PROBUS Club [of] Alliston
October 27, 2025 Danny’s Fish & Chips, Barrie, ON
Click to open.
October, 2025 - Lunch, Swiss Chalet, Alliston
Click for full photo, Arrow to Scroll
October, 2025
Allyn Willard
“New Zealand & Cook Islands”
Allyn participated in a group trip to New Zealand & the Cook Islands in 2018 and has made a travel video of the trip. Here are a few of the location photos.
New Zealand “Aotearoa” (Māori name meaning land of the long white cloud) because these formations were a navigational landmark for the early Polynesian explorers.
Hover over photo for description.
Show & Tell
Roy Snipe
“My Golfing Life”
Roy told us about some amazing places he has golfed all around the world, including Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club, near Marbella, Spain, where the course had a spectacular mountain setting and a challenging layout hitting the ball from one mountain peak to another.
10 Year Service Pin
Josee MacIntyre
15 Year Service Pins
Midge Facciol, Roger Whittle
Probus Club of Alliston
10 Year Service Pin Recipients
Claire Albright, Carol Borg, Charlie Borg, Sam Ghosh, Trudy Gosh, Mary Laing, Josee MacIntyre, Barbara Ramm, Dave Randell, Linda Randell, June Seago, Ruby Thomas, Chuck Waterman,
Sue Waterman, Mary Willard and Cathy Wolfe
Probus Club of Alliston “37 Years Young”
Charles Héroux, Probus Canada Director District #2 was on hand to help us celebrate. [Photo 1]
Rogers & Hammerstein’s
“A Grand Night for Singing”, Aurora Theatre, September 21, 2025
Click to Enlarge
September, 2025 - Lunch Hot Stacks, Cookstown
Click Photo to Enlarge
September, 2025
Tanya Shields
“Downsizing & Is It Time to Move?
Tanya Shields is a Certified Relocation and Transition Specialist (CRTST).
She is the Owner/Operator of Lifestyle Moves Ltd., based in Innisfil,
Ontario.
Her company specializes in providing personalized, compassionate and
efficient transition and relocation services, primarily catering to
individuals aged 55 and over.
These services include assisting with moves to retirement communities,
assisted living facilities, long-term care, condos, and vacation homes.
She shared her expertise in planning, packing, moving, unpacking, and
setting up new residences or how to make improvement to stay in your current home.
Show & Tell, September 2025
Alan Masters
“Building YPRES WWI and WWII”
The Changing of the Guard!
Gerry Ross has finished his term as President and we thank him for a most excellent job!
Gerry turns over the gavel and the President pin to Claire Albright for the 2025-26 term. Welcome Queen Claire!
2024-25 Executive & Management Committee
Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our volunteers. Our Club would not survive without you.
Trip to Toronto Blue Jays, August, 2025
Click to see full size photos.
Grease - Kings Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene, August, 2025
Click for full size photos.
PROBUS Golf Day - August, 2025, Bear Creek Golf Course
A marvellous time was had by all! The day was a little warm but gorgeous. The course was in fantastic shape. The foursomes were fun and the fellowship at the gathering on the patio before and during dinner was thoroughly enjoyable, leading to a wonderful meal with excellent service!
Many thanks to our illustrious leader, Gerry Ross and his team for organizing such a wonderful event and our local business sponsors for the excellent prizes.
Click picture to scroll.
Millionaire’s Row Lunch Cruise, Gravenhurst, ON, July 15, 2025
Photos by Jackie German
Photos by Linda Hostrawser-Ball
July 8, 2025
Kathy Macfarlane
“Journey to the Floe Edge”
Our July speaker was Kathy Macfarlane.
Photography has been Kathy's passion for over 30 years. After working and retiring in Alliston, she turned this passion into a new business creating floorplans and virtual tours for real estate listings and local agents. She
also teaches with the South Simcoe Arts Council.
She has taken many courses to learn the fundamentals of exposure and composition and uses that knowledge to shoot many subjects. Kathy enjoys the challenge of capturing the unscripted story of people and nature.
Her topic, "Journey to the Floe Edge" took us on her amazing travels to the Floe Edge, the area where the Arctic Ocean meets the ice still attached to the land. This area on Baffin Island is rich with wildlife, natural landscapes and local culture.
by Sharron Smith
July 8, 2025
Joan Fellows
“Pictures from the Path”
Joan Fellows gave us a beautiful pictorial walk through some of her favourite paths. Although she showed us many pics of foreign walks, she also showed us pictures of places in Ontario we recognized.
