Beaver Valley Probus Club

Grapevine January 2022

January 12, 2022 1:02 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

President's Message
Caroline Bacher

Dear Members,

Happy New Year, 2022. I hope that you have had a safe and happy Holiday Season.

Who would have thought that we would be going into our third year of this terrible pandemic? We all wish to have had better news. Nevertheless, we will continue to do our best to keep you all connected through our newsletters, emails and interesting speakers at our scheduled General Meetings via Zoom. Don’t forget to visit our website as it is continually being updated.

There have been a few changes in our yearly schedule that you should note.  At our February meeting we will introduce our New Members and host a modified online Activity Fair.  We will have some Activity Leaders showcase the various activities that our Club offers and then highlight how to sign-up for the various groups via our website. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is scheduled for March 22. 

Please see the announcement in the Activities section of the newsletter regarding the status of the activities offered by our Club. It is of the utmost importance that we keep each other safe.

In the meantime, “Keep Calm and Carry On!”

Sincerely,
Caroline Bacher

Membership Renewals
Pam Weaver and Kathy Mercer

A big thank you to all our members who have renewed already. Over 97% of our members have renewed—but the January 8 deadline has passed and we still have a dozen members we haven't heard from!

If you haven’t renewed yet, please give us a call with your credit card handy, so we confirm your 2022 membership—or let us know if you won't be renewing. This year we have over 40 people waiting to become new members—almost double that of last year!

Pam Weaver / Kathy Mercer 
bvpcmembership@gmail.com


Activity Groups Update:

Ilene Rushefsky Charland
Colleen Wilson-Dick

We hope that all of you enjoyed a nice holiday season, though it may not have been what you expected a few months ago. Omicron, the new Covid variant, impacted many plans with friends and family everywhere.

Given that this virus is extremely contagious, and that even fully vaccinated people are getting sick, the executive has decided to suspend all indoor activities of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club until further notice. Outdoor activities may continue—subject to provincial guidelines, and Activity Leader comfort level.

We wish you a safe and healthy 2022.

Computer Group
Martin Buscher

We were so looking forward to holding our January meeting in person, but Omicron thought otherwise. Instead but with added enthusiasm, we are going to be on Zoom on the 26th at 2 PM to discuss Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain. Maybe we can figure out together what all that ballyhoo is about. If you are interested to join us then make sure that you are registered for the Computer Group so that you get the email with Zoom details (link to registration).

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

We will start Ramblers up again—likely in February.  Please don't be disappointed and continue to get outside, as you have been doing! Heather and I want our walks to be safe, so watch for our event email when provincial restrictions ease up.

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Following 5 successful dinners at 4 different restaurants, we are once again on hold—hopefully, just a temporary reset for a month…or two! We managed to book the following restaurants in 2021 with number of participants shown in brackets:

  • August 19 – Mylar & Lorettas (34) 
  • September 23 - Ted’s Range Road Diner (29) 
  • October 19 – The Curly Willow (24) 
  • November 2 – The Curly Willow (24) 
  • November 17 – The Orchid Restaurant (35) 
We had a luncheon planned for January and February but will need to delay that until—well—stay tuned for further updates!

Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson

Well, Scotland May 2022 is not looking too promising for a rerun. Omicron arrived so fast and so different that it is impossible to say what is next. The decision whether to hold this trip will be made in a few weeks…

Ski Legends
Louise Armstrong

Please check the PROBUS Ski Legends website www.probusskilegends.ca, for information about current activities, ski days at Blue Mountain and the local private ski clubs. Ski Legends members will receive regular updates via email if planned activities change. Please note that proof of vaccination will be required at the private ski clubs.

Our Speaker on January 25, 2022 @2 PM

Chris Vaughan - aka "AstroGeoGuy" is an award-winning astronomer with a talent for explaining the cosmos to anyone - during his dynamic and fascinating presentations, or touring guests out under the stars.

Please join us via Zoom! Check your email the day before the meeting for the Zoom link.

Take a tour of the winter sky with astronomer Chris Vaughan! Using sky simulation software, Chris will point out what you can see with your unaided eyes on a crisp and clear night. He will include some delights to see with binoculars and backyard telescopes, such as the famous Seven Sisters Cluster, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Great Orion Nebula. Chris will also highlight some celestial events to mark on your calendars. He operates the David Dunlap Observatory's 74" telescope, volunteers for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, hosts The Insider's Guide to the Galaxy on YouTube and visits schools and private parties with his portable Digital Starlab planetarium.  Visit his blog at www.AstroGeo.ca for more information.

Questions? Please contact:
Brenda Rudolf or Beverly Forget (Speaker info)
Cary Eagleson or Martin Buscher (Technical Zoom info)

Recipe Corner 

Maple Syrup Pie - shared by Lucie Desjardins

Lucie shared this recipe for Maple Syrup Pie from RicardoCuisine.com. Lucie says, “This is a family favourite. It is quite sweet, and I personally like it with a little bit of unsweetened cream on top. A real treat for the holiday season!” Click on the image to see the full recipe!

Lucie's Favourite Bird Cake - also shared by Lucie Desjardins

  • 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 
  • 2 cups quick cooking oats
  • 2 cups cornmeal
  • 2 cups of animal fat (Tenderflake)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1-2 cups shelled bird seeds / peanuts

Melt the lard and peanut butter on low heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Mix well.

Pour the mixture into a resealable container. Allow it to cool and store in a cool dry place.

Humour Corner

"Two Different Doctors" - shared by Susan Jones Hughson

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint… Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement.

The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day and has a time booked for surgery the following week.

The SECOND sees his family doctor after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week and finally has his surgery scheduled for 6 months from then.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?

The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.
The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.

Next time take me to a vet! 

"Happy New Year 2022" - shared by Vicki Kellar

"Do the job right the first time" - shared by Hank Bouwman


Friendship -  shared by Pam Weaver


Photo Corner

Don't forget to check out the new photos shared by our members this month! Click on the "Winter Wonderland" image on the left, shared by Vicki Kellar, to see the latest in our "Winter Slideshow 2021-22".

If you have taken any photos during PROBUS activities or captured any winter scenes that you would like to share, please send them to Heather Buscher

The Master Gardener’s Corner

Our Master Gardener's Corner by John Hethrington, Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario, has moved online. Look for the Gardening Tips on our web Homepage (scroll down on the right-hand side) or click here to see what you need to be doing in your garden in January!

In Memoriam

John Corrigan - John passed away December 27 after a short illness. He was very active as a volunteer in the community, and had been a PROBUS member since 2003. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife of 55 years Lynn, and family.

John Schuster - John passed away after a short illness on December 30. He was a noted carpenter and cabinet maker and was still actively building things. Sincere sympathies to his family and partner Ingrid Richmond.

The Last Word
Marion Stewart, Past President

Because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more.
Anonymous

Activity Groups:    Participate - Volunteer - Have Fun!

Co-Convenors: Colleen Wilson-Dick | Ilene Rushefsky Charland

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.


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Beaver Valley PROBUS Club

Box 144, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0

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