Welcome to the archive of Team Fergmeijer's Kagawong news column in The Manitoulin West Recorder and The Manitoulin Expositor.

Friday, September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

This time of year dusk is coming earlier and earlier. For those out walking or biking, don’t forget to wear brighter colours or reflective gear to make sure you are seen. 

The Elemental Festival is finally here! So many musical events to take part in all weekend. The party has already kicked off with last night’s concert; tonight Sean Ashby performs, and tomorrow it’s local favourites Fagroongala. Sunday be sure to come out for a free (by donation) showcase of musical talent including local favourite Ethan Theijsmeijer, and the very accomplished Voices North, among others. Don’t forget about all the workshops going on for adults and kids: writing, turtle art, ‘Play, Learn, Think’ art and science activities, all ages drum art workshop, and all ages vocal workshop. Check out www.4elementslivingarts.org for more info on times and locations of these exciting events. 


Team Fergmeijer had a lovely visit with a pair of venerable residents last weekend. One let slip that we had missed his birthday way back in August. We were horrified that we had allowed such an august personage go unrecognized, but he quickly assured us he did not really want his name in the birthday section of the column. We good naturedly argued for some time before reaching the compromise of using a suden…. a psewden… a pseudeny…. a false name so that only he and we would know who we were referring to. So it is with respect and affection that we wish Ed Bur…. err…. Red Bird, a very happy, very belated birthday. 


Looking for something to do on a Wednesday evening? Weekly Euchre Tournaments are back up and running Wednesday nights at 7:30 pm at the Kagawong Park Centre. Cards, refreshments, and prizes - oh my! The last tournament had 20 players! The results are as follows: High score 86 Karen & Myra; Second place 81 Bill & Brad; Third place tie 64 Judy & Rita and Jim & Sally; Most lone hands (tie) 7 Karen & Myra and Bill & Brad; Low score 40 Alex & Karen; Special prize Bonnie. 


13 years ago when only one half of Team Fergmeijer was writing this column, one of our favourite characters to mention was Sir George - founding member of SPOK, sloberry frenemy of Sydney, King of the Goldens - who we are saddened to say passed away last week. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.


It’s time to show the rest of the island that yes! Yes! Yes we do! We’ve got spirit, how ‘bout YOU?! Harvest Glory Days celebrations are back - help Kagawong out by decorating our community in the spirit of the harvest! Homes, businesses, halls, churches, parks, town office, farm gates, and mailboxes can all be decorated to put us in the running for a fabulous community spirit sign. See details in The Expositor - winning communities will be announced in the October 9 edition of the Expositor.


The Billings Rebranding Committee is looking for a creative, exciting logo to go with our new slogan: Come Experience Billings… Exceptional Think you have a design that will showcase our amazing township and complement our new slogan? Submit your design for consideration - you might win $500! Deadline for submissions is October 31, 2019. Submit your design to Todd Gordon at the town office, or by email: tgordon@billingstwp.ca 


With just one week to go, Kagawong is once again well-represented in the upcoming CIBC Run for the Cure, October 6 in Sudbury! Local ladies Mary Buie and Heather Theijsmeijer will be taking part and raising money for breast cancer research, treatment, and outreach. Search for “CIBC Run for the Cure” in your favourite browser, and search for either of their names to sponsor them. At time of writing, both Mary and Heather are in the top five of all fundraisers for Sudbury!


Diane L has been laid up recently but with the help and prayers from the church ladies, we hear she is on the mend. We hope you are on your feet again soon. Of course, if we had all those church ladies cooking for us, we might fake it for another few weeks, but that’s just us...


Speaking of church-goers, did you hear that the KGB (Kagawong Gobble Brigade) were kicked out of church? The congregation was willing to overlook all the feathers they kept leaving behind, but couldn’t tolerate the fowl language. Have a great week!

Friday, September 20, 2019

September 20, 2019

YARRR! Yesterrrrday was Interrrrnational Talk Like a Pirrrate day! We hope you celebrated by finding buried treasure and avoiding scurvy. You might be wondering, how do pirates know that they are pirates? They think, therefore they ARRRRR! 

Last Sunday, the Terry Fox Run was held in Kagawong for the very first time! About 30 intrepid walkers, runners, and cyclists came out to conquer Graham’s hill, and raise funds for cancer research. Special thanks to Sharon and Tanya for organizing the event! 


Have you checked out the Billings Township website lately? There’s all sorts of great information there, from updates to the parking by-laws, to landfill information, to the great work the many committees of our township are doing. Be sure to visit billingstwp.ca for all your Billings needs!


Zumba is back! Every Thursday at 7pm, head to the Park Centre to get active and dance like nobody’s watching.


A very happy 29th birthday to Barb who celebrates next week. We’re sending positive vibes your way as you start another happy, healthy trip around the sun. 


Only one more week to go! September 26th - 30th: The Elemental Festival is back with a fabulous lineup of entertainers for the fall of 2019! Musicians Sean Ashby, Ansley Simpson and local favourite, Fagroongala will be performing over the weekend. Rumour has it some local musicians will be performing as well! But it’s not just music… check out their website for workshops and clinics for adults and children. For more details and ticket information go online to www.4elementslivingarts.org


The library has returned to their regular hours: Tuesday and Thursday 4 - 7pm; and Saturday 10am - 1pm. If you happen to notice the librarian acting a little loopy, we’re sorry to report that a rather large book fell on her head. She has no one to blame but her shelf.


The Billings Rebranding Committee is looking for a creative, exciting logo to go with our new slogan: Come Experience Billings… Exceptional Think you have a design that will showcase our amazing township and complement our new slogan? Submit your design for consideration - you might win $500! Deadline for submissions is October 31, 2019. Submit your design to Todd Gordon at the town office, or by email: tgordon@billingstwp.ca 


Some days we really feel like we have our lives together. Then the windshield fogs up and we can’t remember what temperature to use to get rid of it. 


