President's Message
Kirby Philp
Now that fall has arrived, and as many of our summer activities wind down, we still have an active month ahead. To begin, we hope you will join us on October 5 at 9:00 AM for the official declaration of “October is Probus Month” by the Mayor of the Town of the Blue Mountains, followed by the raising of our Probus flag at the Riverwalk Flagpole at 26 Bridge Street in Thornbury. Our flag will proudly fly there for the month.
Next, after much anticipation, we will celebrate our 25th Anniversary Grand Finale on October 22 at Meaford Hall. Our dedicated 25th Committee has been working tirelessly to create a memorable afternoon featuring delicious appetizers and outstanding entertainment by Duelling Pianos Niagara. You’ll even have the chance to request your favourite songs—so bring your singing voice. It promises to be a fantastic afternoon.
Finally, I want to extend warm Thanksgiving wishes to you and your family. May you enjoy meaningful time together and a wonderful seasonal feast.
Membership Meeting - Tuesday, October 27
Denise Rand / Melany Franklin
We look forward to seeing you at our next monthly meeting at the Beaver Valley Community Centre.
Date: October 27, 2026
Doors open: 1:00 PM
Meeting begins: 1:30 PM
Speaker: Joan Knighton
Topic: British Home Children—The Almost Forgotten Children
Joan Knighton is a former teacher, nurse and ortho tech and a proud descendant of a British Home Child. She has previously written and published her father's story. In her retirement she loves presenting this important, but often little known, part of Canadian history. She feels that she honours her Dad and all the children each time she presents.
Joan will present the history of the British Child Migrant Scheme, which spanned eight decades. More than 100,000 children of all ages were sent by ship to Canada, where many became indentured farm or domestic workers until the age of 18. She will cover why, how and the outcome of the system that gave us The British Home Children. To learn more about Canada's British Home Children you can also view the Handout.
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.
September Meeting Follow-up
We had our best turnout in recent memory for Angela Yenssen's presentation on frauds and scams. Over 180 members attended the September meeting and learned about several ways to protect themselves!
For those of you who attended but weren't able to get the handouts, or even those who weren't able to attend, you can download the information here:
Membership
Brian Cromie/Pam Weaver
The next opportunity to welcome new members from the waitlist will be in January, based on available space.
Can't Find your Name Badge? Please let us know. We may have it or we can send you instructions on how to purchase a new one! Please be sure to wear your name badge—it is often used as your admission ticket and it helps everyone to put a name to a familiar face!
25th Anniversary Grand Finale
Jane Andrew / Pam Weaver
We have a record number of registrations (268) for this special event!
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Venue: Meaford Hall Arts and Cultural Centre
Time: Doors open at 12 noon
PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR NAME BADGE—IT'S YOUR TICKET.
Doors Open at 12 Noon for the Reception
-1:30 PM: Welcoming Remarks and Presentations
-2:00 PM: Performance by Duelling Pianos Niagara
No Reserved Seating (except for Founding Members): There are no bad seats at Meaford Hall! The balcony is available for those who can climb one flight of stairs. We will need at least 30 members to sit in the balcony due to the number of seats sold. There is elevator access to the Galleries and the main floor of the auditorium.
Reception: The Terrace Room (first floor, off the front foyer) and The Galleries (second floor) are both open during the reception. Tables and chairs will be available in The Terrace Room (first floor) for those who prefer to sit while eating. The Galleries will have high-top tables and a limited number of chairs available. Appetizers and a cash bar are available at both prior to the performance. The Galleries bar will be open during intermission.
Please note:
FOOD is not allowed in the theater, although DRINKS are permitted.
Social Events
Don Collins-Williams
Save the Dates:
Sunday, November 8: We will be having an evening Murder Mystery, preceded by a Potluck dinner at St. George's Anglican Church in Clarksburg.
Tuesday, December 1: Our Annual Holiday Luncheon will be held again at the beautiful Bear Estate in Collingwood. We hope to see you all there.
Your Social Committee is meeting at the beginning of October to organize a couple more events for the fall, and will start working on plans for the winter. As always, your ideas are welcomed.
