Spring 2025 Newsletter

Fri, 16 May 2025 01:47:36 GMT

President's Message

After a snow-filled winter and a cool spring, summer can’t come soon enough. We’re excited to see everyone back at the beach!

This year, we're making some important updates to our digital platform. After many years using Shopify, the TBA will be moving to a new system called Wild Apricot — a Toronto-based software company specializing in membership management for nonprofits, associations, clubs, and chambers of commerce. It’s a perfect fit for our needs.

For members, this means a true one-stop shop for everything TBA. Plus, Wild Apricot offers a mobile app, so you’ll be able to manage your membership, sign up for events, register for camp, and access the roster — all from your phone or browser. For the first time, we'll also have a digital roster that’s always up-to-date. Don't worry — paper rosters will still be available at Field Day as usual.

We’re busy with the transition now, and we expect memberships, rosters, camp registration, and event sign-ups to go live on the new platform later in May.

Meanwhile, the Playground Committee has been hard at work gathering quotes and ideas for our planned playground upgrade. Fundraising will open alongside membership renewal. We have upgrade options for every budget — but the more we raise, the more transformative the improvements will be. Let's build a playground that will be enjoyed for decades to come!

We’re also launching our annual member survey. You may notice some familiar questions — and that’s intentional! Your feedback helps us track how opinions evolve over time, and we truly appreciate every response.

Finally, I'd like to encourage anyone interested in volunteering with the TBA to reach out. We’re looking for people of all ages, skill sets, and interests.

Looking forward to another amazing summer at the beach!

Geoff MacGregor
gamacgregor@gmail.com
416-371-8560

Camp Update

Junior Camp (ages 4-6), Intermediate Camp (ages 6-9), Senior Camp (ages 10+)

Clubhouse:
- 9:30 – 12:30 pm
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Tennis courts:
- 9:30 -11:00 am Tuesday and Thursday (Juniors and Intermediates)
- 11:00 am -12:30 pm Tuesday and Thursday (Seniors)

Drop-off and pick-up will be at the clubhouse each day.

Our staff members are very eager to create engaging activities and provide support for each and every camper. We are very pleased to announce our TBA Camp Leadership Team for 2025:

Camp Co-Directors - Sophie Butler, Scarlett Keogh

Extra communication will be a 2025 focus to help campers, parents and caregivers be aware of what is happening at TBA Camp. Check it out on the TBA website calendar, on Instagram (@tbachildrenscamp), the clubhouse notice boards or ask our TBA staff. Feedback is a key to a successful summer for everyone so please share your comments and concerns with Ashley Jones or Cate Spidle, as well as the Camp Co-Directors or any of our Head Counsellors.

Hi, my name is Sophie Butler. I have grown at Thunder Beach and made so many memories, particularly ones from attending summer camp! I have been a TBA Camp CIT, a Counsellor and a Head Counsellor. In Toronto, where I permanently reside, I play club volleyball for the Toronto Titans. I also am an OFSAA attendee for javelin, so sports are a big part of my life. Between working at the TBA Camp and participating in various sports events, I have gained an incredible understanding of working with a variety of people. I look forward to applying these skills as a TBA Camp Co- Director.

Hi, my name is Scarlett and I grew up in Toronto, spending each summer on Georgian Bay at our family cottage. I have just completed my first year at the University of Toronto studying Architecture. While in high school, I taught drama and also danced with the National Ballet of Canada. I’ve been a TBA CIT and Counsellor. Some of my most cherished childhood memories are from experiences as a camper at Thunder Beach which is why I feel incredibly honoured to give back as a Camp Director this summer. Whether through sports, theme nights or the daily crafts, I look forward to ensuring that every child has a summer that will create long-lasting camp memories for each one of them too!

We are striving to improve on our awareness of environmental and social justice issues. To help us minimize purchasing single use plastics as much as possible, we ask you to check out our “Second Life List” of items to donate. (egg cartons, magazines, clear plastic containers/tins with lids, corks, paper bags, unwanted paper/crayons/chalk/pencils/paint, aluminum/paper plates, paper towel/toilet paper rolls, string/yarn, greetings cards -new/used, etc.) Please save a shoe box per camper for a special activity this summer! We will also accept extras!

Please donate gently used tennis balls for Camp. There will be a green donation bin located at the tennis court and also at the clubhouse. We will use the tennis ball cans/containers too!

Watch for our full Camp calendar of events coming soon. Stay tuned to find out about Activity Nights, Teen Nights, Camp Tennis Tournaments and more!

