What's New
(Updated Dec. 17, 2010)
Dec. 15, 2010
Probus met for their Christmas meeting and social on Dec. 15, 2010. They were entertained by the Saint John String Quartet consisting of David Adams, Larissa Chitty, Sony Adams and Chris Buckley who played a selection of Christmas carols.
Oct. 21, 2009
Vaughn McIntyre, guest speaker for Oct. 21, 2009 meeting.
More detail will be added once the minutes come out.
Mar. 18, 2008
Mr. Roger Haineault, a tax consultant, was the guest speaker for the meeting on Mar. 18, 2009 and was introduced by Don Thomkins.
Mr. Haineault then proceeded to outline various new measures in recent Federal and Provincial budgets that could be advantageous to us as senior citizens. There was also some explanation of the circumstances that have led to the current recession and measures that have been introduced to ameliorate them. A lively and informative question and answer session followed the presentation. Mr. Haineault (left) was thanked by Clarence Blois(right) seen shaking hands and the meeting adjourned for lunch at 12 noon.
In the back ground to the left is 2nd Vice President Bob Capson, and Phoghorn editor Ralph Wood.
Feb. 18, 2008
New Members
During the Feb. 18, 2008 meeting, President Richard Burpee welcomed two new members into the Club. Pictured above are President Richard, left, and Frank Cormier and Dr. Barry Beckett.
Guest Speaker
The Club's guest speaker was Dr. Robert MacKinnon, (left photo), Vice President of UNB Saint John, who gave the Club an update and overview of the University with particular emphasis to the new School of Medicine. In the photo to the right is new club member Dr. Barry Beckett thanking Dr. MacKinnon for his informative talk.
Rendezvous 2008 Team Wrap-up
On Jan. 15, 2009 the Rendezvous 2008 organizing team met at the Mediterranean restaurant to wrap-up and share some laughs and successes for the rendezvous 2008 gathering.
Pictured (L-R): Ralph Wood, Bill Bydges, Wes Cosman, David Fraser, Carl Tompkins, Fred Shillington, Laurie Hossack, President Richard Burpee, Mildred Brydges, Betty Thomkins, Robert Taylor. The empty Chair is Robert Lockhart, who was behind the camera.
The gathering was spearheaded by Co-chair Bill Brydges, and it was with great pride that he, Fred Shillington and President Richard Burpee advised that all was a success, both financially and socially.
The following summarizes the committees synopsis:
"The memories will last a long time but its time for our club to say thank you.
On behalf of Co Chairs Bill Brydges and Fred Shillington, we thank all those who traveled from afar to make Rendezvous 2008 the success it was.
We, the members of Saint John Probus Club, and the many organizing committees and volunteers, thank you all sincerely for sampling our Maritime hospitality and giving us the opportunity to make new friends.
We particularly thank those visitors from Australia who traveled so far to make this truly an International affair.
We thank the Directors of Probus Canada for all their help, indulgence and generosity and for giving us the opportunity to stage this event.
We thank our brother and sister clubs here in Saint John, in Moncton, Fredericton and Charlottetown for their cooperation and support.
We thank our sponsors the Royal Bank and Saint John Rotary Club for their financial support and to the many local businesses that helped us in so many ways.
All the reports have been made and a host of information is available to help whoever has the honor to host the next convention.
We would like to report that after paying all our bills that virtually all the seed money from Probus Canada will be returned with thanks.
To all the committee chairs and members who gave so willingly of their time for more than 24 meetings over the course of two years for "Cheap Coffee", Bill and Fred, thank you, sincerely. "
Christmas Meeting 2008
At
the Dec. 17, 2008 Christmas meeting, the Probus members were entertained by
the Saint John String Quartet (top photo) comprized of David and Sonia Adams,
Chris Buckley, and Christine Gail-Harrison whose seasonal presentation was
a delightful combination of carols and seasonal music with interesting comments
on the origins of each piece. The members were then served a fine Christmas
lunch by the Boys and Girls Club staff and the members adjourned full of Christmas
cheer.
Pictured in two bottom photos are Probus members listening (left), and enjoying a sing song.
During the meeting, President Richard Burpee presented Debbie Cooper, the Executive Director of the Boys' and Girls' Club, with Probus' annual Christmas cheque.
Clarence Blois (left), the Club's Entertainment & Singing Chairman, shares a laugh- maybe at the quality of the singing that day! Don Tompkins (right), isn't quite sure what just happened. He has just taken over from long time historian Lou Duffley as the Club Historian and Photogragher, and will be prime for forwarding material to Club Webmaster Robert Lockhart for the web site.
Executive Changes 2008
President Richard Burpee
Vice President Brian Mitchell
At the Dec. 2008 meeting, President Richard Burpee (top photo) was pleased to announce that Brian Mitchell (bottom photo) had accepted the position of Vice President and Program Director for our Probus Club.
The Club is very fortunate to have Brian step up to this position. We know he will do a great job!!
The John R. Morris Founder’s Award
Probus Canada President Art Buck (far left) is very pleased to be presenting the “John R. Morris Founder’s Award” to a long time Probus Member who has definitely made his mark in “outstanding support for the growth and development of Probus across Canada” over the past 15 years as a member. Bill Brydges is a Charter Member and a Past President of the Probus Club of Saint John, N.B. He has also served on the Board of Directors of Probus Centre-Canada, Inc. doing so with dedication and commitment. He has also been involved in the development of new Probus Clubs in his area and most recently, without hesitation, successfully served as Co-Chair of the Probus Canada Rendezvous 2008 held in his community.
Congratulations Bill !!
(From Dec. 2008 Probus Canada Newsletter)
“A HAPPY GROUP INDEED”
This happy group are Members of the Organizing Committee of the Probus “Rendezvous 2008” held in Saint John, N.B. this past September. Having just received “Certificates of Appreciation” from Probus Canada President Art Buck (3rd from left) they have a right to smile at the success of a tremendous event. Just under 300 attendees took advantage of Saint John hospitality to enjoy three days of fun, fellowship and idea exchange in Canada’s “Loyalist City”. Survey returns are already in and, with few exceptions, they express feelings of great satisfaction and enjoyment with lots of opportunity for business as well as sight seeing and just plain good times.
Thank You Saint John !!
(From Dec. 2008 Probus Canada Newsletter)
Probus Canada
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
It's hard to believe that we're at the end of another year--and boy what a year it has been. Our efforts across this Country have brought us to 200 Clubs, …. the "long sought after" number and now we can set our sights on a new target … perhaps 250.
My thanks to all who helped to make this growth happen and may it continue ! And “Rendezvous 2008---Catch the Wave”---held in Saint John N.B. in late September, which turned out to be a "super" success. The ---food--- fellowship--- entertainment---tours---and not to forget the discussions & the comments from the workshops---left us with much pride about the benefits of belonging to such a great group called “PROBUS”.
I personally met so many from across Canada who commented on their pleasure at being involved with our organization. Our Board will be discussing many of the recommendations brought up during the workshops, particularly those dealing with improved communications, and sharing more information between Clubs.
A very sincere “Congratulations” to the Saint John Clubs , their non Club volunteers---and to all our members who were there to enjoy their efforts.
(From Dec. 2008 Probus Canada Newsletter)
Change Over 2006
Dave Lester, President 2005 - 06, shares a laugh as incoming President David Frase presents him with his past president' pin on Sept. 20, 2006.
One of President Dave's last chores was to induct new member Frank Setchell (center) to Probus. Frank was sponsored by Fred Shillington (left).
Christmas Luncheon 2005
At our Christmas luncheon on Dec. 14, 2005, President David recognized our Charter Members with special name badges. Pictured above are the initial four Rotarians who did the ground work to invite 44 gentlemen to a meeting to discuss the creation of a Probus Club. Pictured above are Gordon White, Gerald Barnett, Bill Brydges, and Canon Lloyd Lake. Of the 44, 43 signed as Charter members.
Pictured above is President David presenting founding President William Bartlett with his new Charter Member's name badge.
The following Charter Members who were in attendance to receive their new badges: Left to right back row: Bill Bartlett, Reg MacKenzie, Alex Penman, Robert Crawford, Blake McCullogh, Gordon White, George Teed, Robert Reeves, Canon Lloyd Lake, Gerald Barnett, Bill Brydges, and Mac Pike. In front are John Cook, Duane Lister.
Missing from the photo were: Ross Coates, Horace Hall, Jack Myles, Frank Ervin, Harry Hoar, Glen Scott, David Filliter, Eric Josselyn, Ed Graham, and Bob McConnell.
During our luncheon, Treasurer Ed creaser presented Debbie, Cooper, the Boy's and Girl's Club Executive Director, with a cheque for $500.00 for Probus' Christmas Donation.
During the meeting, the members present were entertained by Saint John Quartet members: Sonja Adams, David Adams, Ericka Low and Chris Buckley.
Executive Change Over 2005
On the Sept. 21, 2005 meeting of Probus at the Boys' and Girls' Club of Saint John, the new executive for the new Probus year were voted into office. Pictured here is incoming President David Lester presenting out going President George McCaughey with his past president's pen.
Our September Guest Speaker
We were fortunate to have renowned Saint John artist Ray Butler as our guest speaker on Sept. 21, 2005 to kick off the new Probus year. Ray gave a very interesting talk on what an artist thinks of and considers when doing a person or landscape portrait.
As part of Ray's talk, he did a portrait of Wylie McGinley explaining as he drew what he was looking for and how he puts the detail on artist paper. Wylie went home with a souvenir from our Probus meeting.