PROBUS CLUB OF SOUTH LONDON

President's [Final] Message:

The loss of "third spaces” has been trending lately, referring to the loss of spaces where people can casually gather, outside of home and work. They are becoming fewer, or less accessible. Where people might have gathered to regularly socialize at restaurants, bars, malls, theatres, and sporting venues, either those spaces are disappearing altogether or increasing costs make them unaffordable. The same can be said even about churches - in the past, a prominent gathering place for many people - as church attendance declines and churches close.

Particularly during COVID, when many people had to adapt to living and working only at home, whole industries - e.g., pervasive online retail and the offers to “Dash” or “Skip” just about anything - developed to enable people to live their lives without ever going outside their front doors. Ever resilient, most of us acquired the necessary “workarounds” to adjust to living without the ordinary socializing to which most of us had been accustomed.

Researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad led a decades-long meta-analysis of 148 studies tracking millions of people, finding that chronic loneliness and isolation carry a mortality risk comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. A later paper she coauthored put a number on that danger: people who are socially disconnected face up to a 29% higher risk of premature death.

Fondest regards,
Nancy H.

Share the Wealth:  Please buy your tickets when you arrive for the Meeting on September 16, 2026 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. 

Marg Dean, Social Events Coordinator

HELPFUL INFORMATION WHEN REGISTERING FOR AN EVENT

1. Information on Events and Interest Groups is available at our General Meetings, in the monthly Newsletter and on our website  www.southlondonprobus.ca

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

3. Register and pay for upcoming events at our General Meetings. Cheques payable to: Probus Club of South London E-Transfers payable to slptreasure@gmail.com Note: “treasure” not “treasurer”
Include your name, name of guests and the event in the memo section
Please, no cash nor post-dated cheques

4. NEW REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT POLICY
No event registration will be accepted without receipt of a 1) cheque or 2) e-transfer.

5. All payments are subject to confirmation of receipt by the club treasurer

6. Cancellation Policy: There are NO REFUNDS. Should you need to cancel, please try to sell or give away your ticket.

7. Transportation to Events: You are responsible for your own transportation.

CITY EXPLORERS – NATURE AND HISTORIC WALKS

Walks led by Phil Waller occur during April, May, June, September and October, the 4th Wednesday at 10:00 am.  

MEDWAY VALLEY HERITAGE FOREST

Date: Wednesday September 23 rd

Time: 10:00 AM (Please arrive at 9:50)

Location: Meet at the entrance to the park at Gainsborough Road and Whiteacres which is just east of Wonderland. Park on the north side of Gainsborough.

Description of Walk: The hike is approximately 90 minutes in length. This is a scenic walk along Medway Creek. At one section we will be inches away from a stream. At another point, the view overlooks the valley. There are a couple of hills on the hike.

Optional lunch following the walk at Bernies – Sherwood Forest Mall – 1225 Wonderland Road at Gainsborough

Weather: If cancelled due to rain, you will be notified by email by 8:30 AM

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

Registration: Please register at the September general meeting. Limit of 15 Probus members.

SNAKE CREEK

Date: Wednesday October 28, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM (Please arrive by 9:50)

Location: Meet in the parking lot of the Museum of Archeology (MOA) 1600 Attawandaron Road.

Parking: Park at the east end of the lot so we do not interfere with MOA staff and patrons

Directions: Attawandaron Rd is off Wonderland via Attawandaron Gate

Description of Walk: Snake Creek constantly meanders, hence the name Snake Creek. It drains into Medway Creek. It is a deep valley surrounded by hardwood trees. It is very pretty with two hills.

Length of Walk: approximately 90 minutes

Optional lunch following the walk at Bernies in Sherwood Forest Mall 1225 Wonderland Road at Gainsborough.

Weather: If cancelled due to rain, you will be notified by email by 8:30 AM. the day of the hike

Registration: at the meetings (Sept. 16 or Oct. 21) Limit -15Probus members

Contact Person: Please notify Brigitte D. if you are unable to attend.

FREE TOUR OF LONDON POLICE HEADQUARTERS

Date: Wednesday September 23, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM (Please arrive by 10:50 AM)

Location: 601 Dundas Street, London Ontario

Tour: Free one hour tour. Meet in the reception area.

Parking: on side streets

Limit: 15 Probus members

Deadline for Registration: at the meeting September 16 th

Organizer & Contact Person: Brigitte D.

