In her presentation on hearing health, our April speaker, Wendy Beth Moore, spoke to us about the many negative impacts that untreated hearing loss can have. Among those potential impacts were reduced communication, damage to relationships and increasing isolation, all of which could contribute to desperate loneliness.

I was reminded of the work of Dixon Chibanda who pioneered the Friendship Bench, where local grandmothers sit with people and help them talk through their problems. The project was born out of a particularly traumatic piece of Zimbabwean history, where the Mugabe government embarked on systematic destruction of so-called “illegal” buildings, that left 700,000 people homeless and over two million psychologically scarred. In a country with no resources where almost all of the professionals who might have helped had fled, he was left with a community of 14 grandmothers, whom he trained to offer psychological interventions. In a randomized trial, it was determined that the grandmothers were more effective at alleviating symptoms of depression and averting suicides than conventional care.

The essential difference was that, along with principles of cognitive behaviour therapy, the grandmothers could offer their enriched life experiences. The first step to an intervention always was “tell me your story”, followed by the grandmother summarizing what she had heard and reflecting it back to the person seeking help. And she could do this because she carefully listened to every detail of the story being told.

The “price of admission” to our Club is that we all are people of a certain age and each one of us has those “enriched life experiences”. We have the opportunity to take those experiences and share them with others in our fellowship. And if we carefully listen, perhaps we can transform that fellowship into true friendship, the antidote to isolation and loneliness. And what could be better than that?

At our May 21st meeting, we will celebrate 15 years of the Probus Club of South London. Our membership numbers are growing and many members are participating in all manner of interests, activities and let’s not forget, fun! We hope that you will attend this special celebration with our District Director, June Ayrhart, and we hope to welcome Past Presidents as well.

Nancy Holmes
President  

Celebrating 15th Anniversary! In recognition of our Club’s 15th Anniversary, Probus District #5 Director June Ayrhart will be our special guest at our general meeting on May 21, 2025. Please plan to attend to celebrate this milestone. We hope to have Past Presidents also in attendance - and there will be cake!

Share the  Wealth:  Please buy your tickets when you arrive for the meeting as the sales end at 10:50 am., and the winner is announced after coffee break.  The tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.    The winner on April 16th, 2025, was Bob H.  who received $75

 Sign up for our Social Events in person:  
Message from Marg D., Social Event Coordinator 

Please register and pay for upcoming social events at our monthly general meeting by cheque or e-transfer, to secure your spot.

Event details are available in our monthly Newsletter, on our Probus website as well as on display at the back table at the general meeting.

If you have any questions, please contact Marg D or click on the underlined name in the newsletter or website to gain access to the contact person’s phone number and email.

HELPFUL INFORMATION WHEN
REGISTERING FOR AN EVENT

1.    Please note that there no longer is online registration on the website. Please register at the general meeting.

2.     E-transfers and cheques are accepted. Please, no cash nor postdated cheques.

3.     E-transfers payable to slptreasure@gmail.com
Please note that there is no “r” at the end of “treasure”. Kindly indicate the event in the memo section.

4.    Cheques payable to Probus Club of South London. Please indicate the event in the memo section.
 
5.     CANCELLATION POLICY: There are NO REFUNDS. Should you need to cancel, please try to sell or give away your ticket. If unable, contact Marg Dean. She may be able to be of assistance.

6.   CARPOOLING: You are responsible for your own transportation to events. You might wish to arrange carpooling at your convenience.

7.  Don’t forget to bring your calendar and cheque book to each meeting. Please note that you are not guaranteed a spot if payment has not been received.

8. Interest Groups and most events are open to members only, unless specified that you are welcome to bring a guest. 

9. Please become familiar with logging onto the website for contacting members in our “Directory” as well as information on our activities. 

 UPCOMING EVENTS THAT
YOU WILL ENJOY

TIN CUP MINI PUTT

An opportunity to enjoy the warm spring weather, get some exercise and have a fun time with friends

OPEN TO MEMBERS AND GUESTS

Date: Wednesday May 28th

Time: 1:00 pm.

Location: Tin Cup Mini Putt, 1324 Adelaide Street North, London, Ontario N5X 1J9 (corner of Windermere & Adelaide)

Cost: 18 holes $15.00 (Payable when signing up)
Deadline for registering & payment: May 21st at the meeting

RAIN DATE – Wed. June 11th @ 1:00 pm

Beverages, snacks, ice-cream may be purchased at the clubhouse. NO OUTSIDE food or drinks allowed.

