Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Alexia here with your friendly horse fly! The last weekend of summer came and went like a wind spout and just like that, we’re already into week two of school schedules, permission slips, hockey rosters and registrations (all while harvesting and winter prepping our homes and gardens for the turn and burn of the fast-approaching burr months busy and silly season!) As busy as it is, September gives us a breath and the most beautiful reminders of change, transition, adaptability and evolution. September bridges the heavy stop of summer into the cooler captivating urgency and ripe readiness of fall. Parents send their kids off into the six-seven world and wilderness, nature prepares herself for the harsh and bitter bite of long winter and less sunlight. The leaves in a final symphony of colour, holding on for one last sunrise and sunset. Nature’s hard work over the year is rewarded with ripe fruits and bountiful fields. Spiritually and symbolically, this is our time to reflect on the work, epiphanies, personal growth, the lessons and to appreciate life’s blessings because they are all around us. The autumn equinox is the time when day and night become equal and so too must we. We can reset and realign, reflect and find our balance now. Embrace and remember all the working parts and pieces that make things whole, revel in all the sunrises and sunsets, have gratitude for all the gifts of each day and know that the best books and teachers are the elders, the animals, the songs, the stories, the fire circles and the friends. Recall and reflect on the people and places of every season of your life for they are the leaves that fuel and feed your roots.
Here’s what happening: Providence Bay Arena, no events for now but there will be the Providence Bay Fall Market around mid-October and a few more fun fall events to look forward to before the skating and hockey season goes full tilt so stay tuned for my puck drop updates!
Providence Bay Community of Christ Church: Joys and community updates is Sundays at 10:30 am; service is Sundays at 11 am. Check the Providence Bay Community of Christ Facebook page for announcements and updates!
Thank you to all the staff and crew of the Discovery Centre who hosted and organized lots of fun learning events for everyone this summer. It was a great season of learning and fun under the sun!
The Lions Club Bottle drive continues next to the arena -this program is open to the public and we encourage everyone to drop off their used bottles and cans, your empties help fund great local initiatives.
The Providence Bay & Spring Bay Lions progressive “Catch the Ace” lottery continues to benefit the Mindemoya Hospital Auxiliary Inc.
The Heavens: Manitoulin Island is a dark sky reserve so find a dark sky spot, bring your telescope and enjoy the wonders of the cosmos.
September 21, Partial Solar Eclipse; September 21, Saturn at Opposition; September 22, Autumn Equinox; September 27, Daytime Sextantids Meteor Shower; October 6, Hunter’s Full Moon.
The Friends: Happy Birthday to all of you mid-September babies!
Wishing everyone a happy, safe and successful new school year! Go easy out there on the roads as there are more kids and critters crossing and commuting at this time of year, eyes up! If you are visiting Manitoulin Island, welcome! Check out your favourite local businesses, art galleries and restaurant social pages for updates. You can visit the Central Manitoulin Township webpage or visit exploremanitoulin.com for updates on all the events happening near you.
Reminders: Mark your Calendars!
Registration for September’s Knowledge Sharing Sessions are now open! To register please email Alison at asloss@centralmanitoulin.ca.
Harvest Glory Days is around the corner! Start gathering up your hay bales, mums, flowers and scarecrows. Time for some good old fashioned fall fun! Stay tuned for details and deadlines!
Happy burr, back-to-school and big comfy sweater season and countdown to the silly season!
“Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.” anon
“Life is a Don Ho Record” Graham Green
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Team Fergmeijer is always working at being healthy. We spent several afternoons last week sitting in front of the Chocolate Works working on staying well hydrated (mostly carbohydrate, but whatever). While there, we did a bit of people-watching and saw a number of locals out and about in warm, woolen sweaters that all appeared to be one size too small. It really is wonderful to live in such a tight knit community.
This week, a very special happy birthday wish goes out to local aging expert Jamie Ward, who hit the landmark age of 2-9 this week. We asked him for some words of wisdom on the eve of this momentous birthday, to which he replied: “Dance like no one is watching; sing like no one is listening; eat pizza like somebody might try to take it away from you at any moment, yo!”
