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Providence Bay
Alexia Hannigan

Alexia here with your September fly!

And just like that, we’re swapping beach towels for backpacks and getting ready to get back to the grind of mad sports and schools schedules and the official launch of the silly season! Do not despair my Island friends, for today, September 2nd is World Coconut Day! So go grab your most hideous Hawaiian shirt, a straw hat, some Hawaiian tropic oil, your Malibu inspired fruity drinks in a Coconut and go and sit on the beach in complacent denial that Summer is officially over as of T -minus ten days from today! It’s ok- you still have time! Squeeze in those last-minute beach days and summer fun memories today! Every day is a precious gift of new adventures and memories gained where we get to learn something new every single day. So, my parting words of wisdom for this week: “Be a coconut: weather the storms, stay rooted, and keep something sweet inside.” 

Here’s what’s happening:

Thanks to everyone who came together to make the Magic happen at the 2026 Providence Bay Fair! Always a wonderful and fun time. The next event at the Providence Bay Arena is the Fall Market slated for Saturday, October 18 from 10 am 4 pm 

Providence Bay Community of Christ Church: Joys and community updates,  10:30 am, service 11 am. (Check the Providence Bay post office bulletin board for updates and events.) Courage, prayers and love to families and communities in mourning. 

Central Manitoulin Senior Drop-In is every Thursday from 1 - 3 pm at the Providence Bay Hall - a welcoming space to enjoy games, coffee, conversation and community. Upcoming dates: September 17 and October 15. For more information contact Alison at 705-377-5726 or by email at [email protected].

Exercise classes continue at the Providence Bay Hall on Fridays from 9 to 10 am. 

Manitoulin Pickleball Club has booked Every Tuesday and Thursday from 6- 8pm for organized play at the outdoor courts behind the Mindemoya Ball fields (Weather Permitting). For information contact George Ballantyne 705 677-4732. 

Providence Bay Beach and Discovery Center is an amazing 2 km sand beach on the Lake Huron coast that is open to the public. Play safe and enjoy the beautiful beaches, boardwalk and epic Sunrises, Moonrises and Sunsets. Be sure to stop into the Discovery Center to learn about Manitoulin Islands incredible heritage, history, natural resources, flora, fauna and incredible wildlife. Stop into Huron Island Time to say hello to Lance and his crew, grab some delicious snacks, an epic fruit smoothie or Farquhar’s famous ice- cream! He has some amazing new menu items and a wonderful variety of amazing Ice Cream flavours to choose from. Check out the Mutchmor Peace Cafe and Sandalwood Market- delight in local Art, Crafts, jewelry and enjoy a cup of coffee or an iced latte. Be sure to snap a selfie in front of the South Shore Community Bear Mural! If you see Matt and crew, ask about Lake Huron Fish and Chips! Yessir- they are open too! Providence Bay Tent and Trailer Park is open for the Season too-they have a cool little store, and you can snap some cool selfies in front of Manitoulin Artist Maxim’s amazing Art installations! 

Sunset Music Series: The music series features great musicians and artists who take to the stage right beside the Boardwalk and Discovery Center every weekend through July, August and early September from 6:30pm to 8:30pm - Bring your blankets and chairs! This is not a ticketed event-Support your local musicians by donating side of the stage show. Note: If the show gets rained out, it is always pushed to the next show day. Location: Providence Bay Beach beside the Huron Island Time. Parking and washrooms are on site. This Friday, Sept. 4 come and see Lynn Blunt and Saturday, Sept. 5 come and see the Marcus G. White Band and Sunday, Sept. 6 Nettish and Friends play and celebrate the close of the Sunset Series with a big finish. Grab some snacks and food at Huron Island Time and enjoy a picnic stage-side; come and support the Music and Arts Community and enjoy the music! Thank you, Lance Baptiste and Huron Island Time, for yet another amazing Season under the sun and shout out and thanks to all of the amazing Artists who came to play for us! We look forward to seeing you again next Summer!

The Hiking Trails: Manitoulin has many hiking trails which take anywhere from a few hours to a full day to navigate and they all have different difficulty levels and topography. For the casual walker there are nature trails and boardwalks in and around many of the townships. Be sure to always check the weather and marine reports before you venture out on land or on water and remember you are in Bear Country up here! 

Manitoulin District Cenotaph and Memorial Gardens:  Four distinct monuments—the Merchant Marines Memorial, the Manitoulin District Cenotaph, the Youth in Partnership with Veterans Memorial and the Women’s Memorial—stand in this tranquil memorial garden located on Hwy 551/542 between Mindemoya and Providence Bay off Monument Road. These monuments are a tribute and ode to the men and women whose service, contributions and sacrifices for peace and freedom we honour and remember. The Cenotaph flags are those of Canada’s WW2 allies. We remember and give thanks. 

The Providence Bay Transfer Station will be open Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, 2 to 6 pm. The Big Lake Transfer Station will be open Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am to 1 pm. These summer hours will remain in effect from the May long weekend through to the September long weekend.

