Available

THE
SWORD
Volume 11
Issue 1
http://www.champlainseniors.ca
January 2014
WRITER- THIS ISSUE – Walter Murray
DECEMBER 03
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT Vic Koby gave us his views on the rapid changes in human communication from the
days when he was a newspaper writer in the 1950’s and today. Vic suggests that
within 10 years half the paper newspapers; we take for granted will have disappeared
in favor of the Internet and television
Vic gave us a glimpse of his exciting and interesting experiences during the” glory
days” as a reporter which was his first love and first career.
Vic Koby
A MAGIC CHRISTMAS EVE –
John Cropper gave us a very moving video
presentation of a Soldier’s Night Before
Christmas. John was inspired by the picture of
Leo Huffman in the Packet taken on
Remembrance Day. It was a tribute to all the
soldiers who watch over us and guard us while
proudly doing their duty, very often separated
there families during Christmas.
Jim Campbell as MC on the right of the
Choir
John Cropper
MC Jim Campbell called on the Choir for support, and then took us
on a lighthearted tour of Scotland from Glasgow to Glencoe then East
to Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh and back to Glasgow. Jim told
many Scottish stories and jokes along the way.
To put us in a Christmas mood, Carols were sung by all, led by our
band and choir. Well done Jim.
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SPEAKER
The speaker was Dr. Gerardo Reyes MA, Ph. D. Lakehead
University.
Vic Koby introduced the speaker whose research interests are
broad, with the unifying theme to find solutions to issues,
concerns, and problems that veer us away from sustainability.
Gerardo showed us many charts illustrating the Complex
Climate Modeling used to obtain long-term projections that can
result in different greenhouse futures.
Current projections, suggest that global average temperature
could rise 1.2 to 5.8 degrees C between 1990 and 2100. Due to
our northern latitude and large land mass, Canada is projected
to experience greater rates of warming than many other regions
of the world, some estimates double the global average. The
Arctic, southern and central prairies are projected to warm the
most More precipitation is predicted for the winter months.
Preparing for global change on natural and built ecosystems
requires information on vulnerability of the various ecosystems.
Conservation and use of resources, as well as social and
political components, are often conflicting and what may help in
one area may be harmful in another.
Jim McAdams thanked Gerardo for his very interesting and
informative talk.
Dr. Gerardo Reyes, Lakehead University
DECEMBER 10
CHRISTMAS LADIES’ DAY LUNCHEON
President John Bobyk opened the meeting and when announcing
the birthdays this week, made special mention of Garth Rice who is
celebrating his 94th. Congratulations and best wishes to Garth.
John also made a very
special presentation to Ross
Ferguson, our past president,
for his outstanding leadership
as president during his 20122013 term.
TOAST TO THE LADIES, was given
Garth Rice Celebrating his 94th
by Dave Macdonald, who thanked
Birthday
the ladies for adding beauty and
charm to our Christmas Luncheon
Barb Jones responded by thanking the Champlain Seniors for inviting the
ladies to this very special luncheon and then she proposed a TOAST TO
THE GENTLEMEN,
Past President Ross Ferguson and
President John Bobyk
Barry Keen, the chair of the luncheon committee, thanked the
committee members – Jack and Pauline Spencer, Doug. Sumner, William
Leslie, Brian Pounder, Kathie Keen, Bill Grant, Jim McAdams, Roger
Lippert, and John Cropper
He gave a special thanks to the MusicMakers. Great job Barry, and
helpers.
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“CHRISTMAS FOLLIES” WITH BOB BALLANTYNE AS MC
Bob introduced our enthusiastic song leader Bill Sherwin who got
us in the Christmas mood with the singing of Jingle Bells.
Bob Ballantyne as Master of Ceremonies
Throughout the program, our
Music Makers accompanied us in
the singing of carols and MC Bob
introduced our talented band
soloists, leading off with Neil
Anthony, then John Sheepway with
a lively “Rocking Around the
Christmas Tree”, Charles Kelly
played a 1960’s Roger Miller “Little
Toy Train”, Chuck Mugford with
“Bring Him Home”, and Joe
Ciesielski did a beautiful rendition of
“ Silent Night.”
Interspersed with the music, were many humorous stories told by MC Bob
describing the passion suburbanites have for green, weed free lawns which
in God’s opinion is unnatural and foolish. Another “oldie but goodie” that Bob
told, was the cake made for a church Bazaar, which had to be supported in
the middle with a roll from the bathroom. Lots of laughs by everyone who
Bob Ballantyne and Bill Sherwin
appreciates Bob’s way of telling a good joke.
