Box 148, Clarksburg, Ontario N0H 1J0 Current Activities E-mail address: [email protected] by Convener Joan Hammond “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”. Web-Site: www.beavervalleyprobus.com President’s Message (details) Backroads Cycling Book Club Chapter One Book Club Chapter Two Book Club Chapter Three Book Club Chapter Four Birding BVP Computer Group Canoe / Kayak Casual Dining Chess Cooking Together Cue Sports Digital Photography Dining with Flair Euchre Gardening Golf Hiking Marsh Street Painters Nordic Pole Walking Recreational Cycling Scrabble Singles Gourmet Ski Legends Snowshoeing Stitch & Bitch Support Group Table Tennis Wood Carving Activity groups are self sustained. Participate – Volunteer but above all-have fun and enjoy Volume 15, Issue 02 As I write this today, Wiarton Willy came out of his hole (or cage) to predict an early spring. It was cloudy and he did not see his shadow. Not sure I believe this albino rodent even though he did well last year predicting six more weeks of winter!! That was an impressive turn out for our January meeting to hear the speaker and of course the speaker was all about our hearing. Now we know more about the anatomy and physiology of our ears, the relationship with balance and the importance of ear wax. We have had many interesting speakers this past year and I must thank Howard Kitchen who has arranged the variety of speakers while recognizing the level of interest the topic holds for our members. Also, many thanks go to the management team for their excellent support and dedication to our club and its functions. Everyone is a volunteer and they surely define the word. I have appreciated their expertise. Retiring this year are Peter Armstrong, our past president and Mary Armstrong our capable secretary. We will miss their contributions. I know many of you give leadership to club events and activities and this is so appreciated. Hopefully, more members will consider offering their talents to lead interest groups. There are lots of spaces available and the Activity Convenor, Joan Hammond would be happy to hear from you. Notice about February’s AGM and luncheon can be found in the Grapevine, as well as the March Activity Fair—hope you can attend these meetings. My term as President is completed after the AGM and I remain as past president for another year. It has been a rewarding experience and thank you all for your support. Catharine Pepper Regards OBSERVATORY TOURS Thursday May 14 , 2015 at 7:30pm. & Thursday May 21st, 2015 at 7:30pm th Yes, there is an observatory in the Blue Mountains!! Arrangements have been made for a limited number of Beaver Valley Probus members to visit the observatory, in groups of 25, on Thursday May 14th and Thursday May 21st, 2015. If required, a back-up rain date has been booked. The observatory, under the auspices of the Royal Astronomical Society, is known as the E. C. Carr Astronomical Observatory and is operated by a dedicated group of volunteers. The visit starts at 7:30pm and ends by 11:00pm. You will experience a Power Point presentation and a tour of the night sky. People may walk a guided path of a scale model of the solar system set up outside while a volunteer explains the solar system. This walk will take 20 to 30 minutes. A tea, coffee and cookies break, and an opportunity for questions, take place before the outdoor sky tour. You will be able to view the solar system through the 14” club telescope and a variety of telescopes provided by the members. Cost $10.00 per person. Arrange your own transportation. The observatory is 15km from the Beaver Valley Community Centre in the area of the Loree forest. THIS WILL BE AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENING!! There will be an Interest Sheet signup at our meeting on Feb 24th to ascertain the level of interest. Actual registration, on a first come, first served basis, will take place on Tuesday, March 24th at the Activity Fair. Payment by cheque will be due at that time 1 Upcoming Club Events Come and enjoy Carousel, a Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical, at the Avon Theatre in Stratford Wednesday Oct 7, 2015, 2:00pm. Far ahead of its time in confronting the issues at the heart of a troubled relationship, this wrenching musical drama features a luscious score that includes “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “If I Loved You” and “June is Bustin Out Report – Vicki & Terry Kellar, Membership