May 29, 2024

We’ll, we’ll, we’ll… if it isn’t autocorrect.To be honest, autocorrect, we are getting real tired of your shirt. We really hate when you make us say thongs we didn’t nintendo. We try to be really careful when writing this column, because one small mistake and a joke’s lunchline is urined. To make things worse, autocorrect is now suggesting swear words - which means we have to be really careful when talking to our Manitoulin mom about ducks. 

As always, Billings is a hotbed of gossip and goings on. The hottest bit of tea the township spilled recently is that BIllings is getting a new tractor! Not to mention that the Manitoulin Ukulele Group - of which many Kagawong strummers are a part - has recruited a couple of new forks, uh that is, folks. We can’t wait to hear them!

Flying a kite might have its ups and downs, but the free family kite festival on June 2nd is going to be fantastic! The event runs from 1 PM to 4 PM in Gore Bay and is hosted by the Western Manitoulin Community Garden. With balloon animals, rock painting, and a free bbq lunch (courtesy of the Gore Bay Lions Club), there is something for everyone!

David H, Wren C, and Morgan E are all celebrating their 29th birthdays this week and we want to wish them the happiest of happy birthdays. In fact, we tried to arrange Jimmy the Singing Pony as a surprise for you all, but they had to cancel due to illness. Jimmy was a little horse. 

Have you a dinking problem? Kagawong has newly-painted pickleball courts in the outdoor rink! Check out the Kagawong Outdoor Recreational Facility page on Facebook for more information.

Don’t forget that the Old Mill Heritage Centre is now open for the season. The popular vintage camera and photographic exhibition has been brought back from last year, and there is also a new exhibit featuring local representatives who have gone on to have storied political careers. Be sure to stop in!

With all this sunny weather, things are definitely heating up! Kagawong is becoming quite the hot spot as well. Check out all the activities going on in Billings over the coming months: Team Aelick are gearing up for their Stroll for Liver in early June. Stroll on over yourself to https://bit.ly/strollforliver to donate to this worthy cause. The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th. The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer! If you have (or know of) any other events and activities, let us know so we can let everyone else know! Email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com

Tennis, anyone? The Manitoulin Tennis Club is back to meeting Sunday mornings at 10am at the Manitoulin Secondary School courts. Players of all abilities are welcome, with lessons available in the near future.

With the new tractor, the public works guys will be able to really plow through their to-do list this summer. Have a great week!

May 22, 2024

Well, shello there! May 23rd is World Turtle Day and we are very excited to shellebrate by sharing our wide shellection of shellarious turtle-based puns with you. We even went to a special turtle pun class last week in preparation. We thought it would be turtally awesome, but truthfully, it tortoise nothing that we didn’t already know about turtle puns. We also went to the library and asked if they had any books on turtles. The librarian asked, “Hardback?” and we said, “Yeah. And little heads!”  In the end, we looked up a turtorial online. 

Thank you to all the vendors, exhibitors, and visitors who came into Kagawong for the Manitoulin Streams Outdoor Angling Trade Fair on the long weekend! It was a great way to kick off the summer, and left our village a-bustling! 

Have you got a dinking problem? Kagawong has newly-painted pickleball courts in the outdoor rink! Check out the Kagawong Outdoor Recreational Facility page on Facebook for more information.

Don’t forget that the Old Mill Heritage Centre is now open for the season. The popular vintage camera and photographic exhibition has been brought back from last year, and there is also a new exhibit featuring local representatives who have gone on to have storied political careers. Be sure to stop in!

Team Fergmeijer saw a good sized snapping turtle the other day, and it was carrying a large hammer. We’re pretty sure it was a Thortoise. 

With all this sunny weather, things are definitely heating up! Kagawong is becoming quite the hot spot as well. Check out all the activities going on in Billings over the coming months: Team Aelick are gearing up for their Stroll for Liver in early June. Stroll on over yourself to https://bit.ly/strollforliver to donate to this worthy cause. The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th. The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer! If you have (or know of) any other events and activities, let us know so we can let everyone else know! Email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com

We are wishing summer visitor Tammy S, and east-ender Erin F a very happy birthday this week. Don’t forget, birthdays are the perfect excuse to eat cake for breakfast. 

Tennis, anyone? The Manitoulin Tennis Club is back to meeting Sunday mornings at 10am at the Manitoulin Secondary School courts. Players of all abilities are welcome, with lessons available in the near future.

