Beaver Valley Probus Club

President's Message
Kirby Philp

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer, filled with memorable PROBUS activities, exciting events, and cherished time with family and friends.

A big welcome to the 28 new members who joined our Beaver Valley Probus Club in August! We’re delighted to have you with us and look forward to the friendships and fun that lie ahead. With 32 diverse activities and a calendar full of engaging events, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We encourage all members to get involved—whether by leading a current activity, starting something new, or joining one of our committees. Your energy and involvement are what keep our club active and flourishing and we’re grateful for the time and talents you share. Wishing you a fantastic month ahead. I look forward to seeing you all at our September General Meeting!

Membership 
Pam Weaver / Kathy Mercer

Welcoming New Members
On August 1, our club gladly welcomed 28 new members. They can collect their badge at the Membership table before the meeting scheduled for September 23. Badges for new members are marked with a small purple sticker, signaling their recent entry to the club. This visual cue helps the Management Committee and longstanding members easily identify and greet new members. If you still have a sticker on your badge from a previous membership drive, please feel free to remove it.

Understanding Badge Colours
You may notice that some members wear blue badges. These are reserved for members of the Management Committee—either current committee members or those who have previously volunteered in a leadership role and earned this recognition. Gold badges are only for past Presidents of our club.

September Meeting—Tuesday, Sept 23 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Denise Rand /  Melany Franklin

Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Speaker:  Sean Patrick Dolan
Title:  Author of 'My Father's Secret' and 'The Prophet of Frogs Hollow'

We are pleased to announce Sean as our Speaker who graciously agreed to step in last minute.

Sean Patrick Dolan has written two novels: My Father's Secret (2021) and The Prophet of Frogs Hollow (2025). He is a retired educator who has worked on textbook teams at Oxford University Press, been a feature writer for Canadian School Counsellor magazine, and has been both writer and editor for CBC News in Review. He lives in Thornbury, Ontario.

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!

Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

Thank you to all of our members who attended our Summer Social Events. Your support and enthusiasm is greatly appreciated! We are working on plans for another Car Rally this fall, and are planning a tour of the Tom Thompson Art Gallery in Owen Sound in November, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

Mark your calendars for the biggest event of the year, our Annual Holiday Luncheon. This year it will be held at the beautiful Bear Estate just outside of Collingwood, on Tuesday, December 2, and we are looking forward to a record turnout! As always, your ideas for other events are welcome, and your committee will be meeting soon to start planning next year's events!

Estate Planning "Kick the Bucket" Seminar
Hank Bouwman

If there’s one important thing you can do to support your spouse, partner, children, or executor, it’s creating a document that pulls together everything they’ll need when you pass away—a “Just-In-Case” file. This seminar will walk you through what to include and how to organize it, so your loved ones aren’t left guessing when you "Kick the Bucket". The cost is $10 and there are 2 dates to choose from—with just a few spots left. Register now and Join Waitlist if full, as spots may open up closer to the date!

• Session 1: Thursday, September 25 @ 7:00 – 8:00 pm
• Session 2: Thursday, October 9 @ 1:30 – 2:30 pm

English Country Dancing - Give it a try!
Owen Sound Probus Club

Date: Sunday Sept. 21 @ 2:15 pm
Cost: $10.00
Location: Harmony Centre, 890 4th Ave E, Owen Sound
Contact: Murray Smith 

This enthusiastic group is small. 14 people are needed to cover the costs of the hall and our teacher. No experience, no partner, and no costume is needed. Our caller walks us though the pattern, and continues to prompt us right through the dance. Any non–Owen Sound Probus Club member is welcome to register or reach out with questions by emailing me.

Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

We have several exciting trips planned for 2026 and some already in the works for 2027.  Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join. Check out the Georgian Probus Travel Group webpage for details on all the upcoming trips.

Upcoming Trips: 

• Majestic Morocco Tour (Apr 10 - 24, 2026): The interest in this tour has been huge—book soon if you are hoping to join! 15-day trip through Morocco’s ancient cities and countryside. See the Poster and the Detailed Itinerary.
• Ireland Tour (Jun 1 - 12, 2026): Small group escorted tour, including the Aran Islands. Booking now! See the website and Poster for details.
• Quebec Bike Tour (Sept 2026 TBA): Local, Canadian bike program with the “Petit Train du Nord”. More details coming soon!
• Japan Tour (Oct 2026):  Stay tuned for details!
• Costa Rica / Panama Sail Tour (Jan 9 -16, 2027):  Star clipper, sailing from Costa Rico (Pt. Caldera) to Panama (Balboa). See the Poster and Itinerary.

Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

We have had a very successful summer, with members participating in a wide variety of activities. Between hiking, walking, cycling, golf, and canoeing/kayaking, you could be busy outdoors every morning of the week. Our various dining, games, and social events kept you busy later in the day, providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy the summer. Thank you to the activity leaders and those organizing events who made this all happen. Enjoy the last bits of summer, as fall is approaching. I hope you continue to take advantage of the beautiful part of the province in which we are fortunate to live.

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

This year’s spring migration brought some great birding opportunities. We hosted six birding sessions, wrapping up in early June. Now, with fall on the horizon, waterfowl and shorebirds are beginning to pass through our region. I’ll be organizing a few outings starting in late September to explore local hotspots and see what we can discover together. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled—warblers, orioles, hummingbirds, finches, and sparrows are already on the move. Be sure to keep your feeders stocked to support these early migrants as they travel south.

Canoing and Kayaking
Kirby Philp, Lucie Desjardins and Glen Downey

What a fantastic summer it’s been on the water! Our paddling adventures took us twice along the scenic Beaver River and twice down the peaceful Sauble River, with additional outings to the Notawasaga River and Bell’s Lake. Each trip brought good turnouts, including several enthusiastic new members joining our core paddling crew. We’ve truly enjoyed the beauty of nature with the sounds of wildlife, and the camaraderie shared both during and after our outings. It’s been a season of connection, exploration, and plenty of laughs. We’re planning two more paddles in September and would love to have you with us. Whether you’re a seasoned paddler or just curious to give it a try, come join the fun! Don't forget to take a look at our 2025 Canoeing & Kayaking Photos!

Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell

Welcome to all our new members! We’re excited about our first fall Casual Dining with Friends event on September 25, with invitations going out on September 8. Looking ahead, our annual cocktail gathering is set for December 11 and we’re in need of a host. If you have a home that can comfortably accommodate about 40 guests for a mostly stand-up, finger-food style evening, and you’d be interested in hosting, please let us know! 

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

It’s not too late to join us. Sign-up for the upcoming season via the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage in order to receive the invitations!

Future Dining Dates:

• Wednesday, September 17 @ 5 PM Dinner - Williams on 26, Meaford Airport
• Monday, October 20 @ 5pm - Family Style Dinner – Marilynne, Markdale
• Monday, November 3 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury
• Wednesday, November  5 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury
• Monday, November 10 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Euchre 1 monthly tournament will be on Tuesday September 9 at 12:45 PM in the downstairs great hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. There is ample parking, a spacious room, and an elevator is available. Invitations are sent out on the first of every month.

High Scores
June: Mae F,  John W
July: Bill R, Norah E
August: Sharon C

Golf Group
Brian Cromie

Hiking
Vicki Kellar

Participants are encouraged to lead their favourite hike and guidelines for leading are found on our Hiking web page. Don't forget to take a look there at all the Hiking Photos shared by our group members! See you on the trails!

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

We had light attendance for our games through the summer and are looking forward to seeing returning members now that travel and golfing schedules wind down. New members are always welcome! The more we play Mah jongg, the more confident we get—some of our members are now playing with other local Mah jongg groups as well! 

Recreational Cycling
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Ilene Rushefsky Charland

We have had a great summer of cycling - Tay Shore Trail to Waubaushene, Owen Sound to Leith, loops around Thornbury, the beaches near Meaford and Lora Bay, Wasaga Beach etc. In September we are planning to cycle on the trails of Collingwood and the new train trail from Stayner to New Lowell and more. We have enjoyed the companionship of our members and the exhilaration of exploring our beautiful landscape.

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

What a summer!  Even though there were days when it was too HOT and days when it was too rainy, we managed to get our excursions in. Thanks to my loyal and new Ramblers, I had a great time showing off my garden. Our walks are always fun, if not funny, as I try not to be too odd.  Welcome too all newbies, please join in!

R.O.M.E.O.
John White and Louis Charland

Our next R.O.M.E.O. (Retired Outstanding Men Eating Out) gathering will be on Wednesday, September 10 at Walters' Falls Inn @ 12:00 noon in the main dining room! We are limited to the first 30 to sign-up, but there are still spots available. Make sure you register for the R.O.M.E.O. Activity Group to get the monthly invitations!

Humour Corner - Points to Ponder
Shared by Hank Bouwman

• Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say, "Close enough."
  
  
• Remember when people had diaries and got mad when someone read them?
  Now,  they put everything online and get mad when people don't!

Photo Corner 

We've just published a ton of photos taken by our members of our summer activities and events!

• Lawn Bowling - August 2025
• Big Canoe Excursion - August 2025
• Annual Summer Picnic - July 2025
• Lavender Farm Tour - June 2025
• Canoeing & Kayaking Activity Group photos!

