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

Friday, March 27, 2020

March 27, 2020

As we continue to hunker down during this time of social distancing, we’re hearing reports of people out enjoying the last of the ice fishing. Nice to hear they’re practicing a little self ice-olation! What a re-leaf that spring is here... not a daisy went by this winter that we weren’t thinking of warmer weather and getting outside more. No matter what in carnation your favourite spring activity is, take advantage of these nice days because good weather can be here today, tarragon tomorrow. If it gets nasty out next week we won’t let it kale our spring vibes; we’ll just spring roll with it. Remember, April May get here sooner than you think. If loving spring is wrong, we don’t want to be ripe!

For information on the many closures in our community, messages from our mayor, or updates from the township, be sure to visit http://billingstwp.ca or call the municipal office at 705-282-2611.


The Kagawong landfill was closed last week, and this week it is on significantly reduced hours. The next opportunity to drop off your waste is this Sunday from 1-4 pm. Be sure your garbage and recycling are separated and organized before you arrive, and leave any waste that is not essential to dispose of at home for now, particularly bulky items and wood waste. Be patient and have a kind word for our hard working township employees!


Council meetings will be conducted via virtual conference call. Members of the public are welcome to view, but as with in-person meetings, there is no direct participation. In fact, there is a special council meeting today at 2pm addressing the Covid-19 situation that you are welcome to connect with. Contact Megan Bonenfant (mbonenfant@billingstwp.ca) no later than 1:30pm to get set up. 


The municipal office is open, but access is restricted. If you are worried about paying your taxes, the township encourages you to utilize online bill payments through your bank (TD, BMO, Scotiabank, CIBC, Royal Bank and Northern Credit Union). If you do not bank at any of these institutions, please call the township office - they will waive the $15 administration fee for credit card payments processed over the phone.


If you know of someone in the community who may need assistance, OR, if you are interested in volunteering to help, please call or email the township office (705-282-2611; mbonenfant@billingstwp.ca). 


Fun fact: every year in Alaska, elastic coils in mattresses suddenly jut out due to heat from nearby hot water geysers. This phenomenon is known as the spring spring spring spring.


Looking for ways to pass the time? How about a drive to go deer counting? Or take a walk and bring gloves and bags with you to pick up trash along the way? Get your hands on some maple syrup, boil it up and make taffy. Or, with this nice weather, why not plan a picnic along the river or at one of the lookouts around town? For the history buffs you can seek out the historical buildings around town and read up on the details of each on the plaques placed nearby. 


Congratulations once again to Peter G, who was the first to hear the delightful coo of the returning Sandhill Crane at 3:20pm on March 24! We are taking it on faith that it wasn’t just Patty coo-ing out behind the house in order to mess with him. Take heart, oh competitive ones (Willa, we’re looking at you), we haven’t heard any reports of anyone actually seeing a crane, so that ultimate prize is still up for grabs! Email us at kagawong@live.ca or message us on the Kagawong Facebook page if you spy the elusive critter. 


According to experts, it’s good to talk to your plants. Team Fergmeijer tried to teach ours mathematics, but they just ended up with square roots. Be well, everyone!

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