Beaver Valley Probus Club

President's Message
Kirby Philp

Thank you to all who organized and participated in the success of the Activity Fair in March. We have seen a great interest in members signing up for this year’s activities. Through these various Activities and Events, we will continue to follow the Probus motto of “Fellowship, Friendship and Fun”!!!

With spring now upon us, our thoughts go to our upcoming outdoor activities. It’s time to put away the skis, get our bikes tuned up and get the hiking boots, kayaks and golf clubs ready to go. Gardeners will be making their plans for the year and we can start enjoying the sights, smells and sounds of spring. I think we are all ready for some warmer weather. Please join us at our next General Meeting on April 22 and help Celebrate National Canadian Film Day.

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Membership 
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

We loved seeing and chatting with so many people who stopped by the Membership table at the Activity Fair! They kept us busy. A good number of new members picked up their badges. Other members liked being able to swap badge clips for a magnet. And the lanyards with plastic card holder attached turned out to be a popular item. Kudos to those who organized the Fair and made it all happen!

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Annual General Meeting Results

This year’s AGM was held on March 25, 2024, at 11 AM online via Zoom. Approximately 50 members participated, and the call was wrapped up in about 20 minutes! Over 47% of our members took part in the online voting the previous week. The voting results were announced, and the Annual Financial Statement, 2024 AGM Minutes, and the proposed Slate of Officers were all accepted.

• President: Kirby Philp
• Vice President: Chris Pocock
• Treasurer: Ann Dyer
• Co Secretaries: Mary Ann Collins Williams and Kris Wichman

Thank you to all who particpated!

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April Meeting—Tuesday, April 22 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Denise Rand /  Kirby Philp

Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Canadian National Film Day:
We will be featuring a Canadian film, chosen by the membership to celebrate our third National Canadian Film Day. This year's film is  You are Here: A Come from Away Story. Director: Moze Mossanen / Year: 2018 / Duration: 83 min / Documentary.

This emotional and inspirational documentary tells the incredible story of how this tiny town in Newfoundland came together to feed, shelter and support all of the stranded airline passengers from the 40 planes that landed there in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.

Book Exchange:
The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright date no older than 10 years. Bring a Book, Take a Book. We ask that you exchange no more than 3 books at a time. Please contact Nancy Hart with any questions!

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

March 30: Board Games Afternoon. The power outages with the ice storm scuttled our third Games Afternoon, but we will look at hosting further Games events next Fall and Winter.

May 5: Bruce Nuclear Plant Tour. We have been able to arrange a private tour of the Bruce Nuclear Plant in Tiverton for the afternoon of Monday, May 5. Please watch your emails in early April for the invitation.

May 29: Blue Mountain Film Festival. We will be returning to the Film Festival for the third time on Thursday, May 29. We had a lot of fun at it the past two years. Invitations will go out later in April.

June 17: Annual Golf Tournament. Our Annual Golf Tournament will be held at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Details and sign up information to follow later this month. We hope you can join us for this fun event!

September 5: Barn Dance. We are planning a good old-fashioned 'Dinner and Barn Dance', on Friday, September 5, complete with a caller and fiddler. No experience necessary. Just plan to come for a really fun evening, and be ready to kick up your heels!

Your Social Committee is hard at work planning many other events over the next few months, and as always, your suggestions are welcomed!

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Theatre Event - Beehive: The 60's Musical
Vicki Kellar

Our Club has reserved 42 tickets for the musical Beehive on Thursday, July 17, at 2 PM at King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene. The cost is $52.20 per ticket. A post-theatre group dinner will be arranged closer to the date. Please keep an eye out for your email invitation in early April!

This amazing Musical of the most powerful and iconic female voices of the 1960s will take us back to our Youth. Told from the perspective of six women who come of age in this enigmatic decade, Beehive takes audiences on a nostalgic journey through timeless hits of the era such as “My Boyfriend’s Back”, “Son of a Preacher Man”, “Natural Woman” and many more. From Leslie Gore to Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin to Tina Turner this toe tapping production will put a song in your heart. 

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Gardening Lecture by Paul Zammit - May 21 @ 7 PM
John Hethrington

Gardening Enthusiasts—don't miss out! Our Probus Club, in partnership with the Thornbury 599 Garden Club, is excited to host the award-winning horticulturalist and fantastic speaker, Paul Zammit! There’s no charge for Beaver Valley Probus members to attend this engaging event. More information will be coming via email soon—Stay tuned!

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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

We have several exiting trips planned for this year and some already in the works for 2026.  Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join. 

2025 Trips: Below is more information about our trips this year!

• Muskoka Cruise (July 10 - 11, 2025) Join us for a new and memorable voyage on the Muskoka lakes, Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau, with an optional overnight at the Windermere resort, dinner and musem visits or golf the next day!
• Rideau Canal Cruise (September 6 - 12, 2025)—almost sold out!
• Agawa Canyon Train Tour (September 29 - October 3, 2025). 
  This trip will take us north via Manitoulin and return through Sudbury. See the complete Itinerary for details of the trip!
• Italian Indulgence Tour (October 4 - 16, 2025) 
  We’re still looking for more people to join our small-group Northern Italy tour in October, when the weather will be perfect. For details, check out the flyer above or contact Brenda at 705-444-1161.

2026 Trips: 

• Majestic Morocco Tour (April 10 - 24, 2026) Join us for a 15-day trip through Morocco’s ancient cities and countryside. Explore the souks and Kasbahs, and even experience the Sahara desert by camel! See the Poster and the Detailed Itinerary.
• We are also considering other exciting trips, such as biking in Croatia, a STAR CLIPPER sailing week (either in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean), or a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic under glorious sails. We would love to hear what destinations you’re interested in!

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

Our Activity Fair held last Tuesday was a huge success! The community center was filled with new members and existing members looking at over 30 displays. We were very happy to see so many new members anxious to see what was available, and existing members connecting with friends and checking for activities that may be new to them. Thank you to the activity leaders for their time and enthusiasm in providing so many great opportunities for our members. Have a look at the photos; you will see the creative, attractive displays the leaders have made. Get involved, get active, have fun!

There is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!

Birding
Lucie Desjardins

Thank you for joining us at the recent Activity Fair! We’re excited by the interest in the Birding Group and look forward to our first outing on Sunday, April 13, at 8:30 AM. You’ll receive an invitation with full details, including the location and meeting point, closer to the date. Whether you’re new to birding or experienced, we welcome everyone. Please bring your own binoculars, as they should be adjusted for your personal vision. I’m happy to assist if needed. Our outings are planned biweekly through April and May, with possible extra sessions during the peak of the migration. I’ll keep you updated.

Casual Dining With Friends
CDWF Committee

It’s that time of year again and we welcome all of you who have either re-registered or have registered for the first time to Casual Dining With Friends. We’re a friendly group who enjoy meeting in small groups, in each other homes, to share a meal and some interesting conversation on the 4th Thursday of the month.

President's Message
Brian Cromie

February was a wonderful month as we inducted over 80 new members into the club, hosting many of them at the New Members' Luncheon. These members can now join the rest of us in electing our Executive Officers for the Management Committee for the coming year and participate in the brief Annual General Meeting on March 25 via Zoom. Later that same day, they can attend the Activity Fair at the Beaver Valley Community Centre to learn more about the many club activities they can sign up for. There is more information on each of these events elsewhere in this newsletter and on our website.

March marks my final meeting and message as your Club President, and I want to sincerely thank each of you who have supported the club over the past year and made it not only the largest PROBUS club in the world, but also the very best. Thank you for your support.

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Management Committee—Volunteers Needed 
Brian Cromie, President

Management Committee Openings:
Treasurer: We are still looking for a new Treasurer, as Lynn steps aside to allow more time for involvement in the Activity groups, while George continues as Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer should have some experience in finance, bookkeeping or a related field. If you are interested in the role, please get in touch with me as soon as possible!

