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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20211214T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20211214T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20210814T055453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180120Z
UID:3137-1639476000-1639479600@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Marc Nantel (Niagara College VP)
DESCRIPTION:Marc Nantel – Niagara College’s Vice-President\, Research & External Relations \nTopic:“Niagara College in the Niagara Community” \nNiagara College programs play important role in our community \nDuncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Marc Nantel\, Vice President of Research and External Relations at Niagara College. \nMarc\, who joined Niagara in 2011\, leads research and innovation\, planning and institutional research\, development and alumni relations\, and government and community relations. He is also president of the Niagara College Learning Enterprise Corporation which includes overseeing the operations and strategic direction for the Niagara College teaching winery\, teaching brewery teaching distillery and cannabis institute. Marc provided a little background knowledge of Niagara pointing out that the school was founded in 1967\, now has more than 10\,500 full-time students\, including approximately 3\,900 international students\, and in 2021 topped the 100\,000graduate mark. He said the school has three main DNA strands that influence its future goals. It strives to be trailblazing\, welcoming and passionate. An indication of the school’s success is that it has been selected among the top 10 research colleges for six consecutive years. \nHe said expansion plans for the Welland campus include a new building to consolidate broadcasting courses and a separation addition to allow for expansion of its trade courses. \nThe Niagara-on-the-Lake campus specializes in agricultural-related programs and a planned renovation of the greenhouse will facilitate increased research and growing programs. \n  \nMarc pointed out that the college is one of the largest employers in Niagara and also compliments key industries through its research and academic programs. He said that it has been estimated that the college makes a $800-million contribution to Niagara. He said that 43 per cent of student enrolment comes from Niagara\, 89 per cent of graduates find employment within six months and 64 per cent of alumni live in the Region. \nMarc pointed out that during the past two years of the COVID19 pandemic\, Niagara’s innovation sector produced face shields\, hand sanitizer and personal protective gear. \nMarc said the school concentrates on six major themes in a five-year planning process\, looking at such things as student experience\, academic and organizational excellence\, global engagement\, alumni and partner engagement\, social inclusion and environmental sustainability. \nFollowing an extensive question and answer session\, Duncan thanked Marc for his enlightening presentation and presented him with an LCBO gift certificate. \n 
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/marc-nante/
LOCATION:Lions Hall\, 732 Niagara Street\, St. Catharines\, Ontario\, L2M 7W7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/MarcNantel_headshot-e1636461711551.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20211109T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20211109T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20210815T055409Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T191332Z
UID:3135-1636452000-1636455600@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Nancy Speck\, (Crime Analyst)
DESCRIPTION:[vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_pweYMnmno”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nancy Speck\, Retired crime analyst from the Niagara Regional Police talking on the subject of criminal analysis \nCrime analyst helps police track down criminals \nJohn Sallman introduced guest speaker Nancy Speck who retired in 2019 after a career with the Niagara Regional Police as a civilian crime analyst. A St. Catharines native\, Nancy was born into a policing family. Her parents were Judy and David Gittings. David\, a Staff Superintendent with the NRP\, was a long-time PROBUS member until his death in 2019. \nNancy said that she had many doubters who didn’t believe that\, as a civilian and a female\, she would be able to cope as a crime analyst. But over the years she certainly proved those doubters wrong. \nIn May 2011 she received a civilian achievement award from Ontario Women in law enforcement. That was the first time that a Niagara Regional Police civilian staffer had received a provincial award. In the same year she was nominated for and received a civilian achievement award from the International Association of Women Police. \nNancy was assigned to work in one of three districts in Niagara and worked closely with officers and detectives within her area but also with other police services to compile information on all manner of crimes in an attempt to find patterns. She provided examples of crimes where similar MOs would show up in weekly crime reports and allow her to direct officers to a potential suspect. \nShe pointed out that part of her job was to keep track of offenders who were on parole Nancy Speck since many times they returned to the same types of crimes that they had been involved in before. She