Chairs all Over”. BVPC Ticket Membership cost is $114.00 which includes theatre, bus and lunch at Anna Mae’s in Millbank. A waiting list has been started. PAYMENT BY CHEQUE ONLY. Stella Zahradnik The membership for the 2015-2016 year is now closed at 573 including 53 new members; Quite a Again King’s Theatre was Penetanguishene change from ourOnce founding yearatofthe 2001 whenWharf the membership 339. The Club has retained 121 From the creators of last year’s sensation, Twist and Shout: The British Invasion, comes another production in Charter Members and we are currently the largest Probus Club in the world. the perennially popular Legends series of tribute shows that will put a snap in your fingers and a song in your heart. Legends This year … we of Rock welcome ‘n’the Roll following relivesnew themembers incredible (identified discography by a star from on their the 1950s Probus through name badges): 1970s that forever changed the landscape of modern music. Such influential acts as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, Elton John, ABBA, and Simon & Garfunkel are celebrated in this tribute to musical pioneers. Our Probus Social Committee has arranged for 40 tickets at a group rate of $37.50 on Thurs. July 30 for the 2 PM matinee at King’s Wharf. Reserve your tickets at the February Probus meeting or by contacting Vicki Kellar. Activity Group Update SINGLES GOURMET Someone mentioned at the last lunch, that Ice Cream is God’s way of saying she likes us chubby! And at our last lunch, I can attest to it being the first Feb lunch that wasn’t a day of terrible bitter cold. Our Sunday February 22nd, lunch at 1 pm is themed British Columbia. One host is Nancy Jackson and the other host is a sub, I believe Dorothy Russell. This winter is moving on quite quickly it seems. TRAVEL GROUP There will be a survey of what you, the members want to do in regards to trips. This will be done on the Activity Day. If you can’t be there that day, please contact the new convener, Peter Zahradnik [or Gloria Thompson]. And please keep an eye on the sections area for travel for singles info. Gloria Thompson BVPC Membership Report – Vicki & Terry Kellar, Membership Chairs The membership for the 2015-2016 year is now closed at 573 including 53 new members; Quite a change from our founding year of 2001 when the membership was 339. The Club has retained 121 Charter Members and we are currently the largest Probus Club in the world. This year we welcome the following new members (identified by a star on their Probus name badges): From Blue Mountains: Penny & Harvey Wormald Annie Robbins Gail & Michael Dixon Constance Olsheski Tom Neuendorff From Clarksburg: Kris Wichman Josephine & John Harrison Alberta & Bill Elliott Lesley & Ron Wilson Teri Band Gillian & Michael Arkless From Thornbury: Janet Findlay Brian Harkness Selina & Ronald Lawcock Trudy & Tony Santilli Judy Moore Rosemarie & Harry Stevens Pat & George Wright Ann & Steven Gorton Ruth & John McGee Eva Page Larry Rogers Kate & Doug Simpson Deb & Brian Malkiewich From Meaford: Jeanne & Allan Johnson Candy & Lee Yeandle George Horwood Susan & Bob Bois Pat & Bob Parsons From Collingwood: Ann Simpson Patty Ann & Donald Smith Bruce Trimbee Donald McIntyre Barbara Cousins As of February 2015 our current Wait List has 7 applicants and the next time the club will be in a position to welcome new members will be as at February 1, 2016. Management has capped the number of members we can comfortably accommodate at 600. 2 News from the Support Group Since this month is our Annual General Meeting, we would like to bring members, particularly our new members, up to date regarding the activities of your Support Group. There are now 18 of us, who are there to help out members whenever circumstances make it difficult for anyone to cope. As well, there are also local services that you might not yet be aware of. BVO is willing to organize the delivery of food orders from Foodland to members who are temporarily housebound. Orders must go in Wednesday, to be delivered Thursday. You can contact BVO directly, or the Support Group’s monthly contact. For those who aren’t already aware, the Baptist Church in Thornbury has quite a bit of equipment (walkers, canes, wheelchairs, bath chairs) for the temporary use of incapacitated people. Please consider not only the use of this service, but also the possible donation of your own no-longer-needed stuff! And again, we would like to remind