About 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. Two representatives of the Board are appointed annually by the Synod’s Committee to Nominate, to sit as members of the Synod Missions Committee.
Meet our Board of Directors
Marilyn Bannister
Marilyn has served on the Board of Huron Feathers for many years. Born and raised in Brampton she was secretary at Hepworth Public School for 3 years, secretary at St. Paul's Presbyterian Church for 21 years, secretary for Sauble Valley Scouting for several years, and secretary for Huron Feathers for approximately 10 years. She is also a member of the Sauble United Church Handbell Choir and a member of the Sauble Singers.
Marilyn has 2 sons (one living in North Carolina), 6 granddaughters & 2 grandsons. Two of her grandchildren have been campers at Huron Feathers for several years.
Steve & Marie Darling
Steve & Marie spent their summers at their trailer in Sauble for many years. Their youngest daughter, Melissa, was a staff member at Huron Feathers for a number of summers and the Program Coordinator for 2 years. It was through her that their attachment to the Feathers developed.
Steve and Marie recently moved to Port Dover to be close to their daughter, Melissa, son-in-law, Joel and three grandchildren, Isaiah, Elijah & Alexandria.
Steve worked as a teacher and guidance specialist with Waterloo County Board of Education for 32 years. Marie worked for Cambridge Community Services part time as a receptionist. Marie spent her summers working for Sauble Chamber of Commerce as manager of Sauble Information Centre. Steve was a long time Elder at Knox's Presbyterian Church Cambridge. Marie and Steve ran the youth group at Knox's Presbyterian Church. Marie taught Sunday school for many years and co - ordinated vacation Bible school with Knox Presbyterian Church and Central Presbyterian Church. Steve, Marie, and family were long time members of Knox Presbyterian Church (40 years) and recently 20 years at Central Presbyterian Church Cambridge.
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.
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.
Donald Towsley
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.
Dee Renaud
Dee is excited about being back on the Board. She and her husband, Ed, served on the Board from 2012-2016 and have attended worship services at Huron Feathers for over 40 years.
She has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for over 30 years, serving in Westminster St. Paul's in Guelph and St. Andrew's in Owen Sound. She has also been involved in teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, sang in the choir in Guelph and was on the Praise Team at St. Andrew's.
She & Ed retired to Sauble Beach in 2002. They have one grandson who has enjoyed going to Day Camp every summer when he and his parents were on vacation.
Dee is an avid photographer and loves taking pictures of the birds at their place and the beautiful area of Grey Bruce, as well as pictures of her family which she enjoys scrapbooking.
Bob & Judy Colville
Bob was raised in Collingwood and settled in the Guelph/Fergus area. He was an employee of Owens Corning for 31 years. He has been a summer resident of Sauble Beach since 1993 and he and his first wife, Bonnie were Board members from 2010-2014.
Bob sings with the men's Hilltop Singers and serves on the Discipleship committee at St. Andrew's, Fergus. He also volunteered at Centre Wellington Food Bank prior to Co-vid 19 and has done 2 mission trips to Nicaragua building homes and churches.
Bob has 4 children, 8 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Judy was born in the village of Hastings in Northumberland County. She studied Library Arts at Ryerson University which led to 30 years of Librarianship as CEO of Northumberland County Public Library and Branch Supervisor at Wellington County Library, Fergus Branch. During her life she has served on church boards, was Christian Education Director at St. James United in Peterborough, led children's choirs and Christmas pageants, women's retreats, Religion and Life programs for scouts, cubs and leaders, youth groups, Vacation Bible School and served as Sunday School Superintendent. She studied and received her Faith, Life and Ministry Certification through Queen's Theological College and the United Church of Canada.
Judy is a Mom to two sons, and "Mema" to 5 grandchildren. She is newly married to Bob Colville. She and Bob met in their Church choir and together attend Huron Feathers in summer and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Fergus in winter.
Tariq Deonandan
I was born a Muslim in Guyana and moved to Canada in 1999. I currently reside in Kitchener, Ontario. In 2001 after 9/11, I converted to Christianity at a Church of God and eventually decided to take up theological studies at Heritage Baptist College.
In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, I accepted the position as Worship Leader, where I served for two summers. It’s one of my most memorable experiences. This opportunity was an answered prayer.
On a personal level, I enjoy reading, traveling, camping, and photography. However, serving the Lord is my greatest desire. May the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ meet you whenever you are in life.
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.