PROBUS Club of Cambridge upcoming events

Monthly Meeting with Peter Hunton (April 29, 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Local author and longtime Cambridge Community Players member Peter Hunton—also a longstanding member of our PROBUS Club of Cambridge—offers an engaging and entertaining presentation based on his new book In Which We Play, which celebrates 90 years of Cambridge theatre history.

The book chronicles the story of Cambridge Community Players (formerly Galt Little Theatre), capturing the personalities, productions, and pivotal moments that have shaped our community’s cultural life since 1935. Drawing from archival photos, programs, and first-hand memories, Peter brings to life the evolution of a small volunteer troupe into a cornerstone of local arts.

His talk is lively, visual, and filled with behind-the-scenes stories that resonate with anyone who values history, theatre, or community spirit. Audiences leave with a renewed appreciation for Cambridge’s creative legacy and the volunteers who kept the curtain rising for nine decades.

Read the local media coverage here: CambridgeToday.ca – Local author’s latest book highlights Cambridge theatre’s 90-year history

PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, Gord Hunter will be delivering his personal vignette.

LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

Wellington County Museum and Lunch (May 08, 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 15:45:00 GMT

Cost $48/person

The Wellington County Museum and Archives (WCMA) tells the stories of the people and places of Wellington County. Our Mandate is to serve as a cultural centre, providing resources, programmes, exhibits, support, and services for the historical, educational, and artistic interests of our communities.

The Wellington County Museum and Archives is a National Historic Site, located in the oldest remaining rural House of Industry and Refuge in Canada. Commonly known as the Poor House, this building was built in 1877 as a place for the poor, homeless, and destitute people of Wellington County. Approximately 1,400 men, women, and children sought refuge here from 1877 until 1947.

Agenda

11:45 am arrival please, consider car pooling
12:00 noon - a light lunch will be provided, consisting of soup and a sandwich or yogurt, served in one of the museum rooms.

After lunch, two guided tours will run concurrently, participants will be divided into two groups.

Museum Tour: Approximately 1 hour
Poor House Exhibit Tour: A guided tour of the Poor House exhibit as it existed from the 1890s to the 1940s. Approximately 1 hour
Both groups will tour at the same time, rotating between the two experiences

There is a lot to see beyond the organized tours, allow extra personal time.

Registration Notes

Accessibility: Minimal walking, elevator available
Maximum of 3 guests per registered member
No guaranteed refunds after May 1
Registration end date is May 1
Maximum number of reservations available is 40

Transportation

Consider car pooling with another member. Contact Dennis (see below) if you need help with getting a ride, or can help by providing a ride.

Would you prefer to register by phone, or need to cancel or add/remove guests? Please contact Martin Pemberton at martinpemberton007@gmail.com

Event organizer Dennis Ellesmere can be contacted at 519-212-8267 or dellsmere@gmail.com

Monthly Meeting with Jean Rowcliffe (May 27, 2026)

Wed, 27 May 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Nanny to the Royals

Ms Jean Rowcliffe (who lives in St Marys) is a retired nanny, formerly employed by the Royal family. She began working for them as a 17 year old servant at Buckingham Palace in 1974.

After 18 months she briefly returned to Canada, before heading back to England to attend the prestigious Norland College (the training ground which still produces nannies for the Royal Family including the Prince and Princess of Wales).

After she graduated in 1979, her previous experience at Buckingham Palace helped her land a job as a nanny, helping the Prince and Princess of Kent raise a young Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Gabriella Kingston.

She spent four and a half years at Kensington Palace before continuing her career in other fascinating locations around the world.

What was it like working for the Royals, you'll have to attend this PROBUS meeting to find out!

PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, a member will be delivering his personal vignette.

LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

Mohawk Raceway with Buffet Dinner (June 19, 2026)

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Cost: $70/person

Trackside buffet dinner PROBUS style. Set in a quaint country setting, Mohawk is a scenic and exciting place to enjoy a delicious meal with a view, while enjoying all the horse racing.

The Days Schedule

if you'd like to go early, walk around the casino and maybe gamble a bit, feel free to go to the casino at any time you wish.

5:30 pm - be seated at a table in the dining room area reserved for PROBUS (elevator available)
6:00 pm - buffet meal service begins, open until 9:00 pm
6:30 pm - horse racing begins
hostess betting assistance
horse racing continues until 11 pm or later, feel free to leave whenever you wish

Buffet Dinner

includes a variety of main course, salad and dessert choices, plus coffee or tea
alcoholic beverages are available at your own expense

Registration Notes

Maximum of 3 guests per registered member
Maximum number of reservations available is 40
Wait list will be available once capacity is reached
Registration deadline June 5th
No cancellation refunds after June 5th

Directions to Mohawk Raceway

Take Highway 401 towards Toronto and get off at the Guelph Line exit, travel north half a mile to Mohawk Raceway. Travel time is about 30 minutes.

