March 26, 2025

Throughout the winter in Billings, it’s often so quiet you can hear a pun flop, but now that spring is making itself known, the silent fields are starting to ring with the melodic coo of our favourite bird. Yes - the Sandhill Cranes are back and that means one thing: we have a winner of the Team Fergmeijer annual Crane spotting competition! We had more entries than ever before, but we have a clear champion this year. Honourable mentions go out to Ruth F, Stephanie and David H, as well as Phillip S who all reported seeing or hearing cranes within a very tight time frame of one another. However, crane spotting heavyweight Peter G has taken the crown once again this year reporting a sighting more than 48 hours earlier than any other competitor. Congratulations to Peter, we hope you lord it over Willa as is only appropriate. 

The closing of one competition leads us, as ever, to the opening of another: the annual Sandhill Crane cooing competition is just around the corner! Every year, on April 1st, competitors from far and wide meet for this one-of-a-kind contest. Men, women, and children give it their all to recreate their best crane coo, with the champion being selected by a star-studded panel of experts. We are under strict instructions not to reveal any of the celebrity guests expected, and we would never break confidentiality. That said, did you know that Canadian literary icon Margaret Atwood considers herself to be an amateur ornithologist? Also, given his recent farming adventures, it will come as no surprise to learn that British TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson is also a bit of a twitcher. No reason we are mentioning this; no reason at all….

The township has a job posting for an Active Living Program Coordinator. Full details of the posting can be found on the town website (www.billingstwp.ca/townhall/careers). Applications can be submitted until 12pm on March 28th by email to Veronique Dion, CAO/Clerk, by email at cao@billingstwp.ca or by regular mail to 15 Old Mill Road Kagawong, ON, P0P 1J0. 

This week we are wishing a happy 29th birthday to Tahnee P and Micki B who are both honourary Kagawongians. We hope you don’t let your birthday pass without celebrating. Your big day demands celebr-action! Party-cipation is mandatory!

The Manitoulin Community Choir is back performing in Kagawong on Saturday, April 5th at 7:30pm at the Park Centre. Come, relax and enjoy a mix of songs and styles. Admission is $15 with tickets available at the door.

There’s no time like the present to get involved! The Township of Billings is looking for citizens interested in making a contribution to their community to sit on the Lake Kagawong Resource Committee, the Climate Action Committee, the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee, and the Ad Hoc Water Advisory Committee. Interested? Applications will be accepted until Friday, April 11 at 12 noon. Check out the township website (www.billingstwp.ca) for more information and the application forms.

It may not always be easy being green, but the Billings Climate Action Committee is making it a little easier! Join in the township’s Neighbourhood Cleanup Day on Saturday, April 26 by coming out to the Park Centre for a “junk in the trunk” community yard sale. If you’d like to book a table for the event, reach out to Vince at vgrogan@billingstwp.ca. Cleaning up around your neighbourhood? You can bring any collected waste in clear bags to the Park Centre parking lot that day where it will be sorted, weighed, and then brought to the landfill. Easy peasy!

Due to the warmer weather, the half load restrictions are currently in effect for the Township of Billings. Groups of sandhill cranes (also known as “sedges”) are limited to no more than 5 on a road at any given time. 

Bet you thought we couldn’t fit a crane pun into the column. Whoop, there it is! (Not our greatest work, but we have no egrets.) Have a great week!

March 19, 2025

We know St. Patrick’s Day was this past Monday, but we believe the luck of the Irish can be celebrated all week long! In other words, it ain’t over until it’s clover. Regardless how you celebrated, Team O’Fergmeijer hopes you are having a shamrockin’ good week!

Spring is (almost) sprung, the grass is (almost) ris, I wonder where the giant prehistoric-looking birdies is? Be on the lookout for the return of the sandhill crane! Peter O’Gordon was the first to hear the telltale coo last year, taking the yearly title for the second time. Will he be able to make it a three-peat? Or will YOU be the first to report a sighting/hearing? Email Team O’Fergmeijer at fergmeijer@gmail.com and let us know when you first spot or hear a sandhill crane in Billings. Don’t forget to include date AND time - some years it has come down to a matter of a few minutes to determine the champion!

It is still too early to start planting, but in preparation for actual spring, we’ve been reading up on DIY underwater gardening. We picked the self kelp book up at the library. 

Speaking of our wonderful library, thanks to everyone who came out to the Pyjama Party, hosted by library chair Laura O’Hunter at the Billings Library last week! Keep an ear out for more fun activities for the younguns as we get closer to the summer. 

The township has a job posting for an Active Living Program Coordinator. Full details of the posting can be found on the town website (www.billingstwp.ca/townhall/careers). Applications can be submitted until 12pm on March 28th by email to Veronique O’Dion, CAO/Clerk, by email at cao@billingstwp.ca or by regular mail to 15 Old Mill Road Kagawong, ON, P0P 1J0. 

The last of the FREE senior’s exercise classes with Kelly O’Ranta is this Thursday at the O’Park Centre. New participants are still able to join! Come out at 9:30am - no registration necessary. 

