THE APPLE CORE THE PROBUS CLUB OF APPLEWOOD Volume 9, Issue 9

July 2015 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

A Success Story

When Applewood Probus Club’s 10th anniversary festivities roll around next month, we should drink a toast to Eardley Samuels.

His name may not be well known to newer members of the club, but the grey-beards who have been around since the beginning know him as the man from Mississauga South who kick-started the Applewood group back in 2005. Indeed, he’ll be an honoured guest at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club on Aug. 13 when we mark our first decade. (Tickets going fast.)

There will be much to celebrate on that day, as a random survey of charter members confirms. If the main purpose of Probus is to kindle new friendships and promote fellowship, then Applewood, is a success story.

“Joining the club was the best thing I ever did for myself,” says John Bedell, one of the many Samuels recruits, who worked with the late Jim Wilkinson in setting up the first of those perennially popular dinner groups.

“At our first dinner we met as total strangers, hit it off, and we’ve been good friends ever since,” he says. “The ladies formed a bridge group and they’re still playing together.”

Apple Core July 2015 Page 1 of 18 “If it wasn’t for Probus we wouldn’t have friends like those,” says John, whose background as a physician serves him well as the current members’ health and welfare co-ordinator.

His story echoes through the club.

“As one gets older, the common opinion is that it is hard to make new friends. Our Probus club has shown the very opposite,” says Alan Lytle, a charter member and past president. “By bringing like-minded people together, new friendships naturally form very easily.”

Case in point:

“My wife and I attended an overnight tasting party for 10 at a cottage, and a good time it was,” Alan recalls. “Next morning at breakfast someone noted that none of us had known each other six years previously! We had all met at Probus.”

The seems to bring out that fellow feeling among many Probians, no big surprise. Charter president Dave Irwin lists among his favourite activities, as much for the bull sessions as the oenophilia.

“We talk about anything and everything,” he says. “I’ve enjoyed the whole Probus experience, but those relationships and conversations the most.”

Dave is one more member who traces his participation back to an encounter with Eardley Samuels.

I told him at the initial meeting, ‘If you need any help, let me know,’ and the next thing I knew he called and said ‘You’re the president.’ “It turned out to be a godsend because I had just retired and it gave me something constructive to do. But most important are the friendships that have been established.”

So it is with charter member Ron Schramm, who enjoyed the relative youth of Applewood Probus as compared with another he’d experienced in Burlington.

“I find it kind of amazing that we can go out and play golf and talk like we’ve known each other for years,” he says, “but if it hadn’t been for Probus we wouldn’t know each other at all. It’s a very vibrant club.”

For past president Al McLean, who was in on the club’s formation, “Organic growth” of the organization has been one of its strengths.

“When we started the club, we took ideas from Mississauga South and modified them to our needs, but that was sort of a top down approach,” he says. “Since then what I’ve been impressed with is the organic growth from the bottom up. Do you want to have a book club? Well, get it going. Do you want to do billiards? Get it going.”

“People have come forward with ideas and have been willing to put their shoulder to it and make it happen.” Don Hendry

Apple Core July 2015 Page 2 of 18 NOMINATING COMMITTEE Nominations have moved along quite successfully. Thank you to those who have agreed to help out. Now we are down to filling just two positions on the Management Committee: Speakers Coordinator and Activities Coordinator. It goes without saying that these are key positions in the administration of the club.

Some members may be somewhat intimidated by the responsibilities of these positions. For anyone who is considering helping out, the club has many members who have been, and will be great support to these positions, but because of circumstances are unable to step in. All of the outgoing coordinators have indicated a willingness to help as well.