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 September. 

In Memoriam

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. 

The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon 

Will the right, hold to the good, rest in love, and move in art.
Confuscius

President's Message
Kirby Philp

May has been an exciting month for our club, with Activities in full swing and strong participation from members. This along with all of the great past and future Events that the Social Committee has carefully planned, reminds us how fortunate we are to enjoy these outings with our PROBUS friends.

None of this would be possible without the dedication of our club’s volunteers. With over 600 members, keeping things running smoothly requires ongoing support. To continue offering these wonderful opportunities, we encourage more members to step forward and contribute. Right now, several of our activities are seeing large turnouts, and we could use additional volunteers to help manage them.

Our Management Committee is also preparing for future transitions, as long-serving members move on. We are currently looking for someone to assist Don Collins-Williams as Assistant Social Convenor. Don will mentor this person over the next few years before stepping away from the role. We know our club is made up of members from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique skills and experiences. Please take a moment to consider how you can contribute. If you're interested in supporting an activity, reach out to the Activity Coordinator or contact Ilene Rushefsky-Charland. For Social Committee inquiries, contact Don Collins-Williams, and for the Management Committee, feel free to reach out to me.

As this is the final Grapevine before our summer break, I wish everyone a fantastic summer. Enjoy time with family and friends, embrace new adventures, and always prioritize safety in everything you do. 

Membership 
Pam Weaver / Kathy Mercer

Reminder: For your convenience, the Membership table is staffed at every monthly meeting. Stop by to ask a question, to order a replacement badge, to pick-up an “Emergency Contact card", or have your badge repaired. We’re here to help!

Help us keep our record of current members up to date. If you know of someone who has moved away or who has decided to leave our club, please let us know.

June Meeting—Tuesday, June 24 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Denise Rand /  Melany Franklin

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Speaker: Leah den Bok, photographer, author
Topic: "But Still We Can Do Something..."

Leah den Bok is a photographer dedicated to sharing the stories of people experiencing homelessness through her ongoing project, Humanizing The Homeless. Her work has taken her to cities around the world—including Kolkata, Brisbane, and Mallorca—where she documents the personal struggles and resilience of those living on the streets. Through exhibitions and public talks, she continues to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes surrounding homelessness.

Leah's work has been featured by major media outlets such as the BBC, CBS, and CBC, and she has spoken at events like WE-DAY (2016), Women of the World Festival in Brisbane (2018), and She Talks in Ontario. Leah is the recipient of several awards recognizing her impact, including the IDRF Youth Impact Award (2018), the Murray Clarkson Award (2019), the SNAP Photo Competition (2020), and the Ascend Rising Star of the Year Award (2020).

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!

Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

June 17: Annual Golf Tournament. Our Annual Golf Tournament is set for Tuesday, June 17 at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club. 

July 17: King's Wharf—Beehive Musical. This theatre event has sold out, but the waitlist is open. Please join the waitlist—we always get a few cancellations closer to the date!

September 5: Barn Dance. To kick off the fall season, we’re excited to host our first-ever Barn Dance and Dinner at the Black Barn at Belvedere Farm near Meaford on Friday, September 5. We’ll enjoy a sit-down dinner together, followed by a lively, old-fashioned barn dance—complete with a caller and live music. No experience needed—we’ll all learn together and have a great time!

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

Summer Picnic - July 8 @ 12:30 PM
Don Collins-Williams

Join us for a fun-filled summer picnic at the Stone Tree Golf-Fitness-Banquets Centre, just east of Owen Sound. We’ll be outdoors under a spacious tent that can accommodate up to 200 people. A delicious picnic lunch will be served, including wraps, sandwiches, salads, and large cookies. In addition to great food, we’ll have games tables set up (euchre, board games, etc.) , space for lawn games and bean bag toss. The pre-picnic walk to Inglis Falls is full, but there is room for the pre-picnic golf contest! See invitation for details!

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. 

The Muskoka cruise program is proving to be very popular and spots for the lunch and tour beforehand are filling up quickly. Some guests are also planning to have dinner and stay overnight at the Windermere House, but there is room for more. The Agawa Falls trip is essentially full, and the April trip to Morocco is heating up... If you're interested, don't wait too long! We may even offer a second departure due to demand.

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

• Muskoka Cruise (July 10 - 11, 2025) The voyage on the Muskoka lakes, Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau is sold out, but there are still some rooms available for the optional overnight at the Windermere resort, as well as the dinner and musem visits! •
  All GPTG PROBUS clubs are welcome to join the group for lunch and a tour of the Speed Boat museum prior to the Peerless 11 Boat tour. Prices are $10 for the museum tour or $45 for lunch and tour. Please Contact Ian McRuer if you wish to attend the pre-trip luncheon.
• Agawa Canyon Train Tour (September 29 - October 3, 2025). 
  This tour has only 2 single rooms still available! This trip will take us north via Manitoulin and return through Sudbury. See the complete Itinerary for details of the trip!

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.
• Looking ahead, we're exploring a bus tour focused on a specific region of Ireland for June 2026—stay tuned for more details. There's also an exciting tall ship program being planned off the coast of Costa Rica. Be sure to keep an eye on the website for updates, especially if you're one of our keen travelers!

Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

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 to all who attended one of our 6 birding sessions this year. We've been braving a couple cold mornings, but the birds were always there for us. As the rush of the migration winds down and most of the birds are now on territory our schedule will be more relaxed for the summer months.

Our most recent outing was on Sunday, June 8. Since the canopy continues to close in, it became a bit more challenging to spot the birds. We focused on learning and recognizing bird songs to help us locate the singers and paid close attention to their behavior. We looked for signs of breeding activity—such as courtship displays, territorial disputes, or birds carrying nesting materials or food. With careful observation, we were rewarded at times with the discovery of adorable baby birds. We still have lots to be looking forward to, and always keep in mind, the welfare of the birds must come first. 

Canoing and Kayaking
Kirby Philp, Lucie Desjardins and Glen Downey

We will be kicking off our first paddle on Wednesday, June 11 at the Beaver River Epping Access Point. We hope you can join us for another fun season of paddling. 

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

We had a great turn-out of  members for our Walter Falls dinner in May! Invitations for our Wednesday, June 18 Dinner at Mylar & Loretta's 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. Sign-up for the upcoming season via the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage in order to receive the invitations!

Future Dining Dates:

• Wednesday, June 18 @ 5 PM Dinner – Mylar & Loretta, Singhampton
• Wednesday, September 17 @ 5 PM Dinner - Williams on 26, Meaford Airport
  
• Monday, October 20 @ 5pm - Family Style Dinner – Marilynne, Markdale
• Monday, November 3 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury
• Wednesday, November  5 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury
• Monday, November 10 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury

Euchre 1 & Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Monthly tournament will be on Thursday, June 12 at 6:45 pm in the downstairs Great Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. There is ample parking, an elevator and a spacious room. 

Summer Schedule 6:45 – 9:30 PM: 

• Thursday June 12 ; 
• Thursday July 17; 
• Thursday August 14

High Scores:  May 13: 

• Euchre 1 – Elaine B. 
• Intermediate – Ruthann N.

E-bikes & Explorators
Terry Kellar / Anita Dundys

Information about individual rides will be sent out weekly to all members of the group, including a link to register. Please visit the E-bikes and Explorators Activity Page to sign up for the group and get more details about rides and the schedule.

Hiking
Vicki Kellar

Participants are encouraged to lead their favourite hike and guidelines for leading are found on our Hiking web page. Don't forget to take a look at the Hiking Photos shared by our group members! See you on the trails!

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

We will continue to hold game days throughout the summer; on the first and third Tuesdays. The exception will be Canada Day, July 1. Training sessions will be held on June 18, July 16 and August 12. New members are welcome. Sign-up on the the Mah jongg Activity webpage if you would like to join us! You must be signed up to receive the invitations

Mah Jongg is good for your mental health: “ Mah-jongg does help us sustain our health in two important ways as we age: The friendships we develop decrease the loneliness that can cut years from our lives. And this brainy sport may help keep us sharp. According to an October 2021 report in Market Business News, studies show that mah-jongg is actually recommended to the elderly to help maintain good brain health and improve memory skills. Yoshiro Katsuura, an orthopedic spine surgeon and author of The Spine Encyclopedia, treats many older patients. He echoed these findings, “The ability to quickly solve and respond to different problems deteriorates as people grow older,” he said. “Participating in games of strategy like mah-jongg can be protective against this decline. Meaningful, intellectually stimulating social engagement prevents the depression of isolation.” ...as offered by Brahna Yassky (AARP)

Recreational Cycling
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Ilene Rushefsky Charland

In May, our group cycled along the Georgian Trail from Craigleith Depot. Our second venture was from Thornbury to the Depot and back.  Luckily, the weather was perfect with sunshine, blue skies, and a light breeze with sightings of the brilliant yellow Marsh Marigolds and the spectacular stand of Lilacs at the Depot.  We met at Don and Mary Ann's chalet and enjoyed coffee with the E-Bike members at the Tim Horton's in Thornbury. In June, we will be riding the routes around Collingwood, Meaford, and Wasaga Beach exploring the various beaches in our area of Georgian Bay.  In the summer, we have plans for the Midland Tay Shore Trail, the Tom Thomson Trail from Owen Sound around Leith, Heather's Trail in Collingwood (with a pool party at Mary Ann and Don's home), the Tiny Trail and more including enjoyable rides, organized lunches and coffee/muffin social events after our cycles.

