SPEAKERS FROM 2024 MEETINGS

Jim Kenzie

Jim Kenzie has been Canada’s foremost automotive journalist for four decades. He was chief auto reviewer for the Toronto Star starting in 1983, even before there was a Wheels section. He has been an active, licensed, professional-grade race driver since his early 20s. He has competed or tested cars at tracks all around the world. He co-founded the Targa Newfoundland, and is a three-time Open Division driving champion in that event. 

Jim share many fascinating stores from University days where he determined what his ideal future would look like, and then proceeded to live it. From his rock band through to  his pre-eminent role as a automobile journalist and on to passion of rally driving. His entertaining presentation was appreciated by all, but we wondered about the number of roll-overs during his rallies. 

Josh Martin  

From climate change to clashes with co-workers, obstacles come in all shapes and sizes. The biggest one Josh Martin ever faced was an aggressive blood cancer. To beat the odds, he’d need to draw on many important lessons he learned from a lifetime of blunderful misadventures. 

His presentation was packed with laugh-out-loud true stories, as well as practical advice to help you through whatever challenge you might be facing. 

Find out what duct-taping a duffel bag to his brother’s back taught Josh about quick fixes. Or what digging wells in Africa taught him about getting to the root of a problem. Or what multiple run-ins with Bill Clinton’s security detail taught him about adaptability. It’s self-help with a sense of humour. Because personal development tips are far more memorable when they come with a punchline.

Bob Streeter, our own Probus member, stepped in (as our March speaker was unable to attend. and provided us with online security advice.

Bob has helped many members resolve their computer issues over the last several years.

His presentation talked about the need  for a strong password as well as the need to be mindful of computer scams.

He concluded his presentation with a discussion on artificial intelligence (AI)

and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Yvonne Livingston is a Lifestyle Consultant for Venvi Birkdale Place in Milton.  

Yvonne has been in the industry for 7 years and has experience in both Independent Living, Assisted Living, Respite Care and working with families with Memory issues.  She also has first hand experience with a family member in Long Term Care.  

Her presentation offered a clear vision of the various stages in retirement living.  She explained what all these terms mean, where to start and how to navigate the journey into retirement living. 

Sean  Livingston is a published author, reservist, and secondary history/law teacher. He has served over twenty-two years in the military, joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997, initially as Non-Commissioned Member. He’s served in both the Primary Naval Reserves and Cadet Organization Administration and Training Service, presently holding the rank of Lieutenant (Naval).

Over the years, Sean has championed preserving the memory of HMCS OAKVILLE, a Flower-Class Corvette that served with distinction in the Second World War. He also spearheaded the creation of a monument to honour Oakville’s naval history at Tannery Park, Oakville, which was unveiled on May 15, 2016. He continues to promote Canada’s naval history, regularly doing presentations, museum exhibits, interviews, and other speaking engagements.

Teaching has always been a passion of his. He has been a teacher for over fifteen years, bringing his enthusiasm for history and law into the classroom.

Sean has been an avid volunteer in his community for over twenty years. Among the many organizations and initiatives he’s assisted with, include St. John Ambulance Halton Region (Chairman, Honours and Awards Chair, and Fundraising Chair) and the Naval Association of Canada Toronto Branch (Programming Chair and Vice President).

Colin Best, Halton Regional councillor for Milton Ward 1 and President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Provided an update on municipal issues in Milton.  Colin provided an update on a full range of issues and developments affecting the Town of Milton.  With his trademark straight-forward approach, Colin gave us the latest on everything from the Wilfrid Laurier University campus, to the CN intermodal development to the status of current and plannedhousing developments.

Robert Bell discussed his personal journey into the world of birding and highlighted his recent book, ” Out of the Lyme Light and Into the Sunlight: Birding as Therapy for the Chronically Ill”.

As a result of contracting Lyme disease, Bob Bell had to retire prematurely in 2015. He subsequently discovered that birding was a fantastic coping mechanism for dealing with his chronic pain.

Bob’s talk described his onset of a bizarre set of symptoms, followed by his frustrating experience dealing with the conventional medical system, and eventual diagnosis and treatment. He  then discussed his discovery of the wonderful, therapeutic benefits of birds and birding,.  He explained why it is so beneficial to one’s health, and gave resources and tips on how to get into birding as a wonderful hobby.

Angie Sandow is an Inspirational Speaker, Author, Executive Producer, Limb Difference Awareness, Breast Cancer Survivor, Motorcycle Enthusiast and Musician.

Angie shared her amazing story that includes; being born with a variety of congenital birth defects, the most notable of which is the limb difference of her right arm and hand, being laughed at and excluded as a result of her limb difference. Angie demonstrated why the word "can't" should not exist in anyone's vocabulary, and the importance not allowing oneself to be judged or to judge others! Truly inspiring... 

