From Port Carling to Perth: "All a Matter of Luck"

~reviewed by Carol Trischuk

James Bartleman charmed Probians at our May meeting, regaling us with tales of his life journey, and mapping his course from a tent pitched beside the Port Carling dump near the town of Orillia and the reserve lands of the Chippewas of Mnjikaning First Nation to Haggart House in Perth.  Along the way, Mr. Bartleman played, studied, taught, traveled, and enjoyed more than 35 years serving Canada as a foreign service officer, diplomat and, prime ministerial adviser.  After his retirement from the federal public service, he served as Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.  During his term as Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Bartleman implemented four Aboriginal Literacy Initiatives:

• 2.3 million books were collected to establish libraries in First Nation Communities across the north,
• a School Twinning Program linked nearly 150 Aboriginal schools with non-Aboriginal schools across Ontario and Nunavut.
• thirty-six Aboriginal Summer Reading Camps were established in 28 fly-in First Nations communities.
• Club Amick was launched to provide books and newsletters four times a year to 5000 Aboriginal children in Ontario’s North.

Current Lieutenant Governor David Onley has pledged to continue this work with Mr. Bartleman and to expand the Aboriginal literacy initiative.  Now that he calls Perth his home, Mr. Bartleman has more time to ‘pay forward’ the many opportunities he received in life to his young Aboriginal compatriots.

James Bartleman shares anecdotes on growing up in Port Carling (move mouse/cursor over image for a different view)

A remarkable raconteur, Mr. Bartleman (or Jim, as he prefers to be called) credits 'good luck' with facilitating his life journey.  Jim’s ‘luck’, however, was often the sort that is only recognized as such in retrospect, and many of us would not have the grace and self-deprecation necessary to see it that way at all.  It was luck, he says, that his mother’s constant hard work to provide for the family afforded young Jim the freedom to stretch his imagination and indulge in outrageous, but ingenious, childhood pranks.  Luck, too, that these antics did not result in bodily harm or banishment to a youth detention centre.  Was it luck, or his own talents and abilities, that brought him to the attention of the American industrialist who financed his high school and university education… luck that secured him the ‘last available place’ in the annual federal foreign service allocation… luck that made him the man in the right place at the right time for increasingly senior diplomatic postings… luck that introduced him as a young man to a charming air hostess who now shares the joy of their first grandchild with him?  In any case, attributing these many and varied twists to luck makes for magnificent storytelling.  These are stories that appear in the four volumes of memoirs he has produced through the years, but we were indeed fortunate to hear them first hand in the engaging voice of the author.

You can learn more about our illustrious new neighbour and his tumultuous life by reading Out of Muskoka, On Six Continents, Rollercoaster, and Raisin Wine.  A novel is currently in the works.

Wayne Philips is an Ottawa man, born and bred. He is best known, however, for his 30+ year career with the City of Nepean’s Police Service, culminating in seven years as Chief until Nepean’s amalgamation with the City of Ottawa.
He met his British-born wife, Beverley, in Ottawa, too, and after their marriage they both returned to the University of Ottawa where Wayne majored in Criminology and Beverley in Psychology. They have three children, all of them now established in their own careers and families.
Wayne told us the highlights of his career came from the people he met, some of them very famous indeed, and the reactions of the people who turned out to see them. From a group that included the Queen, the Pope, Prince Charles, assorted rock stars and others, Wayne singled out Rick Hansen as the person who perhaps made the greatest impression on him.
Upon retirement, Wayne and Beverley decided to try full-time living at their Big Rideau property for a one-year trial period. They’ve been there seven years now, so the experiment seems to have been a success!
Beverley supported Wayne during his presentation and deftly, but subtly, prevented him from making the classic Lester Pearson error...remember the story of Lester asking wife Marion, at the end of a speech, whether he had missed anything? Her reply: “Yes, you missed several excellent opportunities to sit down!” The Phillips’ epitomized the soul of personal profile brevity.

Special Events

Wednesday, May 28: Gananoque 1000 Island Playhouse production of Glorious, with lunch at the Gananoque Inn. This trip is fully subscribed. Those attending are reminded that the bus will leave from the Legion at 10:30 a.m. sharp and will return at approximately 5:00 p.m. Should your plans change, please call Denise (613-267-3479).

Monday, June 16: Annual Probus 9 Holes Golf Tournament at the Perth Golf Course. Our organizer, Glen Pettinger would like to have a good turn-out of golfers (experienced and otherwise). Mark your calendars and sign up with Glen. The tee-off times will be starting between 3 and 4 pm. Eaters are very welcome to join the hackers for cocktails at 6 pm and a delightful dinner ($25 each) to be served at 7 pm. This is always a good party, so come on out and have some summer fun.

Wednesday, September 24: Wine Tour of Prince Edward County organized by Heritage Travel. Pleasant bus trip down the Loyalist Highway with a ferry ride across the Bay of Picton. We will be visiting Waupoos & Huff wineries. Lunch will be at the Waring House. Cost $90 each (Please pay by Cheque only). Give your name to Denise.

Friday, October 24: Annual Oktoberfest Dinner. Last year this was a very popular event.

Friday, December 12: Annual Christmas Dinner. Everyone has a wonderful time at this social occasion!

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.

• Membership: Rod reports that there is still room for some new members. Do YOU know of a person who would enjoy our Club and what it has to offer? Please contact Rod for membership application forms for prospective members.
• Interest Survey:  To help us plan for next year, Probus members can still fill in the Interest Survey available at the next Probus meeting or on our website: www.probusperth.ca
• 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 and on the Saint John Probus website http://www.sjprobus.ca/
• Newsletter: To help save money and the environment, please let us know (glentay@live.com) if you are willing to receive future newsletters via the internet, instead of by regular mail.
• Planning a trip in Canada and wish to visit another Probus Club, Helen has a Membership Directory of Clubs in Canada. This is also available on the Probus Canada website at http://www.probus.org
• We are pleased that 13 people are going to represent us at the Inter-Club Probus Spring Social in Brockville.
• Our next Probus meeting is Wednesday, June 4th.

Urgent, Probian Needed for Newsletter Editor

We need a Probian for the position of Newsletter Editor for next year. The newsletter is an important communication vehicle with our Probus members and we are hoping that someone will step forward who is interested in writing and editing articles on a monthly basis. There will be support from a roster of reporters who will report on the Keynote Speaker. 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.

Speakers' Corner

• In June, Ken Watson - speaking on the value of the Rideau Canal Waterway before it was altered by Colonel By's engineering schemes. Click here for more information.
• In September, Nancy Scarth will speak on time spent and friends made in Siberia.

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