Snow and More Snow

Newsletter editor, Jeanne, found her laneway plugged with snow on March 5th. after 27 cm of snow fell.

Last Wednesday, March 5th, for the first time ever, the Probus Club of Perth had to cancel their monthly meeting due to weather. With the snow falling heavily to the ground, President Helen thought really hard about whether to cancel or not. After many phone calls and advisories that people would not be able to come to the meeting, the decision was made. She immediately phoned our local radio station,"Lake 88.1", and had them announce the cancellation. The radio station promptly put the Probus news on the air waves. Helen contacted our scheduled speaker, Ken Watson, who would have had to come in from near Elgin. He happily agreed to be re-booked for June 4th.

After digging out, Helen and Bob went to the Legion to meet members who might have missed the announcement. There were a number of hardy souls, about 12, who made it to the Legion and waited around until nearly 10 a.m. With no coffee brewed and the aroma from the nearby Tim Horton's calling to them they decided to adjourn to Tim's for a very pleasant mini-meeting.

Word was left at the Legion about the change in plans. The Probus Executive apologizes to anyone who arrived late and did not get the message . Should there ever be need for future last minute cancellations members would be advised to listen to Lake 88.1 on the day, for these community broadcasts.

Our next Probus meeting is Wednesday, April 2nd. See you there.

Report From The Nominating Committee

HELP STILL WANTED

Response to the nominating committee has been very good. We still need volunteers to let their names stand for the position of Newsletter Editor. The newsletter is an important communication vehicle with our Probus members and we are hoping that someone will step forward for this vital role who is interested in writing and editing articles on a monthly basis. Our webmaster, Colin Stephenson, who works closely with the Newsletter Editor, will help with formatting the Newsletter for printing and posting on the website.

If you feel you can contribute a little time to help keep our vibrant social organization healthy, please speak to one of our nominating committee members: Helen Black (613-264-8507), Keith Brown (613-264-0206), or Ian Doig (613-264-27040.

Membership Report: Rod reports that we have a total membership of 134. There is still room for some new members. If you have friends who would enjoy participating in our group, please talk to Rod about nominating them.

2007/08 Executive Planning Meeting		THE PROBIAN The Probian is available on our website. If you are currently receiving a copy of the Probian by mail, you may want to consider accessing it through the website instead, since it is now faster and easier to view and print. Just let us (Rod, Jeanne or Colin) know that you wish to receive a monthly email telling you when the latest Probian is available. This will save the club money for printing and mailing and will be better for the environment.

From the Monday Management Team Meeting

Bob Black presents Ed. Chenard with our food bank donation.

1. Food Bank Donations:  The Perth Food Bank would like to thank the Probus members for their generous gift of a total of $580. If you would still like to donate, please drop off your contribution directly to the Perth Food Bank. A big thank you to Bob Black for collecting our donations for the food bank.
2. Interest Survey:  To help us plan for next year, Probus members are asked to please fill in the Interest Survey available at the next Probus meeting or available on our website: www.probusperth.ca
3. Probus Rendezvous 2008: Enjoy Saint John, New Brunswick in the Autumn - September 25-27, -by attending Probus Rendezvous 2008 (Catch the Wave) sponsored by Probus Club of Saint John, N. B. -More information is available from Helen Black.
4. Treasurer Don reports our finances are in good shape.

Speakers' Corner

1. In April, David and Helga Zimmerly's slide presentation on the Galapagos Islands.
2. In May, Honourable James Bartleman - former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
3. In June, Ken Watson - speaking on the value of the Rideau Canal Waterway before it was altered by Colonel By's engineering schemes.

Our program Coordinators, Ian Doig, (613-264-2707) and Glen Pettinger (613-264-9747) welcome your suggestions for future topics and speakers.

Biography: David Zimmerly

As an anthropologist and world traveler, David has long used his camera to record cultures from the Arctic to Africa, from India to Peru. He is especially interested in photographing people. David was Arctic Anthropologist for the National Museum of Man (now the Canadian Museum of Civilization) for 11 years. In 1986, David and his wife, Helga, left Ottawa to roam the world in their cruising sailboat. Since settling in Perth in 1996, David has been actively pursuing digital photography and weaving. His work with the Guatemala Stove Project allows him to explore weaving traditions in Guatemala with his camera. www.davidzimmerly.com

Irish Humour

McQuillan walked into a bar and ordered martini after martini, each time removing the olives and placing them in a jar. When the jar was filled with olives and all the drinks consumed, he started to leave.
"S'cuse me," said a customer, who was puzzled over what McQuillan had done. "What was that all about?"
"Nothing," he replied, "my wife just sent me out for a jar of olives."

Sean was fishing and it started to rain,
so he moved under the bridge for shelter.
His pal McGinty saw him and called,
"Sean, me boy, are ye afeared of a few spots o' rain, now?"
Sean replied, "I'm not...the fish come here fer shelter."

Special Events

1. Wednesday, May 28: - Gananoque 1000 Island Playhouse production of Glorious, with lunch at the Gananoque Inn.
2. Monday, June 16: Annual Probus Golf Tournament -to be held at The Perth Golf Course. This event is for both golfers and non-golfers. The tee-off times will probably be between 2 and 3 pm with a delightful dinner to be served at 7 pm. Glen Pettinger will confirm the date and details as soon as the Perth Golf Club manager returns from holidays at the end of March.
3. Tuesday, May 27th, 2008: Inter-Club Probus Spring Social in Brockville: The two Probus clubs in Brockville are hosting the 2008 Probus "Spring Social", being held at the Brockville Country Club. The theme will be "An Old Time Social on the St. Lawrence" (a hot and cold buffet lunch will be served). A number of Brockville members will be dressed in period costume, and some great entertainment is planned including a visit by Sir John A. Macdonald, also door prizes. The ticket cost will be $28. It is sure to be an enjoyable event, giving all Probus members who attend a great opportunity to mix and mingle. Brockville looks forward to welcoming you. Those interested in attending may let Chris McGuire know and prepay for their attendance by the April Probus meeting.
4. Glass Artist (Hand Blown & Stained Glass Works) - There is the possibility of a studio tour in Pakenham. Denise will inform us when a date for this outing is confirmed.
5. September: Plan for our wine tour of Prince Edward County.
6. October: Annual Octoberfest! Show your interest. Denise will have a sign up sheet at the next meeting. Last year this was a very popular event.
7. December: Annual Christmas Dinner

Members of other Probus Clubs are welcome to join our special events. If you have ideas for new events or trips, please talk to Denise Mullins (613-267-3479). Note: For all trips, the bus leaves from the Legion.

About The Play: GLORIOUS by Peter Quilter

"People may say I can't sing, but no one can ever say I didn't sing." A hilarious comedy that has played in 20 countries - based on the real life story of "the worst singer in the world," the irrepressible American socialite diva Florence Foster Jenkins. Florence's eccentric theatrical entourage includes her accompanist Cosme McMoon, her transplanted British husband and a very cranky Spanish maid. For more information see www.1000islandsplayhouse.com

St. Patrick's Day Blessing

Like the warmth of the sun
And the light of the day,
May the luck of the Irish
shine bright on your way.

May your pockets be heavy-
Your heart be light
And may good luck pursue you
Each morning and night