July 27, 2022

Team Fergmeijer has decided that we’re going to try to cut back on sugar, so we started to browse the Internet for advice on how to do it. The first website we went to asked if we wanted to accept cookies. This isn’t going to be easy.

If the early bird gets the worm, the early bookworms get the books! The Library’s book sale fundraiser on Saturday was a resounding success, with many patrons walking away with bags of new-to-them books and a BBQ'd Burt Farm smokie to boot. Youngsters and the young-at-heart also got to hear live readings from Canadian author Kathryn Recourt. Thank you to everyone who dropped by!

 

The Iced T’s concert scheduled for Friday, July 22nd was postponed due to unexpected circumstances. Stay tuned for information on a new date.

 

Why do you never see elephants hiding in trees? Because they're so good at it. 

 

If you are like us, you like spending time at the beach, but you also like to watch movies. The library is once again combining those two fabulous activities with a movie night on the beach! On August 6th, fan-favourite movie “Mamma Mia!” will be shown on the big screen at the main beach in town. Show time is 9pm; admission is by donation. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Bring your own chair, blanket and/or floaty to relax and enjoy the show. 

 

Happy birthday to Meredith C-N and Beth G who are both celebrating the big 2-9! Another year older and another year wondering when you’ll get wiser. Many happy returns!

 

What’s that? You haven’t been to the Kagawong market yet? What are you waiting for! Finish reading this column and then get down to the market pavilion in the village of Kagawong and visit with over 50 vendors showcasing amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things. Today and every Wednesday, 10am-3pm all through August. There’s lots of parking available at the Park Centre. 

Did you know you can’t run through a campground? You can only ran, because it’s past tents. 

 

History Day in Kagawong is back! Join historian David Saint-Pierre, army historian Ron Millar, and the 2022 Salvation Army band on Thursday, August 11th to learn more about The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland - Canada’s Titanic. There are two opportunities to attend that day: a matinée event at 3:30pm, or evening event at 7:30pm, both at the Park Centre. Admission is by donation and supports museum projects. Contact the Old Mill Heritage Centre at 705-282-1442 or oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca for more information.

 

The deadline to register as a candidate for councillor or mayor in the upcoming municipal election is quickly approaching. Citizens of Billings can register at the township office between now and August 19th. If you would like more information on what is involved in being on council or some helpful information on running a campaign, check out the Vote Billings blog (https://votebillings.blogspot.com/). Whether you are thinking of running for council or not, don’t forget to register to vote!

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year. You can support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick on Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village.

 

Our friend couldn’t pay his water bill anymore. We sent him a Get Well Soon card. Have a good week!

July 20, 2022

Team Fergmeijer loves watching programs about lakes and rivers on the Internet. Anything water-related, really. In fact, as we write this column, we are watching a live stream! Going with the flow of this theme, this past Sunday was the annual Marine Service and Blessing of the Boats at St. John’s Anglican Church. The church has deep ties to the marine history of the area, and Sunday’s service was well-attended.

The Iced Ts (Ethan, Chris and Arik Theijsmeijer) will be performing Friday, July 22nd at the pavilion. You’ve likely seen these talented gentlemen perform separately at the Christmas concert, with the Island Singers or even at the weekly markets, but this is your chance to see them perform live together for the first time! Show starts at 7pm; admission is by donation with a portion of the proceeds supporting the library. Bring your own blanket or chair for maximum enjoyment! In case the weather doesn’t cooperate, the Iced Ts will perform on Saturday evening. Check in with the Kagawong Facebook page for updates (www.facebook.com/kagawong1). 

 

Stock up on reading material this Saturday at the library’s annual book sale. From 11am-3pm, browse a huge collection of books at the market pavilion. Don’t forget to grab some Burt Farm smokies and hotdogs hot off the BBQ while you are there. All proceeds go to support the library. For an added bonus, Canadian author Kathryn Recourt, will be on-site signing books and giving readings from her award-winning ‘Sir Archibald Droolsalot’ series of children’s books! Readings will be at 11:30am and 1:30pm, but kids and parents are welcome to visit with her any time throughout the event. 

 

Also on July 23rd is Manitoulin’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day, from 1pm - 4pm. Collection depot for our township will be the Mindemoya Roads Building (7 Lakeshore Road off highway 542/551 in Mindemoya). For a complete listing of what the collection will accept, visit the township website at http://billingstwp.ca

 

Due to cuts in the education budget, they've decided to simplify the alphabet, reducing it to just two vowels and one consonant. But don't worry, everything's going to be A-OK! Speaking of budgets, the township will be hosting a special meeting of Council on Monday, July 25th at 7pm to pass the 2022 budget. If you would like to attend by Zoom, contact Kathy McDonald at kmcdonald@billingstwp.ca before 3pm on the day of the meeting. 

