December 27, 2023

 We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas filled with family, friends, food and presents. We find that it’s the after-Christmas lull that is toughest for us. Especially now that we are trying to overcome our addiction to Boxing Day leftover sandwiches. This year we are going cold turkey. We thought about making some treats to get us over the hump, but the cookies we made kept quietly laughing at our drawings. That will be the last time we make snickerdoodles! 

Last Thursday was Manitoulin Secondary School’s annual awards night. Local businesses and organizations came together and an astonishing $50,000+ was given out to support recent graduates who have gone on to post secondary education and apprenticeship programs. Congratulations graduates!

In political news … Billings Councillor Jim Cahill has resigned, leaving a seat on council vacant. Council will appoint a new councillor in February. Interested residents can apply for the seat. Details for applying will be made public in January. We thank former Councillor Cahill for his hard work while serving the community. 

The next township council meeting is January 16th, 2024 and will be virtual. Agenda package and virtual meeting connection details can be found at billingstwp.ca/council-meetings/2024-council-agendas-and-minutes/

The local KFC (Kagawong Fitness Centre) at 91 Main Street has been closed while the fire hall was rebuilt, and it looks like it will continue to be closed for the foreseeable future. Plumbing/waste water issues were discovered while it was closed down and will need to be addressed before it can be used by the public again. The township is looking into possibilities and costs of repair. 

Billings Township has officially welcomed Harmony Hancock on board as Director of Finance/Treasurer! Ms. Hancock has been working for the township on a contract basis, but the town wisely snapped her up in a full-time position this month.   

Happy 29th birthday wishes go out to several Kagawongians (and some Kagawong-adjacent folks, too): Matt G, Darren H, Deb F, Mel H, Jen W-F, Chris T, Bev W, as well as our Mainland Mom are all celebrating another year of being awesome! Our advice for the festivities is that it is best to avoid marble cake. You don’t want to break a tooth. 

Volunteers have started preparing the ice rink early this year! With luck, we could have a solid surface soon. Thanks to Andrew Preyde and the other volunteers for their hard work. If you are interested in helping with the rink, touch base with the township office. 

Is your dearest wish for the holidays to be able to read all of the Christmas editions of this column? Okay, maybe world peace is your DEAREST wish, but just know that you can catch up on all of Team Fergmeijer’s past columns in our archive at https://teamfergmeijer.blogspot.com/

Please note that the municipal office will be closed December 25th through to January 1st. Likewise, the municipal landfill will be closed December 24th and 26th as well as December 31st, and the Library will be closed December 23rd, 30th and January 2nd. 

Attention all artists, writers, crafters, potters, artisans, creatives, makers (and their friends and families) - come out to the Manitoulin Arts Community Potluck and Holiday Social on Friday, December 29th at the Kagawong Park Centre. Doors open at 4:30pm, arts announcements at 5:30pm (share your latest news!). 

Now that Christmas is over, we’ve had time to process all the holiday music we’ve been listening to non-stop this month. It seems to us that Mariah Carey beginning with “I don’t want a lot for Christmas” and then revealing all she wants is ‘you’ is more of a burn than a romantic statement. Have a great week, and a very happy new year!

Holiday Special 2023

'Twas the night before Christmas, and in our puntastic tradition,

Here's Team Fergmeijer's annual Christmas column submission!

Not a Christmas goes by without our annual reflection, 

So sit back and enjoy our fond recollection.

Last winter was the first for our rink’s brand new roof! 

It made sure local skaters were more weatherproof’d.

It was a good year for turkeys, and other birds of a feather,

Including a rare visitor - the fine Meriweather.

New champions were crowned in the race to see cranes, 

John and Paula were first, the officials proclaim!

When a building inspection threw a major curveball,

The township got out of it a new fire hall.

It was a crazy summer with fire bans and smoke, 

Who knew what to expect each day when we woke? 

Spontaneous dancing was expected to happen

When a new concert series kept our toes all a-tappin’.

The Museum presented a vintage photo exhibit

(We couldn’t pass on the chance to say “flibbertigibbet!”)

NorthWords and Jabbawong, with their focus on stories, 

Showcased our township in all of its glories.

In August, a beach movie brought relief from our stresses

With a tale of true love and some R.O.U.S’s

And what would a summer be without a sighting of Steve?