The MusicMakers Played On.
Brian
Pounder
read an amusing
poem, “Christmas
Chaos.”
Bob Bowles and Bob Ballantyne. Who's on First?
MC Bob and Bob
Bowles did a hilarious rendition of the Abbot and Costello baseball
classic “Who’s on First”. It’s hard to do but they did it well.
Pauline and Jack Spencer had each table complete a Christmas
Picture Quiz. Each of the 24 pictures represented a carol. Prizes
were awarded to the table with the highest score and one table of
nerds actually scored perfectly. A real fun game, thanks to Pauline
Santa's Helper and Santa
and Jack.
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The program would not have been complete without a visit from Santa and sure enough he (a.k.a. Jack
Reid) came along with helper Vilda.
Santa read a letter he received from a Champlain
Senior member which contained his Christmas list. A
surprised Mike Jones was presented with wonderful
gilts. A ticket to Glasgow, or was it Coldwater. A
croquet mallet to replace the one he broke and a Kilt
and Tam ordered from Eatons.
Lots of laughter followed. Thanks Santa.
A turkey dinner with all the trimmings was then served
by the Hawk Ridge Staff.
Turkey
Santa Granting Mike Jones' Wishes
DECEMBER 17
M.C. Roger Lippert kept the meeting lively
by telling refreshing new stories and jokes
from a book he picked up in England and
the Readers Digest Book of Jokes. Although
it was an abbreviated program, Roger
managed to work in a number of appropriate
carols
POTPOURRI – Peter Evans spoke of his
early years when
he enlisted in the
Navy. He quoted
an especially stern,
spit and polish
Admiral when he
advised the Cadets
If you are going to
do any task in the
Navy, do it in a
Roger Lippert and the Enthusiastic Choir
Seaman-like way.” Interpret this advice any way you wish. Peter also told of the
sword drill which was climaxed by Peter stabbing himself in the hand when he
missed the scabbard; this resulted in a very bloody wound. Peter gave us a very humorous insight into his
Navy training.
Dr. Peter Evans
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SPEAKER
Peter Brown was originally from Vancouver, went to UBC,
and then to Queens. He worked in Toronto from 1966 to
2008 when he retired and in the summer of 2009 moved to
Orillia with his wife. He started volunteering at the Sharing
Place in the fall of 2009 and is now secretary/treasurer, on
the Board. Peter was introduced by Mike Jones.
Sharing Place Food Bank was started in 1988 as a
temporary measure and Peter pointed out that there is
something wrong with our society that it is still needed badly.
How badly? In the past 12 months it provided food that fed
the equivalent of 16,000 people. Sharing Place is the largest
of the three food banks in Orillia. Their biggest source of
revenue is donations, mainly from individuals but also
significant contributions from corporations and community
groups and Trillium Foundation. In 2013 dollar revenues
were $247,000. No funds are received from governments.
Peter Brown, Treasurer, The Sharing Place
Donated food in 2013 totaled 208,000 lbs (104 tons) or the
equivalent to the weight of 20 elephants. The value of the food totaled $524,000.
Some of the food comes from individuals but a significant amount comes from food retailers, general
retailers, bakers, and by the Association of Food Banks.
The food bank is open to serve clients 12 to 3:00 pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and from 6 to 7:30 pm
Tuesdays. They operate at 22 West St, just below Mississaga. The work starts long before the clients arrive,
with the volunteers having to sort and store the food.
Just before noon, a volunteer starts registering the clients, treating them warmly and with respect. A menu
is created for a single client and one for a family client. The clients may come once a month and are provided
with the basics for a number of nutritious meals for 4 or 5 days.
It takes a lot of manpower. Currently there are three paid staff and about 60 plus frontline volunteers.
At Christmas clients picked up 650 Christmas hampers including a turkey or ham.
Many clients are people who have lost their jobs, single mothers, or perhaps those who are suffering from
disease, or blind, deaf or mentally challenged.
In his own words, Peter gave us “a flavor of the Sharing Place, and some food for thought”.
COMING EVENTS
DATE
EVENT
CONTACT
FEB 04 …… Heart & Stroke Luncheon, Best Western, Memorial Dave King
Dr, 12 Noon, $30. See poster attached below.
APR .……..
OPP Interviews with Graduating Officers.
