January 29, 2016

The days are getting longer, and with all this snow, a new creature has emerged, running along the Billings back roads with a four-cylinder roar. While driving, keep an eye out for snowmobilers, young and old!

Happy belated birthday to Susie Dekuyper, who we hear turned 29 last week. And to Jenna Carter, who also turned 29! Happy 29th birthday wishes go out to the fathers of Team Fergmeijer this past week, too. Cake for everybody!

After delays due to less-than-ideal weather,  the outdoor rink behind the Anglican church is finally taking shape. It’s not skatable yet, but a flooding or two should get it ready to go soon. The recreation committee is looking for volunteers to help keep the rink cleared. Contact Charlene Chambers for more details.

Manitoulin Secondary School’s musical theatre program is up to their ears in preparations for their newest production, Once Upon A Mattress. Sources tell us that it is a hilarious, family-friendly spin on the classic Princess and the Pea fairy tale. Team Fergmeijer can’t wait to see it; we already have our tickets. Get yours in advance at Robertson’s IDA in Gore Bay or the Guardian Pharmacies in Mindemoya, Little Current or Manitowaning. There will be tickets available at the door, as well. Shows run February 11 - 13th, curtain rises at 7pm.

Winterfest weekend will soon be here! Along with the wine and cheese evening and the outdoor winter fun, the recreation committee is also holding its annual chili cookoff! Top prize for people’s choice is $50. If you would like to participate, contact Gail Los (282-0549) for full details.

The Kagawong Canine Social Club will be meeting this (and every) Sunday at 1pm at the off-leash park on Carter Crescent. With new members joining every week, it’s been quite the exciting place. Bring your furry friend for fun and socialization.

The next library movie will be Saturday, February 6th. They will be showing The Peanuts Movie. A nostalgic throwback for grownups, and a fun new adventure for kids. Admission is by donation, and the show starts at 7pm.

Don’t forget about the euchre tournaments running every third Wednesday of the month now through March, at the Park Centre, beginning at 7:30pm - BYOP (bring your own partner)! Rumour has it there will be a tournament on Kagawong’s Winterfest weekend. Stay tuned for more details.

Lessons we can learn from a snowman:

• Wearing white is always in style.
• Don’t get too much sun.
• Accessories don’t have to be expensive to be fabulous.
• In a confrontation, a hand-held hairdryer can be an effective weapon.
• You know you’ve made it when they write a song about you!

January 22, 2016

Does shivering count as exercise? Cause that seems to be the only work out Team Fergmeijer has been doing lately. Maybe we need to join the Kagawong Fitness Club or start going to Zumba on Thursday nights. Both are guaranteed to warm us up (and wear us out).

A few weeks of working out will make us guilt-free when we head out for the wine and cheese evening on Friday, February 19th. Fine wine, fancy cheeses, fantastic music; what’s not to like? Of course, if ‘inside’ just isn’t your thing, Kagawong’s Winterfest is that same weekend. On February 20th the Recreation Committee will be hosting any number of fabulous activities, workshops, and booths highlighting the wonders of winter. Try some homemade maple syrup taffy, or Kagawong tails. Play on the sledding hill, or chat with classic snowmachine collectors. For more information on both events, check out the Kagawong Facebook page or email us.

You know who else loves snowy weather? Your canine buddies! Why not bring them out to the dog park to be a part of the shenanigans? But we should warn you, with all this snow, Simba has become the ninja of the dog park, unseen in plain sight until right at your feet asking for a treat. Regardless, the Kagawong Canine Society continues to gather every Sunday at 1pm at the off-leash park on Carter Crescent next to the municipal garage.

The next library movie will be on January 23rd. They will be showing the movie The 33. (Yes, we know that we got it wrong it last week’s column. Totally not Team Fergmeijer’s fault. The librarian gave us faulty info. Guh. Some people.)

Euchre tournaments run every third Wednesday of the month now through March, at the Park Centre, beginning at 7:30pm - BYOP (bring your own partner)! Having fun is in the cards. Rumour has it there will be a tournament on Kagawong’s Winterfest weekend. Stay tuned for more details.

We’ve been finding ourselves a bit pressed for time lately, so Team Fergmeijer ended up typing most of the column on our phones while walking to and from work. We apologize for any mistakes we make, they are simply early signs of typothermia.

January 15, 2016

It looks like winter has finally arrived. It’s been so cold, today we saw a hitchhiker holding up a picture of a thumb!

It was a full house January 3rd for Aus’ 90th birthday party! Special guests brought greetings from all levels of government, from fellow mayors to Prime Minister Trudeau. Happy belated birthday, Aussie!

The MBFC (Mudge Bay Floaters’ Club) ever so briefly became the Mudge Bay Freezers’ Club over the holidays as two members made the plunge into chilly Lake Huron. We’re not sure who convinced MBB it was a very Canadian thing to do, but this time of year, we’d much rather be part of the Mudge Bay Fireplace Club.

Zumba is up and running (and jumping and sliding and hopping and wooting) at the Park Centre Thursdays from 7-8pm. Everyone welcome! Cost is $10 for the first session you attend, and then $5 each drop-in session afterward.

With all this snow falling lately, it can only mean one thing…. Winterfest is coming! Mark February 20th on your calendars, folks, and prepare to celebrate all the wonderful things that go along with winter in the north: sledding, snow machines, maple syrup toffee, beaver tails, chilli tastings, and more.

Also on that weekend is a wine and cheese event put on by the Recreation Committee. Feb. 19th from 7:30 to 9pm sip wine, nibble on cheese, visit with friends, and be entertained with the music of Jim Smith. Tickets will be on sale soon (stay tuned to this column for more info, or check out the Kagawong Facebook page).

The next library movie will be on January 23rd. They will be showing The Peanuts movie! Bring the kids for a fun night out. Grown ups get first dibs on the comfy chairs.

Rain, snow or shine, the Kagawong Canine Society continues to gather every Sunday at 1pm with more and more dogs bringing their humans out to join in the fun. Check it out yourself: the off-leash park is on Carter Crescent next to the municipal garage.

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.

In an effort to stay warm, Team Fergmeijer recently chopped up an old piano for firewood. It burned well, but it only gave us two chords. On that note, have a great week!

January 8, 2016

A very happy new year to you and your family! Despite the risks this holiday season posed 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.

It was a full house last Sunday for Aus’ 90th birthday party! Special guests brought greetings from all levels of government, from fellow mayors to Prime Minister Trudeau. Happy birthday, Aussie!

The MBFC (Mudge Bay Floaters’ Club) ever so briefly became the Mudge Bay Freezers’ Club over the holidays as two members made the plunge into chilly Lake Huron. We’re not sure who convinced MBB it was a very Canadian thing to do, but this time of year, we’d much rather be part of the Mudge Bay Fireplace Club.

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.

It’s cold, it’s warm. It’s cold again, it’s warm again. 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!