PROBUS CLUB OF WHITBY/BROOKLIN

General Meeting #49

Westminster United Church, Whitby

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

President:Russ CapleSecretary: Sherry Weese

Count: 145

Call to Order: The President called the meeting to order at 10 a.m.

Introductory Remarks: President spoke about the following:

  • This is PROBUS month.
  • The new PROBUS banner for this club was revealed.

Comic interlude:John Cooper

Social Events:Karen Lambert, Co-chair provided the following update:

  • Come From Away tickets are now available, - please pick them up today at break.
  • Guys and Dolls in April is now sold out. Karen will have the tickets at the door of the venue on the day of the event.
  • Crazy for Gershwin – last sign up today.
  • Euchre – ______
  • Tickets for Blue Jays game in June – 14 of 26 now sold.
  • Train trip in October to view fall colours – sign up will occur in April too. Deposit needed.
  • Trip to Kingston Pen – spots still available. Will be stopping at Big Apple on the way.
  • Notice in newsletter reminder – if your cheque has been cashed for an event you are to find replacement yourself if not able to attend.

Interest Groups: Jane Brown, Chair provided the following:

  • Things are stirring, spring is in the air and we have more time to play!
  • Jane is watching the ice melt on Lake Scugog so we can get back in the kayaks.
  • Dave’s hiking group will soon be shedding their crampons and going for pleasant country rambles whithout quite so many layers of clothing.
  • Wendy’s new group, Wine panions, is already full and off to a great start.
  • Men’s breakfast will lose Pierre as co-ordinator but the group will contine under the attention of Bob Lewicki. Big thanks to Pierre for past efforts, and to Bob for taking this on.
  • Garden Groupies are prepping for summer and have found a Lilac Tour in Ottawa for their members. Not a specific PROBUS event, but info is available on the board at the front.
  • Also on the board are details of a town sponsored event for Seniors to be held tomorrow at the Abilities Centre. All day event featuring talks on health, finances, meditation and fall prevention. Lunch provided. Go for all or part of the day.
  • Grey Cells stimulators will start next semester on April 19th. A few spaces open for new people interested in non-competitive brain games and bad puns. Example: Giant snails; no matter how hard you push the envelope, it’s still stationary.
  • Toronto Tours has a new group name – The Explorers as now not limited to Toronto.
  • Wonderful tour of Rosedale booked for April 29th, Sunday. Docent, from ROM will show us the area, including the oldest occupied mansion in the city. Also the pedestrian bridge across Rosedale Valley Road. Sign up today. $10.00 and limited to 30 people. 15 already signed.
  • A suggeston for a new group has come from someone who doesn’t drink wine! Member wants to start a beer group, visiting craft breweries to sample product or meeting in a home to try IPOS. Sign up at front
  • Need to talk about more new ‘stuff’. We have added new members and it is important that they can access our groups. That is where the friendships are made. Been a while since a new book club started. What would be a better introduction than sitting having coffee with a small group discussing an interesting book. Lots of help available to get this idea up and running. Just need one person to get it started.
  • Both Art groups full and have been for a while, so could we try for a third?
  • Help is available for those starting a new group.
  • Reminder: Chair is stepping away from the position in the fall, so a replacement is needed. Tasks of the position – pitch new ideas, get people to sign up, hand over the names to the new group co-ordinator. Follow up with co-ordinators periodically. Come and talk to Jane at the break.
  • Additional event announcement: Welsh Choir at Westminster Church on May 5th. Tickets and info available at church office.

Membership: Fran Ballard, Chair provided the following up-date:

  • 7 new guests attending today , membership is now 351.
  • Name tags are available, please pick them up from Fran before meeting or during break.
  • Pause on membership for next while – not a cap however.

Break –

  • cake is provided today in celebration of PROBUS month. Celebration prepared by Marilyn Thaxter and John O’Leary.

Treasurer Job Outline: Lana Hoag, Treasurer provided the following:

  • Lana’s term is ending in the fall.
  • If someone is interested in the position, but does not have accounting experience, then Lana will contine to do the books if new person will be the recepient of cash/cheques and make the bank deposits. Please see Lana if interested.

50/50 draw: prize of $45.00 was won by Joanne Smith.

Speaker Introduction: Dave Fowler introduced the speaker Ted Barris, who is an award winning author and journalist and is the speaker for a second time. Topic today is, “Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age, April 9-12, 1917’. This book and others were available for purchase.

Thanks to Speaker: Dave thanked Ted for his great presentation.

Meeting adjouned: 12:05

Next meeting: April 25th.