The photos of our own back yards made us realize you don’t have to travel the world to see Mother Nature’s handiwork.
Joan has become an avid messenger.
by Roger Setka
Scavenger Hunt & Picnic, June 24, 2025
 IMG_9931 |  IMG_9933 |  IMG_9934 |
|---|---|---|
 IMG_9970 |  IMG_9971 |  IMG_0010 |
 IMG_0006 |  IMG_0004 |  IMG_0001 |
 IMG_0005 |  IMG_9982 |  IMG_0007 |
 IMG_9973 |  IMG_9976 |  IMG_9975 |
 IMG_9979 |  IMG_9984 |  IMG_9986 |
 IMG_9988 |  IMG_9997 |  IMG_9990 |
 IMG_9993 |  IMG_9994 |  IMG_0014 |
 IMG_9998 |  IMG_0008 |  IMG_0015 |
Click Photo to Enlarge
June 2025, Lunch Boston Pizza, Alliston, ON
June 10, 2025
Michelle Redgewell
“Hearing Health”
Michelle Redgwell has been in the hearing Industry for over 35 years. During that time, she has worked in manufacturing and in customer service. She has a very personal view of hearing loss as she has hearing loss herself. Michelle is very passionate about helping people to hear and in educating them in how to maintain hearing health. Michelle shared information about hearing loss risks, impacts on relationships and how to approach the challenges and regain hearing. She is currently with Hear Well Be Well.
June 10, 2025
Karen Hill-Whitson
“Tanzania”
In 2012, Karen joined a group of goodwill volunteers on a 10 day trip to a Tanzanian orphanage. There were 3 small classrooms doubling for sleeping quarters on the ground at night. In daytime, attendance was between 40 to 160 children. They assisted with:
-providing funding for electricity and running water
-purchasing food and other necessities as well as soccer balls and skipping ropes etc.
Karen returned in 2014 and was greeted with open arms.
Today there are 3 schools built and one has been awarded Government assistance.
The other 2 still depend on donations
(209 children and 50 women currently attending).
The
Ultimate
Volunteer
June 10, 2025
Welcome New Members
Florence Binns
Rachelle Conlin
Doug Cowan
Margaret Dailey
Fredina Elliott
Wendy Ground
Linda Hook
Colleen Langley
Carolyn Millsop
Karen Walsh
Murray Walsh
Jim Wilkinson
Johan Wilkinson
May 24, 2025 - Dinner Danny’s Fish & Chips, Barrie, ON
May 13, 2025 - Lunch Piper Arms, Alliston, ON
Click to Enlarge
May 13, 2025
Taivi Tayler, Certified Financial Planner
“Estate Planning for Seniors”
Taivi provided lots of helpful and important information about financial planning, estate planning, probate, wills, estate costs and the need for beneficiaries. She navigated us through the complexities and pitfalls and provided suggestions for overcoming them.
With the many questions from our members, we ran out of time. She can be reached at 705 733 3338 or ttayler@taylerinsurance.com or www.taylerinsurance.com.
Thanks, Pat Thompson
Speakers Committee
March 13, 2025
Show & Tell
Allyn Willard “Cruising King”
“My Life”
Allyn took us on a journey from Leeds in the UK with military parents of both UK and Canada to arriving in Halifax in Canada with his mother on the Queen Mary at the age of 5 months to meet his father. From growing up in Quebec and moving to Ontario, working in computer technology at IBM and Celestica to retiring and volunteering in Briar Hill.
Congratulations to 10 year Members
Al Hargreaves
Judi Hargreaves
May 13, 2025
Welcome New Members
Jim McAloney
Vicki McAloney
Shirley Jessop
Bob Webber
Diane Dodson
April 24, 2025 Special Event
Lunch at Taste of Freedom, Tottenham
April, 2025, Lunch at Swiss Chalet, Alliston
Still Winter in Alliston, 6” snow today!
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
April 8, 2025
David T. Chapma
“Wild, Weird & Wacky Weather”
David T Chapman visited our Probus Club April 8; it was a blizzard like cold April day so his presentation was topical. We were so pleased that he was able to come after car troubles in February interfered with his arrival. The wait was certainly worth it!