Tom Herstad is the author of 2nd Line West, & Love, Care and Share.  Born and bred in Toronto, Canada, Tom has been an avid hockey player, coach, passionate outdoor adventurer, cooking over camp fires and enjoying the Thirty Thousand Islands of Georgian Bay.

2nd Line West is about a Lady who has “A Message For Us All”. It is also stories of what he has learned over his 5 decades.

 One woman, his mother Margie, made the difference in numerous lives, and her stories can help us better understand what is important. Helping us better understand our own lives as well as the lives of others in our circle of influence. Tom is offering this message of light and hope to a world in need 

Shannon Soule is the Coordinator, Recreation Older Adults for Milton Seniors’ Activity Centre. Shannon is responsible for the delivery of the older adult recreation programs, services and events to the community.

She has over 20 years’ experience working in Community Services with several municipalities, Shannon is passionate about the importance of recreation as we age.

Dr. Paul Merkley is an emeritus professor of the University of Ottawa Music department. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and he is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, which is the highest accolade for a Canadian academic, acknowledging his research in the music of the Renaissance and in film scores, a subject for which he received the Deems Taylor Award. He is the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Seniors Junction, a company that offers high-quality, community courses online for seniors in the arts, to help us stay sharp and stave off dementia. The company is headquartered in Burlington.

John Collins aka Andrew McKinney is the author of "How I Lost My Hair Raising Teenage Girls and the lessons I learned", Andrew made the presentation funny and enjoyable; there was some discussion after about the challenges of teenagers. Because the stories are all true, he has published his book under a pen name in order to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent.
 

In his presentation, he talked about the unique opportunity in retirement to pursue dormant hobbies and dreams, which for him was writing a humorous memoir and song writing. In the second half of his presentation 

he talked about his road to publishing and gave tips for listeners that have always wanted to write and publish a book, even if it was just a family history for their family’s use.

Ted Barris is a Canadian writer, journalist, professor and broadcaster. He writes a weekly column, “The Barris Beat” and is a regular contributor to “The Globe and Mail” and the “National Post”. His non-fiction works focus on Canada’s Military heritage. He has authored 18 books. He spoke to our Club on his latest book, Battle of the Atlantic 

Dr. Laura Cookson was the speaker for January. Dr Cookson is a Developmental, Behavioural & Rehabilitative Optometrist. The presentation focused on public awareness of eye health and the importance of eye exams which are currently covered under OHIP for 65 and over. 

Barbara Dickson is an award-winning, best-selling, multi-published author. 

She focused on the invaluable contribution during the Second World War made by Canadian women -bomb girls- engaged in war work at munition factories 

Krisandra Einboden has been a uniformed member of the Halton Regional Police since 2016.

In June 2022, she took on the role of seniors and Vulnerable Persons Investigator for the Town of Milton and Halton Hills.

The Older Adults Criminal Investigations Team works in partnership with uniformed officers to conduct criminal investigations, including thefts, frauds, physical assaults and harassing phone calls 

Marina Huissoonis a Principal of Green Propeller Design.  Marina is a leader and strategic thinker for the firm.  She is a Board Member of Sustainable Milton, President of CFUW Milton and District and Architect.  With a background in Architecture and Urban Planning, Marina has a rich understanding of the factors that influence our built environment; and, consequently, our energy emissions.  As a business owner, Marina has a wealth of experience in navigating the sometimes-complex dynamics of competing business and public interest.  A longtime advocate for passive energy sources and respect for the natural environment, Marina is currently a board member of Sustainable Milton.  Sustainable Milton is a grass roots non-partisan organization working for a resilient and sustainable future for our community.
As President of CFUW Milton and District, Marina is also an active leader on campaigns to improve the lives of women and girls in the community and around the world.  Advocating for women to bring gender equality to all aspects of our society is a continued focus of Marina's work.

 

Astrid Lakats is the Chair of the Board of Townsend Smith Foundation..  She is a past Board Chair of the Mississauga Halton Community Care Access Centre.. In her time with Community Care, she saw the profound impact of hospice care on terminally ill patients and their families. She is honoured to be part of this incredible journey to build a hospice in North Halton  

Lauraine Andrews and her husband Bert were the owners of Andrew's  Scenic Acres for many years. She is a professional social worker and worked for 20 years in  palliative and geriatric care. She worked at Mississauga Hospital, Halton Centennial Manor and Community  Care Access Centre in the north Halton area. While with CCAC, she learned about Hospice Care  and it has become her passion to help bring a much needed Hospice to Milton, Georgetown and Acton.  

