August 31, 2022

Little known fact about your friendly neighbourhood Fergmeijers: we have black-and-white tattoos all over our shoulders and backs! Occasionally, when people are sad we let them colour them in, because sometimes people just need a shoulder to crayon. 

The Billings Public Library had to say a fond farewell to summer student Emily S this week. They are so grateful for her efforts to keep the place running like clockwork all summer long! The library is now back to their regular hours (Tuesday & Thursday 4pm-7pm, and Saturdays 10am-1pm).

 

We were sad to hear John B had a spot of trouble earlier in the month, but are happy to report he is on the mend and no doubt keeping the hospital staff on their toes!

 

Resident tech guru, Jamie Ward was telling us the other day that his wife can’t read the clock from across their living room. He was overheard saying, "The wife-eye in this house has a very limited range, yo." 

 

Team Aelick’s Stroll for Liver was a huge success again this year with a solid crowd of supporters joining eyebrowless-Wayne and Anna as they made their way through Kagawong! It’s not too late… you can still support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online!

 

Fair warning, if you interrupt us while we are working on a puzzle you are likely to hear some crosswords. 

 

Summer is on the downward slope, but there is still a chance to make it out to the Kagawong market! This week and next week are your last chance, though, so hop to it! It’s the largest market on the Island with dozens of vendors with amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things. Check it out Wednesdays from 10am-3pm There’s lots of parking available along Henry Drive and at the Park Centre. 

 

We are wishing several friends and neighbours a hearty happy birthday this week. Amy H, Diane L, Amanda G, and Susan S all turn 29 this week, and not one of you looks a day over FABULOUS!

 

A warm welcome was extended to Mike, Jackie, Màiri, and Andrew, who were visiting from the ‘shwa this past week. By all reports, they had an excellent visit, and even discovered that Newton’s First Law still applies here in Kagawong, especially to wet swim trunks left on a car roof. 

 

The annual Elemental Festival put on by 4elements Living Arts is returning for fall of 2022! Events are kicking off with a concert in Kagawong tomorrow (September 1st) at the Old Church on the Hill. Come out and hear Georgia Hathaway at 7pm, where she will share some of her Manitoulin-inspired music. All are welcome to this free concert. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming events in September and October! 

 

Continue right into the weekend with even more music, as one-third of the Iced T’s performs on Friday evening (September 2nd) at the market pavillion! Join Chris Theijsmeijer and friends for an evening of music, beginning at 7pm. Bring your own chair; donations will be collected for the Billings Library.

 

The Angel Bus fundraising committee is raffling off a gorgeous quilt (courtesy of Pat Best). You can get your tickets from multiple sources, including the Wednesday market here in Kagawong as well as the street market in Gore Bay on Friday. All proceeds go to support the Angel Bus - a wheelchair accessible bus, providing free transportation for Manitoulin Lodge Residents and other medically vulnerable citizens of Western Manitoulin Island. Find out more about the Angel Bus at www.manitoulinauxiliary.org/angel-bus

 

Team Fergmeijer has started brushing our teeth together, because 9 out of 10 dentists agree that brushing alone won’t reduce cavities. Have a good week!

August 24, 2022

Team Fergmeijer hopes everyone had an intoxi-gay-ting time at Manitoulin Pride this past weekend! We want to be perfectly queer on this, we believe love is love and prefer to see the world through rainbow-coloured glasses. Bi the way, if you ask us about our orientation, you won't get a straight answer. We consider ourselves to be punsexuals and we are totally o-gay with that. 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver through Kagawong again this year! Support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village. Last year, Wayne dyed his hair when Team Aelick’s fundraising goal was met. This year, he put his eyebrows on the line, and since his fundraising goal was met, Wayne was seen wearing very large sunglasses everywhere he went last week. Be sure to ask him to take them off to see his new look!

