Fellowship, Friendship and Fun: Probus Club of Bolton and District celebrates 30th anniversary

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

More than 100 members packed the halls of the Albion Bolton Community Centre on May 14 to celebrate the Probus Club of Bolton and District's 30th anniversary, both in style and in line with the club's motto: fellowship, friendship and fun.

Probus Clubs are volunteer-based, non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian organizations that provide opportunities for seniors to get together for meetings, excursions, and fun activities, while prioritizing mental and physical activity.

These clubs believe that strong social connections help people live longer and healthier lives.

The Bolton Probus Club is celebrating 30 years of doing just that.

Founded in May of 1996, Bolton Probus' history is woven with Carl Henry Ingebertson's legacy.

Ingebertson was stated to be “one of the most influential figures in the development of Probus in Ontario” and was instrumental in the creation and early development of the Probus Club of Bolton.

At the celebration, members took the time to recognize his history and help lay the foundation for their club.

President Graham Ferguson noted that over 100 members attended that day, explaining that at their meetings, mor than 60 members typically attend.

He says their events range in style and flair from walking groups to kitchen events, book clubs, barbecues, and more to keep their members connected and having fun.

Lining the tables in the back were sign-up sheets for their various upcoming activities. Members could be seen scrawling their names for movie night, tribute band performances, and even a donkey sanctuary tour.

Chuck Heroux, District Director for Ontario District 2, attended the event that day as well, noting that meeting Probus members across the district is one of the best parts of his job.

When he visits Probus Clubs, he adds, he is often told by members that Probus “saved their life.”

Heroux explains that the club's goals of fighting social isolation are key and why staying connected through groups like this is so important.

Various local organizations supported the celebration; Fortinos, Giant Tiger, Mars Canada, and Home Depot each contributed to the celebration that day.

Acting Mayor Doug Maskell attended the celebration, sharing that both his mother-in-law and father-in-law are members of Probus Clubs themselves, often noting the opportunities they have to connect with the community, and the activities they've gotten up to.

“We know that one of the great pains of retirement for many people is some isolation, as we move away from some of those work colleagues we might have had, maybe a family moved away, it's very, very difficult to maintain those connections in our community. And so, Probus plays a really important role in creating new connections and maintaining other ones over the course of many years,” said Maskell.

“The great thing about Probus is its motto, fellowship, friendship, and fun, and when I look out here I can see people who are happy to be here today, who are keeping those connections within their community and with each other.”