August 26, 2016

Thank you to everyone who has been giving us feedback on our column! We’ve been told, however, that we’re not entertaining enough. So we’ve decided to pepper this week’s column with the best we could come up with. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

First, though, some serious stuff: Our sincerest condolences to the Tuomi family on Bob’s passing last week. He was a mainstay of the community and he will be dearly missed.

Kagawong’s dog park is still the only off-leash dog park on Manitoulin, and it will be celebrating it’s 5th official birthday this year at the annual Bark in the Park on Saturday, September 10th! Join other dog lovers from across the Island to sit, stay, fetch, and play from 12 - 2pm. If you’ve never been to the dog park, just turn at the fire hall; it’s the first driveway on your right.

What’s orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot.

Happy early birthday to Amy H, Diane L, and Amanda C. Although born on different days, they are all turning 29 next week. Funny how that works out. Young master Chapman also has cause to celebrate - he’s turning 1 this week! Congratulations on your first trip around the sun - here’s to many more!

What’s white and can’t climb a tree? A fridge.

The Buies had another influx of family this week. Of course, at this point, the only one that really matters is granddaughter Charlotte, but it’s still nice to see Rob and Kathryn, too.

What’s blaze orange and white and can’t climb a tree? A fridge wearing a hunting vest.

The Billings Library is hosting the next movie night on Saturday, September 3.  Come out on the long weekend to catch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the big screen! Show starts at 7pm, and admission is by donation. Check out http://www.facebook.com/kaglibrary for more details.

Team Fergmeijer has a confession - we used to be addicted to soap, but now we’re clean.

Still haven’t been to the Kagawong Farmer’s Market this summer? Be sure to stop in this Wednesday from 10am until 4pm and see what local artisans, bakers, and growers have to offer. We tried to come up with something funny for this section, but couldn’t come up with any vegetable jokes - if you have one we could use lettuce know.

Don’t forget, if you have an event or interesting tidbit you would like included in this space, let us know. Otherwise, we’ll just keep making stuff up to fill the space. As local news-hound Jamie Ward was overheard saying, “give them the deets, yo! Also, why do you keep quoting me?”

August 19, 2016

If you like piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain, this was the week for you! We were relieved to get the much-needed rain, but keep in mind things are still pretty dry. Please refrain from any sort of fire as the conditions are extremely dangerous and even a small fire can easily get out of control. Contact the town office for more information.

Last Saturday was another busy day in Kagawong - as per usual for the summer! Despite the rainy weather, many people took part in the community yard sale and the Fun on the Water day activities. The concert by Mimi O’Bonsawin was moved indoors to the Park Centre, and an impressive crowd found its way in to enjoy the brilliant performance. Thanks to the EDC for organizing the yard sale, and Mike Coomes and North Wind Adventures for organizing the Fun on the Water events. Kagawong is a bright and vibrant community because of dedicated volunteers like these.

Happy birthday goes to Mike Z who celebrates his 29th on Wednesday! Hope the girls help you celebrate in style. Bonnie F is also celebrating the big 2-9 this week. There were more celebrations out on Maple Point last week as a whole lot of Theijsmeijers gathered to toast one branch of the family’s tenth islandversary. A good time was had by all, despite a few rather heated games of Slammo and Texas Horseshoes.

Kagawong’s dog park is still the only off-leash dog park on Manitoulin, and it will be celebrating it’s 5th official birthday this year at the annual Bark in the Park on Saturday, September 10th.

The Billings Library is hosting the next movie night tomorrow (Saturday, August 20th).  There has been a last-minute change in movie; the library will be showing The Nice Guys. TMNT has been delayed and will be shown on Sept. 3rd. Admission is by donation; show starts at 7pm on the big screen. Check out http://www.facebook.com/kaglibrary for more details.

Team Fergmeijer loves summer sun and heat, but we have been hoping for a bit more rain lately. In fact, we wouldn’t mind if it started to rain cats and dog, as long as it doesn’t rein deer.

August 12, 2016

How are you liking this weather? We don’t want to complain about the heat too much, but yesterday, as Team Fergmeijer sat in the livingroom watching the olympics, two hobbits showed up and asked where they should throw the ring. Oh, August: the time when we find out if our cats like us for more than just body heat.

