October 19, 2022

We tend to forget how much we love autumn, but as the weather cools, it’s fall coming back to us now. Although the weather has been unbeleafably wet this week, we hope you have carved out some good times with friends and family anyway (while squashing any dinner table drama). We hope it’s not too acorny of us to say, but it really is the most wonderfall time of the year (you autumn know by now that we love a gourd play on words). 

The township’s Junk in the Trunk event is back, just in time for Waste Reduction Week! Hosted by the township’s Climate Action Committee and the Parks, Recreation and Wellness Committee, come on out Saturday, October 22nd to the Kagawong Pavilion from 10am until 2pm to reduce, reuse and recycle. Got some items to trade, give away, or sell? No registration required - just show up at the pavilion downtown, set up a table or pop your trunk and you’re good to go!

 

Save some money at the Junk in the Trunk event, and then save some power the very next day! Don’t forget about the island-wide planned power outage Sunday, October 23rd from 7 am to 2 pm. Be sure to plan accordingly.

We are sending happy birthday wishes east this week to Fergmeijer superfan Joanne T who yesterday turned… whatever people off-Island turn on their birthdays.  Celebrating on-Island, and all turning 29, are Rachel B, Ken F, and  Sue W.  Best wishes to you on your special days, and if another birthday is getting you down, just remember, at least you’re not as old as you will be next year!

 

October 24th is municipal election day. There are no in-person polls, and you should have received your ballot in the mail earlier this month. We’re past the deadline for mailing in your ballot, but you can still drop it off at the town office any week day right up to and including the 24th. Have your say in municipal representation! 

 

This time of year is always a good time to check out the salmon running up the Kagawong River. Be sure to stay safe along the riverbanks as you cheer our fishy friends on their quest to the falls! Instead of coming up with our own fish pun, we’re hoping salmon else can create one for us. 

 

Take note - the Billings landfill will be closed early on Thursday, November 3. Be sure to drop off anything you need to drop off by 5pm on that date. 

 

Save the date - yule be sorry if you miss it! Christmas in Kagawong is back November 18-20th. There will be lots of ways to treat yo’elf and have a festive good time. We’ll share more information as it becomes available.

 

The library’s annual silent auction is back for 2022! Join the auction facebook page (www.facebook.com/groups/libraryauction) to see sneak previews over the next few weeks. Bidding does not open until Thursday, Nov. 24th and closes Sunday Nov. 27th. All proceeds go to support Billings Library.

 

Last call to become a published poet! Submit a poem to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get it in the column. We’re not sure how original this one is, but we’re always up for a good animal limerick:

An elephant slept in his bunk,

And in slumber his chest rose and sunk.

But he snored — how he snored!

All the other beasts roared,

So his wife tied a knot in his trunk.

 

Get out there and enjoy every moment of this a-maize-ing time of year. But it does get chilly, so be sure to grab apple-over before you go out. Have a good week!

October 12, 2022

Team Fergmeijer was on the lookout for members of the Kagawong Gobble Brigade this past weekend as they moved around town, trying to avoid becoming part of a Thanksgiving feast. We had heard shocking rumours that they were loudly shouting some pretty fowl language. They tried to ruffle our feathers, because that’s what they do best. No one is safe from these fluffy ruffians - they’ll cross the road to get to you just to show that they’re not chicken.

Thanks to everyone who organized the in-person All Candidates Meeting at the Kagawong Park Centre last week, and special thanks to Sandy C who facilitated a Zoom connection for those who couldn’t make it. A healthy turnout had lots of questions for the candidates. Don’t forget to mail in your municipal election ballot ahead of the deadline listed on your mail-in ballot!

 

According to research, salmon don’t like to watch cable television. Apparently they prefer streams. This time of year is always a good time to check out the salmon running up the Kagawong River. Be sure to stay safe along the riverbanks as you cheer our fishy friends on their quest to the falls!

 

Happy birthday to Team Fergmeijer superfan Jef as we think he celebrates his 29th trip around the sun this week (but we can never be sure how birthdays work off-island). Survive and thrive, high-five and jive!

 

The last thing Team Fergmeijer wants to do is leave our readers in the dark about what’s going on in Billings Township. So consider yourselves warned! There will be an island-wide planned power outage Sunday, October 23rd from 7 am to 2 pm. Be sure to plan accordingly.

 

Save the date! Christmas in Kagawong is back! Mark November 18-20th on your calendars and prepare yourselves for a festive good time in Kagawong. We’ll share more information as it becomes available.

 

We’re once again putting out the call for your original short poems/haikus/limericks and the like. Submit them  to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get them in the column! As long as they are PG. The Expositor editors only let us get away with so much. Here’s one of the more dill-icious entries:

 

A funny young fellow named Perkins

Was terribly fond of small gherkins.

One day after tea, 

He ate ninety-three,

And pickled his internal workin's.

 

Have a good week!

October 5, 2022

As you know, Team Fergmeijer are history buffs and this week we learned that in the old west, they mounted a lantern to their horse for travelling at night. It was the first form of saddle light navigation. 

The township was hopping this weekend! Thanks to the efforts of 4elements Living Arts, the annual Elemental Festival was bigger and better than ever. Participants of all ages sang, danced, and laughed their way through Saturday, and Sunday they were treated to a truly unique and captivating outdoor soundscape performance. 4e and their volunteers continue to bring exemplary talent to our little patch of the world. 

 

Team Fergmeijer would like to share their condolences with the friends and family of Peter Nelson. News of his passing was a shock to all. Special thoughts go out to members of the Manitoulin Secondary School family, where Peter spent many years sharing his love of music with generations of students, and has left a lasting impression.

 

The Manitoulin Planning Board is holding a series of public meetings for the purposes of receiving public comments and considering the adoption of proposed new zoning by-laws. The meeting for the Township of Billings is tonight (Wednesday, October 5th)! The meeting will be virtual, at 7pm. Contact Kathy at the town office ASAP for the link.

 

Come out to the All Candidate Meeting at the Park Centre tomorrow (Thursday, October 6th). You can meet and greet the candidates informally from 6:30pm - 7pm; the candidates will have a chance to formally speak to the audience from 7 - 8pm; questions will be taken 8 - 9pm, and closing remarks will be at 9:30pm. In related news, the library will be closing early on Thursday, October 6th to allow all employees and board members to attend the all candidates meeting. Adjusted hours will be 4pm - 5:30pm. 

 

Big change happening in the up-town business district of Kagawong: Sugar Bush Canadian Coffee House has served its last cup of coffee. Owners Sandi and Dave have some tricks up their sleeve for the future of the location, so stay tuned!

 

Although Mary B was not able to participate in this year’s Run for the Cure in Sudbury last weekend, Kagawong was still well-represented! With friends like Mary in mind, Heather T once again took part in the 5km (or in this case 6.4km) fundraising run for breast cancer research, prevention, and patient care. Participants all over Canada ran, biked, walked, and rolled to raise much needed funds, and it’s not too late to donate! Visit http://support.cancer.ca/goto/htheijsmeijer

 

A very happy belated birthday to a trio of Kagawongians who kept their September birthdate a secret until now! Keith, Kim, and Dennis all turned 29 on the same day (how rare is that? You can bet we’re doing the math!). Another belated birthday is going out to John B who is celebrating his 29th birthday in his new digs. And in just a couple of days, Jamie F will also be celebrating his 29th birthday. To all of you celebrating we say: once in a blue moon, people with great passion and brilliance are born into this world, who aim at the greater things in life. Today, two of them would like to wish you a very happy birthday!

 

Congratulations to Main Street Café/Express on their tenth anniversary! That’s ten years and thousands of hearty sammiches and exquisite desserts served, yo. Here’s to the next ten!

