Category Archives: Probus

After  18 months of meeting via Zoom, members of the Wine Tasting Club were very happy to be able to meet in person for their August 5th meeting.  Due to loosening of COVID-19 restrictions that allowed outdoor gatherings of more than five people, we were able to get together in the Rayners’ back yard.  AContinueContinue reading “Through the Grape Vine #13”

June 22, 2021 Meeting By James Rayner Jerry Howarth – Follow Your Heart You might wonder how a native San Franciscan who was enrolled in Law School became one of the official play-by-play radio announcers for the Toronto Blue Jays.  Rather than give a prepared address about his experiences to the club, Jerry Howarth madeContinueContinue reading “Monthly Speaker Review #9”

By James Rayner Last time, we visited the CNE grounds to admire the early 20th century architecture that survives there.  This time, we cross Lake Shore Blvd. to Ontario Place where late 20th century architecture is featured. Beginning at the east end of the park, just west of Strachan Avenue, the visit begins by joiningContinueContinue reading “June 2021 Walk”

At our June wine tasting meeting, we continued our International journey through wine regions in sunny Portugal.   There were no disappointments in our selections.   Many members had visited Portugal in the past and shared their memories of wine tours and tastings in various regions.  Portugal is not known for its white wine but surprisingly, theContinueContinue reading “Through the Grape Vine #12”

This month we enjoyed the company of six guests who joined us on our international journey through wine countries.  Hopefully our guest list will expand and we will be able to form a second wine tasting club in the fall.  After our social get together, we each sampled one of a variety of French winesContinueContinue reading “Through the Grape Vine #11”

By James Rayner This month we continue our walk along the shores of Lake Ontario by visiting the CNE grounds (or Exhibition Place if you prefer.)  As a bonus, I will let you know where to park for free, something that is nearly impossible now. Approaching the CNE from the west, go along Lake ShoreContinueContinue reading “May 2021 Walk”

THE DINNER by Herman Koch BOOK CLUB CHOICE, May 2021 Reviewed by: Norma Bandler May’s chosen book was The Dinner by Herman Koch, a Dutch author whose book was translated into 21 languages. We reviewed it in English! His book was likened to the writings of Philip Roth, Mark Twain and Joseph Conrad. Making use ofContinueContinue reading “The Page Turners #8”

The investment club met on May 11th which was the final meeting for the season.   We will recommence in September, hopefully in person again when we can share coffee and cookies together. We had three presentations: Copper – David MacDonald Copper has enjoyed a huge price increase this past year.   Most of the companies engagedContinueContinue reading “Investment Club News #6”

A Tale of Two Revolutions May 25, 2021 Meeting by James Rayner Carole Jerome—Revolution Reporter As a CBC reporter stationed in Paris in 1978, little did Carole Jerome anticipate that she would become intimately involved, not in one, but in two revolutionary movements.  That year, Ayatollah Khomeini and his lieutenants landed in a village justContinueContinue reading “Monthly Speaker Review #8”

South Africa was our destination on our international wine discovery tour for the month of April.  South Africa is renowned for its excellent wines and we were not disappointed.  Everyone sampled different wines from a variety of cellars, types, regions and price points.   Wines ranged from $9.95 to $17.95 and each had a rave review.  ContinueContinue reading “Through the Grape Vine #10”