President's Message
Caroline Bacher
Dear Members,
Happy New Year! While we get used to printing 2021, we are all looking forward to a better year ahead. The COVID-19 vaccines are on their way to give us hope.
We are very excited that 2021 is our 20th Anniversary year! You can read the article from our 20th Anniversary Committee further down in this newsletter. The committee is already pursuing a few ideas and would really welcome suggestions from all of our members regarding ways that we can celebrate this important milestone throughout the year!
Your Probus club made the change to Virtual Meetings to adhere to the provincial and town regulations and will continue meeting through Zoom, until it is safe to meet in-person again. The Beaver Valley Probus Club was among some of the very first clubs to use Zoom to hold meetings, and our technical team is now assisting other Probus Clubs in the country to do the same.
In February, we will hold our AGM. You will be receiving an email regarding the new way of presenting our reports. Even though the majority of the management team members are remaining in their posts for another term, some have decided to step down as they have been doing their jobs for over three years now. It is time to let someone new step in. There are still a few positions open. We do need new members to join the team to assist us, even though we are meeting virtually. Please see the Nominating Committee’s announcement in this newsletter.
We are all looking forward to the day when we can meet in-person again to enjoy the many activities that Probus offers. Until then, stay safe and enjoy the great outdoors!
Sincerely,
Caroline Bacher
Membership Renewal
Vicki and Terry Kellar
Renewal Deadline: January 14
Our membership drive for 2021 is quickly drawing to a close. The management team is very pleased that almost 95% of our members have renewed already, however there are still a number of you that we have yet to hear from. If you have any questions or need log-in help, please contact one of our renewal team members listed below. They can even take your credit card information over the phone and complete your renewal on the spot.
In 2020, we have tried to accommodate the restrictions presented by the Covid virus by moving to virtual meetings which include guest speakers each month. Our activities that follow provincial guidelines are continuing. We have updated our website which allows us to process secure, no-contact, online renewal payments. And finally, we also reduced the renewal fee by 50%.
To renew, click the Renew your membership button below to log in. Have your password and credit card handy! (If you have forgotten your password, click here.)
If you are not renewing, we ask that you also please let us know via email at bvpcmembership@gmail.com
Best Wishes for a Healthy & Happy 2021.
Our Speakers on January 26
Carolynn and Sylvia Wilson
Preservation and Recognition of the Importance of Canadian Black History
Although we are not meeting in-person at the Community Center in January due to COVID-19, Carolynn and Sylvia Wilson, will give their presentation online.
Please check your emails in January a couple of days before the meeting date, for the link to join our Zoom meeting. (Pre-registration is not required).
Carolynn and Sylvia Wilson operate the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum located in Clarksburg on the former Nazarene Church Campground.
Sylvia and Carolynn's family represent seven generations and reside in Collingwood. They along with other descendants promote cultural awareness and inclusivity. Their forefathers purchased property in Collingwood, erected a church and established several Black settlements in our area. This past year in 2020 they celebrated the 150th Anniversary of their church. Their objectives are to preserve and recognize the importance of Canadian Black history.
Questions? Please contact:
Heather Buscher (Zoom information)
Ann Parsons (Speaker information)
Speaker Recordings:
Don't forget to check out our past speakers on our YouTube channel.
Beaver Valley Probus Club 20th Anniversary 2001-2021
The year 2020 was very challenging for a lot of people and there wasn’t much in the way of good news. Well, that is about to change in 2021, as the BEAVER VALLEY PROBUS CLUB will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary and would like to celebrate this milestone throughout 2021.
We have established a 20-year Anniversary Committee to kick-off this special event and they commenced meeting in December to start the planning process. One of our goals is to recognize many of the 75 active founding members that helped start our club in 2001. We are in the process of contacting those members to request a short bio and photograph that we will feature in our monthly newsletters and on our website.
We would welcome your ideas on how we can celebrate this special milestone in 2021 and ask you to contact any of the 4 members listed below with any suggestions!
Hank Bouwman, Committee Chair.
Vicki Kellar
Martin Buscher
Stella Zahradnik
Our Founding Members
At this time when we are preparing to celebrate our twentieth anniversary, it is fitting to acknowledge the contribution of our founding members, whose energy and enthusiasm resulted in the formation of the Beaver Valley Probus Club.
