Kogos: ‘I only drive 80 when I think there’s a yard sale ahead’

The joy of midsummer Manitwirling - so much to discover and so much to do on Manitoulin Island

With my trusted rented car from Enterprise in Sudbury, I’m delighted to take in so much this Manitoulin summer.

I call this Manitwirling; there’s so much to see and do. I remember 30 years ago, when I first moved up to live in Kagawong, one old, sophisticated Toronto lawyer had opined to my mother: “Bonnie will die up there on Manitoulin; there’s nothing to do.”

I never forgot that: Yup, nothing to do and no time to do it as amazing Manitoulin keeps growing.

The North Words Festival was excellent, hearing Billings Mayor Bryan Barker introduce keynote author Shelley Pearen, who talked about her “Four Voices: A Journey into Early Manitoulin History.”

And the compelling Library Used Book Sale in the Kagawong Market Pavilion, where hundreds of books were available. I couldn’t stop buying old favourites.

“You better slow down to appreciate the island,” my 94-year-old cherished, cranky curmudgeon Unca Mudge tells me every summer, when I visit to pay my respects. “We do live on island time, young lady.”

“Unca Mudge, I was stopped on 540 by a nice OPP officer this week in the afternoon for driving too slow. The officer asked me if I had been drinking. I laughed, and said ‘of course not. I am a polite driver and let faster cars pass me. I only drive 80 when I think there’s a yard sale ahead.”

The OPP officer did not laugh.

‘’We thought you were impaired. When the speed says 80, the rule is that you drive 80, since the island has two lanes. You must keep up speed.”

Not getting a ticket for slowness, I gratefully thanked the kind officer for yet another lesson. They followed me awhile to see me speed up. I did.

Of course, I stopped at Campbell’s Drive In, for lunch, an ice cream cone and to pick up Daphne Campbell, my long time yard sales pal, to get on the road. Four years ago, she sold the Drive In to her daughter Lisa and her husband Steve, who have updated so much, with the patio, and oh, 35 flavours of ice cream. Always a great place to meet friends and relax.

I went with Daphne to Evansville to meet owner Gail Andrews and explore her new luxury glamping tents at Gypsy Blues & Island Views. We walked into an opening of deciduous forest to see two inviting sleeping tents and then over to an amazing view of Campbell Bay from the hill.

Call Gail at 905-914-0216.

The plays at the Gore Bay Community Hall, were again, so well done, with audiences from the island and off-islanders. They keep the price down to $20 a ticket, which is appreciated.

At Perivale Gallery, Shannon McMullan’s collection of artwork continues to amaze as Daphne and I stopped in to see “In the Spirit of Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven.” The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Great to see Gore Bay musician Jan Best, whose CD, “Not Alone”, is so well done, I play it all the time at home.

Waking up early to get to the Lyons Memorial United Church of Gore Bay, where people were already appreciating the rummage sale. Jeff Hietkamp, who is on the board, told me that proceeds go to outreach programs and a food cupboard, where people can come and take what they need.

“We have such an active group of volunteers to run these sales,” Jeff said. “We begin on Monday morning for the sale on Friday. “If things don’t sell, we donate them to the women’s centre in Mindemoya or take them to Value Village in Sudbury.

“The last sale we had enabled us with the proceeds to purchase uniforms for our local fire department volunteers.”

There were so many people perusing everything I was impatient to put down my pen and pad and get in there.

While Daphne, my shopping pal and I walked from table to table, I kept saying, “I need nothing.”

“There must be something you don’t need,” Daphne said. “For your imagination and fun. Look at that bowl. Do you put a candle in it, or an egg? Look at this apple peeler. Oh, put on that necklace.”

I did.

She laughed.

“It looks like a cowbell. Take it off.”

Volunteer Bev Woestenenk saw me and brought over a snazzy little black blouse with silver sparkles.

“You’re a New Yorker, this will be good for you” and she tied it up on me.

“I’ve already got clothes in New York City,” I said. “I’m here to be Manitoulinized.”

The men’s section featured fishing and caulking gear, tools, twine, a soldering gun, and a vintage tie rack.

To the Gore Bay Friday open market, where we met Rick Dupont, of the Manitoulin Coin Club. His grandfather was a founding member of the Nickel Belt Coin Club in 1956. Rick shared that “coins show the history of our country. I went to coin clubs with my grandfather when I was eight. I’ve been collecting since and I want to share this history with people. “

I’ll never admit to being tired, as so much good keeps coming to us on island.

Jeff Hietkamp so smartly said to me. “Anyway we can keep building community, here on island, actually everywhere, is a priority for all of us.”

You bet.

Our Energizer Bonnie is thrilled to be on island. If you have a story, find her at [email protected].

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

To contribute to the conversation, you need to be logged in. If you are not yet registered, create your account now - it's FREE.