Beaver Valley Probus Club

President's Message
Ilene Rushefsky Charland

As I sit here watching the rain, I am wondering, "what is happening to our weather?" Skiers are miserable, non-skiers are soggy, and sun worshippers might be happy, depending on their location. Here's hoping for a more normal January.

We have exciting plans for PROBUS members this winter. Our social calendar is full, activities such as dining and games are in full swing and hopefully snow sports will start soon.

Thanks to all who volunteer their time and expertise to organize all of the wonderful events we have come to love as part of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club.

Sincere best wishes for a happy, healthy and joyful new year with family and friends. Ilene

---

Membership Renewal Deadline: January 15
Pam Weaver & Kathy Mercer

For some reason, Membership Renewals have been painfully slow this year—we are far behind previous years. To those that have already renewed—thank you! To those who haven't—please renew today! And if you are not going to renew, please let us know! We have over 70 people wanting to join! 

We won't be calling to remind you this year—we simply don't have enough volunteers to phone such a large number of people. If you need help, please contact us at membership@beavervalleyprobus.com. 

---

Volunteers Needed
Martin Buscher, Past President

Our wonderful volunteers on our management committee are looking for an infusion of energy and talent! While they would like to keep all the fun to themselves, they are willing to share it with a few members ready to get to work. In particular, we are looking for a Vice President next year! If you might be interested, please contact me, or any of the management committee to learn more about the role!

---

January Meeting - Tuesday Jan 23 @ 1:00 PM

Please register if you plan to attend this meeting—so that we have enough chairs and coffee for everyone!

Date: Tuesday, January 23
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM
Speaker: Todd Kaufman
Title: Managing Anxiety

Todd Kaufman is a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in anxiety. Long associated with the University of Toronto, his practice is now primarily virtual, based out of his recently renovated cottage, now home, near Thornbury.  Over the years, Todd developed a therapeutic process to help end panic attacks and reduce the negative effects of anxiety/worry. He is the author of a book entitled: ’TRANSFORMING ANXIETY—From Hot Mess to Superpower.’

Todd has taught medical care professionals and social workers globally through keynote lectures, workshops and virtual opportunities. He promises to provide us with an engaging, fun and truly practical experience aimed at helping us all to worry less and learn to experience our retirement with joy and gratitude.

50/50 Draw: Mary L. and Mary Ann C. shared in the $92 pot at our November 28 speaker meeting. Our 50/50 tickets are on sale at the beginning of each monthly meeting and during the first break. See Elaine and Hank Bouwman at the table at the back of the room!

Book Exchange:
The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright from 2014 or later. 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 - Social Convenor

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Holiday Luncheon, and made it such a success. We are heading into our 2024 Social Calendar, with plenty on offer!

January 24 - Valley Ridge Farm Sleigh Ride: We will start our season with a winter sleigh ride (assuming that we finally get some snow!) at the Valley Ridge Family Farm. Look for the invitation sent out on  January 3. We can accommodate 30 people, but if the limit is reached, please put your name on the waitlist, as we could try to get a second date if there is strong interest.

February 13 - Any Dream Will Do: The music of Andrew Lloyd Webber is sold out with 71 members registered. But again, if you would still be interested in attending, please join the waitlist, as we often get a few late cancellations.

January 20 -  JS Bach's Long Walk in the Snow: Theatre Collingwood is putting on this event and is offering PROBUS members $5.00 off the price of a ticket. Our club is not organizing a group outing, but if you are interested, you can purchase tickets online or by phone from the theatre, using the promo code "PROBUS5".

Watch the Grapevine and your email for notification of additional events, and as always, any suggestions for other potential outings are welcome!

---

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

Once again we are returning to the King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene—this time to experience The Totally rad '80s Musical "Rock of Ages." Fans of ’80s arena hard rock music will dig this awesomely hilarious musical comedy that wails with big chords, big hair … and an even bigger heart.