said that a data base of things like nicknames\, tattoos and popular hangouts often helped direct police to suspects. \nNancy said that part of her on-going learning process involved attending crime scenes as well as attending many extensive courses. \nShe did point out that some crime groups travel around the province and that makes them much more difficult for analysts to track. \nNancy was praised by then Chief of the NRP\, Wendy Southall for her expertise in crime analysis and for her passion to upgrade her knowledge and skills over 40 years. For her part\, Nancy said that she enjoyed the work and loved the challenge it offered. \nDuncan McLaren thanked John for suggesting her as a speaker and thanked Nancy for her enlightening talk. He presented her with a gift certificate as a token of appreciation. \nSee Nancy’s presentation on YouTube click here…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/nancy-speck/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Nancy-Speck-e1630019118958.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20211012T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20211012T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20210816T055302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180135Z
UID:3133-1634032800-1634036400@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Michael Jacques\, (Author)
DESCRIPTION:Speaker delivers message of hope despite disabilities \nOur October guest speaker\, Michael Jacques who has had to learn to cope with autism and a mental disability\, was introduced by his father Marcel.\nMichael is the author and self publisher of a book entitled “Can’t Read\, Can’t Write\, Here’s My Book”. Michael spent five years recording his thoughts and experiences speaking into an iPad that converted his words into text. His sister accidently discovered Michael’s work and helped him produce a book. Ten different artists contributed illustrations to help make the book highly visual and provide Michael with the clues to memorize the stories in each of the 10 chapters. \nIn the book\, Michael described the difficulties of fitting in and being the kid who was sometimes mistreated or forgotten. But he also described his determination not to let his disabilities limit him. \nMichael\, who shared screen time with his father during the Zoom meeting\, is 30 years old and just recently became the youngest and only per-son with an intellectual disability to be elected president of Ontario Community Living\, a confederation of more than 100 local agencies across the province. It promotes inclusive education so people with intellectual disabilities can remain in their communities and stay with friends in local schools.\nMichael\, who took seven years to complete high school\, is an employee at the Sobeys store in Fonthill and was Pelham’s citizen of the year in 2019. He has been involved in Special Olympics in baseball and basketball and is a member on a board that advises the minister of education. \nMichael has written a second book with Heather Gale. “I Belong\, Can I Play?” is a children’s book which tells the story of Michael’s experiences growing up in elementary school and teaches the importance of inclusion\, friendship and belonging. \nMichael has had strong family support especially from his father Marcel who serves as his executive assistant dealing with emails and arranging Michael’s many speaking engagements across Canada and now into the United States.\nMarcel said that Michael has appeared on breakfast television several times and his in-person speaking engagements have included speaking at Sobeys head office. Marcel also said that prior to the COVID pandemic Sobeys stores throughout Ontario had Michael’s book for sale. \nMarcel pointed out that Michael contributes a portion of the profits from his book sales to Special Olympics.\nYou can find out much more about Michael’s accomplishments or order a copy of his book online at www.heresmybook.com. \nDuncan McLaren thanked Michael for his enjoy-able and educational presentation and said that a donation in Michael’s name will be sent to Ontario Community Living. \nMichael Jacques A story to be shared pdf click here
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/michael-jacques/
LOCATION:ZOOM\, St. Catharines\, Ontario\, Canada
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/autism_author_michaels_jacques-e1633351679422.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210914T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210914T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20210817T030013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180146Z
UID:3024-1631613600-1631617200@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Peter Greco\, Canon Greco Management Limited
