February 23, 2018

Don’t forget about the Kagawong Canine Society which meets each Sunday at 1pm at the off-leash dog park. Last time Team Fergmeijer was there we saw the most adorable puppy and just had to tell the owner that we loved his dog’s colouring. The owner was pleased we had noticed and told us his dog prefers markers, but would use crayons in a pinch.

Team Fergmeijer would like to thank everyone who came out to support young thespians in the high school’s production of The Sound of Music. The entire group of actors, musicians, and tech crew climbed every mountain of challenges in order to bring all of your favourite things together for the production. Well done, Mustangs (and future Mustangs)!

Were you unable to attend the beginner computer classes at the library last month? Did you attend them, but feel you could use more help and practice? You are in luck - the library is offering their popular Computer Basics course again! Sessions are each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 3:30 starting February 27th until March 8th. Bring your own laptop, or use one of the library computers. Advanced sessions on Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint start March 13th. Spaces for all sessions are limited, so contact Bob at bobcat100@gmail.com or 705-662-8215 to pre-register.

Happy birthday to Ruth F who celebrated her big day on Wednesday. As the youngest sibling in a large family, her brothers and sisters are having a hard time accepting that she’s turning 29 this year.

The Kagawong Folk Roots Collective presents an evening of music March 3 at 7pm at the Lyons Memorial United Church in Gore Bay. Tickets are $10 which includes an evening of music, desserts, and a hot beverage. Come out and sing along!

Tired of looking out the window and seeing nothing but white? Time to think GREEN! The Billings Go Green Committee invites everyone to take part in the Plastic Purge Challenge! Check out their blog (https://gogreenkagawong.wordpress.com/) for more information.

Also, the Green Living event is just around the corner! The committee is looking for people who are doing cool green things to present. If you’ve got any suggestions, contact a Go Green committee member.

We are sending our best wishes to Kagawong stalwart Jacqui and hope that she is back to her normal sassy self soon.

Tai Chi will be starting up again Tuesdays in March (6:30pm at the Park Centre), with a special introductory session for true beginners on March 6. No fee to join, but donations are collected to support the Billings Recreation Committee

Team Fergmeijer has had so many compliments on our word play that we decided to enter our best ten into a contest. We hoped we’d make it to the finals, but no pun in ten did. Have a great week!

February 16, 2018

Happy belated Valentine’s Day! Perhaps you heard about the two antennae who met on a roof, fell in love and got engaged? Their wedding ceremony wasn’t fancy, however their reception was excellent.

WINTERFEST was HERE and it was GREAT! Kids were squealing, sled dogs were howling, fire sirens were screaming, sausages were sizzling - the sounds of a great winter afternoon. The recreation committee and all the volunteers did a fabulous job again this year!

For some of the more cold-averse, there was a Euchre tournament during Winterfest, too! In first place were Tom Howard and Flow Pedlar. Graham and Sheila Fogal tied for second place with Dorothy Allard and Ted Debassige. Graham and Sheila Fogal also had the most loners. Low score went to Diane Larouque and Phyllis Cacciotti, and the door prize went home with Dorothy Allard.  

Team Fergmeijer found an old lamp at the Kagawong Mall last week. Upon rubbing it, a genie popped out! He explained that genies don’t give three wishes anymore. Instead, he offered us a choice between two wishes: a bottomless bag of chocolate, or a better memory. But we can’t remember which one we chose…

Did you miss Opening Night last night? There are still two chances left to see The Sound of Music at MSS! On Friday Feb. 16 and Saturday Feb. 17, the curtain opens at 7pm. Tickets are available at the door, but plan to get there early to make sure you get a seat!

Happy 29th birthday to honorary Kagawongian trombonist Chris T in Ottawa, who celebrates today! There are a couple of Valentine’s babies who celebrated this week: Neil L  turned 29 on Wednesday, and although his nephew Chase C shares the same birthday, he isn’t quite at the 29 mark yet.

