Probus Club of Old Oakville

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1 Probus Club of Old Oakville P.O. Box 69597, 109 Thomas Street, Oakville, ON L6J 7R4 Membership 184 This is a particularly notable year being the one hundredth anniversary of the start of the Great War ( ), the 70th anniversary of D Day, the 25th anniversary of the tearing down of the Berlin Wall and Canada becoming involved in yet another conflict, the war against ISIS. Tom showed us pictures of the terrible conditions in the troops had to endure in the trenches in Europe during the first world war. For our generation it is not difficult to remember, but what about the younger generations. At the Remembrance Service at church, the old generation who carried the flags in, handed them over to members of the youth group to carry out, as though handing over from one generation to another, and to encourage them to carry on the act of remembrance. The President s lunch was attended by 109 members and their spouses, down on last year s attendance of 135. Nevertheless, it was successful, and everyone appeared to enjoy our guest speaker, Professor Ken Weber, who gave an interesting and amusing presentation on why Canadian History is not boring, pointing out, among other things, the many achievements by Canadians, often unrecognised in other parts of the world. The President s Corner: We look forward to the German Night later this month and the Christmas Lunch after our regular meeting in December. Judging by the number of people who signed up for the German Night at the last meeting it looks as though it is going to be a big success. I am looking forward to it. Tim Douglass It is with regret that I have to announce that Vladimir Rydlo passed away on Friday October 17. He joined the club in December 1996 as a founding member. This is the month of Remembrance. The theme of our October meeting was Remember to Remember, the title of our guest speaker s excellent presentation; it was very moving. Our guest speaker was Tom Boshsler, who is a professional photographer, and his presentation was accompanied by many excellent pictures he had taken while on visits to World War Battlefields, War Cemeteries and Monuments in Europe and elsewhere. 1 The November meeting opened with the members being led by the club s newly-formed choir in the singing of God Save the Queen and our National Anthem Guest Speaker:

2 Tom Bochsler TOPIC: A s a professional photographer, Tom has shot and assembled many photographs over his career, and showed and discussed notable ones with us today during his.presentation. He has, as probably many of us have, visited and photographed many notable battlefield sites in Europe. Here are a few of these: In his tour of the war sites, he captured a view of one of the many tunnels that were dug for the movement of soldiers from one part of the battlefield to another. The guide in the photo is explaining the uses of thes tunnels to visitor. At the impressive site of the monument commerating the sacrifice of Canadian servicemene men and women, where photogrpahs of the time showed nothing but desolation, Tom shot the following one that shows what the site looks like today, and how it is matintained by grazing sheep! 2

3 In Belgium, where a considerable amount of fighting was done, the people go to the beaches where the relieving armies, landed and, in the sand, using templates that outlined the shape of a fallen soldier, depict the images of those that had died on the beaches on their behalf. From the air, this is most impressive. Here are two shots of the images being made and the results He also captured for us a reminder of our recent loss of of two soldeirs, as cartoon that appeared in one of our nespapers. This depicted the soldiers that we remember each year at the cenotaph, reaching down to draw a fallen comrade into their fold! Simple, but effective! Throughout his presentation, he showed, discussed and demonstrated the high regard in whicht the Canadian service people were held by the Belgian and Dutch people. During his address he paused, and called upon member, Bill Harris, to read the poem, In Flanders Fields by John MacCrae. Tom was not remiss to point out the following: The attending membership were then asked to rise while a video played the playing of The Last Post. Tom was introduced by Speakers Chair, Ed Nickerson, and thanked by Jan Hieminga, who took the opportunity to remind us that, being Dutch, how thankful he and his fellow country citizens were to the Canadian forces that served in both wars and were instrumental in rescuing them from being overun by enemy forces. He also thanked members for their support in his recent 800 km trek. He presented the speaker with a remembrance of his visit with us. 3

4 Chair: Ed Nickerson Future Guest Speakers We have another new member, Bill Boughner, sponsored by Don MacLennan, and seen here with President, Tim Douglass Future Member Speaker Just a reminder for those that have still to remit their dues, please do so either by December - Ron Pearson Interac or mail a cheque to The Treasurer, P.O. Box 69597, 109 Thomas Street, Oakville, On, L6J 7R4 Attendance: Chair: John Williams New Members A special welcome to our NEW MEMBER, Doug Francis last month a website guest now a member! He is seen here framed by President Tim Douglass, and John Williams, Membership Chair. The November meeting had 109 members attend, which represents 59%% of our total membership of 184. As you can see from the following chart, this number is UP from both last month and the 2013 attendance. Let s all make an effort to attend each monthly meeting to meet n greet fellow members! Need a ride to PROBUS? Call Editor Ron or by at rthornbury@cogeco.ca. 4

5 Chair: Eric Van Allen Club Activities: Chair: Bill Titgemeyer and Updated news on the active activities follows! Remember that this is an all yearround sport, so contact Eric at or Contact him should you wish to visit this fine fishing waterhole! Chair: Bill Titgemeyer: The November 19th dinner will be hosted by Ross and Judy Dickie at the Jonathan s Bistro in Oakville 7:00 p.m. Contact: Rr085@sympatico.ca or Wrong time? An elderly couple had just learned how to send text messages on their cell phones. The wife was a romantic type, while her husband was more of a no-nonsense guy. One afternoon, the wife went out to meet a friend for coffee. She decided to send her husband a romantic text message and she wrote: Chair: Tony Last This Club will resume its activiites in November. Contact: alast1@cogeco.ca or If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me you smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking, send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you. The husband texted back to her: I am on the toilet. Please advise! Chair: John Vipond Contributor: Tony Last The Club meets at Oakville Club, at 2:00 p.m. on the THIRD Monday of each month, i.e. November 17th. All members are welcome to attend. 5

6 The second rehearsal for the choir will take place on Wednesday, November 19 th, at Knox Presbyterian Church. Practise is from 2 3 p.m. Sincere thanks to all those that submitted entries. Seven members entered the competition this year and have 27 photographs challenging for the prizes. Mysterious Entrant This is your Club, so Special Events should meet member needs. ALL members will shortly be asked for input before the Special Events team finalizes the above list. One of these entries appears to be rather shy as the member omitted to provide his name in the package of four photographs! The following is one of his entries. Please, Mysterious Entrant, identify yourself to me ASAP or rthornbury@cogco.ca! Why not join Co-Chairs Peter Morris & John Butler to help develop and plan the Special Events. Contact them as follows: Peter or peterjmo@bell.net John or jcbutler01@sympatico.ca Editor Obviously, a downtown Oakville scene! 6

7 Post this page on your Refrigerator! POOL EVERY TUESDAY 12 NOON at MONAGHAN S Sports & Grill Contact: Hugh Grant: hgrant4@cogeco.ca 7