DESCRIPTION:Condo managers tasked with many responsibilities \nArt Currie introduced guest speaker\, Peter R. Greco\, a graduate of Brock University\, who is President of Cannon Greco Management Limited\, a St. Catharines firm which specializes in condominium and residential rental management. \nPeter provided a comprehensive look at the duties of a management firm and also described different types of condo corporations and the variety of responsibilities and services they provide.\nPeter said that condo managers work with the condo board of directors and are responsible for such things as the physical property\, making sure repairs are done and deal-ing with contractors. They are also charged with managing finances\, preparing financial statements and budgets. \nThe management firm serves as an advisor and communicator with the board of directors\, unit owners and staff. Managers also deal in human relations in charge of hiring and firing staff.\nPeter said that the requirements are set out in the Condominium Act Ontario of 1998 which came into effect in 2001 and was updated in 2017. Among the stipulations set out in the act is the requirement for condos to maintain a reserve fund which must be updated on a regular basis. Condo managers must be licensed if they are paid. The act also requires people joining a board of directors to take an on-line training course. \nPeter said that sometimes people try to compare their monthly fees but pointed out different condo corporations provide very different services for those fees. He said the standard condo corporation is what most people are familiar with but ex-plained that a Vacant Land Condo\, most often used in townhouse developments\, covers only the outside grounds and not individual units. A common elements condo covers only things such as a common club house or park equipment.\nPeter pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic has created extra challenges for managers and condos. Buildings have been faced with higher costs for sanitation\, repair costs and lack of availability of contractors and building materials. The pandemic has also meant that meetings have had to be held via Zoom rather than in person. Some amenities have been closed down. \nPeter said managers and condo boards commonly refer to the three P’s that they must deal with – pets\, people\, and parking. \nInsurance rates have become a major financial problem for condo managers. Peter said that many insurance companies are no longer interested in covering condos and those that do have raised their rates on aver-age by 30% or more. He advised con-do unit owners to check their own coverage because in some cases they can be held responsible for the amount of deductible on the overall coverage. \nDespite the problems\, the number of condominiums in Niagara continues a fairly rapid growth as developers from the Toronto area are drawn here.\nPeter also talked about Life Lease agreements. He said these projects are often started by clubs or church groups. He said that under a Life Lease\, you have no deed but purchase a unit for a designated time limit and\, in most cases\, for a pre-determined amount at time of sale while also paying condo fees. \nDuncan McLaren thanked Peter for his presentation and said that the number of questions reflected the interest in his talk. Duncan will forward a gift certificate to Peter in appreciation of his talk. \nClick here to read the full presentation (PDF)
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/peter-greco-canon-greco-management-limited/
LOCATION:Lions Hall\, 732 Niagara Street\, St. Catharines\, Ontario\, L2M 7W7\, Canada
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Peter-Greco-e1633270334857.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210810T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210810T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T182405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180154Z
UID:3892-1628589600-1628593200@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Marcella Haanstra\, Library Services
DESCRIPTION:Librarian reveals vast array of services now available \nDuncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Marcella Haanstra\, the training librarian at the St. Catharines Public Library who has also worked in Collections\, Programming and Reference. She is a graduate of the MLIS Master’s Program from the University of Western Ontario (August 2008). \nMarcella\, who’s presentation was titled “What’s new and how the St. Catharines Public Library engages with the community today and in the future\,” gave a very enlightening and informative talk on the St Catharines Libraries’ traditional and online services offered to card holders. The library has over 325\,000 books and materials available. In addition to the down-town Central library there are three branch libraries serving different areas of the city. Library membership cards are free to residents of St Catharines and 49% of the population has a library card which is above average. \nMarcella explained how their online services have expanded during the pandemic. The online services are easily accessible using your library card and pin number. \nThe online services include Press Reader\, providing access to many newspapers and magazines; Linked In\, offering online courses in such things as Microsoft Excel; Grant Connect; Digital collections offering downloads of audio books\, e-books and magazines; Hoopla Digital\, with down-loads available of books or movies; Flipster allows you to download an app to get access to a great variety of magazines. Other programs available include such things as Brock Talks and Canadian authors in action. \nThe wide range of other services available include 3D Printers\, book bundles available to adults for curbside pickup\, MiFi hotspots at the library for internet access. There is even a VHS to DVD converter. A member can register for a three-hour appointment including a half-hour personal technical training session. \nServices probably not normally associated with a library include sports and leisure equipment avail-able for loan\, passes for Ontario and Niagara parks and telescope sets that can be checked out.\nMarcella said that there has been a very high demand for the telescope sets and additional sets have been obtained.\nMarcella pointed out that\, as of May\, fines are no longer charged on overdue materials for children\, teens or seniors. \nShe said that anyone who lives or works in the city can easily apply for a library card online at www1.stcatharines.library.on.ca/memberships or you can go to the main website at www.myscpl.ca to search for other information. \nDuncan thanked Marcella for an informative and eye-opening talk. He will send her a $30 gift certificate as a token of the club’s appreciation. \nSee Marcella’s presentation on YouTube click here…