The Nominating Committee is working hard to find candidates, but if you haven’t yet been called and are interested in any of these, don’t hesitate to give us a call to let us know. Doug Johnston

SPEAKER’S CORNER

July 9, 2015 – Nick Exarhos, Economist, CIBC

Nick will give us an update on the Canadian, U.S., and global economies. Mr. Exarhos joined CIBC Economics in 2014, and is responsible for monitoring and forecasting the Canadian economy. In addition to writing the group’s weekly equity markets page, he is also a co- author of CIBC’s FX monthly publication. A Montreal native, Nick received a Joint Honours Finance and Economics degree from McGill before completing his Master of Financial Economics degree from the University of Toronto, where he graduated at the top of his class. Prior to joining CIBC, Mr. Exarhos worked for a private investment house Mr. Exarhos stepped in at short notice to managing a portfolio of long-dated equity replace international photographer Peter derivatives and merger arbitrage Bregg, who had to reschedule. opportunities.

August 13, 11 am – Applewood PROBUS 10th Anniversary Luncheon – Credit Valley Golf Club No member’s meeting

Bob Weese

Apple Core July 2015 Page 3 of 18 Matt Baker was Speaker at June Member’s Meeting

central coordinator at the Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies. Matt described to us in vivid detail the August 1917 raid on Hill 70 just northwest of Lens, a small coal-mining town in Belgium. Hill 70 was on the German side of the Western Front, where trench warfare had been going on for three years with little movement at all in the geographical location of the front during those three years. These raids, carried out by both sides usually in the cover of night, were called “minor operations”, but the heavy loss of life and the great number of injuries resulting from these raids were anything but minor. This one involved a large number of Canadian soldiers, for they were known to be good at such raids and there happened to be a fresh contingent of Canadian troops available for this one. Either you got injured, both on your approach to the enemy trenches or during your retreat, by your own artillery or by the German soldiers or their artillery. Like most raids, sadly this one accomplished very little in the overall scheme of things. Again Our guest speaker for June was Matt we were treated to a very interesting and Baker, who received his Masters in History educational presentation. Matt was from Wilfrid Laurier University, and, having introduced by John Graham and thanked a keen interest in Canadian military history, by Bob Emerson. became the senior research associate and Joseph Reid

Apple Core July 2015 Page 4 of 18 New Inductee Michael Rowe

Michael did his Military Service in Germany from 1959 to 1961 and he met his wife Margarete whilst skiing in Austria. They married in 1966. He was hired by the Bank of Montreal in 1977 when the Bank expanded their Corporate Lending Division. The family came to Canada with their two children Antoinette and Nicholas. During his time with the bank he worked out of Toronto, Vancouver and London, England. He retired in 2002. Michael and his wife love skiing and travel a fair amount. His daughter Antoinette is Michael was born in the UK at the outbreak with Metro Toronto Police and has just of the Second World War. He and his two finished a tour of duty with the UN in Haiti. sisters grew up in Northwood, near Michael worked with Probus members Bob London. Buckner and John Graham at the Bank of He started his banking career in the UK Montreal. Michaels’ sponsor is John when he joined Midland Bank which was Graham subsequently taken over by HSBC. Brian Howitt

BIO – John Graham

This led to his 53-year Bank of Montreal career, including ten years serving as their Ombudsman. His University education became enrollment in the Fellows Institute of Canadian Bankers’ Honors Programme followed by an Executive Management Development Programme at the University of Toronto in the 1970s. It has been said John’s generation entered a banking industry where employees didn’t only work for the Bank so much as they John was born in the small farming and their families were essentially adopted community of Hartland NB where his into the bank family. In John’s case, the parents operated a moderately successful Bank of Montreal moved him from a limited century old dairy/potato farm. John opportunity Province and gave him a planned to attend University following High rewarding and varied career working in School until the Bank of Montreal Branch nine of Canada’s ten Provinces as well as Manager approached his father wondering eight years in International Banking living if John had any interest in a trainee position outside Canada in West Germany, Nassau in banking. and Chicago.

Apple Core July 2015 Page 5 of 18 John was appointed to the Executive John’s life has been enriched by two Ranks of the Bank of Montreal in 1980 and successful children and four wonderful was honoured to lead five different grandchildren who he spoils and loves business units during his twenty year dearly. Executive Career. Brian Howitt A transfer to Saint John in 1960 allowed him to meet his future loving wife of 39 years until her passing in 2004.