We are the biggest Paikin fans, after all (we believe).

The Park Centre continued to welcome the masses

With feasts, markets, workshops, and many dance classes

New mailboxes arrived all shiny and sturdy,

Atop concrete pedestals, they sure do look purdy.

Work finally finished on replacing the foot bridge,  

Are we excited? We just don’t have the verbiage! 

Looking back on the year is always such a treat,

And with these rhyming couplets, our retrospection’s complete.

From Kagawong’s self-appointed laureates of pun.

Merry Christmas Kagawongians, each and every one!

December 13, 2023

We are kicking off with some truly in-truss-ing news - the new pedestrian bridge across the river is done! We don’t have a lot of details about it yet. A friend was trying to tell us about it, but we have such a short tension span. We got sidetracked pondering the idea that if bridges could talk it would likely be in Spanish. And then we got wrapped up in memories of our trip to Venice and how uneasy crossing the bridges over the waterways made us. Some might call it over-reacting, but the canals really are for boating. 

The Billings Library wishes to remind those who won items in the silent auction that they can be picked up at the library during regular hours (Tuesdays & Thursdays 4-7pm; Saturdays 10-1pm). Email billingsreads@gmail.com or call 705-282-2944 for more information. 

Only a few days left to let the township know your thoughts! Complete the Strategic Plan Resident/Property Owner Survey by December 15th to give input on what the township gets right, what you’d like to see developed, and where improvements can be made. The online survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGBNWBP

Happy birthday wishes go out to Christine L-M who is celebrating her 29th trip around the sun. Best wishes also go out to Hailey F, though she is nowhere near 29 yet. Which seems quite rude to us oldies in our late 20s (or as we prefer to be referred to - the chronologically gifted). May your birthday cake be moist, and may nobody use that word to describe it.

Volunteers have started prepping the ice rink early this year! With luck, we could have a solid surface for Christmas. Thanks to Andrew Preyde and the other volunteers for their hard work. If you are interested in helping with the rink touch base with the township office. 

The township has decided to move council meetings back to being virtual. The public can still watch the proceedings and give their input as usual. Contact the town office (tmills@billingstwp.ca) for Zoom meeting information and more information on how to have your voice heard during council meetings. 

Remember that AWESOME pun we had in our column that one time? Catch up on all of Team Fergmeijer’s past columns in our archive at https://teamfergmeijer.blogspot.com/

Please note that the municipal office will be closed December 25th through to January 1st. Likewise, the municipal landfill will be closed December 24th and 26th as well as December 31st, and the Library will be closed December 23rd and 30th. 

Attention all artists, writers, crafters, potters, artisans, creatives, makers (and their friends and families) - come out to the Manitoulin Arts Community Potluck and Holiday Social on December 29th at the Kagawong Park Centre. Doors open at 4:30, arts announcements at 5:30 (share your latest news!). 

Some words of wisdom, especially meaningful as we are entering the holiday season: It’s time to stop burning bridges in your life. They are made of steel these days and just don’t light very well. Have a great week! 

December 6, 2023

Winter seems to have settled on us for good finally. This time of year we try to watch the weather channel to know what is coming up, and it’s not pretty next week. It’s calling for rane, hale, thundre, litnin, and frizzing cold. We are really not looking forward to that bad spell of weather. On top of the cold, wet weather, Team Fergmeijer has had some bad luck lately. One half caught a nasty cold from someone at work and has been really sick all week. The second half swallowed a dictionary and now has thesaurus throat she’s ever had. The third half dropped a large box of fruit on his foot this morning. Now he cranberry walk.

The Billings Library Silent Auction is over for another year. Over $4000 was raised! Those funds keep the book budget healthy and the library late-fee free! Reminder that any items won in the library silent auction can be picked up at the library during regular hours (Tuesdays & Thursdays 4-7pm; Saturdays 10-1pm). Email billingsreads@gmail.com or call 705-282-2944 for more information. 

Let the township know your thoughts! Complete the Strategic Plan Resident/Property Owner Survey by December 15th to give input on what the township gets right, what you’d like to see developed, and where improvements can be made. The online survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGBNWBP

Happy birthday to Laurie Z., Rob B., and Katherine T who are all celebrating their 29th trip around the sun. Don’t forget to smile uncomfortably when your friends and family stare at you and sing Happy Birthday!

The township has decided to move council meetings back to being virtual. The public can still watch the proceedings and give their input as usual. Contact the town office (tmills@billingstwp.ca) for Zoom meeting information and more information on how to have your voice heard during council meetings. 

Last weekend saw a healthy turnout to the annual Kagawong Community Christmas Concert. Despite some acts having to downsize or cancel due to illness, there was plenty of talent (and quasi-talent) to go around! Thanks to everyone who came out as well as everyone who performed. 

Citizens with property on the water system are invited to a special council meeting on Tuesday, December 12th to discuss the upgrades that were recently completed on Old Mill Road. The meeting will discuss cost recovery options for the work done including consideration of a Capital Cost Recovery By-Law under the fees and charges provisions of the Municipal Act. The meeting is at the Park Centre and will begin at 7pm. Delegations wishing to speak at the meeting must contact the town clerk for a delegation request form (edance@billingstwp.ca). The form must be returned to the office by Wednesday Dec. 6th in order to be placed on the agenda. Written comments and opinions must also be submitted to the clerk by the Dec. 6th deadline to be placed on the agenda. The meeting will also be live-streamed over Zoom. Contact the town office for details. 

Please note that the municipal office will be closed December 25th through to January 1st. Likewise, the municipal landfill will be closed December 24th and 26th as well as December 31st, and the Library will be closed December 23rd and 30th. 

Attention all artists, writers, crafters, potters, artisans, creatives, makers (and their friends and families) - come out to the Manitoulin Arts Community Potluck and Holiday Social on December 29th at the Kagawong Park Centre. Doors open at 4:30, arts announcements at 5:30 (share your latest news!). 

This week we leave you with some advice from a pickle: Life can be hard sometimes; dill with it. Relish every moment you have with those you love. The door to happiness is always ajar. Remember that life is never a dill moment, but don’t worry - in the end everything will be just brine. Have a great week! 

November 29, 2023

We hope all the hunters out there have had some success during rifle season. Team Fergmeijer would never make it as hunters. Anything that requires us to be up early, in the cold, staying still and staying quiet, just isn’t going to work for us. So instead, we stick with our strength… bad puns. Though, maybe we could pass the time in the tree stand playing truth or deer. Honestly, we probably couldn’t hit anything with a rifle, even if we were aiming deerectly at it. Deer can be just too darn cute to hunt, anyway. We had a baby deer hanging around our backyard this summer; we became quite fawned of it. It gave us a great business idea: a company that clones deer. You know, for anyone who’s looking to make a quick buck. 

Many thanks to all the donors who made the library silent auction the largest one yet! And thanks also to all the participants who bid on items, supporting the library. Items can be picked up at the library during regular hours (Tuesdays & Thursdays 4-7pm; Saturdays 10-1pm). Email billingsreads@gmail.com or call 705*282*2944 for more information. 

If a deer ever got its medical degree, do you suppose it would become a hart surgeon?

Let the township know your thoughts! Complete the Strategic Plan Resident/Property Owner Survey by December 15th to give input on what the township gets right, what you’d like to see developed, and where improvements can be made. The online survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGBNWBP

Thank you to the Manitoulin Community Choir for a lovely concert at the Park Centre this past Friday, which included several performers from Kagawong.

Happy birthday to Kagawongian Candy T and to Kagawong-adjacent Chantelle W, both of whom are turning 29. We wonder if getting up in years helps you save on heating - what with all those birthday candles going at once. You’ll have to let us know!

Is a deer that can use both hands bambi-dextrous?

This weekend! The annual Kagawong Community Christmas Concert is this Saturday (December 2nd), at 7pm at the Park Centre. Admission is by donating with all funds going to the Billings Library. Come prepared to laugh, sing, and be entertained. Team Fergmeijer will be there with (jingle) bells on! See you there!

Citizens with property on the water system are invited to a special council meeting on December 12th to discuss the upgrades that were recently completed on Old Mill Road. The meeting will discuss cost recovery options for the work done including consideration of a Capital Cost Recovery By-Law under the fees and charges provisions of the Municipal Act. The meeting is at the Park Centre and will begin at 7pm. Delegations wishing to speak at the meeting must contact the town clerk for a delegation request form (edance@billingstwp.ca). The form must be returned to the office by Wednesday Dec. 6th in order to be placed on the agenda. Written comments and opinions must also be submitted to the clerk by the Dec. 6th deadline to be placed on the agenda. The meeting will also be live-streamed over Zoom. Contact the town office for details. 

If you ever come across a deer with an upset stomach, just give it some Elka Seltzer. Have a great week! 

November 22, 2023

‘Tis the season! No, not Christmas - deer hunting season! We at Team Fergmeijer have nothing against hunting, but given that it involves being up before the crack of dawn, sitting in the cold and wet for long periods of time, having to stay very still, and most difficult of all - having to stay quiet… well, we’ve decided it just isn’t for us. We don’t even know that much about deer other than a few key facts. One: the side that you get the best meat from is the inside. Two: the number one cause of car accidents on the Island is deer (which is crazy, since they don’t even drive!). And three: if you shoot a deer with no antlers that was acting strangely, don’t eat it without cooking it really well (everyone knows it’s dangerous to eat raw kookie doe).

We want to send out an enthusiastic and merry ‘thank you’ to the organizers and volunteers who made this year’s Christmas in Kagawong so much fun! The museum and the Anglican church had yummy fundraising goodies and it is always fantastic to see the local vendors. 

Shhhhh… the Billings Library silent auction is about to begin! Bidding starts at 9am tomorrow (Thursday, November 23rd) and final bids must be in by 6pm on Sunday the 26th. Be sure to join the auction Facebook group (FB.com/groups/libraryauction) to check out the items and bid. But don’t worry about being TOO silent - you can always mute your microphone before celebrating an auction win with a mighty “Hoorah!” All proceeds go toward funding our town library. 

We are sending out happy 29th birthday wishes  to Dwyne C and Nora U. Don’t worry if you get tired trying to count out that many candles for your cake. You can always just relight them a couple of times and make a couple of wishes.

Warm up those vocal chords, and gather some friends for a skit - the annual Kagawong Community Christmas Concert is just around the corner! This (in)famous community event will be held on Saturday, December 2 at the Park Centre. We are looking for acts to fill the ranks, and have a VERY flexible definition of talent: skits, songs, recitations, jokes, juggling, sword swallowing… we are keen to see it all! Contact fergmeijer@gmail.com if you would like to take part. 

Citizens with property on the water system are invited to a special council meeting on December 12th to discuss the upgrades that were recently completed on Old Mill Road. The meeting will discuss cost recovery options for the work done including consideration of a Capital Cost Recovery By-Law under the fees and charges provisions of the Municipal Act. The meeting is at the Park Centre and will begin at 7pm. Delegations wishing to speak at the meeting must contact the town clerk for a delegation request form (edance@billingstwp.ca). The form must be returned to the office by Wednesday Dec. 6th in order to be placed on the agenda. Written comments and opinions must also be submitted to the clerk by the Dec. 6th deadline to be placed on the agenda. The meeting will also be live-streamed over Zoom. Contact the town office for details. 

Now that the leaves are down off the trees, things are looking anything but green. So be sure to get your green fix from the Climate Action Committee’s blog! There’s a new post up with the results of the composting survey done this past summer. Check out https://billingscac.blogspot.com/ for more information.

The township’s strategic plan resident survey is live! You have until Sunday (November 26th) to have your say. Access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGBNWBP

You’ll never guess who we bumped into when we went to get our glasses fixed. Everyone. Have a great week! 

November 15, 2023

No context for this week’s starter, other than that you know we a-peach-iate a good food-related pun: We could have sworn we heard about a country making money out of soft, pear-shaped fruit with sweet dark flesh and many tiny seeds… Though it may have been a fig mint of our imagination.  

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Kagawong Remembrance Day service last weekend. We are very excited to see the results of the Ethel Mulvany documentary. A special thank you to the Old Mill Heritage Centre for hosting the event.

We’re so excited we’ve got our tinsel in a twist! This weekend, November 17-18, is the annual Christmas in Kagawong market. The many vendors will fill the Park Centre chock full of amazing, creative and unique things. While you are out, stop in to the Anglican church for goodies and gifts. They are also selling homemade tourtiere, turkey pot pies, and spaghetti sauce. We know what we’re having for dinner on Saturday! Christmas in Kagawong is THE spot to pick up interesting and unique items for everyone on your list (including yourself). 

