PROBUS CLUB OF SOUTH LONDON

President's Message:

It is too often the experience of older people that life seems to lose its “magic”. The child’s sense of wonder dims, overtaken by the practical matters and routine of everyday living. In an age of instantaneous knowledge at our fingertips, the mysteries that used to entrance us have all but disappeared. What was once magical becomes ordinary. The stars are just gas; the forest is just trees. Perhaps we’re no longer asking “what if?”, but “what’s the point?”.

The festive season just passed often is described as the “magic of Christmas”. Perhaps you had an opportunity to rediscover some magic in your life? The laughter of skaters under brightly-coloured lights, a candlelit concert, the delight of little (and not-so-little) ones on Christmas morning, snow gently falling against the blackness of a night sky, the gathering of loved ones for a sumptuous meal or the reverent singing of ancient hymns in a majestic church … all of these things can bring back our sense of wonder.

Our memories of these and similar experiences can become fruitful resources for conversation, even among people whom we don’t know well. Maybe you’ll share some of your stories with someone you’ve just met, and you’ll learn more about them.

This New Year at Probus brings us plenty more opportunities to meet and mingle, to socialize and to learn. Vice-President Moira has created an exciting roster of speakers and as always, the Social Committee has organized interesting events that should not be missed. Social Events Coordinator Marg - for whom magic is a way of life - will present a preview.

As we gather again on Wednesday, January 21st, I hope that each one of you found some holiday magic. I wish you all good health and happiness for 2026.

Nancy Holmes
President, Probus Club of South London 

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 November 19, 2025, was Sue Wardle who received $118.00

Marg Dean, Social Events Coordinator

HELPFUL INFORMATION WHEN
REGISTERING FOR AN EVENT

1. Information on Events and Interest Groups is available in the monthly Newsletter on our Website as well as at our General Meetings.

2. Remember 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.

3. Register and pay for upcoming Events at our monthly General Meetings .

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

5.  Note:
a) E-transfers payable to slptreasure@gmail.com
 b) Cheques payable to Probus Club of South London.
c) For both E-transfers and Cheques kindly indicate the event in the memo section. 

6.     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.

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

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

AN OPPORTUNITY TO “GET CONNECTED AND STAY CONNECTED” by joining fellow Probus members in the upcoming events.

SAINT PETER’S CATHEDRAL BASILICA

SOLD OUT Waiting list only
Date: Wednesday January 28, 2026

Time: 10:00 am.

Location: St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, 196 Dufferin Ave. (Free parking behind the Basilica)

Tour: One-hour free tour describing the history and architecture of the building.

Limit: 20 members

Lunch Option following the tour: numerous restaurants in the area

Organizer:  Ronalee P

LONDON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
SOLD OUT - Waiting list only

An opportunity to check out the NEW Children’s Museum which opened January 2025 on Kellogg Lane.

Date: Wednesday February 25, 2026

Time: 10:30 am.

Location: 100 Kellogg Lane – 4^th Floor

Parking: Information @ londonchildrensmuseum.ca
[ here is a link to additional information about location and parking].

Tour: free one-hour tour

Limit: 20 members

Deadline for Registering: February 18^th

Optional Lunch following the tour: many restaurants nearby as well as in the complex

Organizer:  Ronalee P 

TOP OF THE FAIR – BUFFET & HORSERACING

Date: Tuesday March 24, 2026 (Members & Guests are Welcome)

Location: Western Fair Raceway

Cost: $52.40 (Seniors’ Rate including Tax & Gratuity) Payable by the individual at

the table after dinner.

Features: Buffet including coffee or tea, Entrance, Betting Booklet, Betting Voucher, Casino Voucher, Free Parking, Elevator Access (Does not include alcoholic beverages or pop)

Time: Opens 5:00 pm., Buffet 5:30 pm., Racing 6:00 pm.

Register at the General Meeting

Organizer: Gail C

NUTS FOR CHEESE – Dairy-Free Cheese made from Cashews

Date: Wednesday April 29th

Location: Nuts for Cheese 20 Pacific Court, London, Ontario

Time: 1:30 pm.

FREE TOUR – approximately 1 ½ hours

Limit: 12 members

Clothing: long pants, closed-toe shoes You will be supplied with booties, gloves, hair net, and PPE products.
Register at the General Meeting

Organizer: Nancy H

PAST EVENTS:

Ronald McDonald House Tour - 
November 29th, 2025

Probus members enjoyed a warm welcome and an informative tour of the Ronald McDonald House, which offers a comforting “home away from home” for families of seriously ill or injured children traveling for medical care. Special thanks to our wonderful guides, Debrah and Sue.

Click HERE for more tour photos.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON –
HIGHLAND GOLF COURSE December 10, 2025

Members and guests enjoyed each other’s company in a festive atmosphere, savoring the cranberry-brie stuffed chicken luncheon. The Barbershop Quartet sang popular seasonal songs, delighting and entertaining the audience. Congratulations to Gail C. and Marg D. of the Social Committee for organizing such a wonderful event.

For additional photos click HERE

A fun and easy way to make new friends is by joining our Probus Groups such as Euchre, Rummikub, Games, Book Club, or Dine-In. It’s easy to participate in a new interest group. Contact Marg D. or sign up at a General Meeting. When there are enough signatures to form a new group, Marg will set up an initial meeting to decide on the format of YOUR NEW GROUP.  You’re ready to go for “Fellowship, Friendship & Fun” (our Probus motto).

Coffee Mornings:

Men's Coffee:
2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 AM in Westmount Mall across from Tim Horton's.  
Women's Coffee:

2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 AM in Westmount Mall across from Tim Horton's.