 

We have a handful of birthdays to share with you this week: MBB, Jen C, and Arik T are all celebrating their big days this week, turning 29. Ethan T is also celebrating, but he has not yet hit the 29 mark. Remember that with age comes wisdom…and random hairs that grow in weird places. Happy birthday to you all!

 

Mary and John Buie recently celebrated a major milestone - 50 years of marriage! Family members travelled from far and wide to commemorate this momentous occasion. Congratulations to you two crazy kids!

Team Fergmeijer grilled a chicken last night. Still no answer on why she crossed the road. Perhaps it was to get to the market? Our little market is exploding with over 50 vendors showcasing amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things. Be sure to check it out (Wednesdays 10-3pm through July and August). There’s lots of parking available at the Park Centre. 

History Day in Kagawong is back! Join historian David Saint-Pierre, army historian Ron Millar, and the 2022 Salvation Army band on Thursday, August 11th to learn more about The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland - Canada’s Titanic. There are two opportunities to attend that day: a matinée event at 3:30pm, or evening event at 7:00pm, both at the Park Centre. Admission is by donation and supports museum projects. Contact the Old Mill Heritage Centre at 705-282-1442 or oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca for more information.

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year. You can support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick on Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village.

 

Singing in the shower is all fun and games until you get shampoo in your mouth. Then, it becomes a soap opera.  Have a good week!

July 13, 2022

Once upon a time, in a quaint village by the lake, a gathering of orators took place. The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival this weekend was a great success! The two-day festival saw authors sharing stories and participants creating some stories of their own. The market and bbq did a brisk business throughout the day. Thank you to the organizers and authors for such a creative weekend!

Happy birthday to Linda R and Ardis F who both turn 29 this week. We hope your big days were more beautiful than a unicorn farting rainbows!

 

Kagawong has a plethora of delicious treat options - chocolate, candy, ice cream, pizza… Luckily, there is also a plethora of options for getting active to work off all those treats. The Manitoulin Tennis Club runs every Wednesday (at 6:30pm) and Sunday (at 10:00am) at the Manitoulin Secondary School tennis courts. Players of all abilities are welcome! Lessons can be available for beginners as well - just stop in. If baseball is more your style, grab your glove and head to the Ice Lake Ball Field (274 Pleasant Valley Road) Sundays at 7:30pm! Ages 10 to adults are welcome for a weekly community game. If Spot is the one needing to burn off some excess energy, the off-leash dog park on Carter Crescent is open throughout the summer.

Are you longing for the good ole days when you could catch some live music in town? Good news! The library is kicking off the return of the sale with a concert on Friday July 22nd. The Ice Ts (Ethan, Chris and Arik Theijsmeijer) will be performing at the pavilion. You’ve likely seen these talented gentlemen perform separately at the Christmas concert, with the Island Singers or even at the weekly markets, but this is your chance to see them perform live together for the first time! Show starts at 7pm; admission is by donation with a portion of the proceeds supporting the library. Bring your own blanket or chair for maximum enjoyment!

 

After the Friday night music, come out on Saturday July 23rd to stock up on reading material at the library’s annual book sale. From 11am-3pm, you can browse 3-years worth of books at the market pavilion. Don’t forget to grab some Burt Farm smokies and hotdogs hot off the BBQ while you are there. All proceeds go to support the library. For an added bonus, Canadian author, Kathryn Recourt, will be on site giving readings from her award-winning ‘Sir Archibald Droolsalot’ series of children’s books!  

 

Roses are red; violets are blue; sunflowers are yellow. We bet you were expecting something romantic, but no, this is just gardening facts. Why not take a wander around the village and enjoy all the hard work of the Late Bloomers? The flowers look fantastic!

Last week there were over 50 vendors set up in the downtown market area, and today’s promises to be just as busy! Our little market is exploding with all sorts of amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things. Be sure to check it out (Wednesdays 10-3pm through July and August).

