Providence Bay
By Cassandra Bould
28 Jun 2008
What city do you live in? What neighborhood?
Providence Bay is most certainly not a city, but rather a small lakeside community that sees the peak of it's population in the summer months when tourists from all over the world flock to it's beautiful blue beaches.
What are some adjectives that describe your neighborhood?
Providence Bay is a very natural and scenic town. The surrounding area is mostly rural. In the winter months it is very quiet and yet still beautiful under a soft blanket of snow. During this time of year, snowmobiling is very popular.
How long have you lived there, and what brought you there?
I do not actually live in Providence Bay, but I do call Manitoulin Island my home. I have spent many years and many summers swimming in lake Huron at the Prov beach, attending the Prov fair and walking the boardwalk that lines the long, beautiful beach. My family is mostly located on Manitoulin Island, and it is most definitely family and friends that brings me here and to the many other small towns that are a part of our beautiful Island.
What is your favorite thing about this place? Your least favorite?
Most definitely my favourite thing about Providence Bay is Lake Huron...the beautiful beach, the fantastic sight of the inviting blue water. The beach is always kept very clean, and the beach goers are usually very respectful of others sharing the space and keep it clean. The boardwalk that lines the beach also takes you along a wonderful path of sand dunes! It is a naturally beautiful area, a natural bay and nature most definitely is what draws everyone to the beach.
Do you feel that you belong there?
Nothing makes me feel more safe, secure and grounded than the water. Lake Huron is such a powerful great lake, and I am most definitely drawn there. The second I step foot out of my truck and onto the beach I can clearly feel the familiar vibrations of one of my most favourite places on Earth, so yes, I definitely feel as if I belong there.
What is the most common misconception about where you live?
A lot of people think that Manitoulin Island is one big ghost town; that all the small towns are either abandoned or on their way out. Providence Bay is neither a ghost town, nor is it on it's way out!
What is a special fact about your city that you have to live there to know?
The fishing is spectacular and it's not all uncommon to land a 30 or 40 pound Chinook Salmon.
What aspect of your city do you secretly love?
It's actually very nice to have a break in the Winter from the tourism season. It's great to be able to withdraw and pull back from the hustle and bustle of hundred's of visitors that are not usually there. For most people, Island life is so wonderful for the simple fact that it is so laid back and you can take things at your own pace.
