Les Wineaux held two “Summer Sippers” events in August; on the 1st, hosted by the Duffleys, and on the 13th, co-hosted by the Careys and Laudiens.

 We were fortunate to have good weather for both, so we could enjoy sitting outside while sipping our light summer wines.  We all brought appetizers to share and our own wines and glasses so that the hosts had very little work.  

These events were very popular and will return next summer!

BYOB members met at French Press in Parksville August 6 for coffee and conversation though Hagar chose not to join us.

We gathered on Marion’s lovely patio to discuss “Tom Lake” by Ann Patchett.  Set in the spring of 2020, the Covid-19 lockdown provides the circumstances that have Lara and her three young adult daughters picking cherries in their orchard in northern Michigan because most of their picking crews have not been able to come.  When Lara was young, she had a romance with a man who became a famous movie star and her girls want to hear everything about this relationship.  As Lara recounts the story, she learns more about herself and her choices and realizes that “the number of things I’d failed to grasp back then was as limitless as the stars in the night sky.”  The book is a “compilation of small moments,” with Lara thinking she shouldn’t be so content at this time of lockdown, but she has her daughters, husband and farm as a consequence of choices she made in her youth.

submitted by Leslie Horsman

This year the Nanoose Bay Probus Picnic celebrated our club’s 25^th anniversary. The weather gods, once again, smiled down on us providing sun and a light breeze. The picnic was attended by 73 members, and we were joined by our Regional Probus Director, Ian Kennedy and his wife. There were tasty salmon and beef burgers, lovely homemade salads, and celebration cakes to round out the meal.  A game organized by Jacki Clements challenged members to discover interesting information about one another.  All indications were that everyone had a wonderful time.

The Nanoose Bay Social Committee would like to thank Darrell and Bryan who barbequed, Ethel, Jenny and Fiona who prepared salads, Heather for the lovely floral centre pieces, Esther who directed traffic, and the many members who provided their ladder ball games, shade tents and BBQs for the afternoon. We would also like to thank those who assisted in set up and clean up. Without this participation of all of these individuals our picnic would not have been such a success.

Wishing everyone a lovely summer.

Wendy Hayes

Social Committee

On a rare damp and showery evening, the WeeDrammers gathered at Bob B. home to continue our quest of conquering the single malt offerings coming out of Scotland.  On this occasion, we re-visited one old favourite and were introduced to a new member of our ‘family’, No’s 174 and 175 on our tasting schedule.

First up on this evening was a revisit of a dram first experienced in March of 2023, the Clynelish 14 Year Old.

Clynelish proudly serves as one of the Four Corners distilleries of Johnnie Walker. This rich Highland Malt that is enjoyed around the world on its own and as a vital component of Johnnie Walker whiskies. 

Tasting Notes:

• Appearance: A brilliant golden hue, suggesting a richness and maturity that’s been carefully nurtured through the aging process.
• Nose: a complex bouquet that’s both fresh and intriguing;  a bright burst of citrus—think lemon zest and orange peel—complemented by subtle notes of vanilla and honey.
• Palate: a balance of sweet and savoury. The initial taste is smooth and creamy, with flavors of vanilla custard and honey followed by a delightful malty richness and a touch of spiced oak. There’s a gentle, peppery kick that adds depth without overwhelming the senses.
• Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, with a lingering sweetness that gradually gives way to a dry, slightly nutty note.
• Overall Impression: Clynelish 14 Year Old is a remarkable single malt that stands out for its unique blend of flavors and textures. It’s an excellent choice that offers a satisfying and well-rounded experience that’s definitely worth exploring.

ABV – 46%; It’s unclear whether the Clynelish 14 year old is available in British Columbia (Luckys in Nanaimo carried in 2023) but, if you’re ever in Edmonton it can be had for around $100.00

Glengarry 12 Year Old (from Loch Lomond Distillery)Whisky Review

Glengarry 12 year old comes out of the Loch Lomond Distillery, a distillery founded in 1814 in the Highlands of Scotland. The distillery utilizes both traditional pot stills and innovative column stills, allowing for a broad range of whisky styles. It employs various cask types, including American oak and sherry casks, to develop complex flavours. Thus, the distillery produces a wide array of whiskies, including single malts, single grains, and blended Scotch whiskies.

Glengarry 12 Year Old Whisky is a single malt whisky aged 12 years. It combines sweet fruity and oaky elements offering a balanced and approachable whisky experience.  Coming out of traditional pot still the whisky reflects a more classic approach to whisky-making.  It is a straightforward whisky with a balance of sweetness and oak. 

Tasting Notes:

• Appearance: Rich amber colour.
• Nose: Inviting aromas of ripe fruits (apples, pears), caramel, vanilla, and a hint of oakiness.
• Palate: Smooth and well-balanced, with flavours of caramel, toffee, vanilla, and a touch of fruitiness. There’s a gentle warming spice and a slight nutty undertone.
• Finish: Moderately long with lingering sweetness and a touch of oak, providing a clean and satisfying conclusion.

While Loch Lomond Distillery is known for its use of both pot and column stills, Glengarry 12 Year Old is a single malt comes out of the pot still production method reflecting a classic approach to whisky-making. Glengarry 12 Year Old features a straightforward yet satisfying profile with a balance of sweetness and complexity. A very good dram!

ABV – 46%; It’s unclear whether the Glengarry 12 year old is available in British Columbia but, if you’re ever in Edmonton it too can be had for around $100.00.

Appies on this occasion included a variety of cheese, smoked salmon, lox, smoked oysters, wonderful small scallops, olives, pickles, crackers and the essential rich dark chocolate pieces. 

Well done Bob!!

Winds and whitecaps were a challenge going to South Winchelsea the morning of July 26th but we had a spectacular Orca display when we stopped on that island.

Submitted by Graham Farstad

8 Probus members spent the day exploring Salt Spring Island on Saturday, July 27th.  We met up at the ferry dock at Crofton, and enjoyed coffee and conversation while we waited for our ship.  Once on Salt Spring, we made our way to the town of Ganges and the Saturday Market.  We spent an hour perusing the food, artisan, and farmer’s booths, and most of us found something to take home. 

We stopped for a pizza lunch at Salt Spring Island Cheese.  While there, we took the self-guided tour on which we learned about cheese making and met some of their goats. 

The highlight of the day was Salt Spring Apple Company and Ciderworks.  We toured the orchard with Brian, the owner, where we learned how apples are grown and then made into cider.  
We capped off the day enjoying ciders and juices on their deck, with a beautiful view overlooking the ocean.

We met at Ulla’s and had the bonus of a tour of her new home.

The book for this month was “Becoming Mrs. Lewis” by Patti Callahan, an historical novel about CS Lewis and Joy Davidman. A lively discussion meant that there were very different perspectives!

Submitted by Ellen Freestone

Fun Fact–MOTO has four Probus Past Presidents and two Charter members in our group!  It was a fun afternoon.

Submitted by Jean Russell

21 Les Wineaux members kicked off the “Summer Sippers” on Thursday, July 4, at the home of Paula Bradner and Bob Smith.  The weather gods provided a calm, clear, warm evening, perfect for sitting on the deck and enjoying the spectacular view of the strait and coastal mountains.
There was lots of engaging conversation as we drank light summer wines and sampled delicious appetizers.  It was a casual and very enjoyable evening.  We’re all looking forward to the next installment of Summer Sippers in August.