President's Message
Kirby Philp
October was a memorable month for Beaver Valley Probus as we celebrated Probus Month and our 25th Grand Finale at Meaford Hall. The event brought members together for an afternoon of fellowship, entertainment, and recognition of the volunteers and founding members who have helped make our club such a success. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this special celebration. As we move into November, I encourage members to attend the Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11 at the Thornbury Cenotaph as we honour those who served. We also look forward to our Holiday Luncheon on December 1 at the Bear Estate, where another enjoyable gathering awaits. Enjoy the beauty of the fall season, and I look forward to seeing you at our next General Meeting on November 24.
Watch for our Press Release in our local news sources: The Review, The Meaford Independent and Collingwood Today.
25th Anniversary Committee
Jane Andrew
On behalf of the 25th Anniversary organizing committee for Beaver Valley PROBUS, I want to thank all our wonderful members for joining the celebration and making it so much fun! The April Pizza Party kicked things off, and the Grand Finale at Meaford Hall on October 22nd was truly unforgettable. We loved seeing everyone clap, sing, and dance along with Duelling Pianos Niagara while enjoying tasty treats from Sheardown Catering. Thank you for showing up with such great energy, and for all the kind emails and comments we have received. So very much appreciated. On a personal note, I would like to thank
Hank Bouwman, Don Collins-Williams, Brian Cromie, Kirby Philp, Denise Rand, and
Pam Weaver—what a dream team! Here’s to 25 amazing years of fellowship, friendship and fun, Beaver Valley PROBUS Club! Cheers-and thanks!
Click here to view the commemorative photo album
Membership Meeting - Tuesday, November 24
Denise Rand / Melany Franklin
We look forward to seeing you at our next monthly meeting at the Beaver Valley Community Centre.
Date: November 24, 2026
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM
Speaker: John Amone
Topic: Canada, Canadians and the Beatles
John Arnone’s two great loves are Canada and The Beatles. He will be sharing details from his new book, "Canada, Canadians and The Beatles". He wants the world to know that the story of The Beatles is the story of Canada and Canadians, with connections to every province of the country. "Canada, Canadians and The Beatles" is the culmination of five years of research and writing. In it, Arnone reveals a treasured piece of our history in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. Arnone has been a die-hard fan of The Beatles since the age of 9 when he first heard Let It Be. He holds a journalism degree and is retired from a 35-year career in newspapers and magazines but mostly in the corporate world.
Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange Table
Elaine Bouwman / Rita Melzer
Enjoy doing puzzles? We have started up a jigsaw puzzle exchange table at our monthly member speaker meetings. Bring 1 or 2 jigsaw puzzles and exchange them at the back of the room. Puzzles must be 100% complete with no missing pieces.
Remembrance Day Service - November 11
We welcome members to attend the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Thornbury Cenotaph, November 11 @ 10:45 AM in Jack Acres Park. A wreath will be laid on behalf of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club.
Probus Canada 40th Anniversary
Probus Canada will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2027. More details will be shared in the months ahead.
Anniversary Merchandise: One of the first and most requested initiatives is an online store featuring anniversary-branded merchandise. Probus Canada has partnered with Canadian entrepreneur Ladybug Designs to offer logoed items with free shipping on orders over $100. It might be a good idea to partner up with a Probus buddy or two. New items might be added periodically. To shop on-line, please visit: 40th Anniversary Merchandise
Celebration Video: PROBUS CANADA is creating a celebratory video and are inviting all club members to submit photos of members engaged in PROBUS activities — whether it’s a hike, a lunch, outings, interest groups, social events, a trip, a game, or any other club event.
For more details or to participate, please visit: 40th Anniversary Photo Contest
Membership
Brian Cromie/Pam Weaver
Membership Renewal: Membership renewal is just around the corner! In early December, all members will be asked to renew to continue enjoying the benefits, events, activities, and connections of the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club. Watch for the renewal notice on December 1. The deadline to renew is December 15. We look forward to another great year ahead and glad you’re part of our community!
