President's Message
Kirby Philp
May has been an exciting month for our club, with Activities in full swing and strong participation from members. This along with all of the great past and future Events that the Social Committee has carefully planned, reminds us how fortunate we are to enjoy these outings with our PROBUS friends.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our club’s volunteers. With over 600 members, keeping things running smoothly requires ongoing support. To continue offering these wonderful opportunities, we encourage more members to step forward and contribute. Right now, several of our activities are seeing large turnouts, and we could use additional volunteers to help manage them.
Our Management Committee is also preparing for future transitions, as long-serving members move on. We are currently looking for someone to assist Don Collins-Williams as Assistant Social Convenor. Don will mentor this person over the next few years before stepping away from the role. We know our club is made up of members from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique skills and experiences. Please take a moment to consider how you can contribute. If you're interested in supporting an activity, reach out to the Activity Coordinator or contact Ilene Rushefsky-Charland. For Social Committee inquiries, contact Don Collins-Williams, and for the Management Committee, feel free to reach out to me.
As this is the final Grapevine before our summer break, I wish everyone a fantastic summer. Enjoy time with family and friends, embrace new adventures, and always prioritize safety in everything you do.
Membership
Pam Weaver / Kathy Mercer
Reminder: For your convenience, the Membership table is staffed at every monthly meeting. Stop by to ask a question, to order a replacement badge, to pick-up an “Emergency Contact card", or have your badge repaired. We’re here to help!
Help us keep our record of current members up to date. If you know of someone who has moved away or who has decided to leave our club, please let us know.
June Meeting—Tuesday, June 24 @ 1:30 - 3:30 PM
Denise Rand / Melany Franklin
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM
Speaker: Leah den Bok, photographer, author
Topic: "But Still We Can Do Something..."
Leah den Bok is a photographer dedicated to sharing the stories of people experiencing homelessness through her ongoing project, Humanizing The Homeless. Her work has taken her to cities around the world—including Kolkata, Brisbane, and Mallorca—where she documents the personal struggles and resilience of those living on the streets. Through exhibitions and public talks, she continues to raise awareness and challenge stereotypes surrounding homelessness.
Leah's work has been featured by major media outlets such as the BBC, CBS, and CBC, and she has spoken at events like WE-DAY (2016), Women of the World Festival in Brisbane (2018), and She Talks in Ontario. Leah is the recipient of several awards recognizing her impact, including the IDRF Youth Impact Award (2018), the Murray Clarkson Award (2019), the SNAP Photo Competition (2020), and the Ascend Rising Star of the Year Award (2020).
Book Exchange:
The Book Exchange will be set up at the back of the room starting at 1 PM. Books should have a copyright date no older than 10 years. Bring a Book, Take a Book. We ask that you exchange no more than 3 books at a time. Please contact Nancy Hart with any questions!
Social Events
Don Collins-Williams
June 17: Annual Golf Tournament. Our Annual Golf Tournament is set for Tuesday, June 17 at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club.
July 17: King's Wharf—Beehive Musical. This theatre event has sold out, but the waitlist is open. Please join the waitlist—we always get a few cancellations closer to the date!
Save the Date:
Friday August 22: Lawn Bowling. Once again we'll be offering an afternoon of lawn bowling, followed by a light BBQ dinner! This year, we're switching things up a bit and holding the event at the Meaford Lawn Bowling Club. No experience is needed—there will be a short lesson to get everyone rolling, so we hope you'll join in the fun. Keep an eye out for your email invitation coming later in July!
September 5: Barn Dance. To kick off the fall season, we’re excited to host our first-ever Barn Dance and Dinner at the Black Barn at Belvedere Farm near Meaford on Friday, September 5. We’ll enjoy a sit-down dinner together, followed by a lively, old-fashioned barn dance—complete with a caller and live music. No experience needed—we’ll all learn together and have a great time!
Your Social Committee is hard at work planning many other events over the next few months, and as always, your suggestions are welcomed!
Summer Picnic - July 8 @ 12:30 PM
Don Collins-Williams
Join us for a fun-filled summer picnic at the Stone Tree Golf-Fitness-Banquets Centre, just east of Owen Sound. We’ll be outdoors under a spacious tent that can accommodate up to 200 people. A delicious picnic lunch will be served, including wraps, sandwiches, salads, and large cookies. In addition to great food, we’ll have games tables set up (euchre, board games, etc.) , space for lawn games and bean bag toss. The pre-picnic walk to Inglis Falls is full, but there is room for the pre-picnic golf contest! See invitation for details!
