Providence Bay
Alexia Hanngian
Alexia here with your Friendly Fall Fly!
Fall is in full swing here in Providence Bay; 2025 is coming in fast and fastidious to the finish line, as if in sync with the trees. Our beautiful community has already started to show off our brightest and best colours and community spirit in preparation for the big finish and a banner segue way into a big bright and bountiful new year.
As we approach the important milestone of truth and reconciliation, let this milestone mark a time where we all reflect, remember and reconcile. Taking an inventory on our people, our practices, our plans and our past is an important step in our professional and personal evolution. Make peace with the past and make moves toward a successful future. My Grandmother once said “it’s the future that counts” so yes, recognize and remember your path, acknowledge and show up in the present and always look for new opportunities to learn. Level up, step out of your comfort zone and let the new experiences, people and places in. It’s a wonderful world when you let it. So let it! There is a saying that “if you want to make a good omelet you have to break some eggs.” Things happen in life that are often beyond our control; instead of being stressed and pulled down into the unpredictable spiral of the unknown – focus instead on what you have right in front of you, on the things you know you can build on and become better at, as far as the rest of it, have faith and trust the journey. This is my Mantra this year. I am going to follow my own advice a little more. I am going to open my heart and mind, give everything a little more grace and temperance, focus on the strength and merits of unity and community, in learning and in love and allow the wonders of the world in.
Here’s what’s happening:
Providence Bay Arena: The Providence Bay Fall Vendor Market on October 18 and a few more fun fall events to look forward to before the rec night skating and hockey season goes full tilt – stay tuned!
Providence Bay Hall: Manitoulin recreational events calendar with class schedules for Providence Bay Hall visit: centralmanitoulin.ca or contact Alison Sloss at asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca or call 705 377-5726.
Exercise Classes resume Fridays beginning Friday, September 26 at 9 am.
Providence Bay Community of Christ Church: Joys and community updates are Sundays at 10:30 am; service is Sundays at 11 am. Check the Providence Bay Community of Christ Facebook page for announcements and updates!
Fall clean-up/reuse/recycle: The Providence Bay Transfer station is located at 1077 Government Road in Providence Bay and is open for Fall, Winter and Spring on Thursdays and Saturdays from 1 to 5 pm.
The Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions progressive “Catch the Ace” lottery continues to benefit the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary Inc. Weekly draws are broadcast live on the Providence Bay and Spring Bay Lions Facebook page.
Go easy out there on the roads as there are more kids and critters crossing and commuting at this time of year so eyes up! If you are visiting Manitoulin Island – welcome!
Tuesday, September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, wear an orange shirt, but more importantly learn about what this means and how we can make changes now to rise above the pain of the past and honour the ones lost.
Harvest Glory Days contest: Decorate to win either the small community, medium or large community spirit award and sign! You can be your community’s champion by coordinating citizens, business, local governments and public institutions. Start planning to decorate your corner of beautiful Manitoulin in the Harvest Glory Days theme! The more “corners” that are decorated, the more Island pride there is for visitors to see! For any further information, please contact The Expositor Office by email at services@manitoulin.com or call 705-368-2744. This event is organized as a public service by The Manitoulin Expositor. Judging will take place the week before Thanksgiving.
Happy Harvest and Happy Glory Days decorating everyone! Happy Fall fun to all!
September 24 is Bluebird of Happiness Day!
The Fall Blue Jay
The blue jay calls from the oak tree,
as the wind swirls fallen red leaves.
He jumps and squawks for all to see,
as bright feathers shine in the sun.
The cardinal spies from his nest,
watching his partner join the fun.
Singing out her sweet melody,
the blue jay joins and sweetly sings.
Their chirping choir sounds heavenly!
10/18/2020
Contest: Writing Challenge – Tercets
Sponsor: Constance La France
Tania Kitchin
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
School has been back in session for a few weeks now and we thought now was a good time to share some of the deep thoughts about the English language that have been plaguing us lately. You only see ‘glom’ with ‘on to’ and if you see ‘fro’ it’s usually with ‘to’ in front of it. If you are ‘wreaking’ 99% of the time it’s ‘havoc’ and if you want to ‘ebb,’ you will likely ‘flow’ immediately after. You only see ‘lop’ with ‘off’ or ‘sided;’ You only see ‘beck’ with ‘and call.’ There are many ‘wrenches’ but ‘wrenching’ usually involves a ‘gut.’ ‘downpours’ and ‘rain’ are the only things that seem to be ‘torrential’ and most ‘troves’ are ‘treasure’ in nature.
The Old Mill was under construction last week as a new accessible entryway was put in. At the time of writing this column, the work was wrapping up and the Old Mill is back in business.
The Kagawong Seniors Active Living Program is in full swing for the fall and is inviting anyone over the age of 55 to come and take part. Fitness with Kelly runs Thursdays from 9-10am (free), and yoga classes begin on October 7 (also free). On Tuesday, September 30 at 6:30 pm, join Sheila for a painting night, where participants get to paint a hat! There will be different designs to choose from, as well as refreshments. Cost for the painting night is $60. All activities will be at the Park Centre. Contact Mary for more information, or to reserve your spot at the painting night at 705-348-2285 or seniors@billingstwp.ca!
Are you going through popcorn withdrawal? Don’t worry! There will be a special Fall Market on Saturday, October 4 from 1:30 to 6:30 pm at the Kagawong River Complex. Save the date and be sure to stop by and check out the variety of local and handmade goods!
