Family STORIES
This section is provided for Beach residents whose family stories were not included in “Footprints in the Sand, Woodland Beach Memories”. While over 100 families were interviewed for the book, there remain others, both older and newer families, that are at the Beach and are welcome to be included now. Learning how families first decided to come to Woodland and their memories provide a wonderful understanding of how Woodland becomes and remains a valued part of our lives.
ELLIS
DODSON
STUBBS – OROK
TATE
THE ELLIS FAMILY
Lenore and George Ellis resided for many years at Woodland. In fact Lenore rode horses on the beach in the 1930s. Their children, Mark, David, Michael, Greg and Jennifer and their families have carried on the traditions and now Mark and his wife Marni and their family have retained the family property so all can enjoy. The following story by Mark describes their Woodland attachment to which so many of us can relate. Enjoy!
A reminder of the legacy that is Ellis’ @ Woodland, whether renting the Belvedere Lodge, cohabiting with relative and friend families (back then everyone was an “Aunt” or “Uncle”, pretend or not) in Ralph’s triplex, or excitedly dedicating inheritance to buying the cottage, with its sand dunes doubling for the sands of Lawrence’s Arabia. We kids hiding out from the fictitious ‘enemy’ of any particularly windswept day, and from the adults—albeit their disinterest in our whereabouts suited us perfectly until, of course, the smell of the barbecue beckoned we sandy erstwhile warriors. “Wash your sandy feet” always the halcyon cry from our Commander-in-Chief mom, and from her Sargent-at-Arms George: “one at a time” to the disorderly soldiers at the overcrowded mess table.
Other than “watch out for the offshore breeze” or “don’t go out too deep” (as if they were actually watching— plenty of siblings and friend “buddies” as lifeguards) there were but fleeting rules; not fleeting the joy of burning sand on feet, refreshing swims, exploratory pilgrimages, flip-flops and Archie comics, tadpoles in the ‘frog pond’, mini-bikes on “the trails”, ice cream treats at ‘the Rexall’, bingo at the Ship-a-Hoy, panoramic star-filled night skies, of a ‘boathouse’ an infinite distance from shore, of changing tides and shorelines, of gloriously-ferocious storms… of simply being “at the Beach”.
Witness to generation change with blessed additions of our girl and boy friends; marriages; adored grandchildren. Mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, each creating, sharing, adding memories of their own, for we the collective; each valued for who they were and who they are. A place of love, of some but minimal sadness, of life, and of enhanced lives well lived in the marvellous oasis called—simply— Woodland.
As if by the click of super-8 home movies or the mechanical swing of Kodachrome slide pictures glowing on a pop-up projector screen, literally lifetimes of Wonderment. The slides and film somewhat faded and yellowed by age; not so the brilliance of indelible memories: Ellis’ @ Woodland.
‘To the Beach’!
THE DODSON FAMILY
Woodland Beach has been a summer destination for our family going back three generations. Nanna and Poppy (Eric & Sylvia Merkley), as parents of four young children, would escape the city to enjoy vacation time right here on Georgian Bay. As their family grew and grandchildren were born, the tradition of an annual beach holiday carried on. Summer memories of fun times on Woodland Beach were a special part of my wife’s childhood.
When given the chance to join the community just over 10 years ago, we did not hesitate. As new parents at the time and looking for a summer home, Woodland Beach was familiar and close, safe and low key. Exactly what we were after.
Since then, the beach has become a second home to our family and the perfect place for our kids to spend their childhood. The kids have grown up enjoying all seasons on the beach – paddleboarding and swimming in the summer, attending local fairs and festivals in the fall, skiing in the winter, and hiking and cycling in the spring.
In a year filled with many ups and downs, Woodland Beach has been a blessing in a way that we could have never imagined.. And as each year passes, it continues to mean more and more to us. We have so many good memories and we have met so many wonderful people. Neighbours have become friends and friends have become like family. This beach will always have a very special place in our hearts.
So Happy 100th Birthday Woodland Beach from our family!
THE STUBBS – OROK FAMILIES
Our families have been part of Woodland Beach since the 1940s.
Originally the Orok and Wattie families settled in the Midhurst region in the 1840s from Scotland.
They were some of the hard-working pioneer families of the Midhurst area, and Vespra Township (now Springwater) with farms on the 3rd line. The Wattie Stone House is still standing on Highway 26 near Wilson Drive.
When our aunt Velma Orok visited her good friend Orpha Hickling at Woodland Beach in the 1940s- she bought her first cottage at what is now 2059 Tiny Beaches Rd South. This was close to Silver Birch Trail, the beautiful sandy beach, and marvellous dunes for playing hide and go seek in.
This first little cottage was the centre for years of wonderful summers for Velma’s extended family- our parents Gerald and Elizabeth Stubbs, our grandmother Pearl Orok, and the three Stubbs children- Bob, Barbara and Donald.
Memorable times growing up in the 1960s- 1970s include important friendships with the Carrick, Kyle, Norwood, Barker and Bickerstaff families. We recall scooping endless ice cream cones at Whitfields beach store, singing at the Woodland Beach Community Church services, attending summer vacation bible school in the dunes with the Faith Missionaries and watching thrilling adventure movies at the Ship- A-Hoy.