Investment Club:

Meets at Riverbend Golf Cours Clubhouse at 10 AM

May to Nov 2nd Wednesday, Dec to April 2nd Thursday.

Newcomers are welcome and are asked to contact Don J.  prior to their initial Meeting.

Euchre:

Euchre #1: The 4th Thursday at 1:30 PM at a Member's Home.
Euchre #2: The 3rd Thursday at 1:30 PM at a Member's Home.
Euchre #3: The 3rd Monday 1:00 - 4:30 pm at a Member's Home.

Book Club:

Book Club #1 meets the 1st Monday of the month at 2:00 p.m. in a Member's Home except December, July & August (or when the 1st Monday is a holiday).
Book Club #2 meets every 2nd Friday of the month at 1:00 pm.   We meet in member's homes except December, July and August. 

Rummikub:

Meets 1st Tuesday at 1:30 PM at a Members Home.
Easy to learn and exciting to plan your strategies.

Games:

1st Friday   at 1:30 p.m. at a Member's Home. Members share their favorite Games.

On March 7th, 2025 Hosted by Marg D. 
For more pictures, click HERE. 

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.

It meets the 4th Monday, at 1:30 pm. at a member's home

Dine In:

Members meet the 3rd Tuesday each month, except Dec, June, July & Aug ,  at 1:00 pm in Member's Home.

For more photos click HERE

Dine Out: 

On the 1st Wednesday of the month (except December) at 12 noon. A convenor is chosen from the previous Dine Out. The convenor selects the venue and prepares a notice and sends information to the Newsletter Editor, Marcel Djivre .

 Jan 7/26: Montana’s Convenor: Gail C.

Delicious ribs and steaks, paired with great company. Congratulations to Gail C.!  

For more pictures, click HERE

Post General Meeting Lunch: Following the General Meeting on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, we invite all members to join us for Lunch at Angel's Restaurant.

City Explorers:

A combination of nature and historic walks led by Phil Waller (Contact Person -Brigitte D.) on the 4 th Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM from April- October. Each walk is limited to 15 members. Please register for the walks that interest you at the general meeting.

Springbank Park Nature Walk on Oct 22nd, 2025.

For additional photos from October 22nd, 2025, click HERE

Day Trippers - Out of Towners:

We would love to hear from group members where they may wish to travel in 2026. If you have a suggestion, please email to Janice R.  Note: All suggestions are logged and the group votes on the most popular choices. 

Royal Winter Fair November 12, 2025

Picture provided by Brigitte D. For more pictures click HERE.

Support:  

Do you know of a South London Probus member who is having a difficult time (health issue, accident, hospitalization, loss of partner, etc.) and would benefit from receiving a card or a call from our team? If so, please let me know. I will be happy to follow up and/or get in touch with them. 
Contact Marg C.

November 19, 2025, speaker

 Wendy Allen, the proud daughter of two WWII veterans, gave an excellent presentation about their experiences during the war, vividly describing dramatic parachute drops into the forests of France during the German occupation. Her husband, John P. Allen, was also present to witness the presentation. Congratulations on keeping the memories of WWII alive.

Future Speakers:

January 2026
Ron Monk will speak on his experience walking the Camino Trail.  

February 2026
Ryan Salewski from Brain Scan at Western University has agreed to be our -speaker for February. Ryan had sent a detailed note to our Club suggesting we may appreciate him as a speaker. The federally funded neuroscience research studies brain health, and cognition across the lifespan, focusing on healthy aging. They are hoping to offer an engaging interactive session on brain 3 health.

March 2026
Barb Dorrington
Barb shares powerful memories, and surprising connections of cold case stories of London Ontario. Discover London's hidden history and community healing.

April 2026
Jean Hewitt/ club member has agreed to entertain us in April. Our very competent member will be with The Famous Five Ladies and will perform the London Women’s History Project that Jean created.

May 2026: TBD 

Who Am I

Sandra B. shared a fascinating account of her family genealogy while keeping the Probus members entertained. Kudos to Sandra for delivering such a great presentation.

Future Who Am I Presenters:
January 21, 2026
John Barnett

New Members:

Welcome to Sybilla E. to South London Probus Club on November 19, 2025.

In Memoriam of John Kingdom:

On your behalf, a condolence card was sent to Doris Kingdom and family upon the recent passing of John Kingdom, our Club's President from 2012 to 2013. There was no obituary and there will be no public memorial services. Doris herself has not been well. Should you wish to send your personal message to Doris, her email and mailing addresses may be found in our Club Directory on the website.

The South London Probus Club seeks  volunteer(s) to assist our existing A/V Team. For more information please contact John W.  

2025/26 Social Committee Team Co-ordinator - Marg D. (new email: margdean34@gmail.com) Members - Gail C, Brigitte D, Ronalee P, Nancy H

2025/26 MEET YOUR EXECUTIVE:

 President: Nancy H.
Vice President: Moira C.
Secretary: Sue W.
Treasurer: Mike S.
Membership Coordinator: Nancy F.
Social Event Coordinator: Marg D.
Communications Coordinator: Marcel D.
Past President: 2025-2026 duties to be carried out by Member at Large.
Member at Large: Brigitte D.
ADDITIONAL:
Cheer Designate: Marg C. 

Scent-Free Policy: For the health and comfort of all of our members, those attending Probus meetings and events are asked to refrain from the use of scented products (cologne, perfume, personal care items, etc.)

Get Connected, Stay Connected

Submit Newsletter Comments or submissions to: Marcel D., Communications Coordinator