April 5, 2023

Oh, for peeps sake, it’s Easter time already! A chance to absolutely Cad-bury yourself in chocolate. This year is eggstra special, as we received an early Easter gift from a friend in Australia. They really shelled out and sent it by express hare-mail. This year is the first in a long while that Team Fergmeijer will be getting together for Easter. We were going to do the traditional dinner, but now we are leaning towards brunch instead. What better way to celebrate Easter than to get everybunny together for a meal at IHOP? 

Cooo-ngratulations to this year’s Sandhill Crane spotting competition! It was a tight race this year, with more entries than ever before! But bragging rights go to first-time winners Paula and John M for first hearing the melodious coo of the sandhill crane within Billings township limits. Honourable mention goes to Kathy J who first spotted the long-legged and winged creatures elsewhere on the Island. Thanks to all who reported sightings!

On April 1st, a few crane enthusiasts braved the nasty weather for the annual Sandhill Crane Coo-ing and Interpretive Dance contest. It was quite the flap - we just can’t stop raven about the bird-like performances!! Some contestants came prepared, but there were others who were clearly winging it. Don’t cry fowl, but the dances and coos were so good, the judges announced it was too close to caw-ll. If all of this sounds like a bit of ostrich, rest assured we certainly wouldn’t try to fool anyone this past Saturday, would we?

Sure there’s the spring equinox and the return of the cranes, but you REALLY know summer is just around the corner when the landfill switches back to its summer hours! Beginning Saturday, April 1 (no joke!), the Billings landfill will be open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 2pm-6pm, and Saturdays & Sundays from 10am-4pm.

The township is looking to fill three student summer positions! Applications are still being accepted for positions at the marina and with Public Works. Send your resume to tmills@billingstwp.ca as soon as possible.

Happy birthday wishes to Sharon A this week. At 29, you might start feeling like you are getting up in years, but really, ‘old age’ is always 15 years older than we are.  

Get those egg baskets ready - the Easter Bunny is coming to Kagawong! The Billings Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at the Park Centre on Saturday, April 8th at 11am. Everyone is welcome to hop on by! 

We heard a rumour about the Easter Bunny. Seems they are interested in studying to become a doctor and have applied to study at John Hop-kins University.

Enjoying the lovely spring weather? Take some time to thank Mother Earth! Join the Billings Climate Action Committee in celebrating Earth Day on Saturday, April 22. From 10am - noon they’ll be hosting a circular economy sale (community yard sale) at the Kagawong outdoor rink. Book a table at the rink with Tina Beckerton (tbeckerton@billingstwp.ca), or if you prefer to host your own on your property, let Tina know and the location of your sale will be added to a community list. There will also be a community clean-up that day. Looking to learn more about how our township is working to become greener? Check out https://billingscac.blogspot.com/

Quick question: Is saying you don’t like Easter haresy?

Mark your calendars! Western Manitoulin Volunteer Fairs are happening in April. Stop in to meet the many organizations that work to make our communities so special. Learn about their efforts and events, and you are sure to find a comfortable fit for you. Billings’ is April 26th at the Park Centre from 2-8pm and includes refreshments as well as prizes to be won.

Bulk water users can access the new quick-fill station at the water treatment plant (75 Beach Street). It has options for 2” and 3/4" fill spigots. Remember to bring your clean Cam-lock female fitting to connect to the 2” option. Contact Tiana Mills at the town office for more information (tmills@billingstwp.ca)

And lastly, an excerpt from our up-coming book, “Parenting Is Easy When You Don’t Have Any Kids” (publication date tbd): Easter egg hunts are proof your kids can find something themselves if they really want to. Have a great week!