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

In spite of all the rain, we are trying to fit in our Rambles either Thursday or Friday.  We had lovely walk to the Collingwood Arboretum on May 30 with my regular Ramblers. Thanks again.  Weather permitting we will do a walk in Stayner. Watch for my email invitations.

ROMEOS
John White and Louis Charland

Our next R.O.M.E.O. gathering will be on Wednesday, June 11 at Chuck's Roadhouse Bar and Grill in Collingwood. This restaurant comes highly recommended for it's food, ambiance, and reasonable prices. Special pricing on Wednesday.

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

Ski Legends Ski Trips for 2026 went on sale on May 21!

• St Anton, Austria, February 5 - 14  - View Flyer
  PRICE REDUCTION. Air Canada has reduced the price for our group flight by $230, so the all-inclusive package price is now $5,975.
• Sun Peaks, BC, February 25 - March 4 - View Flyer

For the latest information check the Legends website: 
If you have questions please contact legendsskitrips@gmail.com (trip organizer).

Please note: all participants must be PROBUS members and members of PROBUS Ski Legends for the coming season. Membership cost is $50 per year. Membership for 2025-2026 is now open. Please see the Membership webpage.

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Humour Corner - Points to Ponder
Shared by Hank Bouwman

• I'm a multitasker. I can listen, ignore and forget all at the same time! 
• People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.
• I don't have grey hair. I have wisdom highlights. 
• Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done. 
• One minute you're young and fun. Next, you're turning down the car stereo to see better. 
• I'm at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out. 
• I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do it's because I missed my exit.
   

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Photo Corner 

Here are some recent photos shared by our members!

For more photos, see our 2025 Slideshows on our website!

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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 finally 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 

Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
John Watson, Author 

President's Message
Kirby Philp

I hope everyone enjoyed our National Canadian Film Day movie 'You are Here: A Come from Away Story'. This was quite a moving documentary. It made me realize what makes the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club so special. We too have very passionate, hard working and dedicated volunteers in our club that lead great activities, events and provide support for our Committees and General Meetings. We are very lucky and as we go out to enjoy our activities and events this month please take time to thank our volunteers that make all of these fun things happen.

Have a great month and I hope to see you all on May 27th at our next General Meeting.

Membership 
Pam Weaver / Kathy Mercer

Reminder: For your convenience, the Membership table is staffed at every monthly meeting. Stop by to ask a question, to order a replacement badge, to pick-up an “Emergency Contact card", or have your badge repaired. We’re here to help!

May Meeting—Tuesday, May 27 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Denise Rand /  Melany Franklin

Date: Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM

Speaker: Annemarie Hagan
Topic: The Unexpected Life of Mayor “Hurricane Hazel” McCallion

Hazel McCallion: When she died at the age of 101 in January 2023, former Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion was mourned across Canada. From her early days on a Women’s Pro Hockey team in Montreal, to leading Mississauga, one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing cities for 36 years, Hazel was a unique and outspoken leader. Even scandals couldn’t keep her down! 

Annemarie Hagan Annemarie Hagan is an award-winning curator with over 35 years of experience in the museum field. She managed the Museums of Mississauga from 1998 to 2014 and later served as Senior Curator of History at PAMA in Brampton. Annemarie holds a B.A. in History and Women’s Studies from the University of Toronto and an M.A. in Public History from the University of Waterloo. She now enjoys life in historic Fergus, Ontario.

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!

Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

May 5: Bruce Nuclear Plant Tour. We have been able to arrange 2 private tours of the Bruce Nuclear Plant in Tiverton for the afternoon of Monday, May 5. The first tour filled up within a couple of hours and we were able to secure a second tour for the first 36 on the waitlist. Unfortunately, we still have a long waitlist.

May 29: Blue Mountain Film Festival. We’ll be returning to the Film Festival for the third time on Thursday, May 29! It’s been a great experience the past two years, and we’re looking forward to another fun outing. Invitations with all the details will be sent out shortly.

June 17: Annual Golf Tournament. Our Annual Golf Tournament is set for Tuesday, June 17 at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club. You’ll find more details in the newsletter below. Keep an eye out for the official invitation coming later this week!

July 8:  Summer Picnic.  Join us for a fun-filled summer picnic at the Stone Tree Golf-Fitness-Banquets Centre, just east of Owen Sound. We’ll be outdoors under a spacious tent that can accommodate up to 200 people. A delicious picnic lunch will be served, including wraps, sandwiches, salads, and large cookies. In addition to great food, we’ll have games tables set up (euchre, board games, etc.) and space for lawn games like walking soccer and bean bag toss. Stay tuned for more details about a pre-picnic walk to Inglis Falls and a little something special for the golfers in the club too!

July 17: King's Wharf—Beehive Musical. This theatre event has sold out, but the waitlist is open. Please join the waitlist—we always get a few cancellations closer to the date!

September 5: Barn Dance. To kick off the fall season, we’re excited to host our first-ever Barn Dance and Dinner at the Black Barn at Belvedere Farm near Meaford on Friday, September 5. We’ll enjoy a sit-down dinner together, followed by a lively, old-fashioned barn dance—complete with a caller and live music. No experience needed—we’ll all learn together and have a great time!

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

Blue Mountain Film Festival - May 29
Don Collins-Williams

We have reserved screenings for our club on Thursday, May 29.

• 9:30 AM: Beethoven's Nine: Ode to Humanity (documentary) 
  The enduring power of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony inspires this universal ode to joy.
• 1:30 PM: Universal Language 
  Director Matthew Rankin presents his multiple award-winning surrealist comedy.

The Festival is also offering PROBUS members a special discount on Thursday and Friday matinees—tickets are $15.82 (including HST). If you’d like to attend other films, you can purchase tickets directly from the Festival website at https://bluemtnfilmfest.ca/ using the promo code MATINEE14. Descriptions of all films can be found on the Festival’s website.

Please note: If you plan to attend different films on Thursday, do not register through the invitation coming out this week, as it is only for Ode to Humanity and Universal Language.

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. The event is almost full—this is your last chance to register!

Golf Tournament - June 17 @ 8 AM
Kirby Philp, Brian Cromie, Terry Kellar, Alan Spence

Our Annual Golf Tournament will be held at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.  Registration starts at 8 AM, followed by a 9 AM Shotgun Start. The cost this year is $100 per person, which includes 18 holes with a cart and lunch. It is a scramble format and prizes will be awarded. Registration for the event with full details will be sent out later this week. As with previous years, you can reserve now and pay later. We hope to see you there as this is a very fun annual event.

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!
• 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!

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 and we would love to hear what destinations you’re interested in!

Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

After a few reminders that winter hasn’t left, it looks like spring has actually arrived. That means our warmer weather activities, such as cycling, hiking, walking, birding and other outdoor activities are starting. Of course, dining, games and discussion groups continue throughout the year and welcome new members. Joining a group is the best way to meet new friends and engage in something you love. We hope to see you participating in a variety of activities. It is the best way to appreciate your PROBUS Club.

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

Casual Dining With Friends
CDWF Committee

Looking forward to seeing you at our next event on May 22— invitations will be out next week. Just a reminder that we require hosts for all of our events, so please consider hosting in May or on June 26. Thinking ahead to hosts in July and August: if you have a large enough backyard and would like to host our potluck picnics for 40-plus friends on either July 24 or August 28, please let Sallie know.

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

We had a record turn-out of 80 members for our Copper Blues dinner in April! Invitations for our Thursday, May 8 Buffet Dinner at Walter Falls Inn were sent out on April 24 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. It’s not too late to join us. Sign-up for the upcoming season via the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage in order to receive the invitations!

Future Dining Dates:

• Thursday, May 8 @ 5 PM Buffet Dinner – Walter Falls Inn 
• Wednesday, June 18 @ 5 PM Dinner – Mylar & Loretta, Singhampton
• Wednesday, September 17 @ 5 PM Dinner - Williams on 26, Meaford Airport
  
• Monday, October 20 @ 5pm - Family Style Dinner – Marilynne, Markdale

Euchre 1 & Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Monthly tournaments are now being held on the second Tuesday afternoon of each month in the downstairs Great Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. There is ample parking, an elevator and a spacious room. Invitations are sent out on the first of each month.

• Upcoming Tournament: Tuesday, May 13 @ 12:45 PM
• April 8  High Scores :  
• • Euchre 1—Hank B & Mary P
  • Intermediate—Kathy S.

E-bikes & Explorators
Terry Kellar / Anita Dundys

The E-bikes and Explorators cycling group will meet weekly on Mondays again this year. The Recreational Cycling Group may join us for some of our flat rides. Our first ride will be on May 5, starting at Terry and Vicki’s house. We will head around the base of Blue Mountain, onto the Georgian Trail and then return through the Windfall development. Afterward, we will hold a meeting to discuss the upcoming biking season, and coffee and treats will be provided! Information about individual rides will be sent out weekly to all members of the group, including a link to register. Please visit the E-bikes and Explorators Activity Page to sign up for the group and get more details about rides and the schedule.

