PROBUS Club of the Gateway

PROBUS Club of the Gateway is a social club consisting of retired or semi-retired couples or singles who are active participants in the Georgian Bay community.  We connect with others, expand interests, gain knowledge and enjoy the fellowship of new friends.  We enjoy monthly meetings with informative and insightful speakers.  We expand our interests by participating in club activities. 

It all began in 1998 when an ad was placed in the Enterprise Bulletin asking for people who would like to start a PROBUS Club in Collingwood.  About a dozen people responded and the first meeting was held at the Gateway Restaurant on Tuesday November 17, 1998.  

A second meeting was held in December and an executive was formed:  President Wally Reid, Terry Morten, Ralph Martin, and the first social convener, Shirley Blatchford.  Approximately thirty members joined and went on to enjoy a barbecue, Car Rally, Christmas party, and many other social activities.

The picture below shows the restaurant our club is named after and is where the first meetings took place.   The other photos reflect members enjoying some of the first meetings.

And while some things have changed since 1998, for example the restaurant no longer exists, and cars have gotten a bit sleeker, the basics are still the same.