President's Message
Kirby Philp
As this is our final Grapevine issue until September, I want to wish all our members a fun, relaxing, and safe summer season. I hope you’re able to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. We also have two great events coming up that I hope you’ll join us for:
Annual Golf Tournament at Shelburne GCC on June 16— a few spots are still available.
Summer Picnic at StoneTree Golf in Owen Sound on July 7, featuring a hike and a golf competition before the picnic. As part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations, we’ve added live background music for everyone to enjoy.
So get out there, enjoy the beautiful weather, take part in our many activities, and connect with our wonderful membership. I look forward to seeing you at our General Meeting on June 23.
PROBUS Canada - belairdirect Scholarship Program
Grandchildren of Probus Club members can apply to win a scholarship from belairdirect, our optional insurance provider. (No purchase necessary.)
This year, Belair Insurance Company Inc. (belairdirect) will award 50 scholarships each valued at $1,000, to students completing high school in 2026 and will attend a post-secondary educational institution in Canada in the fall of 2026.
Deadline to Apply: June 30, 2026
To learn more about this exciting opportunity, visit the 2026 Scholarship page on the belairdirect website.
June Membership Meeting - Tuesday, June 23
Denise Rand / Melany Franklin
We look forward to seeing you at our next monthly meeting at the Beaver Valley Community Centre.
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM
Speaker: Patti Lefkos
Topic: Nepal - It's Never Too Late
Patti Shales Lefkos, journalist, adventure traveller and best-selling author of Nepal One Day at a Time and Grounded by Granite, has trekked extensively in Nepal. Her non-profit 'Nepal One Day at a Time Society' supports education and home building in post-earthquake Nepal.
Born and raised in Toronto, Patti built a rewarding career as a teacher, educational consultant, administrator, and advocate for inner-city children before studying journalism at Langara College. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Toronto Teachers’ College, Simon Fraser University, and the Wilderness Leadership Program at Capilano University
Jigsaw Puzzle Exchange Table
Elaine Bouwman / Rita Melzer
Enjoy doing puzzles? We have started up a jigsaw puzzle exchange table at our monthly member speaker meetings. Bring 1 or 2 jigsaw puzzles and exchange them at the back of the room. Puzzles must be 100% complete with no missing pieces.
Membership
Brian Cromie/Pam Weaver
Membership Application Review:
The Beaver Valley Probus Club remains one of the great success stories within Probus Canada. But, sometimes, with success comes unexpected challenges. For example, many of our popular activities and events are oversubscribed. One solution to that is to have more members volunteer to lead or help with activities, which might increase the number of options and spaces available. Another solution is to conduct a semi-annual review of club membership numbers and adjust as needed. In the current review, the Management Committee has determined that we should not conduct the summer induction of new members this year. We hope that many of the current applicants for membership can be inducted next January.
'Welcome Desk' Ambassadors Needed!
Jane Andrew
'Welcome Desk' Ambassadors wanted for our monthly meetings!
All you need is a smile—no long-term commitment required!
It's a fun and easy way to connect with fellow members and make new friends.
Need more info? Please contact Jane at kjamjf1986@gmail.com
25th Anniversary - Save the Date
Jane Andrew / Pam Weaver
Celebrate 25 memorable years with a lively, fun musical show in the theatre at Meaford Hall. Invitations will be sent out on September 1.
As with most of our major social events, the club is subsidising the cost to keep it as affordable as possible so that more members can attend. More details about this very special event will be shared over the course of the summer as details are finalized.
Social Events
Don Collins-Williams
Gibson's Pure Honey Farm Tour June 25. Watch for your invitation coming out this week And of course our Annual Summer Picnic at Stone Tree. Pre picnic hike and golf options. Register now There will be several events over the summer, so keep your eyes peeled for your email invitations.
Cancellations
We are seeing an increasing number of cancellations, particularly for free events. This came to a peak for the SmartPhone Photography last month, when we had multiple cancellations, particularly in the last 48 hours prior to the event. While we understand that sometimes you need to cancel on short notice (e.g. illness), late cancellations make it less likely that we will have time to bring in someone from the waitlist to take your place. Because of this, if you do need to cancel, please give us as much notice as possible.
In an attempt to improve waitlist management, from now on, in the event of multiple cancellations within 48 hours of an event, we will send out an email to everyone on the waitlist, advising them that there are openings, and to reply by email if you wish to attend. This will be on a first come, first served basis. Doing it this way, rather than our usual practice of bringing in people in the order in which they registered to the waitlist, will increase the likelihood of our filling the event.
