2024 AGM THANK YOU
I’d like to thank everyone who helped with the 2024 AGM.
I’d like to thank all of those who attended. I appreciate the support in guiding the club. I’m not easy at speaking (In front of groups that is! God knows I can talk!) and I appreciate support there as well.
Thanks to Harold and Paul for running the 50/50 draw, it was very successful! Over $200 dollars sold. The money goes to Rainbow Railroad: rainbowrailroad.org
The (newish) Board for 2024/25 is as follows:
President – Steve Sterritt
Vice-President – Gerald Martindale
Treasurer – Dave Ritchie
Secretary – Peter Small
Member-at-Large – Harold Desmarais
Member-at-Large – Leo LeBlanc NEW
The club thanks you all for remaining, or coming onto, the Board!
I also want to thank all of the volunteers who keep the club running through the year.
FINANCIAL REPORT AND BUDGET
As those who attended know there was no financial report or budget available. When they are complete and audited, I will have them sent out to all. Thanks Ed. If you have any questions, please contact me at president@primetimerstoronto.
I have been monitoring the situation. It will happen as soon as it can.
30TH ANNIVERSARY
Our chapter’s 30th anniversary of its charter is on Saturday March 1, 2025, the day we officially joined Prime Timers Worldwide.
Of course we’d like a celebration.
The Board would like someone to come forward to chair a committee, chosen by them, to decide what form that celebration will take and once approved take it forward and put together the event. There will be plenty of help. Please do not be intimated.
PTT APRIL 2024 INFORMATION EMAIL
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS EMAIL PLEASE EMAIL STEVE AT president@primetimerstoronto.
Please do not contact or REPLY to Ed except re: lunches/dinners.
SOCIAL
PRIME TIMERS APRIL SOCIAL
SATURDAY APRIL 20, 2PM – 4PM
THE 519, ROOM 106
Our topic is FRAUD and SCAMS
We are looking forward to an engaging chat and discussion about the major Frauds and Scams that are affecting older adults. In the age of increasing fraudulent activity older adults are one of the largest targeted demographics. Participants will learn what type of scams are currently targeting them and how to protect themselves form becoming a victim.
Our presenter, Kevin Pook is a Community Engagement Specialist working with Toronto Intergenerational Partnerships in Community, a non-profit agency that provides programming for older adults living in communities across the GTA. He is actively engaged in partnerships with other non-profit organizations.
Before the break Harold will give us information about Rainbow Railroad, the organization we are fundraising for with our 50/50 draw.
Rainbow Railroad is expected to give us a formal presentation next month.
After the break, new member, Ebrahim will enlighten us about his newfound hobby.
PLEASE TURN OFF, OR SWITCH TO VIBRATE, YOUR DEVICES DURING THE SOCIAL.
NON-PTT EVENTS
Just Prince has played for us at a Social.
Running Rivers | May 5 | 7 PM
On Sunday, May 5 at 7 PM, MCC Toronto’s presents the amazing trio, Running Rivers including our very own Just Prince with Abbas Jan on Tabla and Zeeshan on Guitar, as part of our new Concert series. All are welcome!
Running Rivers consists of three Toronto-based musicians, each bringing unique colours, moods, and resonance from their varied palettes of expression and experience. Their intention and approach towards music is rooted in understanding, humility, insignificance, and a celebration of the collective human experience. Running Rivers combines elements of jazz, alternative, rock, and blues with South Asian classical and folk traditions to create a truly original and uniquely Canadian sound.
A fundraiser in support of MCC Toronto’s Music Ministry, tickets for this event are now on sale at a cost of $20 per person.
The concert will be 75 minutes without an intermission. Doors open at 6:00 PM
PRIDE RECEPTION
Open your calendars now!
Keep Thursday June 27 free to attend our Pride Reception.
There will be snacks, entertainment and lots of men. We are inviting the Hamilton Chapter to join us. There will be one free drink per person. If you are bringing friends please bring someone who is eligible to join the club.
OF COURSE I’LL SEE LOTS OF PRIDE OUTFITS! RIGHT?!
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PTT CHAPTER
March 1 2025 will be the 30th anniversary of our chapter.
Two people have stepped up to help decide what type of celebration we should have. More voices on the committee would help make the decision more democratic.
If you are interested please email me at:
president@primetimerstoronto.
AFTER-LUNCH COFFEE
After our weekly lunches some of us go for coffee, and maybe just maybe a pastry. Everyone is invited. We do not go far.
Parliament Street does not have many coffee shops that can handle us. We have discovered though that Cabbagetown Deli on the southwest corner of Parliament and Winchester is happy to have us. This is a great location when lunches are on Parliament, or at Chew Chew’s.
Consider joining us.