We hope this week’s shorter-than-average column wasn’t a turtle disaster. Have a great week!

May 15, 2024

Our faithful readers will know that long weekending is Team Fergmeijer’s favourite sport. Usually, our Saturdays and Sundays are spent with our bodies fighting off illnesses (what with our weekend immune systems and all), but a long weekend means extra time that we can jam-pack with all the things we love. Starting with a nap or two. Yep, long weekends mean less multi-tasking and more multi-slacking!

This weekend! Manitoulin Streams Outdoor Angling Trade Fair is right here in Billings, on May 18th and 19th. This event will be more than just a trade fair, it will include food, music, games, an auction, and a fishing derby. Whether you are a business owner, an angler, a tourist, or a local, the Trade Fair is the place to be this May long weekend! There is something for everyone, including the kids! Check out the Manitoulin Streams website for more information (www.manitoulinstreams.com) 

Welcome to Veronique Dion, the new Chief Administrative Officer / Clerk for Billings Township! We look forward to meeting you. And if you need any official puns for any reason, you know who to call. 

It must really be spring because the Chi Cheemaun is back in action! You can check out the sailing schedule on the Owen Sound Transportation Company website: www.ontarioferries.com/ms-chi-cheemaun/. 

The museum has launched a new program to honour veterans who lived in Billings Township. Families of veterans are invited to contribute towards the purchasing of a banner that will feature their loved one’s name, photo and regiment. Banners will be displayed throughout the village in the fall lead up to Remembrance Day. Contact the museum (oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca) for more information. And don’t forget that the museum will be open this weekend 10-5pm (Friday-Sunday). 

With all this sunny weather, things are definitely heating up! Kagawong is becoming quite the hot spot as well. Check out all the activities going on in Billings over the coming months: Team Aelick are gearing up for their Stroll for Liver in early June. Visit https://bit.ly/strollforliver to donate to this worthy cause. The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th. The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer! If you have (or know of) any other events and activities, let us know so we can let everyone else know! Email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com

Happy birthday wishes go out to Leslie M, who is turning 29 this week. You might be expecting us to make a funny joke here, but we know better. We respect our elders.

We don’t normally include personal or want ads in the community column, but this one was sent in to us and just seemed like too good of an opportunity to miss. Anyone interested can email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com: “Is anybody interested in a free ride in a helicopter for 4 people? I’m still looking for two more adults to join me and my wife. We leave early Saturday morning from Sudbury and will fly to Toronto, where we will have breakfast, and then have lunch on a friend’s yacht. We will then do a flight down to view Niagara Falls, returning to Toronto for dinner, then fly back home. If interested, please message me. Preferably someone with a helicopter and yacht, otherwise we can’t go.”

The Manitoulin Tennis Club is back in action for 2024! Players of all abilities are welcome to join in the club’s season kickoff with the Blackfly Tournament on Saturday, May 18th. Though this is a doubles’ tournament, no partner is required, and there is no registration fee. But watch out… you might just get bit by the tennis bug! For more information, contact ctheijsmeijer@gmail.com. 

Whether you choose to get out and explore, or stay home and appreciate that mortgage, make the most of your May long weekend. Have a great week!

May 8, 2024

This weekend, take a mom-ent to celebrate the mothers and mother-figures in your life. Team Fergmeijer is fortunate to have moms in their lives that have helped and supported them over the years, so to our Manitoulin Mom and our Mainland Mom, we wanted to let you know how much you mean to us in true Team Fergmeijer fashion. Because let’s face it, raisin us was a bit of a mom-umental task at times, but we clearly hit the mother lode when it comes to parental love. Not to get too cheesy, but you are absolutely grate! You can’t be beet. Thanks for pudding up with us; your love means a waffle lot to us. 

It must really be spring because the Chi Cheemaun is back in action! You can check out the sailing schedule on the Owen Sound Transportation Company website:www.ontarioferries.com/ms-chi-cheemaun/. 

Things moms know: cleaning with kids in the house is like brushing your teeth with Oreos. 

The museum has launched a new program to honour veterans who lived in Billings Township. Families of veterans are invited to contribute towards the purchasing of a banner that will feature their loved one’s name, photo and regiment. Banners will be displayed throughout the village in the fall lead up to Remembrance Day. Contact the museum (oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca) for more information. 