Thank you for your understanding, and with your help, we can ensure that we can maximize the number of our members who can attend each Social Event
Annual Golf Tournament - Tuesday, June 16
Kirby Philp, Brian Cromie, Alan Spence
Our Annual Golf Tournament will be held at the Shelburne Golf and Country Club on Tuesday, June 16. Check-in starts at 8 AM, followed by a 9 AM shotgun start. The cost is $100 per person (the same as last year), which includes 18 holes with a cart and lunch. It is a scramble format and prizes will be awarded. Check your email on May 5 for the invitation with all the details . We hope to see you there, as this is a very fun annual event!
Annual Summer Picnic - Tuesday, July 7
Don Collins-Williams
By popular demand, we are returning to the Stone Tree Golf, Fitness & Banquets Centre, just east of Owen Sound for our annual, fun filled summer picnic. 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.) and space for lawn games like lawn darts and bean bag toss.
We’re also offering a couple of pre-picnic activity options that you can select during registration:
- Golf Contest– A Drive, Pitch and Putt contest (limited to 30 participants)
Click on the Contest Details Link to see the description of the contest!
- Inglis Falls Walk – A fairly flat, one-hour walk on a woodland trail (limited to 25 participants).
Look for the invitation sent out on May 26.
Georgian Probus Travel Club
Gloria Thompson
We are currently considering several travel options for 2027, including a trip to Japan in the fall, a return visit to Morocco, and a Croatia boat tour in the spring. We are also looking at a Star Clipper sailing in the Caribbean in January 2027 or a Star Clipper cruise through the lesser-known Greek Islands in September 2027. Another possibility under discussion is a world tour focused on four or five of the “Stans.” Africa is on hold for now. For summer 2027, we are considering a lovely cruise departing from Parry Sound.
Stay tuned and keep us in your mind when you are planning your next great trip... Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join in our trips.
Making future travel plans? Check the GPTG website first!
Upcoming Trips:
- Muskoka Cruise (July 7 - 8) Still have lots of space Muskoka day cruise from Port Carling with an optional overnight at a luxury resort. This cruise sold out quickly last year! You won't want to miss the views of "millionaires row" from the Peerless 2. See the Flyer for more information and how to book!
- Haida Gwaii (August 17 - 22, 2026): If you happen to be going out west, you might like to also visit Haida Gwaii (the 'Galapagos of Canada') with the 5-night, Zodiac boat and hiking tour! See the Poster and Detailed Itinerary.
- Le Petit Train du Nord Bike Tour (Sept 13 - 20, 2026): *ONLY 6 spots left! 8-day scenic cycling tour along Quebec’s famous Petit Train du Nord, with charming villages, restaurants, microbreweries, and beaches along the way. E-bikes available to rent. Click to view Poster and Detailed itinerary.
Activity Groups Update
Ilene Rushefsky Charland
The warmer weather is here and we are grateful to enjoy the vast number of activities offered, ranging from easy to more challenging Whether your preference is moving on 2 wheels, using your legs, or gliding along on the water, you will explore new areas, meet new people and have fun! If you have not signed up for an activity group, it is not too late to do so. Remember, you will NOT get the email announcements if you have not signed up for the group. Of course there are a variety of other activity groups,such as games or dining groups to engage in as well. We are always looking for new activity leaders, either to start a new group, or assist a group that you have been attending. Our activity leaders are all volunteers, some have been doing this for a number of years and welcome your assistance. Get involved, have fun and learn something new.
Here is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!
Birding
Lucie Desjardins & Kirby Philp
The Birding Group has been heading out weekly since early May. During our outings, we’ve identified an impressive 54 bird species so far, with many warblers passing through during peak migration. As the migration season winds down, we’ll continue our birding excursions at a more relaxed pace, going out every two weeks for the summer. Anyone wanting to join our group can still register. Just go to the Birding Activity page and sign-up to receive the invitations.
Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell
We look forward to our next regular dinner on June 25. As well, planning is in place for our usual pot luck picnics - the fun part about these is anyone on our participation list, up to a maximum of 40 guests, can attend and it’s a great opportunity to visit with those we may not have met up with during our usual smaller dinner groups. The picnics will be held on July 23 and August 27 and I’m happy to announce the Zettler’s have again offered to host in July. Our August host is not in place yet but will be soon - interested anyone?
Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman
Invitations for our Wednesday, June 17 dinner @ 12 Noon at the Dam Pub in Meaford were sent on June 1 to members who have signed up for Dining Around Town. It’s not too late to join us—just go to the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage and sign-up in order to receive the invitations!
Future Dining Dates:
- Wednesday, June 17 @12 Noon - The Dam Pub, Meaford
- Monday, September 14 @5 PM - Marilynne Restaurant, Markdale
- Monday, November 2 @ 12 Noon - The Mill Cafe
- Wednesday, November 4 @ 12 Noon - The Mill Cafe
- Monday, November 9 @ 12 Noon - The Mill Cafe
Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman
Our next Euchre 1 monthly tournament will take place on Tuesday, June 9 @ 12:45 PM in the downstairs Great Hall at St. George’s Anglican Church. Invitations are sent out on the 1st of each month. To receive an invitation, you must already be registered online for the Euchre 1 Activity Group and have paid the $20 per person fee, which helps offset the cost of hall rental and euchre tables. This fee covers the period from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
High Score in May - Elaine B. & Brent H.
