Probus Perspectives:  April 

William C. Bryant, Poet, 1794-1878
 

     Now that the weather is improving it is evident that the seasonal activities of hiking, boating, birding, and biking are getting underway.  More folks are carrying binoculars to watch the wonder of birds, getting out in gardens, planning picnics or trips....   While the rainy weather might dampen one's activities and spirits, those who play bridge, games, get together for lunch/dinner, enjoy crafts, or read/discuss books weather the weather together.   Newer groups are sprouting:  dancing, listening to live music, and geocaching.  

     The Kamloops Grasslands Probus Club  (KGPC) has grown to 144 members with about 17 remaining on the wait list and is resolved to do membership renewal at the end of September.     The KGPC Club Activity Committee is busy with plans for a Prime Rib Dinner on April 25th, Lawn Bowling Lessons May 8th, a picnic at Paul Lake May 24th, and a possible trip to Salmon Arm in June (hold June 12th).  The Kamloops Probus Club has recently extended an invitation to members of the KGPC and the Thompson Rivers Probus Club (TRPC) to a mystery bus tour they scheduled for May 25th (See details below).   

 

Next General Probus Meeting is April 26.  It is a joint meeting with the Kamloops Probus Club.  There will be NO business meeting at this time.  We look forward to hearing about Wells Gray Provincial Park and a social gathering after Roland Neave's presentation.  

 

Given the relative newness of the Kamloops Grasslands Probus Club (began 2016) and the notion that management positions are two year terms, the management is planning/recommending we stagger start times for management positions to foster continuity and promote mentoring of the incoming management team.  Therefore, this fall the management nominating committee will be seeking volunteers to serve two year terms (2018-2020) for Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Hospitality Coordinator,  Speaker Coordinator, and Club Activity Coordinator, and Vice President (who then becomes President in 2019-2020, and Past President 2020-2021).  Position extended for an additional year:  Newsletter Editor (Val), Webmaster (Sean), Interest Group Coordinator (Jennifer).  Vice President Laurel Haywood-Farmer to become President in fall 2018 (a 1 year term), Cheryl Zawaduk to become Past President 2018-2019.   

 

Coordinators: Please send in Activity Group Updates/Events/Stories for the monthly newsletter to Val Collins. 

 

Romans gave April the latin name Aprilis^[1] but its root is uncertain. The traditional etymology is from the verb aperire, "to open".  Several of the roman calendar months were named after divinities and Aprilis was originally Venus's month and may be derived from her Greek goddess name Aphrodite (Aphros). It is also suggested by Jacob Grimm 1785-1863 (Philologist and mythologist) that the month was named in honor of the hypothetical god or hero Aper or Aprus. (Taken from wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April).  In the original roman calendar April had 29 days.  Julius Ceaser added the 30^th day.   

 

 

1778 -Captain James Cook sets sail from Nootka Sound in HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery, tracing the coast of British Columbia

1872 - First CPR bill introduced in Parliament. Ottawa, Ontario

1912 - Grand Truck Railway opens the Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa.

1920 - Winnipeg Falcons win hockey's first Olympic Gold medal.

1935  Frank Boucher, Ottawa native, given the NHL Lady Byng Trophy permanently.  

1944 - RAF Bomber fully loaded crashes into Griffintown, Montreal. RCN warships sink German destroyer. fatalities. Montreal, Quebec

1959 - Cuban Premier Fidel Castro visits Montréal. Montréal, Québec

1966 - Supreme Court of Canada authorized to review Steven Truscott's 1959 murder conviction and life sentence. 

1982 – 80% of 14,000 Ontario Doctors stage 2 day walk-out protesting new fee schedule.

 

April 26th is also National Audubon Day

April is also 

National Organ and Tissue Donor Week, Parkinson's Awareness Month, and

Wine Month (April Wine) in BC (2018)  

 

“They are smart, brave, bold, creative and kind. A number of researches show that April-born people tend to be a bit more introverted than extroverted. They’re also very critical towards themselves and strive for perfection in anything they do. They enjoy traveling, can’t stand unfairness and avoid fake people.” (Excerpt taken from https://en.amerikanki.com/traits-people-born-april/).  Diamonds and Daisies (or SweetPea) are April born stone and flower.  This april birth flower means cheerfulness, stability, modesty, innocence and sympathy.  (taken from http://www.list-of-birthstones.com/birth%20flowers/Daisy%20flower.html)  The April bird is a Canary.  

 

 

 

Please join members and guests at 1:00-3:30 pm at the Paul Lake Provincial

Campground Day-Use Park for some food and fun (picnic games).   RSVP via Clubrunner is appreciated.   Guests by $5 donation.  Other groups such as hiking or kayaking or birdwatching or any groups may want to consider engaging in an activity before or after picnicking.  

 

Some members are opting to stay overnight at the Paul Lake Campground.

Anyone welcome to go camping. Site 77 and 76 are currently reserved by Probus Members. This camping suggestion is NOT an official/organized club activity...... just a suggestion, no RSVP needed.  If interested in camping May 24th (or longer) See link:  http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/paul_lk/   That time of year reservations may not really be required.