The Arrowsmith Golf Course was the ideal place to start the season. The course threw in 2 rounds of golf for draw prizes and worked with us as we kept having to adjust the groups. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, our group was to be 30, however it was reduced to 17. 

Besides offering a reduced fee for golf, there was a Toonie for prizes. And you would be surprised what $34 can get you!

Winners for the best score were Shirley Hargreaves (88) and Jim Jeske (74). The most honest golfers were Monique Fawcett and Ken Hargreaves! Winners of the Round of Golf Giveaways were Monique Fawcett and Bill Elenduik.

Our next event is at Glacier Greens on June 14th with first tee time at 2 PM. $40 for 9 holes limited to 36 golfers. Interested? Send in your name to Susan O'Boyle in case we have spots still open, via the Golf Group page under Activity Groups on this website (The Contacts form is linked directly to Susan's email). 

The Hands On Cooking group were delighted to have an in-person session on May 12th. Nina planned six very tasty and interesting Spanish recipes and we all got to work, making stuffed squid, chicken and chick pea dishes, a tortilla, paella, and an impressive and delicious rose-shaped dessert. Here are a few photos from our very enjoyable afternoon.

Nineteen of us enjoyed a "cool" ride last Sunday, April 17th. We cycled from the Curling Rink on Headquarters Road to Dove Creek Road, on to Farnham Road and back to the curling rink via Tsolum River Road and Headquarters Road. Distance was about 27 kilometers. 

On April 10th we completed the ride we've dubbed "Huband Road" from Quality Foods, making our way through Crown Isle to Veteran's Memorial Parkway and back via Huband Road and Anderton.  Distance was about 22 kilometres.

Kudos to the 9 members who decided to ride April 10th, despite not perfect conditions.  Hat's off to you.

We continue to dodge rain and snow but the weather often seems better out on the road. Here are photos from our April rides.

Submitted by group leader Willy Van Kemenade

Wine tasting get-togethers are up and running again, and what a lot of fun they have been. Here are photos from two of our recent enjoyable evenings: March 18th at John and Debby Neville’s home, and April 8th at Bruce Hart and Teresa Cosco’s home.

Meals were delicious with lots of laughter and good conversation. To the delight of everyone, there are some expert wine aficionados in our groups. Tastes vary regarding the winning wines of each evening but we always learn something new and leave with ideas for good wines to serve at future dinners.

Now that we are able to meet in person, our meetings are back to being lively and fun. Our own Brian Jackson - leader of the Strathcona Probus Hiking and Snowshoe group - gave an informative and very entertaining talk about the Comox Glacier, with diversions into hiking adventures around the Comox Glacier Trail and nearby Strathcona Park and changes in the glacier over time. 

During the meeting, the club was able to welcome several new members as well as learn about an upcoming Spring Fling event planned for the end of May. As well, we have three vacant Management Committee positions: Events Coordinator, Activities Coordinator, and Member-at-Large. If you are interested in joining in any way to help our club, there is a handy email contact form in the Management Committee Directory (at this website).

The Probus Peddlers have had some very enjoyable outings around town this winter. Distances have been about 20-25 kilometers. The fabulous web of cycle routes around the Comox area are perfect for our keen group of classic and electric bikes.

  Excellent snow conditions arrived in December with lots of light powder snow.  The Hiking Group took full advantage of it with two hikes in the Battleship, Kooso, Helen Mackenzie Lakes area and another one starting at the Ramparts parking area and touring around the valley to the South as far as the Brown's River lookout.

On December 6th, our group had a very enjoyable gathering creating self-care bath products, body butters, and delectable desserts as we sipped a thick drinking chocolate on a snowy afternoon! We shared medicinal herbal recipes, fellowship and purposeful potions. 

Workshop presenter: Lynn Gray

It was a very enjoyable Strathcona Probus meeting on November 25th with a chance to hear about the Activity Groups soon to start up, anticipate a fun time at the Christmas party, and catch up on news. Members in attendance also signed up for club activities using the usual sign-up forms displayed on tables around the room. So, when leaders are ready to re-start there are a number of keen members ready to take part in your events. As the photos show, there were plenty of smiling eyes.

Thanks to the many Activity Group presenters and leaders who talked about their activities: Don Axtell (Beer Appreciation); Willy Van Kemenade (Probus Peddlers); Brian Jackson (Hiking Group); Craig Bassett (Kayaking Group); Lynn Gray (Medicinal Herbalism Group); Barry Russell (One Book - Book Club); Jim Brown (Sports Car Group); Jan Harding spoke on behalf of leader Stuart Swain (Thursday Morning Walking Group); Aji Fliss (Vacation and Travel Group); and John Neville (Wine Appreciation Group). 

As well, John Newman sent in Liver Lovers Luncheon Group information; and Jim and Val Jeske sent information that Pub Group dinners will begin in January.

If you weren’t able to attend the meeting, please consider signing up for club activities. You can email the group leaders directly or visit the activity group pages under Activity Groups in the menu above and filling out the super-quick request (name, email, click to join, and submit) for each activity that interests you.

Heather Gaines led a Probus Peddlers' ride from Quality Foods in Comox to Kin Beach on Sunday, October 31st while Cathie and I were in Victoria. It was a beautiful day as evidenced by the photo at Kin Beach. Cheers.

Submitted by Willy Van Kemenade