After an incredible summer, the village is settling into the quieter fall season. The Old Mill Heritage Centre is now open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm, and the library is back to their winter hours (Tuesday and Thursday 4 to 7 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm). The landfill remains on its current schedule (Tuesdays and Thursdays 2 to 6 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm) until October 31.
Fun fact: koi fish will always travel in groups of four. If attacked, koi A, B and C will scatter leaving behind the D koi.
Parents of littles who reside in Billings! Register your children (under 5) for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library and each month, your child will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail, absolutely free. To take part, complete and return the registration form found on the library’s Facebook page (FB.com/kagawonglibrary) or visit the library in person for a paper copy and more information!
Hear that? Ever so faintly in the distance we can hear those sleigh bells jinglin’. Santa must be on his way! Pencil November 14 to 15 in your calendars for Christmas in Kagawong!
Here at Team Fergmeijer, we’re never not thinking about what amazing things we’ll find at the library’s 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).
Legitimate question: why doesn’t the word coward mean “to move in the direction of a cow”? Have a great week!
Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley
We drove to Silver Water the other day and as we passed the Beaver Meadow area, we were delighted to see two adults and a young person canoeing in and among the lily pads.
We are seeing a lot of hawks and a few deer and fawns.
We had a misfortune while bringing our boat to Gore Bay to have it winterized. The trailer brakes seized. First hint was the smell of something burning. Second symptom was very hot wheel hubs. We had to call a tow truck. We discovered that our CAA did not cover boat trailers.
On Saturday we joined Karen for her yard sale. We could call it a yard party. Along with other items there are coffee and muffins for sale which we all enjoy. We brought our lawn chairs because although Karen has some set out there are never enough. Some of her vendors did not make it because of it being Labour Day weekend, it took them elsewhere. But we had a great time.
On Saturday evening there was a lasagna dinner fund raiser at the Silver Water Community Hall. Several from Meldrum Bay attended it and all enjoyed the evening.
Gene and Janice Cada celebrated their 25th anniversary on the weekend. Congratulations Gene and Janice from all of us.
Sunday was a fun day at Pat McDougall’s. It has been 10 years since she moved into Nellie and Charlie McDonald’s former house. Pat has added a new roof, new siding, new windows and new doors. Along with the gardens, everything looks very nice. They had a party to celebrate and the whole family came up. Some of the McDonalds joined them.
Two friends from Meldrum took the North Channel Cruise Line that starts in Little Current and takes you to Killarney. The weather was perfect, sunny and calm. They had a couple of hours in Killarney for lunch. They were delighted with the tour and said that it was beautiful.
The long weekend brought a lot of people up and there was a lot of activity, some are still here enjoying their last remnants of the summer. The leaves are starting to turn. It’s hinting that fall is on its way. Have a great weekend everyone.
Barrie Island
Enid Runalls
It seems that the heat of summer departed the moment after Labour Day. We’ve had rain and wind this week and it’s knocking limbs off the trees. The hollyhocks will need to be tied up again. Tomatoes are huge and will need to ripen on the windowsills as it has been too cool for the sun to do its work. On a positive note, there promises to be lots of windfalls for applesauce making!
On the farm, it won’t be long before the sweet smell of manure wafts through the air as it is being spread on the fields to bolster next year’s growth. So, keep your wet laundry off the line!
The school buses from MSS and CC McLean started doing their rounds on the first day of school, which was Wednesday morning. It’s wonderful thing to have so many school aged children on Barrie Island this year! The community is growing!
There have been some vandalism concerns on our beautiful Island. The four STOP signs at the corner of Eastline Road and 10th Side Road were broken and tossed in the ditch. Also, the pumps in the washrooms at the beautifully maintained Salmon Bay and Goose Gap picnic parks were stolen. Anyone who has knowledge of these events should please report it to the Township or OPP.