Were you unable to attend the beginner computer classes at the library last month? Did you attend them, but feel you could use more help and practice? You are in luck - the library is offering their popular Computer Basics course again! Sessions are each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 3:30 starting February 27th until March 8th. Bring your own laptop, or use one of the library computers. Advanced sessions on Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint start March 13th. Spaces for all sessions are limited, so contact Bob at bobcat100@gmail.com or 705-662-8215 to pre-register.

In the spirit of romance, here are Team Fergmeijer’s top pick up lines for Valentine’s Day:

1) If you were a triangle, you’d be acute one.

2) In a zombie apocalypse I’d eat you last.

3) Is your name Google, cause you’ve got everything I’m searching for.

4) If you were words on a page, you’d be the fine print.

The Kagawong Folk Roots Collective presents an evening of music March 3 at the Lyons Memorial United Church in Gore Bay. Stay tuned for more details!

Tired of looking out the window and seeing nothing but white? Time to think GREEN! The Billings Go Green Committee invites everyone to take part in the Plastic Purge Challenge! Check out their blog (https://gogreenkagawong.wordpress.com/) for more information.

Green Economy North is working with municipalities on the Island to better understand changing energy needs. Public information session on community energy needs. Join them Wednesday, February 21st, from 11:30am - 12:30pm at the Park Centre (lower level) to learn more and join in the conversation.

And for those who aren’t thrilled with the whole Valentine’s Day thing (for whatever reason), don’t forget the best part of the whole thing. The discounted chocolate from Feb. 15th on! Have a great week!

February 9, 2018

Because we miss complaining about the heat and humidity of the summer, it’s time for Team Fergmeijer’s Mid-Winter Coping Strategy! One important thing to remember this time of year is that the tv remote still works from under the covers when you are bundled up on the couch.

Happy 29th birthday to Susie H last week, and Heather S next week!

We were saddened to learn of the passing of Ron Becks last week, and our sympathies go out to his family and friends. His trademark dry wit, intelligence, and extensive knowledge and passion for all things green will be deeply missed by many on the Island.

We also lost a long-time pillar of the Kagawong community last week, with the death of Muriel Hunt. Muriel served on many community groups and boards and could be counted on to be at just about every event around the township. We offer our condolences to Muriel’s family - she was one of a kind.

Did you miss the beginner computer classes at the library last month? Did you attend them, but feel you could use more help and practice? You are in luck - the library is offering their popular Computer Basics course again! Sessions are each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 3:30 starting February 27th until March 8th. Bring your own laptop, or use one of the library computers. Advanced sessions on Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint start March 13th. Spaces for all sessions are limited, so contact Bob at bobcat100@gmail.com or 705-662-8215 to pre-register.

WINTERFEST is HERE! Come out for some winter fun tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 10), from 10am-2pm at the Kagawong Park Centre. Enjoy olympic-themed games, a bonfire, snow mountain, ice rink (weather pending), kids’ games, maple taffy, dog sled demonstration, Billings Fire Dept. information station, and vintage snowmobiles. Inside the Park Centre, you’ll find delicious treats at the Snowflake Café, serving chili, sausage, hot dogs, hot and cold beverages, and desserts. There will also be an activity/warm-up station available inside. Don’t miss it!

Another winter coping strategy to consider is just skipping the northern winter all together and head south to somewhere that the air doesn’t hurt your face. That might be considered cheating, though.

We at Team Fergmeijer know that it’s not quite spring yet (you DID see that article about groundhog Shubenacadie Sam biting a reporter and making a break for freedom on Groundhog’s Day, didn’t you?), but it’s never too early to start being green! The Billings Go Green Committee invites everyone to take part in the Plastic Purge Challenge! Check out their blog (https://gogreenkagawong.wordpress.com/) for more information.

