Co-Presidents' Message:
By the time you get this we will be well into winter!!
Taking our minds off winter weather are the Tour Groups being organized for later in the year. At our preliminary meeting held at Glendale Crossing on January 8, 2024, many possible tours were discussed. Four Group Leaders volunteered. As of now the Group Leaders and Tours are as follows: Nancy Fazackerley – Churchill Manitoba (to see polar bears), Janice Rudd – Ontario extended day trips, Bob Harris – Muskoka, and Jim Gilmour – Alaska Cruise also Agawa Canyon. Many of our members have expressed interest in these tours.
Information about Probus Club of South London was posted on Byron Neighbourhood Facebook and Oakridge Acorn. As a result of these and by word of mouth by members, we saw an encouraging growth in membership in the last few months.
We were saddened at the passing of former Probus member Bob Meredith on January 12, 2024. Condolences on behalf of Probus Club of South London have been sent to his wife Carol.
At our last General Meeting in January we had 3 very interesting speakers, Phyllis, Peggy and Barb on the topic of “Home Sharing” and Bill 69 – The Golden Girls Act of Ontario which allows unrelated seniors to share a home. Thanks to Nancy Holmes our Vice President for arranging this informative topic.
Glad to see that many of you are taking advantage of our many interest groups.
See you at our February 21st Probus General Meeting.
Sandra and Jim Gilmour
Share the Wealth: 
Please buy your tickets when you arrive for the meeting as the winner is announced at coffee break. The tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. At the January meeting, the winner was Carole C. who won $53.00 .
Birthdays:
February:
Colleen, Feb. 1; Gwen, Feb. 2; Helen R. Feb. 5; David N. Feb. 7; Jill B. Feb. 9; Marg M. Feb. 11; Don B. Feb. 12; Barbara G. Feb. 16; Sandra M. Feb. 18; Audrey Burt, Feb. 20; Ron P. Feb. 20
Sign up for our Social Events online or in person: 
Register for the events below online by clicking on the event in our Calendar, or in person at a meeting, and bring your cheque to the meeting to secure your spot! If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact Marg D. or click on the underlined name in the newsletter to gain access to the person's phone # and email.
Feb. 8 is the Emergency Response Preparedness presentation at the Byron Fire Hall, 2:00 p.m. No cost for the tour. Preceded by lunch at your own cost, 12:15 p.m. at the Byron Legion. Please note, this tour is full. Any questions, contact Brigitte D.
March 19: Top of the Fair -Cost $53.35 paid by individual at the table after dinner. (senior's rate includes tax and gratuity). This includes the buffet dinner, entrance, betting booklet, 1 voucher for betting, 1 voucher for casino, free parking and elevator access. DOES NOT include alcoholic beverages or pop. Opens at 5:00 p.m. Buffet 5:30 p.m. Racing at 6:00 p.m. Reservation for 20 people. Sign up on line or at the February meeting. Final sign up March 10th. Contact Gail C.
April 10: There will be 2 tours of the Arva Flour Mill. 10 a.m. - 20 people on the tour then browse in the shop. At 11a.m. -20 people on the second tour then browse/shop. People are encouraged to car pool due to the large numbers and limited available parking spaces. Please note both tours are full.
Turtle Jacks will be set up for early arrivals at 12 noon and the second
tour group will arrive about 12:30 for their lunch. A sign up sheet will be available at the February meeting or you can register online for the 10 am tour. Please let Sheila J. know if you are coming for lunch.
June 10, Walters Music Venue, 2:00 p.m. $70 - no refund. Only 2 tickets left. This is now open to guests. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. at the Charles Dickens Restaurant, Woodstock, at your own cost. Car pooling is recommended. Contact Marg for a ticket.
We have also created sign up sheets for many more interest groups. Members are encouraged to review these and, if interested, sign up. When there are sufficient numbers, the groups will meet and each group can determine their own format, frequency, etc. Members are also encouraged to make suggestions for other groups that may be of interest.
- Watch the website for more information on social events.
- REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR CHEQUE BOOK WHEN SIGNING UP AND PAYING FOR EVENTS. Your spot is not confirmed unless paid for.
Dine Out: Note: for this month only, Dine out is on February 14th.
The next Dine Out is February 14, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. at the Mandarin on Hyde Park Road. Please contact Cheryl by February 7th, if you are planning to attend.
See the event on our calendar
Pot Luck:
3rd Tuesday of the month 12 p.m. in member's homes.8 maxim
um plus spares. Starting in January 2024.
For more information, and if interested in being a spare call convenor: Donna Jean I.
Coffee Mornings:
Men's Coffee:
2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m. except 4th Monday in December. We meet in Westmount Mall across from Tim Horton's. Contact Larry M.