WEEKLY COFFEES
There seems to be a bit of confusion about where we are going to coffee on which day.
Thursday at 2:00 is at Croissant Tree at Charles and Church.
Saturday at 11:00 is at Church Street Espresso (no x) at Isabela and Church.
If either of these are full then we go to the other. If both are full then try Our Hours down near Gloucester, on the east side.
90+ REMINDER
The board has voted to extend free registration to any member who is ninety or older at joining or at our yearly renewal time, October 1. Please tell us when you turn 90.
Congratulations for a life well lived.
EUCHRE
The next session for euchre is Monday March 21st from 2:00 to 4:30 at The 519, hopefully room 301.
The next dates are Monday 28th then May 5th, May 19th and May 26th.
New players are welcome and someone will help you out. We’d like to see more members out at these games.
ADVERTIZING REMINDER
When we had a true newsletter we had paid advertising. It stopped when the newsletter stopped. Recently I was contacted by one of the advertisers and asked if we would do it again. I told him our situation and he still wanted to put in an advertisement.
If you know anyone, or a business, that might t want to advertise please give them my PTT email. It is $75.00/year.
HAMILTON CHAPTER
Hamilton is not too far away.
Check out their website, newsletter and new FaceBook group to peruse their activities. Our members are always welcome.
Hamilton is invited to our Pride Reception,
Their current newsletter can be found on their website.
https://primetimershamilton.
NON-CLUB EVENTS
If you know of any events that our members might be interested in attending send the info to me and I’ll put it in an email.
WEBPAGE
Peter has posted new photos to the webpage. They are under MEMBER ONLY, September 2023 Socials and Various 2023. Email me for the password, president@primetimerstoronto.
______________________________
RECURRING
EVENT PHOTOS
To all of you budding Mario Testinos!
When you are at a PTT event please try to take photos.
Group photos are best.
Send them to me (president@primetimerstoronto.
EUCHRE
Euchre is held on the first, third and fourth Monday of each month at The 519 between 2:00 and 4:30.
VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Liaison to The 519
This position will get information from emails from The 519 and keep the board apprised of issues that affect us. They will also deal with The 519 for socials. For this the previous position holder suggested some tech knowledge for the sound/computer system (we are working on bettering this).
Setup
We need people to se up the room. Put out tables and chairs, set up the tables to put out refreshments, and attendance.
It’s good to have people designated but also, if you get there early and see people doing this task, please help. We had one person do it all last month. We were all busy with our tasks.
We do not seem to have a problem with tidying, thanks!
Newsletter Editor
To learn about this position email me at president@primetimerstoronto.
WELCOMING NEWCOMERS
Please guys please remember that PTT is a social club.
When there is a newcomer at an event please make sure they are welcomed as you were when you joined. Some have come to us to reconnect, some have lost partners and friends. We know they are welcome but we need to make them feel welcomed.
Keep your eyes out for an unfamiliar face and introduce yourself.
I know how friendly you all are but they do not.
Other Senior Groups
1 – St Andrews Church Friday Noon Recitals
Free recitals, okay, maybe a donation but not forced.
https://standrewstoronto.org/
2 – Sprint Senior Care
Sprint is a homecare service for seniors living at home. Their service covers a certain area of Toronto but they have many on-line activities. Tai Chi, chair yoga, chat, stretching and more are available via Zoom. Prime Timers Toronto members are welcome to join these. They have an every other Thursday Gay (men and women) Chat but most activities are mixed. Some of our members already partake.
3 – Sunshine Centres
Various activities including a clubhouse on Ward’s Island. Outings., meals and much more
Pickle Ball (keep this in mind)
Pickle ball is a growing sport in the senior community. It’s like if tennis and paddle ball had a baby. I believe they use a whiffle ball larger than a golf ball. We have a member who plays and suggested it might be good to see if PTT members would be interested in joining in.
WEBPAGE primetimerstoronto.ca
The webpage now has a fillable submittable Grievance Form. It only goes to the three people on the grievance committee, Gerald, Don and Jack. I do not get a copy. We will make the greatest effort to keep the info anonymous.
Email me for the password to the Members Only page.
Take a look at the gallery. If you have any PTT event photos forward them to me. If we do not have duplicates they will get posted but I cannot promise.
Tasis has sent me two photos of pot lucks that he and John Way hosted in the past. Great to see the old faces! I have more from him but I have to go through them. I did not know we have no cd player. Hey, I’m no techie!
There is now a list of the lunch restaurants and other non-PTT events.
IN-PERSON COFFEES
In-person coffees take place on Thursdays at 2:00 at Croissant Tree on the northeast corner of Charles St and Church St.