Golf Group
Brian Cromie

We have been advised that Tomahawk Golf Course has been quite wet underfoot, so our first outing is delayed until May 6. Invitations have already gone out and there was a huge response! I have secured 5 tee times, but we still have a waitlist! I have also planned a number of special games for the season, so I hope you’ll be able to come out and join the fun!

Hiking
Vicki Kellar

May Start For Hiking: We anticipate starting our weekly hiking schedule the first of May, depending on the weather. The hikes vary in duration, pace and difficulty which is described each week in the email invitation. If you are interested in attending a hike, please 'Register' to ensure you receive any updates or cancellations. On some trails we may separate into slower and faster groups to allow for individual preferences. Participants are encouraged to lead their favourite hike and guidelines for leading are found on our Hiking web page. We hope that we can hike weekly until the end of October, with various volunteer leaders and a variety of locations. See you on the trails!

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

The Mah Jongg Group welcomed 11 new members after the Activity Fair—and there is still room for more! Training sessions are also available for inexperienced players. The group will follow our playing schedule of the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, each month, including the summer months. Sign-up on the the Mah jongg Activity webpage if you would like to join us!

Recreational Cycling
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Ilene Rushefsky Charland

We are embarking on our new season of Recreational Cycling on Monday, May 12 at 10 AM. We will be cycling along the Georgian Trail from the Craigleith Depot to the "cut off" for Collingwood and return ( approx. 18 km). Afterwards a social gathering has been planned at Mary Ann and Don's nearby Chalet with muffins and cookies! Look for the invitations for specific details of our weekly cycling routes on Monday mornings. We have planned an enjoyable season with scenic routes, good company and pleasant exercise.

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

Wow, we have gotten off to a great start with our Thursday walks and alternating Fridays, allowing me to include more of our 91 strong Ramblers. We have a few new areas to conquer as well as my usual treks in Meaford, Thornbury, Creemore, and Collingwood. Hope to get you all out for our next adventure which may include Stayner this year.  Watch for my email invitations.

Rummikub
Mary Jansen / Pat Whittemore

We wrapped up our first season of Rummikub and it was a hit! Everyone who joined in had fun and picked up the game with no trouble at all. Our last game of the season was April 28 and we will be restarting in early October, where we will be playing Rummikub + “Other” games. We will also be changing our play days to the 2nd and 4th Sunday afternoons of the month, instead of Mondays. We found there were a lot of people who would like to attend but had other activities to go to, so we thought we would try Sundays. Of course, if the weather is poor, we will cancel and try the following Sunday to make up.

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

Ski Legends Ski Trips for 2026 go on sale on May 21 at 6 pm!

• St Anton, Austria, February 5 - 14  - View Flyer
  PRICE REDUCTION. Air Canada has reduced the price for our group flight by $230, so the all-inclusive package price is now $5,975.
• Sun Peaks, BC, February 25 - March 4 - View Flyer

For the latest information check the Legends website: 
If you have questions please contact legendsskitrips@gmail.com (trip organizer).

Please note: all participants must be PROBUS members and members of PROBUS Ski Legends for the coming season. Membership cost is $50 per year. Membership for 2025-2026 is now open. Please see the Membership webpage.

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Humour Corner 
Shared by Heather Buscher

Reports of Voter Intimidation in Canada!
As seen on Reddit

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Photo Corner 

Here are some recent photos shared by our members!

Top-Left: First pole walk outing of the season. Shared by Nancy H.
Bottom-Left: Anyone want a pet alligator? Shared by Larry P.
Right: Changing of the guard—Kirby P, incoming President thanks outgoing President, Brian C. Shared by Lucie D.

For more photos, see our 2025 Slideshows on our website!

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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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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 

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.
Victor Hugo, Author

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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. 

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!

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!

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

Our next get together will be on Thursday, April 24 at 6:00 PM and you will receive an invite around April 4. All initial invitations and responses will be facilitated through the Probus website, with actual location invites shared through email by individual hosts approximately 2 weeks in advance of the event. Looking forward to our new activity year. 

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Wednesday, April 16 Springlicious Dinner at Copper Blues Bar & Grill, Blue Mountain Village were sent out on April 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. (Regular price $62.95—now only $39.95). It’s not too late to join us…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:

• Wednesday, April 16 @ 5 PM Dinner - Copper Blues Bar & Grill, Blue Mountain Village 
• Thursday, May 8 @ 5 PM Buffet Dinner – Walter Falls Inn 
• Wednesday, June 18 @ 5 PM Dinner – Mylar & Loretta, Singhampton
• Wednesday, September 17 @ 5 PM Dinner - Williams on 26, Meaford Airport
  

Euchre 1 & Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Monthly tournaments are now being held on the second Tuesday afternoon of each month in the downstairs Great Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. There is ample parking, an elevator and a spacious room. Invitations are sent out on the first of each month.

• Upcoming Tournament: Tuesday, April 8 @ 12:45 PM
• March 11 High Scores :  
• • Euchre 1—Mae F & Mary P
  • Intermediate—Elaine B.

E-bikes & Explorators
Terry Kellar / Anita Dundys

The E-bikes and Explorators cycling group will meet weekly on Mondays again this year. The Recreational Cycling Group may join us for some of our flat rides. Our first ride will be on May 5, starting at Terry and Vicki’s house. We will head around the base of Blue Mountain, onto the Georgian Trail and then return through the Windfall development. Afterward, we will hold a meeting to discuss the upcoming biking season, and coffee and treats will be provided! Information about individual rides will be sent out weekly to all members of the group, including a link to register. Please visit the E-bikes and Explorators Activity Page to sign up for the group and get more details about rides and the schedule.

Hiking
Vicki Kellar

May Start For Hiking: A lot of interest at the Activity Fair translated into over 115 members (so far) signing up for the Hiking Group. You can still join by registering on the Hiking Activity Group webpage. We anticipate starting our weekly hiking schedule the first of May, depending on the weather and if ski season is still operating at Blue Mountain (Yes—as I write this we’re still skiing and had lots of fresh snow overnight!). The hikes vary in duration, pace and difficulty which is described each week in the email invitation. If you are interested in attending a hike, please 'Register' to ensure you receive any updates or cancellations. On some trails we may separate into slower and faster groups to allow for individual preferences. Participants are encouraged to lead their favourite hike and guidelines for leading are found on our Hiking web page. We hope that we can hike weekly until the end of October, with various volunteer leaders and a variety of locations. See you on the trails!

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

I cannot believe what great turnout at our Activity Fair—thanks to all my Ramblers for showing up. We have lots of newbies and I hope to get as many of you out as possible. Our usual day will be Friday, but if it looks like rain then I will move our troop to Thursday, so that we can also include our Ramblers that have issues with Friday.  Watch for our invitations and see you soon.

R.O.M.E.O.'s
John White and Louis Charland

Invitations were sent out on March 31 for our next R.O.M.E.O. gathering  on Wednesday, April 9 at the Williams on 26 Restaurant, located at the Major-General Richard Rohmer Airport (formerly Owen Sound Airport). April 9 marks the 108th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, one of Canada's Greatest Military Victories. Another Great Opportunity to Celebrate Being CANADIAN. Please register if you plan to attend!

Rummikub
Mary Jansen

Our first season of Rummikub ran from the fall of 2024 to April 2025, with our last game to be held on April 28, 2025. We had some members who were familiar with the game and several of who were new to it, but had no trouble picking up the game! Throughout the season, we also introduced a few new games that our members really enjoyed. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, starting in October, we will continue playing Rummikub. In addition, based on the interest shown at the annual Activity Fair, we will be offering other games as well. We hope to see many of you at our tables!

Snowshoeing
Ilene Rushefsky Charland

Our snowshoe season started off strong, with lots of snow in early January. We had a number of different hikes to explore the local scenery. Thanks to all who participated, and especially to those who offered to lead our hikes. We had fun, met a few new friends and enjoyed fresh air and exercise. Enjoy the coming spring.

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

It was great to see so many Legends members at the annual year-end breakfast. There sure was a lot of excitement for next year's ski trips! People were asking for copies of the flyers—so please see the links below and enjoy the remaining ski days for this season!

• St Anton, Austria, February 5 - 14 - View Flyer
• Sun Peaks, BC, February 25 - March 4 - View Flyer

Online Trip Applications will open on Wednesday, May 21 at 6 pm. They will not be available before this time. If you have questions please contact the trip organiser at legendsskitrips@gmail.com. More details will follow soon on the Legends website: https://probusskilegends.ca/

Please note: all participants must be PROBUS members and members of PROBUS Ski Legends for the coming season. Ski Legends Membership for the 2025-2026 season will open in early May 2025.

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All Clubs Bonspiel
Shared by Cheryl Ross

Two teams played two eight-end games each on Saturday, March 15. One team was skipped by Maurice P with Marge A as vice, Dave A as second and Yvonne Z playing lead. This team placed third. The other team was skipped by Ray G in the first game and by Cheryl R in the second game. Other team members were Bruce R, vice, Ann P, second, and Mary J, lead. This team placed sixth. Fun was had by all! Click on the image to see more photos!