Rumour has it that Santa himself will be stopping by! Visit with Saint Nick at the Kagawong Outdoor Rink on Saturday November 18th, 2023 between 10am - 1pm. You can hand-deliver your letter to him, and be sure to smile for a photo. Emails will be collected if you wish to have a free electronic copy of the photo shared with you. Thank you to the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee for coordinating with Santa’s elves to free him up for the day to join us!

Have you seen some of the amazing items up for bid at this year’s Billings Library Silent Auction? Be sure to join the auction Facebook group (FB.com/groups/libraryauction) to be ready to bid when the auction starts. Bidding begins at 9am on Thursday, November 23rd and final bids must be in by 6pm on Sunday the 26th. All proceeds go toward funding our town library.

Turns out some people believe those who make bad birthday jokes should be pun-ished, so we will simply wish Dave T many happy returns as he celebrates his 29th birthday. 

Warm up those vocal chords, and gather some friends for a skit - the annual Kagawong Community Christmas Concert is just around the corner! This (in)famous community event will be held on Saturday, December 2 at the Park Centre. We are looking for acts to fill the ranks, and have a VERY flexible definition of talent: skits, songs, recitations, jokes, juggling, sword swallowing… we are keen to see it all! Contact fergmeijer@gmail.com if you would like to take part. 

Every now and then, Team Fergmeijer has to talk trash. Don’t forget that the Billings landfill is now on winter hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 1pm-4pm, and Sundays 10am-4pm. 

The township’s strategic plan resident survey is live! You have until November 26th to have your say. Access the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RGBNWBP

We hear deer hunters are always game for a good pun. That makes sense, since joke-wise, puns are the most bang for your buck. So then is it true that antlers make the heart grow fawn-der? Have a great week!

November 8, 2023

B-autumns up! We are on that fine line between fall and winter, and if you don’t like sappy puns, well you better leaf right now. It’s no secret that Team Fergmeijer loves the golden time between summer and winter (our favourite outfit is a har-vest). In fact, we recently finished writing a really long book about the fall season. It’s a tome. But don’t worry, the main characters live apple-y ever after in the end. 

The Kagawong Cenotaph Board is once again presenting a Remembrance Day service on Saturday, November 11th, at 11am, at the Kagawong Park Centre. All are welcome to join Dr. Suzanne Evans, author of “A Taste of Longing,” which highlights the experiences of Manitoulin Island’s Ethel Mulvany and her time as a prisoner of war in Singapore during WW2. A documentary film crew will be in attendance as they explore her life. Potluck lunch (finger foods only) to follow, silver collection appreciated.

All aboard!! The Manitoulin Secondary School Musical Theatre Program invites you to “The Emerald Heist'' dinner theatre experience this Friday and Saturday. The killer has covered their tracks well, and the truth is hidden in train sight. Join your fellow passengers in the dining car as you enjoy a delicious three-course dinner and work to unravel whodunit. Work together to keep the evening from going off the rails while you determine the criminal’s loco-motive. Email fergusj@rainbowschools.ca for more information, or purchase your tickets online at www.ticketspice.com/emeraldheist

Why did the turkeys cross the road? To go through the Main Street Express drive-through, of course! Keep your eyes peeled on the highway coming into town from the east. The turkeys have been roaming that area lately and you don’t want to fowl up your commute. 

This November, Billings is kicking it into high gear with events galore! Everyone is welcome to the next Island Wide Waste Management Meeting on Tuesday, November 14th at 7:00pm, at the Kagawong Park Centre. 

The following weekend, November 17 and 18th, is the annual Christmas in Kagawong market. The many vendors will fill the Park Centre chock full of amazing, creative and unique gifts. Always a highlight of the approaching holiday season!

Hot on the market’s heels is the library’s annual silent auction. Bidding starts at 9am on Thursday, November 23rd and final bids must be in by 6pm on Sunday the 26th. Join the auction Facebook group (FB.com/groups/libraryauction) to see some sneak peeks of the items that will be up for grabs and to be ready to bid when the auction starts. 

