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

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

December 28, 2022

We here at Team Fergmeijer were thrilled to have won the “wittiest and punniest column ever” award from the Expositor, as announced in the editorial on Wednesday, December 14th. To be honest, it was an honour to even be nominated. Like many of our farmer fans, apparently we are outstanding in our field. It’s been quite the year. You may not have heard: we also almost won the 2022 Best Neckwear Award (but it was a tie). Last year we won the award for most secretive writers. We can’t tell you how much that meant to us! And we couldn’t have done it all without you, our loyal readers.

Don’t forget! The municipal office is closed through to January 2nd, and will re-open Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Likewise, the municipal landfill will be closed January 1st, and the Library will be closed December 31st. 

 

We have a bevy of birthdays to share! Happy birthday to Matt G, Darren H, Deb F, Melanie H, Jen W-F, Chris T, Bev W, Harrison N, Kirby P, and Team Fergmeijer’s Mainland Mom! Birthdays are a great time to stop and appreciate gravity. Sure, it makes things sag as you get older, but it also keeps your cake from floating all over the room so you don’t have to chase it.

 

Last year for her birthday, one half of Team Fergmeijer received a t-shirt that says, “I’m a nudist.” She hasn’t worn it yet. 

 

It was a dark day in Kagawong last week. The darkest day of the year, in fact. But now that the winter solstice has come and gone, our days are slowly getting longer again. Bring on summer!

 

Usually we wouldn’t mention when we think someone has had a bit of work done, but in the case of the lighthouse, it’s pretty hard to miss. The soil remediation work around the lighthouse structure has been completed, and it will be dressed up with some grass come spring time. 

 

There’s just a few days left to get your guess in! The Billings Library has a Dig and Doug cedar bookcase up for grabs in a fundraising candy jar challenge. Examine the jar in the library - $2 gets you guess (or three for $5). Closest estimate walks away with the bookcase! Okay, they’ll let you put it in your vehicle and drive it away if you must. 

 

We find a lot of our jokes and puns on the internet. This week we tried looking up ice cream puns online, but then the browser froze. Later we tried a different direction, and googled “Missing medieval servant.” It came back “Page not found.” 

 

The township is looking for interested volunteers to join a variety of committees. Applications are being accepted until Friday January 6th, 2023. You can find the application form on the township website (https://billingstwp.ca/committees/). If you have any questions please contact Tiana Mills at (705) 282-2611 x225 or tmills@billingstwp.ca

 

The fire hall remains off limits due to dangerous structural issues that have come to light during the renovations. The township is investigating the options put forth by the engineering company, but until a solution is implemented, the access to bulk water from the fire hall is completely off-limits. Please utilize the water at the public works garage at 34 Carter Crescent. There are two hoses available: one between the two truck bays, and the other next to the main door. Please be mindful of the bay doors, and do not leave your vehicle unattended.

 

For anyone in the lower village that has been hearing loud spaceship/laser noises (if you’ve heard it, you know what we’re talking about), it is just the sound of snow buildup sliding down the sides of the new rink roof. And this might be the weirdest *real* thing we’ve ever written in this column. 

 

A bit of advice this week: be careful when cleaning after the holidays. One half of Team Fergmeijer was dusting their bookshelves and a copy of “A Christmas Carol” got knocked off and fell on their toe. It hurt like the dickens! Have a good week!

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Holiday Special 2022


'Twas the week before Christmas and in a surprising twist:

We are ahead of the game; the column deadline's not missed.


Let’s take a look back at the year as it was,

And celebrate our town with a round of applause:

 

Kagawong is bustling and busy once more, 

As we’ve emerged from lockdowns, stage two, three, and four.

 

We could once again get our holiday skits and a verse in, 

As the Community Christmas Concert was back in-person.

 

We hosted festivals and concerts and expos galore, 

Not bad for a wee village right on the lakeshore!

 

With elections, retirements, and building improvements,

There was never a dull moment, and so much amusement. 

 

We welcomed new councillors, Hilliard, Grogan and Cahill.

Hunt & Barker returned, already knowing the drill.

 

And to Kathy we bid a tearful adieu.

We hope she enjoys her new retirement milieu!

 

A new township clerk has joined the crew.

Be sure to stop in for a quick ‘how d’you do!”

 

The Gobble Brigade was as ubiquitous as ever, 

Bossy and loud, and the furthest from clever. 

 

The housing market was hot, but then started to cool,

Some ‘arrogant’ new Kagawongians arrived for their first yule.

 

June saw the summer market season extended,

With over 60 vendors, the shopping was splendid!

 

The Late Bloomers returned, with garden spades in-hand,

Their spiffy cedar flower boxes made our township look grand.

 

We said goodbye to Sugar Bush, and Riverside too, 

But the Buttercup Ice Creamery saw its retail debut.

 

With funding announced, a bridge this spring is quite possible, 

In an effort to make the river more crossable. 

 

Once again, Willa and Peter had much ado

About the crane spotting competition and the melodious coo.

 

Meranda got married, John got some new digs,

There’s a new bylaw out about chickens and pigs.