Georgian PROBUS Travel Group
Gloria Thompson
We have several exiting trips planned for this year and some already in the works for 2026. Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join.
The Muskoka cruise program is proving to be very popular and spots for the lunch and tour beforehand are filling up quickly. Some guests are also planning to have dinner and stay overnight at the Windermere House, but there is room for more. The Agawa Falls trip is essentially full, and the April trip to Morocco is heating up... If you're interested, don't wait too long! We may even offer a second departure due to demand.
2025 Trips: Below is more information about our trips this year!
- Muskoka Cruise (July 10 - 11, 2025) The voyage on the Muskoka lakes, Lake Joseph and Lake Rosseau is sold out, but there are still some rooms available for the optional overnight at the Windermere resort, as well as the dinner and musem visits! •
All GPTG PROBUS clubs are welcome to join the group for lunch and a tour of the Speed Boat museum prior to the Peerless 11 Boat tour. Prices are $10 for the museum tour or $45 for lunch and tour. Please Contact Ian McRuer if you wish to attend the pre-trip luncheon.
- Agawa Canyon Train Tour (September 29 - October 3, 2025).
This tour has only 2 single rooms still available! This trip will take us north via Manitoulin and return through Sudbury. See the complete Itinerary for details of the trip!
2026 Trips:
- Majestic Morocco Tour (April 10 - 24, 2026) Join us for a 15-day trip through Morocco’s ancient cities and countryside. Explore the souks and Kasbahs, and even experience the Sahara desert by camel! See the Poster and the Detailed Itinerary.
- Looking ahead, we're exploring a bus tour focused on a specific region of Ireland for June 2026—stay tuned for more details. There's also an exciting tall ship program being planned off the coast of Costa Rica. Be sure to keep an eye on the website for updates, especially if you're one of our keen travelers!
Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland
Though it has been a bit cooler than average, we are enjoying spring and summer outdoor activities. If you haven't started biking, hiking, walking or golfing, for example, it is not too late to join in. As the weather and water warm up, we look forward to being out on the bay and local rivers for kayaking and canoeing. Our newest members have joined the "old timers" and are enjoying these and the many dining and games and informative groups. Have fun, participate, learn something new and make new friends. It is not too late to join an activity goup!
There is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!
Birding
Lucie Desjardins
Thank you to all who attended one of our 6 birding sessions this year. We've been braving a couple cold mornings, but the birds were always there for us. As the rush of the migration winds down and most of the birds are now on territory our schedule will be more relaxed for the summer months.
Our most recent outing was on Sunday, June 8. Since the canopy continues to close in, it became a bit more challenging to spot the birds. We focused on learning and recognizing bird songs to help us locate the singers and paid close attention to their behavior. We looked for signs of breeding activity—such as courtship displays, territorial disputes, or birds carrying nesting materials or food. With careful observation, we were rewarded at times with the discovery of adorable baby birds. We still have lots to be looking forward to, and always keep in mind, the welfare of the birds must come first.
Canoing and Kayaking
Kirby Philp, Lucie Desjardins and Glen Downey
We will be kicking off our first paddle on Wednesday, June 11 at the Beaver River Epping Access Point. We hope you can join us for another fun season of paddling.
Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman
We had a great turn-out of members for our Walter Falls dinner in May! Invitations for our Wednesday, June 18 Dinner at Mylar & Loretta's were sent out on June 1 to those members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. It’s not too late to join us. Sign-up for the upcoming season via the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage in order to receive the invitations!
Future Dining Dates:
- Wednesday, June 18 @ 5 PM Dinner – Mylar & Loretta, Singhampton
- Wednesday, September 17 @ 5 PM Dinner - Williams on 26, Meaford Airport
- Monday, October 20 @ 5pm - Family Style Dinner – Marilynne, Markdale
- Monday, November 3 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury
- Wednesday, November 5 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury
- Monday, November 10 @ 12 Noon Luncheon The Mill Cafe, Thornbury
Euchre 1 & Intermediate Euchre
Elaine & Hank Bouwman
Monthly tournament will be on Thursday, June 12 at 6:45 pm in the downstairs Great Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. There is ample parking, an elevator and a spacious room.
Summer Schedule 6:45 – 9:30 PM:
- Thursday June 12 ;
- Thursday July 17;
- Thursday August 14
High Scores: May 13:
- Euchre 1 – Elaine B.
- Intermediate – Ruthann N.
E-bikes & Explorators
Terry Kellar / Anita Dundys
Information about individual rides will be sent out weekly to all members of the group, including a link to register. Please visit the E-bikes and Explorators Activity Page to sign up for the group and get more details about rides and the schedule.
