April 27, 2022

Spring is definitely in the air, and we couldn’t be happier to see the last of the snow. We are keen to get out for some hiking but need to upgrade our wet weather gear. We heard about a company that is developing reversible jackets, and we can’t wait to see how they turn out. We put together a hiking playlist for our trips. Of course it has our favourite spring song, “Blowin’ in the Wind” by Peter, Pollen Mary. We might invite the neighbour down the street. They’ve just got two new dogs who might like the exercise. They’re named Rolex and Timex. They’re watch dogs. Soon we’ll be able to get out on the lake in a boat. With the right person it can be really rowmantic! 

A huge green thank you to the Billings Climate Action Committee on running the township Earth Day event this past weekend! The crowd heard presentations on a variety of topics, and everyone walked away with some new ideas on making greener choices. Keep that enviro-momentum going with the Manitoulin Island Garbage Cleanup Community Award! Checkout the Manitoulin Streams Facebook page for more details. 

 

While you’re eco-browsing, don’t forget about the newly-launched Climate Action Committee blog. Check it out at http://Billingscac.blogspot.com 

Team Fergmeijer has it on good authority that the smelts are running in the river! No specifics on how well they are running, though. If you are out of an evening this week, let us know how things are going. 

With all these spring things, we know that summer goodness is just around the corner! The Kagawong Market is kicking off its 2022 season early this year. The first market day is scheduled for Wednesday, JUNE 1st, and will run every Wednesday from June through August.

Looking to get involved in the community? Friends of the Billings Library (FOBL) is looking for members! They are an autonomous organization which holds 1-2 fundraisers each year to support the local library. If you are interested in joining, contact Rachel Valade (rvalade@gmail.com) for more information.

Speaking of the library… plans are in the works to revive the annual used book sale this summer! You can follow www.facebook.com/kagawonglibrary to stay in the loop on dates and times as information becomes available. What we do know at this point is that there will be A LOT of books! 

 

Team Fergmeijer burned 2000 calories just writing this column. That’ll be the last time we leave brownies in the oven without using the timer. Have a great week!

April 20, 2022

 Earth Day is coming up this Friday, and Team Fergmeijer wanted to give a big shout-out to the planet. No one keeps us grounded like you do! And in honour of the occasion, we will be sending all our work emails to the recycling bin. 

The Easter bunny hosted an enthusiastic group of mini Kagawongians on Friday for the annual Easter egg hunt. Thank you to the wonderful volunteers and to everyone who hopped on out!

Exciting news from the Billings Climate Action Committee! Not only is the first Billings Earth Day event since pre-pandemic times coming up this Saturday (April 23) from 1pm-4pm at the Park Centre, but the new Climate Action Committee blog has gone live! Check it out at http://Billingscac.blogspot.com for more information on the Earth Day event.

Team Fergmeijer plans on celebrating Earth Day by having Pangeacakes for breakfast! Sorry, some Earth Day puns are really terra-ble.

Happy birthday to a collection of fierce women: Marilyn P, Jean W, Kristy C are all celebrating a 29th spin around the sun in the next few days. Remember, at this age, you need to do a safety check of the fire extinguisher before lighting all those candles on your cake. 

 

Can’t wait to get your summer on? You are in luck! The Kagawong Market is kicking off its 2022 season early this year. The first market day is scheduled for Wednesday, JUNE 1st, and will run every Wednesday from June through August.

 

Have you heard about the restaurant that caters only to dolphins? It only has one customer, but at least it serves a porpoise.

 

The indomitable Mary Buie traded off the last snowflakes of winter for a tropical beach as she joined other members of her family in beautiful (and warm!) Hawaii. Not to be out done, MBB also strapped on a lei and his most obnoxious Hawaiian shirt as he and Susie joined in the fun. We are happy they were able to have such a wonderful (and did we mention warm?) time, and we look forward to hearing all about it in person. 

Remember, you can’t weather a tree, but you can climate. Have a great week, and may the forest be with you!