Doreen Clarke is a lifelong Milton Resident.  Doreen has been employed at the Town of Milton since 1999. She is a certified canfitpro licensed fitness/cycle instructor and a certified yoga instructor. She is an avid cyclist on both road and indoor track at our Velodrome.  She is now enjoying an active retirement and travelling the world.  Fitness and living a healthy lifestyle have been part of her life since she was  young and she truly believes that the more active you are in retirement,  the longer and happier life you will lead.  Doreen demonstrated a number of exercises for seniors to maintain core muscle strength and tone.

Ingrid Hollinger was our speaker for April.  Her presentation focused on  how to downsize when  the time comes with very little or no effort or stress.  Stagers, de-clutterers, movers, furniture and estate sellers will all be your new best friends as you enter the crazy world of today's real estate market.  

We learned that Milton is one of the communities with the largest growth in average home prices in Canada.  

In the 1950 movie All About Eve, Bette Davis, as Margo Channing famously said "Fasten your seat belts, its going to be a bumpy night".  Was she thinking of the real estate market in Milton, 72 years in the future?

At our March meeting, we welcomed back George Sanford, who provided an entertaining and wide-ranging survey of the Sensuous Seasons.

Drawing on representations of seasonal characteristics expressed in paintings, music and written word, George lifted our spirits from the cold grip of late winter with images of blossoming spring, sultry summer nights and sun-dappled autumn walks.  Of course, a return to winter was inevitable.  Happily, when viewed through the lens of fine music and paintings, the frigid season seemed less ominous.

Members were heard to express their appreciation that in Canada, we have the luxury of the experience of four seasons with different temperaments.

Our February meeting speaker Lianne Harris Racioppo put the spotlight on Black History Month with a survey of people and events central to the story of Canadians of African descent.  

Key to this history are the 7 waves of black immigration into Canada that go as far back as the arrival of Champlain with his interpreter, Mathieu Da Costa.

Lianne offered glimpses of the depth of black Canadian contributions to the development of the country in the face of significant challenges.  Her talk reminded us that there is a rich black history that is unique to Canada and about which, we know too little.

Colin Best, Halton Regional councillor for Milton Ward 1, started off the 2022 year with a presentation to our January meeting over Zoom.  Colin provided an update on a full range of issues and developments affecting the Town of Milton.  With his trademark straight-forward approach, Colin gave us the latest on everything from the Wilfrid Laurier University campus, to the CN intermodal development to the possibility of a Costco in Milton!!  Colin even spilt the tea (as the young folks say) on the likelihood that he will run for Mayor in the next election.

On December 1 club members gathered over Zoom with seasonal drinks in hand for an entertaining hour of story and song as George Sanford took us on a guided tour of the wonders of Christmas traditions around the world.

From the origins of the Chirstmas Tree, to Christmas puddings and Christmas pickles, we were entertained and informed about the seasonal focus that brings the year to a close.

 Selina Long, the Community Outreach Librarian of the Milton Public Library, was our presenter in November.

Selina provided a wealth of information about the wide range of programs, activities and on-line events provided to the community by MPL.  

We learned that a modern library is more than a collection of books.  Computer technology has kept the library a relevant and central institution in civic life. 

Bill Pike, a retired educator from Kincardine, demonstrated why "Getting old isn't for the faint of heart".  Bill, the author of "Seniors Matter(s)", shared his thoughts on the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of senior living.

Notably, Bill is an active member of his local Probus Club.

Lianne Leddy is an associate professor of Indigenous Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University and a member of Serpent River First Nation.

Dr. Lianne Leddy spoke to us about what Indigenous women’s voices teach us about our unique histories. Based on her research and interviews with Elders, Dr. Leddy told us about the ‘Indian Homemaker’s Club’ from the 1950s to demonstrate the power of Indigenous women’s activism in our communities.

Elaine Charal, a certified graphologist, a.k.a. "handwriting analyst" entertained and informed our May meeting attendees with insights and observations gleaned from her 20 year experience in the field.  Yes, your signature and your handwriting disclose elements of your personality to those in the know.

Using samples submitted by Club members Elaine was surprisingly accurate in her assessment of various personality traits.  Penmanship still counts!

Christine Allum, a Senior Advisor, Investor Engagement and Stakeholder Partnerships in Investor Office at the Ontario Securities Commission gave presentation at our April 4, 2021 meeting entitled "Protect Your Money".  Christine educated us on some of the common frauds and scams in the financial marketplace.  Christine is a strong believer that investor education is a key element to fraud prevention.

