PROBUS CLUB OF PICKERING Grey Matters FEBRUARY 2018 Volume 5 Number 4 President Fran Sancroft fransancroft@gmail.com Vice President David Werry dkwerry70@gmail.com Past President Garry Fitzpatrick garryfitz@sympatico.ca Secretary Jackie Boyd pickeringprobus234@gmail.com Treasurer Frank Green Green1796@rogers.com House Nancy Cooper n3cooper@gmail.com Membership Iris Forsey irisforsey@gmail.com Activities Gail Perks rongail@sympatico.ca Newsletter Sandy Smiles pickeringprobus234@gmail.com Social Shirlie Van Putten shirlievanputten@rogers.com Melanie Hancock m.hancock@rogers.com Well, the groundhogs predicted we would get 6 more weeks of winter and it seems they were correct! Spring is just around the corner though and there is much to look forward to in the coming months. New clubs and activities have started and it would be remiss of me not to mention them here. The Photography Club, Euchre, the Ski club, and another Book Club for your reading pleasure. Trips are planned for a wide variety of interests, both close to home and far-away, Theater and Music at Stratford, History, a River Cruise and our annual trip to Woodbine Race Track and so much more... There is something for everyone. (Details are inside) National Probus Week is being celebrated by our Club on March 28th, this year and we are going to bring you some special guests and entertainment. Also, we are also working on a Special Event involving all 7 Durham Probus Clubs and as soon as the details, dates and information are available, you will be updated... I am also pleased to tell you that our Club has been nominated for Special Recognition by the City of Pickering and the presentation will be in late May. Again, you will be updated when we have the details. Fran Sancroft - President FEBRUARY SPEAKER Thanh Campbell Thanh was born in Vietnam and came to Canada in 1975 along with 56 other orphan children. He was part of the last flight out of Saigon. Their story was captured numerous times in the media. He has been invited to be a guest on such programs as CBC Radio, TVO, Canada AM, 100 Huntley Street, with chance to share his life story to the Nation. The 57 Orphans story has been covered by many newspapers including the Toronto Star, Hamilton Spectator, Ottawa Citizen, Vancouver Sun, Saigon Newspaper, and included in the French Consulate Newsletter. Most recently Thanh has written his autobiography titled Orphan 32. Since then, Thanh has been invited to speak at numerous Business groups, conferences and schools across Canada as a keynote speaker sharing his story of coming to Canada. Today we will hear this amazing story of the value of family, life and the power of love. REMINDERS AND THINGS TO NOTE Speakers Kathy Borisko kborisko@hotmail.com Webmaster David MacCutchan dwmaccut@gmail.com Our next meeting is Wednesday, February 28 starting at 10 a.m. in the Pickering Recreation Centre, East Salon. For the groups that meet at Pickering please check with the conveners regarding February meet dates. Registered Members no longer need to sign in. We will still have a table where you will pay your $2 fee. Guests are required to sign in.
Request from Webmaster The upgraded website is almost ready. We would like to include a few testimonials stating why Pickering PROBUS is a great club to join. The testimonial should include items such as a why you joined, why you enjoy being a member, your favourite activity or a specific memory. Testimonials can be identified by your first name or initials, and could include month and year you joined. Please email your testimonials to dwmaccut@gmail.com or speak to me at the meeting. David MacCutchan New Members January Meeting Book Club The first book club (meets on 3 rd Friday) is full but accepting names for the waitlist - contact Dolores Forster doloresfor@gmail.com. Mary Pappas is the convener of the 2 nd book club (meets 2 nd Tuesday). For more information contact mary.milosh74@gmail.com. Check calendar for dates and times. Euchre We meet the first & third Thursday of the month from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Pickering Legion on Bayly. Contact Kathy Borisko at kborisko@hotmail.com for more information. Garden Club We are meeting at Sheridan Nursery in Ajax on March 10 th from 2:30 3:30 p.m. Topic: Gardening 101 about pruning, annuals vs perennials, proper lawn care and more. Contact Mary Pappas at mary.milosh74@gmail.com Golf Contact Jim at jameshhare@yahoo.com ACTIVITIES The billiards club meets every other Friday at 11 a.m. at Petrina's Taps and in Ajax. Just $4 for Probus members. The next meeting is March 2. Contact Don Voorhees, by email holdus1399@rogers.com or 905 427-9653. Bridge Marathon Contact Dave at powleydi@gmail.com or phone 905-683-1444. We meet every Monday at 1.00 p.m. at Pickering Town Centre opposite the Community Centre. Contact Pauline at 289-660-3330 or sampsonp84@gmail.com. Photography Club The photography group got off to a start on Wednesday, February 7th with four members attending. Our next meeting will be held on March 7th at 9:30 a.m. in the Private Dining Room at. Remember that you must park on the street or in the recreation parking lot. Hope to see all those interested at the meeting so we can get organized for the coming year. You may also sign up at the next Probus General Meeting. For more information contact Vicki Samson at hijinx@rogers.com