Happy news, Lilian Greenman reports that her granddaughter, Kayla and her husband William MacIntosh had a wonderful sunny day for their outdoor wedding on the lawn and boardwalk at Smith’s Park in Gore Bay. The bride was a vision of loveliness in her ivory off the shoulder gown with its lacy sweetheart bodice and long flowing skirt and their groom was dashingly handsome in his linen suit, bow tie and suspenders. Kayla carried a bouquet of pink and white roses and lilies. The bridal party consisted of eight attendants, one junior bridesmaid and a ring bearer and two flower girls! A reception was held after the ceremony at the waterfront pavillion. The Barrie Island Community sends the young couple happy congratulations for their future together.
Laurie Yeates spent some time at her home on Barrie Island along with her sister Kathy and Harold Wlad and their son. They enjoyed their family time and visiting with neighbours while here.
Extending get well wishes to Carolyn Calback who has been feeling low lately.
Tracy Wrong of Ottawa spent a lovely long weekend on Julia Bay with Jim and Sandy Miller. The weekend included the M’Chigeeng Pow Wow and a day in McGregor Bay. Also included were cards and fun with Carolyn Lane Rock and sitting on the dock on the bay.
This weekend Alison Godwin and her daughters Effie and Roslyn visited with their grandfather Wayne Jeffkins at the family farm. On Saturday they hosted Larry and Evelyn Harper from Ottawa as well as Carolyn Lane-Rock for dinner. On Sunday Alison and Roslyn participated in a 6-hour relay mountain bike race at McLean Park Trail System in Manitowaning while Wayne and Effie took in the M’Chigeeng Pow Wow.
Enid Runnalls was in Toronto last week visiting with daughter Katie Runnalls, who has recently moved. While there she met with old friends and explored Katie’s new neighbourhood.
Carolyn Lane-Rock has driven off to Sault Ste. Marie to visit with her sister Grace and Brian Turner. From there she will be heading to Toronto to visit sister Gloria and Bruce Tuck, then on to Stratford for a University of Guelph class reunion. The old gal never stops moving!
A little bit of Gordon Township news has come in from Mina Hodder. David McGibbon represented Gordon/Barrie Island Township at the M’Chigeeng Pow Wow. He went on to win the Grand Prize of $100 for the Spectator Dance. Congratulations Dave!
Silver Water
Karen Noble
On Friday, August 29 I went to work in Tehkummah for the day. I got home just in time to pick up DonnaKay McDonald, Myra Duncanson, Jeff Moore, Ellen Moore and Lois Wismer to go to Meldrum Bay for euchre. We had a great time!
On Saturday morning there was a market in our yard. Most of the vendors had long weekend plans but we still had lots of shoppers.
On Saturday evening we attended the 25th anniversary party for Gene and Janice Cada in Sheshegwaning. Supper was prepared by Stop 540 and it was fantastic.
On Monday evening I took Dianne McCallum, Brenda Carter, DonnaKay McDonald, Myra Duncanson and Ken Duncanson to euchre at the Burpee and Mills Complex.
On Tuesday morning Albert Meijer and I went to the Kits and Quilts project at the Meldrum Bay Community Hall. There were a lot of volunteers out to help. We are almost out of bars of soap to pack with the hygiene kits. Anyone who is willing to purchase soap to donate, please include the purchase receipt so a charitable donation receipt can be provided for tax time.
On Tuesday Gladys Duncanson, Sharon Beaton and I went for a swim in Silver Lake. After supper I went for another swim with Heather Wilson. The lake temperature is a clear sign that autumn is on its way.
On Wednesday I spent the day at work in Gore Bay.
Thursday the UCW held its meeting at St. Andrew’s United Church in Silver Water. There were 17 ladies in attendance.
Thursday night there was euchre at the Silver Water Community Hall.
Thank you to all the people who gave me birthday greetings on Thursday.
There will be a barbecue lunch at the hall on Sunday, September 14 with a euchre tournament in the afternoon.
The fall fashion show will be at the Silver Water Community Hall on Saturday, September 27.
Happy Birthday to Jordan Duncanson on September 2.
Happy Birthday to Blake Duncanson on September 6.
Condolences to the family of Joe Duffney.