September 9, 2026

Team Fergmeijer was out to the movies again this week! When we saw that there was a new Mortal Kombat movie out, as fans of the original video game, we absolutely had to go see it. The movie was action packed and exciting, as expected. Most interesting to us was the fun fact that the theme music to Mortal Kombat II is a worship song from Finland. That’s right, it’s a Finnish hymn.  

Fancy a little music this weekend? Catch choral ensemble Voices North performing on Saturday, September 12 at 7pm at the Mindemoya Community Hall. You might recognize a few faces! All are welcome to an evening of acapella choral singing including classical, jazz, folk music, and more. They will also be joined by special guest cellist David MacDonald from the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 705-282-4955 for more information or for tickets.

Here in Billings Township, we put the ACTIVE in Seniors Active Living! Upcoming September events include an Exit Café with End-of-Life Doula Nicky Brown on Thursday, September 24 from 10:30am until noon (cost of $2) and a free hearing screening  on Wednesday, September 30 from 10am until 11am. A new 8-week strength training class for men and women over 55 starts Tuesday, September 29 from 10am until noon. Cost is $20 per week and class size is limited to 16 participants. All programs are at the Park Centre. Contact Mary at 705 348-2285 for more information!

Want a chance to learn more about the candidates running for mayor and council? Come out to the Meet the Candidates event Wednesday September 30th at the Park Centre. The event starts at 6:30pm. Audience questions will be taken (in an orderly fashion).

Alas, the hazy days of the Kagawong summer market have come to an end. Thank you to all the vendors for helping to make this year’s market the best on the island. An extra special thank you to Ethel for coordinating the market again this year - a Herculean task to say the least! But we hear Ethel has one more market trick up her sleeve - stay tuned for more details on a special Saturday market on October 3rd!

Happy birthday to Kagawongians Jamie W and Kim B as they celebrate their 29th trip around the sun. At some point, blowing out that many candles can be considered a sport. Be sure to stretch first!

The township has recently passed a bylaw banning swimming in the pool at Bridal Veil Falls. The sheer number of people in the pool at one time has created a genuine safety issue, as well as bringing up multiple environmental concerns. Current plans involve posting of signage at the top and bottom of the falls stairs. Further steps may be taken for summer 2027.  

Here in Billings, we really know how to serve it up! Congratulations to Kagawongians Keith M and Chris T for winning the doubles division at the recent tennis tournament hosted by the Manitoulin Tennis Club and the Manitoulin Physio Centre. Congratulations also to arrogant Kagawongian Mike M for taking the Cedar Cup by winning the singles men’s division, and Kagawongian Cathy C for taking the Winona Cup as winner of the singles women’s division. All proceeds from the tournament go toward supporting the athletics program at Manitoulin Secondary. The Manitoulin Tennis Club still meets Sunday mornings at 10am and Wednesday evenings at 6pm at the MSS tennis courts. All are welcome to come out and play.

The library is back to their fall hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm-7pm and Saturdays from 10am-1pm), but the landfill is maintaining their summer hours until November (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm-6pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-4pm). 

Fun fact: the law requires you to turn on your headlights when it’s raining in Sweden. We’re just not sure how we’re supposed to know when it’s raining in Sweden. Have a great week!

September 2, 2026

Team Fergmeijer is a huge musical theatre fan, so it is natural that we have some strong opinions about related things. One opinion that may surprise some people is that we cannot stand the parodies of modern major general, they’re overdone and simply not as good as the original. They’ve done them about everything, whatever topic, big or small. And when we notice one of them our eyes will always start to roll. The diction’s always slurry when they rush the complicated words, and adding many fricatives will turn it so cacophonous. The slanted rhymes are silly and they keep just making more and more, please someone stop the parodies of modern major general. The scanning of the lyrics in the meter is unbearable, they emphasize the syllables in ways that are untenable, in short in matters musical, prosodic and ephemeral, we cannot stand the parodies of modern major general. 

Students are back to school next week and we want to remind drivers to keep an eye out for buses and to give them the space to get our kids on and off safely. 