Probus Singers More info coming next month. We are seeking a venue and a piano player... please contact Fran at fransancroft@gmail.com RODEO - Retired Old Dames Eating Out The next lunch reservation is at Irish Times for Monday, March 12 at 12:00 noon. Irish Times is located at 1400 Bayly Street, on the north side just east of the GO station. Each lady will be responsible for her own bill. I will not be at the February meeting, please sign up via e-mail. If you do not have e-mail, call me at 905-420- 6973. Contact Debbie Cox at d_c_cox@hotmail.com. Ski Club Contact Joan Black hiitsjoan@gmail.com. Contact Jeanette Adams at jeanette.mary.adams@gmail.com or Bev Sinclair at rap875@rogers.com SOCIAL ACTIVITIES 1. Signing up without payment does NOT ensure you a spot. 2. Deposits are required to guarantee a spot for most events. 3. Cheques are the preferred form of payment. 4. Avoid the rush and come early to inquire about the trips. We are generally at the social desk at 9:30 a.m. February 26 th 2 p.m. Test Your Trivia Knowledge Cost $3.00 Falcon Brewery Company - 30 Barr Rd, Ajax (Westney Rd /Finlay) - Come along to test yourself and help your team with Trivia Questions. Perhaps you can have a glass of Wine or two all for FUN!! Only $3.00 pp covers your snacks, prizes and fun times! March 23rd MEDIEVAL TIMES Cost $99 - Probus Evening!! Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament is a family dinner theater featuring staged medieval-style games, sword-fighting, and jousting. Transportation departs Pickering Recreation Centre at 5:00pm. Dinner and Tournament (7:30 p.m.) Return Transportation, Drivers tip April 11 th Putting Edge Cost $16 FUN afternoon!! Staying at home or going out to the movies is easy. But we believe that change is good and comfortable is overrated. Especially when there s a fun and imaginative world that exists when we dare to go over the edge at Putting Edge, Whitby. Take a deep breath and prepare to step out of reality into an illuminated universe that is impossible to put into words. Mini Putt, Arcade voucher, Snacks May 11 th Woodbine Race Track Cost will be available at meeting Enjoy a Day at the Races!! Includes Amazing Buffet Lunch $10 Slot Play voucher for OLG Pocket Program and Racing Form for each table Return transportation May 14 th Stratford Festival Presents THE MUSIC MAN Cost $169 A charming but fraudulent salesman arrives in River City to work his usual scam - only to find that a bill of goods can be the real deal. With melodies that include the rousing "Seventy-Six Trombones," this musical-comedy classic will delight the whole family.
Return transportation by deluxe motor coach, Driver s Tip Lunch at The Parlour Inn Ticket to The Music Man July 13 th Westben Price available at General Meeting Colin Mochrie/Debra McGrath Comedy Improv We have a limited # of seats. We are sharing a bus with Ajax Probus. July 18 th Grand River Cruise Cost $107 Grand River Cruise is in the tranquil County of Brant and cruises on a 20 km section of the Grand River between Caledonia and Brantford, Ontario. The area has a unique aboriginal heritage scattered with quaint farming towns and communities. The Grand River flows 300 km through the heartland of Southern Ontario and was declared a Canadian Heritage River in 1994. Return transportation by deluxe motor coach, Drivers tip Muffin & Coffee upon arrival Entertainment River Cruise with Lunch August 1st or 12th COME FROM AWAY Cost $149- SOLD OUT Please call if you want your name on the waiting list. I am trying to get additional dates. Orchestra Level seats at Royal Alexandra Theatre (Matinee) Return transportation by motor coach Drivers Tip For information on any of the excursions offered, please contact Shirlie at 905-619-8583, email at shirlievanputten@rogers.com OR Contact your Club s Social Committee Conveners COMMUNITY EVENTS 1st Pickering Club continues at the Pickering Recreation Centre on Monday mornings and at the PVUC on Tuesday and Friday mornings. The three cancelled days are March 12, 26 and 30. The drop in fee is $3. New players are always welcome. For more information contact David Werry at dkwerry70@gmail.com. Friday, March 23 rd 1 4 p.m. Games Day George Ashe Library & Community Centre Join the 55+ Program Committee for an afternoon of exciting games and social fun. Refreshments provided. Call to reserve your spot. Free for Pickering Residents 55+. pickering.ca/greatevents 905.420.4660 ext. 6100 Saturday, April 12 th 2:30 4:00 p.m. Music4Life Ensemble presents: Strings on the Red Carpet Special Guest Performer Saj McKenley Favourite songs from the Oscars and Emmys Forest Brook Community 60 Kearney Drive, Ajax Adults $15 Students and Seniors $10 Kids (12 and under) Free Doors open at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 1 st 2:30 4:00 p.m. Music4Life Ensemble presents: Disney on Strings Special Guest Performers Archbishop Denis O Connor Catholic High School Youth Choir Forest Brook Community 60 Kearney Drive, Ajax Adults $15 Students and Seniors $10 Kids (12 and under) $5 Doors open at 2:00 p.m.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 4 5 6 7 Photography Club - 9:30 a.m. Euchre Club Pickering Legion 1 4 p.m. 1 8 Petrina's 2 9 3 10 Garden Club Sheridan Nursery In Ajax 2:30 3:30 p.m. 11 12 RODEO Lunch Irish Times 13 2nd Book Club 10:30 a.m. Management Meeting 14 Euchre Club Pickering Legion 1 4 p.m. 15 Petrina's 16 17 1 st Book Club 2 p.m. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 PROBUS Meeting Games Day Medieval Times 9 30 Petrina s 31