------

I guess this means summer is officially here!!!!

Apple Core July 2015 Page 6 of 18 ______UPCOMING EVENTS NEWS FLASH!!

Thursday August 13th Credit Valley Golf and Country Club

Dress: Business Casual Entertainment – Nostalgia - Music Special Guest: Barbara Jordan and Quartet

Make Sure to get your Tickets at the Next Club Meeting

Barbara Jordan is a talented, versatile vocalist who sings in many musical genres. She has performed in Canada, the U.S. and internationally. Known for her renditions of songs of the 50’s and 60’s, Barbara is also well known for her jazz stylings

The Celebration Agenda:

Reception at 11.00 Seating at 12:00-Welcome and Opening Remarks Food Served at 12:30. Followed by Barbara Jordan and her Quartet And Celebratory Presentations

Apple Core July 2015 Page 7 of 18

DAS BIER

If I were to say, “wiener schnitzel, cabbage rolls, sausage, sauerkraut and apple strudel”….. you would probably say, “huh”. BUT, if I were to add, “beer barrel polka, lederhosen and Bavarian beer”……you most certainly would say, “OKTOBERFEST”!!!!!!

That’s right, Applewood Probus will be “klink, klink, klinking” it's beer steins at the largest Bavarian celebration outside Germany. OKTOBERFEST IN KITCHENER/WATERLOO. Mark WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14 on your calendar.

Grab your spouse and join us for a fun filled day of live entertainment, dancing, fabulous authentic German buffet, free souvenir mug and great Bavarian style beer (THE FIRST BEER IS ON THE HOUSE!)

You will be getting an e-vite for this event, please respond as early as possible so we can plan the numbers OR e-mail me directly (see email address below). This promises to be a great event, please plan on attending. Wine and soft drinks are available. There are several salads and vegetarian items on the menu and for further information please go to www.concordiaclub.ca.

The cost would be $70-80 per person depending on the number of people attending. Cost includes: return bus trip from Mississauga to Kitchener/Waterloo, food, entertainment, the first beer, and a souvenir mug.

David Litner [email protected].

Apple Core July 2015 Page 8 of 18 From The Apple Core Oct 2010.

As a side note it seems some intrepid cyclists never seem to learn. It was at the other end of this same trail that a recent group of riders got soaked in a downpour of epic proportions, proving once again that “waterproof” is a term often used as a marketing enticement, but seldom true in fact.

Cycling Trip – Fall 2010

A group of 15 avid and dedicated cyclists braved, near freezing temperatures (according to Blair Munshaw), to ride from Inglewood all the way to Terra Cotta. The group made it to mile zero on the Caledon Rail Trail. The mandatory lunch break was at the Terra Cotta Inn where the group was provided with much needed libations and nutritious edibles. The return trip to Inglewood was speedy and was rewarded with a stop at the general store, for some, for an ice cream treat. The total distance travelled was 19.36458692 kms… But who’s counting. Thanks to Joe Reid for the suggestion. Of course he was not there to lead this auspicious group… Maybe next time… Gerry Descoteaux

Please make sure to come out to the 10th Anniversary Lunch in August to reminiscence with your friends on earlier days of the club and create new memories for the future. Doug ------

Apple Core July 2015 Page 9 of 18 Past Events

Blue Jays Game

Beautiful sunny day which became very hot when the sun reached Section 216. Blue Jays blew it with bases loaded and no one out and the next 3 batters struck out. Exciting game nevertheless. All attending Probians enjoyed the afternoon outing with several going to Baton Rouge for an early dinner to let the crowds disperse. Everyone was watching over Willy and Mike Preston's daughter who attended the game in Mike's place and 9 months pregnant (expecting 1 July). John Mark

