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.
Welcome to our 9 new members who joined us effective August 1, 2024. Most quickly and enthusiastically jumped into the flow of activities already in process! Name badges for these new members will be available for pickup at the Membership table during the September meeting. Also, members who have ordered replacement badges can pick them up as well.
Hear how Mr. Ota has researched the kitchens of many famous people in the pursuit of the ultimate kitchen! John Ota is all about food, architecture and history. He is the author of “The Kitchen”, the best-selling book about his journey through history in search of the perfect design. “The Kitchen” book was a finalist for the 2021 Paris Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in the Design Category and was a finalist for the 2021 Taste Canada Awards. John has degrees from the University of Toronto and the Schools of Architecture at Columbia University and the University of British Columbia. He has worked in architecture offices in Toronto, New York and Vancouver. John has chaired the awards committee of the Ontario Association of Architects, served on the Toronto Historical Board and been a guest critic at the Toronto Metropolitan University School of Architecture.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Beaver Valley Probus Club