Category Archives: Brantford news
Dining Out, local!
Our Dining out Group stays close to home in the winter months when driving conditions may be challenging. In February, twelve of us enjoyed lunch at Pupusa City, a family owned and operated restaurant in West Brant that features Salvadoran and Mexican food. Our assessment: Good food, very affordable, an informal atmosphere, attentive service — and walking distance for our members in the Blackburn/Conklin area.
Who says walking isn’t fun?!
Lots of great chat and books for our Feb meeting
So nice to chat about a whole pile of books while eating good food and socializing with friends!
Ducks! (Look down in the water ….)
During the winter, our walking group spreads out to different venues. Some like to walk indoors at the Gretzky track in icy weather, while others like to walk through the woods. Three of us today walked on the dike and admired the ducks, the cardinals, and interesting and cute blue bird, and some impressively obedient dogs.
Laurie Macintyre, our March 25th speaker
Meet Laurie the Executive Director behind Jaycees Brantford Non-Profit Homes Corporation, a proud mom of four and a ‘Lolli’ of three adorable grandchildren.
Laurie brings a wealth of experience in juggling chaos with love. A dedicated Rotarian and social advocate, Laurie is passionate about building communities and empowering others.
With a knack for fundraising, team-building and a commitment to leaving things better than she found them, Laurie jumped into the housing sector just over 7 years ago, embracing the challenges and learning opportunities it brings. Excited for the journey ahead, she looks forward to making a positive impact with her new project.
February speaker: Graham White
Graham White is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Toronto. He has been writing about
the politics and culture of Northern Canada since the late 1980’s, based on dozens of trips to the three territories
during his career. He has written a number of books about the north, including Made in Nunavit: An Experiment in
Decentralized Government (2015) and ‘We Are In Charge Here’: Inuit Self-Government and the Nunatsiavut
Assembly (2023). With the current threat to northern Canada’s freedom by foreign leaders, Graham’s White
knowledge of the north will help us think about the future of this part of Canada.
PS Please note that this is a change in speakers, due to a conflict in the schedule of the previously planned speaker
for February.
Monday lunch with books
Jean F., Norah O., Linda H., Marian W., Natalie P. and Leslie L. had an animated discussion at Symposium Restaurant today. Marian said she has been too busy to read over the holidays but is looking forward to more books in the future. Natalie shared that her goal for 2026 is to reduce her murder mystery reading and to focus on “positive and uplifting” in her book choices. Norah is going to try to reduce doom- scrolling!
Jean presented a lovely old Primer which had belonged to her mother and her aunt. Jean was quite fascinated by the plethora of local rail lines! She also presented what sounds like a good read: “Correspondent”-(Virginia Evans)- a story centred on a woman who is aging and becoming blind. The pertinent plot pieces are presented as letters and responses.
Norah was disappointed in her Dean Koontz book choice- (“Going Home in the Dark”) but she did recommend “The Little Liar” by Mitch Albom.
Linda enjoyed “Mother Mary Comes to Me “ in spite of uncomfortable nature of the material. A memoir by Arundhati Roy discusses the fraught relationship with her mother against a background of political upheaval in India.
Natalie presented a Jeffrey Archer book “Endgame”. Events around the city bid and right through to the end of the London Olympic Games – Russia and China are attempting to sabotage and disrupt the Games. Natalie was intrigued by a postscript which informs the reader that some of the events really did occur (but which ones?)
Leslie is just over 50% through an e version of “The Cider House Rules” by John Irving. She is particularly interested in the very detailed description of obstetrical and gynaecologic techniques of the day. (1930’s, 1940’s). Some intriguing characters and stories.
Trivia Night: Wednesday March 11, 2026
Go to this registration sheet. Make a copy, enter your own details, and then save your copy.
Contact us with the form below for info on submitting:
November meeting: Kari Astles
Our members enjoyed a wonderful presentation by Kari Astles: Volunteer co-ordinator for the Brant Community Health Services, who spoke about volunteerism in our community.