Happy New Year to You All

PROBUS CLUB OF PICKERING
Volume 2, No. 3, January, 2015, 6 pages
Happy New Year to You All
President’s Message
It is time for new goals and new beginnings. Together, let’s make 2015 a memorable year.
We have eight active clubs and Richard and other club members are trying to add to the list.
Sue has a wonderful slate of speakers and resource people, Melanie and Shirlie are
planning social events to take us near and far. The rest of the Management team are
supporting various efforts to increase our membership, to ensure that the club runs
smoothly and to maintain a high level of fun and friendship.
For those of you, who are not escaping to warmer climes, we look forward to seeing you on
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at the Arena Meeting Rooms of the Pickering Recreation
Centre.
Cheers and Best Regards, Chuck Simmons
Lunch Bunch
Anyone who wishes to join the group for lunch after the general meeting is welcome. The location
for January will be announced at the meeting.
ACTIVITIES
Arts and Crafts
Mary Lou Simmons, [email protected] 905-831-3733
Our next meeting is Tuesday. Jan. 20, 10 a .m., in the Pottery Studio, Pickering Rec.
Centre, to try out handling clay. We will make a serving tray with handles. The cost
per person is $15, payable at the class. If you are interested, and have not signed up
yet please send an email or leave a phone message for Mary Lou. We may have a
second class to complete the project.
In February we will have an art class. Details will be available at the general meeting
in January.
Billiards
Don Voorhees, [email protected] 905-427-9653
Everyone who likes to shoot pool, or who would like to learn, can join us at Petrina’s, 21
Harwood S., (just south of Kingston Road), 2nd floor, every second Friday at 11:00
a.m.. The next sessions are Jan 16 and 30, and Feb.27. (Don will be away on Friday the
13th, but if you are not superstitious you could play!) The cost for seniors is $4.00,
valid until 6 p.m. Petrina’s is licensed, and snacks or lunch is available from the
restaurant downstairs, by dumbwaiter.
Book Club
Mary Leigh, [email protected] 905-426-5710
The Book Club is now active with 9 members expected at the next meeting, Jan.16. at 2
p.m. We will discuss “No Relation”, by Terry Fallis. The selection for February is “The
Book Thief” by Marcus Zuzak.
The group meets regularly the third Friday of every month, for about an hour. Nancy
Cooper gets copies of the next selection from the Pickering Library, and distributes
them at the PROBUS general meeting. She then collects all the copies of the book
which has been discussed, and returns them to the library.
Bridge
Dave Powley, [email protected] 905-683-1444
Scores from games played are coming in s-l-o-w-l-y. Now that we are in the new year
let’s get our dates confirmed. If you have trouble confirming a date, you could
consider inviting a spare. Contact the convenor if you need help or advice.
All games are to be played and scores reported by April 30. Our Bridge Party will
take place on Monday, May 11, at the MANDARIN, Pickering. More info will be
available closer to that date.
Garden Club
Trish Stephens, [email protected] 905-831-4485
Now at the beginning of a New Year it’s time to reflect on what we have achieved and
what we aspire to in the months ahead. We have potted up fuchsia and geranium
cuttings for our garden containers, visited woodland trilliums and a number of
private gardens including some of our members’, made Christmas wreaths, and
learned how to force bulbs for indoor enjoyment during the winter.
We plan to continue with a busy schedule: discussing and buying summer bulbs, visits to
Peterborough Garden Show, Oshawa Peony Festival, and other private gardens and
garden centres, and to Sandbanks Winery.
I am interested in your comments and feedback on past and future activities. New
members are always welcome. Our next meeting will be in March.
Mah Jong
Pauline Sampson, [email protected] 905-660-3330
The Mah Jong Club meets every Monday afternoon, 1:00 p.m., at Chartwell Residence,
Valley Farm Road. New members are always welcome – you don’t need to know how
to play – we will show you. It’s a lot of fun!
Tech Club
Richard Szpin, [email protected] 905-509-4321
The Tech Club operates by appointment. The next session is full. Please call the
Convenor with your questions or suggestions for future programmes.
Walking Club
Barbara Twiner, [email protected] 905-839-7600
Those who have joined our walks have been surprised to see what great natural areas
we have in and around Pickering. It seems that the more interesting walks are on the
nature trails, but it is wiser to go there with a group, and not by yourself. We walk in
all weathers, and appreciate the beauty of nature in all its variations.
The next walk is on Friday, Jan.16, at 10 a.m., for about 1 ½ hours. Please meet at the
small shopping centre on Liverpool Road north of Finch. The route will depend on the
weather and conditions. We go rain or shine – dress for the weather. A walking stick
is always handy.
We have tried a variety of days and times. Please contact the convenor with your
preferences.
* * * * * * * * *
Any PROBUS member who would like to start up an activity group should contact
Richard Szpin, the Activities Co-ordinator, to discuss your idea.
SPEAKERS
January 28
We will be entertained by Terry Fallis, the author, with the frolics of the characters
from his latest book, ”No Relation”.
February 25 Leslie Page will speak to us on the topic “Life is too short to be a passenger”.
Fulfilling your personal dreams is never too late!
SOCIAL EVENTS & TRIPS
Festival of Lights, Niagara Falls Now a 1-day tour, Sunday, January 25
* Return transportation by deluxe motor coach
* Light lunch and tour at Calamus Winery
* Tour of Joseph’s Winery, Niagara-on-the-Lake
* Guided tour of Niagara Falls Pkwy & Dufferin Islands, for Light Festival
* Dinner
Total Cost, including HST $99.00
Ripley’s Aquarium, Wed. February 18
Transportation, Tasting at Steamwhistle Micro Brewery
Cost $49 per person
To reserve a spot, call or email Melanie Hancock A.S.A.P., 905-706-5760 or
[email protected]
Washington Cherry Blossom Festival, April 9-13, 2015
* Premium reserved seats for the fabulous Cherry Blossom Parade
* Smithsonian Institutes
* Arlington Cemetery
* U.S. Botanical Gardens
* National Arboretum
* Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens (home of George Washington)
* Washington City Tour
* Evening Monument Tour.
* Tour of the National Cathedral and Gardens
Enroute to Washington we will stay 1 night in Hershey, Pa., with a visit to the Hershey Factory,
Hershey Trolley Tour and Hershey Gardens (weather permitting).
In Washington your home will be the Hyatt Place Hotel, located close to a Metro Subway station,
giving you fast, affordable transportation to destinations in the D.C. area. As well as scheduled
tours there will be time to visit other attractions
.
Cost per person double occupancy $975, singles add $400.
Early bird discount if paid in full before Jan.15, $25.
Hotel release date (last cancellation) is February 24.
For detailed itinerary see website: www.hnatravels.com
Click on Sightseeing & City Escape Tours
.
PROBUS MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
President
Vice-President
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Activities Co-ordinator
House Co-ordinator
Membership Records
Newsletter Editor
Speakers Co-ordinator
Social Co-ordinators
Chuck Simmons
905-831-3733
[email protected]
Melanie Hancock 905-706-5760
[email protected]
Frank Green
905-831-7963
[email protected]
Maureen Marquardt 905-492-0178
[email protected]
Jackie Teevan
905-831-2996
[email protected]
Richard Szpin
905-509-4321
[email protected]
Ulf Neidhardt
905-831-5418
[email protected]
Joe Sancroft
905-831-0492
[email protected]
Fran Sancroft
[email protected]
Mary Lou Simmons 905-831-3733
[email protected]
Sue Porter
905-839-4904
[email protected]
Shirlie van Putten 905-427-6297
[email protected]
Melanie Hancock
905-706-5760
[email protected]