See you at Field Day!

Ashley and Cate

Thunder Beach Youth Baseball

Batter Up! Thunder Beach Youth Baseball returns for its 33rd year.

Thunder Beach Youth Baseball Core Values:

Safety
Community building
Leadership
Inclusivity
Teamwork
Having fun!

Children from ages 6 to 15 play on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday, July 1st. The final tournament is on Friday, July 18th.

No baseball experience is required. We haven’t had a strikeout in 32 years!

We need Coaches (age 16 or older) and Player Coaches.

Contact Doug Jones at: 519-575-1068 or djones000@sympatico.ca

The player team rosters will be poster at the Club House on Sunday, June 29th.

Play ball!

2024 Thunder Beach Youth Baseball Champions: Gold coached by Chloe Butler, Charlie Moines and Alex Delarue

2025 Luke Santi Memorial Flag Football Tournament

Luke Santi Memorial Flag Football Tournament 22nd YEAR!

The TB Luke Santi Memorial Tournament is set for 2025! This fun, recreational event is a summer tradition at TB for many families and we look forward to welcoming NEW players and their families. Boys and girls ages 10-15 are eligible. All tournament details, including registration information will be available on the TBA website.

The non-contact tournament will be played from Monday, July 21st to Friday, July 25th. If you are interested in PLAYING, COACHING, REFEREEING or helping the SIDELINE ‘CHAIN GANG’, please watch out for the registration link coming soon!

We will continue with many crowd-pleasing elements (i.e. play-by-play commentary, live player intros) and the very popular Tailgate BBQ after the Championship game on Friday. The always entertaining Adult Flag Football Game will follow the tournament trophy presentation. Hoping to see many TB families and Flag alumni throughout the week and especially at the playoff games on Friday.

We look forward to seeing you at the field this summer!

Gordon, Martha, Quinn and Matthew Smeaton

Luigi, Shelagh, Andrea (Ryan, James) and Janelle (Scott) Santi

Tennis

What a winter - we are happy to see it go. Spring has finally arrived and I am sure we are all ready to dust off our racquets and step on the courts to enjoy the upcoming great weather with some great Tennis at any level.

Tennis courts are ready now. The 2025 season is off to a great start with the courts already being played on.

This season the tournaments have been booked so please mark in your calendars to ensure your participation.

Mixed Doubles: July 12th; 9 am start time
Men’s Doubles: July 26th; 9 am start time
Ladie’s Doubles: August 9th; 9 am start time

Last year we saw great success with the Ladie’s Doubles league and an increase in participants in the Men’s Doubles League. Thank you to our amazing volunteers. We expect both to continue in summer 2025.

We have Drop In every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the adults and tennis will continue to be a part of the Children’s Camp. We look forward to seeing our juniors coming out and playing.

The Skedda booking application will also continue as our court booking tool.

And of course, Cardio Tennis with Doug and Matt will be back for our 3rd season and we are already looking at new drills and music!

Game, Set and Match ... have another great season!!

Matt DuCharme, TBA Tennis Director

Party on the Court!

Thunder Beach Cardio Tennis

It’s a high-paced, energizing workout, lots of hits on the ball and music that gets you moving.

Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:45. Cost: $20

Any questions? Contact Doug Jones: 519-575-1068 or Matt Ducharme: 647-669-2475

Remember, in life and in tennis…..”Loosen your grip!”

Thunder Beach Dock Company

Greetings to all Thunder Beach Boaters!

We plan to open the Gas Dock on weekends in the second half of June (staff and weather permitting) and on weekdays and weekends from July 1 through to Labour Day. Our hours of operation will be as follows:

Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10 am to 4 pm
Monday to Friday: 11 am to 2 pm (as of July 1)

We currently anticipate that our pump price will be lower than it was last Summer, consistent with market conditions.

We are also looking for 2 or 3 staffers – contact Bill McNamara (wmcnamara@torys.com) if interested.

The Dock membership fee this year will be $200 per family, the same as last year. Please do not forget to renew your membership. Membership fees and revenue from gas sales are used to cover our insurance and staffing costs and (hopefully) to build up our cash reserve.

We look forward to seeing you on the water!

John Burns, Kevin Burkett, Bill McNamara

Thunder Beach Apparel 2025

New TB merchandise will be ready to order soon! Please keep an eye out for an upcoming email!

Events

AUGUST EVENT

Majestic. Sparkling. Icey. Glorious. Free

The "coolest" party of the season.

