President's Message
After more than two, long years of living in some form of isolation or other, nearly 70 of us managed to gather again in the Beaver Valley Community Centre to hold our April meeting. We were joined online by another 20. We still wanted to be careful, though, so everyone kept wearing their masks. We had plenty of chairs set out so that it was easy to keep our distances. We didn't dare serve coffee and cookies, yet, for fear of having members come too close to each other with their masks off.
For a while it's going to be some version of a Texas 2-Step line dance, although I'm hopeful that it's going to be 2 steps forward and, maybe, 1 step back! Judging by the friendly boos I received for tricking the audience with a brain teaser, I'd say we're well on the road to recovering our old lives! It was also a wonderful gesture by the President of PROBUS CANADA, Bob MacNair, to visit with us on the occasion of our 20-year club anniversary. Our very own Bruce Ross then educated us on the topic of depression and on his personal experience with the disease. It would have been an even more uplifting talk if it wasn't for the subpar sound quality in the hall. Chalk that one off as that 1 step back, but we'll address it for our next meetings. Hope y'all can come!
May Membership Meeting - May 17 @ 1:00 PM
Guest Speaker: Robert Burcher
Topic: John Muir's Local Connection
Location: Beaver Valley Community Centre, Thornbury
Registration: Online Registration is required. Please click the Yes button in the email sent on May 3, or register here. We can only accommodate 150 members—so please register today!
Since COVID cases are increasing in our area, registration will be checked at the door and masks must be worn at all times. Refreshments will not be served at this meeting.
Robert Burcher: In 1990, Robert found an abandoned plaque at the Epping Lookout south of Meaford describing the fact that John Muir had once lived in this area. Robert's discovery has led to a 32-year search for everything pertaining to the life of the famous American naturalist and why he was living in Meaford for two years!
The result of this search culminated in the writing of a book called My Summer of Glorious Freedom about John Muir wandering around southern Ontario in 1864. Robert is a fifth generation Grey County descendant. He is a photographer, writer and storyteller. Currently he is working with the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy to revitalize the trails of the Bighead River valley of Meaford where Muir lived.
Questions? Please contact:
Nancy Dixon: Meeting registration help
Brenda Rudolf or Kirby Philp: Speaker information
Membership
Please Wear Your Name Badge! It’s very hard to remember everyone’s name. Our Club has nearly 600 members...many we haven’t seen in over 2 years...in the hall where we are wearing masks...with our memories that are not necessarily improving with time!
White vs Blue Badges….Members have white badges. Management team members have blue badges. If you are at a meeting and have a question, you can ask anyone with a blue badge. If you are a new member you can pick up your name badge at the May in-person meeting at the Community Centre.
Kathy Mercer / Pam Weaver
Membership Co-Chairs
King’s Wharf Theatre Event
This July 27th show at King’s Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene is almost sold out. Contact Vicki Kellar for the last ticket or Join the Wait List for potential additional tickets.
Questions? Please contact:
Vicki Kellar
Avro Arrow Museum Tour
On
Thursday May 12, 2022, we have arranged a tour of the Avro Arrow Museum, east of Stayner. It sold out in a couple of hours. As many of you will be aware, the Avro Arrow, was a supersonic interceptor aircraft designed and built in Canada in the mid to late 1950's.
Due the tremendous response to the first tour date in May, we have now secured a second tour date on Thursday June 16. Priority registration goes to those who were waitlisted for the first tour—but look for another email invitation with more detail on May 9, when we open up the remaining spots to the rest of our Club!
Don Collins-Williams, Social Convenor
Stella Zahradnik, Assistant Social Convenor
Golf Tournament
We would like to announce that we are planning to hold a Golf Tournament this year in September. The date and location will be confirmed in the June Grapevine.