Love cupcakes? Love music? Love love? Then don’t miss the Cupcakes & Cupid Valentine’s Angel Bus fundraiser, February 14, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Park Centre. Paul Best will be crooning your favourite love songs; $15 at the door gets you an evening of lovely music, as well as dessert and coffee or tea. Don’t miss it!

Euchre continues every Wednesday night at 7:30pm at the Park Centre.

Don’t let Valentine’s day chocolate get in the way of your new year’s resolution! Zumba has resumed regular Thursday classes and the Kagawong Fitness Club (KFC) is also open 24/7. Stay fit!

How do you feel about raindrops on roses? What about whiskers on kittens? Bright copper kettles, or warm woollen mittens? If these are a few of your favourite things, have we got the show for you! The hills are alive with The Sound of Music at Manitoulin Secondary School! Their latest production opens on Thursday, Feb. 15 with a special sing-a-long show, then continues on Friday Feb. 16 and Saturday Feb. 17. The curtain opens at 7pm each night. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance at select pharmacies.

Our final and most important piece of mid-winter coping advice is about the best way to dress for cold weather:
1. Take off pants
2. Climb back into bed

Have a great week!

February 2, 2018

We survived the Super Blue Blood Moon and we’ve made it to February! Just in time, too. According to the Days of the Year website (http://www.daysoftheyear.com), there’s a lot going on tomorrow! For instance, not only is it Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, it’s also Carrot Cake Day, and Yorkshire Pudding Day. Our menu is planned!

Happy birthday to Susie H who makes turning 29 look good! We would also like to wish long-time fan Laurie a very happy one year anniversary. Hope you can celebrate with some carrot cake (or yorkshire pudding).

Cabin Fever Games Night, organized by the Recreation Committee, was a smashing success! Game players young and old and every age in between came out to shake off the winter blahs. Participants enjoyed board games and card games galore. Maybe a new euchre player was inspired to

WINTERFEST is coming! Come out for some winter fun next Saturday (Feb. 10), from 10am-2pm at the Kagawong Park Centre. Enjoy olympic-themed games, a bonfire, snow mountain, ice rink (weather pending), kids’ games, maple taffy, dog sled demonstration, Billings Fire Dept. information station, and vintage snowmobiles. Inside the Park Centre, you’ll find delicious treats at the Snowflake Café, serving chili, sausage, hot dogs, hot and cold beverages, and desserts. There will also be an activity/warm-up station available inside. Don’t miss it!

Did you know? February 3rd is ALSO Golden Retriever Day, so treat your pup to a run at the Canine Social Club in Kagawong!

Euchre continues every Wednesday night at 7:30pm at the Park Centre. Last week’s tournament results are as follows: Ladies High Score - Kal Merrylees; Mens High Score - Wilma Wright; Ladies Most Loners - Elva Lloyd & Phyllis Cacciotti; Mens Most Loners - Fred Pickard & Lilly Third; Low Score - Candy Tracey; Door Prize - Wilma Wright.

Don’t forget: Zumba has resumed regular Thursday classes and the Kagawong Fitness Club (KFC) is also open 24/7 for those of you still on track with your New Year's resolutions.

February 3rd is ALSO Take Your Child to the Library Day! (Seriously, we’re not making this up, and the Internet wouldn’t lie). Pop into the Billings library to check out a great selection of literature (for kids and adults), movies, and even board games!

Speaking of the library, beginner and advanced computer classes are still being offered for anyone who wants to increase their confidence with basic computer skills. Courses are offered each Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 3:30. Next week’s topic covers MS Word for beginners. Spaces are limited, so contact Bob at bobcat100@gmail.com or 705-662-8215 to pre-register.

Hear that? The hills are alive with the sound of music! Manitoulin Secondary is pleased to present the beloved classic, The Sound of Music. Show dates are February 15, 16, 17, with the curtain rising at 7pm each night. Tickets available at the door, or at select pharmacies.

Lastly, February 3rd is also Lace Day, but don't tie yourself up into knots over this one. Have a great week!