Saturday August 2nd, 2025

Dinner / Dance

Your August Event Team - Meredith Palmer, Sarah Palmer and Mary Beth Burkett

Watch for more details in the weeks ahead.

FoTTSA

Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations ‘FoTTSA’ Report

It has been a tumultuous year in Tiny Township as far as municipal matters are concerned. Here are the highlights:

The controversial new Administrative Building is going ahead at the new municipal address of 255 Concession Rd 9E. Construction is expected to begin this summer.

The township has purchased shoreline property in Sawlog Bay at a borrowed cost of 4.5 m. There are no details yet on the proposed use of these lands.

And most recently, the proposed Shoreline by law continues to make major waves. On Tuesday May 6 there is a meeting in Council Chambers at 5pm. Documents related to this bylaw can be found at Interim Control By-law | Township of Tiny

Written submissions (pro or anti) can be submitted to cmullowney@tiny.ca. My take on this bylaw is that it is subject to overreach by the township. Although I agree the proposed setback of almost 150 feet may be required in dynamic areas of the beach, under this by law there is no ‘grandfathering’ provision for existing structures. Permits will be required (and fees collected) for all repair and/or replacement of any structure or part thereof within the 50 metre setback. There is a middle ground to protect the Bay we all love, between replacing boards on an existing dock and regulating new builds. The draft provisions leave too much uncertainty. The onus will also be on the property owner applicant to fund any engineering report required to determine the dynamism of their beachfront. Whether this will effect property values has yet to be determined.

A ‘Community Action Fund’ has been established by FoTTSA to access resources and expertise to represent shoreline interests in the township. The current focus of that fund is the proposed Shoreline Bylaw.

All of these issues, including local events, are covered in the latest edition of the FoTTSA Flash FoTTSA Flash April 2025

TBA is a member of FoTTSA. Sign up to receive their newsletter at The Tiny Cottager Online – Thriving and sustainable shoreline communities in Tiny Township with FoTTSA .

There will be a FoTTSA Table at Field Day. Stop by and receive your Discount card for services in the area.

Any questions? Feel free to contact me at karenandscott@rogers.com

Karen Bowles, TBA FoTTSA Rep

Obituaries

Sharing the sad news that Girts Gubins passed away on January 9th, 2025 at his home on Silver Birch Drive at the age of 71 with his beloved dog Nacho by his side. Girts loved adventure and the outdoors and created unforgettable memories for his family. He became a successful realtor in the Georgian Bay community, following a rewarding career as a top paper salesman in Canada. With sympathy from the Thunder Beach community to Girts' wife Cindy and daughters: Melissa, Hilary, Amanda (Steve), Krystal (Phil) Kimberly (Nardy) and Tara and his seven grandchildren: Dakota, Declan, Dayton, Henry, James, Jesse, and Wyatt.

A link to Girts’ obituary follows:

https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/leclair/obituaries/girts-herberts-gubins/135483.html

Births

Melissa and Matt McGuire

Melissa and Matt McGuire happily added another player to their roster on January 20, 2025 in Toronto. "Presley William McGuire” joined the starting line up alongside his excited big brother Heath. Congrats to the McGuire’s (West Shore) and proud Grandparents Kathy and Mike Mihaichuk (Blue Lane) and Aunts and Uncle, Jacki Mihaichuk, Max Mihaichuk and Ivana Pupovac & cousin Mila.

Max Mihaichuk and Ivana Pupovac

Max Mihaichuk and Ivana Pupovac were blessed with the arrival of their second daughter “Lana Lois Mihaichuk”, a forever playmate for sister Mila, on March 27, 2025 in Oakville. Congrats to their family, including “tickled pink” Grandparents Kathy and Mike Mihaichuk (Blue Lane) and Dragan and Vesna Pupovac (East Beach) and Aunts and Uncles, Jacki Mihaichuk, Luka Pupovac, Melissa and Matt McGuire & cousins Heath & Presley.

Wedding Announcmenets

Victoria Evans and Stephen Hayley

Alongside their family and friends, Victoria Evans (daughter of Anni & Robbie, Chemin du Loup) and Stephen Hayley (son of Kim & Paul) celebrated their marriage on April 12th at Spirit of York Distillery in Toronto. The ceremony was witnessed by Stephen’s brother, Blake, and Molly Hallow (Khorshid (Centre Beach)), and was followed by an intimate evening filled with love, great music, and wonderful friends.

Thunder Beach Association News