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Humour Corner - 10 points to ponder
Shared by Hank Bouwman

1. If a bottle of poison reaches its expiration date, is it more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous? 
2. Which letter is silent in the word "Scent," the S or the C? 
3. Why is there a 'D' in fridge, but not in refrigerator? 
4. The word "swims" upside-down is still "swims"
5. Do twins ever realize that one of them is unplanned? 
6. Every time you clean something, you just make something else dirty. 
7. What is a “free gift"? Aren't all gifts free? 
8. Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it the most never use it. 
9. Over 100 years ago, everyone owned a horse and only the rich had cars. Today everyone has cars and only the rich own horses. 
10. Hard to believe I once had a phone attached to a wall, and when it rang, I picked it up without knowing who was calling.
    

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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 

A hunch is creativity trying to tell you something.
Frank Capra

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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. 

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!

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!

Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

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:

• Wednesday, March 19 @ 12 noon Luncheon – The Dam Pub, Meaford
• Wednesday, April 16 @ 5 pm Dinner - Copper Blues Bar & Grill, Blue Mountain Village 
• Thursday, May 8 @ 5 pm Dinner – Walter Falls Inn
• Wednesday, June 18 @ 5 pm Dinner – Mylar & Loretta, Singhampton
  
  

Euchre 1 & Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Monthly tournaments are now being held on the second Tuesday afternoon of each month in the downstairs Great Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. There is ample parking, an elevator and a spacious room. Invitations are sent out on the first of each month.

• Upcoming Tournament: Tuesday, March 11 @ 1 PM
• High Scores February 11:  Euchre 1 - Chris P.  Intermediate – Marcel F.

Casual Dining With Friends
Sallie Kedwell

Our next Casual Dining event will be on Thursday, March 27 and we’ll return to 'dinners only', to be held at our volunteer hosts homes at 6:00 pm. The Blue Jays 2025 Home Opener is the same date so hopefully we can accommodate the end of the game if necessary! We’ll leave it up to the hosts to change the start time by a half hour or so if that seems like a good idea.

Our January and February mix of same day lunch or dinner get togethers went well and we enjoyed both lunch and dinner events - many thanks to our winter hosts. Hopefully it will have stopped snowing by our March event!! 

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

The Mah Jongg Activity Group will now meet at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 281 on Marsh Street, Clarksburg on the 1st Tuesday of each month and at St George's Anglican Church on Russell St, Clarksburg on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. We are grateful for the use of these facilities and are happy to support these community pillars with a token donation each game day. We play the American version of Mah Jongg, using the National Mah Jongg League's Rules. It is interesting to learn the different "House or Table Rules" that our member's encounter when playing with other local Mah Jongg groups. Other groups play for points and/or money which adds a level of pressure to the game. We still play just for fun! But NMJL Rules Always Trump House or Table Rules. Recently one of our newer members declared Mah Jongg with an extremely difficult Singles and Pairs hand - she was not allowed to take any discarded tiles and could not use any jokers. Congratulations to Jane L. for having the courage to go for it! Stop by our table at the Activity Fair to learn more about this fun game of strategy, skill and luck!

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

Thanks again to my seven brave Ramblers for joining me on Friday, February 21, as we trudged along the sideroads and not-so-cleared sidewalks. Everyone was surprised by how warm they got during our walk. Join us for the next walk around Thornbury Harbour looking for swans!

R.O.M.E.O.'s
John White and Louis Charland

About 20 Retired Outstanding Men had lunch at the Corner Cafe.  It is always nice to see old friends and newcomers. Conversations varied widely but our epic winter seemed to predominate. Our next lunch will be March 12 at the Alphorn Restaurant in Craigleith at noon.

Snowshoeing
Ilene Rushefsky Charland

Our snowshoe outing at Kolapore South was led by Bruce K. Participation was good, and Bruce led us through a lovely trail that he and Val maintain. It was a lovely trek through the woods, with a few ups and downs on the 4+ km trail. Thanks to all who participated, especially to Bruce for leading us.

Recently, a small group enjoyed the Nipissing Ridge trail, just off Grey Rd. 19. This was a more leisurely trek through the woods, alongside a frozen, snow-covered creek. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

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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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In Memoriam

David Plank: David passed away February 18, 2025.  David, along with his wife Beth, has been a member of our PROBUS club since 2001. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Beth and their family.

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The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon

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.

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!

Membership 
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

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!

February Membership Meeting

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!

• Wednesday, February 19 @ 11:30 am Luncheon – The Curly Willow Eatery, Collingwood
• Wednesday, March 19 @ 12 noon Luncheon – The Dam Pub, Meaford
• Wednesday, April 16 @ 5 pm Dinner - Copper Blues Bar & Grill, Blue Mountain Village 
• Thursday, May 8 @ 5 pm Dinner – Walter Falls Inn
• Wednesday, June 18 @ 5 pm Dinner – Mylar & Loretta, Singhampton
  
  

Euchre 1 & Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Monthly tournaments are now being held on the second Tuesday afternoon of each month in the downstairs Great Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. There is ample parking, an elevator and a spacious room. Invitations are sent out on the first of each month.

• Upcoming Tournament: Tuesday, February 11 @ 1 PM
• High Scores January 14:  Euchre 1 - David Z.,  Intermediate – Rod M.
  
  

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

Well, we’re back at it! Welcome to our new members. If you’d like to join our rambling group of incredibly enjoyable walkers, just sign-up for the Ramblers Activity group and you’ll start receiving emails about our latest walks. If you love the outdoors, hiking, great conversations, and plenty of jokes, you’re our kind of people. It can be cold, but if you dress for skiing, you’ll be fine. Looking forward to getting to know all of you Ramblers!

R.O.M.E.O.'s
John White and Louis Charland

We had a good turnout for our January lunch at Studio 87 in Meaford. Sean McMurray joined us and updated us on his father Bill's health. Sadly, our ROMEO leader and friend, Bill McMurray, passed away peacefully on January 18, with family by his side. A celebration of life is planned for the spring. R.O.M.E.O. ("Retired Outstanding Men Eating Out") will continue with John White and Louis Charland as Activity Co-Coordinators. Our next get-together will be on Wednesday, February 12, at the Corner Café in Thornbury.

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

Ski Days: We ski every Tuesday and Wednesday at Blue Mountain from January 7 to March 26.. Meet at 9:30 AM at the Silver Bullet. Stay for lunch on Tuesdays at one of the restaurants in the Village or at the Inn. We also ski at local Private Clubs on Tuesdays throughout the season. The remaining dates are:

• Thursday, February 13, Devil's Glen -  $72 including Tax 
• Thursday, February 27, Osler - $90 plus Tax

Free Social Event: The end-of-season Legends Breakfast is on Wednesday, March 26, 8 - 11 am at Toronto Ski Club (north end of Blue). Come for breakfast and stay for one of our last Wednesday ski days! More details coming soon

Discounts:
Skiis and Biikes - 15% off regular prices on winter soft goods until March 31. Toronto Ski Club - Discounted midweek membership (ski pass not included) Enjoy a private clubhouse experience while skiing or snowboarding midweek at Blue Mountain Resort for a discounted rate of only $299.00 (plus HST) seasonally. The TSC Midweek Membership is a great option for those who are 5x7 passholders at Blue Mountain Resort and want additional comfort and privacy away from the public.

All participants must be PROBUS members as well as members of PROBUS Ski Legends—Legends Membership cost is $50 per year.

Snowshoeing
Ilene Rushefsky Charland

The snowshoe group loves snow, and we’ve been blessed with plenty of it this year! We’ve enjoyed three outings so far: the first at the Beaver River Trail, heading north from Clarksburg, and the second at Clendenan Dam for a moonlight trek. Sandy T. kindly invited everyone back to her home for a potluck dinner after the trek, providing a great opportunity to socialize after the exercise. For our third outing, the group trekked through deep snow and took in the breathtaking views from Raymond and Kath G's property, which overlooks the valley. To top it off, we were treated to warm apple cider and homemade cookies in their cozy home afterward. There are more snowshoe outings planned for the coming weeks, weather permitting. Please keep an eye out for the emails and get out to enjoy the snow!

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! 

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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 February. There is lots to do, even in winter!

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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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In Memoriam

Bill McMurray founder of our R.O.M.E.O. activity group, passed away on January 18. His passing has deeply affected our PROBUS community and we extend our sincere condolences to his family.

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The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon

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.

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. 

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

January Membership Meeting

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!

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

Your Social Committee has been hard at work planning events for 2025, with considerable input from the Social Events Survey that so many of you filled out. Thank you.

• January 12 - Board Games: We are starting the year off with an afternoon Board Games event. It is not too late to register--space is still available!
• February 19 - Sleigh Ride: Last year's Valley Ridge Family Farm sleigh ride was so much fun that we are doing it again! It will be on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 19. Watch your email later this month for the invitation. 

Don't forget to take a look at the Holiday Luncheon photos!

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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

We have 3 trips for 2025 posted on our website for your perusal. Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join.

Please see the flyers for all the details!

