Lynn River Probus Club invites new members

Lynn River Probus members, from left, Ian Neville, June Ferris, Sandra Osinga, Bruce Pullen and Bernd Mueller

Alex Hunt

​Advocate Correspondent

From community guest speakers to golfing on the greens, The Lynn River Probus Club aims to encourage socialization within the retirement community.  

​The Simcoe-area club is looking for retired/semi-retired singles and couples to join its 70-person membership base. Inaugurated in 2014, the club serves as a social hub, encouraging the retirement community to participate in a variety of weekly activities, including playing golf, joining book clubs, attending appetizer nights, and enjoying meals.

President Bernd Mueller said that The Lynn River Probus Club is not a fundraiser for the community, but it provides a social escape for its members. The club also hosts community guest speakers on every third Wednesday of the month. Past speakers have included MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, filmmakers, and astronomy experts. 

Meetings are held at the Army Navy Air Force Unit 255 at 53 Water Street in Simcoe. Other activities are hosted at a member's residence or community venues.

New memberships cost $45 on an annual basis, on top of a $25 one-time name badge charge. Members will receive login information and will have access to a list of events and guest speakers on their website. 

​“My hopes are to keep everyone interested and engaged, and I want to continue our special activity nights and celebrate the harmony,” said Mueller. “My wife and I joined at the beginning of 2016. One of the basic rules of the club is that we do not talk politics and religion at our meetings.” 

​Mueller said that one of the most popular activities is App Night, which has been split into two groups due to high interest. A member will host the evening at their residence, with attendees bringing food and drinks; leftovers are taken home.​

“There’s also a golf group that I’m in charge of,” said Mueller. “I book the courses and arrange the number of people coming out, and we gather afterwards for lunch as well. There are a couple of book clubs in the group - my wife is in the first one, and I am organizing the second one.

​“The book clubs allow us to read stuff we wouldn’t always read, and then we get together, and a host provides drinks and snacks. We also have a martini group, and we make sure everybody has a drive for that one.”

​To become a member, people can visit the website and click the membership link, where they can sign a new members form. An email can be sent to lynnriver239@gmail.com for more information.