July 19, 2023

Team Fergmeijer has been very careful over the years to protect our secret identities, and we appreciate the Expositor staff going above and beyond to keep the public from finding out who we really are. That said, we aren’t sure moving to Silver Water is entirely necessary just yet. 

Kagawong Concert Series continues to amaze and delight with their performances at the Old Church on the Hill. Teilhard Frost & Chris Coole were delightful last week! Follow their Facebook page to be the first to get info on the next fantastic concert. 

Team Fergmeijer can only hope we look as good in our old age as some of the cars at the Show & Shine this past weekend. Thanks to the Billings Parks, Rec & Wellness Committee for hosting!

Congratulations to the Old Mill Heritage Centre on hosting another fantastic history event in Kagawong! Last Thursday, Steve Paikin and Arthur Milnes delighted the audience at the Park Centre with tales from past encounters with historical figures, complete with a surprise musical tribute. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Many happy returns to Laura H who turned 29 last week. Randy N celebrated a watershed 29th last weekend, too. We sure hope you checked with the fire department when the birthday cake came out; the number of candles on your cake might mean it falls under the fire ban!

Due to popular demand, the next session of free American Sign Language (ASL) classes have been shifted to be in the evening! July 25th, 27th join Georgian College ASL instructor Andrea Wist from 6:30-8pm at the market pavilion near the Old Mill to learn some foundations of ASL. Classes are open to all ages (children must be accompanied by an adult). Come to one or take them all! For more information, email the library billingsreads@gmail.com. 

NorthWords Festival is this weekend! The festival kicks off Friday at 1pm with the opening ceremony featuring the M’Chigeeng Ladies Drum Group followed by author Shelley Pearen as keynote speaker. Shelley will discuss her work on the “Wiikwemkoong Diarium” as well as her other works. Friday night is the much anticipated Book & Brew at Split Rail Brewery in Gore Bay. Mix and mingle with featured festival authors, enjoy the light tapas menu, and savour some great craft beer. On Saturday, the library is holding its annual book sale from 11am - 3pm at the red-roofed pavilion (or the covered rink if the weather doesn’t cooperate). You can also take in the author showcase there, with Mnawaate Gordon-Corbiere, James Simon Mishibinijima, Don Roberts, and Stephanie Malo, among others who are excited to chat with visitors! And the festival’s partner 4elements Living Arts has brought in artist Michael Cywink to create a live plein-air painting throughout the day as well. There will be workshops running throughout the day that you can take part in, too: poetry with Sophie Edwards, writing with Claire Ross Dunn, and creative knitting with Kirk Dunn. Saturday evening wraps up the festival with a performance of Kirk’s fantastic one-man show, “The Knitting Pilgrim.” Tickets for Friday’s Book & Brew, and Saturday’s performance can still be purchased at the Billings Library or online (bit.ly/northwordsfest). You can also contact NorthWordsFest@gmail.com for more information. 

Billings Township has been having quite the population boom the last year or two. Welcome! New to the area? Be sure to stop in the town office at the Old Mill to have your questions on all-things Billings answered.  

The Kagawong market is a must-see event every Wednesday through July and August. The new venue (the covered rink) offers a fantastic shopping experience. Until the parking area along Henry Drive is completed, your best bet for parking is on Old Mill Road and near the river trail entrance across from Upper Street. 

The Angel Bus fundraising committee is at it again - they are selling tickets for a chance to win a fabulous, hand-made quilt all summer long. You can find them at the Kagawong market on Wednesday and on Fridays at the Gore Bay market. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Funds raised supports the ongoing operating costs of the Angel Bus. 

Fun fact: Koi fish always swim in schools of four to protect against predators. When attacked, koi A, koi B, and koi C will swim quickly away, leaving the predator to target the D koi. Have a great week!