• Madeira / Portugal Adventure (April 24 - May 10, 2025) 
• Rideau Canal Cruise (September 6 - 12, 2025)
• Italian Indulgence Tour (October 4 - 16, 2025)  

The 20-24 minimum has almost been achieved for the Portugal / Madeira trip with direct nonstop flights. We just need a  few more passengers so we can commit! Call Gloria at 705-429-9455 for info and booking.

We are also organizing an Agawa fall trip and plan on offering a small group trip in the spring 2026 to Morocco.

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

Now that winter has arrived, those of us who like to play in the snow are getting excited to go skiing, and snowshoeing. Given the recent snowfall, it looks like these activities will start soon, if they haven't already. Activities such as games, book clubs and dining took a break during December, but are now ready to restart. Thanks to all of our volunteers for organizing and/or leading a group. This is what makes our club so successful. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with an established activity group, or start a new one. Contact Ilene if you wish to volunteer. Remember that your PROBUS club is much more fun if you participate!

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

Casual Dining With Friends
Sallie Kedwell

Happy new year to all. Unfortunately our annual holiday cocktail get together planned for December 12 had to be cancelled due to a snowstorm that made travel impossible. However the good news is our first dinner is planned for January 23. With winter weather in mind we will plan simultaneous lunch or dinner choices for the same day and our group members can choose which they prefer to attend and or to host. Invitations will be out on January 6 and we look forward to a catch-up after our December disappointment.

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Wednesday, January 15 Luncheon at Georgian Bay Family Restaurant in Collingwood were sent out on January 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. It’s not too late to join us—just go to the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage to sign up for the group and receive the invitations!

Future Dining Dates:

• Wednesday, January 15 @ 12 noon Luncheon – Georgian Bay Family Restaurant, Collingwood
• Wednesday, February 19 @ 11:30 am Luncheon – The Curly Willow Eatery, Collingwood
• Wednesday, March 19 @ 12 noon Luncheon – The Dam Pub, Meaford
• Wednesday, April 16 @ 5 pm Dinner - Copper Blues Bar & Grill, Blue Mountain Village 
• Thursday, May 8 @ 5 pm Dinner – Walter Falls Inn
• Wednesday, June 18 @ 5 pm Dinner – Mylar & Loretta, Singhampton

Euchre 1 & Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

The monthly tournaments are now playing on the 2nd Tuesday afternoon of the month in the downstairs great hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. Ample parking, elevator available and spacious room. Invitations are sent out on the 1st of each month.

Upcoming Tournament: Tuesday,  January 14 @ 1PM
High Scores: November 12 – David Z, December 5 - Sharon C., Sam F., Rod M.

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

Our members enjoyed a wonderful assortment of holiday treats for our last game day of 2024. Many thanks to Adele for arranging everything. Please note: For January and February, we will meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday (1:30 – 3:30 pm) at St George’s Anglican Church, Clarksburg. March – June locations TBD. Training sessions will resume on January 14, 2025. Location TBD. Join us to learn or improve your game. Click here to see the Mah jongg photo album.

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

Looks like we may not have good enough weather for our Rambles until mid-January.  Weather permitting, we will do a walk on Friday, January 17.  As usual, it will be disclosed in our invite. Remember to wear your winter clothing and boots with good tread and/or ice cleats, as we do walk when it is snowing. Looking forward to a great New Year.  

Rummikub
Mary Jansen, Pat Whittemore

We started this new activity group in mid-September and have had well-attended sessions, which I have enjoyed hosting at my home in Meaford. We started playing by the current rules and scoring, but we decided as a group not to score anymore and just have fun! We also started playing the game by not just laying our tiles down horizontally but vertically in connecting groups. This made the games go faster and more fun! As time goes on, and if there are enough members on the waiting list for a particular date, we have a plan in place where I will contact the members on the list and direct them to another unit in my building where Pat will host!  

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

The ski season has begun! Have you been out yet?
Ski Days: We ski every Tuesday and Wednesday at Blue Mountain from January 7 to March 26.. Meet at 9:30 AM at the Silver Bullet. Stay for lunch on Tuesdays at one of the restaurants in the Village or at the Inn.

• Thursday, January 9, Alpine $78 plus Tax 
• Thursday, January 16, Craigleith $95 including Tax 
• Thursday, January 23, Osler $90 plus Tax 
• Thursday, January 30, Georgian Peaks $80 including Tax 
• Thursday, February 13, Devil's Glen $72 including Tax 
• Thursday, February 27, Osler $90 plus Tax

Discounts:
Skiis and Biikes - 15% off regular prices on winter soft goods until March 31. Toronto Ski Club - Discounted midweek membership (ski pass not included) Enjoy a private clubhouse experience while skiing or snowboarding midweek at Blue Mountain Resort for a discounted rate of only $299.00 (plus HST) seasonally. The TSC Midweek Membership is a great option for those who are 5x7 passholders at Blue Mountain Resort and want additional comfort and privacy away from the public.

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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Humour Corner
Shared by Nancy Dixon

What do you call a petite Mom?  Minimum!

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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 January. There is lots to do, even in winter!

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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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In Memoriam

Ann Smith passed away on November 11, 2024. Our sincere sympathy goes out to her husband, Peter and family.

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The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon

If we were meant to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.  Mark Twain

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Activity Groups: Participate - Volunteer - Have Fun! Convenor: Ilene Rushefsky Charland

Art Group Birding Book Clubs Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Book Exchange Canoeing & Kayaking Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking Cross Country Skiing Cue Sports Cycling Recreational Cycling E-bikes and Others Explorators Cycling Backroads Cycling Country Cruisers Dining Casual Dining With Friends  Cocktails and Nibblies Dining Around Town R.O.M.E.O. Intermediate Euchre Euchre 1  Euchre 2  Money Matters French Club Golf Hiking Mah jongg Nordic Pole Walking Ramblers  Rummikub Ski Legends Snowshoeing Stitch & Bitch Crafts Travel Walking Soccer Please be advised that all events and activities of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club are organized for the benefit and enjoyment of its Members. Individuals who participate do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

President's Message
Brian Cromie

Membership Renewal - New Dates
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

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.

November Membership Meeting

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!

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

Future Dining Dates:

• Wednesday, November 20 @ 12 pm Luncheon – Katherine’s Chateau, Collingwood
• Wednesday, January 15 @ 12 noon Luncheon – The Corner Café, Thornbury

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Upcoming Tournaments:

• 1:00 PM at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury on Tuesday, November 12
• 12:30 PM at St. George’s Church in Clarksburg on Thursday, December 5

High Scores: October 8 – David Z. and  October 17 – Mae F.

Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Upcoming Tournaments:

• 1:00 PM at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury on Tuesday, November 12
• 12:30 PM at St. George’s Church in Clarksburg on Thursday, December 5

Golf Group
Brian Cromie

This year we had great turnouts for our 27 Tuesday morning games at Tomahawk. From the course opening in April to closing at the end of October, we witnessed two holes in one, always an exciting event, much laughter and great fellowship among our golfers. People whom I didn’t know two years ago I can now count as real friends, which is what PROBUS is all about – staying active and making new friends – so we declare our golf activity group this year to have been a real success. Think about joining us next year!

Hiking
Vicki Kellar

Our many Hiking group members, 133 at last count, participated in over 22 hikes during the 2024 season, but everything does come eventually to an end. Highlights this year included Hilt’s, Jones and Hogg’s Falls, a tour of the trails and pond on a member’s property, many lookouts and crevice caves plus several après hike lunches and coffees. Our final hike of 2024 was a first for most of the group: a volunteer from the Kimberley Forest led us up and down the escarpment on several of their many trails on the 850 acre site. Many thanks to Brian for the review of the history, present and possible future, plus some super “forest bathing”. A successful season wouldn’t occur without the participation of many enthusiastic hike leaders and the attendees who make it worthwhile. The Hiking Group offers our sincere appreciation. Don't forget to take a look at the latest Hiking Photos!

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

Instructional Tutorials have resumed for new and existing members of our Mah jongg activity group. These are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month from1:30 - 4:00 pm. Beginners will be introduced to the National Mah Jongg League rules of play and the 2024 playing card. Experienced players are asked to attend so that they will learn our "table rules". You can attend as many future tutorials as needed. Existing members, who are relatively new to the American NMJL rules and/or are absent for more than two months, are encouraged to attend a tutorial session before returning to regular games. Any member who wishes to improve their playing level is welcome to attend the tutorials as well.

Money Matters
Rod Innes

The November meeting will be hosted by Hank Bouwman who has kindly offered to walk us through the creation of his “death book” – a compilation of his family’s financial affairs for use after he has shuffled off. The book will allow easy access to all they and his executors need to know at a trying and emotional time. Such a record is something we should all have. We anticipate many will want to join us for this Money Matters Activity. Look for the invitation in early November. All MMG meetings are held at St. George’s Anglican Church, 1:30 to 3:30, on the 2nd Thursday of the month.

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

After a short hiatus, we are back. Our Ramblers enjoyed a wonderful Saturday at Coffin Ridge Vineyard and Winery October 19. The fall colours were amazing. We enjoyed our walk through the vineyard, the wood-fired pizza and some of us sampled the wine. My favourite is the Pink Cider. We will continue our Ramblers when the weather permits, as l will never make you walk in a blizzard. Thanks to all my Ramblers who have kept me going throughout the year. Hoping to get a group to visit Creemore soon.