The Providence Bay 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. Check the Lions social media pages for updates, local fundraisers and awesome events. Thanks to all the folks who came out in support of the Pancake Breakfast and to all the Sponsors who participated in the Annual Lions Golf Tourney and fundraiser!

Back to School Season is almost here and for many families across Manitoulin Island, that means new expenses at a tough time of year. Manitoulin Family Resources is always accepting donations such as hygiene products, backpacks, notebooks, pens and pencils, lunch bags, and other essentials! Call the Food Bank /Food Hub at 705 368-3400 ext. 242 or stop by during their operating hours: Tuesday and Friday from 10am -2pm and Wednesdays from 4-8pm. They are closed Weekends and Holidays. 

Manitoulin Island is a dark sky reserve so find a dark sky spot, bring your telescope and enjoy the wonders of the cosmos.  Conjunctions: moon and Mars Sept. 6/moon and Mercury Sept. 12/ moon and Venus Sept. 14/moon and Saturn Sept. 27.

Sept 5 to 21: Perseid Meteor Shower which peaks on Sept. 9. September Equinox Sept. 23. September 26: Full Harvest Moon

Happy Birthday to all of you early September Babies!

Happy nuptials if you’re getting hitched- Happy end of Summertime celebrations to all! 

Welcome Friends, Neighbours and visitors, old and new- please please please for the Love of all the beautiful creatures and people who call this place home -pick up and dispose of your refuse and recycling properly and carefully - we have to take care of this beautiful land and legacy! Hello and welcome to Manitoulin Island my friends and neighbours. 

Christian had a wonderful and very restful break this year - thank you Mike and Wendy for the wonderful cabin and Hospitality at Woodside Cottages. 

Visit the Central Manitoulin Township webpage at centralmanitoulin.ca or visit exploremanitoulin.com for updates on all the events happening near you. 

For excellent Providence Bay local news and updates check out the “What’s Happening in Providence Bay” Facebook page and the “What’s doing on the Manitoulin” Facebook page. For information on beachside music and the Sunset Series schedule, updates, rain- dates and events follow huronislandtime.com or look for one of the Sunset Music series posters - we have them on various bulletin boards and public places around Providence Bay. Stay tuned for the Harvest Days updates in the coming weeks!

For updates on Forest fires, fire bans and changing conditions, roads and weather. Visit Environment Canada, Ontario.ca, the Ontario Forest Fires Facebook page, check with your local Municipality or check the Manitoulin Road, Weather and Waterways fb pages and groups. Let’s keep each other informed and stay safe! 

Happy making summer memories to all! Enjoy your ‘Toulin Time and I hope everyone enjoys a wonderful Harvest Season!

Kagawong
Team Fergmeijer

Team Fergmeijer is a huge musical theatre fan, so it is natural that we have some strong opinions about related things. One opinion that may surprise some people is that we cannot stand the parodies of modern major general, they’re overdone and simply not as good as the original. They’ve done them about everything, whatever topic, big or small. And when we notice one of them our eyes will always start to roll. The diction’s always slurry when they rush the complicated words, and adding many fricatives will turn it so cacophonous. The slanted rhymes are silly, and they keep just making more and more, please someone stop the parodies of modern major general. The scanning of the lyrics in the meter is unbearable, they emphasize the syllables in ways that are untenable, in short in matters musical, prosodic and ephemeral, we cannot stand the parodies of modern major general. 

Students are back to school next week and we want to remind drivers to keep an eye out for buses and to give them the space to get our kids on and off safely. 

The Billings Township fire department’s 50th anniversary celebration and rededication of the fire hall went off without a hitch last week. Many, many thanks to the organizers who spent a good portion of their free time this past year brainstorming, planning, and carrying out the legwork to get the event off the ground. There is a commemorative book that tells the story of the formation of the Billings Fire Department (in 1976!) and its developments over the last 50 years. You can reach out to members of the fire department if you would like to purchase a copy.  

It’s official! The list of candidates running for office in Billings Township include Roger Chenard, Jim Cahill, and Sandi Hurcomb for mayor, and John Foster, Rick Vanderschot, Sharon Jackson, Simon Wheeler, Don Nuyten, and Stephanie Gillingham for council. Lisa Corbiere-Addison keeps her seat as Rainbow District School Board Trustee (acclaimed). Rumour has it that a Meet the Candidates townhall is in the works. Stay tuned for more details.  

The rumour mill also suggests that the township has hired a new CAO. We are excited to meet them and hope they have a solid appreciation for puns (a critical requirement for any employee of this township). 

Work has begun on the river trail and though we can’t go and see the progress (the trail is off limits for safety reasons, especially now that there are chainsaws and any number of large machines working), we can sure hear the progress happening! Word is that the pedestrian bridge has been cleared of all debris and trees that had gathered in and around it, though it is still not connected to the shores of the river on either side. Thank you to all the people and businesses that are helping and that have donated time and/or resources to the river and trail remediation and rehabilitation. We know it will be a long process, but it is encouraging to know that the work is off to a good start. 

