October 26, 2022

What better time than autumn to fall in love! A friend of Team Fergmeijer was telling us about the person they have been dating. Turns out, they have never shared a single joke. Not a pun, a knock knock joke, nothing! It’s a very serious relationship. 

You may have noticed that the fire hall is getting a bit of a facelift. During the renovations and remediation, the township will maintain access to the water fill station. Be advised that despite best efforts, there may be short periods when access isn’t available. Always use caution when in the proximity to the fire hall and workers. 

 

And just because the fire hall is under renovations, doesn’t mean our fire department volunteers are taking it easy. Did you know they have a smoke machine that you can borrow to run emergency escape drills with your family?! Contact the fire department for more info. 

 

As always, Kagawong will be flooded with little boos and ghouls trick or treating on Halloween night. Make sure to stop in to the Park Centre for treats courtesy of the Parks, Rec and Wellness committee (5-7pm). The library will be open for the evening so be sure to take in their annual video display - and take in more candy, of course!

 

The township’s Junk in the Trunk event on Saturday was a great success. On vendor mentioned they arrived with four items and left with four items, but they were four completely different (and new to them) items. Thanks to the participants and the Climate Action Committee!

 

Happy birthday wishes go out to several Kagawongians: Jim C, and Diane N have both recently celebrated milestones (29 IS a pretty big deal after all). At your age, people expect you to be calm, dignified and sober. We’re happy to see you have continued to disappoint them for another year. Meranda V will be celebrating almost 29 this weekend. Let’s face it, we’re all jealous of your youth so just blow out the candles quickly so we can eat cake and feel better about ourselves…err… so we can celebrate your big day! Of course, we kid because we love; best wishes to you all!

 

October 24th was municipal Election Day. Can you believe the drama!?!?!? Actually, we have to submit this column by Monday morning, so we have no idea what happened. We are sure the community elected those they feel will best serve the needs of the township, and that in the coming months the transfer of power will be peaceful. 

 

Take note - the Billings landfill will be closed early on Thursday, November 3. Be sure to drop off anything you need to drop off by 5pm on that date. 

 

Save the date - yule be sorry if you miss it! Christmas in Kagawong is back November 18-20th. There will be lots of ways to treat yo’elf and have a festive good time. We’ll share more information as it becomes available.

 

The library’s annual silent auction is back for 2022! Join the auction Facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/libraryauction) to see sneak previews of some truly amazing items over the next few weeks. Bidding does not open until Thursday, Nov. 24th and closes Sunday Nov. 27th. All proceeds go to support Billings Library.

 

Our final submission to our call for short poetry really takes you on a journey.

 

Two roads diverged

In a wood, and I took

The one on the left

Because the one on 

The right looked muddy

And I had nice

Shoes on. 

 

Have a good week!

October 19, 2022

We tend to forget how much we love autumn, but as the weather cools, it’s fall coming back to us now. Although the weather has been unbeleafably wet this week, we hope you have carved out some good times with friends and family anyway (while squashing any dinner table drama). We hope it’s not too acorny of us to say, but it really is the most wonderfall time of the year (you autumn know by now that we love a gourd play on words). 

The township’s Junk in the Trunk event is back, just in time for Waste Reduction Week! Hosted by the township’s Climate Action Committee and the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee, come on out Saturday, October 22nd to the Kagawong Pavilion from 10am until 2pm to reduce, reuse and recycle. Got some items to trade, give away, or sell? No registration required - just show up at the pavilion downtown, set up a table or pop your trunk and you’re good to go!

 

Save some money at the Junk in the Trunk event, and then save some power the very next day! Don’t forget about the island-wide planned power outage Sunday, October 23rd from 7 am to 2 pm. Be sure to plan accordingly.

We are sending happy birthday wishes east this week to Fergmeijer superfan Joanne T who yesterday turned… whatever people off-Island turn on their birthdays.  Celebrating on-Island, and all turning 29, are Rachel B, Ken F, and  Sue W.  Best wishes to you on your special days, and if another birthday is getting you down, just remember, at least you’re not as old as you will be next year!

 

October 24th is municipal election day. There are no in-person polls, and you should have received your ballot in the mail earlier this month. We’re past the deadline for mailing in your ballot, but you can still drop it off at the town office any week day right up to and including the 24th. Have your say in municipal representation! 

 

This time of year is always a good time to check out the salmon running up the Kagawong River. Be sure to stay safe along the riverbanks as you cheer our fishy friends on their quest to the falls! Instead of coming up with our own fish pun, we’re hoping salmon else can create one for us. 

 

Take note - the Billings landfill will be closed early on Thursday, November 3. Be sure to drop off anything you need to drop off by 5pm on that date. 

 

Save the date - yule be sorry if you miss it! Christmas in Kagawong is back November 18-20th. There will be lots of ways to treat yo’elf and have a festive good time. We’ll share more information as it becomes available.

 

The library’s annual silent auction is back for 2022! Join the auction facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/libraryauction) to see sneak previews over the next few weeks. Bidding does not open until Thursday, Nov. 24th and closes Sunday Nov. 27th. All proceeds go to support Billings Library.

 

Last call to become a published poet! Submit a poem to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get it in the column. We’re not sure how original this one is, but we’re always up for a good animal limerick:

An elephant slept in his bunk,

And in slumber his chest rose and sunk.

But he snored — how he snored!

All the other beasts roared,

So his wife tied a knot in his trunk.