Accessibility

500 meter walk from parking lot to escalator
Possibly 3 or 4 steps down to your table

Registration Notes

Maximum of 3 guests per registered member
No guaranteed refunds after June 5
Registration end date is June 5
Maximum number of reservations available is 40

Would you prefer to register by phone, or need to cancel or add/remove guests? Please contact Martin Pemberton at martinpemberton007@gmail.com

If you need a ride or have questions, the event organizer Pat Ramcharitar can be contacted at (519) 584-4764 or ramcharitap@gmail.com

Monthly Meeting with Brian Paul (June 24, 2026)

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Brian Paul is the Executive Director of Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW).

SHOW is a local non-profit that designs, builds, and operates permanent, affordable homes paired with onsite supports for people who’ve experienced homelessness.

SHOW’s work is rooted in the belief that housing is a fundamental right, and its teams focus on helping tenants stabilize health, rebuild skills, and reconnect with community through a Housing First and harm-reduction approach.

In short: it’s housing plus the practical, day-to-day supports that help people stay housed.

A Cambridge resident, Brian will share his unique perspective regarding today's growing homelessness and encampments challenges.

PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, a member will be delivering his personal vignette.

LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

Castle Kilbride Tour and Baden Hotel Lunch (July 21, 2026)

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Cost $15.00/person

Discover the remarkable heritage of Baden with a guided tour of Castle Kilbride, the 1877 Italianate villa built by James Livingston—entrepreneur, politician, and Canada’s famed Flax and Oil King.

Now a National Historic Site, Castle Kilbride is celebrated for its exquisite trompe-l’œil murals, Renaissance-inspired décor, and beautifully preserved Victorian grandeur. As you explore its stately rooms and hear the stories of the Livingston family, you’ll gain a vivid sense of the innovation and ambition that shaped this community.

After the tour, continue your journey through Baden’s past with lunch at the Baden Hotel, located just across the street. Built in 1874, it is one of Canada’s oldest continuously operating taverns and a longstanding gathering place for locals. Its Victorian-era charm, warm hospitality, and hearty comfort-food menu make it the perfect spot to relax, share impressions from the tour, and enjoy a taste of Baden’s living history.

Together, Castle Kilbride and the Baden Hotel offer a rich, immersive experience—where heritage, architecture, and good food come together in the heart of a remarkable Ontario town.

Accessibility

Ramp access to the building
Elevator to 3 of 4 floors
About 100 yards of walking

Registration Notes

If sold out with a waiting list, a second date may be added
Maximum of 3 guests per registered member
No guaranteed refunds after June 30
Registration end date is June 30
Maximum number of reservations available is 30

Would you prefer to register by phone, or need to cancel or add/remove guests? Please contact Martin Pemberton at martinpemberton007@gmail.com

Event organizer Dan Clements can be contacted at 519-212-8267 or dclements@apos.com if you have questions or need a ride.

Annual Golf Tournament (August 19, 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

$TBA for golf, cart and steak dinner
$TBA for golf and cart only, no steak dinner
$TBA for steak dinner only

The best ball (scramble) format makes this a fun event for golfers of all skill levels. PROBUS members are welcome to bring guests. This is a good way to introduce a friend to the fellowship of PROBUS.

The program is similar to past years: 18 holes of golf followed by a dinner and “awards” ceremony with prize exchange.

Post game meal will be a barbecued steak dinner with baked potato, Caesar salad, dinner rolls and butter Coffee and Tea, with dessert.
Payment will be required in advance by July 30th to confirm your registration. This is necessary to enable planning the logistics of the event for everyone’s enjoyment.

The price for green fees with one half cart rental and the dinner includes taxes and tip. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are extra.

For those who would like to participate in the fellowship of the dinner only, the fee will be $TBA.

To participate in the prize table, 'bring a prize and win a prize', just bring a prize with a minimum $25 value for the prize table. Then you are eligible to choose a prize with your team as scores are announced.

Your group will Tee off from the 1st Tee. The first foursome at approximately 12:00-12:30 PM, and each foursome every 9 minutes thereafter. Your specific tee time and details of the day’s program will be advised prior to the event.