------

Apple Core July 2015 Page 10 of 18 Woodbine Racing

th On June 12 a group of PROBUS horse fanciers ventured forth to Woodbine Racetrack to take advantage of the extensive buffet lunch, and to demonstrate their skill at beating the odds. After a somewhat confusing start (the restaurant staff were not aware there were two PROBUS clubs in attendance) all settled in to eat, and examine the racing form with various levels of knowledge on what in fact the statistics provided actually meant. Some of the group had an exceptional start betting on two long shots in the first race that both came into the money. They shall remain nameless as one was heard to later mutter “It was downhill from there”. Others on the other hand proved beyond doubt that even the insights of the experts providing their picks in the paper, (which in retrospect read somewhat like a Horoscope that could apply to any outcome) really did not have a lock on the winners. Despite the rainy weather which limited the races to the poly track, and reduced the time spent outside, judging from the roars of excitement as the horses charged to the finish line, everyone had a great time – even those who went home a little lighter in the pocketbook. Doug

Apple Core July 2015 Page 11 of 18 Club Activities

The Walkers

June 4/15 There were 20 walkers plus Clarence on this sunny, 20C morning who walked 7km up Etobicoke Creek from Burnhamthorpe Rd to Matheson Blvd with some doing a little less. Quite a few stayed for a picnic lunch. Some saw a deer. Alf Chink

June 18/15 There were 20 waving walkers for our 5 km walk along the lake from Saddington Park to Rhododendron Gardens and some continued up to the Credit River bridge at Lakeshore Rd. Once again we enjoyed fantastic weather. Most stayed for a picnic lunch. Alf Chink

Apple Core July 2015 Page 12 of 18 Biking Report weather for Tottenham. While having lunch in Tottenham, it just poured, but the weather seemed fine when we left the pub. However, on the way back the heavens fell on us and much more than just our shoes got wet! I am pleased to announce that some good has come out of this, for the drought-stricken state of California has asked me to organize some bike trips for them.

th Our next trip will be on the morning of On Friday, May 29th , seven of us did a th 20-plus km. trip along the shores of Luther Friday, July 17 , when we will do a portion Lake, located in the Luther Marsh of the Cataract-Elora Railtrail, likely Conservation Area. These are the stopping for lunch in Elora. Details will headwaters for the mighty Grand River, follow for those that wish to go. August is and, as you will see from one of the likely to be a trip to the Distillery District, attached pictures, most of us got some of starting at the waterfront trail at the that grand water in our shoes. We had Humber, and September will likely be a trip great weather and afterwards we indulged from Niagara-on-the-Lake to the Ravine in some local craft beers and pub food at and Restaurant, stopping there for the Grand River Chop House in Grand lunch before returning. Valley. Email me at [email protected] if you want to participate or have suggestions to Then, on Friday, June 5th, seventeen of us make. set off from Palgrave during threatening Joseph Reid

Book Club "After the Prophet", written by Lesley Hazleton, was recommended by Raheel Raza and was the book reviewed at our June meeting. The author is a psychiatrist and a veteran journalist whose work has focused on the way religion and politics past and present, are inextricably intertwined in the Middle East. The story starts with Muhammad dying without leaving a clear will, thus creating the epic foundation story of the Shia-Sunni split. The author's gripping narrative of the rise of Islam and the subsequent split paints a picture that is far more nuanced and tragic and one that is still being played out in the cities and mountains of Iraq and Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. There is no way of understanding today's headlines of bombings and massacres without knowing this 7th century story in all its details and emotive depth and power. The Islamic revolution in Iran, the civil war in Iraq, the rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia and the deterioration of Pakistan and Afghanistan are all events outlined in this book. We all came away with a better understanding of Islam, one of the great religions along with Judaism and Christianity. The members present rated the book as 8.5 Gerry Descoteaux

Apple Core July 2015 Page 13 of 18 Supper Group F

The Group held their year-end dinner at Tu Casa on Lorne Park Road, Wednesday, June 24, 2015. The happy group of 10, the Garlands, the Jones, the Mais, the Marks and the McLeods, all savoured the delights offered and several picked from the Seafood Festival Fixed Priced 3 course dinner for $29.95. The restaurant was very popular on Wednesday at about 90% capacity. John Mark (Host)

