Beaver Valley Probus Club

President's Message

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the Club and made my year as President so meaningful. It is hard to believe that the year is over, and the baton will be handed to your new President Caroline Bacher in a few days.

Your Club has been very busy this year. Our Constitution and Bylaws have been revisited, and some revisions are up for ratification at the Annual General Meeting later this month.

The Club’s purpose: to promote the enjoyment of our Members - our structure is designed with this in mind. We are now in the process of preparing a new website. This will enable electronic transfer of funds (no more cheques????) and you will be able to sign up, review and take note of each event and activity right online. We are looking to make it easier for the activity leaders and event coordinators – more time to have fun. Again, this is a process and we are cognizant of the fact that some members still like the “paper” feel.

One of my goals over the year has been to ensure that new members, especially those that are a little reticent, get to participate and feel more comfortable. We had a very successful new members lunch with lots of questions, and when time came for the Activities Fair, they had an idea of what was in store on that busy day. We also initiated a Lunch & Chat event, where you sat with different people over lunch. A great way to get to know someone new. The feedback was very positive and perhaps this can be an annual occasion.

I do not want to go on and on, however, this is your Club. There is something to do for everyone – friendships are made that are so important to keep us feeling young and vibrant. Thank you for a great year and I look forward to sitting on your Board, this time as Past President.

Marion Stewart

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of Members of the Beaver Valley Probus Club will be held at the Beaver Valley Community Centre, Victoria and Alfred Streets, Thornbury at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the 25th day of February, 2020. The following is the slate of nominees proposed by the Nominating Committee for election as officers for the ensuing year: Caroline Bacher, President;                                      Martin Buscher, Vice President Pam Weaver, Nancy Seppala, Co-Secretaries Kathy Eagleson, Treasurer Prior to the meeting, a complimentary light lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. for those members who have notified Stella Zahradnik prior to February 18th that they wish to attend.

Activity Group Updates

Georgian Probus Travel Group (Gloria Thompson)

• Highland and Islands of Scotland: May 9-24, 2020. Some space has opened up for new bookings, please call Gloria at 705-429-9455.
• Portugal and Madeira: May 2021. This trip will be a 2 week program. For information or to register please call Gloria at 705-429-9455.
• Croatia: Sept 12-26, 2021. The first week, Sept 12-19 will be a tour to explore the interior.  The second week, Sept 19-26 is a bike and boat trip along the coast. Regular or e-bikes will be available to rent.  For questions or registration, please call Jacqui at  647-404-9380.

Dining Around Town (Hank Bouwman)

• Wednesday, February 12 - The Grey Restaurant in Thornbury
• Thursday, March 12 - The Mill Café in Thornbury
• Wednesday April 15 - Nathaniel’s in Owen Sound
• Wednesday May 13 & 20 - Justin’s Oven in Kimberley June  – TBA
• Thursday, September 10- The Falls Inn in Walter’s Falls

Ski Legends (Louise Armstrong)

Probus Ski Legends is in full gear having had 3 social events and 3 ski days at the private clubs. Three more ski days are planned (see dates below).  The website, www.probusskilegends.ca, has the most up-to-date information on events, ski trips, as well as the application form to join Ski Legends. Basic memberships are $30.

Ski Day every Tuesday at Blue: You don’t have to ski alone. Legends members will meet Tuesday mornings BY 9:30 at the bottom of the Silver Bullet chair. Look for the Legends’ sticker on helmets and skis (silver snowflake on a white circle) and either a red or orange ski jacket. The group decides if they want to stop for coffee or continue to ski and some stay to have lunch together at a different restaurant each week. 

Ski Days at the private clubs: You will receive a $10.00 rebate when you purchase a lift ticket (this rebate does not apply to exchange or reciprocal passes) as well as a $5.00 voucher for coffee and muffin.

• Alpine – Thursday February 13
• Osler Bluff – Thursday February 20
• Georgian Peaks – Wednesday March 18

Ski Trips: 

• Sun Peaks, February 29 – March 4, is SOLD OUT. To have your name placed on the wait list, go to the Ski Legends website/ Ski Trips to find the trip leader contact
• For 2021- trip to the Dolomites in Italy confirmed for January 2021. Please go to the Ski Legends website to get all the information regarding itinerary, costs and application. As of January 31, there were only 5 spaces remaining.

More information will be available through the season by ongoing emails to members, from your Probus representative and from the website, www.probusskilegends.ca.

Bridge Anyone?

Do we have any members who would like to get together to play bridge? If so, perhaps a new activity group can be launched! If you are interested in coordinating a bridge group for the club or simply joining in, contact Rick Leclair, Activities Convenor. (contact info in Membership Directory). 

In Memoriam

• Beverley Zwingenberger, a member since 2003, died in December 2019
• Jean Leishman, a member since 2017, died January 14, 2020
• Wendy Butt, a member since 2017, died early in January 2020

Activities Fair (Rick Leclair)

The 2020 Beaver Valley Probus Club Activities Fair takes place on Tuesday April 28th at the Beaver Valley Community Centre from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. This is a great opportunity to sign up to participate in one or many of the activities available to club members, as well as share any interest you may have in possible new activities. Activity Coordinators for each of the groups will be on site and available to answer any questions you may have about each activity. A listing of the current activities available can be found in your copy of the 2020 Membership Directory (available soon) or on our web site: www.beavervalleyprobus.com. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Activities Fair! 