Please let Brigitte know if you are unable to attend so that a replacement can be notified.

Optional lunch following the tour. No reservations will be made. Suggestions of restaurants are welcome following the tour for those wanting to get together.

FREE TOUR – LONDON MUSLIM MOSQUE

Date: Thursday October 29, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM (Please arrive by 10:50)

Location: 151 Oxford Street West, London, Ontario

Parking: Enter mosque grounds from Summit Avenue. Additional parking at the back of the building. Access building through Entrance C

Dress Code: Modest and respectful attire. Shoe removal. Lowering of voices.

Limit of Probus members: 25

Deadline: October 21 st

Optional Lunch: nearby restaurants for those wishing to have lunch together following the tour

Organizer: Nancy H.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF MIDDLESEX

Free Tour of Humane Society of Middlesex

Date: Monday November 23, 2026

Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Location: 1414 Dundas Street, London, Ontario (one block east of Highbury on left side before tracks – parking in front)

Limit of 15 Probus members

Deadline for Registering: at the meeting Wed. Nov. 18

Optional Coffee in the area following the tour

Organizer: Ronalee P.

Christmas Luncheon - Please mark Monday December 7^th on your calendar for our annual Christmas Luncheon at the beautiful Highland. Details and sign-up sheet at the October 21st meeting.   

PAST EVENTS:
For photos of June 16th, 2026, Luncheon 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).

Meets at Riverbend Golf Course 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:

Rummikub #2: 3 rd Tuesday at 1:00 pm. at a member’s home

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

Games #1 - Members enjoying dessert and coffee on Marg's deck in June 2026.

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 April 2026 Homemade Soups and Sandwiches Hosted by Catherine and Larry M. (see picture)

Post General Meeting Lunch:
After the General Meeting on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, all members are invited to join us for lunch at Morning Bites, 2115 Aldersbrook  Road (corner of Aldersbrook and Wonderland North)

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 .

For Dine out pictures from July 8th to September 2nd click HERE

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, May, June, Sept and Oct.- Each walk is limited to 15 members. Please register for the walks that interest you at the general meeting.

Walk through historic Wortley village and the Coves, June 24, 2026.  Picture provided by Brigitte D.
For more pictures 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. 

Whistling Gardens, June 11, 2026, Picture provided by Sue W. For more pictures click HERE

Some Probus members enjoyed a great time at the Theatre in Blyth with the Out of Towners, finishing the day with a late lunch at the Cowbell Brewery on July 15, 2026. Picture and information courtesy of 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 Donna J.

SILVER SCREENERS:

The new Silver Screeners interest group will have their first film and discussion outing on Monday, September 28/26. Those who previously signed up each will receive an email with all the details the week before, once the Hyland Theatre releases its showtime schedule. Our post-film discussion group then will meet after the film at the Wortley Roadhouse Village Room. Due to space constraints, attendance at the discussion will have to be limited to 25, with pre-registration necessary.

Since not everyone who signed up will be able to attend on all scheduled dates, the signup sheet will remain available at the Social desk at our general meeting.

We also are looking for a third person to act as a backup leader, to assist if one of the group leaders is away. If you might be interested, or have other questions, please contact group leaders Susan W.  or Nancy H.

Meet your new Cheer Designate! We are pleased to introduce Donna Jean as our Club’s new Cheer Designate.  If you are aware of someone in our Club who is ill or hospitalized, has been bereaved, needs some support or a note of cheer and would appreciate a card or telephone call, please share their name and contact information with Donna J. Email: Donna J Tel: (519) 433-8330 Once again, we thank Marg C for her years of service in this Cheer position and for her willingness to train and assist Donna Jean as she takes on these responsibilities.

Future Who Am I Presenters:
Oct 2026 - Phil Waller 

September 2026 Speaker- Mark Kearney

London native Al Christie, Hollywood's Forgotten Pioneer.
He was the first film director in Hollywood in 1911.


Future Speakers

October 2026
Guillermo Rishchynski
Speaking about his life in the Foreign Service.
In 2011 he was appointed Canada's Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations.

November 2026
James Reaney President of London Middlesex Historical Society. They are proud of their role as community partner in Celebrating 200 years, London's Bicentennial under the City of London banner.

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: Donna J. 

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.) ...of Note

Get Connected, Stay Connected

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