TBA 2023 End of Year Newsletter
President’s Message
Thank you everyone for another fantastic summer at the beach. We once again had the Art Show, Speaker Series, Field Days, Kids Camp, Football, Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball, Thunder Run, Lobsterfest, Barbie Event, and Rendezvous. It’s hard to believe how much we fit into the summer and it wouldn’t be possible without the TBA executives and the many volunteers. Thank you all!
Our memberships (357 vs last year 371) and tennis memberships (144 vs last year 164) were down slightly from last year so I encourage everyone to spread the word to your friends and neighbours about the amazing work the TBA does to highlight why they should buy their memberships. We’re aiming to do a better job this year of advertising memberships both online and in the community to make sure that people don’t forget. Remember that family memberships can include children up to the age 25, after which it’s time for your children to have their own membership. Memberships quite literally keep the lights on. The core assets of the TBA, the clubhouse, fields, and playground are all maintained using funds from membership dues.
In addition to new members, the TBA needs a new social director! After 5 glorious years culminating in the Barbie Party of a lifetime, it’s time for Melissa McGuire (and family) to pull up a chair and attend the events as a guest. Thank you so much for all your contributions, Melissa. If you love throwing a good party, please reach out to any of the TBA executives and we’re happy to discuss the role and you can decide if it’s a good fit. While leading the events may seem daunting, don’t forget you’ll have the entire support of the seasoned TBA executive behind you. This is a great opportunity to get involved and work with some very talented people.
We had a strong year financially with $8,000 in net income which is covered in the treasurer's report below. As a reminder to members, while we do not publish our financials online, you are welcome to a copy of the financials at the AGM or anytime by emailing tba.treasury@gmail.com. I wrote in the Spring newsletter about our desire to rebalance our sources of revenue. I’m happy to say this was successful. We had a record year for events revenue and membership revenue was up despite the slight decline in total memberships. This allowed us to invest more into our kids camp with longer hours and more programming which we believe was a great success.
Shortly you’ll receive the 2023 TBA Survey. Last time around we had over 200 responses so please remember to fill it out. Feedback from members is a critical input to the decisions we take as an executive.
If you’ve been by the clubhouse, you’ll have noticed the new fence that separates the field and parking lot. What you may not have seen is the accessibility changes we’ve made. This winter we’ll be updating to a barrier free front door as part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the clubhouse is accessible to all.
Thank you again for a great season! Look out for the membership drive in the Spring and we hope to see you May 19th, 2024 for the Art Show!
Treasurer’s Report
Another successful summer at Thunder Beach!
The social events, children’s camp, and sports programs were all well attended. As noted in our Spring Newsletter, we aim to match our revenues with expenses while maintaining a reasonable cash reserve. Accordingly, this year we increased membership dues to cover our increased operating costs and expect to end 2023 with net income of $8,000 (2022 $17,000).
We allocated capital to build a new parking lot fence and gate, improve clubhouse and playground accessibility, and we made a deposit to have the tennis courts resurfaced in 2024.
The year end for the Thunder Beach Association is December 31, 2023. Annual financial statements will be available for distribution at the 2024 Annual General Meeting in August.
Corey MacGregor
Treasurer
TBA Kids Camp 2023
Calling all TB 2024 Camp Staff!
It’s that time of year again! We are now accepting applications for the following Thunder Beach camp positions:
- Camp Director (applicant must be 18+)
- Head Counsellors (preferably 17+ as of January 1, 2024)
- Head Counsellor-Junior Camp (for children age 4-6)
- Head Counsellor-Intermediate Camp (for children age 6-9)
- Head Counsellor-Senior Camp (for children age 10+)
- Head Counsellor-Tennis Camp
- Counsellor
- Counsellor-in-Training (CIT)*
*Individuals born in 2010 or earlier are welcome to apply. Depending on volume, our younger applicants may only be offered shifts in August.
We look forward to welcoming energetic and compassionate staff to the camp programme. Summer 2024 will be sure to have excellent Wednesday night events, skilled tennis instruction, active camp days, and memorable teen nights. Join our team to help bring it all to life!
All application forms must be completed and emailed to Cate and Ashley by the respective due dates:
Camp Director and Head Counsellors - January 15th, 2024. Counsellors and CITs - February 1st, 2024.
For application forms and more information, please contact Cate Spidle (catesp9@gmail.com).
If you have any questions, please reach out to your Executive Children’s Programme Directors:
Ashley Jones (ashleyej02@gmail.com) or Cate Spidle (catesp9@gmail.com).
Don’t forget, we also provide information about camp activities on our instagram account. Be sure to follow us @tbachildrenscamp !