Registration Notes

Maximum of 1 guest per registered member
Maximum number of reservations available is 32 (8 foursomes)
Wait list will be available once capacity is reached
Cut off date for cancellations is July 30th
No refunds after July 30th

If you have questions or would like to arrange for a ride, Contact Martin Pemberton at 226-750-2513 or martinpemberton007@gmail.com.

Would you prefer to register by phone, or need to cancel or add/remove guests? Please contact Martin Pemberton at martinpemberton007@gmail.com

Monthly Meeting with Dr Christopher DiCarlo (August 26, 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Dr. Christopher DiCarlo is a philosopher, educator, author, and widely respected speaker on critical thinking, ethics, and the future of artificial intelligence.

As Principal and Founder of Critical Thinking Solutions and Senior Researcher and Ethicist at Convergence Analysis, he brings both academic depth and real-world insight to one of the most important issues of our time.

His work spans bioethics, cognitive evolution, public education, and AI governance, and he is also the author of several books, including Building a God: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Race to Control It.

In his presentation, Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity, Dr. DiCarlo explores the astonishing speed at which AI has advanced and why this has forced researchers, ethicists, and policymakers to confront urgent questions much sooner than expected.

He begins by explaining key AI concepts so audiences can better understand the technology and engage in informed discussion. He then examines both the promise and the peril of AI, from breakthroughs in medicine, education, efficiency, and scientific discovery to risks arising from misuse, poor governance, or systems that fail to align with human values.

Finally, he highlights the important role the public can play in shaping the future of AI through critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and active participation in discussions about how these technologies should affect our lives.

PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, a member will be delivering his personal vignette.

LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

Summer BBQ Lunch (August 26, 2026)

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Cost: $TBA (includes tax and gratuities)

Here's the summer barbeque lunch plan:

11:15 am - meeting ends and cash bar opens
11:15 - 11:45 am - visit time with coffee, tea, water, fountain soft drinks or "something from the bar" beer and wine (cash only)
11:45 am - Tony Chaves' Portuguese Club crew, with help from Management Committee members, will deliver the salads and food as needed

That's about it .. it's meant to give time for mingling and saying hello to some members, particularly new ones! Here's the menu:

BBQ burger
cheeseburger
Octoberfest sausage on a bun with sauerkraut
Tossed green salad with choice of dressing
cole slaw
potato salad
macaroni salad
Choice of coffee, tea, water or fountain soft drink
A full dessert table with cookies, sweets and pastries (only one Portuguese tart per person)

Registration Notes

For registered members only, not spouses
Feel free to invite any guests who may be potential members
Deadline for registration is August 19
Cut off date for cancellations is August 19
No refunds after August 19

Transportation

If you would like a ride to and from the Portuguese Club, we will happily arrange that for you.

Would you prefer to register by phone, or need to cancel or add/remove guests? Please contact Martin Pemberton at martinpemberton007@gmail.com

If you have questions or would like to arrange for a ride, please contact Mike Titizian at (519) 635-1956 or email him at mike.titizian@gmail.com

Lighthouse Theatre and Luncheon at Erie Beach Hotel (September 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Cost: $TBA per person

A WOMAN'S LOVE LIST
WRITTEN BY NORM FOSTER

Megan and Carly write down a list of qualities for the perfect man, and to their surprise, he appears!

But perfection proves to be a moving target. As they begin tweaking the list – Blaze Wilson, their masterpiece, responds in kind, morphing from one personality to the next faster than you can say “emotional whiplash. Things get even messier when Blaze discovers the list and takes matters into his own hands.

Full of rapid-fire dialogue, bizarre romantic detours, and enough twists to qualify as cardio, A Woman’s Love List is a hilarious exploration of modern relationships and why love can’t be measured by bullet points

Schedule

11:30 am lunch at the Cove Room in the Erie Beach Hotel, 19 Walker St., Port Dover, ON
2:00 pm theater play starts at the Lighthouse Theater, 247 Main St., Port Dover, ON

Lunch Menu

TBA
Alcoholic beverages available for additional cost

Registration Notes

Accessibility:
Maximum number of reservations available is 48
3 guests allowed per member
Wait list will be available after registration capacity is reached
Registration deadline August 7
Cut off date for cancellations is August 7
No refunds after August 7

Would you prefer to register by phone, or need to cancel or add/remove guests? Please contact Martin Pemberton at martinpemberton007@gmail.com

If you have questions or would like to arrange for a ride, please contact Mike Titizian at (519) 635-1956 or email him at mike.titizian@gmail.com

Monthly Meeting with Jeff MacIntyre (September 30, 2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:30:00 GMT

Jeff MacIntyre, President of the Grand Valley Construction Association, will speak about the housing crisis through the lens of a construction industry undergoing rapid transformation.

