March 19, 2021

Team Fergmeijer were just reminiscing about being young and spending most of our days at the beach. More than once, we would see someone waving, but couldn’t tell if they were waving at us, or someone else so we would just sit there awkwardly. We really weren’t cut out to be lifeguards. It was still better than our first job at the orange juice factory. We got canned… we couldn’t concentrate. 

It’s the most wonderful time of year in Billings! We are coming up on the annual Sandhill Crane spotting competition!! Willa and Peter are fierce contenders each year, but there are lots of ambitious newcomers who would like to see them toppled off of top spot! If you see a Sandhill crane (or even hear its melodious coooo), drop us a line at live@kagawong.ca or message us (Facebook.com/kagawong1) to let us know when and where you spotted them. Winner gets bragging rights! 

Happiest of happy birthdays goes out to Mike H. He turned 29 this week. We hope he celebrated with green beer and four leaf clovers galore!

At time of writing, Manitoulin Island is now in the Grey, lockdown zone. This means that as of Friday March 12, the Municipal Office will be closed to the public. If you would like to make a tax payment in person please call the office first, (705) 282-2611 ext. 221. The township office is still accepting mailed-in cheques and will be receiving online bill payments through all major banks and some credit unions as per usual.

With the return to lockdown, the Library is back to pick up/drop off only. Contact the librarian through the library Facebook page, phone or email, to request titles, authors, or even general genres, and she will put a bundle of books together for you to pick up! As always, books are quarantined for 72 hours before being reshelved.

If you are chatting with the librarian (from a responsible social distance), ask her about the book she’s writing. It’s about hurricanes and tornadoes. She’s always keen to talk about it, even though It’s only a draft at the moment.

Especially with the variants of concern, we need to limit our close contacts to our immediate household, and to maintain responsible social distancing practices everywhere else. Please do everything you can to keep yourself healthy, and to protect the people in your bubble. Following the Public Health guidelines will keep you safe as well as everyone else!

 

Looking for a reason to dress up and wear your 14-carrot gold? Then be sure to save the date! The Billings Parks Recreation and Wellness Committee is hosting an Easter treats giveaway at the Park Centre parking lot. Hop on over Saturday, April 3rd at 11am to pick up yours!

What’s the best dance to pair with chips? Salsa! What’s the best dance to pair with lockdown? Online Manitoulin Zumba sessions! Look up Casey Boisvert on Facebook (Zumba Fitness on Manitoulin Island) for days and times, as well as to arrange for the Zoom link and payment. 

 

Are you looking for signs of spring? Itching to get your hands in the soil? You aren’t alone! The Late Bloomers are a group of local gardeners who volunteer their time and energy to beautifying the village. With each Bloomer taking one one or two flower boxes and planting their choice of flowers, the result is a beautiful collection of plantings for all to enjoy! The group is always open to new members; if you would like to take part in their efforts, email Kagawong@live.ca for more information. 

A good friend of ours has been struggling in their marriage this year. Their spouse was willing to deal with his fear of giants (Feefiphobia), but is threatening to leave him because of his obsession with movie sequels. He admits it’s been Rocky IV a while now. What really caused problems though, was when he decorated the living room while she was gone for the weekend. It was all done in pictures of small dogs. She got home and accused him of having all terrier motifs.

Seasonal positions with the township are now being advertised. That can only mean one thing… summer is well on its way! Billings Township is now accepting applications for seasonal student positions such as Marina Assistants, Public Works Assistants, a Museum Assistant, and a Library Assistant. Applications will be accepted by the Municipal Office until March 26th at 4pm, and may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email. Contact Kathy O’McDonald at kmcdonald@billingstwp.ca for more information. There is also a permanent position available for a cleaner for the township buildings. Applications are being accepted until March 26th. 

A loyal reader reached out for us hoping someone would be able to tell them the prices of the pies sold by the aunts of William Penn. If anyone has info on the pie rates of Penn’s aunts, it would be appreciated. Have a great week!