Finally, save the date for the annual Kagawong Community Christmas Concert! This (in)famous community event will be held on Saturday, December 2 at the ever-versatile Park Centre. We are looking for acts to fill the ranks, and have a VERY flexible definition of talent: skits, songs, recitations, jokes, juggling, sword swallowing… we are keen to see it all! Contact fergmeijer@gmail.com if you would like to take part. 

Another year older, another year of questionable life choices for Jody K and Connie F. Happy 29th birthday to you both!

Go figure! Skating, that is… If you are interested in volunteering to help maintain the community rink this winter, please contact Tiana at the town office (tmills@billingstwp.ca). 

We have low-key porch envy every time we go past Ethel N’s house. We have no idea how she manages to decorate things so fantastically in the fall. Maybe she’s born with it; maybe it’s maple leaves. Have a great week!

November 1, 2023

Kagawong was hopping with ghosts and goblins on Tuesday as they made the rounds to homes and businesses taking the opportunity to eat, drink and be scary. Team Fergmeijer was pleased to see so many stop in to visit, but no one has called us since. We’re a bit concerned that we’ve been ghosted.  

The Kagawong Cenotaph Board is once again presenting a Remembrance Day service on Saturday, November 11th, at 11am, at the Kagawong Park Centre. All are welcome to join Dr. Suzanne Evans, author of “A Taste of Longing,” which highlights the experiences of Manitoulin Island’s Ethel Mulvany and her time as a prisoner of war in Singapore during WW2. A documentary film crew will be in attendance as they explore her life. Potluck lunch (finger foods only) to follow, silver collection appreciated.

All aboard!! The Manitoulin Secondary School Musical Theatre Program invites you to “The Emerald Heist'' dinner theatre experience on November 10th and 11th. The killer has covered their tracks well, and the truth is hidden in train sight. Join your fellow passengers in the dining car as you enjoy a delicious three-course dinner and work to unravel whodunit. Work together to keep the evening from going off the rails while you determine the criminal’s loco-motive. Email fergusj@rainbowschools.ca for more information, or purchase your tickets online at www.ticketspice.com/emeraldheist

November is a busy month in Billings! The next Island Wide Waste Management Meeting is coming up on Tuesday, November 14th at 7:00pm, at the Kagawong Park Centre. Everyone is welcome.

Shortly after that, the annual Christmas in Kagawong market will be November 17th and 18th, also at the Park Centre. Stop by and get everything from stocking stuffers to unique, meaningful gifts created by local craftspeople. 

And don’t forget about the Billings Library’s annual silent auction November 23rd to 26th. Join the auction Facebook group (FB.com/groups/libraryauction) to see some sneak peeks of the items that will be up for grabs and to be ready to bid when the auction starts! 

Finally, save the date for the annual Kagawong Community Christmas Concert! Saturday, December 2 at the ever-versatile Park Centre. We are looking for acts to fill the ranks, and are VERY open-minded when it comes to talent: skits, songs, recitations, jokes, juggling, sword swallowing… we are keen to see it all! Contact fergmeijer@gmail.com if you would like to take part. 

We figure birthday wishes should be like a good party dress. Long enough to cover the important bits, but short enough to hold people’s interest. So happy birthday to Gail L who turns 29 this weekend, and a happy belated birthday to Diane N who we are sure is slowly recovering from her big day last week. 

Go figure! Skating, that is… If you are interested in volunteering to help maintain the community rink this winter, please contact Tiana at the town office (tmills@billingstwp.ca). 

Deer season is just around the corner! Which made us wonder, do poltergeists need a haunting license? Have a great week!

October 25, 2023

Well, we had a good run - an entire year of not missing a week’s paper, but it had to end sometime. Apologies for the absence of the Team Fergmeijer column from last week’s Expositor. Turns out that not only is our short-term memory horrible, so is our short-term memory. Of course, the good thing about a bad memory is that jokes can be funny more than once!

It’s going to be a great Halloween… we can feel it in our bones! If you’re out trick-or-treating, or just planning on going out for a gourd time, Billings Township has you covered. The Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee are planning to hand out treats at the Park Centre! Little ghouls and goblins are welcome to stop by the Fire Hall and the Library, too.

Shortly after Halloween will be the annual Christmas in Kagawong market. Save the date - the market this year will be November 17th and 18th. And don’t forget about the Billings Library’s annual silent auction November 23rd to 26th. Join the auction Facebook group (FB.com/groups/libraryauction) to see some sneak peeks of the items that will be up for grabs and to be ready to bid when the auction starts!

A very happy 29th birthday goes out to Kagawongians Ken F and Rachel B, while a very happy not-quite-29th birthday goes out to Meranda V. Don’t let aging get you down. It’s WAY too hard to get back up again. 

All aboard!! The Manitoulin Secondary School Musical Theatre Program invites you to “The Emerald Heist'' dinner theatre experience on November 10th and 11th. The killer has covered their tracks well, and the truth is hidden in train sight. Join your fellow passengers in the dining car as you enjoy a delicious three-course dinner and work to unravel whodunit. Work together to keep the evening from going off the rails while you determine the criminal’s loco-motive. Email fergusj@rainbowschools.ca for more information, or purchase your tickets online at www.ticketspice.com/emeraldheist

The next Island Wide Waste Management Meeting is coming up on Tuesday, November 14th at 7:00pm, at the Kagawong Park Centre. Everyone is welcome.

What are you doing on December 2nd? Laughing with family, friends and neighbours at the annual Kagawong Community Christmas Concert, of course! There’s speculation going around about the return of the chicken skit, but with the price of groceries being what they are, we can’t be sure if it’s true or just a rumour. 

With the weather starting to turn, there’s snow place to be like the rink! If you are interested in volunteering to help maintain the  community rink, please contact Tiana at the town office (tmills@billingstwp.ca). 

The good thing about a bad memory is that jokes can be funny more than once! Have a great week!

October 11, 2023

If you have been on the river trail in the last week or two, you know that it is alive with colour… and the slight funk of fish that comes with the annual salmon run. We emailed the salmon to ask why the early run this year, but they have yet to re-spawn-d to us. On a recent visit to the falls, we saw a salmon wearing a suit and tie. We aren’t sure why it was so dressed up, but it looked very sofishticated. In other local fauna news, it would appear that the KGB has headed out of town for the Thanksgiving long weekend. Word on the street is that they are headed down to Stratford to take in a show. They have been dying to see Shakespeare’s classic “Much Ado About Stuffing.”  

The Old Mill Road bridge was closed briefly last week for emergency repairs. The bridge deck was repaired in good time and as of this writing, it is now open for local traffic with a reduced weight limit of 7 tonnes. 

Interested in getting involved in the community? There’s still time to join a committee! There are currently vacancies on the Climate Action Committee, the Lake Kagawong Resource Committee, the Parks, Recreation, and Wellness Committee, and the library board. Contact tmills@billingstwp.ca for more info. On that note, the next town council meeting will be Tuesday, October 17th at 7pm at the Kagawong Park Centre. Agenda packages will be available in advance on the township website (www.billingstwp.ca).

Here’s some local news we won’t sugarcoat: The Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee are planning to hand out treats on Halloween! Stay tuned for more details. As grateful as we are, Team Fergmeijer will pass on the candy. We’re trying to maintain our ghoulish figures.

Shortly after Halloween will be the annual Christmas in Kagawong market. Save the date - the market this year will be November 17th and 18th. And don’t forget about the Billings Library’s annual silent auction November 23rd to 26th. More details on both coming soon!

Head’s up! The municipal office will be closed on Monday, October 23rd. 

With the weather starting to turn, there’s snow place to be like the rink! If you are interested in volunteering to help maintain the  community rink, please contact Tiana at the town office (tmills@billingstwp.ca). 

Have you noticed? Ice skating is really just walking in cursive.

A good friend remembers your birthday but not your age. We don’t really do either of those things, but happy birthday anyway, Jef with one f!

All aboard!! The Manitoulin Secondary School Musical Theatre Program invites you to “The Emerald Heist'' dinner theatre experience on November 10th and 11th. The killer has covered their tracks well, and the truth is hidden in train sight. Join your fellow passengers in the dining car as you enjoy a delicious three-course dinner and work to unravel whodunit. Work together to keep the evening from going off the rails while you determine the criminal’s loco-motive. Email bauery@rainbowschools.ca for more information, or purchase your tickets online at www.ticketspice.com/emerald-heist

While there’s nothing like a good whodunit, we here at Team Fergmeijer will always prefer a good whopunit. Have a great week!