This year’s History Day is now in the past, but it was one for the history books. Knowledgeable presenters wowed the crowd and shed light on some significant moments in Canadian history as well as our local history. If you enjoyed this History Day, make sure to visit the Heritage Centre in the Old Mill to check out their always impressive exhibits. While you’re there, leave a donation to help them continue to highlight and preserve the unique history of Billings.

With heat warnings and brown grass as far as the eye can see, it’s no surprise that the township has issued a burn ban again. Please refrain from any sort of fire as the dry conditions are extremely dangerous and even a small fire can easily get out of control. Contact the town office for more information.

Heat wave gettin’ you down? Hit the water for Kagawong’s Fun on the Water day on Saturday. Get out on whatever you’ve got that you can propel across the water and enjoy the beauty that is Mudge Bay! Join the Poker Run any time between 1pm and 5pm - it’s not a race, so start whenever you like (entrance fee of $5 can be paid at the Austin Hunt Marina). At 6pm head for the marina for a potluck dinner and live music by Mimi O’Bonsawin at 7:30pm.

This Saturday is the one day a year when asking someone if they have junk in their trunk will not get you a smack. That’s because Billings (courtesy of the EDC) is holding a huge community yard sale in and around the market pavilion between 9am and 1pm.  Contact: zazoom5575@gmail.com for more information.

Did you know that August is referred to as the dog days of summer? Better bring poochie out to the dog park to join the Kagawong Canine Social Club, Sundays at 1pm, to celebrate! And mark September 10th on the calendar; it’s the 5th birthday of the dog park and the Social Club is celebrating with Bark in the Park.

The Billings Library is hosting the next movie night on Saturday, August 20th. Come out and bring your kids for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Admission is by donation; show starts at 7pm on the big screen. Check out http://www.facebook.com/kaglibrary for more details.

Thank you to everyone who weighed in on whether the chicken or the egg would arrive first in the mail. We have to admit, we made that story up. We’re just a couple of comedi-hens! On that note, we’ll leave you with some words of wisdom: a boiled egg is hard to beat. Have a great week!

August 5, 2016

Hello, August! Team Fergmeijer continues to enjoy the summer sights, sounds, and tastes of the island. There’s no end to the fun in sight! In our down time, occasionally we surf the Internet. Just today we ordered a chicken and an egg online, just to see which one arrives first. We’ll keep you posted.

As the calendar rolls over to August, don’t miss any opportunity to visit the Farmers’ Market every Wednesday, starting at 10am at the pavilion in Kagawong. Check out goods from local farmers, artists and crafts-people. There are some amazing vendors there every week, but get there early to get the best stuff.

This past Wednesday, Kagawongians put on their buffet pants and feasted in friendship at the annual community potluck event. Local gourmand Jamie Ward was overheard saying, “I couldn’t eat another bite, yo!”

Next week, be sure to come out for History Day on Thursday, August 11th! There will be a matinée presentation at 3:30pm as well as an evening show at 7:30pm, both at the Park Centre. Topics include the lost ships of the Franklin Expedition, and a short history of the naval career of local veteran Allan Tustian.

Need more stuff? Or looking to get rid of more stuff? Take part in the EDC’s Community Yard Sale on Saturday, August 13th, from 9am to 1pm, at and around the market pavilion. Want to register a table for free? Contact: zazoom5575@gmail.com

Did you know that August is referred to as the dog days of summer? Better bring poochie out to the dog park to join the Kagawong Canine Social Club, Sundays at 1pm, to celebrate!

The Billings Library is hosting the next movie night on Saturday, August 6th. Make your summer boredom disappear like magic by coming out to watch Now You See Me 2! Admission is by donation; show starts at 7pm on the big screen. Check out http://www.facebook.com/kaglibrary for more details.

Speaking of magic, the O’Grady clan visited Maple Point last week, and demonstrated the amazing ability to pull rabbits out of a hat and chicken out of thin air at the dinner table, to satisfy even the youngest visitors. Amanda and Tyler Chapman were home on the island visiting last week. The youngest fisherman in the family, Graham, even got out on the water, catching fish with Papa.

Happy birthday to Lisa H, who turns 29 on Friday. This month also marks an exciting anniversary – Team Fergmeijer is celebrating one full year of writing this column! We’d like to thank the readers for putting up with us. As long as we continue to entertain ourselves, we will continue to write! Here’s to another 52ish columns.