G.L.E.A.M.
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Beth White
We have had two great luncheons, one at the Blue Mountain Golf & Country Club and The Port Tavern in Thornbury. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month. However, there are changes in dates in July to Wednesday, the 15th, and November, the 18th. It is a wonderful time to meet new people and enjoy the conversation of our interesting members. Some Ladies enjoy the opportunity to "dress up" for the occasion, and others to feel more comfortable in casual clothing. All are welcome as our focus is to appreciate the companionship of other women in a lovely environment, while eating a delicious meal! We are planning future events at the Lakeside Seafood & Grill, Polpette Pizza & Pasta, Walter's Falls, and Katherine's Chateau. Our lunch on June 10 is at Station 87 in Meaford. We welcome any restaurant suggestions!
It's not too late to join us—just navigate to the G.L.E.A.M Activity Page and click the Activity Group Sign-up button to receive the invitations.
Ramblers
Nancy Dixon
This week we have Caroline B. leading our group to the Lilac Dell in Craigleith. Thanks Caroline for assisting. Enjoy!
Anyone wanting to join our group can still register. Just go to the Ramblers Activity page and sign-up to receive the invitations.
Recreational Cycling
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Ilene Rushefsky Charland
We had a great cycle on May 25th with a fun gathering for coffee at McGinty's Cafe in Meaford. We have future cycle routes planned in Wasaga Beach, the Tay Trail near Midland, the cycle paths around Collingwood, the streets around Lora Bay and the Blue Mountain Village. We may be a slower group of cyclists but we enjoy the companionship of our members. There are coffee and lunch gatherings planned as well. Come join us!
R.O.M.E.O.
John White / Louis Charland
For our next R.O.M.E.O. lunch we are landing at Williams on 26, on Wednesday, June 10 at 12 Noon. Seating restricted to the first 25 registrants. Could it be a lovely day to eat on the patio? Please register by Monday, June 8 and join the wait list if full. If you would like to receive the invitations to our 'Retired Outstanding Men Eating Out' group, please sign up on the R.O.M.E.O. Activity Page!
Ski Legends
Chris Mifflin
2027 Legends Ski Trips are now on sale!
- The Dolomites, Italy, February 18 - 28, 2027, Alpenhotel Plaza. This trip is a SOLD OUT! If you would like to join the waitlist in case of a cancellation, please complete the form. You will be contacted if space becomes available.
- Sun Peaks, BC, March 7 - 14, 2027, Sun Peaks Grand. Lots of interest already in our annual visit to Sun Peaks. Don't delay or you may miss out! Booking Deadline: September 15, 2026 or earlier when all space is sold out!
For the latest information, check the Legends website:
https://probusskilegends.ca/2027
New this year! Merit Travel is selling IKON passes at group prices for groups of 20 or more! Not only will you save on the cost, but with at least 22 passes sold, Merit will offer one free pass plus deduct $50 per person from Merit group trip Ikon destinations. Sun Peaks and our planned Europe trip are both Ikon destinations. Contact me for more details.
All participants must be PROBUS members and members of PROBUS Ski Legends:
https://probusskilegends.ca/membership/
Membership cost is $50 per year.
Stitch 'n' Bitch
Sheila Churchill
Stitch 'n' Bitch, being one of the original activities of our Beaver Valley PROBUS Club, is looking to energize, if not rebrand our crafty group.
If you knit, crochet, sew including quilting we would love you to try our get togethers. We meet once a month on the second Monday at various members homes who have agreed to host and prepare coffee and tea with a cookie or two. Since many of the members are new to the area this is a good way of finding out what's going on in the club and the area. The word gossip comes to mind but in a good way. We hope to jazz things up by attending some craft shows and wool shops. So come along and try our friendly group, bitching optional, even those of you who are just starting a craft will be well received.
New participants welcome! Just sign-up on the Stitch 'n' Bitch Activity Page to get the notifications for our group.
Humor Corner
Shared by Nancy Dixon
A police officer pulls over a driver who was speeding excessively.
"Sir, I can explain it!", the driver exclaims. "You can explain it all to my boss. In the meantime, you're going to spend some time in a cell." "But, sir..." "Shut the hell up!" A few hours later, the officer enters the cell to speak with the offender. "You're lucky. My boss is currently at his daughter's wedding, so when he gets back, he'll be in a good mood." "Don't count on it... I'm the groom."
Photo Corner
Lucie Desjardins
"Buzzing Together for a Better Tomorrow"
For other recent photos please check out our 2026 Slideshows!
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.
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
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead, Author
Beaver Valley Probus Club