our members that we have two trained grief counsellors available when needed. And don’t forget, there is a variety of support available to seniors by calling “211”, a provincial government service, that can also direct you to appropriate help. Finally, please know that all of us in the Probus Support Group are here for you. Let us know of any of our members who may need some help; don’t hesitate to call any of us, or the local contact listed monthly in the Grapevine. Carol Hethrington, co-ordinator Scenic Caves This is a beautiful, tranquil spot to go snow shoeing, especially after a good snowfall. The trails are hilly in some sections but take you to the top where there are flat trails to explore. Here are some photos I took on a few of my snow shoeing days. Caroline Bacher If your day is a bit hectic, if you need to decompress, why not spend a few minutes with this Oregon Coast video? https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152604492936272&fref=nf The Master Gardener’s Corner Things to do in or for your garden in – February from John Hethrington 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.      Start propagating stem cuttings of geraniums, fuchsias, etc. Plant slow germinating seeds like impatiens, peppers, eggplants, etc. As the weather warms, start pruning shade and fruit trees, 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 dates for annual garden shows like Successful Gardening Show Mar 5 – 8 2015 @ Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Canada Blooms Mar 13 – 22 at the Direct Energy Centre. Go to Candablooms.com 3 Our Speaker for February Harvey Hart THE GOLDEN AGE OF COMMERCIAL RADIO Come and hear a wide-ranging romp down memory lane!! Harvey Hart is the president of the Alliston Probus Club. His interactive presentation describes the golden age of commercial radio from the mid 1930s to the mid 1950s. He uses numerous audio and video clips to illustrate some of the popular shows and more noteworthy news events of that period. In Harvey’s early life he was quite ill and the radio was his window to the outside world. You will hear a series of sounds which you will recognize as sounds heard on radio. Station cues, such as the NBC chimes will be played. Hear Wally Crouter and a Jack Dennett 8am newscast beginning with the famous sound of the hunting horn. Speeches from King George VI and Winston Churchill will demonstrate how they helped us get through World War II. Entertainment shows will also be featured during this era of old time radio. Also hear the voice of Foster Hewitt. This is surely a trip down memory lane!! Law of the Result When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, IT WILL!!! The Quiz this month tests your knowledge of detectives in fiction; it really is not difficult so why not give it a try by Clicking here January’s winner Jennifer Baker Newspaper Team Editor David Morgan Reporter Caroline Bacher & Nancy Seppala Distribution Barb Thompson Website Maintenance Barb Thompson Technical Advisor Mike Seagram Computer problem in Florida / True story TECHNICAL SUPPORT: How can I help you? FEMALE CALLER: 'Last night my computer started making a lot of hissing noises at me so I shut it down. This morning when I turned it on the computer started hissing and cracking, then started smoking and a bad smell, then nothing' TECH SUPPORT: 'I will have a technician come over first thing this morning. When the technician got there, the lady showed him where the computer was, and explained what happened to it. This is what the technician found wrong. Take a look at the pictures... Click YOU WON'T BELIEVE YOUR EYES... And you thought YOU had computer problems!!! Looking forward to seeing you at our next meeting- At the Community Centre on Tuesday February 24th Starting with Fellowship from 12.30 to 1.30pm This is our Annual General Meeting A complimentary lunch will be provided for those who have registered. Lunch will be served at 12:45pm. To register please contact Stella Zahradnik by email or phone. The cut off date for registration is February 17th. Support Group Do you know of a member who needs encouragement to get through a difficult period? Please do not hesitate to call Louise Lamont who is the contact for February or any one of the Management team. Next months contact is Phyllis Thomas. . The Last Word Submitted by Past President Peter Armstrong "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give". Winston Churchill 4