 

Manitoulin’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be on Saturday, July 23rd, from 1pm - 4pm. Collection depot for our township will be the Mindemoya Roads Building (7 Lakeshore Road off highway 542/551 in Mindemoya). For a complete listing of what the collection will accept, visit the township website at http://billingstwp.ca

 

History Day in Kagawong is back! Join historian David Saint-Pierre, army historian Ron Millar, and the 2022 Salvation Army band on Thursday, August 11th to learn more about The Sinking of the Empress of Ireland - Canada’s Titanic. There are two opportunities to attend that day: a matinée event at 3:30pm, or evening event at 7:00pm, both at the Park Centre. Admission is by donation and supports museum projects. Contact the Old Mill Heritage Centre at 705-282-1442 or oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca for more information.

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year. You can support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick on Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village.

 

With all that’s going on in Kagawong this summer, don’t forget about the main beach! It’s always a shore bet for a bit of fun. We aren’t trying to pier pressure you into going, but we promise that once you’re there, you’ll have an out-sanding time. Have a good week!

July 6, 2022

For those who only read for the jokes and puns, just skip right down to the end. It's a busy time in Billings and we had to cut something!

The Jabbawong Storytelling Festival is this weekend in Kagawong! Celebrating traditional and contemporary storytelling, the two-day festival will offer a rich and diverse program to capture the imagination of all ages. The Festival kicks off July 9th at 8am with breakfast with the authors (come and meet the storytellers!), followed by an artist art market at the Park Centre from 10am - 3pm, a Museum BBQ mid-day, and storytellers at the Park Centre throughout the day. On July 10th, the focus shifts to the kids with the Children’s Jabbawong Storytelling Festival from 11am - 2pm. For more information, check out the event flyer and schedule on the Billings Township Facebook page.

Happy belated birthday goes out to Karen C who celebrated her 29th birthday last week. You don’t look anywhere near your age. Of course, you rarely act your age either, so… many happy returns!

 

Congratulations go out to Christy C and her team at Buttercup Ice Creamery on their successful opening week! If the line out the door was anything to go by, the goodies were very well received. 

 

It’s been confirmed that there is no giant hogweed on the Kagawong River Trail. We can also confirm that there are no Saguaro cacti. While looking for giant hogweed and the Saguaro, we managed to wander into a patch of poison ivy, so our advice is to enjoy the River Trail but be sure to stay on the path. 

 

Craving some exercise? The Manitoulin Tennis Club runs every Wednesday (at 6:30pm) and Sunday (at 10:00am) at the Manitoulin Secondary School tennis courts. Players of all abilities are welcome! Lessons can be available for beginners as well - just stop in. But if the ballfield is more your style, grab your glove and head to the Ice Lake Ball Field (274 Pleasant Valley Road) Sundays at 7:30pm! Ages 10 to adults are welcome for a weekly community ball game. Don’t forget Rover! The off-leash dog park on Carter Crescent is open throughout the summer so the pooches can get some exercise too. 

 

Billings Library is bringing back the annual book sale in a big way! Saturday, July 23rd, from 11am-3pm, you can browse 3-years worth of book sale books at the market pavilion. Don’t forget to grab some Burt Farm smokies and hotdogs hot off the BBQ. All proceeds go to support the library. 

 

What’s that you say? The library should kick off the return of the sale with a concert with local musicians? Way ahead of you! Musicians will be performing at the pavilion on the evening of Friday July 22nd. We will have more details soon, and also keep your eyes peeled to the Kagawong Facebook page. 

 

But wait, there’s more! The wildly popular Blind Date With a Book fundraiser kicks off today! Newly published books are wrapped in plain wrapping, with only the barest of information about the genre and general feel of the story. For the bargain price of $25, your date will take you on untold adventures, and like any good date, brings you chocolate (generously donated by Manitoulin Chocolate Works). Blind date books are only available at the library’s table at the market on Wednesdays, and only while supplies last. Last year the books sold out in three market days, so don’t wait or you’ll find yourself alone and chocolate-less, just like your mother warned you!

 

Speaking of the market, today there are around 70 vendors set up in the downtown market area! Our little market is exploding with all sorts of amazing, creative, delicious, and practical things. Be sure to check it out (Wednesdays 10-3pm).

Manitoulin’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be on Saturday, July 23rd, from 1pm - 4pm. Collection depot for our township will be the Mindemoya Roads Building (7 Lakeshore Road off highway 542/551 in Mindemoya). For a complete listing of what the collection will accept, visit the township website at http://billingstwp.ca

The deadline to submit a nomination for this year’s municipal election is coming up quickly, on Friday, August 19th. If you are interested in running for Council and would like a nomination package, please contact Kathy McDonald by phone at (705) 282-2611 ext 223 or by email at kmcdonald@billingstwp.ca. Curious about running for Council and want to learn more about it? Check out www.votebillings.blogspot.com 

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year and would like to thank everyone who came out to support the fundraising yard sale they held last weekend. You can still support the Canadian Liver Foundation by donating online or by joining Team Aelick on Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village.