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/marcella-haanstra-library-services/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Marcella-Haanstra.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210713T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210713T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T182510Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180202Z
UID:3894-1626170400-1626174000@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Christine Allum\, Financial Scams
DESCRIPTION:Christine Allum\, a senior advisor\, investment engagement and stakeholder partnerships in the Investor Office at the Ontario Securities Commission presented to us at this month’s meeting.  Christine\, a graduate of Ryerson University\, previously worked at the Ontario Stock Exchange. \nHer online presentation was entitled “How to Protect Your Money from Fraud” and she also provided tips on working with a financial advisor. Christine said that surveys show that 30% of Canadian investors have been more stressed about their investments during the COVID-19 pandemic. She provided statistics about the number and age range of people who have been victims of fraud and said one in five Canadians is approached by fraudsters and that only one in three victims report the fraud to police. \nShe gave brief descriptions of some of the most common types of fraud schemes such as Pump and Dump\, Affinity Fraud and Ponzi schemes. She also referred to a Double Dip/ Repeat Scam where scam artists reuse and sell lists of fraud victims often using the approach of giving the victims an opportunity to get their original investment back. \nChristine provided a list of warning signs such as high-pressure sales tactics\, phone calls\, emails or texts from unknown sources\, offers of free incentives\, promises of high or guaranteed returns. Other warning flags include encouragement to recruit friends and family\, offers from unregistered businesses or individuals\, suggestions to falsify financial information to avoid taxes or the offer to act on inside information. \nShe also had tips to protect your money: keep personal and financial information safe; do background checks before you invest; don’t send money and don’t respond to unsolicited calls. \nChristine encouraged victims of fraud to con[1]tact the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)\, local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. The Anti-Fraud Centre website also has more information about common scams. You can also reach the Centre toll-free at 1-888-495-8501. \nChristine had a number of recommendations for dealing with a personal financial advisor. She said it is important that the advisor knows you\, makes suitable recommendations for your situation and tells you how they are paid. She added that it is also important that you understand and know the product that the advisor is recommending and that you maintain regular communication with your advisor to keep your financial information up to date. \nIf you sense a problem\, Christine said you should first talk to your representative but that you can file a written complaint with the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments. \nSee Christine’s presentation on YouTube click here…
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/christine-allum-financial-scams/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/SP_01_Allum_July21-e1633444600671.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210608T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210608T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T182620Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180210Z
UID:3896-1623146400-1623150000@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Marieke E. Schmidt\, Rover Explorers
DESCRIPTION:Marieke E. Schmidt\, Professor of Earth Sciences at Brock University. Marieke has been involved in the study of Mars since 2005 and has been selected by NASA to be a participating scientist on the Mars Science Laboratory working with the rover exploration missions. \nMarieke said that the big question about Mars remains whether it is habitable. She said that Mars is most closely situated to the habitable zone in our solar system. Evidence gathered by four different rover missions indicates that there was water on the surface at one time although there is no liquid water on the surface now. \nThe four rover missions have explored different areas of Mars. The first rover\, Spirit\, was active from 2004 until 2010 and the second\, Opportunity\, was active until 2018. Pictures returned by Opportunity showed that sediments were deposited by water and that water percolated through rock. Marieke said that this may have happened millions of years