Special Interest Groups
Updated Jan. 18, 2026 (sections of this page are ALWAYS under construction, as updates trickle in randomly throughout the month).
To view/print a copy of the Probus Club of Nanoose Bay Guest Waiver for Club activities click here.
A request to the leaders: Please volunteer to write up a short report for your group – a couple of lines and one or two pictures is all that is required. We will then put this report on the website so that other members can see what your activity is all about, potentially encouraging additional participation.
If the group you are interested in is not Open – please try to solicit other members who may be interested in joining and then contact the leader of the current group and discuss options for creating a new “spin off” group, or suggest that he/she consider splitting the Group and starting a new one, with new plus current members in each. This will provide an ideal opportunity for the new members to meet long-time members as well as allow for ‘coaching’ for beginners.
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CHECK BELOW FOR UP-DATES FROM OUR SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
There’s always room for more.
If you have an idea for a Special Interest Group, talk with VP Pat Hill or other members of the Management Team.
**Those SIGS that still have room to welcome one or more new members are noted as “Open”
TBC: Whisky/Whiskey Club
There are a few members who have shown an interest in a Whisky/Whiskey Tasting Club. If you are truly interested in learning more about this please email Wendy and once we have a few more members, I will arrange a meeting to decide how you wish to proceed.
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Anything But Bridge Association (ABBA) Games Night
Organizer: Don and Sharon Jackson
Day/Time: We meet the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7 pm.
Book Club 1st Edition
Open
Organizer: Ellen Freestone
Day/Time: The First Edition Book Club meets every third Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. and reads a variety of fiction and non fiction books.
Book Club people have busy lives! So, we will be hosting two book clubs this month to make up for October. We are reading “James“, a fictional retelling of Huckleberry Finn by Everett Percival and “Wide Wide Sea“, a non fiction account of Captain Cook’s last voyage by Hampton Sides. Both are fascinating books and we highly recommend them!
Book Club 2nd Edition
Organizer: Leslie Horsman
Day/Time: We meet the last Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. with members taking turns hosting.
Our next meeting is on Wednesday Jan. 28 with Anne Larsen hosting, to discuss Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
BYO Book Club
Organizer: Jo Graham
Day/Time: Feb. mtg at Lyn’s
Bring Your Own Book Club gathers book lovers to discuss and share books of interest. Group members take turns hosting, providing coffee, tea and simple snacks for those who attend. The group meets the first Tuesday of the month at 10:00 am. BYOB is full at this time.
Book Exchange
Organizer: Melba & Bob Nelson
Day/Time: This free book exchange happens at all our monthly meetings.
Please bring in any paperback (please no hardcovers, they’re too heavy) or magazine you are finished with.
Chemainus Theatre
Open
2026 PLAYS
Organizer: Barb & Garnet Hunt
Day/Time: All performances are Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm.
Optional dinner to follow at The Fox and Hounds Pub in Ladysmith.
Chemainus Theatre brings us a full season of live professional theatre from the murals capital of Vancouver Island. This year features a wide array of musicals, comedies mysteries and thrillers.
Theatre tickets are payable by e-transfer to the treasurer@nbprobus.org
(and you must first set up this email address as a payee from your bank account).
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Evening Bridge
Organizer: Toine Rhemtulla
Day/Time: Every second Wednesday at 7 pm, meeting in members’ homes.
Evening Bridge – from beginners to more experienced, couples or singles, ladies and gentlemen, all are welcome. We play friendly social bridge. We are open to setting up new groups on any evening . We host in our homes and play with partners. If anyone does not have a partner we will try to find one for you. If you enjoy bridge and would like to play on a regular basis or as a spare please contact Toine.
Golf Around
Open
Organizer: Jeff Herman
I would like to gage interest in a golf around group that I would be happy to organize. My thoughts are that initially once every 2 weeks a group of either 4 or 8 gather at a different course for a round followed by lunch or a beverage or both. Initially we could play at local courses such as Morningstar, Pheasant’s Glen, Fairwinds, Nanaimo and Arrowsmith. Depending on interest we could play further afield at Crown Isle, Campbell River, Storey Creek, Eaglecrest, Cowichan, Arbutus Ridge or Wilchelsea. Again, depending on interest, the many fine Victoria courses would provide for an “away” game either for a car pool day (or limo) or overnight
I would arrange the time and dates and a request would go out and bookings the week prior for those interested in playing a particular course. Those who are interested please let me know.
Kayaking
Open
Organizer: Graham Farstad
Day/Time: Ideas for 2025 excursions welcome!
Upcoming trips to other local islands are planned as well as to the Dinghy Dock restaurant on Protection Island in Nanaimo. Stay tuned for details.
Les Wineaux
Organizer: Bryan and Vicki Beazley
Day/Time: Les Wineaux is currently full. If you wish to be added to the waiting list, contact Bryan.
Mah Jongg
Open
Organizer: Anne Larson
Day/Time: Mondays @ 1:00 -4:00 pm
MJ is on holiday break now and will resume in January at Nanoose Place.
Several new Mah Jongg players are looking for used sets to purchase. If you have one you are wanting to sell or donate please contact Vicki B
New Group
Organizer:
Day/Time:
MOTO – Members on their Own
Open
Organizer: Heather Utley and Jean Russell
Day/Time: various
All Probus members living on their own are welcome to join us as well as suggest activities for our group – call Heather Utley or Jean Russell or email specialinterestgroups@nbprobus.org
Activities both augment the social committee’s program and provide an opportunity for the group to socialize together. If you are interested in attending concerts, theatre, movies, special events, dining out, travel and more, then join our group. All suggestions for activities will be welcome.
Men’s Book Club
Open
Organizer: Ron Commander
Day/Time: We meet once a month, on the Wednesday prior to the Probus monthly meeting, 3:30-5:00 pm, at the members’ homes. We are currently 7 members and would be happy to welcome up to 3 more members. We have been meeting since October 2012 discussing a variety of both fiction and non-fiction books. We take a summer break in July & August & meet again on September 19. Any suggestions for summer reading would be welcome.
November. James by Percival Everett
Men’s Coffee and Discussion
Open
Organizer: Peter Milne
Day/Time: Weekly on Tuesdays @ 9:00 am
We meet every Tuesday morning to grapple with the issues of the day such as immigration, ESG, federal and provincial debt levels, and the security around our chip industry. No issue is too big for this group. Members take turns hosting our meetings.
Call or email Peter Milne if you think you may be interested.
Vintage Vinos
Organizer: Sharon Jackson and Jo Graham
Day/Time: Second Wednesday of the month, 5:00 p.m. from September through to May
Vintage Vinos members have a keen interest in expanding their knowledge of wine. We explore basic wine tasting techniques, learning how to evaluate wines and experiencing how wines change when paired with food.
Our group is currently full.
The Coastal Corkers
Organizer: (section under construction)
Day/Time:
WE VOTED in June…..
Our new group will be called “The Coastal Corkers“
Wee Drammers
Organizer: TBC
Day/Time: Our next gathering of the WeeDrammers will be held on February 25, 2026 and hosted by Dick D.