 

We’re once again putting out the call for your original short poems/haikus/limericks and the like. Submit them  to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get them in the column! As long as they are PG. The Expositor editors only let us get away with so much. Here’s one glorifying the snappiest of vegetables:

I eat my peas with honey. I’ve done it all my life. 

It makes the peas taste funny, but it keeps them on the knife.  

 

Have a good week!

September 28, 2022

Deep thoughts to start off this week: If you place a single cherry in a pail, is that just a drupe in the bucket?

This weekend’s 4elements living arts Elemental Festival is going to be fantabulous! Everything from storytelling to a family ceili and dance, to improv, to music in nature… all right here in Kagawong! For specific days and times, check out: ​​https://4elementslivingarts.org/elemental-festival/  

 

The Angel Bus “Fall’N Angels” Dance fundraiser is back! This Saturday (October 1st) from 7-11pm, get your groove on at the Burpee & Mills community hall and support a fantastic cause. Tickets are $15 per person. Music by the Manitoulin Swing Band and Missy’s Groovy Little Band. The Angel Bus is a wheelchair accessible van that provides transportation free of charge to Residents of Manitoulin Lodge and adult citizens of western Manitoulin with mobility issues. You can also donate directly to the Angel Bus: https://www.manitoulinauxiliary.org/donate 

 

Team Fergmeijer watched a documentary on how to make pickles this past week. It was jarring. 

 

Though Mary B is unable to participate in this year’s Run for the Cure in Sudbury this weekend, Kagawong will still be well-represented! Heather T is once again running for friends like Mary, and fundraising for breast cancer research, prevention, and patient care. It’s not too late to donate! Visit http://support.cancer.ca/goto/htheijsmeijer

 

The Manitoulin Planning Board is holding a series of public meetings for the purposes of receiving public comments and considering the adoption of proposed new zoning by-laws. The meeting for the Township of Billings will be virtual, on Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm. Contact Kathy at the town office for the link.

 

We decided we wanted a new pet, so we went to the pet store to buy a goldfish. The clerk asked us if we wanted an aquarium, but we told him we don’t really believe in astrology. 

 

A note to all eligible voters in Billings - all municipal ballots are mail-in. They should be arriving in your mailbox late September or early October. Want to get some clarity on who to vote for? Come out to the All Candidate meeting at the Park Centre on Thursday, October 6th. You can meet and greet the candidates informally from 6:30pm - 7pm; the candidates will have a chance to formally speak to the audience from 7 - 8pm; questions will be taken 8 - 9pm, and closing remarks will be at 9:30pm. Moderator will be John Diebolt. The meeting will also be available via Zoom for those not able to attend in-person. Contact Sandy Cook (cookilburrow@hotmail.com) by October 3rd to receive the Zoom link. 

 

In related news, the library will be closing early on Thursday, October 6th to allow all employees and board members to attend the all candidates meeting. Adjusted hours will be 4pm - 5:30pm. 

 

Exciting news - Christmas in Kagawong is back! We’ll post more information as we receive it, but for now, mark November 18-20th on your calendars. 

 

We’re once again putting out the call for your original short poems/haikus/limericks and the like. Submit them  to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get them in the column! As long as they are PG. The Expositor editors only let us get away with so much. 

 

A forgetful old gasman named Dieter, 

Who went poking around his gas heater, 

Touched a leak with his light; 

He blew out of sight— 

And, as everyone who knows anything about poetry can tell you, he also ruined the meter.

Have a good week!

September 21, 2022

Team Fergmeijer bought a discount GPS off some guy we met in a parking lot. We can’t be sure, but we think it’s a knockoff. It asked us if we wanted to “make an illegal u-turn here to save 10 minutes?” When we said no, it was like, “nerd.”

Congratulations to the Manitoulin Tennis Club’s Harvest Tennis tournament this past weekend! Local tennis star Keith M won the doubles portion along with Danielle D, while Kris L won the singles portion. Thanks to everyone who came out for this last tennis event of the season. As long as the warm weather holds, tennis players might want to keep an eye on the Manitoulin Tennis Club Facebook page for pop-up playing times.