The Billings Township fire department’s 50th anniversary celebration and rededication of the fire hall went off without a hitch last week. Many, many thanks to the organizers who spent a good portion of their free time this past year brainstorming, planning, and carrying out the legwork to get the event off the ground. There is a commemorative book that tells the story of the formation of the Billings Fire Department (in 1976!) and its developments over the last 50 years. You can reach out to members of the fire department if you would like to purchase a copy.  

It’s official! The list of candidates running for office in Billings Township include Roger Chenard, Jim Cahill, and Sandi Hurcomb for mayor, and John Foster, Rick Vanderschot, Sharon Jackson, Simon Wheeler, Don Nuyten, and Stephanie Gillingham for council. Lisa Corbiere-Addison keeps her seat as Rainbow District School Board Trustee (acclaimed). Rumour has it that a Meet the Candidates townhall is in the works. Stay tuned for more details.  

The rumour mill also suggests that the township has hired a new CAO. We are excited to meet them and hope they have a solid appreciation for puns (a critical requirement for any employee of this township). 

Work has begun on the river trail and though we can’t go and see the progress (the trail is off limits for safety reasons, especially now that there are chainsaws and any number of large machines working), we can sure hear the progress happening! Word is that the pedestrian bridge has been cleared of all debris and trees that had gathered in and around it, though it is still not connected to the shores of the river on either side. Thank you to all the people and businesses that are helping and that have donated time and/or resources to the river and trail remediation and rehabilitation. We know it will be a long process, but it is encouraging to know that the work is off to a good start. 

Yoga continues at the Kagawong Park Centre Mondays at 9am, brought to you by the Seniors’ Active Living program. Don’t forget to sign up for the 8-week strength class starting next Tuesday, September 8th. Text or call Mary at 705-348-2285 for more information.

We would like to wish a hearty happy birthday to former Kagawongians Amanda G and Susan S. Remember, getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better (as long as you remember your glasses)!

Billings has deep musical roots. Case in point, the many Kagawongians in the Choral ensemble Voices North performing on Saturday, September 12 at 7pm at the Mindemoya Community Hall. All are welcome to an evening of acapella choral singing including classical, jazz, folk music, and more. They will also be joined by special guest cellist David MacDonald from the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 705-282-4955 for more information or for tickets.

We went to see The Odyssey, the movie everyone has been talking about all summer. It’s not musical theatre, but of course we still had thoughts about the adaptation. Overall, it was good, although some details from the original story were left out—or were just plain wrong. At least, we’re fairly sure they were wrong. Getting Greek mythology wrong is our Hercules ankle. Have a great week!

August 26, 2026

Team Fergmeijer knows that readers are often blown away by our puns. And we hear we have a lot of fans. But if we can step back from shooting the breeze for a moment, we wanted to report on the results of this summer’s Kagawong Cup: a sailing race across Mudge Bay that is making a comeback. Unfortunately, this year the weather conditions were too windy to race. Without blowing things out of proportion, it turns out the organizers’ relationship with the wind is complicated, as it comes and goes. It’s anyone’s gust as to whether or not this race will be attempted again next summer. Instead of results, we could share a joke about the wind, but we don’t want to blow it.

Today! The Billings Township fire department is celebrating 50 years of service! On August 26th, stop by the fire hall anytime between 10am and 2pm to help celebrate (we hear there will be cake!). There will be a special re-dedication ceremony at 1pm. All are welcome!

The library has had the great good fortune to have summer librarian Dana working all summer long to keep things running smoothly and freeing up the regular librarian and board members for their summer fundraising activities (like the fantastic movie night, book sale, and market table). The library board and her many patron fans would like to wish Dana the best of luck as she wraps up here and heads off Island to finish her education program!

In related news, the library will be returning to regular hours this week. They will be open 9-5pm this week, but on Saturday, regular hours kick in. From that point on, the library will be open Saturdays 10-1pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-7pm.

