May 28, 2025

With the slowly improving weather, we’ve seen a lot of people out and about for walks and jogs this week. It was really inspiring! We never thought we would be the type of people who woke up early just to get a workout in. We were correct. Turns out rolling out of bed early is easy. Getting up off the floor is the hard part. 

The Billings Climate Action Committee is looking for another member to round out the group. Any interested persons are asked to contact the township office.

Manitoulin Metal Robotics is once again hosting their annual e-waste drive. Stop by Manitoulin Secondary May 26-30 from 3-5pm, or Saturday, May 31 from 10am - 2pm to drop off any dead electronics, including appliances, batteries of any kind, and devices. Look for the robotics team members outside by the basketball court on those days.

For users on the Billings town water system, the Ontario Clean Water Agency will be flushing the lines June 2-3. If there is any discoloration in your water, leave it running until it is clear.

We just had the thought that If you combine wine with dinner the new word is winner, and that’s the kind of positive thinking we need this year. 

Thinking of burning brush as you tidy up your yard? Don’t forget that burn permits are required in Billings! Stop by the township office to get your free permit, which is valid for one week. Burn permits are not required for a small bonfire.

This week, we would like to wish Erin F, Casey B, and David H a very happy birthday with all our butts. We would say ‘with all our hearts’ but our butts are definitely bigger. 

June 28th is Team Aelick’s annual stroll for liver in support of Liver Canada. This 5k walk through the village starts at the Park Centre at 11am. You can join the stroll, support from the sidelines, and donate through their team page (bit.ly/teamaelick). Donations over $20 qualify for a tax receipt. 

Billings Library’s annual used book sale is set for Saturday, July 19th. Rain or shine, there will be thousands of books up for grabs, as well as a few surprises to be revealed in the coming weeks. 

The library will also be holding their annual beach movie on August 9th. They will be showing the 80s classic, Labyrinth!

Quick reminder: April is procrastination awareness month. Have a great week!

May 21, 2025

Things have been a bit difficult at our day jobs lately. Our boss calls Team Fergmeijer ‘the computers.’ Nothing to do with intelligence, it’s just that we go to sleep if left unattended for 15 minutes. Of course, if it were up to us, we’d still be at our old jobs as engineers. Guess we burned one too many bridges there, though. Our current occupations aren’t too bad, truthfully. Though the number of meetings is a bit of a drag. We firmly believe they shouldn’t last longer than a laptop battery or our bladders. We were venting to local career coach Jamie Ward, and he agreed with us saying, “My biggest problem with meetings is, that despite their name, they are rarely about me, yo!”

The Manitoulin Tennis Club would like to thank everyone who came out for the annual season kick-off, the Black Fly Tournament this past weekend. It was great to have everyone out swatting at tennis balls and flies. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome to come out to the courts at Manitoulin Secondary School Wednesdays at 6:30pm and Sundays at 10am for friendly matches. Free tips and lessons are also available from a certified coach. See you on the courts!

Come out on Sunday (May 25) for the Island Singers’ spring concert, Songs for the Earth. The performance starts at 3pm at Manitoulin Secondary School, will feature a variety of pieces from various genres, and a special performance by a member of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $15 each and are available at the door. Children 12 and under are free.

Manitoulin Metal Robotics is once again hosting their annual e-waste drive. Stop by Manitoulin Secondary May 26-30 from 3-5pm, or Saturday, May 31 from 10am - 2pm to drop off any dead electronics, including appliances, batteries of any kind, and devices. Look for the robotics team members outside by the basketball court on those days.

Happy birthday to a couple of smart, funny, good-looking and fabulous individuals: Gerry M and Casey B! (We’re pretty sure we got in all the things you wanted us to say. Just let us know if we missed any and we can add it in later.)

Interested in some pick-up pickleball? Head to the Pickledome (aka the Kagawong River Complex)! We haven’t been able to track down specifics, but it appears to be happening on Thursday evenings. If you have your own gear, you can play almost any time! 

There have been alterations made to the Billings bulk water system. If you have any issues or questions, the fantastic folks at the town office are happy to help you. 

Thinking of burning brush as you tidy up your yard? Don’t forget that burn permits are required in Billings! Stop by the township office to get your free permit, which is valid for one week. Burn permits are not required for a small bonfire.

We’re counting down the sleeps! The first Kagawong market of the summer will be Wednesday, June 25. We can’t wait to welcome all the vendors and visitors back to the Kagawong River Complex.

June 28th is Team Aelick’s annual stroll for liver in support of Liver Canada. This 5k walk through the village starts at the Park Centre at 11am. You can join the stroll, support from the sidelines, and donate through their team page (bit.ly/teamaelick). Donations over $20 qualify for a tax receipt. 

Billings Library’s annual used book sale is set for Saturday, July 19th. Rain or shine, there will be thousands of books up for grabs, as well as a few surprises to be revealed in the coming weeks. 

The library will also be holding their annual beach movie on August 9th. They will be showing the 80s classic, Labyrinth!