 

The Angel Bus “Fall’N Angels” Dance fundraiser is back! Saturday, October 1st from 7-11pm, get your groove on at the Burpee & Mills community hall and support a fantastic cause. Tickets are $15 per person. Music by the Manitoulin Swing Band and Missy’s Groovy Little Band. The Angel Bus is a wheelchair accessible van that provides transportation free of charge to Residents of Manitoulin Lodge and adult citizens of western Manitoulin with mobility issues. You can also donate directly to the Angel Bus: https://www.manitoulinauxiliary.org/donate 

 

Did you know that the Billings Library has dozens of audio books? We went looking for books on tape, but didn’t see anything to do with packing, masking or ducts. 

 

A note to all eligible voters in Billings - all municipal ballots are mail-in. They should be arriving in your mailbox late September or early October. Want to get some clarity on who to vote for? Come out to the All Candidate meeting at the Park Centre on Thursday, October 6th. You can meet and greet the candidates informally from 6:30pm - 7pm; the candidates will have a chance to formally speak to the audience from 7 - 8pm; questions will be taken 8 - 9pm, and closing remarks will be at 9:30pm. Moderator will be John Diebolt. 

 

Happy 29th birthday goes out to Barb E this week, and belated happy birthday wishes to Joan H who celebrated last week. You are absolute proof that fabulous has no age limit!

 

Though Mary B is unable to participate in this year’s Run for the Cure in Sudbury on October 2nd, Kagawong will still be well-represented! Heather T is once again running for friends like Mary, and fundraising for breast cancer research, prevention, and patient care. If you are interested in donating, visit http://support.cancer.ca/goto/htheijsmeijer

 

More details have been released on this year’s 4elements living arts Elemental Festival… and it’s going to be ah-may-zing! October 1st and 2nd will see music take over Kagawong with events at the Park Centre and Sandy Beach. For the impressive full lineup, check out: ​​https://4elementslivingarts.org/elemental-festival/  

 

The Manitoulin Planning Board is holding a series of public meetings for the purposes of receiving public comments and considering the adoption of proposed new zoning by-laws. The meeting for the Township of Billings will be virtual, on Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm. Contact Kathy at the town office for the link.

 

We’re once again putting out the call for your original short poems/haikus/limericks and the like. Submit them to fergmeijer@gmail.com and we’ll get them in the column! As long as they are PG. The Expositor editors only let us get away with so much. We’ll kick things off with an ode to amore:

 

When the moon hits

Your knees and you

Mispronounce trees; 

Sycamore

 

Have a good week!

September 14, 2022

We hope all the students had a gym-dandy first week back to school and that nothing lessons your enthusiasm for learning! We’re sure you were so bright, the teachers had to wear shades. With luck you will find a group of friends that you really clique with. Keep angling for that A in geometry, and everyone will see you are a class act!

And just like that, another summer comes to a close. Of all the Kagawong summer traditions, Team Fergmeijer loves the market the most. A huge crafty and artisanal THANK YOU goes out to Ethel Newburn for keeping the over 50 vendors organized from week-to-week all season long, and dealing with last-minute changes due to weather. We’re already looking forward to next June!

 

Did you hear about the tennis player who was not allowed to take out books about aces at the library? That’s because he never returned them. The Manitoulin Tennis Club is, ahem, serving up one more tournament to close out the season! Come out this Saturday (September 17th) at 9am to the Manitoulin Secondary School courts for the Harvest Tournament. All players of all abilities are welcome. There is a $5 entrance fee OR bring a small harvest (i.e., quart of beans or tomatoes, a squash, some corn, etc.) - everyone will walk away with a prize! Contact Chris Theijsmeijer at ctheijsmeijer@gmail.com or at 705 618-7155 for more information or to register. Rain date of Sunday, September 18th. 

