Our Probus members enjoy Guest Speakers which we offer at each of or monthly meetings.
Please contact Duncan McLaren for speaker suggestions or, if interested in speaking.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE SPEAKER AND TOPIC CLICK THE SPEAKER’S NAME BELOW…
2025 Past Speakers
Annemarie Hagan – Life of Mayor “Hurricane Hazel”
Annemarie Hagan The Unexpected Life of Mayor “Hurricane Hazel” McCallion (1921-2023) A surprising life and legacies.
May 13 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amAdele Alfano – Autism Dog Services Inc.
Adele Alfano – Service dogs offer help to children with autism Joe Vanderkooi introduced guest speaker, Adele Alfonso, the fund development manager for Autism Dog Services overseeing fundraising and volunteers. Adele explained that there is a wide spectrum in people with autism. Some are highl...
April 8 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amMarcie Jacklin – The Owl Foundation
Topic: Owl Foundation has long history of helping raptors Ralph Stefan introduced Marcie Jacklin, a volunteer with the Owl Foundation, a Rehabilitation Centre for wild owls and other raptors in Vineland at Jordan Harbour. Marci, a former Brock librarian and active birder who earned a national award ...
March 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amTom Herstad – Author
Tom Herstad – Author – His book “2nd Line West” which is about a Lady who has “A Message For Us All” Author details process in telling mother’s inspiring story Vic Cicci introduced guest speaker and author Tom Herstad who has been a hockey player, coach, outdoor adve...
February 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amWilliam J. Thomas – Author
William J. Thomas – His most recent book “And That’s Why I Love Small Town Living!” a quaint and touching collection of stories set in a simpler time. William Thomas finds humour in everyday incidents Jim Cameron introduced guest speaker William Thomas, a Canadian author, scriptw...
January 14 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amJohn Hewitt – St. Catharines hockey historian
John Hewitt – Topic will be “St. Catharines Hockey” and John will be offering copies of his book “Garden City Hockey Heroes”, priced at $20.00 [cash only City arena had long history with junior A hockey Rick Kent introduced guest speaker John Hewitt, a former high schoo...
December 10, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amPaul Chapman –
Paul Chapman – Speaker Topic “Decoration Day a Precursor of – Remembrance Day – A Remembrance of the Fenian Raids Tim Kaye introduced speaker Paul Chapman, a graduate from Brock and from the University of Waterloo. Paul, a former urban planner with the city of St. Catha...
November 12, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amTom Owens, St. George’s Church
Tom Owens – “St. George’s Church history tied to growth of St. Catharines”. Bill Holman introduced guest speaker Tom Owens and his topic “The history of St. Georges Anglican Church”. Tom has an Honours BA from Carleton, a Bachelor of Education from Queens and a Master of Educ...
October 8, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amAlex Olson – Senior Research Associate at the UofT’s Centre for Analytics and AI Engineering
Alex Olson – Senior Research Associate at the UofT’s Centre for Analytics and AI Engineering helps lift mystery surrounding world of AI Don Walker introduced his grandson Alex Olson who is a Senior Research Associate at the U of T’s Centre for Analytics and AI Engineering. Alex’s t...
September 10, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amAngela Cancellara – Alzheimer Society Niagara Region
Angela Cancellara – Alzheimer Society Niagara Region. Programs to help those with dementia Angela Cancellara clears the mystery around aging and dementia Herb Woods introduced guest speaker, Angela Cancellara, Public Education Coordinator, Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region whose presentation...
August 13, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amEmily Liefl, Outreach Manager Niagara Region “Seniors community programs”
Emily Liefl, Outreach Manager Niagara Region “Seniors community programs” – Seniors community programs Many services available to Niagara’s seniors Andy Redman introduced Emily Liefl, Outreach Manager at Niagara Region Senior Services. Emily spoke on the range of services offered...
July 9, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLori Gill – Founder and clinical director of (ATTCH) Niagara
Lori Gill – Founder and clinical director of (ATTCH) Niagara Topic: “An introduction to the neurobiology of trauma and how ATTCH Niagara is meeting the need for the treatment of complex trauma within the Niagara Region” ATTCH Niagara works to heal trauma from bad experiences Duncan M...