ago. \nThe third rover mission\, called Curiosity\, was sent to explore and assess a region on the Mars surface as a potential habitat around the 150-kilometre Gale Crater. Here\, it found rock deposit[1]ed in lake-like situations. \nThe most recent rover mission\, Perseverance\, landed on Mars in February. It was accompanied by a small helicopter called Ingenuity which made history by flying in the low atmosphere and has allowed scientists to greatly expand their area of exploration. Ingenuity has returned pictures from a site called Santa Cruz\, a hill located 1.5 kilometres from Perseverance. \nMarieke said that pictures show land strewn with large rocks from volcanic activity but there is no evidence that there have been active volcanoes in millions of years. She pointed out that some of the small rocks are so sharp that they forced a redesign of the tires for the last rover. \nMarieke added that the ultimate goal of the Mars exploration is to send a lander and fetch rover to the planet to collect rock and soil samples and return them to Earth for further study. However\, she pointed out that the target timeline for that to happen is 2034. \nMarieke also said that the United States is not alone in the exploration of Mars as both China and the UAE have launched probes. \nSee Marieke’s presentation on YouTube click here…
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/marieke-e-schmidt-rover-explorers/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/210704-Marieke-Schmidt-195x300-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210511T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210511T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T182721Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180216Z
UID:3898-1620727200-1620730800@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Adrian Petry\, First Welland Canal
DESCRIPTION:Adrian Petry\, visitor coordinator at the St. Catharines Museum\, presented to us on the topic: “Open for business – the Welland Canal in 1830”. \nAdrian explained that in the history of the Welland Canal the first canal is often overlooked. It was built between 1824 and 1829 prior to photography and few written records were kept with the result that there are many gaps in its story. \nWilliam Hamilton Merritt was a driving force behind the idea of the canal and Adrian said that much of Merritt’s time was spent trying to secure financing for the project. Banks were not interested or able to invest so Merritt had to seek private investors. \nStock in the canal was sold in United States and in the UK. John Barentse Yates\, a Congressional representative from New York\, became a major stockholder and that fact pushed the Canadian government to also invest. \nAttempts to cut costs contributed to a series of problems with the canal. Design faults\, mud slides and the use of wood to construct the 44 locks all played a role. A heavy rainstorm forced a temporary closure just two weeks after the canal opened for business in 1830. Another closure was caused by lack of water in the system and there were frequent blockages caused by sawdust from the many mills along the canal. \nAdrian said that the canal was only open for about three months that first year. That first canal started in Port Dalhousie and moved up the escarpment to Port Robinson where it joined the Chippawa Creek out to the Niagara River and on to Lake Erie. It wasn’t until 1833 that the canal was completed through to Port Colborne. \nAdrian displayed early maps which showed the canal route as well as the route of the feeder canal which flowed from the mouth of the Grand River to ensure adequate water levels. \nAdrian agreed that although Merritt was the main visionary behind the canal\, part of the reason for him selecting Twelve-Mile Creek as part of the route was to bring water to his mills. Despite the many problems linked to that first canal it was an important first step in the development of a major water transportation route that was to benefit North America.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/adrian-petry-first-welland-canal/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Adrian-Petry-St-Catharines-Museum.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210413T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210413T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T183035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180224Z
UID:3901-1618308000-1618311600@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Stewart Campbell\, English Channel Tunnel
DESCRIPTION:Stewart Campbell\, who lives in Helensburgh on the west coast of Scotland\, is our first international speaker joining us through the technology provided by Zoom. Stewart was in charge of Health and Safety during construction of the English Channel Tunnel which was officially opened in 1994. He pointed out that the idea of a tunnel linking Great Britain and the Continent goes back to 1802 but costs and other considerations prevented anyone following through on the idea. \nStewart said that Canada had early experiences in building tunnels as well\, mentioning the rail tunnel between Sarnia and Port Huron which first opened in 1891 and the Mt. Macdonald rail tunnel at Rogers Pass which opened in 1916. \nStewart said some early attempts at tunnelling were made in the late 1800s and a partial tunnel was bored in the 1970s. The final tunnel\, started in 1988\, is the third longest rail tunnel in the