Can't Find your Name Badge? Please let us know. We may have it or we can send you instructions on how to purchase a new one! Please be sure to wear your name badge—it is often used as your admission ticket and it helps everyone to put a name to a familiar face!
PROBUS Canada Group Insurance
PROBUS Canada has teamed up with national insurance providers to offer plans for Probus members. For detailed information, please visit the respective pages on the PROBUS Canada website.
Social Events - Save the Dates
Don Collins-Williams
Sunday, November 8: There are still a few spots available for the Murder Mystery & Potluck Dinner.
Tuesday, December 1: Registration is now open for our annual Holiday Luncheon at the beautiful Bear Estate. The registration deadline is November 16, after which you may join the waitlist in case of cancellations. Don't delay! As the final major event of our 25th Anniversary year, the luncheon will feature some special touches to conclude the celebration.
Sunday, December 6: Our final event of the year is André Rieu's Let It Snow Holiday Concert at the Galaxy Theatre. An additional 20 tickets were secured after the initial sellout, but these are nearly gone as well. A waitlist will remain available for any last-minute cancellations.
Your Social Committee will meet late November to begin planning next winter's and spring events.
Georgian Probus Travel Club
Gloria Thompson
Your Travel Group Coordinators are hard at work! Stay tuned for more exciting trips and keep us in mind when you are planning your next travel excursion... Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join our trips.
Making future travel plans? Check the GPTG website first!
Upcoming Trips:
Activity Groups
Ilene Rushefsky Charland
With the cooler weather, some activities have finished for the season, however, there are still many ways to keep busy. You can still go for a walk with both the Pole Walking group and Ramblers. play euchre, bid euchre or Mahjongg. Opportunities to meet new friends, socialize and enjoy a nice meal with others are all part of what we love about being a member of Probus. The next few months are a very busy time; enjoy, have fun and stay safe. In the next Grapevine we hope to be reading about snow and winter activities.
*NEW*: When signing up for an activity group you will now see that you MUST login in to register. This change is necessary to ensure that only members of BVPC can register for activities.
Here is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!
Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell
We did not hold a dinner in the month of October as the date coincided with the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club Anniversary Celebration. Our next regular dinner event will be on November 26 and you will receive an invitation on or about November 9. Our annual holiday cocktail party will be held on December 10 and you can expect an invite on or about Dec. 1. Please record those two upcoming dates in your calendar and we’ll look forward to seeing you in November and December. Enjoy this lovely fall weather.
Dining Around Town (DAT)—Activity Leader Needed
Hank Bouwman
Looking to get more involved? We have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! Hank has advised us that he will be stepping down as DAT leader at the end of November, following 7 years of leading this group. He is prepared to assist someone to ensure a smooth transition. The job can be shared by 1 or 2 people. Please contact Hank if you are interested.
Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman
The Euchre 1 monthly tournament will be held on Tuesday, November 10 at 12:45 PM in the downstairs great hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. Invitations are sent out on the 1st of every month. You must register on-line for the Euchre 1 Activity and pay $10.00 / person to help pay for the hall rental and euchre tables if you have not already done so. The fee covers the October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 period. High Scores in October: Brent H.
Bid Euchre
Mary Jansen
We have started off this season with the first few sessions being played with a lot of enthusiasm and fun. Some players are new to the game and have come along well. Our experienced players are willing to share some of their strategies in playing the game with the new players. All sessions were booked fully with some players on the waiting list. We are looking forward to this season of fun and social atmosphere.
G.L.E.A.M.
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Beth White
We had a delicious lunch in the cozy Brunello at 27 on Fourth in October. Our next luncheon, on November 18th, is at the Falls Inn at Walter"s Falls. We are not scheduling a December lunch. The New Year will usher in another series of social gatherings at different restaurants on the third Wednesday of the month.
Golf
Brian Cromie
The Probus Golf Group wrapped up its season October 27 at Tomahawk GC after 22 Tuesday outings. Highlights included strong participation, new friendships, plenty of laughter, and two holes-in-one. Tuesday golf at Tomahawk will continue next year, and all Probus golfers are welcome to join!
