(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
March Guest Speaker
Leanne Kopp
Vancouver Island Prostate Centre
Don Lambourne introduced the speaker, Leanne Kopp, Director of the Vancouver Island Prostate Centre, and further comments were provided by Rick Connolly, a prostate cancer survivor who volunteers at the centre.
Ms. Kopp provided an excellent outline of the services provided to men from all over Vancouver Island, and indicated that one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and that the disease can be treated very successfully, especially if diagnosis is early. Leanne recommended that the PSA test combined with the digital rectal exam is an excellent diagnostic approach, and said that the survival rate is above 90% when treatments are performed as prescribed. If the patient’s physician orders the PSA test there is no cost, but otherwise the fee is $35.00. The Prostate Centre holds a clinic each fall at which they perform several hundreds of PSA tests at no cost. This year’s clinic will be held at Tillicum Mall, Saturday September 14th. The presentation was a very popular topic, generating a great many questions from member, which were answered very capably by Ms. Kopp.
===============================================
Jack Parry related his own experience with prostate cancer and thanked the speaker and presented her with her wooden bowl.
====================================
Jim Warr
Jim Warr, member since 2013, who passed away at the age of 96 was remembered with a moment of silence during the March meeting.
.
====================================
Tony Charles-Roberts was inducted as a new member. Tony was sponsored by Don Amos and Mike Parfitt.
Tony introduced himself by saying he was born in Nottingham England, and received his education in that country, becoming a chartered accountant. He and his wife decided to spend three years in an overseas location, and considered Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA, and Canada. Lucky for us, they chose Canada, and spent three years in Edmonton before re-locating to Victoria. He and Mrs. Charles-Roberts have two adult sons, both located in British Columbia. Welcome to the club Tony!
=============================================
March 7, General Meeting
Greeter: Peter Hollick
50/50 Draw: John Olson
Miscellaneous Reports
Bridge Jim Surgenor: Jim was not in attendance, but Rod McLeod reminded members that the Bridge Group’s wind-up dinner would be held at Odyssia Restaurant on May 9, 2019, which date is the 25th Anniversary of the Probus Club of Saanich Peninsula – formed May 9, 1994.
Golf Andy Rosequist: Andy was absent but Rod McLeod noted that there would be golf at the Cordova Bay Ridge Course Friday March 8 at 10:30 am. The first golf group outing will be at Highland Pacific in April, date to be announced later.
Hoppy Hour Rod McLeod: Hoppy hour will next be held at 3:00 pm, Wednesday March 13 at the Waddling Dog Pub on Mt. Newton Crossroad at Patricia Bay Highway.
Executive Reports
President: Tom Wallace noted that May 9, 2019 is the 25th Anniversary of the club, and that District Governor Keith McGregor would like to present a certificate to commemorate the anniversary at whatever function the club chooses for the marking of the anniversary. The only surviving charter member of the club is Al Radons. Tom asked for a show of hands to indicate member interest in resurrecting the Solstice Dinner in June (which had not been held in 2018) and a strong showing of hands indicated that members are indeed in favor of a Solstice event on or about June 21. A possible venue being considered is the Sea Cider facility on Mt. St. Michaels Road in Central Saanich, and Events Chair Mike Parfitt will report on his research of that facility. Members and members of the executive will consider whether to mark the anniversary at the Solstice event or at the August Barbecue at Heritage Acres.
Membership: Andy Rosequist was absent but had arranged a very capable substitute in the person of Rod McLeod, who reported that 48 members were in attendance, and that fees were collected in the amount of $96.00 at the prescribed $2.00 per member.
Treasurer: Peter Keith-Murray, sitting in for Vic Swan until later in March reported that the Bank balance as of March 7 is $1,366.20.
Secretary: Rod Fimrite noted that Al Colborne, who was in attendance today, has moved into suite 319 at Berwick House Royal Oak, and is enjoying life there, and is busy dodging the widows that are numerous at that facility. Rod notified members that the Psychology Department at University of Victoria is seeking people over 50 years of age to participate in a research project being conducted by graduate student Jamie Knight into how olfactory (sense of smell) training can be implemented into the lives of older people. Deteriorating sense of smell can lead to neurodegenerative disease, and training in the use of the sense of smell can assist in combating risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. These 2-hour sessions will be held on three different dates at the Interactive Lifespan Lab at UVIC: 10:00 am to noon Wednesday March 13; 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Friday March 15; and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm Sunday March 17th. Parking is free, and registration may be made by telephone at 250-472-4863 or online at lifespanlab@uvic.ca
Speakers: Rod McLeod reported that the speaker at the April 4, 2019 General meeting will be Dr. Edward Ishiguro, Professor Emeritus, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology from UVIC, on the topic “The Biology of Aging”, and that the speaker at the May 2 meeting will be Steve Wallace of Wallace Driving School on the topic of the mandatory driving tests now required of drivers turning 80 years of age. Rod also asked members to contact him regarding any possible candidates for guest speaker.
Events: Mike Parfitt noted that the tour of the Helicopter Squadron was very successful, and further favourable remarks about that tour were added later by Jim Dryden. Mike reported that he had visited the Sea Cider facility on Mt. St. Michael’s Road to assess it as a venue for the possible Solstice dinner. He reported that in addition to a cider tasting room, they have a summertime canvas enclosure that can accommodate an event, and that catering is available. Mike also reported that he has booked the Heritage Acres Museum site for the BBQ for August 14th, and that consideration will be given to using Island Catering, who did it last year, or Blue Eyes Catering, whom the Brentwood Probus Club have used and recommended, or The Prairie Inn Catering, also recommended. Some sample menus were available. Tom Wallace commended Mike Parfitt for his efforts in arranging events, and encouraged other members to assist Mike, who is alone with the Events Portfolio.
Past President: Jim Dryden reported that he had sent a card to the family of the late member Jim Warr, and that the customary $50.00 donation is being made to Saanich Peninsula Hospital and Healthcare Foundation in Mr. Warr’s memory.
Note: Member Doug Ross announced that UVIC is presenting a series of lectures on the subject of Artificial Intelligence at 10:00 am to noon on Saturdays March 9, 16, and 23rd. Cost for the whole series is $15.00. The link is:
50-50 Draw administered by John Olson: Won by Alan Case in the amount of $36.00. Alan will be responsible to handle the 50-50 draw at the April 4th Meeting.
