Speaker unveils hidden features of swing beam barns Bob Halfyard introduced guest speaker Hugh Fraser, the author and publisher of a book entitled “Swing Beam Barns of Niagara – stories of 50 barns built in Ontario between 1819 and 1884.” Hugh was raised on a farm and has been connected to farming his whole life. He owns the consulting firm […]

Rachel Braithwaite - St. Catharines Downtown Association TOPIC: St. Catharines Downtown Association challenges and successes Executive Director remains upbeat about the future of our downtown Duncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Rachel Braithwaite, Executive Director of St. Catharines Downtown Association and the Business Improvement Association. Rachel used a video and Power Point slides to illustrate her presentation about how her organizations work […]

Marnie Donaldson - Sound Hearing Care Niagara Hearing, Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids   Speakers explain hearing loss and treatments Andy Redman introduced guest speaker Marnie Donaldson, a hearing instrument specialist and her colleague, Jessica Cekan, an audiologist from Sound Hearing Care, Niagara. A graduate of Conestoga College, Jessica has worked in a clinical setting since 2006. She rotates among […]

Hospice Niagara: Carol Nagy Executive Director (pictured above) TOPIC: Helping people live well. Hospice palliative care in your community Hospice Niagara works hard to meet growing demands John Senn introduced guest speaker, Carol Nagy, Executive Director for Hospice Niagara. Carol began her career as a front-line social worker in child welfare in Toronto. While at the Ontario Association of Children’s Aid […]

Dr Riley Moynes "The Four Phases of Retirement - and the Psychological Challenges"     How to get ‘Juice’ out of retirement Duncan McLaren introduced guest speaker, Dr. Riley Moynes, author of the book “Four Phases of Retirement: How to Squeeze all the “Juice Out”. Riley, a former educator and financial planner, is the author of several books on a […]

Brenda McPhail, Ph.D. - currently on leave from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association Brenda is "Acting Executive Director of the Master Program in Public Policy in Digital Society" Topic: “Nothing to Hide? Privacy protects more than just secrets in the big-data world” People urged to take precautions to protect their privacy Duncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Brenda McPhail, Ph.D, currently […]

Ed Telenko,  Executive Director  St. Catharines Academy of Fine Artists Topic: Participation in art has therapeutic benefits  Duncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Ed Telenko, a new member of the PROBUS Club and a graduate of the Ontario School of Art and Design, whose topic was art for older adults stressing the therapeutic benefits of participating in art. Ed is the executive […]

Brian Narhi - St. Catharines Historian Topic: Hydraulic raceways played key role in St. Catharine's growth Duncan McLaren introduced guest speaker, local historian Brian Narhi whose presentation was entitled “Hydraulic Raceways and the St. Catharines Economy in the 19th Century.” Brian, who obtained his first of several degrees from Brock University and has over 20 years experience as an historian […]

Jesse M. Abbott Ph.D. Graduate Department of History University of Waterloo Topic: Soldiers on the Niagara Frontier Duncan McLaren introduced guest speaker Jesse Abbott whose topic was the life of soldiers on the Niagara Frontier in the war of 1812. Jesse’s presentation, which consisted of a portion of his thesis presented to the University of Waterloo for his Doctor of […]

Niagara Elder Abuse Prevention Network (NEAPN) in partnership with Crime Stoppers of Niagara presents "Be Aware...Take Care: A Safety Guide for Our Community". Ernie Sibbett warns of scams, threats directed at seniors Duncan McLaren introduced speaker Ernie Sibbett, chair of the board of Crimestoppers Niagara, who was accompanied by Dorothy Nugent and Carolyn Robinson from Crimestoppers. Ernie talked about the […]

John Bullen - Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Topic:  Pilot Officer Andrew Mynarski, VC, RCAF Speaker details heroic role of Andrew Mynarski Andy Redman introduced guest speaker John Bullen, a member and volunteer with the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. John’s interest in the museum was inspired by his uncle who was a senior Harvard flight instructor during WWII where he was […]

Dan Laroche, - Site Supervisor, Fort George National Historic Site Topic:  Fort George, in an interesting Show & Tell presentation Battle of Fort George played key role in war of 1812 Duncan McLaren introduced Dan LaRoche, Site Supervisor of the Fort George National Historic Site. Dan presented the background of the War of 1812 and specifically the battle of Fort George […]