David, self- taught in the areas of photography and natural weather phenomena, amazed us with his time lapse films and photographs of storms, lightning, rainbows, ice bridges, strange cloud formations and other weather related phenomena. He captivated the audience and answered questions with great understanding of these natural wonders. What a delight to have him as our Keynote Speaker.
Submiited by Sharon Smith
April 8, 2025
“Happy Easter”
Show & Tell, April 8, 2025
Joan Fellows & Dave Twiner
“Hiking with Joan & Dave”
Joan Fellows and Dave Twiner provided a short presentation on their hiking experience. Their talk covered their shared history of hiking, tips on how to prepare for hiking, how to use a navigation tool, and how to stay safe on the trails. They concluded the presentation by taking the attendees on a virtual hike, showing pictures of their most favourite, and least favourite trails.
Submitted by Joan Fellows.
March 11 - Lunch at Halibut House, Alliston
Click Arrow for more photos
March 11, 2025
Candace Gordon
S.H.I.F.T. A Community Working Together
Candace Gordon, Donor Relations and Stewardship Officer with Alliston's S.H.I.F.T program, was our Keynote Speaker on March 2, 2025.
Her presentation helped us learn about the support SHIFT offers not only with overnight accommodation and meals to those experiencing homelessness, but also to those in our community experiencing food insecurity and mental health challenges. It was good to learn that SHIFT helps their clients find other community supports and resources so that they can make the shift to a better life. The many questions that our members asked indicated their interest in learning about SHIFT, and hopefully reaching out to help this community resource in the future. Sharron Smith
March 11, 2025
PROBUS Club of Alliston
Meetings are Informative and Fun!
Click for full size photo
February 11, 2025 - Lunch at Boston Pizza, Alliston
February 11, 2025
Eugene McEleney
“A Life in Television”
We are very grateful to Eugene for stepping in at the last minute when inclement weather and vehicle problems caused our speaker to cancel at the last minute. Eugene gave us a fascinating look through many facets of the television industry during his 41 year career in the world of working in Television.
Show & Tell - February 2025
Doris & Harry Lehman
“A Life Dedicated to Working with Children”
‘Harry and Doris Lehman talked about how they have dedicated their life to working with children. They shared stories of the nursery school that they ran near Tottenham. Harry demonstrated his skill working with puppets and showed how they used puppets as a teaching tool. Puppets have played a large role in their life performing at community events, churches and Camp Quality.’
Welcome New Member
Donna Sanderson
January 2025 - Lunch - Piper’s Arm’s, Alliston
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |
The Money Honey’s
January 14, 2025
Megan Rochford & Maria Borczyk,
Matthew’s House
”Navigating the Health Care System”
Megan and Maria gave current and relevant information about how we, as seniors, can be advocate for our own health care needs in an ever-changing health care system.
Sharron Smith
Show & Tell - January, 2025
Catherine Robbin
“My Path to a Career in Singing”
Anyone who missed the January meeting missed an amazing, although brief presentation that ended with a short singing treat. Everyone enjoyed it immensely!
Peter Krol
Mary Hamilton
Congratulations on 10 Years
Welcome New Members
Barb Curry, Corrine Flynn, Margot Malchuk, Karen Hill-Whitson
PROBIANS Ringing in 2025
Click to Enlarge
Wasn’t that a Party!
Merry Christmas 🎄
New Town of New Tecumseth Town Hall Tours, June 14 & 21 & November 19, 2024
The Town of New Tecumseth made the move to the new Town Hall.
With the main entrance facing Tupper Street, the address for the Town Hall will be known as 24 Tupper Street West, Alliston.
A grand opening was held on Mon., June 10th with a celebratory ribbon cutting.
Arrangements were made for those that wished to have a tour of the new facility. Here are some photos of all three tours, with thanks.
Click photo to enlarge & see description.
Photos by Bev Hughes and Mary Willard
November, 2024 - Lunch - Swiss Chalet, Alliston
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
 |  |
November 12, 2024
Ted Barris
“Battle of Britain -
Canadian Airmen in their Finest Hour”
Pat Thompson introduced Ted Barris, a Canadian writer, journalist, professor and broadcaster.
He writes a weekly column, "The Barris Beat", and is a regular contributor to The Globe and Mail, the National Post, CBC Radio programs and the CTV News Channel. He taught journalism at Centennial College in Toronto.
Many of you are familiar with his animated, energetic and entertaining stories about Canadian war heroes. He again delivered.
He spoke about his most recent book, which has made the top 10 Canadian Non-Fiction Best Sellers list this year.