Don’t you hate it when people answer their own questions? We sure do. Have a great week! 

May 14, 2025

A friend of Team Fergmeijer has allergy issues, and decided her only option was to get a pet tree. She says it’s a lot like having a pet dog, but the bark is much quieter. She was trying to film the chipmunks that play in her pet tree and while she was distracted, ran into a lamppost. Luckily, she only sustained light injuries. When she looked back at the video, she realized she had accidentally taken a 10 minute cellphone video of her shoes. It was actually some pretty good footage. 

Birthdays are like spotting Bigfoot: you really do want to see them but you’re a little afraid of what they’ll look like. That said, we want to wish happy birthday to Kagawongian Sherri C and aspirational Kagawongian Leslie M who are turning 29 this week. 

This event is sure to be a smash hit! This Saturday (May 17th) is the annual Black Fly Doubles Tournament. Everyone is welcome to come out and shake off the winter rust. All ages and ability levels can participate - no partner, no problem! Registration is free. Contact ctheijsmeijer@gmail.com or check out Manitoulin Tennis Club on Facebook for more information or to register.

Have you heard? Bird is the word! The museum opens again for the season this weekend - be sure to stop in and check out the new exhibit!

The Island Singers are presenting their spring concert, Songs for the Earth, on Sunday, May 25 at 3pm at Manitoulin Secondary School. The concert will feature a variety of pieces from various genres, and will include a special performance by a member of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $15 each and are available at the door. Children 12 and under are free.

Manitoulin Metal Robotics is once again hosting their annual e-waste drive. Stop by Manitoulin Secondary May 26-30 from 3-5pm, or Saturday, May 31 from 10am - 2pm to drop off any dead electronics, including appliances, batteries of any kind, and devices. Look for the robotics team members outside by the basketball court on those days.

June may still be a little ways off, but word on the street is that the first Kagawong market of the year will be Wednesday, June 25. Save the date! We can’t wait to welcome all our summer vendors back to the Kagawong River Complex.

Mark your calendars - June 28th is Team Aelick’s annual stroll for liver in support of Liver Canada. This 5k walk through the village starts at the Park Centre at 11am. You can join the stroll, support from the sidelines, and donate through their team page (bit.ly/teamaelick). Donations over $20 qualify for a tax receipt. 

Little known fact: Team Fergmeijer does all our own stunts. Just not on purpose. Have a great week!

May 7, 2025

Spring is in the air, and Team Fergmeijer is getting out and having adventures. The single half of the team had a date last night. She said it was really good, so she’s going to try a fig tomorrow. The other half of the team is married and as a gift, her husband took her out to an orchard where they stood there looking at the trees for half an hour. It was not quite the Apple Watch she was expecting.  

Happy Mother’s Day to our Manitoulin Mom and our Mainland Mom! If moms were flowers, we’d pick you, because we love being y’orchids.

Billings Township is advertising for a new deputy clerk. The full job description and information for applying can be found at https://www.billingstwp.ca/townhall/careers

We wish a very happy 29th birthday to Kagawongian Sherri C and Kagawongian wannabe (cause everyone who isn’t a Kagawongian wishes they were) Shan K. Here’s to another year of pretending to be an adult!

The Manitoulin Tennis Club is getting ready to serve up its first tournament of the year! Mark Saturday, May 17th on the calendar for the annual Black Fly Doubles Tournament. Everyone is welcome to come out and shake off the winter rust. All ages and ability levels can participate - no partner, no problem! Registration is free. Contact ctheijsmeijer@gmail.com or check out Manitoulin Tennis Club on Facebook for more information or to register.

Whether you’re a night owl, an early bird, or a permanently exhausted pigeon, there’s a new exhibit at the Old Mill Heritage Centre this season just for you! The museum opens again for the season in May - stay tuned for more information!

The Island Singers are presenting Songs for the Earth, a spring concert on Sunday, May 25 at 3pm at Manitoulin Secondary School. The concert will feature a variety of pieces from various genres, and will include a special performance by a member of the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $15 each and are available at the door. Children 12 and under are free.

Manitoulin Metal Robotics is once again hosting their annual e-waste drive. Stop by Manitoulin Secondary May 26-30 from 3-5pm, or Saturday, May 31 from 10am - 2pm to drop off any dead electronics, including appliances, batteries of any kind, and devices. Look for the robotics team members outside by the basketball court on those days.

We know June is still a little ways’ off, but a little birdie told us the first Kagawong market of the year will be Wednesday, June 25. Save the date! We can’t wait to welcome all our summer vendors back to the Kagawong River Complex.

Mark your calendars - June 28th is Team Aelick’s annual stroll for liver in support of Liver Canada. This 5k walk through the village starts at the Park Centre at 11am. You can join the stroll, support from the sidelines, and donate through their team page (bit.ly/teamaelick). Donations over $20 qualify for a tax receipt. 

Team Fergmeijer just finished writing a book on penguins. It probably would have been easier to write it on paper. Have a great week!