Probus Club of Ottawa-Rideau Valley A Meeting of Minds Website: www.probusorv.org St. James Anglican Church, Tomkins Hall, 1168 Bridge Street, Manotick, Ontario K4M 1B3 Monthly meeting: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 In the footsteps of Philemon Wright Speaker: Rick Henderson Rick Henderson is a great-great-great-great-grandson of pioneer, farmer, lumber baron and entrepreneur Philemon Wright, the Massachusetts-born founder of Wright’s Town, the first permanent settlement in the National Capital region. Wright’s Town subsequently became Hull, Quebec, now the City of Gatineau. Philemon Wright is credited with establishing the timber trade on the Ottawa River and was heavily involved in the building of the Rideau Canal. Last year, Rick finally sat down to write his book, Walking in the Footsteps of Philemon Wright. His principal aim was to preserve his research for the next generations of the family (he has a daughter, a son and two grandsons) and to “correct some of the misinformation that has been propagated through the years.” Rick spent 36 years in education at École secondaire Mont-Bleu (and much of his leisure time striving to reduce his golf handicap and skiing fast!”) He is a past vice-president of the Quebec Community Groups Network and 10 years ago, with wife Peggy, founded ACT Company, a community theatre group in Aylmer. He manages the Ottawa Valley Golf Association. Refreshments from 9.30 a.m. Don’t forget your name tags (and your coffee money!) No volunteers, no coffee!!! Lunch following the meeting: Boston Pizza, 1681 Greenbank Road, Barrhaven (in the Canadian Tire shopping centre at Strandherd and Greenbank). July speaker: Anne Merklinger, retired Canadian curler and two-time runner-up in the Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian women’s championship. She is also CEO of Own the Podium. Spring is here -- fancy some gentle outdoor exercise? Andy and Eileen Bond have revived the Striders walking group. They tailor walks to the needs of members – gentle, moderate or longer hikes! The walks take place every second Friday. For more information, call Andy and Eileen at 613-692-4521 or email them at [email protected] Special events: Contact coordinator Barbara Malone at [email protected] if you have ideas for outings. Tuesday, June 12: A visit to the new Ottawa Art Gallery is planned for 11 a.m. Meet at the Gallery at 50 Mackenzie King Bridge. A light lunch will be available for purchase at Jackson – the restaurant named for Group of Seven artist A.Y. Jackson who lived in Manotick for some years. Coordinator Barbara Malone will be at the June Probus meeting if you require more information. A visit to the Billings Estate, followed by high tea, is also planned for the summer but no date has been arranged yet. Changing your mailing or e-mail address? Call Jeff Cronin at 613-692-6273 to ensure continued delivery of this newsletter. Know a Probus member who is ill? Call Kathy Pitcher (613-822-8739). She will send a card. This newsletter also is available on the website: www.probusorv.org .