There is also an in-person coffee every Saturday at 11:00 currently at Church Street Espresso as well. The runners don’t seem to be going there en masse.
If you see none of us at theses locations then we are at the other. Sometimes space is a problem. We are at neither? Try Our Hours just south on Church. They are all close to each other.
LUNCHES
Weekly Monday Lunches take place at various area restaurants. Gather starting at 12:30, order by 12:45. Keep an eye on your email for Ed’s announcement of where we will be invading.
PLEASE READ EMAILS FROM ED TO GET INFORMATION ON LUNCHES AND WHETHER THEY REQUIRE RESERVATIONS.
IF ANYONE IS NOT RECEIVING THE WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT THE LUNCHES PLEASE CONTACT ED LAMB AT:
IF THE LUNCH REQUIRES A RESERVATION AND YOU DO NOT CONTACT ED IN TIME PLEASE DO NOT JUST SHOW UP AND EXPECT A SEAT WITH THE GROUP. YOU CAN CONTACT ED TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY ROOM.
If you have a favourite restaurant send the name to Ed and he and the committee can check the logistics.
Please pay attention when the servers bring our food.
ZOOM
REMEMBER YOUR ZOOM ETIQUETTE, NO DOMINATING, NO TALKING OVER AND NO CHANGING TOPICS ON A TANGENT. RESPECT ALL ATTENDEES.
We still have our weekly Zoom meetings:
Thursday at 11:00 with Steve
Saturday at 11:00 Ed
If you would like to be added to the list of invitees contact me at president@primetimerstoronto.
CHAPTER BOARD
President – Steve Sterritt – president@primetimerstoronto.
Vice-President – Gerald Martindale – vp@primetimerstoronto.ca
Treasurer – Dave Ritchie – treasurer@primetimerstoronto.
Secretary – Peter Small – secretary@primetimerstoronto.
Member-at-Large – Harold Desmarais – mal1@primetimerstoronto.ca
Member-at-Large – Leo LeBlanc – mal2@primetimerstoronto.ca
STANDING COMMITTEES
Grievance Committee – Don Love, Jack Connell, Gerald Martindale – grievance@primetimerstoronto.
Financial Oversight Committee – Jack Connell, Bob Martel
VOLUNTEERS
Please remember that the club runs on volunteers. I know it’s a cliché but when you volunteer you do meet and have contact with more people.
We are still looking for someone to edit the newsletter. Contact me if you want a description of the job.
Here is a list of our current volunteers. If you are interested in helping in any capacity contact me and I will hook you up, so to speak!
POSITIONS
Administrative:
Membership/Roster – Joe Lee
Membership Cards – Leo Leblanc
eCards – Don St Jean
Mailings – Bob Martel
Monitoring Club Email – Secretary – Peter Small
Media Monitor – Ebrahim Ramzat
Webpage/Website – Rick Sutton – Peter Small
Newsletter Set Up – Vacant
Editor – Vacant
The 519 Liaison – Vacant
Information Emails – Steve Sterritt
ArQuives Liaison – Brian Marshall
Activities:
Zoom Hosts – Thursday – Steve Sterritt
Saturday – Ed Lamb
Social – Program – Jeff Schmidt
Social – Front Desk – Dean Rogers
Social – Hospitality – Mike Warren-Darley, Bob Martel
– Joseph Greco
Social Greeters – Vacant
Social – Set Up – Vacant
Lunches – Ed Lamb, Paul Macdonald, Jim Fraser
Bridge – Vacant
Euchre – Jack Connell + Dave Ritchie
Holiday Party – Bob Isenberger
Thursday Coffee Coordinator – Steve Sterritt
Saturday Coffee Coordinator – Michael Dorman
If I have missed anyone please tell me.
CANADIAN + WW PT CHAPTERS (plus Newsletters)
For current World Wide:
For Nanaimo:
http://www.
For Vancouver:
https://vancouverprimetimers.
For Victoria:
https://primetimersvictoria.
For Ottawa:
https://chapters.
For Hamilton:
https://primetimershamilton.
For Kamloops
https://chapters.
LINKS:
If you’d like to add a link send it to me. If it’s appropriate I will add it. It will be a board decision.
www.ontario.ca/page/
Canadian Hearing Society
PRIME TIMERS TORONTO DIVERSITY STATEMENT
PTT endeavours to create a club that is diverse, inclusive and welcoming to all.
PTT welcomes anyone 40+ who identifies as a gay or bisexual man of any race, colour, national or ethnic origin, size, political view, physical ability, health, neurodiversity or religion.
The club will not tolerate abuse of anyone by anyone. We do have a grievance committee.
We are all made stronger by the stories we are exposed to.
Thanks,
Steve Sterritt
president@primetimerstoronto.