February 26, 2025

Sometimes February feels like it lasts forever, but time Marches on. And although we enjoy the snowy months, by this time of year, we are ready to leaf winter behind. Our sense of humour sometimes seems a bit out of season, but with March knocking on our door, we wanted this week’s column to offer some laughs that will put a spring in your step.

TIme is running out to apply to work in the prettiest village in Ontario! Applications are now being accepted for summer student positions with the township. Students (age 15+ upon commencement of employment) are welcome to apply for Marina Assistant (2 positions), Public Works Assistant (2 positions), Museum Assistant, and Library Assistant. Applications (cover letter and resumé) are due by email to tmills@billingstwp.ca by noon on Friday, March 7. 

Team Fergmeijer is really disappointed that we aren’t able to celebrate our birthday this month. Mostly because we weren’t born in February. People who actually have birthdays this week include Shirley F and Paula V-F who are both turning 29. Happiest of happy birthdays to you! 

As winter swings into spring, there’s lots going on in Kagawong over the next few weeks. 

St. John’s Anglican church is holding a chili luncheon on Saturday, March 8th (11-2pm). Now, these nice folks won’t get jalapeno business if you don’t stop by, but would you really want to miss out on some delicious homemade chili dinner that includes biscuits and refreshments for just $14? Desserts are available, also and it can all be eaten at the church or take it home with you. 

On Thursday, March 13, Cambrian College is hosting a free community kitchen workshop at the Park Centre. In this full-day session, you’ll learn to cook a meal from start to finish, and then feast together as a community. This is a great opportunity to enhance your cooking skills, and maybe even meet some new friends! Registration is required - register no later than March 5th by contacting manitoulin@cambriancollege.ca or by calling 705 368-3194. 

Spring dance season is just around the corner! Classes with Candice Irwin of Body Stories Dance Education & Performance are starting up again the week of March 17th. Kagawong classes at the Park Centre Monday evenings include “Creative Movement” (ages 3-6), “Contemporary” (ages 6 and up), and “Mindful Movement” (adults and teens). Check out bodystoriesdance.com for more information. 

Much like the month of February, our Short Poems for a Short Month challenge has come to an end. As a farewell (until next year) we offer this piece: 

With a mere twenty-eight days, 

February rarely gets praise.

It’s cold and it’s dreary, 

With wind howling and eerie, 

But March brings us sun's golden rays!

What did May say to March after being accused of stealing? Ju-ly. Have a great week!

February 19, 2025

Long-time readers will remember that Team Fergmeijer loves to cook (as evidenced by our hit series of unpublished cookbooks). Hearing about our enthusiasm for all things edible, a group has reached out to us to take part in a chili cook off. The teams have to be anonymous for judging purposes, so we have to come up with a team name. We could use any feedback from you, lovely readers, on our options: Chili Con Carnage; The Spice Cadets; Red Hot Chili Preppers; The Scoville Scalawags; The Capsaicin Crew; Inferno Incognito. 

The problem with our Short Poems for a Short Month challenge is that it wraps up so quickly! Just one more week to email us your submissions. Since this week’s column appears to be chili related, here is one contribution: 

There once was a cook from Kagawong,

Whose chili was fiery and strong.

With peppers so hot,

One bite, you’d see spots—

And be sweating the whole day long.

In related news…St. John’s Anglican church is holding a chili luncheon on Saturday, March 8th (11-2pm). Now, these nice folks won’t get jalapeno business if you don’t stop by, but would you really want to miss out on some delicious homemade chili dinner that includes biscuits and refreshments for just $14? Desserts are available, also and it can all be eaten at the church or take it home with you. 

Today! Big news! Billings Township will be offering senior active living programming for 2025. All seniors are invited to drop by the Park Centre today at 1pm to kick off the new program and help develop the schedule of activities for the year.

And for the younger crowd, applications are now being accepted for summer student positions with the township! Students (age 15+ upon commencement of employment) are welcome to apply for Marina Assistant (2 positions), Public Works Assistant (2 positions), Museum Assistant, and Library Assistant. Applications (cover letter and resumé) are due by email to tmills@billingstwp.ca by noon on Friday, March 7. 

Happy birthday wishes go out to Suedy H and Ruth F this week as they celebrate another successful 29th trip around the sun. Wishing you both a day full of fun, laughter, and cake. Lots and lots of cake… because at your age, it’s important to keep the energy levels up!

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Old Mill in Kagawong and the museum board is planning a variety of ceremonial events and is looking for additional historical information. If you know of anyone who could help or who worked at the mill/hydro plant, the museum board would be grateful for any information (oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca)

Mamma Mia! at MSS is a hit! And you still have one weekend left to catch the show! This Broadway favourite will have you dancing, jiving, and having the time of your life, singing along to the songs of ABBA. Friday Feb. 21st (7pm), Saturday Feb. 22nd (2pm matinée). Tickets are $20 at the door or online at bit.ly/MammaMiaMSS 

Deepen your connection with your body with the free Inclusive Mindful Movement classes at the Park Centre Mondays, now through March 3rd (8-9pm). Come out for a gentle, joyful movement practice focused on helping you find more ease in your movement and alignment. No dance experience necessary. Space is limited. Pre-registration is encouraged. www.bodystoriesdance.com (647-213-1497). 

A good-bye haiku

Doesn’t have to be drawn out,

Lengthy, laggard, dawd…

Have a great week!