Sew cool! Local seamstress extraordinaire Heather P, as Manitoulin Threads, is offering sewing classes and workshops on the island for beginners and expert sewists alike. Group workshops are available for friends, guilds, and community groups of 3-10 people, while private group bookings are also available. Check out https://www.manitoulinthreads.com/ for more information.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news (as opposed to a bad news bear), you’re running out of Wednesdays to get out and explore the Kagawong market! It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping, so come on out and support local producers, artisans, and organizations. While you’re in town, stop in to the many fantastic businesses throughout the village as well!

Yoga continues at the Kagawong Park Centre Mondays at 9am, brought to you by the Seniors’ Active Living program. And coming this fall, there will be an 8-week strength class starting Tuesday, September 8th. Text or call Mary at 705-348-2285 for more information.

A very happy 29th birthday to Tijs T, Diane L, Amy H, and a happy not-quite-29th birthday to Andrew T, and Emma T-T. Don’t forget to make a wish when you blow out your candles. Just be careful what you wish for. Once a friend of ours wished to be happy, and ended up living with six dwarves and working in a mine. 

There are not one, not two, but FIVE Kagawongians performing with the choral ensemble Voices North on Saturday, September 12 at 7pm at the Mindemoya Community Hall. All are welcome to an evening of acapella choral singing including classical, jazz, folk music, and more. They will also be joined by special guest cellist David MacDonald from the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 705-282-4955 for more information or for tickets.

Fun fact: if you hold the sole of your foot up to your ear, you can hear the sound of your hip dislocating. Have a great week!

August 19, 2026

One of the things we at Team Fergmeijer like most about travelling is all the interesting people-watching you can do and all the interesting conversations you hear on the plane or train. Just last week we were on the ferry heading to Tobermory and these two older women were chatting very animatedly. At one point we heard them say, “I think those two weirdos are eavesdropping." 

Free Mindful Movement is back at the Kagawong Park Centre this month! From 10am-11am August 19th (today!) and 26th, join Candice Irwin of Body Stories Dance for a free workshop helping participants connect with their bodies through guided movement sequences, improvisation activities and gentle stretching. All are welcome! No registration required. For more information, contact marissa.mccready@nthc.ca or 705-968-0173. 

The Old Mill Heritage Centre swept the series last week with two sold out presentations of Hockey Day/Night in Kagawong! It was the audience members who scored big with a hat-trick-plus-one of panellists, facilitated by the one and only Steve Paikin. But wait - the game is going into overtime with an online auction of hockey memorabilia and other items. Check out “Auctions by the Old Mill Heritage Centre in Kagawong” on Facebook for more information and to bid on these “Holy Makinaw”-worthy items!

Kagawong hosts the largest market on the island each Wednesday throughout the summer. Pop down to browse the incredible vendors from 10am-3pm at the Kagawong Park Centre (and pickledome, and cabanas, and pop-up tents). While you’re in town, stop in to the many fantastic businesses throughout the village as well!

Happy 29th birthday to Mike Z, Dawn R, and Dane T. Consider this your regular reminder that birthdays are the universe’s way of encouraging us to eat more cake. Don’t let the universe down!

The township is looking to hire a public works operator to assist in the maintenance of municipal roads, building and facilities, as well as public spaces within Billings Township. Visit www.billingstwp.ca/townhall/careers/ to learn more. The posting will remain open until the position is filled. 

Next Wednesday! The Billings Township fire department is celebrating 50 years of service! On August 26th, stop by the fire hall anytime between 10am and 2pm to help celebrate. There will be a special re-dedication ceremony at 1pm. All are welcome!

Yoga continues at the Kagawong Park Centre Mondays at 9am, brought to you by the Seniors’ Active Living program. And coming this fall, there will be an 8-week strength class starting Tuesday, September 8th. Text or call Mary at 705-348-2285 for more information.

Last time we travelled, the airline lost our luggage, so we sued them. Unfortunately, we lost the case. Have a great week!

August 12, 2026

Team Fergmeijer knows the pain of adulting. Last week one of us had our oven stop working just before family was coming for a visit. Thankfully, the repair man arrived right away but he told us it looked like the oven stopped working because of a bad transformer. We obviously had to correct him that, actually, those are called Decepticons, but at least he got the oven working again. 

