President's Message
Caroline Bacher
Dear Members,
Happy Autumn! This is one of the favourite seasons for some of us, as we watch the leaves on the trees change colour. By Thanksgiving, or after the first frost, the trees are dressed in all of their splendour. I never tire of taking photos of these scenes whenever I can. Please remember to send in your wonderful photos to our Website Coordinator, Heather Buscher.
We have had our first Probus all-member event recently. On September 29, we visited the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum in Clarksburg. It was a beautiful sunny, warm autumn day and every member who was able to join this trip enjoyed the myriad of exhibits displayed in the two large buildings. There is also a forest walk where one can view smaller buildings containing even more items and furniture from this by-gone era. I thank Nancy Dixon, Heather Buscher and Don Collins-Williams for organizing this wonderful day.
We had our first Zoom meeting of the season on September 28, with an informative presentation from Brooke Harrison who spoke to us on behalf of “Georgian Bay Forever”, a charity which studies pollutants and water levels on Georgian Bay. If you missed this presentation you will find the recording on our website.
As we transition into cooler weather, some activities that are held indoors are requesting permission to resume. If you are a member of one or more of these groups please continue to follow the guidelines established by the Ontario and local health authorities to keep yourself and others safe; that is, wear a mask, keep your distance from others, and sanitize your hands.
In closing, I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
Caroline Bacher
Our Speaker on October 26 @ 2 PM
Speaker: Christine Ibbotson "Ask the Money Lady"
Christine is a Canadian Finance Coach with over 27 years’ experience in banking and financing.
She is a certified financial planner, chartered investment manager, insurance broker, estate and tax planner, mortgage lender and commercial broker.
Christine has a degree in Economics and Finance from McMaster University and has written 4 Canadian finance books, and is a syndicated columnist with a weekly column in 630 newspapers across Canada.
She has a radio show broadcasted across 243 radio stations, called “Ask The Money Lady”, which is now heard in Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. As well, Christine has a new Call-in Radio Show that came out in September on Sirius XM.
Please check your emails in October, the day before the meeting date, for more information on how to join the meeting!
Questions? Please contact:
Brenda Rudolf or Beverly Forget (Speaker info)
Nancy Dixon (Zoom info)
Beaver Valley Probus Club 20th Anniversary
This month we are featuring three of our Past Presidents that have served our Club over the past 20 years. We would still like to include as many of our Past Presidents as possible in our Grapevine newsletter for the remainder of 2021. Please forward your photo and short biography to Hank Bouwman so that we can recognize you in one of our future Grapevine Newsletters.
Hank Bouwman, Anniversary Chair
Vicki Kellar / Martin Buscher /Stella Zahradnik
Our Past Presidents
This month we are featuring Carolyn Leonetti (2006) Joanne Vivona (2016 ) and Howard Kitchen (2015). Click here to see their interesting stories on how they came to be in the area and their experience with our PROBUS Club! (You must login to view).
Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum Tour
Don Collins-Williams, Nancy Dixon, Heather Buscher
The Beaver Valley Probus Club arranged a private tour of the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum on September 29 for twenty-five members. The interest was so great, that the session filled up in less than 2 hours. Luckily, the museum co-owner, Carolynn Wilson, graciously agreed to host an additional session in the afternoon for another 25 members.
The self-guided tour began in the large exhibit hall of African Beginnings, and took us through the passage on the slave ships, to the routes to freedom depicted on the Underground Railroad quilts. Next, members took the Heritage Walk to visit the various outbuildings to see what local black pioneer life was like. The Great Lakes Shipping exhibit highlighted the black settlers contribution to the local shipping industry, with some fantastic model ships. The last stop on the walk was the amazing doll and black memorabilia collection. See the slideshow for highlights of this interesting and informative tour.
Activity Groups Update:
Ilene Rushefsky Charland
Colleen Wilson-Dick
It is wonderful to see activities ongoing, and more members participating in events. The good weather brought many outdoors, meeting safely and remaining active. Many members enjoyed hiking, biking, and canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding. Dining groups have re-started, beginning with outdoor dining, and are now ready to safely meet indoors. It is looking like a return to some semblance of normalcy is right around the corner! Thanks to all who are participating, and especially to the activity leaders for their work in making this happen.
Paddleboarding
Ilene Rushefsky Charland
Though the season was short, those who came out on their paddle boards enjoyed being out on the water, getting exercise, and making new friends. I think our best outing was a sunset paddle, in which we paddled out a few hundred feet from shore to watch one of our spectacular Georgian Bay sunsets. Wow— what a sky! Thank you to all those who participated, and I look forward to next season.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Lucie Dejardins & Kirby Philp
We were able to get out for one enjoyable paddle on the Beaver River in September. Unfortunately mother nature did not cooperate and we were rained out for our scheduled paddle on the Nottawasaga River later in the month. This wraps up this season for the Canoeing and Kayaking Group. We would like to thank all who participated and we look forward to another good year on the water starting next spring. Take a look at our
Canoeing & Kayaking Slideshow to see some of the highlights of the season.
Casual Dining
Marjorie & David Allin
During the summer months we had three picnics planned at the Meaford Harbour Pavilion. We were rained out in July, but the sun shone on our August and September gatherings. It was so good to see people again! For October and the following months, we will be returning to indoor gatherings at members’ homes with Covid protocols in place. Our notices for October have been sent directly to those who are registered for the Casual Dining Activity Group. Please contact us for more information.