 

Congratulations to Bryan Barker, who is acclaimed as Mayor of Billings for the upcoming term. As for councillors: that is for the citizens of Billings to decide! On the ballot in October will be Jim Cahill, Paul Darlaston, Vincent Paul Grogan, David John Hillyard, Micheal Hunt, and Mike Larocque. Stay tuned for information on a possible upcoming All Candidates night where you can learn more about those in the running. And finally, don’t forget to register to vote!

 

It makes us sad to think there are only a few Wednesdays left this summer, which means there are only a few more times the Kagawong Market will be up and running! It’s not too late to visit with over 50 vendors showcasing amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things at the largest market on the Island. Check it out Wednesdays from 10am-3pm all through August. There’s lots of parking available at the Park Centre. 

 

Happy birthday wishes to a trio of Theijsmeijers! In a shocking twist, Andrew (although the only one of this trio living on the Island), is not turning 29. We wish him many happy returns despite this disappointment. As off-Islanders, it is anyone's guess how old Tijs Sr. and Emma are turning. Also celebrating is our Manitoulin Mom, who is a very busy 29, on Saturday. A special belated birthday shout out to Team Fergmeijer superfan, Bill F who turned 29 earlier in the month. What better gift on your special day than the gift of laughter? (An actual gift would be great, too but don't get your hopes up.) 

 

Manitoulin Secondary School is hosting a Grade 9 BBQ on Wednesday, August 31st. Incoming Grade 9 students can attend to pick up their timetables, get tours of the school, get their lockers set up, and meet some of their teachers. The event is free, and transportation is provided, with a bus leaving Bridal Veil Variety at 10:20am that morning. Contact the school for more information.

 

The Angel Bus fundraising committee is raffling off a gorgeous quilt (courtesy of Pat Best). You can get your tickets from multiple sources, including the Wednesday market here in Kagawong as well as the street market in Gore Bay on Friday. All proceeds go to support the Angel Bus - a wheelchair accessible bus, providing free transportation for Manitoulin Lodge Residents and other medically vulnerable citizens of Western Manitoulin Island. Find out more about the Angel Bus at www.manitoulinauxiliary.org/angel-bus

 

This week's words of wisdom ring true all year round, but especially at this time of year: to paraphrase Lizzo, you don't need a crown to know you are a queen. Have a good week!

August 17, 2022

Ah, August. The true dog days of summer. Team Fergmeijer is finding it a little ruff that the end of summer is on the horizon (sigh!), but there’s still lots to see and do in Kagawong. We shih tzu not… read on to find out more! It’s the leashed we can do for our loyal readers. 

Happy birthday wishes to Bonnie F who turns 29 this week. We predict your birthday forecast to be warm and sunny with scattered calls, cards, and presents; extremely high chance of cake and candles, with occasional patches of feeling really old. 

 

Congratulations to the Old Mill Heritage Centre on once again hosting a successful History Day in Kagawong! Over 150 attendees were treated to the story of The Empress of Ireland by historians, including hearing about the Salvation Army’s connection to the tragic incident. Members of the Salvation Army Band also performed during both the afternoon and evening sessions. There’s still time to catch the Empress of Ireland exhibit at the museum. Don’t disappoint The Captain… drop in to the Old Mill Heritage Centre today!

 

There are only a few days left to register as a candidate for councillor or mayor in the upcoming municipal election. Citizens of Billings can register at the township office between now and August 19th. If you would like more information on what is involved in being on council or some helpful information on running a campaign, check out the Vote Billings blog (https://votebillings.blogspot.com/). Whether you are thinking of running for council or not, don’t forget to register to vote!

 

August is indeed the Sunday of the Summer (whimper!). Speaking of important dates in August, it’s a little known fact that though Julius Caesar was famously killed on the Ides of March, he wasn't expecting the attack until August 2. His final words embodied his dismay over the scheduling confusion: "8/2, Brute..."

