newsFeb25 | PROBUS Blue Mountain

Next Meeting: February 20th

Collingwood Legion
Member's Guests are Welcome

February Speaker: Erica Angus - Theatre Collingwood

Profiler:

Membership 188

February 2025 Newsletter

As I write this message on the first week of February 2025 there are a number of exciting new things in the works for Blue Mountain Probus however I am unable to resist the temptation to briefly comment on a few important Canadian and US political events.

In Canada the leadership race for the Liberal party is heating up between the two main contenders, Freeland and Carney, and interestingly enough this month the polls show a sharp narrowing of the gap between the Conservatives and Liberals. On top of that in Ontario Ford has declared a snap election for Feb 27th as his numbers look solid for another win.

In the US after only three weeks in power Trump has issued a flurry of Executive Orders which have created mass confusion in the US Federal government, a sense of betrayal in Canada and outrage in Denmark, Panama, Gaza and Mexico. In the face of all this change, on both sides of the border, in 2025 we can only “Batten down the Hatches” and get ready for a volatile year.

Getting back to Blue Mountain Probus, I am pleased to report that the results of the January 22nd 2025 Management Committee retreat as very successful. Agreement was formalized on membership target goals, an advertising campaign for new members led by Ron Mitchell, changes to our monthly meeting format, the member survey on the Christmas event, enhancing membership retention and increasing participation in activities. Further details on these initiatives and the roll out of changes will be disclosed at our February 20th monthly meeting.

Winter activities at the club are having an excellent year as a result of sustained cold temperatures, lots of snow fall and strong volunteer leaders of:

Collingwood Blues hockey games, (Jake Johnson),
Snowshoeing (Bill Brennan)
Legends Skiing (Monty Richardson).

Chris Meleskie has stepped forward to start the Cocktails and Conversation program with the first event hosted by Chris and Joan at their home on March 4th at 4 PM, sign up required.

The club continues to need volunteer leaders in a number of key areas including the Money Matters group, Speakers Committee and management committee.

Please contact myself, Ron Mitchell, Stephen Hyndman or Chris Meleskie if you have an interest in any of these roles.

Looking forward to seeing you on the slopes or at the monthly meeting.

Michael Coward - President
michael.coward@gmail.com

Cell Phone Use

Out of respect for our members and our speaker, please ensure that your cell phone is silent during the meeting.

Speaker

Erica Angus - Theatre Collingwood

Since 2013 Erica has given her creative “all” to Theatre Collingwood as Executive Director. Prior to working for Theatre Collingwood, she was the Associate Producer for Theatre by the Bay in Barrie. She brings with her a wealth of experience in the arts and culture sector.

Collingwood has really become Erica’s second home, and she is passionate about creating an Arts & Culture Hub in Collingwood in a purpose-built new arts & culture centre. She is currently on the Town of Collingwood Steering Committee to see that project to fruition.

Erica has been involved with The South Georgian Bay Institute and was a contributor to their report: THE POWER OF ARTS AND CULTURE: A Strategy for Southern Georgian Bay and Beyond. She is a founding member of the South Georgian Bay Arts Network and the Collingwood Arts, Culture & Entertainment group.

During the pandemic she curated an outdoor festival called The Porchside Festival, which is now in its fifth year, bringing top entertainers to Collingwood to perform on porches in the month of July. Erica is thrilled to have such a great team to work with at Theatre Collingwood, including the staff, volunteers and board members. It is her belief that the arts is not just ” the icing on the cake”, rather it is the whole cake! It plays a pivotal role in all our lives and our economy. Ask her why at erica@theatrecollingwood.ca.

Activities/Outings

Snowshoers

Thank you to the 9 snowshoers that were on our trek last week. The weather was good and we had several inches of fresh snow on the trail. There had not been any snowshoes on the trail ahead of us that morning so we were making fresh tracks.

All joined in for the lunch afterwards at Montanas.

Bill Brennan Probus Blue Snowshoe

Snowshoe Page

Lunch Group

10 brave souls weathered the frigid temperatures to take advantage of no tax on beer, wine and food at the beaver and bulldog, and to celebrate Doug Ellsworth’s birthday (90). Happy birthday Doug!!!

Cycling

Recently the PROBUS Blue Mountain Cycling Committee sent a survey to members of the Cycling group in order to determine how best to further improve the upcoming Tuesday morning “2025 Cycling Season”, attract more rider club members this year, and receive ideas/proposals about other related events and activities that would attract more rider club members this year.

While this comes at a time when we are overloaded with snow which is great for skiing, the days are getting shorter, Ground Hog Day is behind us, and the 2025 cycling season is just around the corner. So, if you are considering doing some biking this spring, summer and/or fall, why not join us and ride the trails in and around Collingwood and farther afield while meeting new members and enjoying the beauty of Southern Geogian Bay?

Ski Legends

Ski Page

PROBUS Ski Legends is running 2 trips to 2 destinations for 2025:

Sun Peaks BC (7 Nights), February 2-9
Banff/Lake Louise (7 nights), March 2-9

Sun Peaks

Why join this trip? Legends runs a ski trip to Sun Peaks every year, and there’s a reason why many members go back many times. It’s Canada’s second largest ski resort with 4270 acres of skiable terrain across three peaks, Mount Tod, Mount Morrissey and Sundance with lots of powder and excellent grooming. Located in the BC interior, Sun Peaks offers dry snow and fluffy powder with picturesque surroundings. It is a quaint small purpose-built ski town and the friendly village is traffic-free with many great restaurants. And new for 2025, the West Bowl chairlift is opening, serving even more awesome powder!

 Banff/Lake Louise

Why join this trip? Haven’t you always wanted to have a trip staying at the 2 iconic Rocky Mountain hotels, the Chateau Lake Louise and the Banff Springs? We first ran this trip in 2022 and everyone loved it! We will spend the first 4 nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a 10-minute shuttle ride to Lake Louise ski area. And then on our 4th ski day while we are skiing, our luggage will be transferred to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel where we will stay the last 3 nights and get to also enjoy the town of Banff.  

Collingwood Blues Hockey

Next Game, Friday February 21st

Email Distribution Sign Up

Organizer: Jake Johnson
Jakejohnston.jif@bell.net

705-445-8387 / 416-571-8322

$18 (Includes access to the Founders Club)

Pregame Dinner before at a restaurant to be selected

Kitchen Bridge Group

The Kitchen Bridge group continues to meet the first and third Thursday of each month at 1:00 p.m. at the legion. Great relaxed camaraderie.

We welcome all who have an interest in the game of bridge -- whether a beginner or expert.  Play commences at 1:00 pm but, if you cannot come until later, come anyway. We will fit you into a game throughout the afternoon.

George Powell georgegpowell@gmail.com

Now that you're here ...

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