February 12, 2025

Team Fergmeijer is all about life-long learning. This week we learned that we should not write Valentine’s day cards on an empty stomach. We ended up with some, shall we say, unique sentiments: I donut want to glaze over the fact that I love you; I love you s’more and s’more with each passing day; if you were a vegetable, you’d be a cutecumber; I love you a brunch; we were mint to be together; Our love is a hot dog - I relish it; I hope you like breakfast, because I love you a waffle lot. We know we tend to be hopeless ramen-tics, and want our friends and family to know that we love them—like, pho real, but these were a bit over the top, even for us.  

Kagawong Winterfest is back! Grab your skates and toboggans, and come on by the Kagawong River Complex on Family Day, February 17 from 11am-3pm. Outside there will be ice skating, a sliding hill, free pizza and hot dogs, maple taffy, snowmobile display, and a fire to help warm up those toes! Inside at the Park Centre there will be some educational and fun activities hosted by Manitoulin Streams and the Manitoulin Secondary School robotics team, a craft and hot chocolate and chili hosted by the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee, and a free Mindful Movement class and dance party hosted by Body Stories Dance Education & Performance. Wintry fun for everyone!

There is no time more suited to poetry than Valentine’s day and so this week’s Short Poems for a Short Month challenge leans into the season of love with a selection of adoring verse. 

Forget red and blue, 

Pizza’s the colour of love,

And chocolate too.

I had plans today, 

But then you smiled at me and…

What was I saying?

Big news! Billings Township will be offering senior active living programming for 2025. All seniors are invited to drop by the Park Centre at 1pm on Wednesday, February 19 to kick off the new program and help develop the schedule of activities for the year.

And for the younger crowd, applications are now being accepted for summer student positions with the township! Students (age 15+ upon commencement of employment) are welcome to apply for Marina Assistant (2 positions), Public Works Assistant (2 positions), Museum Assistant, and Library Assistant. Applications (cover letter and resumé) are due by email to tmills@billingstwp.ca by noon on Friday, March 7. 

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Old Mill in Kagawong and the museum board is planning a variety of ceremonial events and is looking for additional historical information. If you know of anyone who could help or who worked at the mill/hydro plant, the museum board would be grateful for any information (oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca)

Break out your dancing shoes for Manitoulin Secondary School’s performance of Mamma Mia! you can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life! The broadway hit will have you dancing, jiving, and having the time of your life, singing along to the songs of ABBA. Shows run over two weekends: Friday Feb. 14th (7pm), Saturday Feb. 15th (2pm matinée) and Friday Feb. 21st (7pm), Saturday Feb. 22nd (2pm matinée). Tickets are $20 at the door or in advance at select pharmacies across Manitoulin, or online at bit.ly/MammaMiaMSS 

Deepen your connection with your body with the free Inclusive Mindful Movement classes at the Park Centre Mondays, now through March 3rd (8-9pm). Come out for a gentle, joyful movement practice focused on helping you find more ease in your movement and alignment. No dance experience necessary. Space is limited. Pre-registration is encouraged. www.bodystoriesdance.com (647-213-1497). 

All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. Have a great week!

February 5, 2025

It’s February, and because if something was funny for us once, we are going to keep doing it forever, we welcome you to the fourth annual Team Fergmeijer Short Poems for a Short Month challenge. This is the time of year where we challenge you, loyal and creative readers, to write a short poem in a form and on a topic of your choice (just don’t get us in trouble with the Expositor editors) and we publish it here in the column. Remember, your submission should be short (think haikus, rhyming couplets, limericks, etc). Email it to fergmeijer@gmail.com to participate. We can’t wait to see what you come up with this year! 

Deepen your connection with your body with the free Inclusive Mindful Movement classes at the Park Centre Mondays, now through March 3rd (8-9pm). Come out for a gentle, joyful movement practice focused on helping you find more ease in your movement and alignment. No dance experience necessary. Space is limited. Pre-registration is encouraged. www.bodystoriesdance.com (647-213-1497). 

In recognition of the fourth annual Short Poems for a Short Month challenge, we would like to offer the following birthday limerick: 

Former Kagawongian, Neil,

A vet with remarkable zeal!

From beaks to stray paws,

He’s earned much applause,

Now 29 (sure that’s real!)

 

With special thanks to the volunteers that maintain the ice, we’re happy to announce that the Pickledome… er… Kagawong River Complex is open for skating! Please remember to take the nets off the ice after using them and to turn off the lights before leaving. Otherwise, enjoy the ice!

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Old Mill in Kagawong and the museum board is planning a variety of ceremonial events and is looking for additional historical information. If you know of anyone who could help or who worked at the mill/hydro plant, the museum board would be grateful for any information. You can email oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca

When you come to Manitoulin Secondary School’s performance of Mamma Mia! you can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life! The broadway hit tells a story of love, family, friendship and the bond between mother and daughter through the songs of successful Swedish pop group, ABBA. Shows run over two weekends: Friday Feb. 14th (7pm), Saturday Feb. 15th (2pm matinée) and Friday Feb. 21st (7pm), Saturday Feb. 22nd (2pm matinée). Tickets are $20 at the door, and are available in advance at select pharmacies across Manitoulin, or online at bit.ly/MammaMiaMSS 

Dry January is over, which means you can sit back and enjoy a glass of your beverage of choice while you attend Billings township council meetings from the comfort of your own home. You can find more information on their Facebook page (www.fb.com/billingstownshipkagawong) or contact the town office directly for the Zoom link. 

Have a great week!