Rummikub
Mary Jansen, Pat Whittemore

We started this new activity group in mid-September and have had well-attended sessions, which I have enjoyed hosting at my home in Meaford. We started playing by the current rules and scoring, but we decided as a group not to score anymore and just have fun! We also started playing the game by not just laying our tiles down horizontally but vertically in connecting groups. This made the games go faster and are more fun! As time goes on, and if there are enough members on the waiting list for a particular date, we have a plan in place where I will contact the members on the list and direct them to another unit in my building where Pat will host!  

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

We are counting down until the snow flies and the lifts turn! This just in, details to be confirmed - Special pricing for a midweek membership at Toronto Ski Club for Legends members! Gives you access to the chalet at the North end of Blue, you must still purchase a ski pass at the regular price. Come to our December Social Event (TBC) to find out all the details!

• Sun Peaks BC (7 nights), February 2 - 9. SOLD OUT. If you are still interested in going on this trip, please JOIN THE WAITLIST by completing the application form. You never know when someone may need to cancel.
• Banff/Lake Louise (7 nights), March 2 - 9. Stay in the fabulous Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel! Only 10 spots left! Deadline to register is December 1, after which all unsold space must be released.

For the latest information, download the trip flyers and get the registration links, please check the Legends website: https://probusskilegends.ca/2025 

Ski Days:
We ski every Tuesday and Wednesday at Blue Mountain (meet at 9:30 AM at the Silver Bullet) from January 7 to March 26. Stay for lunch on Tuesdays at different restaurants in the Village and the Inn. We also ski at the local Private Clubs on 6 Thursdays throughout the season.

• Thursday, January 9, Alpine $78 Plus Tax 
• Thursday, January 16, Craigleith $95 Including Tax 
• Thursday, January 23, Osler $90 Plus Tax 
• Thursday, January 30, Georgian Peaks $80 including Tax 
• Thursday, February 13, Devil's Glen $72 including Tax 
• Thursday, February 27, Osler $90 Plus Tax
  

Social Event: December 4: Skiis and Biikes Wine & Cheese Shopping Spree

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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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 November. There is lots to do, now that Autumn 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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In Memoriam

Ward Fowler passed away on Monday, September 30, 2024. Our condolences to his wife, Lou and family.

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The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon

The farther back you look, the farther forward you are likely to see.
Winston Churchill

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Activity Groups: Participate - Volunteer - Have Fun! Convenor: Ilene Rushefsky Charland

Art Group Birding Book Clubs Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Book Exchange Canoeing & Kayaking Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking Cross Country Skiing Cue Sports Cycling Recreational Cycling E-bikes and Others Explorators Cycling Backroads Cycling Country Cruisers Dining Casual Dining With Friends  Cocktails and Nibblies Dining Around Town R.O.M.E.O. Intermediate Euchre Euchre 1  Euchre 2  Money Matters French Club Golf Hiking Mah jongg Nordic Pole Walking Ramblers  Rummikub Ski Legends Snowshoeing Stitch & Bitch Crafts Travel Walking Soccer Please be advised that all events and activities of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club are organized for the benefit and enjoyment of its Members. Individuals who participate do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

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.

Membership Renewal - New Dates
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

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..

October Membership Meeting

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!

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!

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

Save the Dates:

• Tuesday, October 15: Fall Colors Car Rally - SOLD OUT
• Friday, November 8: Bowling, Georgian Bowl, Collingwood
• Thursday, November 21: Board Games Night, Christ Church, Meaford
• Tuesday, December 10: Annual Holiday Luncheon, Alpine Ski Club

Social Committee: Your new Social Committee has been hard at work, already planning new events for next year! They are looking for input from you—so be on the lookout for surveys in October and November. 

Summer Picnic Feedback Survey
Last year's picnic at Alpine was our third in a row. Attendance was a little lower than in prior years, so we are now looking at alternatives. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey and give us your thoughts!

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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

We have 3 new trips for 2025 posted on our website for your perusal. Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join.

Please see the flyers for all the details!

• Madeira / Portugal Adventure (April 24 - May 10, 2025) 
• Rideau Canal Cruise (September 6- 12, 2025)
• Italian Indulgence Tour (October 4-16, 2025)

We need at least 20 people from the Georgian Bay PROBUS Clubs to join the group trip to Portugal and Madeira, by mid December in order to proceed. The trip has a very comprehensive itinerary and the airline will be a direct charter flight.  

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

Our PROBUS members have been enjoying a variety of activities this summer—both outdoors and indoors. We are so fortunate to have the lake, rivers and the escarpment to play in. Although some of these activities are coming to an end, we look forward to fall, with new experiences and the beautiful changing colours of the leaves. Enjoy the activities this autumn season brings!

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

Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking
Liz Goodall / Karen Thompson

The Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking activity group had an adventurous season. We explored Isaac Lake, Boat Lake, part of the Rankin River, the Fishing Islands, Sauble River, Saugeen River, Hines Lake, Robson Lake, Clarkes Lake and the Beaver River. Every outing provided new scenery, challenges and friendships. Check out the Challenging Canoeing& Kayaking slideshow to see some photos from a fun season!

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Monday, October 7 Turkey Dinner at 5 pm at Marilyn’s Restaurant were sent out on September 23 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. Invitations for our October 16 dinner at 5 pm at The Huron Club will be sent out on October 8. It’s not too late to join us—just go to the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage to sign up.

Future Dining Dates:

• Monday, October 7 @ 5 pm Special Family Style Thanksgiving Dinner – Marilynne, Markdale
• Wednesday, October 16 @ 5 pm Dinner - The Huron Club, Collingwood
• Wednesday, November 20 @ 12 pm Luncheon – Katherine’s Chateau, Collingwood
• Wednesday, January 15 @ 12 noon Luncheon – The Corner Café, Thornbury

R.O.M.E.O
Bill McMurray

Our next R.O.M.E.O. gathering will be held on Wednesday, October 9 @ 12:00 pm at The Port Tavern in Thornbury. Please respond to the invitation that was sent out last week to register.

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Upcoming Tournaments at 1:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury: Tuesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 17. 
High Scores:
September 10 – George C. 56 points in 56 hands
September 19 – Hank B. 43 points in 48 hands

Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Upcoming Tournaments at 1:00 pm. at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury: Tuesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 17
High Score: September 10 - Joan W. 40 points in 48 hands

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

Instructional Tutorials have resumed for new and existing members of our Mah jongg activity group. These are held the 2nd Tuesday of each month from1:30 - 4:00 pm. Beginners will be introduced to the National Mah Jongg League rules of play and the 2024 playing card. Experienced players are asked to attend so that they will learn our "table rules". You can attend as many future tutorials as needed. Existing members, who are relatively new to the American NMJL rules and/or are absent for more than two months, are encouraged to attend a tutorial session before returning to regular games. Any member who wishes to improve their playing level is welcome to attend the tutorials as well.

Money Matters
Rod Innes

The Money Matters group continues to meet monthly, to discuss a broad range of money matters, all featuring helpful information for managing this important ingredient in our lives. In September, we discussed whether having a financial advisor is necessary, what can be expected from one and what our obligations to him or her are, for their advice to be most helpful. We also discussed what to look for in a financial advisor – fee-based or free; profit based or non-profit and much more. It was a very lively meeting! Our next meeting is October 10. It is not too late to join us—just go to the Money Matters activity page and sign-up! You’ll be most welcome!

Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin

The 2025 Legends Ski Trips are selling fast: 

• Sun Peaks BC (7 nights), February 2 - 9. SOLD OUT, except space for 1 male sharing with another male already registered. Deadline to register is October 12. If you are still interested in going on this trip, please JOIN THE WAITLIST by completing the application form. You never know when someone may need to cancel.
• Banff/Lake Louise (7 nights), March 2 - 9. Stay in the fabulous Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel! Only 10 spots left! Deadline to register is December 1, after which all unsold space must be released.

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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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 October. There is lots to do, now that Autumn 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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In Memoriam

Thomas Paech: Tom passed away on September 19. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife Yvonne and family.

Ann Cox: Dr. Felicity C. 'Ann' Cox passed away on September 24. We offer our sincere condolences to Ann's family.

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The Last Word
Shared by Hank Bouwman

“The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us.” Bill Watterson

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Activity Groups: Participate - Volunteer - Have Fun! Convenor: Ilene Rushefsky Charland

Art Group Birding Book Clubs Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Book Exchange Canoeing & Kayaking Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking Cross Country Skiing Cue Sports Cycling Recreational Cycling E-bikes and Others Explorators Cycling Backroads Cycling Country Cruisers Dining Casual Dining With Friends  Cocktails and Nibblies Dining Around Town R.O.M.E.O. Intermediate Euchre Euchre 1  Euchre 2  Money Matters French Club Golf Hiking Mah jongg Nordic Pole Walking Ramblers  Rummikub Ski Legends Snowshoeing Stitch & Bitch Crafts Travel Walking Soccer Please be advised that all events and activities of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club are organized for the benefit and enjoyment of its Members. Individuals who participate do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.

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.