Thank you to all of the volunteers who have kept the rink at the Kagawong O’River Complex open for business throughout the winter!

Also due to the warmer weather, the half load restrictions are currently in effect for the Township O’Billings. Groups of leprechauns (also known as “lucks”) are limited to no more than 20 on a road at any given time. 

Spring dance season is just around the corner! Classes with Candice O’Irwin of Body Stories Dance Education & Performance are starting up again this week. 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. 

Happy 29th birthday to Sharon O’Jackson, and happy almost-29th birthday to Brett O’Varey. We hope you celebrate appropriately, and remember: a party without cake is just a meeting. 

If you are looking for a project to keep you busy this spring and summer, the back room at the Aus O’Hunt Marina is available to rent. You can find more complete details and the application form on the township’s website (billingstwp.ca). 

Every hat is a top hat. A bottom hat is a shoe. Have a great week!

March 12, 2025

It was a sad and disappointing day when we found out that our universal remote did not, in fact, control the Universe. Not even remotely. 

To make ourselves feel better, we are going bowling. You can come too! Friday March 14th Noojmowin-Teg is offering transportation from Manitoulin to Venture Lanes in Espanola for a free 2SLGBTQIA+ family and youth bowling day. On Thursday, March 20th there is a 2SLGBTQIA (18+) bowling night. Pizza and drinks provided! Contact nicole.jol@noojmowin-teg.ca for more information or to register. 

Manitoulin Streams Youth Rangers are at it again! On Friday, March 14th (from 11am-2pm) kids in grades 1-8 are invited to take part in a ‘Maple Syrup Event’ at the Kagawong Park Centre. Cost is $10/child and a pizza lunch is provided. Contact getinvolved.manitolinstreams@gmail.com for more information and to register. 

As part of the township's commitment to a senior-friendly community, they have a new job posting for an Active Living Program Coordinator. Full details of the posting can be found on the town website (www.billingstwp.ca/townhall/careers). Applications should be submitted by email to Veronique Dion, CAO/Clerk, by email at cao@billingstwp.ca or by regular mail to 15 Old Mill Road Kagawong, ON, P0P 1J0. Applications will be accepted until Friday, March 28th at 12pm

FREE senior’s exercise classes continue this month at the Park Centre. New participants are still able to join the remaining classes including tomorrow’s! Come out at 9:30am on March 13th and 20th. No registration necessary. 

Planning on going for a skate? With the variable temperatures lately, the rink at the Kagawong River Complex sometimes closes to protect the ice surface. Check the Facebook page for updates, and please do not skate on the ice when the CLOSED sign is posted. 

Also due to the warmer weather, the half load restrictions are currently in effect for the Township of Billings. Wild turkey flocks (also known as “rafters”) are limited to groups of no more than 7 on a road at any given time. We do not have the statistics on allowable numbers of Sandhill Cranes at this time, but we will report back when we have updated information from the township. 

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. 

Two Kagawongians are turning 29 this week: happy birthday wishes go out to Kim N and Mike M who have both figured out that the only way to worm out of turning older each year is to live in Billings!

If you are looking for a project to keep you busy this spring and summer, the back room at the Aus Hunt Marina is available to rent. You can find more complete details and the application form on the township’s website (billingstwp.ca). 

To close out the column, we were going to share a bowling joke, but we will spare you. Have a great week!

March 5, 2025

Deep thoughts, by Team Fergmeijer: Everyone should be getting into feng shui. Because sometimes when you’re having a bad day it’s nice to know it’s the credenza’s fault. If the airlines were smart, they would seat a dog every few rows and then charge extra to sit next to a dog. Do we want to pay for an upgrade - no. Do we want to pay for a PUPgrade? Absolutely! It appears that there exists a quantity of artificial butter flavour beyond which people begin to believe it’s not butter. This is known as the margarine of error. Have you ever pondered what the moon would look like if it were colonized? Probably something like M:O:O:N.

Manitoulin Streams Youth Rangers are at it again! On Friday March 14th (from 11am-2pm) kids in grades 1-8 are invited to take part in a ‘Maple Syrup Event’ at the Kagawong Park Centre. Cost is $10/child and a pizza lunch is provided. Contact getinvolved.manitolinstreams@gmail.com for more information and to register. 

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. 

New FREE senior’s exercise classes have started up at the Park Centre. The first session was last week, but you are still able to join the remaining classes including tomorrow’s! Come out at 9:30am on March 6, 13 and 20. No registration necessary. 

Many happy returns to Arthur H who is turning 29 this week. Choosing the best flavour for your birthday cake can be tricky. We suggest avoiding marble cake (it’s hard on the teeth). Happy birthday!

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 this Saturday from 11-2pm. The homemade chili dinner 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. 

If you are looking for a project to keep you busy this spring and summer, the back room at the Aus Hunt Marina is available to rent. You can find more complete details and the application form on the township’s website (billingstwp.ca). 

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. 

What happens when a microscope crashes into a telescope? They kaleidoscope. Have a great week!