This property is open for the public to enjoy and appreciate. Before visiting, please review the GBLT Visitor Guidelines for maintaining the environmental integrity of the property.

Umbrella Island

Size: 9.5 acres (3.8 hectares)
Location: Sans Souci
Year Acquired: 1997

Stewards:

Jane-Anne Campbell – Lead Steward
Beau Hatcher
Gregg Scott
Peter Andras
Norm Playfair
John McAllister

Property Info

This 4 hectare island is the largest in a series of outlying islands in the Sans Souci area. The island is dominated by Precambrian bedrock substrates with wave-washed shores. Shrub swales are found in depressions and along protected shores while higher ground is characterized by White Pine, White Cedar and a mix of shrubs and herbaceous cover. This island, like other outlying islands, is unique in its exposure to extreme wind and wave activity and serves as a critical refuge for migrating birds.

Stories

Idletime Island

Idletime Island was in my family since 1896, and Joy and I lived there full time during the ice-free months for 20 years until medical problems forced us to move into Parry Sound in 2005. The anguish caused by that move cannot easily be described, but perhaps the words below written by Joy in 2006 express it best. -Mid Kitchen

Memories
by Joy Kitchen 2006

There was a place, a magical place
Where the sun made diamonds dance across the water
And in this enchanted place the birds and animals
safely fed and frolicked;
Where the towering pines whispered of long ago footsteps
on the paths, bringing back stories and memories of
ancestors who lovingly built upon these rocks and planted
the lilies and sought the Trilliums in the Springtime.
Where they sat on the porch having blueberry muffins and tea
and watched the glorious sunsets over the Islands, the Fireflies
dance, the call of the Whippoorwill when one was entering slumber.
The graceful swooping of the bats seeking their nightly fill of the
pesky “skeeters”
And the feeling that all would be well with the world if only we
could share these moments once again. Loons came for lunch and the little red
fox played hide and go seek with the Gardener
Where the Moon and stars filled the night sky with radiance
And the tree toads called for a loved one from their lofty perches
Where the paddles of our friends dipped into the clear waters
and softly slipped through the twilight shadows,
And one heard the sound of children laughing and splashing
in the water and rowing their boat made by Grandpa.
Where Maureen gathered blueberries and Reg. “could swim
faster than a motorboat”.
Where the towering pines whispered of long ago footsteps
on the paths, bringing back stories and memories of
ancestors who lovingly built upon these rocks and planted
the lilies and sought the Trilliums in the Springtime.
Where they sat on the porch having blueberry muffins and tea
and watched the glorious sunsets over the Islands, the Fireflies
dance, the call of the Whippoorwill when one was entering slumber.
The graceful swooping of the bats seeking their nightly fill of the
pesky “skeeters”
And the feeling that all would be well with the world if only we
could share these moments once again.

– Mid Kitchen