Georgian Probus Travel Club
Gloria Thompson
Your Travel Group Coordinators are hard at work! Stay tuned for more exciting trips and keep us in mind when you are planning your next travel excursion... Remember all members, friends and family are welcome to join our trips.
Making future travel plans? Check the GPTG website first!
Upcoming Trips:
ACTIVITIES
Ilene Rushefsky Charland
As the seasons change, so do our activities—September and now October are transition months. Water activities are drawing to a close, though some hearty souls tell me they are still swimming... in the bay! There are a few more hiking and biking events you may enjoy before their season is over. However, do not fear, there are plenty of indoor activities to add to your social calendar. So, take advantage of your PROBUS club and join in the fun!
*NEW*: When signing up for an activity group you will now see that you MUST login in to register. This change is necessary to ensure that only members of BVPC can register for activities.
Here is a step-by-step video on "how to sign up" for Activity Groups. Click on the red arrow to view!
Casual Dining with Friends
Sallie Kedwell
We will not be having a dinner in the month of October as the date coincides with the Beaver Valley PROBUS Club Anniversary Celebration and I know many of you will be attending that event. Hope you will enjoy the celebration. Our next regular dinner event will be on November 26 and you will receive an invitation on or about November 9. Our annual holiday cocktail party will be held on December 10 and you can expect an invite on or about Dec. 1. Please record those two upcoming dates in your calendar and we’ll look forward to seeing you in November and December. Enjoy this lovely fall weather.
Canoeing & Kayaking
Kirby Philp & Lucie Desjardins
We have wrapped up our season for the Canoeing and Kayaking Activity following a beautiful last paddle on the Sauble River. Despite a few weather related cancellations this summer we had several great paddles that were well attended and enjoyed some fun social time as well. Thank you to all members who joined us and we look forward to another enjoyable season next summer.
Dining Around Town (DAT)—Activity Leader Needed
Hank Bouwman
Looking to get more involved? We have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! Hank has advised us that he will be stepping down as DAT leader at the end of November, following 7 years of leading this group. He is prepared to assist someone to ensure a smooth transition. The job can be shared by 1 or 2 people. Please contact Hank if you are interested.
Dining Around Town
Hank Bouwman
Our next Dining Around Town luncheon will be at The Mill Restaurant in Thornbury. You have a choice of 3 different dates to choose from. Invitations will be sent out to DAT members on October 19. We are limited to 16 members for each date, so you have the option of selecting another date or go on the Waitlist if your preferred date is full. It’s not too late to join us for future dining outings—just go to the Dining Around Town Activity Group webpage and sign-up in order to receive the invitations!
Future Dining Dates:
- Monday, November 2 @ 12 Noon - The Mill Cafe
- Wednesday, November 4 @ 12 Noon - The Mill Cafe
- Friday, November 6 @ 12 Noon - The Mill Cafe
Euchre 1
Elaine & Hank Bouwman
The Euchre 1 monthly tournament will be held on Tuesday, October 13 at 12:45 PM in the downstairs great hall at St. George’s Anglican Church, 166 Russell St. E., Clarksburg. Ample parking, elevator available and spacious room. Invitations are sent out on the 1st of every month. You must register on-line for the Euchre 1 Activity and pay $10.00 / person to help pay for the hall rental and euchre tables if you have not already done so. The fee covers the October 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027 period. High Scores in September: Cathy B.
G.L.E.A.M.
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Beth White
On September 23, twenty‑nine Ladies enjoyed a lovely al fresco lunch at Polpette in Thornbury. We gathered around a long wooden table in the garden—sun shining, fall colours emerging, and a bright blue sky overhead. A perfect setting for a delicious meal. Our next luncheon is Wednesday, October 14 at Brunello At 27 on Fourth Street in Collingwood. This charming Italian restaurant has space for 30 guests and is known for its excellent cuisine. Our final 2026 luncheon will be on November 18 at the Falls Inn in Walters Falls. With December being such a busy month, we felt a G.L.E.A.M. luncheon would be difficult for many to attend. Planning for our 2027 luncheons will begin soon!
