Welcome The PROBUS Club of Pickering is a local community association of active retired and semi retired seniors who join together with others of similar interests. The purpose of PROBUS is to provide regular gatherings offering varied social and learning opportunities. Members participate, engage, develop friendships and have fun! PROBUS encompasses a diverse background of interests, generates cordiality, friendship, goodwill, and a sense of community. Monthly general meetings offered by the PROBUS Executive provide Club updates. Informative speakers provoke interest and discussion on a wide range of topics. Regular Activities are offered allowing PROBUS members to meet in smaller groups to pursue common interests. If you are retired, searching for new experiences and enjoy meeting people, PROBUS meets your needs. To satisfy your interest in trips, excursions, or hearing exciting speakers, this club provides it. Whether making new friends, learning new skills, or developing new interests, the PROBUS Club of Pickering is an excellent fit for you. We have reached a maximum member allowance and are currently unable to take new membership at this time. | Scenes of Pickering |
President’s Message - December 2024 Now that we’ve returned to Standard Time, the days are very noticeably shorter. When I was working, I travelled to and from work in the dark, only glancing daylight briefly. Yet another perk of retirement is catching more daylight! Perhaps you can relate? The extension of hours of darkness truly affects a portion of the population who endure S.A.D, Seasonal Affect Disorder, aptly named. I have been intrigued for a long time about the human response to this dark period of the year. Many cultures, philosophies, faiths and religions have traditions of light. In this darkest time of the year, we seek and celebrate light. Look around our homes and neighbourhoods, decorated inside and out with lights. Particularly luminous when reflected off the snow. It can seem merry and bright. As we approach the Winter Solstice, those practicing Northern Paganism observe the longest night and shortest day as a celestial promise and hope of returning to the light and warmth. Indigenous communities have their own unique traditions to celebrate this occurrence. Diwali derives its name from ’dipavali’ which means ‘row of lights’ and is a five day celebration by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. Kwanza is a week long celebration of seven principles that emphasize family and community bonds through candle lighting, poetry, music and food. The seven principles are : Umoja (Unity), Kujichaulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose),Kuumba (Creativity),and Imani (Faith). Jews celebrate the miracle of a lamp that had only enough oil to remain lit for a day burning for eight days when they celebrate the eight days of Chanukah. A menorah holds nine candles, one for each day and a central candle called a shamesh. Christians celebrate the birth of the light of God embodied in His Son, Jesus. A bright star guided the wisemen to the Infant. Many Christians have Advent wreaths with five candles. A candle is lit each of the four Sundays before Christmas to emphasize what is coming, what the birth brings to the world – Hope, Peace, Joy and Love and a central Christ candle. Of course this celebration has been overly commercialized and, for most people, bears little or no resemblance to the origin. In all of these observances we gather with people who have a special place in our lives, who often bring light to our lives. There is a word that describes light in darkness – chiaroscuro. According to the Miriam-Webster dictionary, chiaroscuro is “the pictorial representation in terms of light and shade; the arrangement of light and dark parts”. The technique that gives a drawing or painting dimension, texture and interest. Yes, that sounds like life. Light and dark together. Even the music of the Season, both sacred and secular, has the elements of joy and despair. Many people have very mixed feelings at this time of year for any number of reasons. Best Wishes to each of you. I hope there is Light to keep the darkness at bay and an abundance of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love in your homes for the season and coming year. Nancy Turner Grant President What's Coming Up You Ask? Below are the next few events. For a full listing, visit the Calendar section. We frequently add new events, so make sure you check by here often. You are reminded that we have protocols in place for all in-person events. Click here to review them. Upcoming Activities
| January Speaker - Mayor Kevin AsheMayor Kevin Ashe has been a resident of Pickering for over 55 years and comes from a family deeply rooted in local politics and community service. His late father, George Ashe, served as the first Mayor of the then Town of Pickering, in 1973, paving the way for Mayor Ashe’s own civic engagement. Mayor Ashe was first elected as Ward 1 City Councillor in 2003 and was re-elected by Ward 1 residents in 2010 and 2014. In November 2015, he was appointed as Regional Councillor for Ward 1, re-elected in 2018, and remained in that role until he was elected as Mayor in 2022. Mayor Ashe’s commitment to the community extends beyond politics. Prior to sitting on City Council, Mayor Ashe served as a Trustee on the Durham Catholic District School Board, representing Pickering from 1985 to 1997, and served as Chair of the Board in 1994. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association from 1991 to 1997. Additionally, Mayor Ashe played pivotal roles in various organizations, including the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, Ajax Pickering Big Brothers and Sisters, and the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise. He is a passionate advocate for raising awareness on mental health issues. In November 2023, he co-hosted Youth Mental Health Chats. Under Mayor Ashe’s leadership, Pickering is experiencing a new energy, with a focus on creating more employment opportunities for residents. His dedication to making Pickering the best place to live, work, shop, and play is evident in strategic investments in infrastructure and economic development. Mayor Ashe’s vision for Pickering is ambitious yet grounded, striving to harness Pickering’s potential for positive and progressive growth, fostering vibrancy, connectivity, and sustainability. Central to this vision is promoting Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and nurturing a compassionate and thriving community. Mayor Ashe understands that achieving this requires strategic planning encompassing opportunities for housing supply and diversity, dedicated community facilities and spaces, essential service and infrastructure investments, and economic development initiatives aimed at bringing jobs closer to home. With Mayor Ashe leading the way, it is his goal to set Pickering on course for a bright future, ensuring residents can prosper in a vibrant, flourishing, and inclusive community.