The Go Green committee would like to remind you that Waste Reduction Week is coming up in October! Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.


Once again, Kagawong is well-represented in the upcoming CIBC Run for the Cure, October 6 in Sudbury! Local ladies Mary Buie and Heather Theijsmeijer will be taking part and raising money for breast cancer research, treatment, and outreach. Search for “CIBC Run for the Cure” in your favourite browser, and search for either of their names to sponsor them. At time of writing, Mary is the third-highest fundraiser for the Sudbury run!!


Why did the lions move at the end of the summer? Because the pride goeth before the fall! Have a great week!

Friday, September 13, 2019

September 13, 2019

We are going to kick off this week’s column addressing the elephant, or rather, the black cat, in the room - it’s Friday the 13th today! Now, for some, that is a distressing thing. Not so much for us: Team Fergmeijer isn’t superstitious - we’re just a little stitious. To be honest, the scariest thing we’ll do this Friday the 13th is check our bank balances. 

The library has returned to their regular hours: Tuesday and Thursday 4 - 7pm; Saturday 10am - 1pm. Cooler weather in the fall means lots of snuggling up with a hot bevy and a book!


Zumba is back! Every Thursday at 7pm, head to the Park Centre to get active and dance like nobody’s watching. 


Do you know someone celebrating a birthday? Drop us a line at kagawong@live.ca and we’ll be sure they get the embarrassm...er… honour they deserve.  


It’s almost here! September 26th - 30th: The Elemental Festival is back with a fabulous lineup of entertainers for the fall of 2019! Musicians Sean Ashby, Ansley Simpson and local favourite, Fagroongala will be performing over the weekend. Rumour has it some local musicians will be performing as well! But it’s not just music… check out their website for workshops and clinics for adults and children. For more details and ticket information go online to www.4elementslivingarts.org


Did you know? Friggatriskaidekaphobia is the scientific term for the fear of Friday the 13th. It’s also what one half of Team Fergmeijer said when they stubbed their toe this morning.


The Billings Rebranding Committee is looking for a creative, exciting logo to go with our new slogan: Come Experience Billings… Exceptional Think you have a design that will showcase our amazing township and complement our new slogan? Submit your design for consideration - you might win $500! Deadline for submissions is October 31, 2019. Submit your design to Todd Gordon at the town office, or by email: tgordon@billingstwp.ca 


The Go Green committee would like to remind you that Waste Reduction Week is coming up in October! Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.


Once again, Kagawong is well-represented in the upcoming CIBC Run for the Cure, October 6 in Sudbury! Local ladies Mary Buie and Heather Theijsmeijer will be taking part and raising money for breast cancer research, treatment, and outreach. Search for “CIBC Run for the Cure” in your favourite browser, and search for either of their names to sponsor them. At time of writing, Mary is the second-highest fundraiser for the Sudbury run!!


No matter how superstitious you are, you have to agree, Friday the 13th is still better than Monday the whatever. Have a great week!

Friday, September 6, 2019

September 6, 2019

Summer seems to have disappeared all of a sudden, but that’s okay. Like Humpty Dumpty, Team Fergmeijer is ready to have a great fall. 

The library board bid a fond farewell to summer student Emily last week as she heads back to university. The library has returned to their regular hours: Tuesday and Thursday 4 - 7pm; Saturday 10am - 1pm. 


We heard the schools are focusing more on vocabulary these days. We wanted to contribute to the learning. Here is a list of words that contain the word ‘meow’: meow, meowing, meowed, meows, homeowner.


Happy birthday to Kim B who motors her way to 29 next week. Do you know someone celebrating soon? Drop us a line at kagawong@live.ca and we’ll be sure they get the embarrassm...er… honour they deserve.  


Mark it on your calendar - the Elemental Festival is back with a fabulous lineup of entertainers for the fall of 2019! Musicians Sean Ashby, Ansley Simpson and local favourite, Fagroongala will be performing over the weekend of September 26th-30th. Rumour has it some local musicians will be performing as well! But it’s not just music… check out their website for workshops and clinics, too. For more details and ticket information go online to www.4elementslivingarts.org


Geography was never our strong suit, but we do know one city in France, which is nice. 


The Billings Rebranding Committee is looking for a creative, exciting logo to go with our new slogan: Come Experience Billings… Exceptional Think you have a design that will showcase our amazing township and complement our new slogan? Submit your design for consideration - you might win $500! Deadline for submissions is October 31, 2019. Submit your design to Todd Gordon at the town office, or by email: tgordon@billingstwp.ca 


The Go Green committee would like to remind you that Waste Reduction Week is coming up in October! Stay tuned for more information as the date approaches.


Speaking of working on waist… there’s no better time to get back into shape. Everyone’s favourite ball of energy is bringing Zumba back to Kagawong! Starting September 12th, shake a leg with Casey and the other Zumba-stars every Thursday at 7pm at the Park Centre.  


Once again, Kagawong is well-represented in the upcoming CIBC Run for the Cure, October 6 in Sudbury! Local ladies Mary Buie and Heather Theijsmeijer will be taking part and raising money for breast cancer research, treatment, and outreach. Search for “CIBC Run for the Cure” in your favourite browser, and search for either of their names to sponsor them.


Lastly, one of our fans has asked that we post the following notice for her: 

“Boyfriend is allergic to new kitten, so can’t keep him. He’s ginger & named Tom. Loves to cuddle and comes when he’s called. 28 years old and works in IT.” 


Have a great week!