Hiking Down a Notch
Glen Downey / Ilene Rushefsky Charland
The Hiking Down a Notch group had a great September. We had a nice variety of hikes, discovering trails in our own backyard. Some of the trails were quite easy; others a bit more challenging. We hiked through forests, (Kolapore), near the bay (Hen and Chicks) , with stunning views (Bruce Trail at the top of the escarpment), and between cliff-like rock walls (Owen Sound East). We talk as we hike and get to know our fellow Probus members a little better. There are still a few more hikes before we close the season, and you are welcome to join in the fun.
Mah Jongg
Judy Smith
Pre-Order 2027 NMJL Cards through us! When you pre-order your 2027 National Mah Jongg League playing card through our club, approximately 50% of the price for your 2027 cards will be donated to the Baycrest Foundation in Toronto, providing research and support for brain health, especially dementia. Individual card orders must wait until December and the donation portion will be given to a USA charity NOT the Canadian Baycrest Foundation. Contact Judy Smith for more details.
Ramblers
Nancy Dixon
The fall is here, so what does that mean? It means Great walks viewing the fall colours in cooler temperatures, my favourite time of year. For those of you Ramblers who experience our Scarecrow Walk in Meaford, thanks for attending. Some of us even had their picture taken with our favourite Scarecrow. If you want to be really scared look for our pictures on our website. As October is of course our Thanksgiving Month, we look forward to our Ramble next Friday, October 9, starting at Devils Glen Provincial Park, Parking Area and proceeding along the hiking trail to the Mad River. Some of you will remember our Glen Huron attempt but I assure you this Ramble will be even better. Watch for the invite.
Recreational Cycling
Mary Ann Collins-Williams / Ilene Rushefsky Charland
During September we have had gorgeous Fall weather for our rides. We have ridden from the Craigleith Depot along the Georgian Trail to the Hen and Chickens trail, the trails around Leith, Owen Sound, and the Tay Rail Trail near Midland. Snacks at Mary Ann and Don's Chalet and lunch at the Boathouse Eatery in Midland were enjoyed by all of us. Our last ride will be on Monday, October 5th on the quiet side roads in Meaford. A celebratory lunch is planned at the Leeky Canoe. It has been a great season for cycling!
R.O.M.E.O.
John White / Louis Charland
On Thursday, September 24 the ROMEOS held our first "double hitter" friendly golf and lunch event under wonderful Blue Skies, hosted at Blue Mountain Golf and Country Club. We had a fun group playing a relaxed round of golf at one of the area's premier golf courses followed by a lunch for which other non-golfing ROMEOS joined in. There were lots of laughs and a few gentlemanly rule interpretations. Thursday, September 23, 2027 is already reserved and we look forward to seeing many PROBUS members and friends join us. It is one of the few events where the number of attendees is not an issue. Be sure to check out other upcoming ROMEO events including our next ROMEO Lunch at Walters Falls on Wednesday, October 14. Guys, it is wonderful to be OUTSTANDING isn't it !
If you would like to receive all 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
The ski season is not far away!
- 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. We already have a great group signed up, and just a few rooms remain. Don't delay or you may miss out! Booking Deadline extended to October 15, 2026 or earlier when all space is sold out!
For the latest information, check the Legends website:
https://probusskilegends.ca/2027
The Legends Group Ikon Pass is still available until December 1, 2026. 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.
Humour Corner
Shared by Nancy Dixon
Happiness is good health and a bad memory.
Ingrid Bergman
Photo Corner
Lucie Desjardins
"Surrounded by mums, pumpkins, and autumn's warmth".
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving !
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 October.
In Memorium
Donna Marie Patterson, of Meaford, passed on August 21, 2026. We send our sincere condolences to her family and friends.
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
All sunshine makes a desert.
Arab Proberb
Newsletter Team
Lucie Desjardins / Nancy Dixon / Heather Buscher
If you have any recent activity photos, recipes, jokes or any other ideas for our newsletter, please send them to: grapevine@beavervalleyprobus.com
Beaver Valley Probus Club