world at 50.5 km and the longest under sea section at 39.7 km. He said the land section on the UK side is 9.3 km compared to 3.3 km on the French side. \nTunnelling crews started work on each end and worked toward the middle. The British crews had six boring machines and the French had five. In total each side had about 7\,000 workers. Stewart said that the British crews actually advanced more than half-way across because they experienced easier boring conditions. The two crews celebrated the official breakthrough on December 1\,1990. Both sides were slowed by water coming into the tunnel forcing alterations to their erection methods. Stewart pointed out that the tunnel actually involves two separate tunnels\, 7.6 metres in diameter and 30 metres apart\, for traffic to move in opposite directions as well as a smaller service tunnel running between the two rail lines. There are also linking tunnels in case of emergencies and numerous piston relief ducts to control ventilation. \nStewart said that safety was a major concern during construction especially related to the fear of fire since there was only one way out. No smoking rules were strictly enforced and measures were taken to reduce the danger of electrical fires. Stewart said that about seven UK workers died on the job and another two or three on the French side. \nStewart showed a clip from the movie Mission Impossible that purported to show a helicopter linked by cable to a high-speed train being pulled into the tunnel\, but he said that that would not be possible because of the dimensions of the tunnel. Stewart said that his part in the construction ended with the actual tunnelling but outfitting the tunnels with rail lines and other finishing touches took a few more years. \nHe recommended the book “The Tunnel under the Channel” by Thomas Whiteside for anyone wishing more information. There are also several YouTube videos that provide excellent descriptions of the tunnel and its construction which ended up costing £9 billion. \nDuring a question-and-answer session\, Stewart said he was unsure of the financing details of the massive project. However\, a follow-up email pro[1]vided a link to an article by Christian Wolmar\, a well-known railway commentator in the UK. In the article Wolmar says Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher pushed through the decision to build the tunnel but insisted that it had to be built with private money. However\, Wolmar claims that although there were various hidden subsidies in the scheme the project’s early financial difficulties meant that the debt could never be conceivably paid off and was eventually all but written off.
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/stewart-campbell-english-channel/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://probusstcatharines.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Stewart-Campbell-scaled-e1635680816534.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210309T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210309T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T183117Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180231Z
UID:3903-1615284000-1615287600@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Wendy Sturgeon\, Indigenous History
DESCRIPTION:Wendy Sturgeon\, the Executive Director of the Niagara Chapter\, Native Women Inc.\, based in Fort Erie presented to us this month. \nWendy\, who was born in Toronto\, is of Anishinaabe (Ojibway-Chippewa of the Thames or Muncee) and Welsh decent. She explained that her father came from a residential school and lost the connection with his heritage and now has no interest to learning about it. Wendy and her brother now have a strong interest in their heritage. \nShe said that her people are affiliated with the 3 Fires Confederacy which is part of Turtle Island which refers to all of North America. Wendy said that different nations have different traditions but gave some insight into the culture of her people. She pointed out that four elements — tobacco\, sweet grass\, cedar and sage — have special meaning and are important parts of gatherings or pow wows. She said that at a typical gathering people would be welcomed into doors from four directions symbolizing bringing minds together and people would be invited to join in a circle to share their stories. \nWendy displayed a Wampum Belt that symbolized an original treaty with the newcomers to this land. The belt had parallel lines that stood for the river of life that was open ended\, going on forever. The treaty signified peace\, friendship and respect between the two parties. \nWendy also offered a power point presentation to explain about Niagara Native Inc.\, and what it does to support the community through social\, legal\, medical and educational means. She said that we are part on Living History. She explained the cultural significance of women braiding sweet grass and how it is done for a specific person and for a specific reason. \nThe Niagara chapter was incorporated in 1983 and is now one of nine chapters and 14 Native women councils. One of the group’s early successes was the fight to restore status of women who moved off reservations. You can learn more about the Ontario Native Women’s Association online at www.onwa.ca and the Niagara Chapter at www.ncnw.net
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/wendy-sturgeon-indigenous-history/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