From the market, mosey on over to the church of St. John’s the Evangelist for an evening of music with Cia and Bill Savage! They’ll be presenting “Come as you are – 2,” an evening of contemporary inspirational music and sing-along at 7pm on October 4. Admission is by donation, with funds going right back to the church. Refreshments will be provided.
This summer, St. Joseph’s took over operations of the Manitoulin Lodge in Gore Bay. With plans for a new facility in the works, the public is invited to meet with Kristal Lafantaisie, Director of Development with St. Joseph’s Foundation to learn about the new facility, how it will benefit the community and how you can help. There will be three chances to participate on Wednesday, October 1 at Gordon/Barrie Island Community Hall (9:30 to 10:30 am), at the Silver Water Community Hall (1 to 2 pm), and at the Mindemoya Community Hall (3 to 4 pm).
Join Manitoulin Streams for their annual guided salmon tours! From October 1 to 31 (excluding Thanksgiving Monday), join a Manitoulin Streams guide along the Kagawong River to learn more about the science and stories behind the salmon run. Contact getinvolved.manitoulinstreams@gmail.com for more information.
The library board is busy gathering a fantastic collection of items for their annual silent auction. This year’s online auction is November 13 to 16. Mark your calendars! And if you or your company would be willing to donate goods or services to the auction, the library would love to hear from you (billingsreads@gmail.com).
Save the date and start working your way onto the “nice” list – the annual Christmas in Kagawong Market is just around the corner on November 14 and November 15!
Team Fergmeijer, in their thespian era, once put on a performance about puns. Really it was just a play on words. Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
Friday night at cards there were three tables, high lady was Mildred Kelly with 84 points; high score for the men was Guy Bigras with 85 points; Congratulations Millie and Guy for winning the money jar; Ladies’ lone hands went to Myra Duncanson with four and men’s lone hands went to Bob Benedict with five, he also got to take home the juice. Doug Carter won for most euchres with five and Lisa Townsend won the 50/50 draw.
Rose has been delighted to have her grandson Dylan Hildreth and his wife Mariah up for a visit. They brought Rose’s great-grandson Deacon. He is very blond, big blue eyes and very cute. Don would have been very proud.
Dylan and Mariah had taken orders for peaches and brought them up from their farm in southern Ontario. The peaches were sweet and juicy. They had also supplied the corn on the cob for the Meldrum Beef Barbecue held earlier this summer and it was excellent.
I was over at Josie and Dave’s and bought a huge bunch of carrots which are now blanched, sliced and in the freezer. They are very sweet, tender and tasty.
There have been reports of bear footprints and bear scat around town so we’re just being a little more alert. I’d better get my apples picked.
Have a great week everyone.
Barrie Island
Enid Runnalls
Has summer returned to Barrie Island or is autumn about to return any day? We’re not sure but we are making the most of it. The manure spreading is almost finished and the bumper crop of tomatoes and apples nearly done. It seems I’ve been reporting that same message for weeks now!
With the kids back in school and the cottagers closing things up, the social hub bub of Barrie Island is returning to its usual quietude. This will change again soon during hunting season.
Richard Runnalls must be stomping on his grapes right about now, as he prepares to make wine.
Sandy and Jim Miller made a quick trip to Ottawa and back.
Carolyn Lane-Rock is attending Cinéfest in Sudbury, and we will soon get her reviews and news of the Gala.
Sylvia Kircher of Heilbronn, Germany is visiting with Scott and Enid Runnalls this week. Sylvia is a cousin of Enid’s and this is their first visit in 32 years, so they have lots of catching up to do.
Please contact me if you have any news to share!
Silver Water
Karen Noble
On Friday, September 12 we went to play euchre in Meldrum Bay.
Saturday morning, there was a vendor market in our yard. There will be no market on October 4 so we can attend the funeral for Ginger Morrison in Meldrum Bay. There will be no market on October 11 as we will be at the Rotary’s fall produce auction in Gore Bay. We will resume on October 18 with the regular market and then the Christmas market will be in our yard on October 25.
On Sunday there was a barbecue lunch at the Silver Water Community Hall. There was a euchre tournament in the afternoon. The winners were Murray Duncanson and Ron Lawson; second place went to Joyce Robinson and DonnaKay McDonald; third prize went to Myra Duncanson and me. There were lots of 50/50 draws resulting in $161.50 for the hall renovation fund.
On Monday I took my niece Tamara to work at the Valu Mart and I went to work for a few hours.
Monday evening, we went to the Burpee and Mills Complex to play euchre.
On Tuesday Colleen Julseth took us to Meldrum Bay for the Kits and Quilts project. There was a good crowd and we got a lot done. Rose Van Every stopped while out for a walk with her grandson, his wife and their four-month-old son. They pitched in and helped while they visited.
Wednesday Albert went to the firehall to help send all the hoses out for testing and replacing them with new hoses. The team got measured for new uniforms.
On Thursday there was euchre at the Silver Water Hall.
Gladys Duncanson and I had a few swims in the last week.
The fall fashion show will be at the Silver Water Community Hall on Saturday, September 27 at 2 pm.
Congratulations to Doug and Brenda Carter on the arrival of grandson Liam.
Congratulations to Brooke Addison and Cole Chisholm on the arrival of their son, Bennett Brent. The grandparents are Lisa and Lindsay Addison, great-grandparents Lyle and Ann Addison and great-great-grandfather Ron Corbiere.
Condolences to the family of Mary Joss.