We would like to remind our faithful readers that due to printing schedules, Team Fergmeijer has to submit these columns a week in advance. With that in mind, Billings Library would like to thank everyone who came out for the library beach movie last weekend! Unless it got postponed due to weather. In which case, check out the library’s Facebook page (FB.com/KagawongLibrary) for the rain date! 

Free Mindful Movement is back at the Kagawong Park Centre this month! From 10am-11am August 12th (today!), 19th, and 26th, join Candice Irwin of Body Stories Dance for a free workshop helping participants connect with their bodies through guided movement sequences, improvisation activities and gentle stretching. All are welcome! No registration required. For more information, contact marissa.mccready@nthc.ca or 705-968-0173. 

The puck drops tomorrow! Get your tickets for either the afternoon or evening Hockey Day in Kagawong event on August 13th and don’t miss this first line of amazing guest speakers and hardware. Visit the Old Mill Heritage Centre (on Facebook or in person) for more information. But wait - there’s more! There are some exciting items coming up for bid in an online auction for the museum on August 14. Check it out and support our local museum!

It may be August, but there’s still lots of market left. Don’t miss out - visit the largest market on the island Wednesdays from 10am-3pm at the Kagawong Park Centre (and pickledome, and cabanas, and pop-up tents… did we mention it’s the largest market on the island?). 

Rumour has it that orthodontists across Ontario are planning to go on strike, so brace yourselves.

Kids can stop in to the library on Tuesdays for some free summer fun with summer librarian Dana! Youth ages 5-10 are welcome from 10-11am for games, crafts and stories. Email billingsreads@gmail.com for more information.  

Happy birthday to Lisa H, Dane T, and Bonnie F who are all celebrating their 29th birthdays! On your big day, we hope you really live it up. In other words: party now, nap later! Though at your age, napping may be what you consider a really good time. No judgement. 

The township is looking to hire a public works operator to assist in the maintenance of municipal roads, building and facilities, as well as public spaces within Billings Township. Visit www.billingstwp.ca/townhall/careers/ to learn more. The posting will remain open until the position is filled. 

Save the date! The Billings Township fire department is celebrating 50 years of service! On August 26th, stop by the fire hall anytime between 10am and 2pm to help celebrate. There will be a special re-dedication ceremony at 1pm. All are welcome!

The Angel Bus is raffling off another quilt this year! You can get your tickets Wednesdays under the pickledome during market hours. All proceeds go to helping seniors and those with mobility challenges get to appointments and activities around Manitoulin. 

Yoga continues at the Kagawong Park Centre Mondays at 9am, brought to you by the Seniors’ Active Living program. And coming this fall, there will be an 8-week strength class starting Tuesday, September 8th. Text or call Mary at 705-348-2285 for more information.

The Institute of Unfinished Research has concluded 6 out of 10 people. Have a great week!

August 5, 2026

Dog-gone it! It’s officially August, the dog days of summer. (For those who are new to this literary pawty, you may be thinking, ‘howl they ever tie this into some puns and jokes?’ Don’t worry; you’ll be giving us a round of apaws for our howl-arious writing by the end.) Speaking of dog days, if you have a dog (or two, or three), don’t forget about the Kagawong Canine Social Club, an off-leash dog park on Carter Crescent (near the Old Church on the Hill). After a ruff day, there’s nothing more relaxing than taking your best pal out to the park. The reminder might not be necessary for some of you. We’re sure some pups hound their owners regularly to go have a ball at the dog park. Fur real, the space may not be terribly pawsh, but it is still quite fetching and a lot of fun. Though a fur-endly word of advice, be careful when it rains. The water tends to gather in some areas and you risk stepping in a poodle. 

Breakout the rainbows - it’s time for Pride Manitoulin, y’all! Join others across the island in celebrating love  August 6th - 9th, with activities such as a sunrise ceremony, medicine walk, queer music bingo, drag 101, trivia night, beading, concerts, dancing, and more! Visit https://www.facebook.com/PRIDEManitoulin/ for more information. 