April 13, 2022

What kind of bird can lift the most? A crane! Thank you to everyone who continues to report sightings and hear-ings of sandhill cranes. Our favourite portent of spring has been making itself well-known over the past few weeks as its melodious coo fills the sky. Heron out, you can also report other bird sightings, if you can sparrow minute or two. We don’t think it’s much of ostrich to think that other amateur ornithologists might want to get in on the fun, too!

Hippity hoppity… the Easter Bunny will be paying Kagawong a visit! Young collectors of Easter eggs can come by the Park Centre at 11am on April 15 for an Easter egg hunt. Bring your baskets and dress accordingly for this outdoor event! Brought to you by the Billings Parks, Recreation, and Wellness Committee.

Exciting news from the Billings Climate Action Committee! Not only is the first Billings Earth Day event since pre-pandemic times coming up on April 23 (from 1pm - 4pm at the Park Centre), but the new Climate Action Committee blog will be going live any day now! Check local Facebook news for the link, and then check back often for more information on the Earth Day event.

A special Fergmeijer happy birthday goes out to Maya H who celebrates her 29th birthday this week. Maturity is a high price to pay for growing up, but at least there is cake!

 

The township is renting out the colourful cabanas in Kagawong. While township officials think these would be perfect venues for vendors of the Kagawong Market, Team Fergmeijer is sure we could come up with some more creative ventures. How about setting a world record for tiniest haunted house? Kagawong Gobble Brigade Fan Club meeting space? Dog house for a really big dog? Bee Gee’s cover band concert venue? Regardless of what you think you might use it for, contact Tiana at the township office by Friday, April 15th for more information.

 

Speaking of the market, don’t forget! The first Kagawong Market Day is scheduled for Wednesday, JUNE 1st, and will run every Wednesday from June through August.

 

Sure feels like summer… especially since the Billings landfill is now open extended hours on Saturdays from 10am-4pm! This is in addition to also still being open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2pm-6pm and Sundays 10am-4pm.

Remember: No matter how much you try to push the envelope, it'll always be stationery. Have a great week!

April 6, 2022

Easter is on the horizon, so we thought it would be hare-larious to include some rabbit puns. Are you all ears? We have so many rabbit jokes it’s not even bunny! Though perhaps you don’t carrot all about our puns. If that’s the case, warren you indulge us at least a little?

Billings’ annual Sandhill crane coo-ing competition was held Friday, April 1st. Entrants from across the Island and beyond lined up on the steps of the township office to showcase their best imitation coos. As always, it was a transcendent experience for everyone involved. Congratulations to the winners, and we hope everyone enjoys the swag bags this year. Who knew that many Swarovski crystals could fit on the face of a watch?!

Happy birthday to Sharon A who turns 29 this week. Remember, age is just a relative thing. All your relatives will keep reminding you of it. 

With COVID restrictions easing, we’ve heard a rumour that the Easter Bunny will be paying Kagawong a visit! Young collectors of Easter eggs can come by the Park Centre at 11am on April 15 for an Easter Egg Hunt. Bring your baskets and dress accordingly for this outdoor event! Brought to you by the Billings Parks, Recreation, and Wellness Committee.

The Climate Action Committee has been busy planning the first Billings Earth Day event since pre-pandemic times! Join them at the Park Centre on April 23 from 1-4pm for “Small Steps to Making a Difference.” There will be speakers on key climate action related topics - stay tuned for more details. 

What’s the difference between a healthy rabbit and an odd rabbit? One’s a fit bunny, and the other’s a bit funny! On that note, don’t forget that the Kagawong Fitness Centre is once again open. Contact the township office for a membership.

 

The Billings landfill is now open extended hours on Saturdays from 10am-4pm. This is in addition to also still being open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2pm-6pm and Sundays 10am-4pm.

 

A reminder that Billings has spring load restrictions in effect until the end of May. Check the township website for full details.

 

Can’t wait until July for the market to be up and running? Then we’ve got great news! The first Kagawong Market Day is scheduled for Wednesday, JUNE 1st, and will run every Wednesday from June through August. 

Did you know that, in order to test in-flight wifi, Boeing fills their planes with potatoes. Potatoes interfere with signals the same way as the human body. The project was called Synthetic Personnel Using Dielectric Substitution (or SPUDS). Have a great week!