 

If you attended Kagawong River Stories / Gaagigewang Ziibing Dibaajimowinan put on by 4elements Living Arts last year, then don’t miss their next event! 4elements is hosting a dance and music performance by Island youth entitled “We are Water Bodies” August 19 at Low Island Park in Little Current, and August 20 at the Manitowaning Amphitheatre. The show starts at 6:30pm each evening, and is free to attend.

 

Time is running out! With only a few summer Wednesdays left (sob!) don’t miss your chance to make it down to the market in Kagawong. With over 50 vendors showcasing amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things, it’s the largest on the Island and always worth a wander through. The market is every Wednesday from 10am-3pm all through August. There’s lots of parking available at the Park Centre. 

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year. Support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village. Last year, Wayne dyed his hair when Team Aelick’s fundraising goal was met. This year, rumour has it he’s put his eyebrows on the line!

 

Manitoulin Secondary School is hosting a Grade 9 BBQ on Wednesday, August 31st. Incoming Grade 9 students can attend to pick up their timetables, get tours of the school, get their lockers set up, and meet some of their teachers. The event is free, and transportation is provided, with a bus leaving Bridal Veil Variety at 10:20am that morning. Contact the school for more information.

 

Speaking of the end of summer (waah!), in a certain part of Africa, the migratory pattern of lions heralds the changing of seasons. The people say that the lions come at the end of August with such regularity, they can begin to prepare for winter on the day they arrive. After all, the Pride comes before the fall. Have a good week!

August 10, 2022

We have big news here at Team Fergmeijer… we joined a band! We’re called the Introverted Pessimists. You’ve probably never heard of us, but that’s okay.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Meg M. who is turning 29 soon. It’s important to keep in mind that birthdays are really just Mother Nature’s way of telling us to eat more cake. It’d be a shame to disappoint her. 

 

The Angel Bus fundraising committee is raffling off a gorgeous quilt (courtesy of Pat Best). You can get your tickets from multiple sources, including the Wednesday market here in Kagawong as well as the street market in Gore Bay on Friday. All proceeds go to support the Angel Bus - a wheelchair accessible bus, providing free transportation for Manitoulin Lodge Residents and other medically vulnerable citizens of Western Manitoulin Island. The Angel Bus allows for access to medical appointments, as well as seasonal activities (picnics, fall colour outings) and community activities (school performances, theatre and music events, farmers' markets and shopping excursions). You can find out more about the Angel Bus here: www.manitoulinauxiliary.org/angel-bus

 

If you haven’t made it down to the market in Kagawong on Wednesdays, you are really missing out! With over 50 vendors showcasing amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things, it’s the largest on the Island and always worth a wander through. The market is every Wednesday from 10am-3pm all through August. There’s lots of parking available at the Park Centre. 

History Day in Kagawong is back! Join historian David Saint-Pierre, army historian Ron Millar, and the 2022 Salvation Army band tomorrow (Thursday, August 11th) to learn more about The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland - Canada’s Titanic. There is a matinée event at 3:30pm, or one at 7:30pm, both at the Park Centre. Admission is by donation and supports museum projects. Contact the Old Mill Heritage Centre at 705-282-1442 or oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca for more information.

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year. Support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village. Last year, Wayne dyed his hair when Team Aelick’s fundraising goal was met. This year, rumour has it he’s put his eyebrows on the line!

 

A large crowd came out for the beach movie on Saturday night. Mamma Mia! involved singing, dancing, clapping, cheers and tears. And that was just from the audience! Several hundred dollars were donated by attendees and the Library would like to thank everyone who came out for the fun! If you have suggestions for the next beach movie night, drop us a line (fergmeijer@gmail.com). We were thinking a Sharknado triple feature might be fun, or maybe Ghost Shark. Possibly Ice Sharks or Planet of the Sharks? Though Dinoshark and Sharktopus are strong contenders, also. Shark Exorcist didn’t have very good reviews, but we were intrigued nonetheless. (A significant amount of what we write in this column is made up, but we swear those are all real movies; Google them!)