May had a, shall we say, damp-ish arrival, but nothing can dampen our excitement for all the wonderful events and activities going on in Billings over the coming months! Team Aelick are gearing up for their Stroll for Liver in early June. Visit https://bit.ly/strollforliver to donate to this worthy cause. The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th. The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer! If you have (or know of) any other events and activities, let us know so we can let everyone else know! Email us at fergmeijer@gmail.com

Things moms know: “It’s spicy.” is mom-code for “I don’t want to share.”

We’ve seen plenty of people taking advantage of the lavender Sic Sox boxes near the Kagawong Park Centre. Drop off any unwanted textile items and the Sic Sox team will take them from there. Items in good shape will be re-sold at the Sic Sox retail store. Other textiles that would otherwise be garbage are recycled into insulation. It’s a win-win for you and for the environment! 

Another great green initiative the township has is the used battery drop-off for recycling at the town office. 

Happy birthday wishes go out to Sherri C, who is turning 29 to the best of our recollection. Though to be honest, we believe that birthdays are like playing golf. It’s a lot more fun when you aren’t keeping count. 

Billings council has established an Ad-Hoc Committee to create a Municipal Owned Water System Policy. The committee will be responsible for developing clear procedures on capital projects and major upgrades to the water lines, as well as reviewing options for implementing a capital levy that can be used to create a water capital reserve, among other important tasks. The Township is looking for 4 members of the community to serve on the committee. Application details are available on the Township website.  

Things moms know: kids make a lot of plans for people who can’t drive anywhere. 

Be aware that the Old Mill Rd. Bridge replacement has begun and there will be several weeks when the bridge is out of service and the only access to properties on Old Mill Rd. will be via Newburn Rd/Graham Hill. Full closure of the bridge is expected to be no later than May 15th. Please note that construction will also affect those using the river trail. Anyone walking on the east side trails (along the bluff) will not be able to cross the river at the river mouth and will have to retrace their steps to the new pedestrian bridge. 

Silence is golden. Unless you have children. Then silence is suspicious. Have a great week!

May 1, 2024

How would you describe your perfect date? Although it’s a tough call, for Team Fergmeijer, it’s April 25th. It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold. Mostly you just need a light jacket. May isn’t too bad, either. Take this week for example - it’s Star Wars Day on Saturday! May the 4th be with you all! And don’t forget to go out and celebrate Cinco de Kylo, just beware of the Revenge of the Sixth. 

With April showers signaling spring is definitely here, you might want to start looking forward to some of the amazing events going on in the coming months as things really heat up in Billings! The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is July 5th and 6th (featuring Waubgeshig Rice, Kim Fahner, Emily De Angelis, Mark Seabrook, and Steve Paikin). Jabbawong organizers, if we’re honest, as impressive as all those participants are, you had Team Fergmeijer at Steve Paikin. 

The library book sale and local author showcase will be held July 20th, and the Manitoulin Art Tour is on that same weekend. And don’t forget about Kagawong’s huge market on Wednesdays throughout the summer!

We’ve seen plenty of people taking advantage of the lavender Sic Sox boxes near the Kagawong Park Centre. Drop off any unwanted textile items and the Sic Sox team will take them from there. Items in good shape will be re-sold at the Sic Sox retail store. Other textiles that would otherwise be garbage are recycled into insulation. It’s a win-win for you and for the environment! 

If you or someone you love has a birthday coming up, let us know (fergmeijer@gmail.com). We’ll ‘honour’ the special occasion as only Team Fergmeijer can!

Billings council has established an Ad-Hoc Committee to create a Municipal Owned Water System Policy. The committee will be responsible for developing clear procedures on capital projects and major upgrades to the water lines, as well as reviewing options for implementing a capital levy that can be used to create a water capital reserve, among other important tasks. The Township is looking for 4 members of the community to serve on the committee. Application details are available on the Township website.  

Old Mill Rd. Bridge replacement will begin today, May 1st! There will be several weeks when the bridge is out-of-service and the only access to properties on Old Mill Rd. will be via Newburn Rd/Graham Hill. Full closure of the bridge is expected to be no later than May 15th. Please note that construction will also affect those using the river trail. Anyone walking on the east side trails (along the bluff) will not be able to cross the river at the river mouth and will have to retrace their steps to the new pedestrian bridge. 

The local librarian has some reading suggestions for Star Wars day: Qui-Gon Girl, Gone with the Windu, A Bendu in the River, Heart of Darthness, and of course, The Fault in Our Death Star. Have a great week!