 Steve Chapelle has been providing information privacy and security education to Canadian organizations since 2006. Prior to that he spent over 20 years in information technology management, analysis and customer service, primarily in the financial services sector. Information management experience has included security, availability and disaster recovery planning. “The personal expressions and messages we routinely exchange in social media are in no way private. Some understand this and use discretion in their digital communication. Others do not or willfully continue to distribute content that puts reputation, property and physical safety at risk.Refusing to take part in social media will gradually lead to personal and functional isolation. The answer lies in developing an instinct for appropriate digital communication." 

 Since retiring from a career teaching English, Linda Beck has directed her energies to the study of Broadway musicals from the early Twentieth Century. She began by collecting the songs of Cole Porter and reading everything possible about his life. Her interests soon widened to include other well-known creators of musicals and some of the great performers of the period. Linda has taught courses for Later Life Learning at the University of Toronto and for the Life Institute at Ryerson University, and she has lectured for George Brown College Seniors Association and Lifelong Learning Mississauga. She also does multimedia presentations for retirement homes, synagogues and private groups. 

  Chris Lemieux takes a collaborative approach to research and strives to enhance understanding of priority policy and management issues pertaining to natural resources, with special emphasis on parks and other forms of protected areas.

He also has strong interests in linking human health and well-being to policy and practice related to conservation. 

MARk Terry is an Environmental Studies instructor at York University. He is one of Canada's real life explorers whose vast global travels have enabled him to make a documentary on every continent in the world. He is the author of many books that address innovations in climate communications technologies as well as the COVID19 pandemic.

Mark recently wrote the book Pandemic Poetry that applies his varied life experiences and provides some hope and comfort for the world during the pandemic.

Mark provided a very uplifting presentation. He kindly provided a copy of his new book Pandemic Poetry: A Collection of Poetic Musings on Life During the Coronavirus for a member Draw.

Ellin Bessner spoke to our Probus group on November 4th. 

Ellin is a Canadian journalist and accomplished speaker based in Toronto. She is the author of a new book about Canada's Jewish servicemen and women who fought in the Second World War. The book is called Double Threat: Canadian Jews, the Military and World War 11.

Daniel Aonso, from Circle Enrichment, gave a presentation of "Woodstock Revisited" by Zoom in October.  It has been 50 years since the Woodstock Festival.  This was an historic event of "three days of peace and love", which still resonates throughout all music today.

 Lianne Harris Racioppo  is a professional speaker and a History and Culture Specialist , currently working as a Resource Specialist with the Toronto District School Board. She is also  curriculum advisor for Upper Canada College.

Lianne presented via ZOOM , in costume , Royal Scandals.  Her presentation was very entertaining in a dynamic and insightful way.

 Aruna Papp is a nationally and internationally recognized educator and advocate of human rights. Her focus is on women’s rights in cross-cultural perspectives. 

She is also a survivor of 18 years of domestic violence.  For 35 years Aruna worked as a counsellor/therapist assisting families dealing with domestic

 violence. 

Rob Green welcomed us in his native African language and asked for volunteers to help make the “Sounds of The Drum”.  He followed this by strumming and singing a song about lost freedoms and slavery (which was more lucrative than the buying and selling of spices and precious metals between 1501 and 1867).  He then touched on the slave ships, the auctions, the beatings, the family separations and the arrival of Harriett Tubman, "the underground railway," and "safe houses".

Colin Best, Regional Councillor, Milton updated us on what's happening in Milton

Did you know Milton's population is projected to reach 350,000 by 2041,  up from 125,000 today.

Shown Brian Best at left thanked by  member Jim Miller

Sergeant Ryan Snow Halton Regional Police updated us on the Ride Program, testing for impairment from alcohol and cannabis as well as other tips

Did you know: -spot checks always employ a "chase car" so you cannot avoid a check by turning around

- total estimated cost of impaired conviction is $20,000

Dr. Bruce McKay, professor in the Department of Psychology Wilfred Laurier University

Dr. McKay educated members on the medical effects of cannabis, the history and current laws in regard to it and what to expect in the future.

(picture  courtesy of  member George Morita; Dr. McKay thanked by Past President Ray Mathews

Dr. Josephine McMurray associate professor from Wilfrid Laurier University, spoke about our ageing population and its affect on society as well as technology's role in assisting the senior generation 

(picture courtesy of member George Morita) 

Rod Seiling left congratulated by our Terry Cole right, highlighted the benefits offered by the Canadian Snowbirds Association including travel trips and resources available to Snowbird members.

DID you know Rod  is a retired NHL star who assisted Team Canada win the famous 1972 game against Russia?

A great speaker

(picture courtesy of member George Morita)

Our member Marlene Murphy thanks speaker Lianne Harris Racioppo on the Roaring 20's. including excellent pictures with explanations about that great era