Supper Group G

slow but I think that's because it was so busy. Our waiter was very good, attentive and personable. The food is fresh, and made on the premises, the meat is chemical free, free range organic. Most people seemed to have the Harper's Landing burger and it is tasty but big. A few of us dared to venture with their famous sticky toffee pudding for dessert, and it was worth every calorie. The decaf cappuccino On the last Thursday of every month was hot and that's the way it should be. If Harper's Landing has live entertainment you want somewhere different for a casual and it's very good. We met there at 6 30 fun evening and be surrounded by people and the place was buzzing, very full, under 50 this is the place to go. In parking lot packed and lots of energy attendance were the following. John and inside. For my personal taste it was a bit Elsa Bedell, Ester and Bruce Calder, too noisy but it was fun to be somewhere Donna McCullagh and Clancy, Fran just this once with lots of action. We didn't Corkhill, Doug and Mary Clelland, Joyce get our meal until 7 40, so service was a bit Reissner, and Jo and Mike Etherington . Jo Etherington

Wine Group 1 The theme of our June tasting was "Altitude and Latitude". Three grape varieties were selected, namely, , and Shiraz. Two were then selected for each grape variety based on having grown in either a warm or a cool climate. The tasters preferred the warm climate wines for Pinot Noir and Malbec. When it came to the Shiraz, the tasters enjoyed both wines equally. The wines selected were as follows: 1. Pinot Noir - 2012 - Monterey, CA - Jekel - Warm Climate - LCBO 27268 2. Pinot Noir - 2010 - Bourgogne, FR - Chanson Reserve - Cool Climate - LCBO 50575 3. Malbec - 2012 - Mendoza, Arg. - Salentein Reserve - Warm Climate - LCBO 640854 4. Malbec - 2012 - Mendoza, Arg. - Trivento Reserve - Cool Climate - LCBO 588731 5. Shiraz - 2013 - Clare Valley, Aus. - Wakefield - Warm Climate - LCBO 943787

Apple Core July 2015 Page 14 of 18 6. Shiraz - 2010 - Nagambie Lakes, Aus. - Estate - Cool Climate - LCBO 214742 Gerry Descoteaux

Wine Group 4 - Chile - Bisquertt Kissing Rose´ 2014 409995 $14.95  White - Canada-Flat Rock Chard 2012 286278 $18.95 - Italy- Maserva Gavi 2013 412676 $18.95  Red - Canada- Wild Ass Red 2012 086363 $19.95 - France- Xavier Ventoux 2012 413211 $15.95 Specific cheeses were served with each pair of wines. Fruit cheese with rose, creamy brie and camembert with oaky , veined cheeses with red tannic wine.  Rose´ - Raspberry BellaVitano, Wensley with Blueberries, Yorkshire Wensleydale with cranberries. Brian Hull hosted the group 4 winers in  White - Coeur De Lion Blue Brie, June to a special wine “testing”. Blue Haze. The group, which covets David Litner (our  Red - Balsamic BellaVitano, resident oenophile) plus others who only Espresso BellaVitano, Red Fox talk a good wine game, were tested on Leicester, La Lattaia Gouda. their ability to discern Canadian rose´, Canada's Wild Ass out-scored them all but white and red wines from the same types only half of the group could differentiate the offshore. Canadian wine from the foreign product. In  Rose´ - Canada -Tawse Sketches of the end, the cheese parings won the day. Niagara 2014 172643 $15.95 Brian Hull

Wine Group 5 Six members of Thursday Group # 5 met at Ken Foxcroft’s home to blind taste wines from lesser known types; as is usual in our tastings, price was not the primary indicator of the scores given. The results of our 6 wines tasted are as follows in order of point score:-

 Wine #1. With an average score of 90.50= Inception Deep Layered Red from South Africa. (blend of Shiraz Mouvedre and ) @ $12.95 per bottle.  Wine #2. With an average of 86.17 points = Gladiator from Puglia Italy (Primitivo grape/’s Alter Ego) @$19.95.  Wine #3. Tied for 3rd place at 86 points = The Bean (coffee / coffee flavour comes from the “toasting of the barrel” no the infusion of coffee) @$15.95.  Wine #4 tied for 3rd place at 86 points = Resta Salentino from Puglia Italy ( grape) @$15.95.  Wine #5 for 4th place at 84.5 points= Lamadrid from Mendoza Argentina (Bonarda Grape) @$15.95.

