President's Message: 

Perhaps you too have been recently in a restaurant dining room. Your fellow diners could be families, couples on a date or groups of friends. You notice that they are not talking to one another and their heads are bowed. Maybe those heads are bowed in prayer … until you notice the flying thumbs. The people are alone, together, furiously texting on their cellphones.

In stark contrast to those scenarios, at a recent Dine Out, I looked around at my fellow Probus members. Without exception, everyone was completely engaged, chatting, telling stories and laughing. The only time a phone came out was to share some photos.

HRH Catherine, Princess of Wales has newly collaborated on an essay that references the Harvard Study of Adult Development. Beginning in 1938, it is the longest investigation into adult life ever conducted. They determined that the best predictor of a long and happy life wasn’t cholesterol levels or blood pressure, but the quality of the subjects’ connections with other people. Much of it has to do with stress regulation, with those healthy relationships helping people to balance and manage the inevitable stresses of life.

And yet we live with what the essayists call an “epidemic of disconnection”. While we have the technology to connect with almost anyone in the palms of our hands, too many people have lost the ability to be fully present with another human being, looking into their eyes in search of understanding.

Earlier this year, Atlantic Magazine featured Ellen Cushing’s essay entitled “Americans Need to Party More”, which noted that fewer Americans actually socialize than previous generations, creating a “party deficit”.

So what can be done to try to eliminate that “disconnection” and the “deficit”? If you are reading this Newsletter, you likely know that it is full of opportunities to connect with others and start to build relationships. I encourage you all to visit our Social Committee members at our monthly meetings. There, you’ll see what other members are doing in the interest groups, find out about the social events that have been planned and in particular, you can sign up to join the festivities at our Christmas banquet on December 10th.

Fellowship, friendship and fun (and often food!) - it’s all there just waiting for YOU!

Nancy Holmes
President, Probus Club of South London

Share the Wealth:  Please buy your tickets when you arrive for the meeting as the sales end at 10:50 am., and the winner is announced after coffee break.  The tickets are $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.  The winner on Oct 15th, 2025, was Barbara Gardiner who received $90.00

Marg Dean, Social Events Coordinator

HELPFUL INFORMATION WHEN
REGISTERING FOR AN EVENT

1. Information on Events and Interest Groups is available in the monthly Newsletter on our Website as well as at our General Meetings.

2. Remember to bring your calendar and cheque book to each meeting. Please note that you are not guaranteed a spot if payment has not been received.

3. Register and pay for upcoming Events at our monthly General Meetings .

4.  E-transfers and cheques are accepted. Please, no cash nor postdated cheques.

5.  Note:
a) E-transfers payable to slptreasure@gmail.com
 b) Cheques payable to Probus Club of South London.
c) For both E-transfers and Cheques kindly indicate the event in the memo section. 

6.     CANCELLATION POLICY: There are NO REFUNDS. Should you need to cancel, please try to sell or give away your ticket. If unable, contact Marg D. She may be able to be of assistance.

7.   CARPOOLING: You are responsible for your own transportation to events. You might wish to arrange carpooling at your convenience.

8. Interest Groups and most events are open to members only, unless specified that you are welcome to bring a guest. 

AN OPPORTUNITY TO “GET CONNECTED AND STAY CONNECTED” by joining fellow Probus members in the upcoming events.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE TOUR

Sign-up sheet at the General Meeting – Limit of 20 Probus members

Date: Saturday November 29 th

Time: 10:00 AM (Please arrive by 9:45)

Location: 741 Baseline Road East, London, Ontario

Parking: Generally, there is room for 6-7 cars at Ronald McDonald House. Other nearby options are - Tim Hortons, Metro, McDonalds and behind Medical Building. Carpooling is encouraged.

Free Tour – approximately 1 ½ hours

Deadline for Registration: November 19 th

Optional Lunch: a number of restaurants in the area for those interested in getting together for lunch following the tour

Organizer: Ronalee P

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON –
HIGHLAND GOLF COURSE 

The highland Golf Club offers a beautiful view while dining as well as a festive

ambiance. Guests are welcome to join you at this celebration.