 

There’s been so much on the go in Kagawong this week that we haven’t been able to squeeze in a pun or two. That’s a shame, because we know that seven days without a pun makes one weak. Have a good one!

June 29, 2022

We’ve heard rumours that the local cemetery is haunted, so last night, intrepid reporters, Team Fergmeijer, tracked down the caretaker and asked if the rumours were true. He said he’s worked there for 173 years and has never seen anything suspicious. 

Christmas concert fav, Connie M, is celebrating a milestone this week: She’s turning….29! Other things that would be turning 29 if they lived in Billings include the Queen’s reign, Charlotte’s Web, An American in Paris, and Isabella Rossellini, so you are in very good company!

 

Summer in Kagawong is a happenin’ place! The summer market is up and running every Wednesday from 10am-3pm, seasonal boat launch passes are available for purchase at the marina and town office, the Old Mill Heritage Centre is open for the season (check out their website at http://www.kagawongmuseum.ca/ for information on hours and the latest exhibits), and the Late Bloomers have been busy beautifying the township with all the flower boxes. Take a stroll through the village and soak up the fun and sun!

It’s now officially summer. Time to get out and get active! The Manitoulin Tennis Club runs every Wednesday (at 6:30pm) and Sunday (at 10:00am) at the Manitoulin Secondary School tennis courts. Players of all abilities are welcome! Lessons can be available for beginners as well - just stop in. But if the ballfield is more your style, grab your glove and head to the Ice Lake Ball Field (274 Pleasant Valley Road) Sundays at 7:30pm! Ages 10 to adults are welcome for a weekly community ball game. 

 

There were rumours of a food shortage at the pastry conference; it turned out to be a complete lack of pies.

 

There’s a new event on the horizon: join a fabulous line-up of speakers at the Jabbawong Storytelling Festival at the Kagawong Park Centre! The Festival kicks off July 9th with vendors at the market pavilion, a Museum BBQ, and storytellers at the Park Centre. On July 10th, the focus shifts to the kids with the Children’s Jabbawong Storytelling Festival. Stay tuned for more details.

 

Billings Library is bringing back the annual book sale in a big way! Saturday, July 23rd, from 11am-3pm, you can browse 3-years worth of book sale books at the market pavilion. Keep up your strength for hauling all your amazing literary finds by grabbing some Burt Farm smokies and hotdogs hot off the BBQ. All proceeds go to support the library. See you there!

 

Speaking of books, if you are looking for copies of the reprinted/revamped How It All Began book of township history, the museum and the library are the place to get them! 

 

Sad news about the new farm that was selling camel milk. They shut down after several chaotic months. The camels kept running away and attacking people, there were legal disputes with neighbours, and the owners ended up in a nasty divorce dispute. Yep. Turned out to be a real drama-dairy!

 

Start saving up those old paint cans, electronics, and chemicals - Manitoulin’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day will be on Saturday, July 23rd. More information, including times and locations, will be shared closer to the event date. 

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year and you can show your support in multiple ways. Join them on Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village, donate to the Canadian Liver Foundation, or stop in at the fundraising yard sale on July 2nd on Maple Ridge. 

 

We know that we sometimes make terrible puns, but if you were to look at all the puns we make, the good would outweigh the bad, and it’d average out OK. Put differently, although we may make terrible jokes, we mean well. Have a great week!

June 22, 2022

 We are one week closer to summer, but the township is already hopping! The Kagawong summer market is up and running every Wednesday from 10am-3pm, seasonal boat launch passes are available for purchase at the marina and town office, the Old Mill Heritage Centre is open for the season (check out their website at http://www.kagawongmuseum.ca/ for information on hours and the latest exhibits), and the Late Bloomers have been busy beautifying the township with all the flower boxes. Take a stroll through the village and soak up the sun!

With so much going on already, Team Fergmeijer has been trying to come up with the perfect adjective to describe summer in Kagawong. We bought a dictionary for inspiration, and brought it home to discover that all the pages were blank! We have no words to describe how angry we are. 