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Membership 
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

Welcome Luncheon for New Club Members.
Prior to the monthly February meeting, a special luncheon was held to welcome the newest members of our club. On February 1, 81 individuals joined our club, and many were able to attend this event. Several members who joined the club last summer also attended. This luncheon provided an excellent opportunity for the new members to get acquainted with our Management Committee and to meet fellow newcomers. It was a wonderful way to begin their membership journey. Thanks to everyone who helped make this a successful event. We look forward to seeing these new members thrive and contribute to the continued success of our club.

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Annual General Meeting - Tuesday, Mar 25 @ 11:00 AM

This year's AGM will be held on March 25, 2024 at 11 AM. It will be an online meeting using Zoom, lasting only about 30 minutes. An invitation will be emailed to our members ahead of time, with instructions on how to join this brief online meeting.

We kindly ask that all members vote online to elect our officers, to accept the 2024 AGM Minutes and the 2024 Annual Financial Statements. Check your email on March 18, 2025 for instructions on how to vote. Voting closes on March 24, 2025, the day before the AGM. To view the timeline for the AGM and current nomination for our offices, please go to our 2025 AGM webpage.

Please note that in the early afternoon following our AGM Meeting, we will be holding our Annual Activity Fair in the Beaver Valley Community Centre between 1:30 and 3:30 PM. This is in place of a regular members’ meeting. There is more information on this important event elsewhere in this newsletter.

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Activity Fair — Tuesday, March 25 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Ilene Rushefsky Charland - Activities Convenor

The Annual Activity Fair will take place at the Beaver Valley Community Centre on Tuesday, March 25 beginning at 1:30 PM. Come and browse the tables and find out about the 30+ activity groups that you can join. This is your opportunity to ask questions about the activities. Sign-up for the activity groups is online only, and begins in the afternoon of March 25, immediately following the Activity Fair. 

**NOTE: you must sign-up again online for any activities this year—even if you were signed up last year, or this year before March 1, 2025.**

 

Check out all the activities on our Activities webpages and be ready with your questions before you attend! We have several new Activity Groups, and it is not too late to create more new groups—if you are willing to volunteer!

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National Canadian Film Day
Denise Rand and Kirby Philp

This will be the third year that we celebrate National Canadian Film day at our April Meeting on April 22, 2025. We had a great response to our survey with over 200 responses helping us choose this years movie.

And the winner is... 'You are here. The come from away Story!'  Enjoy. 

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

March 26: The first 'Cooking with a Chef' event is full, and we are organizing a second event. Those on the event waitlist will have the first chance to register.

March 30: The Board Games Afternoon events in January and February were a lot of fun, so we are planning one more on Sunday, March 30!

September 5: Save the Date. We are planning a good old-fashioned 'Dinner and Barn Dance', on Friday September 5, complete with a caller and fiddler. No experience necessary. Just plan to come for a really fun evening, and be ready to kick up your heels!

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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

We have several exiting trips planned for this year and some already in the works for 2026.  Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join. 

We are planning a Morocco tour for April 2026, including camel rides, desert tents, the Atlas mountains and beach. More info coming soon!

We are also considering other exciting trips, such as biking in Croatia, a STAR CLIPPER sailing week (either in the Caribbean or the Mediterranean), or a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic under glorious sails. We would love to hear what destinations you’re interested in. At a meeting last week, a gentleman mentioned he’d like to visit the 4 Stans – we understand that! Is anyone else interested? Another person suggested a river cruise in Europe. Let us know your thoughts!

Below is more information about our trips this year!

• Rideau Canal Cruise (September 6 - 12, 2025) —almost sold out!
• Italian Indulgence Tour (October 4 - 16, 2025) 
  We’re still looking for more people to join our small-group Northern Italy tour in October, when the weather will be perfect. The tour includes many meals, truffle hunting with a farmer, cooking demonstrations, distillery visits, and more. You’ll also visit beautiful destinations such as Assisi, Perugia, the Tuscan hills, Florence, Lucca, Portofino, Barolo, Lake Orta, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Lake Molveno, Trento, Verona, and Venice. It’s a fantastic trip, and the best part is experiencing it with other Probus members. For details, check out the flyer above or contact Brenda at 705-444-1161.
• Agawa Canyon Fall Tour (September 30 - October 3) This trip will take us north via Manitoulin and return through Sudbury. Stay tuned for more details and pricing!

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

Welcome to our new members. For all the winter sports enthusiasts, we couldn’t ask for more snow. Everybody is saying that we haven’t had a season like this for years. Indoor activities such as games and dining are a great way to get to meet new people, learn something new and/ or enjoy a nice meal. Spending time playing in the snow, and enjoying the company of friends, is the best way to reap the benefits of your PROBUS club. Get involved, and stay active!

We also hope to see you all at the Activity Fair on March 25!  Check out the different Activity Groups then sign-up online after the fair! 

There is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!

If you need any help with passwords or sign-up, please contact our web team at our email address: help@beavervalleyprobus.com

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Wednesday, March 19 Luncheon at The Dam Pub in Meaford were sent out on March 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. Remember you will need to sign-up again for the upcoming season via the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage in order to receive the invitations!

Future Dining Dates:

Never make major decisions, when you are in the midst of a storm!
David Collins

President's Message
Brian Cromie

In February, we are truly deep into winter, with cold winds, blowing snow, and driveways to clear every few days. However, on the positive side, both town and country are beautiful, clothed in soft mounds of white, while the days are slowly growing longer; soon we’ll see if Wiarton Willie's prediction of an early spring will come to pass! Skiing and snowshoeing conditions are perfect this year and the horse-drawn sleigh rides at Valley Ridge Farm on February 19 should be magical. Do get out if you can, even for a short walk from time to time, and celebrate our majestic Canadian winters.

This month we are bringing on many new members to the Club, thanks to Membership Co-chairs Pam and Kathy, while some existing members have chosen to leave the fold. These new friends-to-be will be warmly welcomed at the Newcomer’s Luncheon, held before the February general meeting. More details to be found below.

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Management Committee—Volunteers Needed 
Brian Cromie, President

Management Committee Openings:
Treasurer: We are still looking for a new Treasurer, as Lynn steps aside to allow more time for involvement in the Activity groups, while George continues as Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer should have some experience in finance, bookkeeping or other related business. If you are interested in the role, please get in touch with me before the end of February!

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Membership 
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

New Member Badges and Luncheon – February 25 
Over the past six months, we’ve welcomed nearly 90 new members to our club! With so many fresh faces, it’s helpful to wear your PROBUS badge during activities and events. Starting at the February 28 meeting, new members can pick up their badges at the Membership table.

If you’ve been a member for a while and have yet to pick up your badge, don’t worry—we’ve been holding onto it for you! Just stop by the table to grab it. We also offer badge replacement (for a small fee) and repairs.

New Member Luncheon We’ll be hosting a special luncheon for just our new members prior to the February 25 meeting in the small meeting room. If you arrive early for the regular meeting, please be patient and wait in the large meeting area until the luncheon concludes. See you there!

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February Membership Meeting

Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Speaker:   Bruce King and Valerie Jones
Title:   Kolapore Trails and Kolapore Wilderness

Bruce King spent his career with the Ontario government, focusing on Crown land and provincial park planning. A highlight of his career was serving as Project Manager for the task force that led to the creation of Rouge Park in Toronto. He was also the principal author of the 1999 Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy, which established numerous new protected areas, and contributed to the development of Ontario’s Guide for Crown Land Use Planning. In 1973, while still a university student, Bruce was one of the founders of the Kolapore Wilderness Trails, and he has continued to work on the trails ever since. He and his wife, Valerie Jones, reside in the Kolapore area. In 2023, they jointly received the Town of Blue Mountain’s Volunteer Award in the Sports and Recreation category, recognizing their long-term commitment to both the Kolapore Trails and the Bruce Trail.