He notes that the sector is evolving faster than anyone expected — from who enters the workforce to how projects are designed, priced, and delivered.

The traditional image of construction is giving way to one that’s more diverse, inclusive, and reflective of today’s society.

Jeff will explore how supply-chain volatility, shifting timelines, and new client expectations are reshaping how projects are priced and managed. The emphasis on risk mitigation, safety, and project management has led to more efficient and sustainable business practices.

At the same time, the integration of renewable energy solutions and sustainable building materials reflects both environmental responsibility and economic opportunity.

As regulations and standards continue to evolve, the industry’s capacity to stay compliant and innovative will determine its long-term success. Jeff argues that adapting to change is not just a necessity but a pathway to resilience and leadership — ensuring construction firms remain trusted, forward-thinking partners in community building.

Finally, he will reflect on the Grand Valley Construction Association’s 50-year history of supporting members through training, advocacy, and partnerships. Looking ahead, the next 50 years will depend on collaboration — connecting with educators, governments, and other sectors to fill knowledge gaps, create sustainable growth, and prepare the industry for the future.

As Jeff reminds us, construction remains one of the great industries: it builds careers, strengthens communities, and quite literally shapes the world we live in.

PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, a member will be delivering his personal vignette.

LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

Annual Billiards Tournament (November 20, 2026)

Fri, 20 Nov 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Beginners welcome! This event is for all skill levels, we have them all! Win or lose, a fun event!

This is a fun event to bring a friend with you as your guest, a great way to introduce them to our club!

Come at 11:30 (doors open) and go directly to the billiards tables. Lunch is optional and can be ordered while playing billiards.

No need to register for this event, just come. There is no cost from PROBUS, but you will pay at Chicago Billiards $12 per person for billiards and the cost of any food or beverages purchased.

Any questions please contact Bob Crawford, racjr1050@gmail.com, 519-621-1902.

Monthly Meeting with Kevin Swayze (November 25, 2026)

Wed, 25 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Cambridge History Through a Journalist’s Lens

Kevin Swayze brings over 40 years of experience as a journalist, storyteller, and communicator — and a deep personal connection to Cambridge’s history.

Having spent 17 years as a reporter and editor at the Cambridge Reporter, Kevin covered the people, places, and pivotal moments that shaped our community. When the presses stopped for good, it was Kevin who quite literally turned out the lights for the last time — closing a remarkable chapter in local journalism.

In this engaging presentation, Kevin revisits Cambridge’s past through fascinating stories and striking images that capture the city’s evolution — from its industrial roots and neighbourhood character to the people and events that defined its identity. Drawing from his decades behind the camera and keyboard, he brings history to life with humour, insight, and a journalist’s eye for detail.

Kevin has also shared his communication skills as a Conestoga College professor and presentation coach. He is currently also editor of Neighbours of West Galt magazine.

Join us for a lively look at Cambridge’s history, told by someone who lived it, wrote it, and helped preserve it for future generations.

PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, a member will be delivering his personal vignette.

LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

Christmas Gala featuring Corinne Plomish and Ralf Buschmeyer (December 04, 2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 16:00:00 GMT

The Dynamic Duo - Ralf Buschmeyer and Corinne Plomish - bring exceptional talent, polish, and warmth to every performance. Their musical partnership is seamless, with an easy stage presence and a repertoire that reflects both depth and versatility.

Corinne’s expressive voice and improvisational skill are matched beautifully by Ralf’s smooth, accomplished guitar playing. Together, they create an engaging and memorable experience that feels both intimate and richly textured.

Their thoughtful song selection and strong connection with one another make their performances especially enjoyable. For the PROBUS Men’s Club Christmas Gala, they should deliver a crowd-pleasing experience of music well suited to our members’ musical interests.

Price: TBA

Menu

Festive buffet meal with salads, main courses, desserts, coffee, tea
Cash bar available (cash only, no debit/credit cards)

Registration & Policies

Up to 3 guests per member
Capacity: 165 seats
Registration deadline: November 26
Cancellation deadline: November 26
No refunds after November 26

Transportation

Need a ride to and from the Portuguese Club? We’re happy to arrange it. Contact Pat Ramcharitar at (519) 584-4764 or ramcharitap@gmail.com

Registration Help

Would you prefer to register by phone, or need to add/remove a guest? Contact Martin Pemberton at martinpemberton007@gmail.com