Each month we will feature several of our founding members. The anniversary committee is in the process of trying to contact all of our current founding members, but it turns out our membership database records are not perfect. If you are one of original members that joined the club in 2001 - we want to hear from you! Please contact Hank Bouwman, Anniversary Committee Chair, to submit your bio.
This month we feature Perry Hoadley, Herbert Quickert and John Dick.
Please click here to access their photo and bio! (Members-only) you must login to view!
Photo Corner
Winter 2020-21 Slideshow
Joanne S took this wonderful photo of Meaford Harbour on Christmas day. For more photos shared by our members, see our new Winter Slideshow!
Please keep your videos, photos & ideas coming!
(Email Heather Buscher).
Trivia Contest
Nancy Dixon 
Congratulations to the winner Hank Bouwman, who was the first to answer all the questions correctly. Honorable mentions go to Judy Grinton and Barbara Reynolds!
Here are the answers to the Holiday Trivia Contest!
- Which Christmas Word means "turning of the sun"?
A: Yuletide (only 3 members chose the answer we were looking for, Solstice is not technically a Christmas word!)
- What is the date of "Twelfth Night"?
A: January 5th (79% answered correctly)
- Whose eyes were made of coal?
A: Frosty the Snowman (75% answered correctly)
- Name the "other" reindeer.
A: Olive (25% answered correctly. Also accepted Oliver and "All of")
- Food cooked in oil commemorates the use of Hanukkah oil. What are latkes?
A: Potato Pancakes (100% answered correctly)
- In the tradition of Kwanzaa, how many nights are celebrated?
A: 7. (57% answered correctly)
Thanks to everyone who participated!
Activity Groups Update
Winter Walkers
Nancy Dixon
The Winter Walkers group had their last walk of the year on Thursday, November 26th. It was a nice day with a good turnout for our walk around Craigleith. Our walks will resume when the lockdown is lifted. Please check the Winter Walkers Activity webpage to see the latest photos in our slideshow, and the date of the upcoming walks when they resume.
Ski Legends
Louise Armstrong
As there are frequent changes in public health and provincial directions regarding downhill skiing, please refer to the Ski Legends website, probusskilegends.ca, for the most up-to-date information. Hopefully we will be skiing before the end of January.
Hiking
Cynthia Sampson
People have been inquiring about the Probus Hiking Group. Our outings came to an abrupt halt last spring, but it’s now a New Year and time to start looking forward to the new hiking season. It really won’t be all that long until spring is upon us again and our group can reconnect and get back out onto our beautiful local trails. Further details to come later.
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 January!
BVPC Management Committee Openings
Our Probus Club is alive and well and we seem to be getting used to online meetings. We still have openings on our Management Committee for 2021 – how about trying it out and joining us! The following positions are still open:
Please contact Marion Stewart, Martin Buscher, or Sandra Whitehead for details.
Fun with words
Shared by
Bob Hann
An email was going around recently referencing the "Washington Post's Mensa Invitational", which apparently invites readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supplying a new definition.
Here are some extracts from the winners:
- Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.
- Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.
- Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
- Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
- Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
Below are some entries, where readers were asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.
- Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.
- Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.
- Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.
- Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.
- Negligent, adj. Absentmindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.
In Memoriam
Norma Kornelson from Thornbury passed away in late November 2020. Along with her husband Glen, she was a founding member of the Club and known for her ready smile.
Sharon Black passed away on Dec 15. She and her husband Al were previous BVPC members who joined in 2002 and were very active in the Club and on the Management Board for many years. Sharon was key in setting up our first web site, producing the newsletter and leading many hikes.
Support Group
Do you know of a member who needs encouragement to get through a difficult period? Please do not hesitate to call on Lynn Corrigan or any of the management team.
The Last Word
Marion Stewart, Past President
"Don't let yesterday take up too much of today.”
Anon
Grapevine Team
| Editor |
Chris Rickard |
| Photography |
Cheryl Besley |
| Distribution |
Nancy Dixon |
| Website |
Nancy Dixon, Heather Buscher |
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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