Over 50 years ago, a small group of university students, inspired to create the Kolapore Trails network at the southern end of the Town of Blue Mountains, began building what would become an important community asset. Bruce King was part of that founding group and will share the evolution of the trails, from their humble beginnings as a rustic network for a small group of backcountry skiers to their current status as a popular year-round destination. Kolapore is now the largest block of protected wilderness in the region. In his talk, Bruce will highlight some of the area's important natural values and offer recommendations on how to explore and enjoy the Kolapore area.

Book Exchange:
The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright date no older than 10 years. Bring a Book, Take a Book. We ask that you exchange no more than 3 books at a time. Please contact Nancy Hart with any questions!

Canadian National Film Day Survey:
Click on our Survey to choose which great Canadian movie to see at our April 22 Meeting! The movie that gets the most votes will be the one screened! It's a close race, so make sure to take the 1-question survey if you haven't already!

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors - Boy, are they tall!

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group - Weren't they fat enough?!

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers - Now that's taking things a bit far!

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges - You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over - What a guy! 

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is therefore not an act, but a habit. Aristotle

President's Message
Brian Cromie

January is the month when we put the busy holiday season into perspective: the parties, get-togethers with family and friends, and the special events that mark the occasion. Now, we can turn to our regular activities, including all that your Beaver Valley Probus Club has to offer. For more active members, skiing and snow shoeing are available when there is snow, which has just returned to our area. However, for many, indoor activities appeal more when the weather is less inviting. Regular groups include various dining opportunities, book clubs, euchre, Mah jongg, Rummikub, Stitch-n-Bitch and others. There is much from which to choose. However, if an Activity is already fully subscribed, consider starting a new group. Or, if your favorite hobby is not represented, why not start a new Activity Group? PROBUS is about connecting with other like-minded individuals, and the best way to do that is to get personally involved. You’ll be very glad you did.

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Management Committee—Volunteers Needed 
Brian Cromie, President

Management Committee Openings:
Your Management Committee, which plans and directs Probus life at Beaver Valley, needs a few members to fill key roles for 2025. If you are interested in either of the roles below, please get in touch with me before the end of January! 

Vice President: Specifically, we are looking for a Vice President to work with incoming President Kirby, and then to become President the following year. This arrangement is meant to give the incumbent a good introduction to how the Club operates so they are prepared for the following year. Personally, I can attest to how rewarding the work of the Management Committee is, what strong support members provide each other, and what a great way it is to make new and lasting friendships.

Treasurer: We are also looking for a new Treasurer, as Lynn steps aside to allow more time for involvement in the Activity groups, while George continues as Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer should have some experience in finance, bookkeeping or other related business. 

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Membership 
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

Annual Membership Renewal Summary (Dec 1 – 15):
We are pleased to report that our 2025 membership renewal drive, held from December 1 to 15, was a great success. This year, we experimented with a more compact renewal timeline, and we appreciate everyone who responded so quickly.

Key Results:

• 89% of members renewed before the deadline
• 2% of members notified us that they would not be renewing 
• 9% of members failed to respond. This means their membership will be automatically terminated on January 31.
  If you intended to renew but were not able to, please contact Pam Weaver ASAP at membership@beavervalleyprobus.com

Thank you again to all who renewed; we look forward to another great year ahead.

New Member Review for 2025: During the month of January, we will be reviewing applications from the nearly 100 individuals currently on the Wait List. As is our standard procedure, applications will be processed in the order in which they were received and Memberships offered based on available openings.

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January Membership Meeting

Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2025
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Speaker: Sandra Sullivan
Title: Hospice Georgian Triangle

Sandra Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Hospice Georgian Triangle Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting compassionate, end-of-life care for individuals and families in the towns of The Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Clearview, and Wasaga Beach. With a deep commitment to community service and a passion for making a meaningful impact, Sandra leads the Foundation’s efforts to raise funds, build awareness, and ensure the sustainability of hospice programs and services. Sandra brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, strategic fundraising, and community engagement. She has a proven track record of fostering partnerships and mobilizing resources to enhance the quality of care for those in need. Under her leadership, the Foundation continues to provide vital support to Hospice Georgian Triangle, ensuring access to palliative care, grief and bereavement support, and educational initiatives that benefit the entire community.

Prior to laying down roots in Collingwood, Sandra was the Director of Strategic Events for UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, and head of Community Engagement for North York General Hospital Foundation. She has worked as a reporter for Bloomberg news and started her career in finance in institutional fixed income for a leading Canadian investment dealer and bank. She has served on the North York General Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the TFS Canada’s International School (Toronto French School). 

Book Exchange:
The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright date no older than 10 years. Bring a Book, Take a Book. We ask that you exchange no more than 3 books at a time. Please contact Nancy Hart with any questions!

President's Message
Brian Cromie

November is often a difficult transition month, weather-wise, as we mourn the passing of summer and autumn and haven’t yet embraced the joys of winter. Winter is a special time in this playground of snow, where skiing, snowshoeing and other cold-weather sports offer themselves to those who cherish the great outdoors. In BVPC, we have activities for all, both outdoors and in, year-round; if health permits, there should never be a day when you find yourself home alone when what you seek is good companionship. In October, our dedicated volunteer activity coordinators put on 34 events in a month of 31 days. Expect something similar for November. PROBUS exists to provide social opportunities to seniors who wish to stay active, engaged and involved with friends in fun activities. Your participation will keep you young!

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Membership Renewal - New Dates
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DATES

The timeline for our Membership Renewal Drive has been shortened to just two weeks, running from December 1 to December 15.  Please note that this will be the only opportunity to renew your membership for the upcoming year.

NOTICE: No reminder calls! We aren't going to make any reminder calls this year. You need to contact us if you need help! Remember, you can always access your member information anytime, from anywhere in the world, through our PROBUS website. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. As always, help will be available upon request.

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November Membership Meeting

Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Speaker: Dave Alexander
Title: Local military troops and their role in WWII

Dave Alexander was a long-time teacher of history and geography at the Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute. Upon retirement, he completed a master’s degree focused on military history through the Tri-University Program. In 2014, Alexander, along with his colleague Ryan McManaman, were recipients of the Governor General's History Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dave is an independent researcher with a keen interest in military history including the Canadian war experience. He is a volunteer at both Grey Roots Museum and Archives and the Billy Bishop Museum.

The Dashed Hopes of the 26th Army Tank Regiment during the Second World War: “The Grey and Simcoe Foresters were no more…” There were high hopes for the Grey and Simcoe Foresters (G&SF) when they were mobilized for the Canadian Active Service Force in June of 1940. They would play a role in the war being fought overseas. After completing much training and garrison duties in Canada, the G&SF were redesignated as the 26th Army Tank Regiment (26th ATR) being attached to the 2nd Canadian Army Tank Brigade in early 1942. They would fight this war in tanks! As fate would have it when they arrived overseas in the United Kingdom in June 1943, they were disbanded and their personnel transferred to other units of the First Canadian Army. This talk will examine this history and what happened to the personnel of the 26th ATR (G&SF).

Book Exchange:
The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright date no older than 10 years. Bring a Book, Take a Book. We ask that you exchange no more than 3 books at a time. Please contact Nancy Hart with any questions!

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PROBUS Canada 

One of the benefits of being a PROBUS member is the availability of group insurance plans. A week ago, our insurance representative gave a helpful presentation via Zoom. He reviewed the insurance plans available for Extended Health Care, Dental & Prestige Travel plans, MEDOC Travel Insurance, and Trip Cancellations.

