The founding members of Probus Club of Stratford wanted to offer seniors a chance for fellowship, education and a little fun.
Some 22 years later, those members have been recognized with lifetime memberships, a first for the club.
Dr. Harry Brightwell, Alan Carr and Brenda Carr and Nelda Dwyer were honoured recently for 'fostering the club's development'.
"This was the first time and only time we can see doing it, but we wanted to honour our original members," club president Shirley Lacey told StratfordToday of the lifetime recognition.
"Harry was a Rotarian who saw that this could work in Stratford and there was a need for seniors getting together."
The Carrs and Dwyer helped get everything going, Lacey added.
The small founding group are undoubtedly proud of the club's growth, which now approaches 125 members.
Probus clubs are active around the world. Probus Canada's motto is 'get connected, stay connected', and it offers a chance for retirees and semi-retirees to meet new friends and connections and enjoy one another's company.
The clubs are non-profit and non-sectarian. There are 4,000 clubs worldwide and 250 in Canada. Per the Probus Canada website, the clubs aim to "stimulate thought, interest and participation in activities at a time in life when it is easy to become complacent."
Lacey said the club is similar to Rotary, although one major difference is there is no fundraising.
The local club has grown due to Stratford's reputation as a retirement destination, providing an influx of newcomers who may want to join, she said.
Membership and interest in general picked up after the pandemic when seniors where again looking to connect and get involved.
"It was what people needed after being isolated," Lacey said.
The Stratford club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans hall (Unit 261) at 10 a.m. Speakers appear via ZOOM, so members who may be away can also listen in. The last speaker focused on E-vehicles.
They also embark on tours, recently visiting Canadensys Aerospace in Stratford, a company that is building a prototype lunar rover.
The group also recently toured the Royal Botanical Gardens.
Though the name is a combination of 'professional' and 'business', anyone is able to join, Lacey said. Memberships are $50 per year.
Lacey said local club members were happy to honour their lifetime members. They were presented with certificates and a small gift.
"The ladies got roses, and the gentlemen got chocolates. It is wonderful they are still members and we wanted to honour them."
You can contact the club at this email address: http://[email protected].
Editor's note: A previous version of this story had Alan Carr's first name incorrect.
