OUR STORY & MISSION
It's easier to understand where you can go,
when you know where you came from
Huron Feathers is a unique place and has been a part of the Sauble Beach community for 50 years! In 1968 two local Presbyterian ministers established the Centre as a means to reach out to the many young people who found their way to the beach through the summer months.
To realize their vision and with the support of St. Andrew's, Owen Sound, a large wooden A-frame building was constructed.
They gave the name Huron Feathers to conjure up the image of the lake ("Huron") and the heritage of the native people who had populated the area ("Feathers"). The building was designed to be a meeting house (the A-frame "teepee" shape), a place where people could come and experience the fellowship of Christian love.
Meet The Board
Huron Feathers is managed by a Board of Directors comprised of Presbyterian clergy from the Synod of South-Western Ontario of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, members of the summer congregation as well as interested local residents and long term cottagers.
The Board oversees the hiring of staff, the programming, and the maintenance of the Centre and the staff cottage and meets once a month, excluding December.
The Board of Huron Feathers is directly accountable to the Presbytery of Grey-Bruce-Maitland through its Missions Committee, and to the Synod of South-Western Ontario through its Missions Committee.
Donald Towsley
Chair of the Board
Donald is the loving husband of Jeanmarie and father of Emilie and Gillian. After graduating from the University of Windsor in 1983, he worked as a chemical engineer for 39 years with jobs at BASF, DuPont and finishing with 27 years at Chrysler Windsor Assembly Plant. Now he is retired from the auto industry and assisting Jeanmarie’s business, Back To Life Rehabilitation and Sensory Integration Facility.
Don was involved with Presbyterian Churches in Windsor and Ajax. He enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher, a youth leader and later on he was on the Board of Managers before becoming the Chair.
Don’s parents, Bill and Isobel Towsley brought their family to Huron Feathers once it was built and attended every weekend while all were up at the cottage in Sauble Beach. As each of Bill and Isobel’s children (Sharron, Brian, Donald and Joanne) brought their own children into the world, they too began to participate with the congregation in praising our Lord. Both of Don’s girls attended Sunday school and Day Camp. As the Lord continues to bless him with involvement with this church he is looking forward to many years of working with the Board.
In his free time, you’ll find Don enjoying his passion, photography. He also loves to spend time during the warm months with Jeanmarie and his best friend D’Arcy (the cutest Westie you will ever meet) by going on hikes and kayaking adventures. When the snow starts to accumulate you will find him snowshoeing or skiing at Blue Mountain Resort.
Harry & Teresa Klapwyck
Harry and Teresa live full-time in Sauble Beach, just around the corner from Huron Feathers. They moved to Sauble Beach in 2008.
Harry retired as an Electrical Engineer working in the aerospace industry and Teresa was a full time homemaker. They have six children and 12 grandchildren.
After worshiping at Huron Feathers for the summer of 2016, they were pleased when Huron Feathers asked them to join the Board, and are enjoying supporting this worthwhile cause.
Dave Edwards
Dave and his wife Pat have been members of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Owen Sound for more than 52 years. Dave is an Ordained Elder and has been Chairman of the Board of Managers for many years. Our family has strong bonds with Sauble Beach. Two of our grandchildren were baptized at Huron Feathers by Rev Ted Creen. Our family cottage at Sauble is a busy place when all 18 of us are there (four children and spouses and eight grandchildren). St. Andrew's Owen Sound was instrumental in the formation of Huron Feathers over 50 years ago under the vision of Rev. Dr. Fred Miller. With this long time connection, Dave has a strong desire for the success of Huron Feathers as we move forward. Dave is a retired high school Mathematics teacher, having taught in Kitchener, Windsor, and finally settling at West Hill Secondary School Owen Sound.
Fred & Sharon Nettle
Fred & Sharon are presently attending St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Owen Sound. Fred is a retired IT user support technician from Salit Steel, Niagara Falls & past elder at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Welland. Sharon is a retired R.P.N. with a varied nursing career, lastly a nursing supervisor at St. Elizabeth Home Health Centre, Hamilton. Her past leadership roles over the years have been Children's Church, Vacation Bible School, Christian Day Camp at Crieff Hills and puppet ministry presentations. Fred & Sharon have been on several Mission Trips to Nicaragua.
They have found Huron Feathers to be a warm, loving and welcoming place to worship. They find the ministry and community most inspiring and it has a special place in their hearts. They are looking forward to serving together on the Board again.