If you would like to view the recording of the presentation, please click here. You can also view the details of the plans on the PROBUS Canada website:

• Health and Travel Insurance
• Home and Auto Insurance

President's Message
Brian Cromie

If you’re like me, despite having tried to wring as much out of the summer as possible, it never lasts long enough. The good news is that there is still lovely fall weather in which to cherish the great outdoors; our Club had 45 events and activities on offer in September, and October already has over 20 more scheduled. I hope you can participate in some of these, not only for the exercise, but for the fun and fellowship of enjoying life with your fellow members. The snow-based and indoor activities will soon enough call us to join in.

The Fall Car Rally is back after a gap of more than 10 years. This easy route should feature beautiful fall colours and scenic views of the Beaver Valley. Hopefully, no one will get lost.

We also celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends, and give thought to the many benefits of living in this special part of the province, surrounded by unspoiled nature and wonderful people.

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Membership Renewal - New Dates
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

We have new dates for this year's renewal drive. 
December 1 - December 15

We have shortened the time period for our renewal drive from two months to two weeks. The previous renewal length created a high volume of unnecessary work for our volunteers, who had to followup repeatedly, as members forgot to renew.

The online renewal process is quite straight-forward. Our website has shown itself to be an excellent, user-friendly tool to manage member records. Our members are able to access their information on the website at any time of day, from anywhere in the world.

Since renewals can be made only during this shortened period, we ask that you keep these dates in mind. We will, of course, publish frequent reminders as the dates get closer. As always, help will be available upon request..

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October Membership Meeting

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Speaker: Chris Pocock (Beaver Valley PROBUS Member)
Title: Overcoming Obstacles That Prevent Physical Activity

Throughout my life, I have enjoyed the health benefits derived from participating in physical activity. I participated in endurance sport competitions including marathons, triathlons, adventure racing, cycling and rowing in my fifties and sixties. After forty-five years of working in the Canadian Finance industry, I retired at the age of seventy and then returned to Graduate School to research the relationship between healthy aging and physical activity. My Master’s thesis explored the questions, “What strategies do older adults use to overcome obstacles both before and during participating in physical activities, and when do they use these strategies?” I will discuss a number of these strategies and hopefully, they will help you overcome similar obstacles during your participation in physical activities or other types of activities. As a point of interest, the average age of the participants in this study was sixty-seven years old.

Book Exchange:
The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright date no older than 10 years. Bring a Book, Take a Book. We ask that you exchange no more than 3 books at a time. Please contact Nancy Hart with any questions!

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PROBUS Members Benefit: Group Insurance Plans
Zoom Presentation: October 9 @1:00 - 2:00 PM

PROBUS Canada has negotiated Group rates for voluntary plans for all PROBUS members. Benefits available to PROBUS Canada members through Johnson and belairdirect (i.e. Home Insurance, Auto Insurance, MEDOC Travel Insurance, Extended Health Care (EHC) with optional Prestige Travel Insurance, Dental Care, and stand-alone Trip Cancellation & Interruption Travel Insurance). If you are interested to learn more you are welcome to attend the Zoom presentation: 

Topic: Insurance Benefits for PROBUS Canada Members
Date: Oct 9, 2024
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern Time

See your emailed newsletter for the link to join!

President's Message
Brian Cromie

Summer is definitely drawing to a close, and while we may not be involved in getting children back to school, I’m sure all of us are thinking about new activities and opportunities that come with the cooler temperatures. But looking back first to the fine summer we just enjoyed, we must recognize the wonderful array of events that our PROBUS Club undertook between June and August. A total of 144 indoor and outdoor activities took place, with only a few rescheduled due to weather or other unavoidable causes. Much credit goes to our Activity Coordinators and Social Committee for their dedication, leadership and hard work, and to our members who validate these groups by participating. Thank you all for making the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club such a vital and supportive group for seniors in our area.

In June of this year, your PROBUS Management Committee voted to discontinue the popular 50/50 Draw that has been part of our monthly meetings for many years. This follows advisement by PROBUS Canada that such draws require a provincial or municipal gaming license, which generally is not available to non-charitable organizations such as ours and to continue holding the Draw would be knowingly illegal. Alternatives are being examined and are expected to be in place soon. In the interim, we owe sincere thanks to Hank and Elaine Bouwman for faithfully managing the Draw for many years.

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Membership
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

Welcome to our 9 new members who joined us effective August 1, 2024. Most quickly and enthusiastically jumped into the flow of activities already in process! Name badges for these new members will be available for pickup at the Membership table during the September meeting. Also, members who have ordered replacement badges can pick them up as well.

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September Membership Meeting

Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting Begins:  1:30 PM
Speaker: John Ota

Title: "The Kitchen"

Hear how Mr. Ota has researched the kitchens of many famous people in the pursuit of the ultimate kitchen! John Ota is all about food, architecture and history. He is the author of “The Kitchen”, the best-selling book about his journey through history in search of the perfect design. “The Kitchen” book was a finalist for the 2021 Paris Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in the Design Category and was a finalist for the 2021 Taste Canada Awards. John has degrees from the University of Toronto and the Schools of Architecture at Columbia University and the University of British Columbia. He has worked in architecture offices in Toronto, New York and Vancouver. John has chaired the awards committee of the Ontario Association of Architects, served on the Toronto Historical Board and been a guest critic at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Architecture.

President's Message
Brian Cromie

As we welcome summer back to beautiful South Georgian Bay, your PROBUS Club is alive with activities and special events. Virtually every registered Activity has outings this month, on either land or water, outdoors and in; some 41 events were offered in May, and more than 20 are already on the calendar for June. This includes the many biking groups, hiking and rambling, golf at Tomahawk and the Annual Golf Tournament at Shelburne on June 18, Euchre, French conversation, dining opportunities, and a wide range of events like the Blue Mountain Film Festival, theatre in Penetanguishene, lawn bowling and more. You'll find all the details you need in the Grapevine, below.

Your Club is a purely volunteer organization, run by caring volunteers for the benefit of its 600 members. We become stronger and more vital as a group when members actively participate in its events. If you have ideas and suggestions that you think would benefit the Club or would be willing to contribute a few hours to assist any of the more than 30 Activity Groups, please speak to one of the leaders and get fully engaged in PROBUS. We will all be better for it.

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Membership
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

As we approach our mid-year Membership review in August, we could use the help of all our members. If you or a member you know of, has moved out of the area or has found they have scheduling conflicts that prevent them from participating in PROBUS activities or who just wants to step away from PROBUS, let us know. We have a very large number of applicants on our Waitlist who are anxious to become active members of our club.

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June Membership Meeting

Date: Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting Begins:  1:30 PM

Speaker: Luigi Calabrese

Title: Trends in mobile devices, sensors and wearables, focusing on enabling seniors to age comfortably at home and privacy threats, hacking, and navigating the complexities of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) schemes to ensure seniors stay safe and empowered digitally.

Luigi Calabrese, President of Frontier Networks Inc., is a seasoned leader in the tech and telecommunications industry, providing internet and phone services to businesses across North America. With a focus on advocating for older adults, Luigi collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies in Canada and the USA, including the CSIS, the RCMP, and Homeland Security, to combat fraud and vendor abuse targeting seniors. Luigi is a sought-after speaker, renowned for his ability to demystify technology and engage audiences with humour, while entertaining and informing.

Book Exchange: The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright date no older than 10 years.

Bring a Book, Take a Book. We ask that you exchange no more than 3 books at a time.

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

June 12: Rock of Ages, King's Wharf - 2 tickets available due to cancellations
June 18: Golf Tournament - space available. Payment due by Friday, June 7
July 3: Lawn Bowling and BBQ - space available
July 18: Summer Picnic - Save the Date!
August 15: Billy Bishop Goes to War / lunch, Meaford Hall - space available

New Social Committee: Please welcome Susan J, Cheryl R, Sandy T and Mary Ann CW, who have volunteered to join me to make up the new Social Committee. With their help, we will continue to try to provide a varied and interesting array of social events for the Club. As always, your suggestions are welcome.

