Good day Probians! Since June is traditionally the end of the academic year, our summer started in sharp contrast. Ann and I celebrated three different achievements. First, our eldest grandson (18) graduated (or commenced) from his High School in Connecticut amid great ceremony. Then our youngest grandson (11) celebrated his graduation from Junior School in Virginia by becoming an International Baccalaureate student when he starts Middle School in September. Finally our second youngest grand daughter (5) completed kindergarten so we took her to the movies to see Mr Popper’s Penguins. I don’t think that movie will figure in the reports of our intrepid movie reviewer, Harold Erlendson!

Also in June some of us joined with members of the other local Probus clubs to hear a very special speaker. Brian Clarke was in the World Trade Centre on 9/11 when the first highjacked plane hit. His account of that day was compelling. Not only did he escape the building (one of very few from his level and above) but, as he descended, he rescued a man trapped in debris on a lower floor and took him down to safety. Brian spoke modestly and acted courageously and gave a talk never to be forgotten.

Finally a word of gratitude to RoyMcEwen. He organized our excellent breakfast meeting at the Quality Inn (also in June) and also volunteered to take over as Chair of the Communications Committee following Wib Erwin’s retirement after many years of faithful service. Thank you, Wib and thank you, Roy.

Enjoy our all too short summer.
– MikePallant

June meeting: A breakfast meeting held at the Bronte Quality Inn. Food and service was good but attendance was down. Our speaker, Dave Taylor gave a very interesting slide show covering animal life in two parks where he is a regular visitor: Yellowstone Park in the United States and Serengetti Park in Tanzania Africa. Wonderful photos and great commentary.

July meeting: A disturbing bit of news reported at the meeting was that the church had raised our meeting rent to $200 from $75 formerly. Several options are being looked at to cope with this big change. Also announced was a change in the 50/50 draw so that the club would now receive half the draw. Profiler was Trevor Dandy who centred his comments on two important times in his life. First, time spent in South Africa where his family had immigrated in 1947. After the University where he taught was nationalised and all the staff fired, he immigrated to Canada. The other event he talked about was the troubled teen-age life of a foster girl he and his wife had taken in. Fortunately things are now going better. Amanda is living in Winnipeg, engaged and much happier.

Our main speaker was Adam Chapnick, a professor at the Royal Military College. He displayed an encyclopaedic knowledge of everything pertaining to the United Nations. He took us through the trials of its history, the successes and the failures and, while there are low prospects for any reform, the UN still serves usefully as a place where all the countries of the world can meet and discuss, and sometimes resolve, problems facing the world.

Harold Erlendson, our movie critic, went to the theatre last month. He reports: “If you are a fan of Tennessee Williams, the current production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at the Royal George in Niagara-on-the-Lake will not disappoint you. Three hours of outstanding acting bring back memories of the unforgettable performance of Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor and Burl Ives in the 1958 movie. It’s a play about the complex relationships and personal dynamics of the Pollitt family in the deep American south of the 1950s. Not unlike some families of the more modern age, the Pollitts have, among other things, a problem with honesty. The play is on until October 23^rd”.

Harold also reports on three films. The first is the Bridesmaids: “A chick flick. Refreshingly real female characters, raunchy gags, touching, funny. No nudity but sex in the opening scene.” Tree of Life “An art movie with a capital A. Beautiful photography but incredibly boring”. Beginners  “About a straight son and a gay father. A gloomy, melancholy story, wallowing in sadness. The tempo is glacially slow with flash backs that make the story confusing”.

Helmut Erxleben, our book critic, reports on the latest book by Bill Bryson: “Imagine taking a thoughtful walk through your house and ruminating on the history of the everyday things that you see around you as you make your way from the basement to the attic. Author Bill Bryson does just that in his latest book At Home – A Short History of Private Life. His rented vicarage in Norfolk, England, provides the backdrop for a fascinating journey filled with amazing facts of how living in our society has evolved over the not too distant past. Bryson’s engaging writing style, often witty and never dull, makes this a very enjoyable book. After reading this book you will likely never run out of topics to discuss with your spouse or friends. You will also appreciate your life in Oakville.”

Lloyd Collins, a former member who was forced to resign some years ago because he was confined to a wheel chair, died recenty.
More bad luck for Lou Bourgeois. His car was totaled in a crash and he and his daughter, who was driving, both suffered lots of bruises.

PLEASANT EXPERIENCES
Members are invited to offer brief write-ups on good movies, shows, restaurants or trips that they have enjoyed.
Ivor Barlow has had some enjoyable experiences lately. He saw the movie Midnight in Paris and reports: “I cannot imagine anyone not enjoying this movie. Nothing heavy or violent, a tantalizing story, witty script, engaging actors and a production standard you would expect from Woody Allen.”

Ivor also visited a new restaurant: OCs at Stoneboats which has just opened at the corner of Bronte Road and Marine Drive. Ivor says: “It is excellent and reasonably priced.  Essentially a fish restaurant, there is steak and chicken for the carnivores amongst us who still have their own teeth.  Except for the scallops, all the fish is from our west coast, is line caught and wild — no nets and no farms!  Well presented, even your own choice of cooking and dressing, and well served.

As of early August, 71 members had paid their 2011-12 dues meaning that 38 members have yet to make the payment. Since August 1 is the beginning of our new year we are anxious to get all renewals completed. So all you laggards, who haven’t yet paid, please bring the $40 fee to the August meeting or mail it to Jim Tonner, 2294 Woodfield Road, Oakville, ON. L6H 6Y7