Our speaker on February 25

Eleonore Eaves - Executive director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Though having only joined Big Brothers Big Sisters at the start of the year, Eleonore's extensive experience has enabled her to lead the way to exciting growth. Her diverse background over the past two decades started with her graduate studies in the UK, followed by positions with renowned institutions such as London School of Economics. Upon her return to Canada, she took positions in both the public and private sector, wherein she acquired best practices from various organizations to develop her management style. She strongly believes in the importance of mentoring services, and is passionate about child welfare. As such, she is excited to merge her skills with her passion as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters team, helping generations of young people realize their full potential.

Save the Planet!

Remember to bring your own mug for coffee/tea break! Let’s reduce the amount of non-recyclable paper cups at the meetings.

50/50 Draw

Congratulations to George Baker and Joan Uglow, the winners at the January 28th meeting! 

Membership report (Vicki & Terry Kellar, Chairs)

On February 1, 2020, we mark our 19th year as a club.  With nearly 600 members, we continue to have a stable, yet dynamic mix of active participants.  Nearly 10% of our Members have been here from the beginning in 2001! 

And now we are pleased to welcome 42 new Members from across the area!   New faces, new spirit, and new ideas….. this is what helps make us a successful organization.  Please take a moment to welcome our new Members at Club events! (They can be identified by a special sticker on their Probus name badges).

From Blue Mountains Sarah Andrews Sara Larson Janice Martin & Brian Walker Donald & Mary Ann CollinsWilliams   From Clarksburg Nancy & John Rheaume Susan & Roger Short Martin Tekela Elana Bacher   From Flesherton Scott & Laurie Moore

From Meaford Christine Ellinger John & Rosemary Kamler Brian Kellett Jeanne Lightheart-Johnson Lynn Sandbrook Allan Rudolf Liz & Steve Lyons Joelle Adelson Joanne Steele   From Ravenna Judy Grinton & Michael Clifford

From Thornbury Shauna Lathe & Ian Finlayson Karen Cronin Brenley Crawford Adele Denyer Jane Dykstra Patricia Griggs Lynn & Tom Horlor Mary & Bruce Livingston Ed Korhonen Brian Carle Shannon Lynn Taylor Bredge Watson

Annual Golf Tournament

Golf for 2020 at Shelburne is booked for Monday June,15, 2020.  The price is around $72, which includes coffee and sweats before the game, 18 holes with cart followed by lunch and prizes.

The Master Gardener’s Corner

Things to do in your garden each month taken from the Ontario Master Gardener Calendar by  John Hethrington, Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario. For more information, or your copy of the 11” x 17” calendar of the full year’s tips for a $1 contribution to Master Gardeners, call 519-599-5846.

February 2020:

• With one January freeze/thaw already this winter, mound up all the available snow and any new snow that falls, around tender plants like roses. If you have a few bows from your Christmas tree, put them over tender plants to catch the snow. It is the freeze/thaw that kills plants, not just the cold.
• Start planning your garden projects for 2019. Make a list, so you will know what you did not get done when you look at it in June. I have mine done and I am tired already. A garden is never finished!
• Start propagating stem cuttings of geraniums, fuchsias, etc. by the end of the month.
• Plant slow germinating seeds inside, like impatiens, peppers, eggplants, etc.
• As the weather warms, start pruning shade trees, fruit trees and shrubs, if you can get to them through the snow. Leave trees that “bleed” like maples and birch until after they have leaves.
• Visit local nursery greenhouses to smell the coming spring. Stop by the Garden Gallery just west of Barrie on Hwy 91 on the way to Angus, and inhale.
• Check the dates for annual garden shows like Canada Blooms: Mar 13 - 27 at the Enercare Centre at the CNE. Early Bird Tickets $17, $14 for Seniors. Go to www.candablooms.com.
• Pat Brookings, owner of Annan Way Nurseries, is again running a bus tour to Canada Blooms, Wednesday March 18, $98 including Bus, Blooms Entrance & Mandarin Dinner on the way home. Pick-ups at Owen Sound, Chatsworth, Markdale & Flesherton. More Info call Pat 519-376-9444.
• Paul Zammit is coming back to Thornbury, Thursday April 9 at 7 pm to talk about perennials at a joint 599 Garden Club /Probus Club presentation. 

Stratford 2020 (Stella Zahradnik)

Come and enjoy Monty Python's Spamalot at the Avon Theatre on Wednesday October 21, 2:00pm matinee. The cost is $121 which includes theatre, bus and lunch at Anna Mae's in Millbank. This trip is fully subscribed, but a waitlist has been started.

Ideas for new trips?

I am open to receiving any suggestions from members for out of town trips/events etc.  Please contact Stella Zahradnik

Wanted: photos

We would like to refresh our current roster of photos which are used at our monthly meetings as background for our national anthem.  If you have some we could use, please forward them to Cary Eagleson.

Support Group (Lynn Corrigan)

Do you know of a member who needs encouragement to get through a difficult period? Please do not hesitate to call on the following, or any of the management team:

• February: Louise Lamont
• March: Phyllis Thomas
• April: Sandy Macaulay

The Last Word

One’s philosophy is not expressed in words...it is expressed in the choices we make...and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.

Eleanor Roosevelt (submitted by Past-President Pat Wright)