PROBUS CLUB OF SOUTH LONDON

President's Message:

Last month, I wrote about the resurgence of traditional arts, skills and hobbies among younger people as an avenue of connection with their elders.

On February 13th, some of our members and I listened to a lecture presented by Dr. Ana Luisa Trejos. She is a Western professor and Canada Research Chair who leads the Wearable  Biomechatronics Laboratory. Her research focuses on smart mechatronic devices to support rehabilitation for musculoskeletal disorders, upper-body mobility issues and tremor disorders. Think about the challenges of developing machines and robotics that can be made small enough and comfortable enough for patients to wear on their bodies for extended periods!

Along with extensive exploration to find suitably soft but sturdy breathable fabrics, imagine our surprise to learn that some of the other techniques discovered to enhance these devices involve traditional fabric and yarn skills - such as weaving and crochet - to create low-cost textile sensors. Among all the electronics, there is a wooden loom in the middle of the lab! When asked how anyone was inspired to think of those connections, Dr. Trejos told us that, as a tiny girl in her native Costa Rica, she learned those skills at her grandmother’s knee, crocheting baby jackets and twisting yarns for the drawstrings. In the 2020’s, those skills are being used to create the required stretch and conductivity for mechatronic components. 

So - if traditional skills weren’t cool enough being on TikTok, now you can acquaint any aspiring engineers you know with the power of creativity, imagination and those skills being used to ease suffering in the 21st century!

As longtime Londoners might recall, a very different kind of suffering enveloped our City in the 1960’s and 70’s, when a series of unsolved murders of young adults and children rocked our sense of peace and safety. I hope you will join us at our next meeting when guest speaker Barb Dorrington, author of Trauma Monster, will describe her quest to understand what happened to one of the victims, her childhood friend, along with a vivid picture of the trauma experienced by the families, police and the broader community. She hopes that telling her own stories and those of others will help to bring some relief from trauma and hope for the future.

I look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, March 18th.

Nancy Holmes,
President

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 February 18, 2026, was Judy Kay Darby who received $90.00

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.    

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.

CITY EXPLORERS – NATURE AND HISTORIC WALKS

Walks led by Phil Waller occur April-October, the 4 th
Wednesday at 10:00 am. with a limit of 15 Probus members.

EUSTON PARK

Date: Wednesday April 22 nd

Time: 10:00 am. (Please arrive 10 minutes early.)

Location: 157 Winston Ave. London, Ontario

Description of Walk: flat scenic hike – option of going for coffee after the walk at Tim Hortons in the Giant Tiger Mall on Springbank Drive

Directions: Winston runs off emery. Emery goes from Wharncliffe Road to Beachwood Drive. Winston ends at the trail head. Parking on Winston Street. Phil will be standing on the corner of Winston and Emery wearing an orange sweater.

Weather: If the walk needs to be cancelled due to rain, you will be notified by email by 8:30 am.

Contact Person: Please notify Marg Dean if you are unable to attend so that a member on the waiting list can take your place.

Registration: Please register at the general meeting.

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

Victoria Playhouse Petrolia (VPP)

Let’s get together in Petrolia for the production “I Do, I Do”.  (www.thevpp.ca)

Date: Friday May 15th at 2:00 pm

Cost: $59.00 payable when you register at a general meeting. There are 21 tickets available to members only.

Location: 411 Greenfield Street, Petrolia (Free parking lot across from the theatre)

Lunch: at your own expense at 11:15 am. at Chuck’s Roadhouse, 4236 Petrolia Line which is within walking distance to the theatre. Also, free parking behind the restaurant and entrance through the back door.

Transportation: Please provide your own transportation whether by driving yourself or organizing a carpool.

Reminder: There are no refunds. Sell or give away your ticket if unable to attend.
Register at the General Meeting

Organizer: Gail Clarke

 

June Luncheon:
Mark Tuesday June 16th on your calendar for our annual June Luncheon at the Highland Golf Club. Watch for more details closer to the date.

PAST EVENTS:
 London Children's Museum February 25, 2026

Probus members enjoyed a lively visit to the London Children's Museum, exploring interactive exhibits that sparked curiosity and nostalgia alike. Knowledgeable guides, Lindsay and Jackie, shared the museum’s history and future plans. The outing combined learning, laughter, and fellowship, followed by luncheon.
(For more Pictures click HERE.)

Congratulations to Ronalee P for organizing this successful event.

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:

Members share their favourite games.

Games #1: 1st Friday at 1:30 pm. at a member’s home

Games #2:  3rd Tuesday at 2:00 pm. at a member’s home
On March 7th, 2025 Hosted by Marg D. 

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.




Dine In:

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

In February 2026 Dine in meal was hosted by Donna J, (see picture}

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 .

 Mandarin March 4, 2026
Convenor: Brenda H.

 The dine-out was a great success, with a fantastic turnout and a buffet that was both delicious and top-notch. Kudos to Brenda H. for putting together such a wonderful event.

For more pictures, click HERE

Post General Meeting Lunch: Following the General Meeting on Wednesday, March 18th, 2026, we invite all members to join us for Lunch at   Crabby Joes (Oxford St.) 690 Oxford Street West

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.

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. 

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.

February 18, 2026 Speaker

  

 Dr. Ryan Salewski gave a vivid explanation of the causes of dementia and provided an overview of the Cross-species Harmonized Cognitive Testing Program.

Future Speakers:

March 2026
Barb Dorrington will share powerful memories and surprising connections of cold case stories of London Ontario. 

April 2026
Member Jean Hewitt will entertain us with the Famous Five Ladies, and will perform the London History Project 

May 2026: 
Peter Jedicke will speak on The Universe as a whole. 
Peter lives in London, he was national President of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. He is Honorary President of the Royal Astronomical Society  London Centre. 
He has written three books for teenagers and has had various articles published in Canada and the US. 

Who Am I -
Phil Waller presentation on Feb 18, 2026 postponed to Oct 2026 due to health reasons.

Future Who Am I Presenters:

March - Linda Vurma

April - T.B.A.

May - Heather Scaldwell

New members:

Welcome to the South London Probus Club on February 18, 2026. 

LHS Picture: Joanne Muchan,

Picture of new members from left to right:
Suzanne O'Toole (with hat), Bala Balakrishnan, Patricia Green, John and Gayle McCaig, Laurie Tompkins, Mary Anne McCoy

 

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