Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan
Alexia here with your friendly World Series Boo fly! I don’t know what it is about this time of year and why everything gives crossfire hurricane intensity-perhaps because we are saying baa ma pii (see you later) to the sun, leaves, flowers, friends, family and saying farewell to old ways, to things that no longer serve our path and purpose, to the wins and the losses, to the version of ourselves we once were and the version of ourselves we have yet to know and nurture. This is a time of great reflection and reverence. The last brushstroke in what could be a masterpiece or an epic failure. But do we ever really fail? Life’s beauty and our own evolution spawned from imperfection and chaos. Embrace the wonder, the surprise, the eureka moments of self-discovery and of the natural world. All our triumphs and all the good things come in due time. The field of dreams mantra “if you build it, they will come” holds true always. Keep creating, building and learning. Give yourself and others the grace, patience and gentle reassurance that this too shall pass, one day you will look back on all of it and know that you are the better and best version of yourself because of it. Stars do not hide from darkness, roses do not hide from thorns, diamonds do not hide from pressure. Shine on you crazy diamonds, keep on strong and go forward with courage, love and peace in your heart.
Here’s what’s happening:
Providence Bay Arena and Fairgrounds: The Providence Bay Fall Vendor Market on Saturday, October 18 was a tremendous success! Looking forward to the start of the skating and hockey season – stay tuned for updates and puck drops!
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 by phone at 705-377-5726. Exercise Classes continue Fridays 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!
Providence Bay Curling Club: Everyone is welcome at the Providence Bay Curling Club! Junior Curling is back Saturdays starting Saturday, November 8 until the end of March. Ages SK to Grade 8 – equipment provided, $25 per curler. For more information go to provcurling.ca/junior.
The Lions 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. Are you interested in becoming a Lions Club member? Contact the Providence Bay/Spring Bay Lions club Facebook page for details on how you too can give back to your community!
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. Whether you’re a seasoned skywatcher or just love watching shooting stars and auroras, October is packed with celestial beauty.
November 5 Full Moon (Freezing Moon or Baashkaakodin Giizis) or Beaver Moon.
The Friends: Happy Birthday to all of you late October Hallowe’en babies!
Happy Hallowe’en to all!
Keep trying. Stay humble, Trust your instincts. Most importantly, act. When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
Yogi Berra
Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer
Your friendly neighbourhood Fergmeijers have been looking forward to Hallowe’en all year and it’s finally here! Now, given that there are three sanctioned candy holidays, we would like to propose that we leave hallowe’en alone (obviously), but we make Valentine’s Day a cheese holiday and Easter can shift to be a potato holiday.
At time of writing, the Blue Jays are undefeated in the World Series! Though to be fair, this column is due before game 1. But our statement still stands. Let’s go Blue Jays!
Don’t be a scaredy-cat, bring the little ghouls and goblins out to the Kagawong Park Centre on October 31 from 5 to 8:30 pm!
Happy birthday wishes go out to Diane N who turned 29 recently. And because there is no cure for the common birthday, to Meranda V we say, ‘Cheers to another year!’ as she celebrates another trip around the sun. Not quite her 29th, but getting closer…
The library is hosting a fall puzzle swap this Saturday (November 1). Freshen up your collection just in time for the snow to fly. Stop in between 10 am and 1 pm to trade your used puzzles for new-to-you jigsaws. No puzzles? No problem. They have plenty to go around!
Do you know a volunteer who deserves recognition? The township is calling for nominations of community volunteers in several categories (arts and culture, outstanding community group, senior volunteer, youth volunteer, historical pillar of the community and Mayor’s volunteer service). Drop off the name of the deserving person or group, along with the category and a short explanation of why you feel they should be recognized to the town office or send via email (deputyclerk@billingstwp.ca) by November 11.
Did you know Dr. Seuss’ mother was a massage therapist. A Ma Seuss, if you will.
The Seniors Active Living Program is planning a potluck lunch on Saturday, November 8 at 11:30 am at the Kagawong Park Centre. Reserve a seat by contacting Mary at 705-348-2285 or seniors@billingstwp.ca!
Remember that time the Kagawong Gobble Brigade took over the road to Maple Ridge? Or the time the township celebrated that special event? Catch up on old times with the complete archive of Team Fergmeijer columns, all the way back to 2015! Check out http://teamfergmeijer.blogspot.com to get your fill of puns and haiku.
A gentle reminder, that if you suck at playing the trumpet, that’s probably why. Have a great week!
Barrie Island
Enid Runnalls
It’s been a week of rain here on Barrie Island and the cooler temperatures are taking hold. The farmers have been waiting it out, working on repairs and small projects that are close to home.
Quite a few driveway gates were decorated in Gordon and Barrie Island this past week for the Annual Decorate your Gate contest. As of press time the winners are unknown, but there was plenty of unique whimsy in our municipality.
The Municipalities of Gordon and Barrie Island and Burpee Mills are hosting a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, October 30 at 7 pm in the Gordon Hall at 29 Noble Side Road. The discussion will be regarding road safety and slow-moving vehicles.
Scott and Enid Runnalls travelled to Toronto last Saturday to be spectators at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Katie Runnalls was among thousands of participants and was able to achieve her time goal. Larry Lewis (son of Evelyn Runnalls Lewis and Grant Lewis) was a pacer during the run and recognized Katie’s bib number – the cousins had a brief running visit at around 21 km during the race. Katie was part of a team that included her cousin’s cousin Bridget Miller Nunn and her uncle Matt Byrnes. It was a very exciting day for all!
Lance and Lil Greenman hosted their Thanksgiving at home on the long weekend, enjoying turkey, all the fixings and an apple crumble that Lil baked using Ashton’s apples. It was reportedly delicious!
Micah Runnalls has decided to be a spooky clown for Hallowe’en. He will be trick-or-treating in Gore Bay but plans to knock on a few Barrie Island doors too, so get ready for this spooky little character! There are at least four more trick-or-treaters on Barrie Island and we hope to see them, as well!
Have a spooky and fun Hallowe’en!
Silver Water
Karen Noble
Friday, we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay. There were 11 players.
Murray Duncanson, his son Craig Duncanson and brother-in-law Oliver Coburn left to go moose hunting last week.
Saturday morning, Albert and I got ready for a market in our yard. The rain was so heavy at 10 am we closed the garage doors and gave up.
Sunday morning, we packed up our yard sale tables and the leftover items will be donated to charities in Sudbury.
Monday evening the Local Roads Board held their annual meeting at the Silver Water Community Hall at 6:30 pm. The board that was elected is Eric Thiessen, Colin Frame and Lori Mastelko. Congratulations to them.
Monday, I took Myra and Ken Duncanson to euchre at the Burpee and Mills Complex.
Tuesday morning, I went with Gladys Duncanson to her appointment and to help with errands.
Also on Tuesday morning, Albert went to Meldrum Bay for the last session of kits and quilts for the season. Several of the volunteers will work at home all winter long to get ready for the start up again in the spring.
Tuesday afternoon there was yoga at the hall.
Tuesday evening was fire practice at the fire hall.
Every day we have been working on setting up the tables in the garage for the Christmas market.
Thursday, there was euchre at the Silver Water Community Hall.
Lee and Ed Alexander arrived at their cottage on Thursday.
Condolences to the family of Vic Noble.
Condolences to the family of Mercedes Hughes.
Condolences to the family of Chris Thibault.
