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Column: Friends and neighbours

Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan

Alexia here with your friendly winter fly.

I remember dreading this time of year during my adventures as a Montessori French Teacher for the simple reason that January is Germaggedon as far as the cold-loving flu and viruses are concerned, it’s no picnic for parents either. As we send our kids to school and daycare and venture out to run errands, we assume the worst will latch on and follow us home. OCD handwashing and avoiding public places can help, but it ultimately seems futile when viruses are holding their own version of the Calgary stampede right now. So, we must work from the inside out. Take vitamins, load up on immune boosting superfoods and teas and take probiotics! Or perhaps, follow the cat/dog around as they seem generally immune and impervious. As the dog days and winter of our political discontent and general malaise continue, we will try, with all might and mane to keep our spirits, immunity and guard up. What’s next? Keeping a close eye and ear on socio-economic, post-inaugural, post PM – resignation fallout on the general health of our country. We love you Canada. Sticks and stones, we stand on guard for thee. 

Here’s what’s happening:

PUCK DROP: Providence Bay Arena, learn to skate on Sundays from 12 noon to 1 pm; public skate on Sundays from 1 to 3 pm; family sponge puck on Sundays from 3 to 5 pm. Sponsored by the Spring Bay/Providence Bay Recreation Committee. Helmets required. 

McAllister Tourney coming soon! Stay tuned.

Providence Bay Curling Club: The curling club season is popping and well underway! Youth curling continues on Saturdays and regular league meets continue in the evenings. Check out the Curling Club Facebook page for regular updates and events.

Providence Bay Community of Christ Church Sunday Service: 10:30 am meet-up; 11 am service.

Providence Bay Town Square and Hall: winter workouts are back! Friday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 am till March 14 at the Providence Bay Hall.

Tai Chi Classes continue Mondays and Thursdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Contact Jean Pearce at 705-885-8444.

The Fundraisers: Providence Bay/Spring Bay Lions Club bottle drive continues, drop off your empties next to the arena for a good cause! Check the Lions Facebook page for upcoming events.

The Heavens:

Don’t miss the spectacular astronomical event in January 2025! January 21 to 25: A spectacular planetary parade will occur as several planets appear to line up in the night sky from earth’s perspective. Don’t miss this rare and awe-inspiring event.

Mentions: If you have a birthday or someone special you want to shout out to, please send me an email
homeonehannigan@gmail.com.

“Let go of certainty. The opposite isn’t uncertainty. It’s openness, curiosity and a willingness to embrace paradox, rather than choose up sides. The ultimate challenge is to accept ourselves exactly as we are but never stop trying to learn and grow.”

– Tony Schwartz

Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer

Please forgive us if this week’s column is not quite up to par. We’ve had a difficult couple of weeks. You see, we are pretty sure our house is haunted by a chicken. A fowl spirit. Possibly a poultrygeist! We plan to call an eggsorcist to help it cross over to the other side. 

Deepen your connection with your body with the free Inclusive Mindful Movement classes at the Park Centre from Monday, January 20 to Monday, (8 – 9 pm). Come out for a gentle, joyful movement practice focused on helping you find more ease in your movement and alignment. No dance experience necessary. Space is limited. Pre-registration is encouraged. www.bodystoriesdance.com (647-213-1497). 

We wanted to give a shout out to a former Kagawongian who is living it up in Calgary these days. We are sure you already know this, but we’ll say it anyway just in case you need the reminder: both age and glasses of wine should never, under any circumstances, be counted. Happy birthday, Susie!

Fantastic news for winter sport enthusiasts – the Pickledome…er… Kagawong River Complex is open for skating. Community members are reminded to take the nets off the ice after using them and to turn off the lights before leaving. Otherwise, enjoy the ice!

This year is the 100th anniversary of the Old Mill in Kagawong and the museum board is planning a variety of ceremonial events and is looking for additional historical information. If you know of anyone who could help or worked at the mill/hydro plant, the museum board would be grateful for any information. You can email oldmillheritage@billingstwp.ca.

A friend was telling us she wasn’t able to put a chicken coop in her backyard because of a new bylaw in her town. We told her to make sure it had four doors. Then it would be a sedan. 

New year, new puzzles! Billings Library will host another free puzzle swap this Saturday, January 25 (10 am – 1 pm). Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle (or 5). No puzzles to bring? No problem. There are always lots to go around! 

Is your new year’s resolution to stay up on local politics? You can attend Billings township council meetings virtually! You can find more information on their Facebook page (www.fb.com/billingstownshipkagawong) or contact the town office directly for the Zoom link. 

Calling all dancing queens and super troupers – save the date! Manitoulin Secondary School is presenting the jukebox musical Mamma Mia! February 14, 15, 21 and 22. Ticket information will be available soon.

Self-appointed Kagawong pun laureates, Team Fergmeijer, invite you to catch up on all our past punny columns in our archive at https://teamfergmeijer.blogspot.com/.

With everything going on at home, here’s hoping we have the hendurance to get through another week.

Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley

We’ve had a quiet week other than a trip to Espanola for an appointment. The roads were snow-covered at this end of the Island but well plowed and there was a fair amount of sand, so driving was a bit slow but no hassles. It took us a bit longer to get there but we had allowed for the weather and were there in time to spend 30 minutes at the highway charging, ate out lunch, then went to the appointment. We do appreciate the snowplow drivers.

Welcome home to Rose Van Every who had been visiting family for Christmas. She said that she had a wonderful time. But we missed her and it’s nice to have her back.

Friday night at cards, we missed, due to a sick friend. We ended up spending the evening in the Emergency Department in Mindemoya, visiting with all the other people who were waiting their turn. Anne and Karen were wonderful to fill in for us at cards and they forwarded the scores to me.

Condolences to the Nelder family. My cousin Blaine Nelder has passed away and he will be missed.

On January 10 there were two tables and one sit out. Ladies’ high score went to Lisa Townsend with 77 points; men’s high score went to Karen Noble with 76 points; ladies’ lone hands went to Myra Duncanson with three and men’s lone hands went to Bob Benedict with three; Diane Jones won for most euchres with nine; the door prize and the 50/50 draw went to Brenda Carter; the money jar is safe for another week.

Silver Water
Karen Noble

On Thursday, January 9, Murray and Gladys Duncanson went to Sudbury to stay with their son, Craig. On Friday, the three travelled to St. Catharines to celebrate Clarke’s birthday. They travelled home on Saturday.

On Friday we went to Meldrum Bay to play euchre.

Monday afternoon, we had the recycle bins open. There were many residents out to fill up both bins which were emptied on Wednesday and Thursday mornings by GFL.

Monday evening, I took DonnaKay McDonald, Brenda Carter, Myra Duncanson and Heather Wilson to euchre at the Burpee/Mills Complex.

Stop 540 Diner opened Tuesday morning after being closed for several weeks to have a holiday and get some renovations completed.

Tuesday afternoon, there was exercise class at the Silver Water Community Hall.

Fire practice was held Tuesday evening with a good turnout of team members.

On Wednesday I went to Mindemoya to attend the Manitoulin Municipal Association meeting.

There was euchre at the Silver Water Hall on Thursday evening.

Happy birthday to Anne Boyd.

Condolences to the family of Phil Dangerfield.

Condolences to the family of Robert Geick.

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Expositor Staff
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