If anyone is interested in helping out at this year’s golf tournament please contact Kirby Philp. Stay tuned for further details and start working on your game.
| COVID-19 Notice |
| Members need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to attend any club events, meetings, and activities. |
| All members are expected to use the Province’s self-assessment tool and only participate in activities or events if the outcome of that assessment shows no need for self-isolation. |
| Face masks are to be worn indoors, except when eating or drinking. |
| Members attending events at the Beaver Valley Community Centre are required to follow the municipality’s health restrictions. |
| Activity Leaders no longer need to submit a plan on how they address these COVID restrictions. Activity Leaders may turn to Convenors for advice and assistance. |
Activity Group Update
Colleen Wilson-Dick
The best way to meet new people and make new friends, plus participating in an activity that you enjoy, is to join an activity group. If you haven’t already signed up for activities which interest you, we encourage you to do so soon. This way you will receive emails about coming events, and then participate as you feel comfortable.
We have had suggestions to form new groups for
golf, choir and
photography. If you are interested in such activities, please let us know, and indicate if you are willing to be a group leader or co-leader. Please respond to
Colleen Wilson-Dick, Activity Convenor.
Computer Group
Martin Buscher
There it was, our first in-person meeting in ages. I'm not sure that it was a very efficient learning experience, but that's not why we meet, is it? We had a good time and, I for one, learned stuff! For example, did you know that by pressing the iPhone 'home button' you can issue voice commands like "Who's on first?" The answer: correct! Bet you knew that already! We'll do another in-person meeting again on May 25 at 2 PM.
Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman
Our April 13 luncheon at Al Carbon had 45 people sign up. Unfortunately, we had a fair number of cancellations, but those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the meal and fellowship. We plan to book some more luncheons next winter.
Upcoming Sessions: We have a 5 PM dinner reservation on May 18 at Georgian Bay Family Restaurant in Collingwood for a 3-course meal for a terrific price of $23.00 plus tax & gratuity.
Save the date: Wednesday September 21 at 5 PM, in the Banquet room at the Walter Falls Inn. You must be a member of the Dining Around Town Activity Group to receive the invitations and attend!
Casual Dining With Friends
Sallie Kedwell, Shellie Smith, Eileen Scott
The results of the survey are in! The members of the Dining With Friends and Casual Dining Activity Groups voted overwhelmingly to consolidate and are now known as Casual Dining With Friends.
For now, the group will meet on the fourth Thursday of the month, and hosts will supply the dishes. The host will select, prepare and serve the main course and each guest will be asked to bring an appetizer, a salad, a vegetable dish or a dessert sufficient to serve the group in attendance. The participating guests are fully able to choose their own contribution to the meal, no specific theme will be in place. If you wish to join the new group, just respond to the email invitation sent on May 2, or click here to register for the group online. Our first get together will be May 26.
Hiking
Cynthia Sampson / Ilene Rushefsky Charland
We eagerly anticipate the first hike of the season on May 3. Vicki has volunteered to take us to the West Collingwood loop. Thanks to Vicki for giving us the chance to meet with friends, view early blooms and take a walk on the boardwalk. Would you like to lead a hike? contact Cynthia Sampson if you wish to volunteer.
Ramblers
Nancy Dixon
The Ramblers will meet on Friday, May 6 at Bayview Park for a walk along the Georgian Trail. Then we have our next excursion to Keady Market on Tuesday, May 10, to enjoy the sights, sounds and aromas—not to mention food—while walking around looking for bedding plants and deals we must not miss. Watch for the invitation email with directions and details about where to meet. You must be signed up for the Ramblers Activity Group to receive the emails!
Support Group
Mary Ann Collins-Williams, Maureen LaLonde and
Lucie Desjardins
If you, or another BVPC member you know of, is having a difficult time and would benefit from receiving a card or a call from our team, please contact one of us. We would be happy to follow up and/or get in touch. We have also posted a Community Support Reference Guide on the Support Group activity page, which lists many of the resources that are available locally. Please take a look!
Photo Corner
Submitted by Lucie Desjardins
Don't forget to take a look at other photos shared by our members this month!
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 May.
The Last Word
Shared by Bruce Ross
Don’t look back, you’re not going that way!
Mary Engelbreit
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| 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