Memories of the South Channel Cottagers Association: Wayne Jefferery

 

In late winter of ’72, Al and Yvonne  Zanussi, Wayne and Marg Jefferey, met with Doug Warner at the Pillar and Post restaurant in Niagara on the Lake to discuss the merits of an association. Doug Warner was a director of the Sans Souci Copperhead Association (SSCA) and was our mentor in the early stages of the SCA. Art and Kay Thorne, along with Bill Myers, Bill Morrison, were some of the originals who assumed a role before we had our first election in 1974. Most AGMs were held at Tapawingo, usually with a BQ or a corn roast.  We had no funds to compensate the camp so several of us would work at the camp for 3-4 days each fall or spring, when no campers were in residence. Chores usually included repairing boats, cabin doors, screens and building furniture for the dinning room. It was always lots of fun that usually ended at someone’s cottage celebrating the end of a day and planning the next. On two occasions, in the spring, we ended up in Squirrel’s Cove at midnight, trying to catch smelts- but that is another story. There are so many. Good friendships developed along with a sense of camaraderie.

 

Spreading the word of the SCA and encouraging participation was one of our first challenges. We split up the area of the SCA, (Devil’s Elbow to the Parry Island bridge, and down 5 mile Bay to Indian Dock) into areas and we went from dock to dock to dock.  It was a very slow hazardous process. The danger was not the shoals but the hospitality. Everyone had a question or three along with al least the same number of beers to be consumed.  Just recalling the experience gives me another headache. After two or three summers of this sort of socializing, my non-drinking wife had changed her ways.

 

We were fortunate with our membership drive. By 1976 the Provincial Park was being discussed. MNR had circulated a proposal that was not acceptable. It was to be another Kilbear park with trailers. Memberships increased quickly. People wanted to be involved. The Executive worked closely with the SSCA to develop a counter proposal that reflected our concerns for the water, for over-development and for the future of the area. While the SCA was not financially sound, we did have some resources to call on. The SSCA paid for a consultant to assist with the proposal while the SCA arranged to have 800 4-colour proposals printed at no charge. The result: The MNR were overwhelmed that a group of cottages could compile and print such a professional presentation containing a very sound proposal supported by hard facts. The MNR and the gov’t retreated for many years before the issue was raised again. Many of the recommendations were ultimately accepted and form a part of the Park and the ongoing management plan.  The SCA played a very important role.

 

Over the years several local municipalities had attempted to take over the unorganized area from 12 mile Bay to Parry Sound. It was an obvious target for annexation, a huge source of additional assessment and taxes with very little services to be provided.  The SSCA had mounted successful opposition to previous attempts. Friendly, off the record discussions with Premier Bill Davis, led to three alternatives:

1.      Fight every attempt at a cost of $80,000-$100,000 (1978 dollars) and eventually lose.

2.      Select another twp and merge with them.

3.      Start our own twp

 

Thus the Township of the Archipelago was born. In fact the idea was born but bringing it to reality was another challenge, much bigger than ever imagined. The Executive Committee of the SCA played an important role, working constantly with the SSCA, the Ontario gov’t, and representatives from the inland lakes who asked if they could join. As your President for 1976 to 1980, it was much like having a second job. Never a week went by without meeting somewhere with someone about the park or the new township. It was hectic and it was fun. Again more friendships developed. Frequent mailings to members lead to large numbers of people participating. The new crises further drove membership and interest.

 

In late 1979, the Ontario Gov’t passed legislation, that brought the TOA into being as of Jan 1980 but we needed an election—to be held in Nov 1979. The Executive Committee, along with colleagues from the SSCA asked if I would run for council. It could not be any busier than the previous 4 years so I resigned as president of the SCA and stood for election.

 

People were interested in the new township but would they drive to Parry Sound to vote? Cottagers are social animals and like to party, so we chartered a train, not part of a train but a WHOLE train. It included 5 passenger cars and a baggage car with a band- filled with 602 people. OH WHAT A PARTY! It was headlines in the Globe and Mail. The election was successful although, many serious challenges remained to be resolved.

 

 With the continuing support of the SCA and the SSCA, it was a successful 3 years in office as a councilor. Many of the current guidelines for council originated, and continue to be developed by associations. The associations quietly play a very important role in the success of our community. I hope more people will become actively involved—YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!