 

Our community rink grew both upwards and out, 

This will again be a popular hangout, no doubt!

 

As we all settle in for a season so festive, 

Put your feet up, enjoy this time to be restive. 

 

We’ll continue to report on things that transpire, 

But for now, happy holidays, from Team Fergmeijer.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

December 14, 2022

With the completion of the rink, Team Fergmeijer has started planning the next big community event. We are pleased to announce that the Kagawong Gobble Brigade will be partnering with Fergmeijer Productions to create a music and ice dance extravaganza: "KGB on Ice"! We feel we've cooked up something that audiences will absolutely gobble up. Especially after having to go cold turkey on entertainment during the last years due to COVID. You'd think that teaching the turkeys to move in a synchronised dance would be the hardest part but actually, it's getting the skates laced up tight enough around their tiny ankles. Stay tuned for more details as the show takes shape. We hope it all goes smoothly, but there have been rumours of the KGB getting an agent and wanting to talk turkey about wages. It's always something with these showbiz types.

What goes up but doesn’t come down? Your age! Unless you’re living in Billings and the greater Billings area (aka Manitoulin), of course. Happy 29th Birthday wishes go out to two strong and creative Island women: Katherine T and Christine L-M! If you ever start to feel old, consider visiting an antiques auction. As long as no one bids on you, you aren’t doing too bad! Also celebrating this week is Hailey F. She’s not quite 29 yet, though she’s well on her way attitude-wise! No idea where that comes from…

 

The Billings Library has a Dig and Doug cedar bookcase up for grabs in a fundraising candy jar challenge. Examine the jar in the library - $2 gets you an estimate attempt (or three for $5). Closest estimate walks away with the bookcase! Okay, they’ll let you put it in your vehicle and drive it away if you must. 

 

The Billings Fire Department has a fantastic crew of volunteers who train hard and work together to help keep all of us safe. The Fire Department works with the strengths of each volunteer to allow each individual to contribute to their best ability. If you are interested in joining, contact the township office for more information! 

 

Congratulations to councillor David Hilliard who was appointed as deputy mayor recently. It got us thinking about whether we should have a deputy member of Team Fergmeijer. Interested applicants can submit their resumes to fergmeijer@gmail.com The job would be mostly light office work, laughing at our jokes, tracking turkeys and sourcing very small skates. 

 

The fire hall remains off limits due to dangerous structural issues that have come to light during the renovations. The township is investigating the options put forth by the engineering company, but until a solution is implemented, the access to bulk water from the fire hall is completely off-limits. Please utilize the water at the public works garage at 34 Carter Crescent. There are two hoses available: one between the two truck bays, and the other next to the main door. Please be mindful of the bay doors, and do not leave your vehicle unattended.

 

Please note that the municipal office will be closed December 26th through to January 2nd, and will re-open Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Likewise, the municipal landfill will be closed December 24th and 25th as well as January 1st, and the Library will be closed December 24th and 31st. 

 

What did the turkey say when it tried skating for the very first time? Wobble wobble… Have a good week!

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

December 7, 2022

If there's one place Team Fergmijer just can’t stand, it’s at the ice rink. Last year, we tried to organize a skating party out on the lake, but it fell through. The new cover on the rink looks axel-ent, and we can’t wait to go down and have lutz of fun when the ice is ready. We’ve been thinking it should have a name and are taking suggestions on what to call it. One suggestion was the Kagawong Kanopy; another is the Lutz Lounge. What are your thoughts? Drop us a line with your suggestions at fergmeijer@gmail.com

We would like to wish a belated happy birthday to Team Fergmeijer superfan Laurie Z. Like us, she likes to maintain a low profile and has asked us to keep her identity a secret. We would never let this west end icon down by revealing who she is. Former principals can be pretty scary when you cross them, and we definitely intend to stay on her good side, so our lips are zipped. Also celebrating are Rob B and Katherine T. All are turning the big 2-9! We truly feel that laughter is the best gift we can give to the world, so don’t be expecting any packages from us for your big day. 

 

The Billings Fire Department has a fantastic crew of volunteers who train hard and work together to help keep all of us safe. The Fire Department works with the strengths of each volunteer to allow each individual to contribute to their best ability. If you are interested in joining the Fire Department, contact the township office for more information! 

 

Reminder that the access to bulk water from the fire hall is completely off-limits while work is being done on the structural integrity of the building. Please utilize the water at the public works garage at 34 Carter Crescent. There are two hoses available: one between the two truck bays, and the other next to the main door. Please be mindful of the bay doors, and do not leave your vehicle unattended.

 

A friend lost some weight by wearing bread on her head. It’s a new loaf hat diet she’s been trying. 

 

Please note that the municipal office will be closed December 26th through to January 2nd, and will re-open Tuesday, January 3, 2023. Likewise, the municipal landfill will be closed December 24th and 25th as well as January 1st, and the Library will be closed December 24th and 31st. 

 

We recently took up archery and really enjoy it! The only drawback is when you have to yank hard on the string before you release the arrow. Have a good week!