Co-Presidents' Message:
It was great to see all of you at our general meeting on Feb 21. We noted at this and the previous meetings that many of you are bringing along friends as potential new members. This is a very necessary activity to keep our club flourishing and we would like to thank all the members who did this and would like to encourage all members to do the same.
We have a full roster of games and other activities over the winter which is well supported. We particularly enjoy our Rummikub afternoons. Sure helps to make the winter pass quickly!
Our Management Committee met on Feb 27, during which plans for our spring lunch were discussed-another sign that we are leaving winter behind.
The guest speakers at our Probus meetings cover a wide range of topics which we hope you find interesting. We are trying to encourage the use of our ROVING MICROPHONE so that all members can hear the questions being directed to the speaker. So if you have question for the speaker please raise your hand and wait until you are presented with the mike before voicing your question. By hearing both the question and the speaker’s answer it should improve the enjoyment of the presentation for all meeting attendees.
The Management Committee were saddened to learn of the passing of the husbands of two of our members - Moira Connell (Craig) and Geesje Fulton (Richard). Condolences have been sent to Moira and Geesje and their families.
We look forward to another interesting meeting in March. It is good to see more members are remembering to wear their name badges –Thank you - may we look forward to everybody wearing their badges at the next fun time together?
Sandra and Jim Gilmour, Co-Presidents
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 February meeting, the winner was Susan W. and she won $50.00 .
Birthdays:
March:
Jane P., March 01; Janice R., March 01; Hilda S. March 03; Angela J., March 03; Lynda, F., March 08; Jennifer, B., March 15; Brigitte, D., March 24; Donna Jean, I., March 26; Larry, R., March 30
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.
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. ONLY 8 places left.
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.
Our visit to the Fire Hall for Emergency Preparedness
On February 8th , two groups of our members visited London Fire Station 12 in Byron, where we learned about emergency preparedness from Public Safety Educator Taylor Simmons, tsimmons@london.ca assisted by co-op student, Olivia. We sat in the chairs of top city officials in the emergency "situation room" where we received valuable information and resources to share with family and friends. For anyone who was unable to attend, visit: https//london.ca/living-london/community-services/emergency-preparedness. On that same page, you can sign up for upcoming Citizen's Academy training sessions.
To see more pictures regarding this tour, click on the link.
Dine Out:
The next Dine Out is March 6th 12:00 noon Milestones, 3169 Wonderland Rd., South. Those wishing to attend please contact Barbara G., by noon on Friday March 1st. Please provide your name, email and telephone number.
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.
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:
The Investment Group will be meeting on March 14th 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: 
The final basic arrangements for our Alaskan/Yukon beginning July 7th 2024 in Vancouver for 18 day cruise -land tour have been arranged, as have our Agawa Canyon 4 day tour beginning Oct 1. All members who signed up for these tours at our meeting on Jan 8th have now been informed of all the details. There is plenty of space available as of now please contact Jim G.
There is, within our Probus membership interest in forming group tours to other destinations, such as Nashville, New Orleans or ????? If you are willing to act as a group leader for these or to another destination please contactJim G..
Speakers:
Our February speaker Aura Burditt 
Upcoming Speakers:
March: Jane Blackwood “In a Nutshell: Pave the Way for your Power of Attorney and Executor”
April: Dr. Jean Hewitt, "Aging Wisely".
May: Mike S., Probus Member, "Travels Through Life".
Who Am I Speaker:
Jim E. was our "Who Am I" speaker for February.
New Members:
Left to right: Marie D; Marcel D; Carol H; Chris M; Howard W.
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.
WE ASKED AND YOU ANSWERED!
Thank you to the following members who volunteered to be Greeters at future meetings:
Sheila J.; Geesje F., Roslyn M. , Angie J., Catherine and Larry M. and Chris M.
And thank you to Marcel D. who volunteered to help our audio visual team.
This was a great response to our call for volunteers and speaks well of our members and our club’s future. Thank you!
We are still looking for a member to serve as Member at Large on the Nominations Committee. If this interests you, please talk with one of the Management Committee members. We would love to hear from you!
Editor: Brigitte D.
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