Dining With Flair
Debbie Catto, Marion Stewart, Shellie Smith, Mary Bryant, Eileen Scott, Sallie Kedwell
How happy we were in July to have our first of 3 dining events, each one very different from the others, each time moving closer to what we remember as normal Dining with Flair. We never forgot our need to comply with all of the regulations however. In July we held a picnic for all who accepted the invitation, at the beautiful country home of John and Barb Thompson. It was their property we enjoyed, not going inside of course, each couple eating their own picnic, bringing everything they needed. Easy hosting that time and well deserved as we were saying good bye to the Thompsons after many wonderful events at their home over the years. They have now moved to Edmonton. Everyone had loads of fun as we introduced a new horse racing game, initiated by Jim and Eileen Scott.
In August, Don and Sheila Churchill hosted a smaller group on their deck , again each couple/person brought their own picnic. A good time was had by all with no shortage of chit chat—something we all feel deprived of these days.
Twenty people responded in September to our Dining with Flair invitation resulting in 2 host locations; the lovely home and garden of Al and Shellie Smith and the country farm of Don and Debbie Catto. This time we were able to have a modified version of our usual functioning, allowing us to enjoy our guests cooking and still following careful Covid protocol. The Smiths served a delicious dinner of pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon with a honey drizzle. At the Catto's, guests enjoyed visiting their barn full of Holstein pregnant ladies before dinner and munching on s’mores around a bonfire after dinner. A new kind of flair for sure.
The committee welcomes more members to join our Activity Group anytime and not to be intimidated by the name Dining with Flair. Take a look at our Dining With Flair Slideshow to see some photos of our get togethers! We have all learned during this Pandemic that anything goes as long as we all have fun and stay safe.
Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman
Our Dining Around Town group held our 2nd session at Ted’s Range Road Diner (close to Meaford) on September 23 with thirty-one members signed up. Following cocktails, our menu included a salad or soup and a choice of Bison Striploin, Sea Food Bake, Prime Rib, Salmon or Chicken Parmesan. It made for an enjoyable evening visiting with friends.
Our next group dinner will be on Tuesday, October 19 at The Curly Willow Eatery in Collingwood. It is a small restaurant with indoor seating for 24 people, and it filled up quickly. We now have the option of a 2nd date on Tuesday, November 2, as we have sufficient members on our waitlist. The three-course menu includes soup or salad and choice of chicken, New York steak, or shrimp linguine and key lime cheesecake tart for $29 plus tax and gratuity. You can sign up on-line for the Dining Around Town Activity Group, so that you will receive invitations to all of our future dining functions!
Computer Group
Martin Buscher
Our September meeting on
Passwords had stiff competition from the second visit
to the Sheffield Museum and from some absolutely gorgeous autumn weather. If you missed that exciting session, you are welcome to look over
these slides.
October 27 is our next meeting and may be just the right time to talk about
Phishing and scams. That's the term used to describe how cyber criminals make you do things you'll soon regret, all from your email inbox!
Ski Legends
Louise Armstrong
The PROBUS Ski Legends committee continues to meet and update plans as to what we may be able to do locally when ski season starts. Members of Ski Legends will receive emails with all current Ski Legends activities and updates as they become available.
Two ski trips are available for the winter of 2022 and there is still room for people on both of the trips. Note that you must be a member of PROBUS Ski Legends to go on either one of the trips. The first trip is to Banff and Lake Louise, Alberta February 5-12, 2022. The second is to Sun Peaks, B.C. Monday February 28 - Thursday March 10, 2022. Booking deadline is November 30, 2021. Please go the the Probus Ski Legends web site (www.probusskilegends.ca) for complete information on both trips. The application form for Ski Legends membership is also available on the website.
Photo Corner
Here is a collection of photos sent in by our members. Far left rainbow shared by Caroline B, pear tree and sunset clouds (centre) shared by Debbie C, Tomahawk Golf Course (top right) and waves on the beach (bottom right) shared by Lucie D. Take a look at the Fall Slideshow for all 20 wonderful photos shared by our members.
Recipe Corner
Caroline B shared this wonderful Winter Grain Salad recipe—just in time for Thanksgiving!
Click on the image to see the detailed instructions, or view the article by Greta Podleski on https://www.besthealthmag.ca/recipes/winter-grain-salad/
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 October!
Humour Corner
Membership Renewals
Pam Weaver and Kathy Mercer
Membership renewals won't begin until December 1. They will be done online again, just like last year! So for those of you travelling south for the winter - you can complete the renewal and payment from anywhere with internet access! The reduced renewal fee has been extended through the 2022 membership year (50% reduction). More details to follow in the November Grapevine.
Community Announcements
The Blue Mountains Public Library is currently engaged in a Strategic Planning Study. They are looking for feedback about our community and the priorities you would like them to be aware of.
They are gathering information through a variety of avenues and invite you to participate. The Community Consultation section of the Library website lists all of the upcoming events being held. You can participate in a variety of focus groups and sign up for CEO/Governance Drop-ins. Please take time to share your thoughts about the Blue Mountains Library as they plan for its future.
The Last Word
Marion Stewart, Past President
Life is the Art of Drawing Without an Eraser.
John W. Gardner
Grapevine Editors Note
Thank you to all our members who have submitted articles, photographs, puzzles and cartoons. We continue to rely on your contributions and welcome any suggestions you might have.
Heather Buscher
Nancy Dixon
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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. |
|
Beaver Valley Probus Club
Print the latest newsletter