BREAKING NEWS! The Winter 2025 Recreation Guide is now available from the City of Pickering. The December PROBUS Global Newsletter is now available! Your November/December newsletter is now available! Our Sister Club in Raumati New Zealand has shared their November newsletter! Did You Know? Birthday Box -Are YOU celebrating a birthday this month? If so, at the next General Meeting go to the Wishing Well table, print your name on a ticket and place it in the Birthday Box. You could be the winner of a BOTTLE OF WINE! The winning ticket will be drawn immediately after Coffee Break. PLEASE NOTE: You must be present to win. At the November General Meeting, TWO lucky winners will be chosen - one for November and one for December, since the Christas luncheon replaces the General Meeting in December. Good Luck! PROBUS CANADA INSURANCE - please note the link provided in the February Newsletter regarding insurance isn't working. Please find the updated information by clicking here. Senior Discovery Tours Pickering PROBUS has joined the Senior Discovery Tours Insider Club Benefits program. Click here for some exciting information AND our virtual meeting is now available for your viewing! Website Hints -
Newsletters Your November/December Newsletter is now available! See the latest news here from our twin club, Raumati NZ PROBUS Canada's latest newsletter edition is also available. Too many Emails? Let us know at pprobuswebmaster@gmail.com and we'll update your profile! Bring Your Meeting Mug In order to contribute to reducing our carbon footprint, members are encouraged to bring reusable mugs for coffee or tea at the General Meeting. Disposable cups will be available for those who require them. Protocols and guidelines for club meetings, events and activities Activities Pickering PROBUS provides many exciting Activities for its members. Activities are initiated by our member volunteers who tailor these to suit a wide variety of interests. Activities range from Card/Table games such as Bridge, Cribbage, Euchre, Bid Euchre and Mah Jong to the Walking group and seasonal, bi-weekly Golf. Readers can join one of three Book Clubs. For those who enjoy eating out choices include the Men’s Breakfast Club; R.O.D.E.O. (Retired Old Dames Eating Out); Tastes of the World and Happy Hour. Additional activity groups vary from General Knowledge, Genealogy, Bowling, Billiards and Pinball to Crafts, Knitting, and Improv and more. Activities provide a regular scheduled opportunity to make new friends and socialize with fellow members. Come out to learn something new, practise a skill, or just have fun. Activities are restricted to "Pickering PROBUS Members Only". Members may register one "Guest" who must also be a Member. Non member guests may be permitted to attend one or two General Meetings, and may attend excursion/trips, club dances when space allows and with permission of the activity organizer. Excursions Pickering PROBUS is a social organization and members enjoy meeting together to share group experiences. Outings to local events may include venues such as theatres, restaurants or nearby attractions. Learn about our province by taking a PROBUS bus trip to historic sites, museums, wineries, or areas of interest. Gathering together for Pickering PROBUS celebrations is always fun! As a member enjoy the annual wine & cheese, the barbecue and the Christmas luncheon. Advance registration and payment is required. Monthly Member Meetings Our monthly member meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of each month and are a great opportunity to meet other members. Each month we provide a guest presenter, information about upcoming events and website support. Goodies included! We look forward to seeing you there. |