Hiking
Vicki Kellar
Participants are encouraged to lead their favourite hike and guidelines for leading are found on our Hiking web page. Don't forget to take a look at the Hiking Photos shared by our group members! See you on the trails!
Mah jongg
Judy Smith
We will continue to hold game days throughout the summer; on the first and third Tuesdays. The exception will be Canada Day, July 1. Training sessions will be held on June 18, July 16 and August 12. New members are welcome. Sign-up on the the Mah jongg Activity webpage if you would like to join us! You must be signed up to receive the invitations
Mah Jongg is good for your mental health: “ Mah-jongg does help us sustain our health in two important ways as we age: The friendships we develop decrease the loneliness that can cut years from our lives. And this brainy sport may help keep us sharp. According to an October 2021 report in Market Business News, studies show that mah-jongg is actually recommended to the elderly to help maintain good brain health and improve memory skills. Yoshiro Katsuura, an orthopedic spine surgeon and author of The Spine Encyclopedia, treats many older patients. He echoed these findings, “The ability to quickly solve and respond to different problems deteriorates as people grow older,” he said. “Participating in games of strategy like mah-jongg can be protective against this decline. Meaningful, intellectually stimulating social engagement prevents the depression of isolation.” ...as offered by Brahna Yassky (AARP)
Recreational Cycling
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Ilene Rushefsky Charland
In May, our group cycled along the Georgian Trail from Craigleith Depot. Our second venture was from Thornbury to the Depot and back. Luckily, the weather was perfect with sunshine, blue skies, and a light breeze with sightings of the brilliant yellow Marsh Marigolds and the spectacular stand of Lilacs at the Depot. We met at Don and Mary Ann's chalet and enjoyed coffee with the E-Bike members at the Tim Horton's in Thornbury. In June, we will be riding the routes around Collingwood, Meaford, and Wasaga Beach exploring the various beaches in our area of Georgian Bay. In the summer, we have plans for the Midland Tay Shore Trail, the Tom Thomson Trail from Owen Sound around Leith, Heather's Trail in Collingwood (with a pool party at Mary Ann and Don's home), the Tiny Trail and more including enjoyable rides, organized lunches and coffee/muffin social events after our cycles.
Ramblers
Nancy Dixon
In spite of all the rain, we are trying to fit in our Rambles either Thursday or Friday. We had lovely walk to the Collingwood Arboretum on May 30 with my regular Ramblers. Thanks again. Weather permitting we will do a walk in Stayner. Watch for my email invitations.
ROMEOS
John White and Louis Charland
Our next R.O.M.E.O. gathering will be on Wednesday, June 11 at Chuck's Roadhouse Bar and Grill in Collingwood. This restaurant comes highly recommended for it's food, ambiance, and reasonable prices. Special pricing on Wednesday.
Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin
Ski Legends Ski Trips for 2026 went on sale on May 21!
- St Anton, Austria, February 5 - 14 - View Flyer
PRICE REDUCTION. Air Canada has reduced the price for our group flight by $230, so the all-inclusive package price is now $5,975.
- Sun Peaks, BC, February 25 - March 4 - View Flyer
For the latest information check the Legends website:
If you have questions please contact legendsskitrips@gmail.com (trip organizer).
Please note: all participants must be PROBUS members and members of PROBUS Ski Legends for the coming season. Membership cost is $50 per year. Membership for 2025-2026 is now open. Please see the Membership webpage.
Humour Corner - Points to Ponder
Shared by Hank Bouwman
- I'm a multitasker. I can listen, ignore and forget all at the same time!
- People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.
- I don't have grey hair. I have wisdom highlights.
- Sometimes it takes me all day to get nothing done.
- One minute you're young and fun. Next, you're turning down the car stereo to see better.
- I'm at a place in my life where errands are starting to count as going out.
- I don't always go the extra mile, but when I do it's because I missed my exit.
Photo Corner
Here are some recent photos shared by our members!
For more photos, see our 2025 Slideshows on our website!
The Master Gardener’s Corner
John Hethrington, Master Gardener Emeritus
Past President, Master Gardeners of Ontario
Click on the image to see what you need to be doing in your Garden in June. There is lots to do, now that summer is finally here!
Support Group
Lucie Desjardins, Mary Ann Collins-Williams
Do you know of a BVPC member who is having a difficult time (health issue, accident, hospitalization, loss of partner, etc.) and would benefit from receiving a card or a call from our team? If so, please let us know. We will be happy to follow up and/or get in touch with them.
The Last Word
Shared by Nancy Dixon
Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
John Watson, Author
Beaver Valley Probus Club