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DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210209T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T183206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180239Z
UID:3905-1612864800-1612868400@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Suzanne Soto-Davies\, WISH Book
DESCRIPTION:Guest speaker Suzanne Soto-Davies\, publisher of Silver and Gold Magazine for Boomers Plus\, has also developed a WISH (What If Something Happens) workbook. \nSuzanne\, who was born in Peru and came to Canada when she was 15\, said that her grandparents gave her the idea for the magazine which is published and distributed in southwestern Ontario four times a year although\, like many things\, it has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. \nThe magazine is currently available only online at www.silvergoldmagazine.ca. \nSuzanne related her personal story that led to the development of the WISH workbook. Her mother\, who was living in Haliburton\, suffered an aneurism and had to be flown by medical helicopter to hospital in Toronto on Christmas Eve. Her father was legally blind and forced to stay at home\, so it was up to other family members to provide doctors with information about Suzanne’s mother’s medical history. \nHer mother was given only a two-per cent chance of survival when she arrived at the hospital and Suzanne said that without access to medical information back in Haliburton the family struggled to remember details the hospital and doctors required. \nHer mother did start to improve but the recovery period stretched over a year as she slowly regained memory and had to relearn how to do many things and regain much of the weight she had lost. \nIt was during this period that Suzanne said that she had to learn about her parents’ financial dealings to be able to pay bills and how to access bank accounts. She said that something as basic as her mother’s favourite sleeping position helped aid her comfort while in hospital. \nSuzanne said the WISH workbook allows you to list medications\, any supplements taken\, day-today banking\, insurance policies\, pensions and even information about your will. She also emphasized the need to complete the paperwork to have someone you trust given Power of Attorney. \nThe WISH workbook can be ordered online at www.wishworkbook.ca . There is also a link to provincial websites to download Power of Attorney forms. \nSee Suzanne’s presentation on YouTube click here…
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/suzanne-soto-davies-wish-book/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20210112T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20210112T110000
DTSTAMP:20260404T075558
CREATED:20211019T183321Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230228T180247Z
UID:3907-1610445600-1610449200@probusstcatharines.com
SUMMARY:Jean Bridge\, Rodman Hall Alliance
DESCRIPTION:Alliance working to secure site for a public art gallery \nDuncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Jean Bridge\, a recent retiree from Brock University where she was an associate professor of Visual Arts. Duncan said that Jean is a community builder and a key member of the Rodman Hall Alliance. The alliance is leading the push to secure a public art gallery for St. Catharines in light of Brock University’s decision to sell Rodman Hall. \nJean said that the purpose of a public art gallery is to be both educational and humanitarian. She added that it is important as a place where the community engages with and considers the insights they derive from what they see. \nJean provided a brief history of Rodman Hall which was built in 1863 as Thomas Rodman Merritt House. The building was purchased in 1960 by the St. Catharines and District Arts Council and is designated by Heritage Canada as a Category A institution to collect\, preserve\, and exhibit cultural property. There were also two additions made to the original building in the 1960s. \nBrock University took over operation of Rodman Hall in 2003 operating it as a university and public gallery but in 2016 sought to withdraw from the arrangement but neither the City nor the Region. \nwas prepared to step in and assume the related costs. Just last year\, Brock sold the property to local developers while transferring the art collection and endowments to the Rodman Hall Art Centre\, Inc. \nThe RHAC\, a not-for-profit corporation\, is currently conducting an audit of the art collection (some 1\,000 pieces) while doing feasibility studies for a new public gallery\, looking at potential sites and putting together a business plan. \nOf course\, finances play a major role in the future of any gallery wherever it is located\, and the Alliance hopes to re-engage the community\, improve communications\, expand its board while developing and sustaining fund raising. \nJean said that the Alliance has studied art galleries in other cities such as Guelph and Windsor. \nDuring a question-and-answer session\, Jean also made an appeal for anyone interested in the arts to get involved by providing whatever expertise they could to the Alliance. \nDuncan thanked Jean for her presentation and said that PROBUS will send donation in Jean’s name to Start Me Up Niagara. \nSee Jean’s presentation on YouTube click here…
URL:https://probusstcatharines.com/event/jean-bridge-rodman-hall-alliance/
CATEGORIES:2021 Past Speakers
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