 

The deadline to register as a candidate for councillor or mayor in the upcoming municipal election is quickly approaching. Citizens of Billings can register at the township office between now and August 19th. If you would like more information on what is involved in being on council or some helpful information on running a campaign, check out the Vote Billings blog (https://votebillings.blogspot.com/). Whether you are thinking of running for council or not, don’t forget to register to vote!

 

While out on a road trip last week, Team Fergmeijer passed a sign that read “falling rocks.” So, we gave it a try, and no, it doesn’t. Have a good week!

August 3, 2022

Coming up with weather puns is a breeze, and we had several to include here, but we got a bit wrapped up in the paragraph about the library movie, so we’re keeping it short and sweet in the opener this week. (You’ll understand when you get there.) 

Team Fergmeijer superfans from Thamesford are back again this year visiting Kagawong for the week. It’s always great to see them. And we had a special visit from some fans from Southern California who were keen to crack the state secret that is the identity of yours truly. They got closer than they knew to figuring it out. Maybe next year…

 

Happy birthday to Willa W who may or may not have celebrated her 29th birthday last week. It may be this week. It’s a bit of a mystery. Perhaps next year, we’ll just pick a day in January and wish her a happy un-birthday. It will be just as accurate. 

 

If you haven’t made it down to the market in Kagawong on Wednesdays, have you even had a real summer? With over 50 vendors showcasing amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things, it’s the largest on the Island and always worth a wander through. The market is every Wednesday from 10am-3pm all through August. There’s lots of parking available at the Park Centre. 

History Day in Kagawong is back! Join historian David Saint-Pierre, army historian Ron Millar, and the 2022 Salvation Army band on Thursday, August 11th to learn more about The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland - Canada’s Titanic. There is a matinée event at 3:30pm, or one at 7:30pm, both at the Park Centre. Admission is by donation and supports museum projects. Contact the Old Mill Heritage Centre at 705-282-1442 or oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca for more information.

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year. Support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village. Last year, Wayne dyed his hair when Team Aelick’s fundraising goal was met. This year, rumour has it he’s put his eyebrows on the line!

 

The return of the library’s annual book sale was a stupendous success! The sheer number of books available for browsing was rather impressive, and the steady stream of customers seemed quite appreciative. Thank you to Dean’s Valu-mart in Gore Bay for their support. A double dose of gratitude goes out to all the volunteers who manned the bbq, hauled books, and organized the tables. Your help made this sale one of the best ever!

 

Have you been feeling that, ‘Summer seems to be Slipping Through My Fingers”? If you’re thinking “That’s Me,” the library has the solution to your S.O.S. Now, Don’t Shut Me Down without careful consideration, but Voulez-Vous  something fun this Saturday night (August 6th)? If your response is, “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do”, well, it’s Just a Notion, but for a small Money! Money! Money! donation to support the library, you can watch Mamma Mia! on the big screen at the beach in the Summer Night City of Kagawong! You can bring your friends Elaine and Cassandra; they can jump around like a couple of Dancing Queens, while they watch the movie (you know, the Way Old Friends Do). There will be refreshments available, but before you’re all “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” you should know that they aren’t free. The money supports the library, though, so totally worth it. Help us get the word out to as many people as possible. Does Your Mother Know? What about Fernando? If not, invite them along, too. Maybe Keep an Eye on Dan, though, in case he wants to Put On Your White Sombrero (not ideal for those sitting behind him). Show time starts at 9pm at the main beach in Kagawong, so you should plan your Arrival a bit beforehand in order to get parked and settled in. Bring your own chair, blanket, boat or floatie. Please note, The Name of the Game is safety first - there will be no Sitting in the Palmtree.We know, at this point you’re likely thinking, Should I Laugh or Cry at all these puns, but there’s No Doubt About It, When All Is Said and Done, you will have a great time at the beach movie night! 

 

Our words of wisdom this week: Dance (While the Music Still Goes On). Have a good week!