September 25, 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!

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!

The Kagawong Anglican Church will be hosting an evening of gospel music on October 2nd 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 a Kids Sound Art Workshop this Saturday. Youth are invited to create a unique, sound-based project along the Kagawong River. Contact 705 282-0444 for more information or to register. This event leads up to the Elemental Festival October 2-4. Stay tuned for more information on the exciting events scheduled for that weekend!

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 with your favourite pups and people at the dog park each Sunday at 1pm.

Heather Theijsmeijer is on pace to raise $1500 for her sixth CIBC Run for the Cure event in Sudbury, October 4, with all funds going toward breast cancer research, support, and outreach initiatives. 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), October 3 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!

September 18, 2015

Time to dig out the long pants and socks - fall is in the air! I, for one, welcome apple-picking, pumpkin-carving, and the return of good television shows.

The annual Bark in the Park was held last weekend. Getting a head count on so many dogs is tricky but the consensus is that there were nearly 50 dogs in attendance. Despite a controversial win and some property damage during the games, everyone had a howling good time! Special recognition goes out to Cricket, who has won the dress-up related events for the last 4 years in a row! If you couldn't make it out for Bark in the Park, don’t despair! You can still come out for the weekly socials. Meet up with your favourite pups and people at the dog park each Sunday at 1pm.

The Kagawong Anglican Church will be hosting an evening of gospel music on October 2nd 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 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 busy folks at 4elements Living Arts are hosting a Kids Sound Art Workshop on Saturday, September 26. Youth are invited to create a unique, sound-based project along the Kagawong River. Contact 705 282-0444 for more information or to register. This event leads up to the Elemental Festival October 2-4. Stay tuned for more information on the exciting events scheduled for that weekend!

Happy 29th birthday goes out to Diane R, and a very happy anniversary to Claire & Tijs who are celebrating in Duck Lake this weekend.

Heather Theijsmeijer is raising money for her sixth CIBC Run for the Cure event in Sudbury, October 4, with all funds going toward breast cancer research, support, and outreach initiatives. If interested in donating, please check out http://supportcbcf.com/goto/HeatherT

Have you taken a walk along the river trail lately? It is even more spectacular than usual these days after all the hard work by Manitoulin Streams and a whole host of volunteers. The most striking change is the addition of the art installation right in the water of the river itself.

The river is also a concern at this time of year as salmon make their way up to spawn. Over the summer a stone bridge of sorts has developed and can prove to be a serious obstacle to the spawning fish. If you are at the falls, take some time to move a few rocks to help clear the way to ensure a healthy river and salmon population. As local resident, and salmon fan, Jamie Ward says, “Help the fish, yo.”

There’s been a nip in the air lately, and it can only mean that fall is on the way! 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 still showing movies on Saturday nights, but through the fall and winter they will be every other Saturday night. According to the library Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KagawongLibrary), September 19 will be Me, Earl and the Dying Girl. The library has also noticed the fall colours slowly creeping in and will be planning a second seed swap in the coming weeks. Stay tuned here for more details!

If you are out apple-picking this weekend, remember, an apple a day will keep ANYONE away if thrown hard enough.

September 11, 2015

With school starting up again this week, we were troubled to hear a sad story from one of the local children. “On my first day of school, my parents dropped me off at the wrong nursery. There I was, surrounded by trees…” But it turned out alright - we heard the staff at JD’s were very understanding.

Trees were planted this past week as part of the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association’s (MSIA) work on the Kagawong River. Part of the river trail is still closed as they finish up four-laning the river for the autumn salmon run.

We knew something fishy was going on when the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) van pulled into town… turns out together with the United Fish and Game Clubs of Manitoulin (UFGCM), they were stocking Lake Kagawong with over 2,400 walleye!

Happy 29th birthdays to Diane L, Susan S, Jamie W and Kim B! Congratulations to grandparents Brad, Deb and Brenda, and mother Amanda Graham, on the exciting arrival of baby Graham Thomas Rayburn Chapman! The coffee club at the Esso will be expecting pictures soon!

The Kagawong Canine Social Club invites everyone to the annual Bark in the Park event tomorrow (Saturday, September 12)! Beginning at 12noon at the dog park on Carter Crescent, there will be demonstrations, local breeders, a small dog social, an all dog social, games and prizes. Be sure to check it out! And don’t forget about the weekly Sunday socials. Meet up with your favourite pups and people at the dog park each Sunday at 1pm.

The Kagawong Anglican Church presents an evening of gospel music by the Kagawong Folk/Roots Collective Friday, October 2nd. Don’t miss it!

4elements Living Arts is hosting a Kids Sound Art Workshop on Saturday, September 26. Youth are invited to create a unique, sound-based project along the Kagawong River. Contact 705 282-0444 for more information or to register. This event leads up to the Elemental Festival October 2-4. Stay tuned for more information on the exciting events scheduled for that weekend!

The Billings Library will be showing movies every other Saturday night at 7pm in their new multimedia space, complete with surround sound and 113” screen. Admission is by donation. According to the library Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KagawongLibrary), September 19 will be Me, Earl and the Dying Girl.

Heather Theijsmeijer is raising money for her sixth CIBC Run for the Cure event in Sudbury, October 4, with all funds going toward breast cancer research, support, and outreach initiatives. If interested in donating, please check out http://supportcbcf.com/goto/HeatherT

As the days shorten and the nights become cooler, I find myself engaged in mindfulness. My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far I have finished two bags of M&Ms, and a slice of chocolate cake. I’m feeling better already.

September 4, 2015

Summer is over. Time to officially remember what day of the week it is.

There seems to be some confusion as to who the author of this column is. Sharon valiantly held down the fort for the past few years, but the torch has been picked up by a duo who shall publish mysteriously under the moniker Team Fergmeijer. If you have any local news or events you’d like mentioned, please email us at kagawong@live.ca

Farewell to all the summer students who have been working behind the scenes to keep our community in tip-top shape this summer. From cataloguing books at the library, to mowing grass, from monitoring the Kagawong mall to being in the water every day for swimming lessons, we thank you. Best of luck back at school this year!

The Kagawong Folk/Roots Collective played to a packed house at Huron Island Time in Providence Bay last week. The group is very grateful to everyone who made the trip from Kagawong! They will be performing an evening of gospel songs as a fundraiser for the Kagawong Anglican Church Friday, October 2 at 7:30pm. More details will be available soon.

The Kagawong Canine Social Club invites everyone to the annual Bark in the Park event on Saturday, September 12! Beginning at 12noon at the dog park on Carter Crescent, there will be demonstrations, local breeders, a small dog social, an all dog social, games and prizes. And don’t forget about the weekly Sunday socials. Meet up with your favourite dogs and people at the dog park each Sunday at 1pm.

Congratulations to Zachary Carr on being one of the winners in the Marion Seabrook Memorial Writing Contest! This lucky lad is also the recent winner of Mumbles, the giant Boo-Bah-Lou moose! Well done!

Condolences to Lisa Hayden on the recent passing of her mother. Donations may be made to the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary as expressions of sympathy.

The Billings Library will be showing movies every other Saturday night at 7pm in their new multimedia space, complete with surround sound and 113” screen. Admission is by donation. According to the library Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KagawongLibrary), September 5 will be the movie Max, and September 19 will be Terminator Genesys.

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!

School is right around the corner, with classes starting Tuesday, September 8. Take care to watch for buses and little ones!

Speaking of being back to school, we leave you with some educational tidbits for the week:

Knowledge is knowing a street is one-way. Wisdom is looking both directions anyway.

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Knowledge is knowing you can run 13.1 miles. Wisdom is not doing it after drinking a prune smoothie.