No-Shows: As a courtesy to your fellow members, if you have registered for a social event, and for whatever reason cannot attend—even if it is at the last moment—please notify the event leader (whose name will appear on the invitation and reminder). For most of our events, there is a waiting list, so someone can be brought in to take your place (and for a paid event, to purchase your spot from you).

Recently, we have had some no-shows that we were not notified about ahead of time, and it is unfair to those at the top of the waitlist to not get a chance to take their place. Thank you very much for your cooperation in giving as many of our members as possible, a chance to attend our events.

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King's Wharf Theatre Event - June 12, 2024
Vicki Kellar

Fans of ’80s arena hard rock music will dig this awesomely hilarious musical comedy that wails with big chords, big hair… and an even bigger heart.

We have 2 tickets available—one of our members who registered can no longer attend. Please JOIN WAITLIST and contact Vicki Kellar for details.

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Annual Golf Tournament - June 18, 2024
Golf Tournament Organizing Committee

The invitations have gone out for the Annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday, June 18 at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club. This will be a 9 am Shotgun start, with registration at 8 am. The cost is $95 / person and includes 18 holes with a cart, followed by a lunch with prizes. 

Payment is now due: The link to pay has been sent out on June 3 to those who reserved. There are still spots available, so register soon! The deadline to register and pay is Friday, June 7. This year we are welcoming non-member guests to join, so bring a friend!

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Summer Picnic - July 18, 2024
Save the Date!

Our Annual Summer Picnic will be held this year on Thursday, July 18 at the Alpine Ski Club. Please join us for a fun afternoon of food, drinks, games, sunshine (hopefully) and fellowship. Invitations to register will be sent out next week!

Bocce Tournament—Volunteers Needed:

This year, we would like to revive a longstanding tradition by reintroducing Bocce to the picnic, but to do this we need some volunteers to help organize the games and teach members who would like to participate, but who have not played before. We will also need the equipment! If you are able to help with this, please contact Don Collins-Williams.

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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

For PROBUS members, family and friends who would like to travel with local people and create new friendships—GPTG, your travel group—is proceeding with the following trip:

Norway Coastal Voyage: September 17 - 27, 2024. From Bergen to Trondheim. We would really like some more people to join this wonderful trip! Most of the members booked on this trip are travelling early, to experience the fabulous train program from Oslo to Bergen...then taking the train back from Trondheim to Oslo. For more information please contact Gloria at 705-429-9455.

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

Spring has brought out the action and involvement in us. It is time to dust off the gear and get outside! Our activity groups are in full swing! Check out the activities listed on our website or at the bottom of our newsletter; watch for email invitations from the activity groups you have signed up for and enjoy! In addition to all of the 'action groups', you can keep your mind engaged with our book clubs and games or just enjoy the company of friends while dining. (Note: If you have not received email invitations from activity groups that you have signed up for this year, check your 'junk mail'. They may be there.) It is not too late to sign up for most groups.

There is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!

If you need any help with passwords or sign-up, please contact our web team at our email address: help@beavervalleyprobus.com

Birding
Brian Cromie, Lucie Desjardins

The PROBUS Birding Activity group met twice in the last few weeks with several dozen members on the lookout for birds. One event spotted 28 different species while the more recent one saw 29, including several quite uncommon sightings. Now that the spring migrants have paired up and started to raise their young, birds will be harder to spot and our outings will be less frequent until fall migration begins. Photos: Please see the latest photos on our Birding Slideshow.

Canoeing & kayaking
Kirby Philp, Lucie Desjardins, Glen Downey

We kicked off our season with a great paddle on the Beaver River on May 29. It was a beautiful calm sunny day. We saw a beaver, turtles and several types of birds along the way. Check out our most recent photos. We welcome members to join us for our next paddle at Lake Eugenia on June 12.

Challenging Canoeing & kayaking
Liz Goodall / Karen Thompson

Hello canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts. It is almost time to put the canoes and kayaks in the water. As soon as the temperature climbs, we will be scheduling our first outing in June. In the meantime, check your equipment and get ready for our first day. See you soon. 

Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell, Shellie Smith

Our May get-together was on May 23 at four different homes, hosting a total of 33 guests. Our next gathering will be on June 27 at various hosts homes, in groups of 6, 8 or 10. We are planning full group picnics in the summer on July 25 and August 22. All in all things have been running smoothly with the assistance of our volunteer hosts. 

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Monday, June 17 Dinner at 5 pm at Marilynne’s Restaurant in Markdale were sent out on June 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town.

It’s not too late to join us—just go on-line to the Dining Around Town Activity Page to sign-up. Please see our future dining dates below:

Monday, June 17: Family Style Dinner – Marilynne Restaurant, Markdale
Friday, August 16: Annual Pizza Party – Justin’s Oven, Kimberley
Wednesday, September 18: Buffet Dinner – Walter Falls
Wednesday, October 16: Dinner - The Huron Club, Collingwood
Wednesday, November 20: Luncheon – Katherine’s Chateau, Collingwood

R.O.M.E.O
Bill McMurray

The next R.O.M.E.O. lunch will be on June 12 at The Red Door Restaurant in Meaford. Invitations will go out shortly to those who are signed-up for the Activity Group.

Euchre Update
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Our Intermediate Euchre and Euchre 1 group has grown to 70 members. We have booked a second play date each month starting in June in order to accommodate everyone. We will play on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and the 3rd Thursday of each month at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury.

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Our next Euchre 1 tournament will be on Tuesday June 11 at 6:30 pm and Thursday June 20 at 1:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury. Our April 9 tournament was enjoyed by 36 members (9 tables) with Jean K. taking home bragging rights with a score of 53 after 56 hands played.

Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Our next Intermediate Euchre tournament will be on Tuesday June 11 at 6:30 pm and Thursday June 20 at 1:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury Christine F. claimed top spot for the afternoon on May 14 with a score of 44 after 48 hands played for the 1st. group. Susan G. claimed top spot for the afternoon on May 14 with a score of 27 after 32 hands played for the 2nd group.

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

Our group is enjoying the convenience of playing Mah jongg at the Far Hills clubhouse. We are contracted with the condo board until the end of 2024. Our members have agreed to a $10 fee to cover the cost of replacing future card tables as needed. (Mah jongg members who paid through Euchre are not asked to pay again.) Game days are the 1st /3rd Tuesdays of the month - 1:30 - 3:30 PM. Email Hosts are assigned for coming game days; they will send out reminder emails to all active members. Introductory/Training sessions will still be held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, as needed, in the instructor's home. We will continue playing Mah jongg throughout the summer months. New participants are always welcome. 

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

Thanks again to all my Ramblers who walked the Georgian Trail with me, looking at the lilacs and clocking in over 7 kilometers.  Our recent walk was a Mystery Walk, starting at the Old Mail Road in Griersville. The Old Mail Road at Griersville is one of the only remaining Pioneer Roads in its original state.  I convinced our Ramblers to follow me to look for the old Euphrasia and St. Vincent side road, currently not travelled but still indicated on the map. Unfortunately, the road was too muddy to continue—so next time Ramblers—we will continue our search. All are welcome to try our group out for our next adventure.

Recreational Cycling
Mary Ann Collins-Williams, Ilene Rushefsky Charland, Mary Jansen

We had a glorious sunny day for our first session. The bike ride started at the Craigleith Depot where the wonderful scent of lilacs filled the air. From the Depot we cycled 16 km to the intersection into Collingwood and back. On our return we all went to Mary Ann and Don's chalet for rhubarb muffins, cookies, and coffee while sitting on the sunny deck. It was a fun morning. The first Monday in June was perfect weather for our Session 3 bike ride. A group of us cycled 25 km. from Meaford to Thornbury and returned. A few of us enjoyed the social conversation over a nice lunch at The Leeky Canoe Pub in Meaford. For the summer we are planning cycle routes around Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, the rail trail to Stayner and possibly near Leith and the Tay Shore Trail. We are open to any suggestions and would encourage members to lead us on their favourite cycle route. 

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

Registration for 2025 Legends Ski Trips is now open! PROBUS Ski Legends is running 2 ski trips in 2025: 

• Sun Peaks BC (7 nights), February 2 - 9,.Only 10 spots left!
• Banff/Lake Louise (7 nights), March 2 - 9. Stay in the fabulous Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel! 

For the latest information, download the trip flyers and get the registration links, please check the Legends website: https://probusskilegends.ca/2025. All participants must be PROBUS members as well as members of PROBUS Ski Legends—Legends Membership cost is $50 per year.

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Photo Corner
Shared by Lucie Desjardins

See the rest of the wonderful collection of photos in the 2024 Birding Slideshow!
See also the latest Canoeing & Kayaking photos, Hiking photos, Nordic Pole Walking photos, May meeting photos, Blue Mountain Fruit Tour photos and more.

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Humour Corner
Shared by Hank Bouwman

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The Master Gardener’s Corner
John Hethrington, Master Gardener Emeritus
Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario

Click on the image to see what you need to be doing in your Garden in June. There is lots to do, now that Summer is here!

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Support Group
Lucie Desjardins, Mary Ann Collins-Williams

Do you know of a BVPC member who is having a difficult time (health issue, accident, hospitalization, loss of partner, etc.) and would benefit from receiving a card or a call from our team? If so, please let us know. We will be happy to follow up and/or get in touch with them. 

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The Last Word
Shared by  Nancy Dixon

'The more you use your brain, the more brain you will have to use.'
G. Dorsey

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President's Message
Brian Cromie

A cool wet April is slowly giving way to a warmer May, and with it, more PROBUS outdoor activities are now up and running. Ramblers are continuing each week, golf is weekly at Tomahawk, birders have been out several times, Nordic pole walkers are touring the area, and several of the cycling groups start up this month. Among the 12 outdoor activity groups that meet Spring through Fall, there are an astounding 637 member registrations. We are so fortunate that PROBUS members choose to embrace an active lifestyle here in the beautiful Beaver Valley.

It's never too late to sign up for one or more of these, so please join us for exercise and a great social time. Of course, the dining, euchre and money matters groups are active as well, among the dozen indoor activities catering to every interest. Lovely pink and white blossoms are about to grace the hillsides around Thornbury, marking the beginning of another season of the apples that make our valley famous.

Members can still register for an informative and highly impressive tour of the Blue Mountain Fruit Company on May 16, as well as the Blue Mountain Film Festival on May 30. And don’t forget our regular monthly meeting on May 28, when Prof. Mark Rector will speak on Canadian inventors and their marvellous technologies. Hope to see you there!

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Membership
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

Reminder: For your convenience, the Membership table is staffed at every monthly meeting. Stop by to order a replacement badge, to pick-up an “Emergency contact card" with plastic sleeve and lanyard, or have your badge repaired. We’re here to help!  If you have any questions you can contact us at  membership@beavervalleyprobus.com

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May Membership Meeting

Date: Tuesday, May 28, 2024
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM
Registration: Please register online to let us know if you will attend.

Speaker  Professor Mark Rector

Professor Rector is a published author, public speaker, and a recently retired Professor of Electronics Engineering with a specialty in telecommunications. He has written many articles, contributed to nationally published textbooks, and released his first book in 2018.

Mark will share his passion for inventions and enlighten us about several famous Canadian Inventors featured in his book OH CANADA Our Home Inventive Land.

50/50 Draw

Marie J. and Cynthia M. shared in the $227.00 pot at our April 23 monthly speaker meeting. Our 50/50 tickets are on sale at the beginning of each monthly meeting and during the 1st break. See Elaine or Hank Bouwman at the table at the back of the room.

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

We had a very interesting tour of the Blue Mountain Fruit Company Facility in Thornbury, and have planned another tour on May 16. Those on the waitlist for the April tour will have priority.

There are still plenty of tickets available for the Billy Bishop Goes to War Musical, preceded by a lunch, at Meaford Hall in August.

Volunteers Needed: Would you like to be part of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Social Committee? We are looking for one or two more volunteers to help out. You can be part of the fun as we put together outings and events for the Club. Please contact Don directly if you are interested

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King's Wharf Theatre Event - June 12, 2024
Vicki Kellar

Fans of ’80s arena hard rock music will dig this awesomely hilarious musical comedy that wails with big chords, big hair… and an even bigger heart.

We have 1 ticket available—one of our members who registered can no longer attend. Please JOIN WAITLIST and contact Vicki Kellar for details.

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Annual Golf Tournament - June 18, 2024
Golf Tournament Organizing Committee

The invitations have gone out for the Annual Golf Tournament on Tuesday, June 18 at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club. This will be a 9 am Shotgun start, with registration at 8 am. The cost is $95 / person and includes 18 holes with a cart, followed by a lunch with prizes. 

Reserve Now—Pay Later: The invitation will allow you to reserve your place. The link to pay will be sent out to those who reserved on June 3. This year we are permitting non-member guests to join, so bring a friend!

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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

For PROBUS members, family and friends who would like to travel with local people and create new friendships—GPTG, your travel group—is proceeding with the following 2 trips:

Circumnavigation of Newfoundland:  June 16 - 27, 2024. For those who love learning, small ship travel, and unique experiences. We still have space with no single supplement and a group discount. Please contact Brenda Chapman at Marlin Travel 705-444-1161 with any questions.

Norway Coastal Voyage: September 17 - 27, 2024. From Bergen to Trondheim. We would really like some more people to join this wonderful trip! Most of the members booked on this trip are travelling early, to experience the fabulous train program from Oslo to Bergen...then taking the train back from Trondheim to Oslo. For more information please contact Gloria at 705-429-9455.

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene RC 

With the warmer weather, more spring and summer activities have started, or are going to do so soon. Money matters and golf has started and members have been out birding a few times already. Cycling is about to begin, as is hiking. The new art group is also meeting soon. If you haven't signed up for your favorite activity group, there is still time to do so. Below are reports from various activity groups—you may find something that appeals to you. We can assure you that you will get the most out of your PROBUS club if you participate. Enjoy!

Please make sure you register ONLINE for the activities in which you are interested.

There is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!

If you need any help with passwords or sign-up, please contact our web team at our email address: help@beavervalleyprobus.com

Birding
Brian Cromie

The Birding Activity Group met twice in late April, and despite cold weather, strong winds and snow at times, 25 members came out to the Clendenan Dam to welcome back our early spring migrants. All told, we spotted some 21 different species over the two visits, a good start to another exciting season with our fine feathered friends. Click to see the Birding Group Photos!

Bridge anyone?
Don Collins-Williams

Would anyone be interested in forming a PROBUS Bridge Activity Group? I have had a couple of enquiries, and suspect that we have a lot of bridge players out there!! If so, please send Don Collins-Williams an email at doncw127@gmail.com. If there is an enthusiastic response, I will see if we can get some co-leaders together, and give it a go!!

Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking
Karen Thompson, Liz Goodall

Hello canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts. It is almost time to put the canoes and kayaks in the water. As soon as the temperature climbs, we will be scheduling our first outing in May. In the meantime, check your equipment and get ready for our first day. See you soon. 

Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell, Shellie Smith

Our dinners on April 25 were a success. As we had several gals attending on their own, and for a bit of a change, we tried a ladies night dinner and by all reports it was a fun evening. Going forward we’ll be planning our regular dining event for May 23rd and look forward to welcoming both our regulars and some of the new members who have joined our group. Just a reminder for your future planning, we always arrange our dinners and summer picnics for the fourth Thursday of the month. Our December cocktail party is usually arranged for one week earlier to avoid the holiday rush. Looking forward to welcoming you soon.

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Wednesday May 15 Dinner at 5 pm at Match Casino Restaurant in Wasaga Beach were sent out on May 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. It’s not too late to join us—just go on-line to the Dining Around Town Activity Page to sign-up. Please see our future dining dates below:

Monday, June 17: Family Style Dinner – Marilynne Restaurant, Markdale
Friday, August 16: Annual Pizza Party – Justin’s Oven, Kimberley
Wednesday, September 18: Buffet Dinner – Walter Falls
Wednesday, October 16: Dinner - The Huron Club, Collingwood
Wednesday, November 20: Luncheon – Katherine’s Chateau, Collingwood

R.O.M.E.O
Bill McMurray

We had a big turnout for our April lunch and look forward to our May 8 lunch at the Corner Cafe. 

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Our next Euchre 1 tournament will be on Tuesday May 14 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury. Our April 9 tournament was enjoyed by 30 members (7 tables) with Viv A. taking home bragging rights with a score of 51 after 56 hands played.

Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

We have reserved The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury for the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1 – 4 pm. Our next Intermediate Euchre tournament will be on Tuesday May 14. Yvonne P. claimed top spot for the afternoon on April 9 with a score of 27 after 28 hands played.

Euchre Lessons 
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

11 of our members just graduated from 5-week euchre refresher sessions and will now join the Intermediate Euchre group that plays on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury. Congratulations to the group and have fun. 

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

We had the most Ramblers for our walk on the Meaford Georgian Trail to date. I am certainly enjoying meeting all of the new members who have joined our group. We will have a few special adventurers soon. Will keep you posted.

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Registration and Website Tips

1. General:

• Please do not forward an invitation to someone else. The invitation is specifically for you and if someone else uses it, they will register you and not themselves.
• Invitations are only good for 7 days. The link to register expires in 7 days. After that you will be prompted to login with your password in order to register. So it is always best to register promptly!

2. Meeting Registration

• Click “YES” if you are attending. You should receive a confirmation email within minutes. If you don't receive this email then you were not successful in registering. Please try again!
•  Do not click “MAYBE”. It doesn’t tell us anything of value, and you won't get a reminder notices or any additional invitations. If you aren't sure if you will attend or not, just do not respond!
• Click “NO” if you are not attending. You will not receive a any further notices to register for this event

3. Confirmation emails: Keep these emails as you may need them in order to cancel your registration. If you made any selections (menu choices etc.) during registration, they will be noted there for future reference. For many activities and events, directions or other important information is also included in the confirmation emails.

3A. Cancellation from Confirmation Emails: Instructions to cancel are often included in your confirmation email. It will look something like this:

• Click here to access this Event 
• Click on the link that says "Already registered"
  You must be logged in to the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club website to see the "already registered" link. If the "Already registered" link is not there, it means you need to login.
• Click on the "Cancel Registration" button

3B. Cancellation Instructions from the Website:

• Sign into the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club website. 
• Click on the yellow “ACTIVITIES” button 
• Click on the activity that you want to cancel and scroll down to the event date that you want to cancel 
• Click on “Already registered” link (next to the “Register button”) 
• Click on the “Cancel registration” button 

Please Note:

Activity leaders are not able to cancel your reservation—you need to do it yourself. But as a courtesy, please let the organizer know directly if you are having trouble cancelling.

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Photo Corner
Eclipse photos shared by Ilene RC

See the all new, wonderful collection of photos in our 2024 Spring Slideshow!

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The Master Gardener’s Corner
John Hethrington, Master Gardener Emeritus
Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario

Click on the image to see what you need to be doing in your Garden in May. There is lots to do, now that Spring is finally here!

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In Memorium

Harvey Wormald passed away at home on April 30. He and his wife Penny joined our club in 2015 and were very active in Hiking, Biking and Dining Around Town. Harvey previously volunteered on the Management Committee as Speakers Chair and as a non golfer, ran our Mini Putt event for 2 years. Our sincere condolences go out to Penny and all their family.

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Support Group
Lucie Desjardins, Maureen Lalonde, Mary Ann Collins-Williams

Do you know of a BVPC member who is having a difficult time (health issue, accident, hospitalization, loss of partner, etc.) and would benefit from receiving a card or a call from our team? If so, please let us know. We will be happy to follow up and/or get in touch with them. 

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The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon

Kind  hearts are the gardens; Kind thoughts are the roots;  Kind words are the blossoms;  Kind deeds are the fruits. Anonymous

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President's Message
Brian Cromie

Despite the ups and downs in our weather recently, it seems like Spring might be just around the corner. People are out walking, biking and enjoying the great outdoors. Your PROBUS Club offers over 40 different Activity Groups, many of which kick off in spring and keep us engaged until late fall. This past week we had an excellent turnout for the annual Activity Fair at the Community Centre and membership of many groups is expanding daily. Please remember to register online for the activities in which you’re interested.

We are so grateful to the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club volunteer Activity Leaders who organize and lead our indoor and outdoor activities. This year there are five new activities to enjoy, with something for everyone. Thanks also to all the members of the Management Committee, who carry out the business of the Club, and particularly Ilene Rushefsky Charland, who completed her term as President at the March 27 AGM. As the new President, I am confident that we will continue to benefit from the strong, dedicated leadership of the Management Committee and the active participation of the entire membership. 

This month, to honour National Canadian Film Day, and based on an overwhelming vote by the membership, we will be presenting the film “The Grand Seduction”. Please come out on April 23 and enjoy this wonderful story of life in a Newfoundland outport as we celebrate Canada and the Canadian film industry.

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Membership
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

At the Activity Fair, we were happy to have several members stop by the Membership table to visit and pick up their club badges. Please know that we still have badges from the last several membership drives, as well as replacement badges that were specially ordered. We bring all these orphaned badges to every meeting just in case their owners show up. Please come and collect your badge.

If you need to reach us, please contact us at membership@beavervalleyprobus.com

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April Membership Meeting - April 23, 2024
Kirby Philp

In honour of National Canadian Film Day, we will be featuring the film (as voted by the membership) “The Grand Seduction”. The film length is 113 min. We will have a short 5 min intermission at the halfway point. This year we have teamed up with Events For Life and they will be opening up their Arena Cafe for us—making and selling Pop Corn at $3 per bag. Please go into the Arena and grab some Pop Corn prior to the movie start time of 1:30 pm and also support a great cause.

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams - Social Convenor

Thank you to all of you who stopped by the Social Table at the Activity Fair. Your suggestions and comments were appreciated. The John Sheard Homeward Bound event in September is now sold out, but if you are still interested, please put your name on the wait list, as there are often late cancellations, making tickets available again.

SAVE THE DATE: On Thursday, August 15, we will be returning for another lunch and musical at Meaford Hall. This year it will be Billy Bishop Goes To War, with a lunch in the Meaford Hall Terrace before the afternoon matinee. Watch your email later in April for the invitation.

Social Events Committee—Volunteers Needed! We are looking for a group of volunteers to form a small committee to help with organizing our PROBUS events. No significant experience is needed ( just enthusiasm), and you can work from home! As an added perk, you would have first crack at signing up for events, before the invitations go out!!! This is your chance to be part of organizing the fun and getting more involved in our Club. Please contact me if you are interested.

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King's Wharf Theatre Event - June 12, 2024
Vicki Kellar

Fans of ’80s arena hard rock music will dig this awesomely hilarious musical comedy that wails with big chords, big hair… and an even bigger heart.

We have tickets available—some couples who have registered are no longer able to attend. Please JOIN WAITLIST and contact Vicki Kellar for details.

It’s 1987, and aspiring rocker Drew Boley meets and falls madly in love with Sherrie, a fresh-faced Midwesterner who has recently moved to Los Angeles to chase her movie star dreams. Will their stars rise? Will their love last? Find out in the worldwide phenomenon featuring 28 classic rock tunes like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “We Built This City,” “The Final Countdown,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Here I Go Again,” “Harden My Heart,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” and “I Want To Know What Love Is.”

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Annual Golf Tournament - June 18, 2024
Golf Tournament Organizing Committee

Save the Date: The 2024 Beaver Valley PROBUS Club Annual Golf tournament will be held on Tuesday, June 18 at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club. Details and sign-up information to follow in April.

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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

For PROBUS members, family and friends who would like to travel with local people and create new friendships—GPTG, your travel group—is proceeding with the following 2 trips:

Circumnavigation of Newfoundland:  June 16 - 27, 2024. For those who love learning, small ship travel, and unique experiences. We still have space with no single supplement and a group discount. Please contact Brenda Chapman at Marlin Travel 705-444-1161 with any questions.

Norway Coastal Voyage: September 17 - 27, 2024. From Bergen to Trondheim. We also still have group pricing and space. Most of the members booked on this trip are travelling early, to experience the fabulous train program from Oslo to Bergen...then taking the train back from Trondheim to Oslo. For more information please contact Gloria at 705-429-9455.

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland - Activities Convenor

Our 2024 Activity Fair was a huge success. Thank you to the many activity leaders, who went above and beyond our expectations in their table displays. You could see the care and effort made to show off their activity and entice members to stop and have a chat. Thanks to the many members attending, asking questions and taking the opportunity to chat with friends. Our offerings of activities is second to none. This is what makes our club so much fun. Check out the Activity Fair Slideshow to see photos of the event!

Please make sure you register ONLINE for the activities in which you are interested.

There is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!

If you need any help with passwords or sign-up, please contact our web team at our email address: help@beavervalleyprobus.com

Bridge anyone?
Don Collins-Williams

Would anyone be interested in forming a PROBUS Bridge Activity Group? I have had a couple of enquiries, and suspect that we have a lot of bridge players out there!! If so, please contact me. If there is an enthusiastic response, I will see if we can get some co-leaders together, and give it a go!!

E-Bikes + Others
Terry Kellar / Mikael Schaltz

Spring is here and the bikes are coming out, our group is open to all bikers (e-bikes and petal power) that can do a distance of 20km+. We bike on trails and quiet sideroads on Mondays. Our season will start in early May so sign up now to receive our invites.

Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell, Shellie Smith

It was a pleasure meeting so many of you, both regulars and potential new members, at the activity fair and we look forward to a new season of our dining groups. Our next get-together will be at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 25 and we hope to have many of you participate. As usual, we’ll be meeting in small groups at the homes of our volunteer hosts and each guest will be asked to contribute to the menu, likely an appetizer, salad or dessert, as requested by the host. You will also be asked to provide your own beverage of choice. Again, as always, we will be requesting members to volunteer as hosts for this event. Look for an email invitation on or about April 8. Looking forward to April 25!

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Monday, April 15, Wednesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 24 Luncheon at 11:30 am at The Mill Restaurant in Thornbury were sent out on April 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. It’s not too late to join us…just go to our website and click on the Dining Around Town Activity Page to sign up. Please see our future dining dates below:

Wednesday, May 15: Dinner – Match Casino Restaurant, Wasaga Beach
Monday, June 17: Family Style Dinner – Marilynne Restaurant, Markdale
Friday, August 16: Annual Pizza Party – Justin’s Oven, Kimberley
Wednesday, September 18: Buffet Dinner – Walter Falls
Wednesday, October 16: Dinner - The Huron Club, Collingwood
Wednesday, November 20: Luncheon – Katherine’s Chateau, Collingwood

R.O.M.E.O
Bill McMurray

Romeos are back in action with 47 members signing up after the Activity Fair. We will be having lunch/brunch at The Pottery on April 10. Look for the invitation coming out this week.

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Our next Euchre 1 tournament will be on Tuesday, April 9 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury. Our March 12 tournament was enjoyed by 28 members (7 tables) with Terry K taking home bragging rights with a score of 55 after 56 hands played.

Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

We have reserved The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury for the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1 – 4 pm. Our next Intermediate Euchre tournament will be on Tuesday, April 9. Hank B. claimed top spot for the afternoon on March 12 with a score of 43 after 48 hands played.

Euchre Lessons 
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Interested in learning how to play euchre or just need a refresher session?  Register online for sessions starting in April.

French Club
Caroline Bacher

Parlez-vous francais? The French Club has had a very good time meeting this past season. We usually begin in September, however, there has been some discussion of getting together during the summer months as well! The days we meet will be dependent on the host—we shall keep you posted! We meet once a month at each others' homes. The host decides what the topic will be so that participants can prepare ahead of time. We are a friendly bunch who want to improve our French conversational skills in a cooperative and supportive environment. So please join us if you have  knowledge of written and oral French! A bientot!

Hiking
Vicki Kellar

A lot of interest at the Activity Fair translated into 104 members (so far) signing up for the Hiking Group. You can still join by registering on the Hiking Activity page. We anticipate starting our hiking schedule the first week of May, depending on the weather and if the ski season is still open at Blue Mountain (yes, we’re still skiing in April!). Currently, there are 4 volunteers to lead hikes but we have many more dates to fill. The leader decides which day of the week and time to hike so it varies every week. Each participant is encouraged to lead their favourite hike. Guidelines for leading are found on our Hiking web page. We hope to hike weekly until the fall, if a sufficient number of leaders volunteer. See you on the trails!

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

Wow! Thanks to all of you who registered for this Activity. We are currently 87 Strong. Don't worry, I have been leading our group for almost 4 years now and we never have more than 25 members for our Rambles. Hoping the weather will let us walk on April 5 along the Collingwood Harbour and part of the Georgian Trail. If not, we will reschedule and Ramble as usual.

Stitch & Bitch Crafts
Sheilia Churchill

Our Stitch & Bitch group wishes to invite interested members to our May 6 meeting to be hosted by Sylvia R. I know there are members like myself who had not knitted or crocheted in a while but are looking for a PROBUS group to connect with—that was ten years ago for me and l am now knitting projects l never thought l could. Why not give our great group of gals a try? We can get you restarted. We encourage you to join and meet up to share in the conversation, tea or coffee, dessert and perhaps get back into a craft. Only a few hours once a month on the first Monday. If interested in attending our Open House, please contact Sheila or Nancy for details of where to attend on May 6. Nancy Dixon

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PROBUS Canada Newsletter
Shared by Martin Buscher, PROBUS Canada
Director Ontario District #7

Please see the PROBUS Canada Connections March newsletter!

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All Club's Bonspiel
Submitted by Cheryl Ross

This team of Beaver Valley Probus members curled together on March 16 at Meaford Curling Club. Skip Lorne W, Vice Cheryl R, Second David A and Lead Marge A had a great day and were only 1/4 of a point away from being the champions of their draw! Our first game was against the Meaford Lawn Bowling Team #1 and our second game was against the Meaford Apple Harvest Craft Show Team. Lots of fun was had by all!

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Photo Corner
Shared by Lucie Desjardins 

Red-headed Woodpeckers are rarely seen in our location and in particular at this time of year. 

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The Master Gardener’s Corner
John Hethrington, Master Gardener Emeritus
Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario

Click on the photo to see what you need to be doing in your garden in April!

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In Memorium

Bill Hamilton passed away on Wednesday, March 20. Bill and his wife Wendy had been members of our PROBUS Club since 2006 and were involved with the Euchre 2 activity group and attended many theatre events. Our sincere condolences to the Hamilton Family.

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Support Group
Lucie Desjardins, Maureen Lalonde, Mary Ann Collins-Williams

Do you know of a BVPC member who is having a difficult time (health issue, accident, hospitalization, loss of partner, etc.) and would benefit from receiving a card or a call from our team? If so, please let us know. We will be happy to follow up and/or get in touch with them. 

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The Last Word
Shared by  Nancy Dixon

Find something you are passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it. Julia Child