Date: Wednesday December 10 th

Time: 11:30 AM Cash Bar 12:00 noon Luncheon 1:30 PM Barbershop Quartet

Location: Highland Golf Club, 1922 Highland Heights, London

Back by Popular Demand: Cranberry-brie stuffed chicken with brown butter sage sauce, roasted potatoes, seasonal vegetables, freshly baked dinner rolls with whipped butter, assorted tarts, coffee or tea

Cost: $40.00 (the same price as last year!) includes tax & gratuity

Cheque: Probus Club of South London E-Transfer: slptreasure@gmail.com

Deadline for registration & payment: Dec. 3 rd (cheque or e-transfer)

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds. Should you need to cancel, please try to sell or give away your ticket. If unable, contact Marg Dean. She may be able to be of assistance.

 Organizer: Gail Clarke 

SAINT PETER’S CATHEDRAL BASILICA

Date: Wednesday January 28, 2026

Time: 10:00 am.

Location: St. Peter’s Cathedral Basilica, 196 Dufferin Ave. (Free parking behind the Basilica)

Tour: One-hour free tour describing the history and architecture of the building.

Limit: 20 members

Lunch Option following the tour: numerous restaurants in the area

Organizer:  Ronalee P

LONDON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

An opportunity to check out the NEW Children’s Museum which opened January 2025 on Kellogg Lane.

Date: Wednesday February 25, 2026

Time: 10:30 am.

Location: 100 Kellogg Lane – 4^th Floor

Parking: Information @ londonchildrensmuseum.ca
[ here is a link to additional information about location and parking].

Tour: free one-hour tour

Limit: 20 members

Deadline for Registering: February 18^th

Optional Lunch following the tour: many restaurants nearby as well as in the complex

Organizer:  Ronalee P 

PAST EVENTS:

LONDON BREWING TOUR (Londonbrewing.ca) 
Probus members listening attentively to the London Brewing tour guide. Photo credit: Sue W.

Following the Tour Members took advantage of Beer purchases and had a great time.

Thanks Nancy H. & Brigitte D. for making the tour possible.

Click HERE for more tour photos.


Vietnam Restaurant Oct 29, 2025

After the London Brewing tour, some Probus members enjoyed lunch at the Vietnam Restaurant and took a well-deserved rest.

A fun and easy way to make new friends is by joining our Probus Groups such as Euchre, Rummikub, Games, Book Club, or Dine-In. It’s easy to participate in a new interest group. Contact Marg D. or sign up at a General Meeting. When there are enough signatures to form a new group, Marg will set up an initial meeting to decide on the format of YOUR NEW GROUP.  You’re ready to go for “Fellowship, Friendship & Fun” (our Probus motto).

 

Coffee Mornings:

Men's Coffee:
2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 AM in Westmount Mall across from Tim Horton's.  
Women's Coffee:

2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 10:00 AM in Westmount Mall across from Tim Horton's.

Investment Club:

Meets at Riverbend Golf Cours Clubhouse at 10 AM

May to Nov 2nd Wednesday, Dec to April 2nd Thursday.

Newcomers are welcome and are asked to contact Don J.  prior to their initial Meeting. 

Euchre:

Euchre #1:
 The 4th Thursday at 1:30 PM at a Member's Home.

Euchre #2:
The 3rd Thursday at 1:30 PM at a Member's Home

Book Club:

Book Club #1 meets the 1st Monday of the month at 2:00 p.m. in a Member's Home except December, July & August (or when the 1st Monday is a holiday).
Book Club #2 meets every 2nd Friday of the month at 1:00 pm.   We meet in member's homes except December, July and August. 

Rummikub:

Meets 1st Tuesday at 1:30 PM at a Members Home.
Easy to learn and exciting to plan your strategies.

Games:

1st Friday   at 1:30 p.m. at a Member's Home. Members share their favorite Games. 
On March 7th, 2025 Hosted by Marg D.


For more pictures, click HERE. 

Walking Group:

Meet every Wednesday except the 3rd Wednesday of the month. Meet  at 9:30 a.m. in the Guy Lombardo Parking Lot for a one hour walk.