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

With only 42 spots available for our Club tickets will go fast! Look for the invitation to come out on January 10.

---

Georgian PROBUS Travel Club
Gloria Thompson

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

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

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

---

Activity Groups Update

Most Activity Group sign-ups are still open!

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

Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell

Our group celebrated the holiday season with a delightful cocktail get together at the lovely country home of Sandy and Al Tulloch on December 14. It is always great fun when we can meet as a group in one venue and we enjoyed an evening of joviality with 40 members.

We’re trying something new in January and possibly February. Several of our regulars have shared concern about evening driving in snowy weather so we’re going to try a blend of luncheon and dinner events all on the same date of January 25. Our members will respond to our invitation indicating a preference for attendance at either 12 noon for lunch or 6:00 pm for dinner. We will require hosts for both with those volunteering indicating a preference to host either a luncheon or a dinner meal. If this works out well we’ll do the same format in February. Change is always interesting so let’s hope it’s successful. Happy New Year to all and see you on the January 25!

Computer Group
Martin Buscher

This month, the Computer Group will meet on Thursday, January 25 at 2 PM to share their tips and tricks for using iPhones and iPads. Example: how to share a shopping list so that multiple people can let the shopper know what they need from the store. Please watch for the email invitation to join the session!

Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman

Invitations for our Wednesday January 17 Luncheon at Amici Restaurant in Meaford 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 page and click on the Activity Group Sign-up button. The November 21 Curly Willow luncheon proved to be a hit as we had 16 people on the Waitlist, so we booked a 2nd date on November 29. 

R.O.M.E.O
Bill McMurray

Our next luncheon will be on Wednesday, January 10 @ 11:30 AM at the Mill Cafe in Thornbury. Look for the email invitation sent out on January 3, for the restaurant details and to RSVP. **Please note the earlier start time of 11:30 AM** which is at the request of the cafe.

Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Our next Euchre 1 tournament will be on Tuesday January 9 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury. Our November 14 Euchre 1 event was enjoyed by 24 member (6 tables) with Steve D. & Mary P. hosting us at The Far Hills Clubhouse. David Z. & Hank B. earned top spots after playing 7 games. On December 12 Euchre 1 had a delicious Christmas potluck snack luncheon with 18 members participating prior to playing euchre. Hank B. claimed top spot after 6 games.

Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman

Members that previously started out last April playing “Introduction to Euchre” have now graduated to a new Activity Group called “Intermediate Euchre” ! They will play on the same date and place as the Euchre 1 members, but in a separate group. We have reserved The Far Hills Clubhouse for the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1 – 4 pm. On December 14, Intermediate Euchre enjoyed a delicious Christmas potluck snack luncheon with 15 members participating prior to playing euchre. Elaine B. claimed top spot after 5 games. Our next Intermediate Euchre tournament will be on Tuesday January 9 at 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm at The Far Hills Clubhouse in Thornbury.

Ramblers
Nancy Dixon

Hello Ramblers. Praying for snow and wishing for great weather for walking. My, my, my what a conundrum, we have—I am planning that we do both! I will arrange our walks for the afternoon, which will allow our skiers to get a few runs in in the morning. As we will have some competition with the new sports activities below, I will be arranging our walks for the winter according to the weather and ski conditions. Look for our first walk the week of January 8 through to January 12. More news to follow.

Cross Country Skiing
Glen Downey

This is a new activity group this year! We plan to go out bi-weekly, and hope to have our first outing on January 25—snow permitting. Click on the Cross Country Activity page for more information. Sign-up now to get notified when outings are planned!

Snowshoeing
Ilene Rushefsky Charland

The snowshoeing group will also resume this season. We plan to alternate weeks with the Cross Country Skiing group. We hope to begin in late January when there is enough snow. Click on the Snowshoeing Activity page for more details. Sign-up now to get notified when the sessions begin!

“When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.” 
Ronald Reagan