Membership
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

September Membership Meeting

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

Title: "The Kitchen"

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Social Events 
Don Collins-Williams

October 15: Fall Colours Car Rally—SAVE THE DATE:
We are having a Car Rally, on Tuesday, October 15 (rain date October 18) You will be taking a roughly 90-minute leisurely drive (it is not a race) through the backroads of The Blue Mountains. Hopefully, we will have a beautiful sunny day, and the fall colours will be at their peak. After the rally, we will have a social get-together with prizes, and food and drink, at a location to be finalized. We will be able to have up to 20 cars participate, with a minimum of 2 people per car (one to concentrate on driving and one to give the directions, and look for the answers to all of the questions that you will be given). You can have as many as 5 people per vehicle (all PROBUS members please). So if you would like to join us, think ahead as to whom you will have in your car, so that you are ready to register when the invitation comes out later in September.

September 12: John Sheard Homeward Bound Concert, Meaford Hall
If you did not pick up your tickets at our June meeting already, I will be at the Hall a half hour before the show, so you can get your tickets from me then.

Event 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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Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

The Newfoundland trip in May was a great success. All the passengers loved it! The Norway program is about to commence. Now, we have 3 new trips for 2025 posted on our website for your perusal. Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join.

Please see the flyers for all the details!

• Madeira / Portugal Adventure (April 24 - May 10, 2025) 
• Rideau Canal Cruise (September 6- 12, 2025)
• Italian Indulgence Tour (October 4-16, 2025)

We hope for at least 20 people from the  Georgian Bay PROBUS Clubs to join the group trip to Portugal and Madeira, April 24 to May 10, 2025. We need commitments by mid-December to proceed. The airline will be a direct charter flight. It is a very comprehensive itinerary. 

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Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland 

It is hard to believe that summer is coming to a close, but there are many warm weather activities happening for the next few weeks. Members have been outdoors, cycling, walking, hiking, canoeing, golfing, playing soccer. As well, they have enjoyed games afternoons, and evenings, a variety of dining options, and interesting discussions about money and books. As you read through the details from the activity groups you will get a better ideas of the scope and variety of activities our PROBUS group offers. It’s never too late to join in a group. Have fun, participate, and make new friends! 

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

Canoeing & Kayaking
Kirby Philp, Lucie Desjardins, Glen Downey

We have had another fun year on the water with several great paddles including the Beaver River, Lake Eugenia, Notawasaga River, Bells Lake and the Sauble River. There have been several new members that have joined our group this year and we have really enjoyed the comradery, beautiful nature and the post paddle picnic lunches. One more paddle will be scheduled for September 25 and we hope you can join us.

Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking
Liz Goodall / Karen Thompson

The challenging canoeing and kayaking group has been out and about in Grey Bruce. Isaac Lake, Boat Lake, Fishing Islands, Saugeen River, Hines Lake, Robson Lake and the Beaver River. On each outing, we have had a small but enthusiastic group. We learned about removal of invasive Phragmites (grass) in Georgian Bay near the Fishing Islands from workers inspecting their success. Three people swam in the Beaver River, unintentionally. We bumped along over rocks and swifts on the Saugeen River. We slipped in and out of rivers on mud and ate lunch on the side of the water and occasionally had to run from rain. Along the way, we have seen turtles, herons, cormorants and kingfishers. There will be one more outing in September. Stay tuned for details.

Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell, Shellie Smith

We enjoyed two very pleasant pot luck picnics in July and August thanks to our charming hosts the Zettler’s and the Churchill's. The weather cooperated and both events were well attended. Fall is on the cusp and we’re now ready to embark on our fall, winter, spring routine of smaller monthly group dinners to be held at our generous member's homes. We will need hosts for all of the upcoming events, except December and look forward to our members eagerly taking their turns at hosting. We meet on the fourth Thursday of each month with the only exception being December when a total group cocktail party will be held on an earlier Thursday of the month. Looking ahead do save the date December 12 for the cocktail event. Looking forward to crossing paths with many of you over the next few months.

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Wednesday, September 18 Buffet Dinner at 5 pm at Walter Falls Inn were sent out on September 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. It’s not too late to join us--just go to the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage to sign up.

Future Dining Dates:

• Wednesday, September 18 @ 5 pm Buffet Dinner – Walter Falls Inn
• Monday, October 7 @ 5 pm Special Family Style Thanksgiving Dinner – Marilynne, Markdale
• Wednesday, October 16 @ 5 pm Dinner - The Huron Club, Collingwood
• Wednesday, November 20 @ 12 pm Luncheon – Katherine’s Chateau, Collingwood

R.O.M.E.O
Bill McMurray

Our next R.O.M.E.O. gathering will be held on Wednesday, September 11 at 12:00 pm at The Red Door in Meaford.

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Upcoming Tournaments: Tuesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 19 at 1:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury

Summer Tournament Winning Scores:
June 11 – Beth W. 57 points in 56 hands played
June 20 – Vicki K. 54 points in 56 hands played
July 9 – George B. & John W. 42 points in 48 hands played
July 25 – Pamela S. 48 points in 56 hands played
August 13 – Mae F. 50 points in 56 hands played 

Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Upcoming Tournaments: Tuesday, September 10 and Thursday, September 19 at 1:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury:
Summer Tournament Winning Scores:
June 11 – Ray G. 40 points in 48 hands played, Ruthann N. 43 points in 48 hands played
June 20 – Elaine B. 45 points in 56 hands played
July 9 – Bev. J. 35 points in 40 hands played
July 25 – Laurie W. 31 points in 40 hands played
Aug. 13 – Elaine B. 41 points in 40 hands played
August 15 – Hank B. 44 in 56 hands played

Mah jongg
Judy Smith

Our group continued to play Mah Jongg throughout the summer, despite many members with travel plans. The Mah Jongg Group has grown in numbers and skill level since we created this activity group in 2023. Now, we often need 3+ tables of play on our game days, making it difficult to arrange to play in members’ homes. Some tables can play more than four games in an afternoon, as opposed to the 1-2 in our first months of meeting. Members can now be overheard explaining their strategies and giving friendly advice to newcomers. Laughter has always been part of our game days!

Going forward, we will meet on the 1st Tuesday of each month in a member's home. (Volunteers, who have space for 3+ tables, will be arranged.) On the 3rd Tuesday of the month, we will meet at St George's Anglican Church in Clarksburg, which has a lovely room that can accommodate up to 5 tables of play. (Players are asked to make a $2 donation to the church in exchange for using the facility.) New members are always welcome. Introductory lessons will be available on the 2nd Tuesday of each month as needed; location TBD.

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

We have been enjoying lots of walks this summer.  We even witnessed a great Sycamore trimming at the Clendenan Dam area and a talk by Tobias Ellinger, Tree Specialist.  We are looking forward to our fall trek to Coffin Ridge Winery, which will be planned for a Saturday so that our Ramblers can enjoy their favourite Pizzas at the same time as the fall colours.

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

The Recreational Cycling group has organized 12 sessions this season. We have cycled the Tay Shore Trail near Midland, a route around Leith in Owen Sound, Clearview Rail Trail from Nottawa to Stayner, trails around Collingwood and Wasaga Beach and quiet roads to various beaches in The Town of Blue Mountains. Our registrants have enjoyed lunches at the Leeky Canoe in Meaford and the Boathouse Eatery in Midland. We have had the pleasure of socializing in Ilene's and Mary Ann's homes with offerings of muffins, cookies, coffee/cold drinks as well as an opportunity for a swim in the Collins-Williams' pool! All-in-all it has been a fun season and we have plans for a couple of rides in September.

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 4 spots left, plus 1 male roommate needed. Deadline to register is October 12
• Banff/Lake Louise (7 nights), March 2 - 9. Stay in the fabulous Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel! Only 10 spots left! Deadline to register is December 1

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.

Walking Soccer
Nancy Dixon

Thanks to all my walking soccer participants.  Believe it or not we are actually playing a good game. Scoring is increasing at an accelerated pace, but we have finally got it. All are welcome. Our season will close by Thanksgiving. Those of you wishing to be part of the draft for next year, please let me know.

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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 September. There is lots to do, now that Autumn 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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In Memoriam

Diane Parkin: Diane passed away June 6, 2024. Our deepest sympathies go out to her spouse Glen Downey and family.

Marg Eldergill: Marg was one of our founding members. Our sincere condolences to her family.

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The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon

'The real great man is the man who makes every man feel great.'
Author G.K. Chesterton

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Activity Groups: Participate - Volunteer - Have Fun! Convenor: Ilene Rushefsky Charland

Art Group Birding Book Clubs Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Book Exchange Canoeing & Kayaking Challenging Canoeing & Kayaking Cross Country Skiing Cue Sports Cycling Recreational Cycling E-bikes and Others Explorators Cycling Backroads Cycling Country Cruisers Dining Casual Dining With Friends  Cocktails and Nibblies Dining Around Town R.O.M.E.O. Intermediate Euchre Euchre 1  Euchre 2  Money Matters French Club Golf Hiking Mah jongg Nordic Pole Walking Ramblers  Rummikub Ski Legends Snowshoeing Stitch & Bitch Crafts Travel Walking Soccer Please be advised that all events and activities of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club are organized for the benefit and enjoyment of its Members. Individuals who participate do so at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety.