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!