Click to see the group photo and this year's winner of our golf group's annual Tomahawk Invitational!
Hiking
Vicki Kellar
Our hiking season ended on a high note, literally, with the Eagle’s Summit hike on October 28. The post-hike social at Kimberley Café was a close contender, but the dramatic cliffs and scenic views stole the show. With mostly cooperative weather, we explored trails from Devil’s Glen to Silent Valley, often followed by coffee or lunch together. Twenty-three hikes were led by dedicated volunteers, whose efforts were greatly appreciated. Highlights included Beth Gilhespy’s guided geology tour near Rocklyn Creek with lunch at the Inn at Walters Falls, and a September outing on Charlene and Brian’s beautiful 100-acre property, followed by a potluck lunch on their spacious deck. While every hike offered something special, the crevice caves at Nottawasaga Lookout remain my personal favourite. We continue to enjoy this remarkable region in every season and look forward to seeing you on the trails, or the ski runs, soon. And don't forget to see the photos of our latest hikes: Hiking Group 2026 Slideshow
Hiking Down a Notch
Glen Downey / Ilene Rushefsky Charland
The new hiking programme met its goals of offering a more relaxed hiking experience for members seeking a more conservative walking pace due to age, fitness level or ambulatory issues. Of the 22 hikes proposed we were able to complete 17 given weather conditions. Next year will encompass many of the same hikes with a couple dropped and a few added.
Mahjongg
Judy Smith
There are two opportunities for Beginner’s Lessons in Mah Jongg in November. Please reach out to Judy if you'd like to join.
- Tuesday, November 10, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
- Wednesday, November 18, 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Ramblers
Nancy Dixon
What an amazing walk we had on Friday, October 30 at the Lora Bay Golf Course. I was so pleased to see many of our Ramblers back. We walked, talked and got to see the most beautiful scenery. Conversations abounded, I didn't even have to tell one of my bad jokes to get things going or did I? We plan to walk throughout the fall and the winter. Only snow storms and ice storms will stop us.
R.O.M.E.O.
John White / Louis Charland
The last 2026 ROMEO lunch will be Wednesday November 18 ( a week later than usual due to Remembrance Day) at Tilly’s by the Bay. Watch your inbox for the upcoming Invitation!
If you would like to receive all the invitations to our 'Retired Outstanding Men Eating Out' group, please sign up on the R.O.M.E.O. Activity Page!
Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin
The ski season is not far away!
- The Dolomites, Italy, February 18 - 28, 2027, Alpenhotel Plaza. This trip is a SOLD OUT! If you would like to join the waitlist in case of a cancellation, please complete the form. You will be contacted if space becomes available.
- Sun Peaks, BC, March 7 - 14, 2027, Sun Peaks Grand. We already have a great group signed up, and just a few rooms remain. Don't delay or you may miss out! Booking Deadline extended to October 15, 2026 or earlier when all space is sold out!
For the latest information, check the Legends website:
https://probusskilegends.ca/2027
The Legends Group Ikon Pass is still available until December 1, 2026. Sun Peaks and our planned Europe trip are both Ikon destinations. Contact me for more details.
All participants must be PROBUS members and members of PROBUS Ski Legends:
https://probusskilegends.ca/membership/
Membership cost is $50 per year.
Humour Corner
Shared by Nancy Dixon
Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.
Emma Bombeck
Photo Corner
Lucie Desjardins
"Rustic barn in the Beaver Valley, surrounded by beautiful fall colours in the crisp morning light!"
For other recent photos please check out our 2026 Slideshows!
In Memorium
Charmane Evenson, passed away on October 13, 2026. We send our sincere condolences to her husband Lindsay and family.
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 Paul S. Dixon
Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.
Will Rogers
Newsletter Team
Lucie Desjardins / Nancy Dixon / Heather Buscher
If you have any recent activity photos, recipes, jokes or any other ideas for our newsletter, please send them to: grapevine@beavervalleyprobus.com
Beaver Valley Probus Club