Apple Core July 2015 Page 15 of 18  Wine #6 for 5th place at 85.17points = Dogliani from the Piedmont Italy (Dolcetta Grape).@$24.95.” Ken Foxcroft.

50/50 DRAW Congratulations to Dave Johnson for winning the jackpot prize of $68.00!

PLEASE DO NOT FORGET TO TRY OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE:

www.applewoodprobusclub.org.

Special Thanks to our photographers Claude Barras/Paul Moore

Apple Core July 2015 Page 16 of 18 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, 2014-2015

President Don Hendry [email protected] 905-822-3868

Vice President John Mark [email protected] 905-855-1104

Past President Doug Johnston [email protected] 905-823-3229

Secretary Joe Reid [email protected] 905-278-1818

Treasurer Ron Kawchuk [email protected] 905-916-6417

Membership Co- Brian Howitt [email protected] 416-622-5080 ordinator

Activities Co-ordinator William Goedvolk [email protected] 905-848-3538

Events Co-ordinator Kent Newell [email protected] 905-279-0094 Ass’t Events Co- ordinator

Speakers Co-ordinator Bob Weese [email protected] 416-762-8038

Newsletter Co-ordinator Gil Clay [email protected] 905-624-6317

CONVENORS

Billiards Ron Linklater [email protected] 905-279-9118

Book Club Brian Harvey [email protected] 905-278-6546

Bridge, Mixed Len Carter [email protected] 905-820-6168

Cycling Joe Reid [email protected] 905-278-1818

Emergency Jan Kooy [email protected] 416-239-7010 Preparedness

Golf Hugh Clelland [email protected] 905-625-7538

Investments Bruce Calder [email protected] 905-823-5068

Low Stakes Poker Cy Garland [email protected] 905-277-1706

Member’s Welfare John Bedell [email protected] 905-270-8671 Pub Lunches Bernard Rapier [email protected] 905-279-5602

Supper Clubs Rod McLeod [email protected] 905-278-2717

Walking Alf Chink [email protected] 905-279-0065

Wine Tasting Bob Buckner [email protected] 905-274-5231

Nominations Committee Doug Johnston [email protected] 905-823-3229

Beer Tasting Gary Jenkins [email protected] 905-820-2827 Web Master Tony Hart [email protected] 905-820-9257

Financial Overseers, 2013-14 – David Irwin and Garry Jenkins

Apple Core July 2015 Page 17 of 18

Please note that the deadline for articles/information to be included in the next Apple Core is the fourth Thursday

The email address for submissions is: [email protected] .

Regular Monthly Activities

Week Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat.

1 Low Stakes Wine Book Club Walking Mgmt. Poker Tasting AM Group Comm. Group Billiards #1 Golf 2 Golf Supper PROBUS Club “K” Mtg. PCYC Supper Club “I” 3 Golf Supper Walking Billiards Club “D” & Group “E” Pub Lunch 11:30 am Faelte Pub

4 Supper Wine Cut-off for Investment Clubs Tasting Apple Core Group “B” & Gr.3 submissions “C” Supper Golf Club “F” Supper Clubs “G”, “H”, “J”

5 Billiards

NOTES: - PROBUS mixed bridge meets at irregular times during the month as determined by the participants. - All dates subject to change as arranged by the individual group. - For more details contact the Activity Convenor

Upcoming Events and Activities Aug 13 - Anniversary Lunch Oct 14 – Oktoberfest

Apple Core July 2015 Page 18 of 18