Close to home

This past Sunday, Rick and I enjoyed a tour of the County. I’ve lived here all my life, and Rick has lived/worked here for over 50 years and, nevertheless, we learned some things we didn’t know before. The PROBUS Club of Prince Edward County held their Second Annual Car Rally with 29 cars and 69 participants. The route took four-plus hours to navigate with stops along the way to pick up playing cards for a poker hand. There were also some tasks and information stops to enjoy.

The whole event was topped off with a gathering in Wellington to enjoy home made chili and distribute the prizes. Of course, there was much socializing along the way because that’s what PROBUS is all about. The PROBUS Club of Prince Edward County was officially established on August 23, 2018 and the club has grown from 88 charter members to its current count of 275 members. This club was sponsored by the PROBUS Club of Quinte which, at the time, had Wellington’s Ralph Hall as President. Ralph and I founded the local PROBUS Club, thinking that people in Prince Edward County would embrace it—and they sure have. Ralph has since passed away and I miss him every day.

PROBUS across the globe is non-political, nonsectarian, non-profit and non-fundraising. Our club members are retired and semi-retired PROfessional and BUSiness individuals who like to meet new people, socialize, participate in activities, and have fun. The Club meets monthly to hear guest speakers. Social events and group interest activities are ongoing throughout the month. See our website at www.countyprobus.ca for more information.

The team of PROBUS members who arranged the Car Rally last year and again this year spend months in preparation. We found out that “Prince Edward County sits entirely on a limestone plain, with one exception. The absolute southernmost surface of the Canadian Shield is right here in the County. Located in the Victoria and Weese Road area, the Ameliasburgh Inlier is a 12-acre granite knob that juts out exposing a 950 million year old Precambrian granite outcrop that was never fully buried or was uncovered by a glacial erosion.” Who knew?

We had stops at Villa Di Casa Boutique Hotel where we threw coins in the “Trevi” fountain and put a love lock (with our engraved initials) on the fence. Carson’s Garden & Market was a highlight and, as required, we took a selfie with a reindeer. It was a beautiful fall day on Sunday for a stroll through the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village. Next stop was Campbell’s Orchard & Country Market where the parking was at a premium. The Ostrich Farm was another highlight and I took Rick’s photo in an ostrich egg!

We drove by the Carrying Place Military Base, which provides continuous ratio network communications for aircraft flying across Canada, the Atlantic and the Arctic corridor. We stopped long enough to enjoy the sun and a glass of wine while sitting at a picnic table at Marqs Meadery and Winery.

The icing on the top was that my five cards were a Full House and I was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers donated by Carson Arthur. When I was at the Market, I took a photo of the white roses in the cooler because I love them so much (we had white roses at our wedding!) and they were huge and beautiful. Little did I know that I’d be taking home an arrangement featuring those same white roses.

The whole event was perfectly planned and executed by the PROBUS organizers. It was simply superb in every way. Even the weather cooperated. And, we learned new things about the County while enjoying the drive and the socializing along the route culminating with the party back in Wellington where we started.

Debbie MacDonald Moynes is Executive Director of The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association.

info@communitycareforseniors.org