It meets the 4th Monday, at 1:30 pm. at a member's home

Dine In:

Members meet the 3rd Tuesday each month, except Dec, June, July & Aug ,  at 1:00 pm in Member's Home.

For more photos click HERE

Dine Out: 

On the 1st Wednesday of the month (except December) at 12 noon. A convenor is chosen from the previous Dine Out. The convenor selects the venue and prepares a notice and sends information to the Newsletter Editor, Marcel Djivre .

Taverna Restaurant November 5, 2025

The Dine Out at Taverna Restaurant had a great turnout, with members thoroughly enjoying both the food and the company.

For more pictures click HERE.

City Explorers:
A combination of nature and historic walks led by Phil Waller (Contact Person -Brigitte D.) on the 4 th Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM from April- October. Each walk is limited to 15 members. Please register for the walks that interest you at the general meeting.

Springbank Park Nature Walk on Oct 22nd, 2025.

For additional photos from October 22nd, 2025, click HERE

Day Trippers - Out of Towners: 

We would love to hear from group members where they may wish to travel in 2025. If you have a suggestion please email to Janice R. 
Note:
All suggestions are logged and the group votes on the most popular choices. 

Support:  

Do you know of a South London Probus member who is having a difficult time (health issue, accident, hospitalization, loss of partner, etc.) and would benefit from receiving a card or a call from our team? If so, please let me know. I will be happy to follow up and/or get in touch with them. 
Contact Marg C.

October 15th, 2025, speaker

Kris Dinel, Vice President of Strategy for Western Fair District (Founded in 1867), did an excellent job presenting the history, current state, and future developments of the Association.

Upcoming Speakers: 

 November 2025 speaker:

Wendy Allen is the proud daughter of 2 WWII RCAF Veterans. Wendy will speak of their experiences during WWII.
Wendy grew up in King City, and at the age of 21 she met and married fiddle player John P Allen.

January 2026
Ron Monk will speak on his experience walking the Camino Trail. Spoke to Ron and everything is on schedule for that.

February 2026
Ryan Salewski from BrainScan at Western University has agreed to be our -speaker for February. Ryan had sent a detailed note to our Club suggesting we may appreciate him as a speaker. The federally funded neuroscience research studies brain health, and cognition across the lifespan, focusing on healthy aging. They are hoping to offer an engaging interactive session on brain 3 health.

March 2026
TBD

April 2026
Jean Hewitt/ club member has agreed to entertain us in April. Our very competent member will be with The Famous Five Ladies and will perform the London Women’s History Project that Jean created.

May 2026: TBD 

Who Am I

Nancy F. shared her adventures in Churchill and her encounters with polar bears! It was well done and very entertaining.

Future Who Am I Presenters:
November 2025
Sandra B.

Probus Celebration Month  

October is Probus Celebration Month. Members celebrated at the General Meeting on October 15th, 2025, with exquisite white and chocolate cake. Special thanks to Brigitte D. for organizing the delicious treats.  

Members Corner:

New Members:

Welcome to Denise D. and John J. to South London Probus Club on October 15th, 2025.

 

2025/26 Social Committee Team Co-ordinator - Marg D. (new email: margdean34@gmail.com) Members - Gail C, Brigitte D, Ronalee P, Nancy H

2025/26 MEET YOUR EXECUTIVE:

 President: Nancy H.
Vice President: Moira C.
Secretary: Sue W.
Treasurer: Mike S.
Membership Coordinator: Nancy F.
Social Event Coordinator: Marg D.
Communications Coordinator: Marcel D.
Past President: 2025-2026 duties to be carried out by Member at Large.
Member at Large: Brigitte D.
ADDITIONAL:
Cheer Designate: Marg C. 

Scent-Free Policy: For the health and comfort of all of our members, those attending Probus meetings and events are asked to refrain from the use of scented products (cologne, perfume, personal care items, etc.)

Get Connected, Stay Connected

Submit Newsletter Comments or submissions to: Marcel D., Communications Coordinator