Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan

Alexia here with your Friendly October Fly! And just like that October is here! That means it’s officially the silly season! It also means our schedules just quadrupled with penned and diarized events, activities, hockey games, Thanksgiving visitors and all the Hallowe’en and holiday hubbub. So, what does this season mean to you? My experience with October has always been ambiguous at best. October was the month many moons ago where my mom died, my cat got hit by a car and I had my purse stolen all within a span of a few weeks, after that, I used to begin panicking every September of what October would bring. Despite my absolute love of Hallowe’en and fall; for me October really was the “spooky” season. Flash forwards a few years and low and behold, October came bearing gifts and reconciliation. My daughter was born in October, on the very anniversary of my mother’s passing, I got a new cat, Scaramouche and I realized then that my purse was always full, that I was a rich woman as a matter of speaking. So, I made peace with October as it blessed me with the gift of life and love. I suddenly saw the world with new eyes and a changed heart. It truly is a wonderful life filled with incredible mentors, family and friends and as long as you have your health, you have everything. The only thing I had to fear was fear itself. You see, life’s what we make of it. Before every breakthrough there is a breakdown, in order to break boundaries you have to tear down walls and in order to thrive, I mean truly thrive and move forward you have to look directly into the fire and jump in, no fear, no limits, no boundaries, no expectations just clear and present focus and purpose. The Mantra “all that is gold does not glitter” so in this golden season of Fall and gratitude, remember those words. Gratitude is the gold. Everything you need is already a part of you, your life and soul fire, be patient with yourself, forge and go forward with the courage, strength and gifts of your ancestors. Shine on!

Here’s what’s happening:
Providence Bay Arena: The Providence Bay Fall Vendor Market is on Saturday, October 18 and a few more fun fall events to look forward to before the recreation 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 Fridays at 9 am.

Providence Bay Community of Christ Church: Joys and community updates are Sundays at 10:30 am. Service Sundays are at 11 am. Check the Providence Bay Community of Christ Facebook page for announcements and updates!

Food Drive: REVEL Realty and I are sponsoring the annual pick-a-pumpkin for a nonperishable food drive again this year for Manitoulin Family Resources Food Bank. We will have pumpkins generously donated by Tom Cooper of Cooper Farm and I will have a table set up inside the Vendors Market on Saturday, October 18 at the Providence Bay Arena. Look for posters and announcements coming soon! Items in demand for the food bank this season are cleaning supplies, juices, pet food dry and wet, dairy free products and canned meat. How can you get involved? Come to the arena to say hello, bring your non-perishable food donation and then pick-a-pumpkin! If you like, you can take a fall/pumpkin selfie at our photo booth for fun! Hope to see you all there! We thank you all for your support!

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. October 7 is Full Hunter’s Supermoon, October 7 is also Draconids Meteor Shower which runs annually between October 6 and October 10 and peaks on the October 7.

The Friends: Happy Birthday to all of you early October babies!

Happy Hallowe’en decoration and glory days fun! Hello October.

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost.
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring.
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.

• J.R.R Tolkien

Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer

It’s October, which means all of the cobwebs and dust in our houses have officially become Halloween decorations. Autumn is a spectacularly beautiful time of year in Billings and Team Fergmeijer has been enjoying some truly scenic hikes lately. The trick is to carry binoculars with you so that when you make frequent stops, it looks like you’re appreciating nature rather than gasping for air and clinging to consciousness by your fingertips.

Although it’s only just barely fall, Billings is planning a sweet spring: the Manitoulin Maple Syrup Festival is in the works for March! There will be games, events, vendors, interesting guest speakers, and of course, food, all with a maple syrup focus. Vendors and baking competitors can pre-register, but tickets for the dinner are not on sale yet. Visit https://manitoulinculinarytourism.ca/ for more information and to register.

Tonight! There is a special meeting of council to discuss the new landfill by-laws, October 1 at 7 pm at the Park Centre. Everyone is welcome to attend as usual.

We at Team Fergmeijer have been asked to put on our sleuthing caps and help Eleanor from Owen Sound reconnect with a couple she met on the mainland back in July. If you are a new Kagawongian from the Dornock area and towed your belongings up to the Island at the beginning of July, Eleanor would like you to know she misplaced your contact information but would love to get in touch. You can reach out to us at fergmeijer@gmail.com and we can help you reconnect.

Here’s what’s happening with the Kagawong Seniors Active Living Program! Fitness with Kelly runs Thursdays from 9-10 am (free), Monday yoga classes begin October 6 (also free), and Tuesday yoga classes begin on October 7 (still free!). All activities will be at the Park Centre, and anyone over the age of 55 is welcome to join. Contact Mary at 705-348-2285 or seniors@billingstwp.ca for more information.
We can’t wait to explore the special Fall Market this Saturday. Stop in at the Kagawong River Complex to check out the variety of local and handmade goods (1:30 to 6:30 pm). See you there!

And 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 7 pm. Admission is by donation, with funds going right back to the church. Refreshments will be provided.

If you want to learn about the progress on the Mud Creek Road access survey, there is a public information evening happening on Friday, October 10 from 4 to 8 pm at the Park Centre. The engineering firm that is conducting the study will be on hand in a drop-in setting to provide information, answer questions and collect feedback from the public.

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. Sneak peaks at auction items will be posted to FB.com/groups/libraryauction starting in November. Join now to be the first to see what is up for bid.
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 14th and 15th!

Deep thought of the week: parenthood turns you into a morning person the same way being chased by a bear makes you a runner. Have a great week!

Silver Water
Karen Noble

On Friday, September 19 we went to play euchre in Meldrum Bay. There were seven players.

On Saturday morning, there was a vendor market in our yard with several vendors and lots of people out to shop. We continue to raise money for the Angel Bus. 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 Monday evening, we went to the Burpee and Mills Complex to play euchre.

Thursday there was euchre at the Silver Water Hall.

There was no swimming last week. We will start daily walks soon instead.

Doug and Brenda Carter travelled to Winnipeg for a week to visit with their son Michael and his family, including new grandson Liam. They celebrated granddaughter Kim’s 15th birthday.

The Silver Water Recreation Centre Inc. is having their annual board meeting on October 1 at 7 pm. This will include the election, the year’s financials and the year’s meeting minutes.

The Local Services Board is working on the Request for Proposal for the fire hall roof.

It is nice to see the leaves changing colour on the trees.