January 27, 2017

We are solidly mid-way through the five stages of winter: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, April.

Brace yourselves…. WINTERFEST IS COMING! February 10 and 11 will be chock-full of activities for snow-lovers of all ages! Fight back against cabin fever with Friday’s Games Night for Grown Ups starting at 7pm. Board games, card games, even some poker (for-fun bets only, no cash). There will be snacks available, too. Saturday from 10 - 2 head outside for some snowy fun with tobogganing, a bonfire, skating (weather permitting), dog sled demonstrations, maple taffy, vintage snowmobiles and more! When your nose gets too cold, move into the Park Centre to watch a jaws of life demonstration with the Manitoulin Fire Fund, and get some winter safety tips for your fur babies. Stick around for the delicious hot lunch, too.  

Need something to help beat the winter blahs before Winterfest? Stop in at the library’s movie night! The next movie playing is Rules Don’t Apply on Saturday, February 4. Show starts at 7pm, admission is free. Check out the Facebook page for more information and trailers.

We have two birthdays to celebrate this week: Lloyd N and Jenna C both turned 29 this week. They say age is just a number and that it’s all in your mind. The trick is to keep it from creeping down onto your body.

4elements would like to invite you to celebrate the past year’s projects and achievements, and to get a preview of what is being lined up for the coming year. Come out this Saturday (Jan. 28) from 4 - 7pm to the 4e gallery on Main Street. There will be a potluck social hour at 5:30pm with music and dancing, too.

After intense negotiations and paying a shockingly high ransom, Team Fergmeijer is once again able to publish the euchre results! On Wednesday, January 18, first prize went to Frank and Eva, second prize to Graham and Sheila, Charlene and Donna too third prize, and fourth prize was taken by Rita and Marilyn. Lone hands went to Frank and Eva. Boobie prizes went to Candy and Ria. Interested in playing? Head out to the Park Centre Wednesdays to get in on the fun.

Our final thought for the week: Which dinosaur had the healthiest teeth and gums? A floss-o-raptor! Okay, sorry, that was pteroble. This one, though, is dino-mite: What do you call a group of singing dinosaurs? A Tyrannochorus! Have a great week!

January 20, 2017

Noses are red, fingers are blue; we’re tired of winter, how about you?

Beat the winter blahs at the library’s movie night! Tomorrow’s movie is the bright and fun movie Trolls. Show starts at 7pm, admission is free. Check out the Facebook page for more information and trailers.

Billings has a new town councillor - congratulations to Nora Bath-Haring on her new position with the township!

Rumour has it, Tai Chi will be starting up again in February! Stay tuned for more details.

In the meantime, there’s lots to do to stay active in Kagawong: jump into Zumba at the Park Centre Thursdays from 7-8pm, join other dog owners at the off-leash dog park for social hour Sundays 1-2pm, or take matters into your own hands and get a membership at the Kagawong Fitness Centre for 24/7 access to brand new, modern exercise equipment. For more details on the KFC, contact Sharon Jackson.

All of this snow bodes well for the upcoming Winterfest festivities. Stay tuned for dates, times and details about activities in the next couple of weeks.

A very bonne fete goes out to Chantal D who turned vingt-neuf this past Monday! Susie D is 29 on Monday; We’re sure MBB will wine and dine her and since it’s her birthday, he might even let her get a word in edgewise.

We are wishing Noella a swift recovery and hope to see her trekking about all over town again soon.

4elements would like to invite you to celebrate the past year’s projects and achievements, and to get a preview of what is being lined up for the coming year. Come out Saturday the 28th from 4 - 7pm to the 4e gallery on Main Street. There will be a potluck social hour at 5:30 with music and dancing, too.

In addition, 4e is looking for new members for their board of directors. If you (or someone you know) are interested, call or drop into the office, or even contact them by Facebook or email for more information.

Team Fergmeijer’s deep thoughts for the week: No matter how kind you are, German children are kinder. Have a great week!

January 13, 2017

Students and teachers on Manitoulin had a late Christmas gift this week with their holidays being stretched by an extra snow day on Monday. We hope that everyone weathered the recent storms safely.

It’s never too cold for a movie! The library continues to show pre-dvd release movies every second Saturday. Admission is always free! The next movie night is January 21st. Bring the kids to see Trolls! Check out the Facebook page for more information and trailers.

Looking for a way to heat up your evenings? Zumba at the Park Centre started up again yesterday, and continues every Thursday from 7-8pm.

There are lots of other ways of staying active in Billings through the winter, too! A membership to the Kagawong Fitness Club (KFC) grants you 24/7 access to brand new, modern equipment. An excellent option for those whose New Year’s resolution was to become a brand new, modern version of themselves. Contact Sharon Jackson for more information.

And every Sunday at 1pm, meet other dog owners and soak up some Vitamin D while poochie plays with other pups at the Kagawong Canine Social Club. The off-leash park is in the old baseball diamond on Rainbow Heights.

A very happy birthday goes out to John F who celebrated his 29th birthday last week. Harrison N also celebrated a milestone, but he’s still a young’un and hasn’t hit the big 29 yet. Beverly W and Darren H joined the 2-9 club over the holidays, too.

Another reminder that the hours at the Kagawong Mall have changed for the winter. Saturday and Sunday stay the same (10am-6pm and 1pm-6pm respectively), but the opening hours for Tuesdays and Thursdays have switched and are now 2:30pm - 6:30pm in order to take advantage of as much daylight as possible.

Team Fergmeijer’s deep thoughts for the week: The sinking of the Titanic, though tragic for the human passengers, must have been like a miracle to the lobsters in the kitchen. Have a great week!

Holiday Special 2016

‘Twas the night before New Year’s

All through Kagawong town,

Team Fergmeijer was penning,

Choosing the right verb and noun.

In true retrospection

It’s been a right busy year.

What better way to celebrate

Than to review 2016 here!

In 2016 Billings was a hoppin’ place,

With happenings and events galore:

Summerfest, Winterfest,

Christmas in Kagawong and more.

A local singer & songwriter

Composed a new Kagawong ditty

Called: Welcome to our Village;

“Yo! The tune is so pretty!”

The turkeys kept flourishing

Whether you want them to or not;

And the town finally got started on

That new parking lot.

There’s one landmark event

We just can’t fail to mention

Mayor Aus celebrated 90,

A truly stupendous occasion.

Down in the village

Business was booming!

The addition of new shoppes

Greatly encouraged consuming.

The cafe pulled up stakes

And moved up the hill.

They hosted the Great Lakes Swimmers;

Such a musical thrill!

Big city street lights

Have made our traffic slow down,

But bring great improvements

To our quaint little town.

There were so many community suppers

That Team Fergmeijer lost track.

The great food and lovely company

Kept us all coming back.

Our friends at 4elements

Have installed lots of art -

With so much to look at,

It really sets Kagawong apart.

We think it’s fair to say

That this past year was great!

As for new year resolutions,

It’s never too late.

So let’s make this this year

Even better than the last

Because new year’s 2018

Will be here super fast.

Team Fergmeijer sends along

Best wishes to you and yours

Now if only we could get

Those elusive Euchre scores...