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The new crisis line at the Manitoulin Family Resources Haven House women’s shelter is 705-968-0499—this number can also accept text messages and is answered 24/7.

🥵 YELLOW HEAT WARNING! 🥵
Impact Level: Moderate, Forecast Confidence: High.

🔥 FIRE BAN in effect. Open Burning is Prohibited Until Further Notice. Follow Your local municipality's guidelines. 🔥

Air quality conditions have improved early this morning. However, smoke from wildfires in Northwestern Ontario is expected to return later today or this evening resulting in poor air quality and reduced visibility. Poor air quality may persist into the weekend. Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can change rapidly over short distances and from hour to hour. As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events. You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance. People more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms. When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool. Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using the highest quality air filter that your ventilation system can handle and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles. If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health. Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke. Always follow guidance from local authorities. Learn more at . For further information visit the website or contact the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks at 416-314-6666. Visit for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values.

🗓️ Events 🗓️

Debajehmujig Storytellers and Child and Family Services Wiikwemkoong are hosting a Summer Theatre Showcase . Admission by donation.

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #514 Western Manitoulin is holding a Legion 100th anniversary rededication of the Western Manitoulin Branch 514 Cenotaph . Please assemble by 7:15 pm.

The 30^th annual Manitoulin Art Tour takes place this weekend, July 17 to 19. There is a total of 39 stops across Manitoulin Island on the tour. For all the details, read our story and check out the special section included in this week’s upcoming edition of the Expositor.

The Southeast Manitoulin Lions Club is hosting the annual Summerfest 2026 celebrations this weekend, July 17 to 19. For more details, information, and a schedule of all the events taking place, read our story and for the full schedule.

Jake's furniture store is having their annual tent sale; stop on by!

The Big Lake Women’s Institute is celebrating its 120^th anniversary this Saturday, . There will be videos, history and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

The Manitoulin Hillbilly Fish Supper is cookin’ up a night of flavour, laughs and community spirit! Everyone is invited. The event will take place on . Adults $25, kids (12 and under) $10. Cash only, dine in only. All proceeds go toward the Mindemoya Arena Repair Committee (MARC) helping to save the J.H. Burt Memorial Arena.

Come visit Meldrum Bay for special events from , for the Manitoulin Art Tour, a craft show and sale, quilt show at Meldrum Bay United Church, a tour through the Net Shed Museum (open 10 am to 5 pm). And while you’re there, visit the local general store and walk the breakwall. A light lunch will be served on these dates daily from 11 am to 2 pm at the community hall.

The Gore Bay Theatre is presenting two productions this summer. ‘Outside Mullingar,’ a Tony award winning Irish romantic comedy written by John Patrick Shanley takes the stage. While ‘Waiting for the Parade,’ by John Murrell will hit the Gore Bay stage for a matinee for Legion members . This is a Canadian classic set in Calgary during World War II, and is filled with humour, comradeship and songs of the time. This is one of two productions that will be on the stage this summer, along with ‘For full information on performance dates and times, .

You are cordially invited to ‘Wild and Whimsical,’ celebrating the magic of Manitoulin Island. is the exhibition’s final day at the Perivale Gallery in Spring Bay. The original works by Manitoulin Island artist Laurel Price will be shown and sold at the exhibit.

is excited to welcome “Heartfelt Heritage – Manitoulin Roots”, an art exhibition by Canadian artist Christie (Best) Pearson Anderson of Christies Art at the Gore Bay Museum, 12 Dawson St, Gore Bay. Come enjoy a beautiful collection of paintings and drawings inspired by Manitoulin roots and heritage. The exhibition will continue throughout the summer until August 29.

A ‘Little Bit of Whealism’ Art Exhibition runs until today, Friday, July 17 at the Gore Bay Harbour Centre Studio 6. 40 Water Street. The show features small works of nearly 40 local artists and the exhibition is billed as “A loving tribute to Manitoulin Island’s art mentor Ivan Wheale.”

The NEMI Farmers’ Market takes place .

Mountain bike enthusiast looking for a great summer diversion? Check out the . No bike, no worries. They also have hardtail Norco rentals ready for your ride.

Feeling a bit peckish? Check out our .

Don’t forget to make sure you are on the voters’ list for the upcoming municipal elections in your community. .

Seeking a new career or just starting out in the workforce? Check out The Expositor’s online job board at Manitoulin.com and our Help Wanted section in the newspaper.

Looking for a new Island home? Island realtors fill the back pages of The Expositor with a host of great offerings.

Narcotics Anonymous meets 8 pm every Monday at the Little Current United Church. For more information contact 705-5057-6223.

Yard sale season continues on! Check out the yard sale notices on our Events Page, and on Page 29 in this week’s edition of The Expositor.

If you are looking for a great Island-themed summer read, you should stop by the to check out our bookstore.

📝 What we are working on 📝

A lack of a large animal veterinarian on Manitoulin is causing a crisis situation for many farmers on the Island.

A broadcast journalist who is a seasonal resident on Manitoulin Island is working on a documentary of Toronto Maple Leafs hero Bill Barilko.

Expositor staff are spreading out across Manitoulin this weekend to capture all of the events taking place at Southeast Manitoulin Lions Summerfest and the Manitoulin Fine Arts Association annual Manitoulin Art Tour.

☀️ Weather ☀️

The heat is starting to moderate. According to Environment Canada, Friday will see a daytime high of 26°C accompanied by a 60 percent chance of showers through the day and into the night the night with temperatures dropping to a low of 19°C.

Saturday’s skies will continue to have a 60 percent chance of showers with a daytime high of 23°C, dropping to 16°C overnight under smokey skies.

Sunday, the sun comes shining back, with a daytime high of 25°C. Temperatures will drop overnight to 17°C under clear skies.

💭 In case you missed it 💭

Debajehmujig Storytellers have opened a new head office building in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, right across from Andy’s.

Manitoulin’s Junior Golfers have scored big at the provincials. Several of the U19 crew brought home top honours.

Kenjgewin Teg journalism student Mackayla McGregor tells us what it was like to be in the first Indigenous Journalism graduating class.

Members of the Hamrock family have been coming to Lake Kagawong for 80 years. The 17 members included four generations gathered for a family reunion at Dawson’s Camp.