April 2, 2025

We at Team Fergmeijer have decided that Brendan Fraser and Keanu Reeves could do a movie together called, “Movie” and our entire country would line up at the theatres to watch it. 

Thank you to the competitors from far and wide who met up this week to show off their best Sandhill Crane impression on Tuesday, April 1st. This year, an incredible lineup of cooing hopefuls met on the steps of the Old Mill at the crack of dawn and gave it their best shot. Honorable mentions go out to competitors #6 Jack Potte, and #32 Walter U. Upto, but the ultimate coo-ing champion of 2025 was contestant #75 Pat Miback. Congratulations to all participants (but mostly to Pat).  

It’s April! Which means the landfill hours shift to spring & summer hours. Stop by to say hi to Denis (and drop off your sorted garbage and recycling) Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. and weekends 10:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

We would like to wish a happy 29th birthday to Sharon A this week. We didn’t know where to start on your birthday present so we figured we’d trawl the internet for inspiration. After a couple of hours, we found some really good stuff. But then we remembered we were supposed to be finding you a birthday present and it was too late. Sorry!

Did you know? There are two new ways to stay up-to-date with the goings-on in the township. You can sign up for emails from the township’s events calendar (https://calendar.billingstwp.ca/default/Subscription), and/or you can download the TOWNApp for the Township of Billings. The easy-to-use, FREE app provides updates about safety, events, road closures, taxes, and allows you to report road issues, accidents, floods and other concerns directly through the app. Just download the app and enter “Billings.” 

Speaking of staying up-to-date on community events…we’re so egg-cited, and we just can’t hide it - the annual Easter egg hunt is back! Starting at 11am on April 19th at the Park Centre, bring your basket, meet THE bunny, and put all your eggs in one basket, courtesy of the Parks, Recreation and Wellness committee. 

The Manitoulin Community Choir is back performing in Kagawong this 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 joining the Lake Kagawong Resource Committee, the Climate Action Committee, the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee, and the Ad Hoc Water Advisory Committee. 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.

The township is planning for some new, seasonal banners to go up around town and your pictures could be featured on them. The deadline to submit your high quality photos is Monday April 14th. Contact the town office for full details. 

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!

While you are at it, why not take part in Manitoulin Streams’ Great Manitoulin Island Clean Up?! With awards for the school, community, business, individual, seniors, and group of four who clean up the most bags of garbage, it’s a win for you AND for the Island environment! Check out Manitoulin Streams on Facebook for full details of how to take part. 

Have a great week!