Thunder Beach Youth Baseball
Congratulations to Team Green coached by Cle Cle Murphy-Ives and Magnolia Conacher who narrowly defeated Team Pink coached by McKenzie Graham.
2023 Luke Santi Memorial Flag Football Tournament
Thank you to ALL for making our 20th season of Flag Football a huge success! Close to 40 players, their families, and the TB community experienced the excitement and fun. Great memories of the summer. Congratulations to the champs - The PACKERS!
The Smeaton and Santi families want to recognize those who contributed so generously.
- Camp Director Cle Cle Murphy-Ives.
- All Coaches, Bill and Teresa, Doug Jones and the TBA.
- Tyler Richard for his player intros and expert colour commentary (we think this addition will become an annual feature!).
- Referees and chain gang - Don Butler, Dave Butler, Greg Telfer, Bryan Grenier, Tom Hebbes and Harlan Grenier.
- Heather Bugden and Madeline Clark for registration support.
- All who contributed to the Practice Day, Adult Game and the Tailgate Party, especially Patty Hebbes for the amazing and delicious 20th season cake!
Watch for 2024 Flag Football details in the Spring Newsletter!
Tennis
We had an incredibly successful 2023 Tennis Season. There was a year over year participation increase in the many different tennis activities. From the traditional Men’s, Mixed and Women’s tournaments to the incredibly successful Ladies Nights, Men’s Nights, Drop-In and Cardio Tennis. All these events are member initiated and the member support made them successful. We look forward to this continuing in 2024. For all of these events to happen, we need some individuals to take on more of a leadership role. So, I want to thank Doug Jones for all he does, the passion he shows for ensuring that all members experience is one that we can all be proud of and to Angela Johnson for driving participation in Monday’s Ladies Night and for many more who assist with the tournaments, drop-in and Men’s night (Peter Stubbins). A special Thank You to McKenzie Graham for assisting in starting to build the foundation in the next generation!
Cathy Meyer and Tim Heenan who celebrated their close victory over Cheryl Stubbins and Bogdan Stanescu in the Mixed Doubles tournament!
What a year for Tim Heenan who was called into action after Don Butler tore a calf muscle early in the first round robin match. Congratulations to Bogdan Stanescu and Tim Heenan for their victory over Brad Butler and the unseeded, natty dresser, Paul Rowan in the Men's Doubles.
Somerset Jarvis and Joanne MacMillan defeated Julie Coleman and Diane Jones in the Women's Doubles. Joanne's husband, Bill is so proud of his 'Trophy' wife!
Cardio Tennis returned this year with record attendance. Lots of great tunes, fun drills and 'triple' games. We are hoping to introduce Teen Cardio Tennis next summer.
We are already busy and planning for 2024. The start of any good plan is to have a committee that can assist in being the voice for our members. This will allow us to prioritize what the members are looking for. This committee was announced at the AGM in August. This committee will be represented by myself, Doug Jones, Cheri Duffy, Cate Spidle, Rick Green and Charles Irvine. We have already had a meeting and had an open agenda around how this committee will work, different suggestions and how you the members can bring forth your ideas and comments. Please feel free to reach out to any of the committee members with any suggestions or comments for the upcoming season and the committee will review.
Finally, drum roll please - We also mentioned at the AGM meeting that we will be resurfacing the courts. Contract has been signed and looking forward to a June 2024 date to resurface.
Thank you again for all of your support, look forward to the upcoming season. Remember you do not require courts to practice your swing! A mirror is your friend for any Shadow Swinging!!
Talk soon,
Matt
Art Show
The Thunder Beach Spring Art Show will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Inviting all Thunder Beach Artists to participate. Looking for pictures/stories of local shipwrecks and the Western Islands for a special exhibit.
Please contact: George Traini at georgetraini51@gmail.com
Births
Congratulations to Alex Martin and John Philpott on the birth of their daughter Shea Stuart Philpott. She is welcomed to the beach by her sisters Lennon and Etta, Grandparents Jane Brushey-Martin and Geoff Martin and Joan and Peter Philpott and Aunts and Uncles Heather and Bruce Bugden; Jennifer Martin and David Marcelli; and Samatha Martin.
Obituaries
Howard “Bunt” Robinson:
Sharing the sad news that Howard “Bunt” Robinson, a long-time cottager at Thunder Beach, passed away peacefully on October 5th, 2023 at his home in Guelph at age 98. Howard and his family (parents Pearl and Dr. J.L. Robinson, brother Gord and sister Jean) first came to Thunder Beach in 1935 when they built their original cottage at 43 West Shore Drive.