You remind me of the babe. What babe? The babe with the power. What power? The power of voodoo. Who do? You do. Do what? Remind me of the babe! Calling all 80s babies - this Saturday the library is hosting their annual summer beach movie, showing Labyrinth starring David Bowie! Show starts at 9pm; admission is by donation to the library (cash or card accepted). Bring your own beach chair or floatie!

We’re just one week away from Hockey Day in Kagawong! Get your tickets for either the afternoon or evening event on August 13th and don’t miss this first line of amazing guest speakers and hardware. Visit the Old Mill Heritage Centre (on Facebook or in person) for more information. But wait - there’s more! There are some exciting items coming up for bid in an online auction for the museum on August 14. Stay tuned for more details!

The Kagawong market continues to grow! There’s now a new record of SIX colourful cabanas, adding to the over 70 vendors set up in the rink and the Park Centre parking lot Wednesdays from 10am-2pm. Stop by and check it out!

It’s nice to see tourists (and locals) back enjoying the falls. The river trails are still closed, but the stairs from the parking area and the pool of the falls itself are open to the public. The township has indicated they have significant plans in place to tackle the extensive damage caused by the spring floods, and hope to have the trails partially open in the relatively near future. Follow the Township of Billings website and social media to get the most recent updates. 

Kids can stop in to the library on Tuesdays for some free summer fun with summer librarian Dana! Youth ages 5-10 are welcome from 10-11am for games, crafts and stories. Email billingsreads@gmail.com for more information.  

Happy birthday to Meredith N-C, Lisa H, Meg M all of whom turned 29 recently. Congrats on hitting that special age where a quiet weekend in is the gift you really want. And a special shout out to Fergmeijer extended fam, Emma R-F who celebrated last week (and has a ways to go to hit 29 still). 

Save the date! The Billings Township fire department is celebrating 50 years of service! On August 26th, stop by the fire hall anytime between 10am and 2pm to help celebrate. There will be a special re-dedication ceremony at 1pm. All are welcome!

The Angel Bus is raffling off another quilt this year! You can get your tickets Wednesdays under the pickledome during market hours. All proceeds go to helping seniors and those with mobility challenges get to appointments and activities around Manitoulin. 

We’re curious how it works - do dog catchers get paid by the pound? Have a great week!

July 29, 2026

Never let it be said that Team Fergmeijer can’t take a hint. We can’t be sure, but cutting part of our column from publication a few weeks ago (fear not! You can always get your full pun fix at teamfergmeijer.blogspot.ca!) may have been a subtle reminder that with so much going on in all the communities on the island, it’s tough to fit in all the Friends and Neighbours news. We get it. So this week we’re going ultra-brief. But don’t get used to it. 

Burn ban?? Check the township website for updates that are, ahem, hot off the press.

Manitoulin Tennis Club! Still meeting Sundays and Wednesdays. Free lessons! Everyone welcome! Lob yourself on over to Manitoulin Tennis Club on Facebook.

Summer Market! Largest on the island: Wednesdays from 10am-2pm. No address needed - get yourself to Kagawong and you’ll find it!

Bridal Veil Falls is open again! The trail is still closed. We’ll take what we can get!

Two boats fell in love: it was a true row-mance. 

Library Summer Fun Days! Youth (ages 5-10) welcome 10-11am on Tuesdays for games, crafts and stories with Dana. 

Library beach movie night! Saturday, August 8; showing Labyrinth. Don’t get lost on your way! Free admission, BYO floatie.

Happy 29th birthday to Dawn N and Beth G. Getting old isn’t always fun, but it’s better than the alternative!

Don’t be caught offside! Hockey Night… uh…. History Night in Kagawong is coming August 13. 

Turkeys! Be on the lookout for baby turklets (or is a baby gobbler a goblet?).

Live in Billings? Make sure you are registered to vote by visiting registertovoteON.ca

That’s it for this week. Short and sweet, just like Team Fergmeijer. Have a great week!