Yoga continues at the Kagawong Park Centre Mondays at 9am, brought to you by the Seniors’ Active Living program. Don’t forget to sign up for the 8-week strength class starting next Tuesday, September 8th. Text or call Mary at 705-348-2285 for more information.

We would like to wish a hearty happy birthday to former Kagawongians Amanda G and Susan S. Remember, getting old is like climbing a mountain; you get a little out of breath, but the view is much better (as long as you remember your glasses)!

Billings have deep musical roots. Case in point, the many Kagawongians in the Choral ensemble Voices North performing on Saturday, September 12 at 7pm at the Mindemoya Community Hall. All are welcome to an evening of acapella choral singing including classical, jazz, folk music, and more. They will also be joined by special guest cellist David MacDonald from the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 705-282-4955 for more information or for tickets.

We went to see The Odyssey, the movie everyone has been talking about all summer. It’s not musical theatre, but of course we still had thoughts about the adaptation. Overall, it was good, although some details from the original story were left out—or were just plain wrong. At least, we’re fairly sure they were wrong. Getting Greek mythology wrong is our Hercules ankle. Have a great week!

Meldrum Bay
Elaine Bradley

Rose VanEvery is back from her trip south to celebrate her birthday with family. She returned with her granddaughter Mikah and Mikah’s dog Marvin. Mikah always has a smile, and we enjoy it when she comes up for a visit.

Thursday was a Celebration of Life for Susan Arbour at the Silver Water Hall. Condolences to her husband Mike and her family.  They lived in Meldrum for a long time and operated the local store. That was before I moved here. But I always enjoyed playing with Susan at euchre tournaments.

Thursday, we attended a funeral in Spring Bay for Jean Robinson. She and Henry lived on Oriole Road in Spring Bay for many years. It was a sad event, but it was nice to meet family and friends.

We also visited Dorothy Antoine in the hospital in Mindemoya.  She had a knee replacement on Friday and although she has a way to go she is doing remarkably well.

I was told that the musical event last Saturday at Hartley’s on Mississauga Light House Road was a success.

We’re looking forward to a roast beef dinner fund raiser in Burpee Mills on Saturday.

Friday night at cards, High lady was Myra Duncanson with 79 points. High man was Karen Noble with 73 points. Lone Hands for the ladies went to Donna Kay McDonald with 7. Lone hands for the men went to Rick Bradley with 4. Most euchres went to Brenda Carter with 10. Murray Duncanson won the 50/50 draw. Come out and join us.  We always have a good time.

Have a great week everyone.

Silver Water
Karen Noble

Friday night we went to euchre in Meldrum Bay.

Saturday there was a market in our yard. In the evening, there was six handed euchres at the home of Iris and Keith Clarke. They had their daughter Sarah, her husband Jeff Moore, and their daughters, Ellen and Abigail with them.

Monday evening, we went to euchre at the Burpee / Mills Complex. There were ten tables of players.

Tuesday Gladys Duncanson took her granddaughters Willow and Shelby to Kagawong and Gore Bay for some shopping. We tried to have a swim later in the afternoon, but the wind and waves and cold water kept us from staying very long.

Fire practice was on Tuesday night with eight members attending.

Wednesday evening Clarke Duncanson, wife Heather, and sons Ethan and Aidan arrived at his parents, Murray and Gladys’ house.   

Thursday the celebration of life was held in the Silver Water Community Hall for Susan Arbour. It was well attended, and the family thanked all the workers who helped with lunch and cleanup.

James Wismer and his family had a visit with his parents, Doug and Jane.

Lorna Cambria had her daughter here last week.

Condolences to the family of Susan Arbour.

Barrie Island
Enid Runnalls

It’s a beautiful morning on Barrie Island if a little bit cooler this week but we’ve enjoyed these late summer days.

Barrie Island born and raised, Ben Lane and his new bride Madge Honeymooned in Ontario following their wedding in their hometown of Burgeo, Newfoundland. While on their honeymoon they were fêted again by many Ontario friends and family at a second reception in Arthur, Ontario.

Walter and Esther Stiller of the Barrie Island Causeway wish to thank the couple who stopped to assist their grandchildren after a scooter accident on Hwy. 540A last Friday evening. The couple’s quick action, assistance, reassurance and comfort was so appreciated. Also, they would like to thank the ER Doctor and staff at Mindemoya Hospital for their prompt care and gentleness with their grandchildren. 

Enid was out to visit with Lil Greenman this week. Lil is feeling better with time. 

Birthday wishes would go out to Jordan Miller, who turns the great age of 40 today!

Our Barrie Island community has been holding our neighbours from Sheshegwaning F.N. close to our hearts these days. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Bethany Shinos.