Thoughts on Our Club’s 25th Anniversary Milestone

Feb. 16, 2024 Remarks by Jean Russell,
Charter Member

 

Good morning everyone!!
Today is indeed a milestone to be celebrated!!

Where did these 25 years go??
When I think that in 1999 a handful of people were introduced to the concept of Probus as a way to enrich our retirement journey, I can only be grateful that we decided to proceed with the establishment of this, the Probus Club of Nanoose Bay.

Twenty five years ago we asked ourselves the question: “What IS this Probus?”….. we learned that there would be monthly meetings with Speakers, perhaps some special interest groups – and definitely a Picnic in the summer and a Christmas party…. Not much more was expected!

Little did we know how much our lives would be enriched by the friendships made here, or how many adventures we would have along the way!  Twenty five years later I would suggest that four words can describe this club – FUN. FRIENDSHIP.  LAUGHTER and LEARNING!

Some of you may remember that at our twentieth anniversary picnic I spoke about the marvellous trips we had taken, the number of book clubs we had, the wine, beer, cider, scotch and even cheese tastings we had savoured, the travels by rail, road and sea …. And on and on. It was exciting!!

Then Covid happened – life changed for everyone, but even then our valiant Management Committee kept our club alive through Zoom meetings.  
Now we have returned to in person activities and we welcome new members every month!  In many ways our lives have returned to normal- and today is a day when I want to express my gratitude to every member of our club – past and present – who has been on this 25 year adventure with me!  What a ride!! How much I have benefitted from the laughter and the learning, the fun…and most of all the FRIENDSHIPS we have shared over this quarter of a century!! Wow!!
Thank you all.

submitted by Jean Russell