble across the road. In an unrelated comment, keep an eye out for the Anglican church’s annual turkey supper in the coming months. It’s always a crowd pleaser.

The Billings Library has been showing movies every Saturday night at 7pm in their new multimedia space, complete with surround sound and 113” screen. Admission is by donation. Last week was SpongeBob SquarePants: Sponge out of Water. Starting in September movies will be shown every two weeks, with exclusively pre-dvd release titles. Check out upcoming movies at www.facebook.com/KagawongLibrary.

School is right around the corner, with classes starting Tuesday, September 8. On Wednesday, September 2 there is a BBQ for incoming grade 9 students at Manitoulin Secondary. Contact the school at 368-7000 for more information.

As summer starts winding down, several businesses in town have started reducing their hours of operation. Be sure to check ahead before heading out late at night or on Sunday for a treat! Thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed the market on Wednesdays throughout the summer. We can’t wait to see all our favourite vendors again at Christmas in Kagawong later this year.

In these dog days of summer, don’t forget that the Kagawong Canine Social Club invites all dogs on Manitoulin to pack up their humans for the weekly Sunday socials at the dog park. The fun starts at 1pm.

Have news to share? Please drop us a line at the email address above! If you haven’t seen us around in person lately, it’s because we’ve been hiding from exercise. We’re in the Fitness Protection Program.

August 21, 2015

Boy, it’s been hot lately. I bought a loaf of bread at the ESSO the other day, and by the time I got home, it was toast!

Last week was busy, busy, busy with a free concert at the Marina (featuring the Kagawong Folk/Roots Collective and Joe Armijo), a very successful History Day, and a postponed community potluck. If you ever want to guarantee nice weather, cancel an outdoor event because of impending storms! A good crowd still came out, laughed, visited, and ate until they were ready to burst. In true Billings style, a lone traveller stopping in to fill his water bottle was quickly convinced to stop for a bite to eat and conversation. To cap off the week, Billings Library hosted Joan Marie Galat on Sunday, who has been touring Manitoulin this past weekend, speaking on what’s up in the night sky, and the effects of light pollution.

Happy birthday Bonnie Fownes who turned 29 this week, and a belated happy birthday to Lisa Hayden who, strangely enough, also turned 29 earlier in the month.

Downtown denizens will notice major changes on the horizon. This writer can only speculate as to which new addition might be on its way to the Business District!

There’s still lots to do around the township: North Channel Cruise Line’s Mudge Bay Mysteries/Harbour Island Tour runs tomorrow (Saturday, August 22) from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Narrated by members of the Kagawong Museum, a sunset dinner is included on this excursion to the nearby islands. Check out www.kagawongmuseum.ca for more details. The Kagawong Folk/Roots Collective is performing in Providence Bay on Thursday, August 27 at 8pm as part of a Sunset Concert Series. Come out to the Huron Island Time pavillion to tap your toes along with this talented group of local artists.

The Billings Library has been showing movies every Saturday night at 7pm in their new multimedia space, complete with surround sound and 113” screen. Admission is by donation. Last week was Mad Max: Fury Road  - check out upcoming movies at www.facebook.com/KagawongLibrary. The market continues every Wednesday from 10am-3pm at the downtown pavilion. Check out the wares of local artisans, and pick up some delicious baked goods as a treat. You deserve it!  And don’t forget that the Kagawong Canine Social Club invites all dogs on Manitoulin to pack up their humans for the weekly Sunday socials at the dog park. The fun starts at 1pm.

Until next week, remember: the police never think it’s as funny as you do.

August 14, 2015

Kagawong is hoppin’ as always! A Victorian Luncheon and Tea was put on by the Anglican Church last weekend. Amid raised pinky fingers, guests enjoyed fabulous fare and fine company. 

Yesterday was the annual history day and community potluck. For more on the fascinating history of our local area, check out North Channel Cruise Line’s Mudge Bay Mysteries/Harbour Island Tour on Saturday, August 22 from 6:30pm-9:30pm. Narrated by the Kagawong Museum, a sunset dinner is included on this excursion to the nearby islands. Check out www.kagawongmuseum.ca for more details.

The Billings Library has been showing movies every Saturday night at 7pm in their new multimedia space, complete with surround sound and 113” screen. Admission is by donation  - check out upcoming movies at www.facebook.com/KagawongLibrary.

Congratulations to Chris Hess who was married at the Riverbend Stage last Saturday! The previous evening saw a number of musicians gather at the marina, providing local residents with music to fill the evening hours. A very happy 90th birthday to Ken and Shirley Park, who celebrated at the downtown pavilion with family and friends from both on and off the island! In deference to the fire ban at the time, it was decided that all 90 candles on the cake would not be lit at once.

As summer continues, there is still lots going on over the next few weeks. Author Joan Marie Galat will be at the Billings Public Library at 4pm on Sunday, August 16, giving a talk on the night skies. Contact Sharon Jackson for more information. 

The market continues every Wednesday from 10am-3pm at the downtown pavilion. Check out the wares of local artisans, and pick up some delicious baked goods as a treat. You deserve it!

Looking to try something new? The Manitoulin School of Martial Arts is offering Introduction to Kendo classes at the Park Centre Thursday evenings from 6pm-7:30pm through to the end of August. If you’d like to learn the ways of the samurai, this is the martial art for you!

Our words of wisdom for this week: The future is shaped by your dreams, so stop wasting time and go have a nap!