 

Yesterday (June 21) was National Indigenous Peoples Day. Here in Billings Township, be sure to check out the Billing Connections Trail. The Anishinaabeg (Odaawaa, Ojibwa and Pottawatomi) occupied what is now Billings Township long before European settlers arrived. Archeological and oral evidence has established at least 10,000 years of Indigenous occupation on Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island). To learn more about the history of Billings’ original and settler inhabitants, visit the full series of historical plaques around the township, link to the QR codes on each plaque, and drop in to the Old Mill Heritage Centre in Kagawong, as well as the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M’Chigeeng First Nation.

 

There’s a new event on the horizon: join a fabulous line-up of speakers at the Jabbawong Storytelling Festival at the Kagawong Park Centre! The Festival kicks off July 9th with vendors at the market pavilion, a Museum BBQ, and storytellers at the Park Centre. On July 10th, the focus shifts to the kids with the Children’s Jabbawong Storytelling Festival. Stay tuned for more details!

 

The long-awaited used book sale supporting the local library is coming soon! Mark your calendars - July 23rd at the market pavilion you can browse row upon row of gently used books at bargain prices! 

 

Speaking of books, if you are looking for copies of the reprinted/revamped How It All Began book of township history, the museum and the library are the place to get them!

 

Further on the subject of books, a friend of ours swallowed a dictionary today. It gave him thesaurus throat he ever had… 

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year and you can show your support in multiple ways. Join them on Sunday, August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village, donate to the Canadian Liver Foundation, or stop in at the fundraising yard sale on July 2nd on Maple Ridge. 

 

We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of both Lori Graham, and Barb Cretzman. Kagawong will miss these fabulous ladies. Our condolences to family and friends.

 

The township still has an opening for a Public Works Assistant (Summer Student Position). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For the full job description please visit the website at: https://billingstwp.ca/employment-opportunities/

 

Team Fergmeijer was so bored last week, we decided to memorise six pages of the dictionary. We learned next to nothing. Have a great week!

June 15, 2022

Your friendly neighbourhood columnists have been getting their hands dirty lately, getting their gardens shipshape. In the process we’ve been reading up on plant and gardening history and learned some fascinating things about ancient Romans using plants as poison. They basically had four types. Poisons I, II, and III killed the victim almost instantly upon contact. Poison IV, though, just made the victim extremely itchy.  

The Kagawong summer market will be up and running every Wednesday from 10am-3pm, now through September at the pavilion by the waterfront. Be sure to check it out!

 

A friend of ours had a date with a tennis player last weekend. He took her out for soft serve. In related news, the Manitoulin Tennis Club runs weekly tennis sessions Sundays at 10am all summer-long at the Manitoulin Secondary School courts. Beginners and seasoned players welcome!

 

Team Aelick is Strolling for Liver again this year and you can show your support in multiple ways. Join them on Sunday August 28th for the 5km stroll through the village, donate to the Canadian Liver Foundation, or stop in at the fundraising yard sale on July 2nd on Maple Ridge. 

 

A friend was telling us that his HR department just asked him to sign up for the company’s 401k. We’re a bit nervous for him. We’re not sure he can run that far. 

 

The Old Mill Heritage Centre is open for the season, so stop in and take the tour! Check out their website at http://www.kagawongmuseum.ca/ for information on hours and the latest exhibits. If you are looking for copies of the reprinted/revamped How It All Began book of township history, the museum and the library are the place to get them!

 

The long-awaited used book sale supporting the local library is coming soon! Soon-ish anyway. Mark your calendars - July 23 at the market pavilion you can browse row upon row of gently used books at bargain prices! 

 

Yesterday we met two lovely women who pose in ads for a local bakery. They’re great roll models. 

 

The next council meeting is July 20th. Contact the town office for information on connecting virtually to watch the proceedings. Also, if you are pondering joining municipal politics, nominations for the fall election are open now until August 19th. For nomination packages and more information contact Kathy McDonald at  (705)282-2611 x223 or kmcdonald@billingstwp.ca

 

Got boat? Get a seasonal boat launch pass! Passes are available for purchase at the marina and town office for $50.

 

The township still has an opening for a Public Works Assistant (Summer Student Position). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For the full job description please visit the website at: https://billingstwp.ca/employment-opportunities/

 

Keep an eye on the flower boxes around town as volunteer ‘Late Bloomers’ continue to flex their green thumbs and spruce up the neighbourhood. Each volunteer takes on one or two of the flower boxes around town. The results are a variety of beautiful flower displays!

 

We almost didn’t get the column in on time this week - we were abducted by aliens! They made us wash our hands, clean our rooms and eat our vegetables. Turns out we were on the mothership. Have a great week!