PROBUS Ottawa–Rideau Valley has an outstanding team of volunteers who organize a wide variety of events throughout the year—usually one each month. Our outings range from theatre performances and picnics to facility and heritage tours, giving members a chance to connect, explore, and learn together. This page highlights some of the enjoyable events we’ve shared in the past.
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November 2025 – House of Commons Question Period
On Wednesday, November 19, 28 ProbusORV members had the opportunity to participate in the House of Commons Question Period! It certainly was an interesting afternoon as Probus members carpooled to downtown, heading to the beautiful new Visitors’ Centre, now nestled within the courtyard of the West Block during construction. A few people were delighted to see the flag-bearing cavalcade carrying the King of Sweden, travelling east on Rideau Street toward an important meeting. Only in Ottawa, you say!
October 2025 – Fall Fling
Drinks and Apps this month was held at Manotick United Church so that everybody could attend. The evening was a success with about 30 attendees. A great way to get together to meet and greet your fellow Probus members!
September 2025 – Secrets of the Chateau Laurier
An interesting and informative tour of the Chateau Laurier attended by approximately 40 people. Guides took us on a 75-minute tour, exploring many parts of the Chateau, including some of the lesser-known areas. They shared stories and history of this well-known and venerable building in downtown Ottawa.
August 2025 – St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, 18 members attended the Royal St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing” followed by a late lunch. These photos show that a good time was had by all!
July 2025 – Picnic In The Park
Our annual summer picnic was held on July 10 at Claudette Cain Park, and was a great success with over seventy members attending on a beautiful summer day together. There were no speeches, no presentations just a chance to enjoy sandwiches, chips, yummy desserts and soft drinks together. Our resident roving photographer, FLASH (aka Gary Bennett) took many fun photos.
June 2025 – Guildcrest Homes Visit
On Friday, June 20, 2025 a group of 30 of our members, led by Dawn Cooper visited the construction site of Guildcrest Homes. In partnership with Ottawa’s Theberge Homes, Guidcrest Homes builds prefabricated module housing structures in a climate-controlled building in Morewood. The basic frame of the home, in two sections, moves from station to station on rails in the huge hangar-type building, using high quality products, continuous inspections, and work by carefully trained and monitored construction workers. The current trial includes building an 8-plex rental building that can be built quickly and cost-effectively, in hopes of alleviating the urgent need for affordable housing. The tour and presentation were interesting and informative. After the visit to Guildcrest Homes, the group had lunch together at the Red Dot Café in Osgoode.
May 2025 – CNIB Canine Campus
On Tuesday, May 20th, a group of our members visited the CNIB Canine Campus in Carleton Place. The canine training facility is housed in a converted horse stable and riding ring. The massive renovations have created not only housing for many dogs in training but also unique facilities for their training such as streets with curbs, traffic lights, park benches, various floor surfaces, and a mock up of an airplane. Soon they plan to install a railroad car so that dogs can learn to get onto a train safely. We were given a demonstration of how the dogs lead their “person” through obstacles safely.
April 2025 – Stanley’s Sugar Bush
On April 4, a group of 29 members gathered to celebrate spring at a local sugar bush. Despite the cloudy, damp conditions members enjoyed a delicious brunch and, of course, sampled some maple syrup.