He was known at the beach as “Bunt” a nickname his mother gave him. Thunder Beach was his favourite place and he and his brother Dr. Gordon Robinson (deceased) were both avid boaters and fishermen. Later Bob Lane, Larry Argent and Lynn Heron joined Bunt and Gord to fish every weekend, no matter the size of the waves!
Howard was predeceased by his wife Joan in March 2023 after 69 years of marriage. He founded Robinson Pontiac Buick Ltd., in Guelph in 1965 and was the pillar of the dealership until he retired at the age of 82.
With sympathy and caring thoughts from the Thunder Beach community to Howard’s daughters on West Shore, Cindy Robinson (Rob Waters) and Diane Robinson (Ron LeBlanc) and his two grandchildren, Jayson Waters (Meghan Simpkins) and Hayley Waters on their loss.
A link to Howard’s obituary follows.
https://www.guelphtoday.com/obituaries/robinson-howard-bunt-7671519
Jean Robinson:
Sadly, Thunder Beach lost another long-time cottager when Jean Forsgard Robinson passed away peacefully in Toronto on November 3rd, 2023 at age 95, with her nieces by her side.
Jean still owned the family cottage at 43 West Shore Drive that her parents Pearl and Dr. J.L. Robinson built in 1935. She kept it true to its original nature with wonderful memorabilia of Thunder Beach and her family, including her brothers Gord and Howard “Bunt”.
Jean was a wildlife photographer for the Federal and Ontario Governments and an accomplished artist (painter).
The Thunder Beach community extends sympathy to Jean’s nieces on West Shore, Cindy Robinson (Rob Waters) and Diane Robinson (Ron LeBlanc) and her great nephew Jayson Waters (Meghan Simpkins) and great niece Hayley Waters. Sadly, Cindy and Diane also lost their Father - and Jean’s brother - Howard “Bunt” Robinson in October 2023. Jean was also predeceased by her niece Andrea Patenaude (Peter on Centre Beach).
A link to Jean’s obituary follows:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/toronto-on/jean-robinson-11525817
Pat Jordan
Pat Jordan passed away earlier this year on February 6, 2023 in Toronto in his 84th year. Pat and his wife Mary were introduced to Thunder Beach through their long time friends, Frank and Helen Morneau. They bought Jimmy Shield’s mother’s former cottage on Centre Beach Road in the late 80’s.
Pat was a CA and CFA who contributed his professional skills to many organizations, including as the CFO for Morneau Shepell for 25 years, and his community. He served on Tiny Township’s Committee of Adjustment for a number of years.
Sadly, Pat was predeceased by his wife Mary in 2008 and his daughter Debbie in September 2022.
With sincere sympathy from the Thunder Beach community to his sons Bill (Teresa) and Lawrence (Marie) and his grandchildren, Christine, Tyler (Chenda), Andrew and Mathew; and his son-in-law Todd Godin.
A link to Pat’s obituary follows:
https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/thestar/name/patrick-jordan-obituary?id=43916335
Richard Lee
Richard Lee spent his life cottaging on East Beach and enjoyed boating on Georgian Bay. He passed away on June 13, 2023 at Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland at age 84.
The Thunder Beach community extends sympathy to Richard’s son Ralph and his wife Kathy and his grandchildren, Madison and Jamie; and to his son Michael and his partner Wendy.
Richard and his wife Phyllis enjoyed living at their cottage throughout their retirement. Richard moved to Midland shortly after Phyllis’s death.
Ruth DuCharme
The Thunder Beach community was saddened to learn of the passing of Mary (Ruth) DuCharme in her 84th year at her home on Sunday May 28th, 2023.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Patrick Austin DuCharme, and her children Mark (Kate), John (Gail), Matt (Jodi) and Luke (Tanya). She is also survived by 11 grandchildren Nicholas (Brooke), David (Puukii), Blake, Alexander, Jack, Michael, Rachel, Claire, Laura, Joshua, Isabella and 2 great grandsons Benjamin and Zachary.
Ruth was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend to all.
A link to Ruth’s obituary follows:
https://www.arbormemorial.ca/penetanguishene/obituaries/ruth-ducharme/104406
Vaughn Kohler:
Vaughn Kohler, a former longtime cottager at Thunder Beach, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2023 in Oakville just shy of his 90th birthday.
Vaughn was predeceased by his wife Margaret in July 2012. They enjoyed cottaging on Centre Beach Road throughout their 53 years of marriage.
With sympathy and caring thoughts from the Thunder Beach community to Vaughn’s family, David and Kirsty Kohler (Green Point Road); Karen (Paul Wilson), Mark (Miranda), and Matthew (Lisa) and his 8 grandchildren Tyler, Joshua, Ryan, Curtis, Myra, Sean, Hannah and Jane on their loss.
A link to Vaughn’s obituary follows:
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