Reservations are only if 20 or more attend.

Waltzing Weasel Restaurant is adjacent to the mini golf for those wishing to have lunch prior to playing. Please note that no reservations are accepted at the restaurant.

June Luncheon 

Let's celebrate another great year at Probus by getting together for our annual June Luncheon. 

Date: Wednesday June 18th 
Location: Highland Golf Club, 1922 Highland Heights (off Commissioners Road) 
Cost: $40.00 payable by cheque or e-transfer when you register at the general meeting 

Entrée Choices: 
1. Lasagna Bolognaise served with Highland’s Signature Caesar Salad, Strawberry Shortcake, coffee or tea 

2. Chicken Pot Pie: Chicken with onions, carrots, celery, and green peas bound in a white wine sauce baked in a Puff Pastry Crust served with a salad, Strawberry Shortcake, coffee or tea 

$40.00 includes tax, gratuity, door prizes and entertainment 

Format: 11:30 am cash bar, Lunch 12:00 noon - followed by door prizes and entertainment at 1:30 pm. 

Deadline for Registering and Payment: Monday June 9th

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds. Should you need to cancel, please try to sell or give away your ticket. If unable, contact Marg D.  She may be able to be of assistance. 

WALTERS MUSIC VENUE –

Saturday September 13th at 2:00 pm
Thousands of music lovers gather in the beautifully transformed 200-year-old wood-beamed barn to be entertained by top-rated live performers        

                                 SOLD OUT 

Date: Saturday September 13th at 2:00 pm.
Location: Walters Music Venue – 836074 Hubbard Road, Bright, Ontario (near Woodstock)

Production: Tribute to Neil Diamond
Cost: $72.00      SOLD OUT

Lunch: 11:00 am. Charles Dickens Restaurant, 505 Dundas Street, Woodstock (at your own expense)

You are responsible for your own transportation. You might wish to arrange for carpooling, at your convenience.

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds. 

FYI
1.    Your theatre ticket will be handed out during lunch in Woodstock.
2.    Please check your April 12th emails re a list of those members attending as well as carpools that some individuals already have set up.
3. Please note change in time for lunch.

Contact Person: Gail C. or Marg D.  

For Western Fair Market, April 26th, 2025 Pictures click  HERE.

Interest Groups:
Participate - Volunteer - Have Fun! 

Dine Out: 

Please join us at our next Dine Out Wednesday May 7th at 12:00 noon.
Restaurant: Chuck’s Road House, 666 Wonderland Rd N 519-601-5707 MENU: Appetizers, Salads, Burgers, Sandwiches, Steaks & Lobster, BBQ, Sizzlers, Roadhouse Classics, Deserts,...
Convenor: Brenda Harrison, 519 b686 6954
brenda.g.harrison@icloud.com
Please contact Brenda H. to confirm your attendance by Monday May 5th.
Hope to see you then!
Note:
“Please contact the Dine Out Convenor only if you do plan to attend.” 

Shelley's Tap Restaurant April 2nd, 2025: 

In spite of freezing rain weather, brave Probus members attended the Dine Out event at Shelley's Tap located in the Best Western Lamplighter Inn on April 2nd, 2025. The Convenor was Ronalee P.

Great company, great food!

CLICK  HERE to see more pictures.

Post General Meeting Lunch:  Following the General Meeting on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025, we invite all members to join us at   Dolchetto, 3020 Colonel Talbot Rd, London ON

Dine In:

3rd Tuesday of the month 12 p.m. in member's homes.  8 maximum.  For more information, and if interested in being a spare call convenor: Donna J.

Coffee Mornings:    

 
Men's Coffee:

2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 a.m.  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. 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.

Investment Club:

Beginning December the Investment Club will meet the second Thursday of the month until the golf course reopens in the Spring, at  10:00 a.m.  at Riverbend.  Newcomers are welcome and are asked to contact Don J.  to confirm the date and time.  

Euchre #1:
This group of 8 players has been flourishing since 2012. It meets the 4th Thursday at 1:30 pm at a member’s home. Contact Person: Gail C. 





Euchre #2:
This newly formed group of 4 players meets the 3rd Thursday at 1:30 pm. Contact person: Ronalee P.     

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:      

- Meets the 1st Tuesday at 1:30 pm . at a member's home. 
- We require two or three subs. Please contact  Gail C. if you would like to be a spare.
- Contact Person : Gail C

Games: