April 9, 2025

Forget April showers bringing May flowers… this month so far has been April ice-showers bringing no-powers. Shockingly, we thought it would be a bright idea to amp up this week’s column with some electricity puns. Watts that? These puns are so bad they Hertz? There’s no use in complaining - when it comes to electricity puns, resistance is futile.

Don’t forget! The Billings landfill has shifted 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 one of the original Fergmeijer fans, Maya H. Remember, age isn’t important (unless you’re cheese). We hope you have a fantastic birthday!

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 this Monday, April 14th. Contact the town office for full details.

Someone has been buying up all the local eggs. And there’s been a run on chocolate. Do you know who bun-it? The plot chickens! While you’re figuring it out, don’t forget that 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. 

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. 

It’s APPealing, it’s APPlaudable, and it’s APPlicable to your everyday life! There’s a brand new app that you can use to stay up to date with all the goings-on in Billings. Check out TOWNApp - an easy-to-use, FREE app that provides updates about safety, events, road closures, taxes, and allows you to report road issues, accidents, floods and other concerns directly. Just download the app and enter “Billings.” 

Team Fergmeijer loves board games. Especially the one where you arrange cheese and meat and crackers and grapes and then eat it. We’re so good at that one. Have a great week!