We learned how to ride our bikes on Woodgreen Lane, dive for clay and crayfish in the bay, ride horses at the local stables and play Scrabble crokinole, Canasta and Hearts. Big events of the summer were trips to see movies with our parents at the Elmvale drive in and the amusement park at Wasaga- with the scary Wild Mouse ride!
Fast forward to present time- Barbara and her family spend most of their time at their lake home at the north end of Woodland Beach. She keeps in touch with her long time friends Anne Collins (Carrick) and Donna and Alex Carrick. With Donna’s successful guidance (as publisher of Footprints in the Sand) Barbara has recently published a book about her maternal uncle Robert Orok’s experiences in WW2.
Donald is now the owner of the Georgian Bay Park at the corner of Crossland Rd. and Tiny Concession 3. This beautiful location on the Nipissing Ridge is on land that was originally farmed by the Beacock and Tripp families. His current cottage at Woodland Beach is on the former site of the boys camp- Camp Onondaga. The story of this camp is also featured in Footprints in the Sand.
Submitted by Barbara Elizabeth Stubbs, July 2021 for the 100th Anniversary of Woodland Beach
THE TATE FAMILY
In the early 1910s, Carrie Tate and husband John travelled from Toronto to the shores of Georgian Bay. John was a master cutter for Tip Top Tailors and Carrie a seamstress. She was a strong woman who organized women suffragette groups at the New Toronto Library. An astute businessperson, over time she purchased homes in the city and rented them to people who were in need, offering them accommodation if they followed her rules. Later she acquired properties at Woodland Beach as well.
To travel to Woodland Beach, Carrie Tate acquired a car from a client who had not paid for her work. She strongly believed it necessary to get out of the city, even for a brief period. The Tates had three children, Vera, Bill, and Helen. Frequently, one of their city renters, Mr. Edge would accompany the family to the beach. Confirming the Tates’ early beach presence, in 1917 Mary Tate took a photo of the Warwick, a ship built in Collingwood which became grounded at Woodland Beach. Years later, her brother Morley Ford became Chief Engineer of the Collingwood Shipyards.
“The Warwick”, 1917, grounded at Woodland Beach
The Tates settled in the area then known as Cedar Lane (now Hastings). They may have become familiar with the area through Mrs. Tate’s friendship in Toronto with Mr. Quinn, who later was owner of Quinn’s General Store. After clearing the property, between 1925-29, John and son Bill, built their first cottage “Cedar Lodge” at 28 Hastings. The style of Cedar Lodge was remarkably like the cottage “Awagawan” built by Jesse Webster down the road.
Around the same time a boys’ camp, “Onandoga” was being built on waterfront property in front of the Tates’ property. Photos from 1925 show two camp cabins, one of cedar logs and the other with boards which served as the camp Tuck Shop. The camp operated there until 1929.
The Tates built another cottage, “The Chateau” on Cedar Lane with its log fence and crisscross rails between sections, a fence style seen along the beach in several areas. A third cottage “Nestorest” was constructed, now 1942 Tiny Beaches Road South. John and Carrie Tate were Toronto neighbours with Jim and Ella McDonald who in 1944 bought property on Birch Street (now Moore Ave.) and built a cabin there. Without a car, the McDonalds would travel to the beach with the senior Tates and in return Jim McDonald helped dig wells on the three Tate properties.
When Carrie Tate died in 1950, her children, Vera and Bill, inherited the Toronto properties as well as those at Woodland. They kept two homes in Toronto and “Nestorest” at the Beach. Vera’s family used the cottage in July, while Bill and his wife Mary had the cottage for August. Bill and Mary’s two children, Doug and Debi Tate, always looked forward with excitement in coming to the beach for their vacation.
Debi Tate happily recalled her fond memories of coming to the beach. While the family initially did not have a car, Harold Nash, who owned Bluebird Cottages and Taxi Service at the beach, brought them from the city. Every Saturday night, the family played Bingo. Her father bought little prizes from the five and dime store and wrapped them in newspaper. In the evenings, the kids went in for a swim and came out of the water to enjoy a bonfire where corn and potatoes were ready. By 1955, there was electricity in the cottage, a pump and a pot belly stove, but no indoor plumbing. Mary’s brother Morley and family often came from Collingwood to join in on the fun, including horseshoes on the beach.
In 1957, Doug Tate contracted an illness and his father built a tall lifeguard stand on the beach to keep watch. The tall stand was handy in more ways than one. Bill loved to fish, his favourite spot being by “Piano Rock” to the north. When lunchtime came around, Mary hung a large white sheet on the chair to let Bill know to come in. Bill was a champion rower with the Toronto Argonauts and a strong swimmer. He and his nephew Bob would swim from Woodland to Wasaga Beach and return. Bill enjoyed visiting with neighbours including Mr. King, the Robinson, Goddard, Shane and Dennis families. While Mr. King had a large black rock in the water in front of his cottage, well known as “King’s Rock”, the Tates referred to it as “Black Rock”, and it provided a backdrop for many family photos.
Helen Tate, John Tate, Bill Tate and Vera Tate in front of “Black Rock”
As with many, time spent at Woodland Beach has provided lasting, warm memories. Whether recalling the happy family times at the cottage or delicious hamburgers at Frank’s Grill, there is no question that Woodland Beach has made a significant impact on so many including the Tate family.