MAY ……… Heart & Stroke, Big Bike Ride
JUNE 05 …
John Wallinger
John Davey
Shaw Festival - CABARET, bus, lunch and show. Vic Koby
See poster attached below.
NOTE: If you have any upcoming events, Tag Days, Community Events, Club Events coming up in
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2014, send the information to the Editor to have them advertised here.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS (Jim McAdams)
Jan 01
Jan 04
Jan 07
Jan 10
Dale Lynch
John Davey
Gerry Vail
Sicotte Hamilton
Jan 10
Jan 10
Jan 12
Jan 15
Vivian Pounder
Helen Keller
John Bobyk
Grace Hoover
Jan 17
Jan 18
Jan 21
Jan 28
Helen Murray
Edna Holmes
Marilyn Lippert
Anne Fitzhenry
JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES (Jim McAdams)
Jan 02 Jim and Ann Saunders
Jan 03 Toni and Brigitte Lisi
JAN 07
Jan 17 Roger and Marilyn Lippert
Jan 23 Fayne and Catherine Bullen
GUEST SPEAKERS (Vic Koby)
Jayne Turvey, Director Of Community Affairs, Orillia Public Library,
"Following Dad's Footsteps From Dieppe To Stalag VIIIB, To Death
March & Freedom."
JAN 14
Gord Michener, "What I found in Mongolia."
JAN 21
Steve Killing, Yacht Designer, Designing Yachts For The 2013
America Cup And A New Catamaran Class.
JAN 28
Gwen Boniface, A New Governor Of Georgian College And Former
Commissioner of the OPP, “Helping Sort Out Some Of The Irish
Problems On Behalf Of The UN.”
POTPOURRI (Fayne Bullen)
Jan 07 Fayne Bullen
Jan 21 Graham Marson
PAUSE FOR THOUGHT (Bill Price)
Jan 07 Roger Lippert
Jan 14 John Watkins
Jan 21 Bob Duff
Jan 28 Lloyd Scorgie
MASTER OF CEREMONIES (Ross Ferguson)
Jan 07 Toni Lisi
Jan 14 Tony Shaw
Jan 21 Ed Nevala
Jan 28 Ross Ferguson
Please Note; if you do not get the Bulletin by email by the weekend after the last meeting of the month, go to the web site
to download it. The Champlain Seniors Web Site is http://www.champlainseniors.ca
William Leslie – Editor - w.leslie@rogers.com
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February is Heart Month
Pleasejoinusforthe
15thAnnualJointMeetingofOrilliaServiceClubs
Rotary Club ♥ Rotary Lake Country
Kiwanis Club ♥ Quota Club
Quota Silver “Q” Club ♥ Lions Club
Champlain Seniors Service Club
Best Western Hermitage Room
Tuesday, February 4th, 2014
12:00 p.m.
GuestSpeaker
Dr. Lee Fidler
Tickets $30.00 each
Please RSVP by January 25, 2014
Dave King 705-484-0128
Best Western Plus Mariposa Inn & Conference Centre
400 Memorial Avenue, Orillia
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Champlain Seniors Service Club
SHAW FESTIVAL, NIAGARA ON THE LAKE
Wednesday, June 5
Approximately $125 per person
Luxury Coach and Buffet Lunch, taxes included.
Cabaret
FESTIVAL THEATRE
Book by JOE MASTEROFF
Based on the play by JOHN VAN DRUTEN and
stories by CHRISTOPHER ISHERWOOD
Music by JOHN KANDER
Lyrics by FRED EBB
Originally co-directed and choreographed by ROB MARSHALL
Originally directed by SAM MENDES
Directed by PETER HINTON
Choreography by DENISE CLARKE
Musical direction by PAUL SPORTELLI
Set designed by MICHAEL GIANFRANCESCO
Costumes designed by JUDITH BOWDEN
Lighting designed by BONNIE BEECHER
Sound designed by JOHN LOTT
“What good is sitting alone in your room?
Come hear the music play.”
Maugham.
Watch the Trailer of the Show: http://www.youtube.com/embed/AJgxeFJZtNQ?rel=0&autoplay=1
Bus, lunch, theatre and taxes about $125.00 per person if we get 50 people. If you say yes
you are committed for the return bus fare $35, provided we get enough takers. Theatre and
lunch can be cancelled up to 30 days ahead. Why so early? To get the discount of 25% and
theatre space.
Vic Koby
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