 

The millwheel in front of the Town Office is getting a make-over! The brother-sister duo of Morgan and Kendra Edwards had their design selected earlier this year, and have now started the process of bringing their idea to life. Stop by and check out their progress this week!

 

More details have been released on this year’s 4elements living arts Elemental Festival… and it’s going to be ah-may-zing! October 1st and 2nd will see music take over Kagawong with events at the Park Centre and Sandy Beach, including concerts by Elijah & The Backburners, O’Schraves Ceiligh and Family Dance, Cassidy MacAuliffe (of the Woodland Sisters), and Ariadne. More information coming soon - keep an eye on their website ​​https://4elementslivingarts.org/elemental-festival/ or their Facebook page as we get closer to the date.

 

We took the shell off of our racing snail yesterday, thinking it would make him more streamlined and go faster. Doesn’t look like it worked. If anything it seems to have made him more sluggish. 

 

The Manitoulin Planning Board is holding a series of public meetings for the purposes of receiving public comments and considering the adoption of proposed new zoning by-laws. The meeting for the Township of Billings will be virtual, on Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm. Contact Kathy at the town office for the link.

 

Billings Township has put out the call for elections officials. Check out the town website (www.billingstwp.ca) for more information on the requirements for these paid positions. Application forms are available on the township website or at the township office during regular business hours. Completed application forms must be returned to Kathy McDonald at the town office by 12:00 pm this Friday, September 16th. While you’re at it, make sure you’re registered to vote! Election day is Monday, October 24. 

 

This week’s words of wisdom: never underestimate the value of closure. You know what they say about cliffhangers… Have a good week!

September 7, 2022

The end of the summer season always makes us a bit more reflective. We start to ask some of the deep questions, like: if you cross a chicken with a cow, do you get roost beef? Is a pair of scissors one or two? Are painkillers just the ‘mute notifications’ option for our bodies? Do you suppose a librarian could be referred to as a bookkeeper? Would that make a referee a game warden? And a milkman a cowboy? What do you get when you cross a joke with a rhetorical question?

4elements living arts kicked off a series of Elemental Festival events with a concert by Georgia Hathaway at the Old Church on the Hill this past Thursday. Georgina shared her Manitoulin-inspired music with a very appreciative audience. Keep your eyes peeled for even more upcoming events in September and October! 

 

The music continued Friday night as Chris Theijsmeijer led an evening of song as a fundraiser for the library. Thank you to Chris and the generous crowd for supporting the library.

 

This is it - your last chance to check out the amazing market in Kagawong! Wednesday is the final market of the 2022 season. Stop in for fresh veg, creative crafts, delicious food, amazing art, and a multitude of other fantastic goods. The market runs 10am-3pm. It’s never too soon to stock up on gifts for the holidays! 

 

Happy birthday to a couple of amazing women: Susan S & Kim B both turned 29 recently. Remember, just because you remember dancing to the Macarena, doesn’t mean you are old! Former Kagawongian Amanda G celebrated her 29th last week. Although technically she is no longer a local, she has many in the community who wish her well. Mandy, please know that although you may be far away, your birthday did not pass uncelebrated. In fact, your cake was delicious!

 

How do swimmers clean themselves? They wash up on shore! Having said that though, we have to keep our shores in ship shape, especially when it comes to the Kagawong River. A gentle reminder that altering the flow of the river can be damaging to the fish who spawn at the falls. This includes (but is not limited to) building your own enclosed pool within the already existing, natural pool at the base of the falls. 

 

Billings Township has put out the call for elections officials. Check out the town website (www.billingstwp.ca) for more information on the requirements for these paid positions. Application forms are available on the township website or at the township office during regular business hours. Completed application forms must be returned to Kathy McDonald at the town office by 12:00 pm on Friday, September 16th. While you’re at it, make sure you’re registered to vote! Election day is Monday, October 24. 

 

While shopping for cars this week, Team Fergmeijer learned that “heated seats” are so-named because “rear defroster” was already taken. Have a good week!