June 11, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Past Speakers
Annemarie Hagan – Life of Mayor “Hurricane Hazel”
Annemarie Hagan The Unexpected Life of Mayor “Hurricane Hazel” McCallion (1921-2023) A surprising life and legacies.
May 13 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amAdele Alfano – Autism Dog Services Inc.
Adele Alfano – Service dogs offer help to children with autism Joe Vanderkooi introduced guest speaker, Adele Alfonso, the fund development manager for Autism Dog Services overseeing fundraising and volunteers. Adele explained that there is a wide spectrum in people with autism. Some are highl...
April 8 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amMarcie Jacklin – The Owl Foundation
Topic: Owl Foundation has long history of helping raptors Ralph Stefan introduced Marcie Jacklin, a volunteer with the Owl Foundation, a Rehabilitation Centre for wild owls and other raptors in Vineland at Jordan Harbour. Marci, a former Brock librarian and active birder who earned a national award ...
March 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amTom Herstad – Author
Tom Herstad – Author – His book “2nd Line West” which is about a Lady who has “A Message For Us All” Author details process in telling mother’s inspiring story Vic Cicci introduced guest speaker and author Tom Herstad who has been a hockey player, coach, outdoor adve...
February 11 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amWilliam J. Thomas – Author
William J. Thomas – His most recent book “And That’s Why I Love Small Town Living!” a quaint and touching collection of stories set in a simpler time. William Thomas finds humour in everyday incidents Jim Cameron introduced guest speaker William Thomas, a Canadian author, scriptw...
January 14 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amJohn Hewitt – St. Catharines hockey historian
John Hewitt – Topic will be “St. Catharines Hockey” and John will be offering copies of his book “Garden City Hockey Heroes”, priced at $20.00 [cash only City arena had long history with junior A hockey Rick Kent introduced guest speaker John Hewitt, a former high schoo...
December 10, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amPaul Chapman –
Paul Chapman – Speaker Topic “Decoration Day a Precursor of – Remembrance Day – A Remembrance of the Fenian Raids Tim Kaye introduced speaker Paul Chapman, a graduate from Brock and from the University of Waterloo. Paul, a former urban planner with the city of St. Catha...
November 12, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amTom Owens, St. George’s Church
Tom Owens – “St. George’s Church history tied to growth of St. Catharines”. Bill Holman introduced guest speaker Tom Owens and his topic “The history of St. Georges Anglican Church”. Tom has an Honours BA from Carleton, a Bachelor of Education from Queens and a Master of Educ...
October 8, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amAlex Olson – Senior Research Associate at the UofT’s Centre for Analytics and AI Engineering
Alex Olson – Senior Research Associate at the UofT’s Centre for Analytics and AI Engineering helps lift mystery surrounding world of AI Don Walker introduced his grandson Alex Olson who is a Senior Research Associate at the U of T’s Centre for Analytics and AI Engineering. Alex’s t...
September 10, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amAngela Cancellara – Alzheimer Society Niagara Region
Angela Cancellara – Alzheimer Society Niagara Region. Programs to help those with dementia Angela Cancellara clears the mystery around aging and dementia Herb Woods introduced guest speaker, Angela Cancellara, Public Education Coordinator, Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region whose presentation...
August 13, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amEmily Liefl, Outreach Manager Niagara Region “Seniors community programs”
Emily Liefl, Outreach Manager Niagara Region “Seniors community programs” – Seniors community programs Many services available to Niagara’s seniors Andy Redman introduced Emily Liefl, Outreach Manager at Niagara Region Senior Services. Emily spoke on the range of services offered...
July 9, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 amLori Gill – Founder and clinical director of (ATTCH) Niagara
Lori Gill – Founder and clinical director of (ATTCH) Niagara Topic: “An introduction to the neurobiology of trauma and how ATTCH Niagara is meeting the need for the treatment of complex trauma within the Niagara Region” ATTCH Niagara works to heal trauma from bad experiences Duncan M...
June 11, 2024 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am