Women's Coffee:
2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m., except 4th Monday in December. See the photos from our coffee meet ups, in the photo section at the end of the newsletter! Convenor: Shirley . We meet in Westmount Mall across from Tim Horton's.
Women's Coffee: Click here to see more coffee photos.
Men's Coffee: Click here to see more coffee photos.
Investment Club: NOTE date change for February.
The Investment Group will be meeting on February 15th at 9:30 a.m. at Riverbend . Regular meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Newcomers are welcome and are asked to contact Don to confirm the date and time.
Euchre:
4th Thursday of the month (except December) at 1 pm in a member’s home. 8 players maximum plus spares. Usually over in about 3 hours. If interested in being a spare, call Convenor: Gail.
2nd Euchre Group:
Contact Nancy F. for more information.
Walking Group: 
Meet every Wednesday except the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the Guy Lombardo Parking Lot for a one hour walk.
Contact Person: Geesje
Rummikub –
1st Tuesday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Contact Louise – if interested in being spare.
Games –
1st Friday of the month at 1:30 p.m. Contact Linda H. - still require substitutes/spares
Support:
If you know someone who is feeling under the weather or needs cheering up, please contact Marg C.
Book Club:
Book Club meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2:00 p.m. except December, July & August in a member’s home. We are currently full. Please call Susan or Liz, if you wish more information.
2nd Book Club:
Book Club #2 meets every 2nd Friday of the month. We are currently taking more members. We meet in members homes except December, July and August. Contact Nancy F. for more information.
Travel Group: 
For more information, Contact Jim G.
An Alaskan Trip is being planned. Holland American is the only cruise line that visits the Yukon.
Agawa Canyon is being arranged with the help of a Robin Hood Travel Agent.
Muskoka will likely be deferred until next year.
If you are interested in travelling to Churchill, Manitoba next October there will be a meeting at Nancy F’s home on Monday, Feb. 5 at 1:30 to discuss tour options, pricing etc. Please come only if seriously interested in this trip. Please let Nancy know if you plan to attend.
Speakers: 
The speakers in January were London's Golden Girls, Peggy Matser, Barb Coughlin and Phyllis Brady with their stories of "Home Sharing". Two stories, two separate ideas on how to share ALL costs, gain companionship, safety and better finances. The women divide household and outside chores. Communication and mutual respect are key to the success in sharing a home. Our speakers have given us permission to publish their email addresses, if you have any questions.
Left to right:
Peggy Matser: pmatser50@gmail.com
Barb Coughlin: barbjc12@gmail.com
Phyllis Brady: bradyphyllis@gmail.com
To find out more about sharing a home etc, click on the following link:
Housemates wanted: Seniors look to co-housing to move away from loneliness (youtube.com)
Upcoming Speakers:
February speaker is Aura Burditt, Chair, The Salvation Army Ontario SW Regional Modern Slavery Human Trafficking Committee. She will talk to us about these issues in our community, the work of her office to provide services to victims and survivors and how collaborative partnerships offer the best solutions.
March: Jane Blackwood, "Make Peace with Paper".
April: Dr. Jean Hewitt, "Aging Wisely".
May: Mike Smith, Probus Member, "Travels Through Life".
New Members:
Left to Right: Janet R; Sue and Mike O'D; Barbara G; Judy D;
Not there where Janice R; Carole H; and Louisie M.
Museum of Ontario Archaeology Tour
January 10, 2024
To see more pictures regarding this tour, click on the link.
Probus Canada has a new national newsletter. I have included the web address today for you to use. https://www.probuscanada.ca/news
As the convenors of an event or group please submit pictures to me to include in the newsletter, as well as a brief description of what has been discussed ie. book club - the book and author and how it was received; dine out - where it was, how many attended and brief description of the food; investment club - some snip of interest etc.
Thank you for your co-operation in this matter to ensure our newsletter is more interesting to our members.
REMEMBER OUR MEETINGS ARE SCENT FREE AND TO WEAR YOUR NAME TAG TO THE GENERAL MEETING AND ALL EVENTS.
We now have 12 interest groups. To sign up, bring your calendars AND Cheques.
Greeters for Monthly Meetings - stand inside the church entry doors from ~ 9:25 to 9:57 am, greeting everyone and providing newcomers with directions to the meeting space downstairs. It's a wonderful way to become acquainted with members and guests. Contact to volunteer: Nancy Holmes lmnholmes@rogers.com
A/V Assistants - help is needed with our audio/visual equipment. No experience is needed; friendly, patient training is available! Contact to volunteer:
Bob Harris carrharris@protonmail.com or
John Wolnik johnwolnik@gmail.com
Editor: Brigitte D.
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