“Battle of Britain – Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour” is an assembly of unknown stories of Canadian airmen, ground crew, engineers, aeronautical designers, medical officers and civilians in the Battle of Britain in 1940. It is an amazing story about our courageous and valiant men and women who fought for freedom. Their sacrifice is not forgotten.
November 12, 2024
Show & Tell
Roger Setka gave a very interesting and informative narrative on the history behind the traditions of Remembrance Day.
We then listened to a reading of Col. John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields and observed two minutes of silence to honour our fallen hero’s and thank them for our freedom.
15 Years
Roy Snipe
10 Years
Mary Hookey
Judy Temple
Terry Temple
Jan Tweedy
November 12, 2024
Congratulations on the following Awards:
Lest We Forget!
Our President, Gerry Ross and others of the PROBUS Club of Alliston attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony November 11th at the Alliston Cenotaph.
October 2024, Danny’s Fish & Chips, Barrie
The PROBUS Group had a fantastic meal and lots of fun at Danny’s.
Thanks to their terrific staff and their management for FOUR door prizes.
Click
Pic to
Enlarge
October Luncheon
Halibut House, Alliston
October, 2024
Lisa Taylor
“Gut Health
for Aging Gracefully”
Lisa told us some amazing information about how all of our ills begin within us. She gave us many nutrition and other health ideas, to assist with our health.
October 8, 2024 Show & Tell
Supporting a Refugee Family
Sharron Smith and another supporter, Cam Willcox, shared a pictorial story of how they helped support a Syrian refugee family of 6 from 2016 until the present. The presentation ended with a short video Cam produced called Easy Silence. They tracked the developments and progress this family has been able to achieve in Alliston, Ontario, CANADA, with the help of their support team and many community members. The original Support Team was called Refugee Rescue South Simcoe 2016-17 - 30 plus members. The next support group was named Month 13 - a team of 6 people still active to date.
October 8, 2024, 36th Anniversary Meeting
Welcome & Awards
Eugene Walden - 35 years
Presented by Gerry Ross, President and Mary Willard, Membership.
Edna Hayles, Jack Hayles, Christopher Paine - 25 years
Brian Palmer was presented his 25 year pin
at home on Hallowe’en day by:
Midge “Smartie-pants” Facciol,
Beverley “Anne of Green Gables” Hughes,
and Carol “Scot” Kennedy
Susan McMillan, Michael McMillan - 20 years
Allyn Willard, Jo-Anne Hunt - 15 years
Linda Hostrawser-Ball
George Ball
Christine Korhonen
Lynne Richardson
Bill Richardson
10 years
Welcome New Members, Phyllis Thomas, Vern Thomas, Rick Fox, Shaun Fox, Remi Welch
October 8, 2024
The PROBUS Club of Alliston 2024-2025 Management Committee was voted in.
Thank you very much to Carol Borg and June Seago for their past volunteer service. We welcome Diane Haynes and Barb Murney to the 2024-25 PROBUS Club of Alliston Management Committee.
Many
to our outgoing Executive members.
We appreciate the time you have given to
volunteer to the Club. Best Wishes!
Trip to the Toronto Blue Jays, Sept 11, 2024
Here are some of the comments of the participants:
-Nice bus, fun bingo game, great lunch, great Blue Jays seats
-Great having a bus, don’t drive to the city anymore, enjoyed seeing the Old Spaghetti Factory again and the changes to the Dome
-The Bus driver and Fan Services took good care of us
-Well organized, meal great. Weather fantastic. Next time the Jays could win!
September, 2024 Lunch Boston Pizza, Alliston
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |
September, 2024
Sara den Bok
”Saved by Mother Teresa”
In her presentation Sara den Bok shared with us stories of her childhood, being saved from the streets of Calcutta by Mother Teresa at the age of three and then being adopted by a Stayner Ontario family when she was five.
Lena den Bok
”Humanizing the Homeless”
Leah den Bok followed her mother with a presentation "But I can Still do Something". As a fashion and portrait photographer Leah focuses on capturing the stories and images of people experiencing homelessness in major cities world wide raising awareness.
100% of the profit from her books and exhibits are donated to homeless shelters.
September, 2024
Show & Tell
Harvey Hart
‘You want me to change a lightbulb where?’
