February 28, 2020

Spring was definitely in the air earlier in the week, and that, plus leaving behind the dark days of February, has got us feeling a bit inspired. We thought we’d share some of our ‘Deep Thoughts’ in this week’s column in case anyone else needed a bit of a pick-me-up. For example: You can’t leave footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to leave butt prints on the sands of time?

Happy birthday to Sandi H who, at the ripe old age of 29, is living proof that fabulosity has no age! She always gives 100% (unless she’s giving blood).

Looking to try something new? Look no further than MUG - the Manitoulin Uke Group! Come out and join others for a musical ukulele meetup every other Wednesday of each month at the Kagawong Library, from 7 pm until 8 pm. This group will be free-form where we learn from each other. All skill levels are welcome. Bring a song, learn a song! The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 11.

If cauliflower can be pizza, you can be anything!

Nifty nifty, look who’s fifty! Manitoulin Secondary School is celebrating its 50th anniversary! Mark August 28-29 on your calendars and be sure to attend the anniversary celebrations and the grand re-opening of the high school, featuring renovations and enhancements to the building. Follow Manitoulin Secondary School Alumni on Facebook for more information (and the occasional blast from the past!).

Looking for information on our beloved township? Project updates? Contact info for public works? All this and more is available in the most recent Billings tax insert, and is also available for download from https://billingstwp.ca/. 

Don’t forget to drink enough water and get lots of sun. You’re basically a houseplant with more complicated emotions. 

The next Euchre tournament is Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 pm at the Park Centre. Cost is $5.00 per person, and includes light refreshments and prizes. Everyone is welcome! Brought to you by volunteer members of our community and Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee. Subsequent tournaments are every third Wednesday of the month.

Never follow someone else’s path. Unless you’re lost in the woods and you see a path. Then by all means, follow that path. 

The township is calling for members for a new committee. The Climate Action Committee will oversee the development of the township’s climate action plan, and assist with its implementation. For more information on how to apply, as well as to see the terms of reference for the committee, visit billingstwp.ca. 

With more light in the evenings, it’s the perfect time of year to go for a skate! Dedicated Kagawongian volunteers have been keeping the rink at the Park Centre clear of snow. Stop by and enjoy the outdoor facilities!

As we finally leave behind the February blues and move on to March madness, keep in mind Team Fergmeijer’s motto: you have to be odd to be number one! Have a great week!

February 21, 2020

Team Fergmeijer is as susceptible to the February blahs as anyone. In an effort to cheer ourselves up, we decided we would finally get the matching tattoos we have been thinking about! The tattoo is the thermos we use at work. Just don’t get too close to us; we don’t like it when people touch the thermos tat. How do YOU beat the February blues?

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie for their stellar performances at the high school last weekend! Kagawongians were a vital part of the show, being featured on stage acting and singing, behind the scenes on tech crew, and playing in the pit band. What an incredible accomplishment!

Happy birthday to Ruth F who is celebrating this week. Out of professional courtesy we won’t say how old she is, but it’s not 28. And definitely not 30.

It’s hard to believe, but summer is just around the corner! The Township of Billings is accepting applications for a number of seasonal assistant positions for spring/summer 2020: Swim Instructor, Swim Assistant, Marina Assistant, Public Works Assistant, Museum Assistant and Library Assistant. Applications (cover letter and resume) will be accepted at the township office until February 27, and may be submitted in person, or by mail (15 Old Mill Road, PO Box 34, Kagawong, P0P 1J0), or by email (kmcdonald@billingstwp.ca). 

Team Fergmeijer went to the optometrist the other day. When she told us our results weren’t good, we asked if we could see them for ourselves. She said, “Probably not.”

The next Euchre tournament is Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 pm at the Park Centre. Cost is $5.00 per person, and includes light refreshments and prizes. Everyone is welcome! Brought to you by volunteer members of our community and Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee. Subsequent tournaments are every third Wednesday of the month.

The township is calling for members for a new committee. The Climate Action Committee will oversee the development of the township’s climate action plan, and assist with its implementation. For more information on how to apply, as well as to see the terms of reference for the committee, visit billingstwp.ca. 

The blowing snow on Tuesday had council cancelling the regular meeting. Check their website for information on rescheduling. 

With more light in the evenings, it’s the perfect time of year to go for a skate! Dedicated Kagawongian volunteers have been keeping the rink at the Park Centre clear of snow. Stop by and enjoy the outdoor facilities!

Team Fergmeijer finally broke down and told a good friend she was drawing her eyebrows on too high. She looked surprised. Have a great week!

February 14, 2020

Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s time to party heart-y! Team Fergmeijer always looks forward to Valentine's Day because we get to make cupcakes for a special someone, and that special someone is us. We hope you also get treated to a choco-LOT of candy today!

Did you miss the fantastic opening night of Bye Bye Birdie? Don’t be a square! Beat feet to Manitoulin Secondary School tonight or Saturday night to catch this big tickle of a show. Tickets are $16 each, available at the door. Curtain rises at 7pm. 

We’ve been told that it's good practice to change your online passwords at least once a year, so we finally got to it this week. We wanted to use ‘beef_stew’ for our new password, but in the end we couldn’t because it’s not stroganoff. 

Fancy a skate? Dedicated Kagawongian volunteers have been keeping the rink at the Park Centre clear of snow and pigeon-free. Stop by and enjoy the outdoor facilities!

A haiku for February:

Love is in the air, 

But so is influenza. 

Wash your dirty hands!

Tis the season of Valentine’s babies! Neil L and Chase C are both celebrating today. Chase is working his way up to that 29 mark, and despite the grey hair, we’re pretty sure Neil is turning 29. Although neither one is living in Billings at this time, they both have solid roots in the village of Kagawong, so we’ll let it slide. Heather S, well entrenched in the township these days, also turns 29 this weekend. Happy birthday to all of these fantastic folk!  

We’ve been exploring the falls trail this winter and yesterday near the river mouth we found a round disc with a hole in the middle and grooves all over both sides. We picked it up and threw it as hard as we could. It must have gone at least 300 meters. That had to be a record. 

Get ready to dance your heart out - Zumba is up and running again! Come on out Thursdays from 7-8pm at the Park Centre. You can pay either the monthly rate (number of classes that month x $5) or the drop-in rate of $10/class. Time to bust a move!

Next Euchre tournament is Wednesday, February 19th at 7:30 pm. Just a friendly reminder that the tournaments are on the top floor of the Park Centre. Bring a friend or find a partner there! Subsequent tournaments are every third Wednesday of the month.

In the spirit of St. Valentine’s Day, some romantic advice. If your significant other doesn’t appreciate your fruit puns, you need to let that mango. Have a great week!

February 7, 2020

It would appear that the last couple of columns on the topic of pigeons have ruffled a few feathers, and several people were not emused. We would never want to create a hawkward situation, and hate the thought that our column might make some readers stork raving mad. We didn’t think the puns were that bad; it’s possible that the pigeon jokes just flew over their heads. Team Fergmeijer, however, has no egrets.

Yo, Daddy-o! Be prepared to be whisked away to the 1950s with Manitoulin Secondary School’s production of Bye, Bye Birdie… it’s the ginchiest! This big tickle of a show is playing February 13th, 14th, and 15th, with the curtain rising at 7pm. Tickets are $16 each, available at the door. Or if you can beat feet to the various island drug stores (where advance tickets are available in limited quantities), you’ll be made in the shade. See all you cool cats there!

Regretfully the showing of the movie The Shack at St. John’s Anglican church tonight has been postponed. Follow the Kagawong Facebook page for updates.

Fancy a skate? Dedicated Kagawongian volunteers have been keeping the rink at the Park Centre clear of snow and pigeon-free. Stop by and enjoy the outdoor facilities!

Know someone with a birthday? Anniversary? Reaching new milestones? A new hairdo? If it’s not too much of a birden, let us know so we can embarrass them appropriately in our column!

Get ready to dance your heart out - Zumba is up and running again! Come on out Thursdays from 7-8pm at the Park Centre. You can pay either the monthly rate (number of classes that month x $5) or the drop-in rate of $10/class. Time to bust a move!

Are you finding yourself in a slump?

And turning into a bit of a grump?

Come out and play cards!

It’s not very hard!

Euchre has the fun kind of trump!

Next Euchre tournament is Wednesday, February 19th at 7:30 pm. Just a friendly reminder that the tournaments are on the top floor of the Park Centre. Bring a friend or find a partner there! Subsequent tournaments are every third Wednesday of the month.

Remember, because spreading germs should be ill-eagle, when coughing, elbows are the new hands!

Have a great week!