 

Get out there and enjoy every moment of this a-maize-ing time of year. But it does get chilly, so be sure to grab apple-over before you go out. Have a good week!

October 12, 2022

Team Fergmeijer was on the lookout for members of the Kagawong Gobble Brigade this past weekend as they moved around town, trying to avoid becoming part of a Thanksgiving feast. We had heard shocking rumours that they were loudly shouting some pretty fowl language. They tried to ruffle our feathers, because that’s what they do best. No one is safe from these fluffy ruffians - they’ll cross the road to get to you just to show that they’re not chicken.

Thanks to everyone who organized the in-person All Candidates Meeting at the Kagawong Park Centre last week, and special thanks to Sandy C who facilitated a Zoom connection for those who couldn’t make it. A healthy turnout had lots of questions for the candidates. Don’t forget to mail in your municipal election ballot ahead of the deadline listed on your mail-in ballot!

 

According to research, salmon don’t like to watch cable television. Apparently they prefer streams. This time of year is always a good time to check out the salmon running up the Kagawong River. Be sure to stay safe along the riverbanks as you cheer our fishy friends on their quest to the falls!

 

Happy birthday to Team Fergmeijer superfan Jef as we think he celebrates his 29th trip around the sun this week (but we can never be sure how birthdays work off-island). Survive and thrive, high-five and jive!

 

The last thing Team Fergmeijer wants to do is leave our readers in the dark about what’s going on in Billings Township. So consider yourselves warned! There will be an island-wide planned power outage Sunday, October 23rd from 7 am to 2 pm. Be sure to plan accordingly.

 

Save the date! Christmas in Kagawong is back! Mark November 18-20th on your calendars and prepare yourselves for a festive good time in Kagawong. We’ll share more information as it becomes available.

 

We’re once again putting out the call for your original short poems/haikus/limericks and the like. Submit them  to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get them in the column! As long as they are PG. The Expositor editors only let us get away with so much. Here’s one of the more dill-icious entries:

 

A funny young fellow named Perkins

Was terribly fond of small gherkins.

One day after tea, 

He ate ninety-three,

And pickled his internal workin's.

 

Have a good week!

October 5, 2022

As you know, Team Fergmeijer are history buffs and this week we learned that in the old west, they mounted a lantern to their horse for travelling at night. It was the first form of saddle light navigation. 

The township was hopping this weekend! Thanks to the efforts of 4elements Living Arts, the annual Elemental Festival was bigger and better than ever. Participants of all ages sang, danced, and laughed their way through Saturday, and Sunday they were treated to a truly unique and captivating outdoor soundscape performance. 4e and their volunteers continue to bring exemplary talent to our little patch of the world. 

 

Team Fergmeijer would like to share their condolences with the friends and family of Peter Nelson. News of his passing was a shock to all. Special thoughts go out to members of the Manitoulin Secondary School family, where Peter spent many years sharing his love of music with generations of students, and has left a lasting impression.

 

The Manitoulin Planning Board is holding a series of public meetings for the purposes of receiving public comments and considering the adoption of proposed new zoning by-laws. The meeting for the Township of Billings is tonight (Wednesday, October 5th)! The meeting will be virtual, at 7pm. Contact Kathy at the town office ASAP for the link.

 

Come out to the All Candidate Meeting at the Park Centre tomorrow (Thursday, October 6th). You can meet and greet the candidates informally from 6:30pm - 7pm; the candidates will have a chance to formally speak to the audience from 7 - 8pm; questions will be taken 8 - 9pm, and closing remarks will be at 9:30pm. In related news, the library will be closing early on Thursday, October 6th to allow all employees and board members to attend the all candidates meeting. Adjusted hours will be 4pm - 5:30pm. 

 

Big change happening in the up-town business district of Kagawong: Sugar Bush Canadian Coffee House has served its last cup of coffee. Owners Sandi and Dave have some tricks up their sleeve for the future of the location, so stay tuned!

 

Although Mary B was not able to participate in this year’s Run for the Cure in Sudbury last weekend, Kagawong was still well-represented! With friends like Mary in mind, Heather T once again took part in the 5km (or in this case 6.4km) fundraising run for breast cancer research, prevention, and patient care. Participants all over Canada ran, biked, walked, and rolled to raise much needed funds, and it’s not too late to donate! Visit http://support.cancer.ca/goto/htheijsmeijer

 

A very happy belated birthday to a trio of Kagawongians who kept their September birthdate a secret until now! Keith, Kim, and Dennis all turned 29 on the same day (how rare is that? You can bet we’re doing the math!). Another belated birthday is going out to John B who is celebrating his 29th birthday in his new digs. And in just a couple of days, Jamie F will also be celebrating his 29th birthday. To all of you celebrating we say: once in a blue moon, people with great passion and brilliance are born into this world, who aim at the greater things in life. Today, two of them would like to wish you a very happy birthday!

 

Congratulations to Main Street Café/Express on their tenth anniversary! That’s ten years and thousands of hearty sammiches and exquisite desserts served, yo. Here’s to the next ten!

 

We’re once again putting out the call for your original short poems/haikus/limericks and the like. Submit them  to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get them in the column! As long as they are PG. The Expositor editors only let us get away with so much. Here’s one glorifying the snappiest of vegetables:

I eat my peas with honey. I’ve done it all my life. 

It makes the peas taste funny, but it keeps them on the knife.  

 

Have a good week!