Roger Setka introduced Harvey Hart, one of our long-time members who told us an amusing yet hair-raising story of his early working career, when he was asked, even though it was not in the duties of his job, to climb a high communications tower to change an aircraft warning lightbulb at the top.
As we start off our 36th year with our AGM, the 2024-2025 Executive and Management Committee were confirmed. The retiring members were thanked for their service and new members were welcomed.
We cannot function without our volunteers and we appreciate them all. Thank you.
Our 2024-2025 President, Gerry Ross was inducted and presented his President pin.
Our Past President, Ruby Thomas was presented her Past President pin.
Our outgoing President calling up our fun-loving Treasurer, both of them for last time.
Our outgoing Treasurer will now be stepping into the Vice President’s shoes. Welcome Claire.
New Members
We were pleased to welcome the following new members.
Shari Nerdahl
David Nerdahl
August 13, 2024, PROBUS Golf & Dinner
Bear Creek Golf Course
Click to enlarge.
 Golf 35 |  Golf 36 |
|---|---|
 Golf 4 |  Golf 26 |
 Golf 30 |  Golf 15 |
 Golf 18 |  Golf 9 |
 Golf 23 |  Golf 1 |
 Golf 7 |  Golf 27 |
 Golf 20 |  Golf 33 |
 Golf 29 |  Golf 32 |
 Golf 24 |  Golf 12 |
 Golf 10 |  Golf 13 |
 Golf 6 |  Golf 16 |
 Golf 8 |  Golf 2 |
 Golf 19 |  Golf 25 |
 Golf 22 |  Golf 28 |
 Golf 31 |  Golf 5 |
 Golf 11 |  Golf 14 |
 Golf 34 |  Golf 17 |
 Golf 38 |  Golf 39 |
 Golf 37 |
July 2024
Lunch at Symposium
July 2024
Main Speaker
Tom Herstad
Towards a Kinder, more Compassionate and Empathetic World”
Tom is the author of 2nd Line West, a memoir of a very special lady in his life, his mother. In a heartfelt presentation, Tom shared stories of her difficult life and how she looked beyond herself to help others. Our members were eager to learn more about the 18 people she helped so book sales were brisk. Tom joined us for lunch at Symposium and we learned more about his other life as a lighting designer.
July 2024
Show & Tell
Roger Setka
CBDC
Our 91 year young financial wizard attempted to bring us into the 21st century of finance and the possibility of the “digital loonie” within our lifetime.
CBDC (central bank digital currency) is something that the Bank of Canada and banking insitiutions around the world are looking at. We may in our lifetime be faced with the emergence of a cashless society, our hand-held bills a thing of the past.
June 27, 2024
FANTASTIC TRIP to
see Rock of Ages at King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetang
Don’t Stop Believin’
Double Click to see the image full size.
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |
June 2024
Lunch at Hot Stacks
 |  |
|---|---|
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Double-Click to View
Photos by Bev Hughes
June 2024
Main Speaker
Malcolm Kelly, Journalist
”Women in Air Force Blue”
Malcolm G. Kelly, a professional journalist for 37 years, the founder and coordinator of a renowned postgraduate sports journalism program at Centennial College in Toronto, spoke to our PROBUS group about “Women In Air Force Blue”.
As a bestselling author, he has written four non-fiction books. Malcolm was born in Bradford-on-Avon, England, and raised in Warminster, Wilts, before the family moved to Canada in 1966. He is the son of two Second World War veterans (his father was one of the famous 47 British escapees at Calais in 1940, and his mother was a Blitz survivor who joined the army’s ATS).
His presentation on" Women In Air Force Blue" followed a number of women and their amazing experiences, was very interesting and enjoyed by all.
June Presentations
Bev Hughes and Midge Facciol presented Brian Palmer with a Lifetime Membership to the Probus Club of Alliston for Outstanding Service to the Club.
My thanks to those in the Club who decided to present me with a Lifetime Membership, particularly in the way it was presented by two of my favourite ladies, Bev and Midge.
I haven’t been able to attend meetings lately and the kind thought came as a complete surprise.
Hope to see you all soon.
Brian Palmer
We were pleased to welcome to the Club the following new members:
Don Irvine
Shirley Irvine
Don Nelson
June 2024
Show & Tell
Norm Kennedy
Drums & Bugles
Norm took on a fascinating trip through the history of the development of drums & bugles from the Stone Age until now.
May, 2024
Lunch at Swiss Chalet in Alliston
Click arrow to view.
Clic pic to enlarge.
