Upcoming Meetings

  • Monthly Meeting with Noah Irvine

    • February 26, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Mental illness is not a character flaw.
    It's an illness like any other illness.

    Noah Irvine is a young adult and his life has been anything but “normal.” When he was five, his mother died by suicide. When he was 15, his father died by prescription drug overdose. In childhood, he witnessed domestic violence. He has a learning disability. He has CPTSD.

    Today he is a mental health advocate and writer. He writes about all this not to earn your sympathy. He writes about it because they are simply facts of his life. They are simply situations he has learned to live with. These events shaped the course of his life and made him the person he is today.

    Noah is a neighbour of ours; he is from Guelph, Ontario.

    PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, Mike Titizian will be delivering his personal vignette.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Kevin Matsui

    • March 26, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Kevin Matsui is the Managing Director of the Centre for Advancing Responsible and Ethical Artificial Intelligence (CARE-AI) at the University of Guelph.

    It is CARE-AI's mission to advance multidisciplinary AI training and research, and its responsible application to improve life.

    Kevin leads efforts to grow the Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning and Data Science community on campus at U of G and ensuring that it is well connected externally.

    Kevin has spent many years in High Performance Computing (HPC) and the software industry in a variety of management roles including consulting, technical support and training combined with an educational background in engineering and business.

    PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, David Shaw will be delivering his personal vignette.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Alexandra Allen

    • April 30, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Hospice 101 — More Than a Bed

    Alexandra Allen is from Hospice Waterloo Region, some notes from her:

    For the past three decades, Hospice Waterloo Region has been supporting people and their loved ones through life-limiting illness, death and bereavement through a number of community programs, and in the past three years has expanded support to include a 10-bed hospice residence.

    However, most people really don’t know what hospice palliative care is and/or how we can support someone who is dying and their loved ones.

    We invite you to join us as we explore what hospice palliative care is and what Hospice programs and services look like in the Region of Waterloo and surrounding townships.

    PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, Wayne Heffernan will be delivering his personal vignette.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Luigi Calabrese

    • May 28, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Tech Trends, Innovations, Threats, and Dirty Little Secrets: Empowering Older Adults in the Digital Age

    Luigi Calabrese, President of Frontier Networks Inc., is a seasoned leader in the tech industry.

    With a focus on advocating for older adults, Luigi collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies in Canada and the USA, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the RCMP, and the Department of Homeland Security, to combat fraud and vendor abuse targeting seniors.

    As a sought-after speaker, Luigi is renowned for his ability to demystify technology and engage audiences with humour and relevant examples. Luigi is a passionate advocate for older adults, tirelessly working to promote pricing fairness and advocate for reforms to protect older adults from exploitation and abuse.

    In an era where technology is meant to simplify our lives but often complicates them, Luigi Calabrese discusses the latest trends in mobile devices, sensors, and wearables, focusing on enabling seniors to age comfortably at home.

    He also addresses the pressing issues of data privacy threats, hacking, and navigating the complexities of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) schemes to ensure seniors stay safe and empowered digitally.

    Get ready for a fun, adventured filled talk full of examples. You don't need to be technical (or tech savvy at all) to enjoy this discussion.

    PERSONAL VIGNETTE: Also in this meeting, Don Bark will be delivering his personal vignette.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Professor Stuart Phillips

    • June 25, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Kinesiology and Aging

    Professor Stuart Phillips is a Distinguished University Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health.

    His research focuses on the interactions of nutrition and exercise for optimal muscle function and quality of life in aging populations.

    He is a full Professor in Kinesiology and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Medicine at McMaster University. He is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. His research is focused on the impact of nutrition and exercise on human skeletal muscle protein turnover. He is also keenly interested in diet- and exercise-induced changes in body composition.

    His research is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the National Science and Engineering Council of Canada, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research, the US NIH, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the USDA.

    He currently has more than 33000 career citations and 400 original scientific research and review papers.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Mayor Jan Liggett & Doug Craig

    • July 30, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Doug Craig, one of our club members and Regional Councillor will be interviewing Mayor Jan Liggett.

    Jan Liggett was elected to her first term on Cambridge City Council to represent Ward 4 in 2014, sitting on the Economic Development Advisory, Cambridge Arts Theatre and Core Areas Revitalization Advisory Committees as well as part of the Water Billing Appeals Committee and the Post Office Steering Committee.

    After 8 years as the Ward 4 Councillor, Jan Liggett was elected as Mayor for the 2022-2026 term.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Hailey Patry

    • September 24, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Hailey Patry, will speak to us about: The Best is Yet to Come - Make the REST of your years, the BEST of your years.

    Hailey, known as "The World's Happiest Woman" and "The Woman of Resilience," is a True Happiness Coach dedicated to helping others create more joy, reduce stress, and improve their quality of life. After overcoming over 30 years of trauma, she has made it her mission to empower individuals, families, and organizations to thrive, no matter their challenges.

    An internationally recognized speaker and facilitator, Hailey has impacted over two million people across 136 countries. She is a Master Coach in happiness, resilience, love, and success, earning an Honorary Doctorate for her transformative work. As an award-winning author of six international bestsellers, her books, including HAPPY LOVE and Life Lessons – 52 Tips for Living Your Best Life, provide actionable insights for personal growth.

    Beyond her professional achievements, Hailey is a devoted wife and mother to three neuro-diverse sons. She deeply understands the struggles of balancing life’s demands and prioritizing well-being. When she’s not coaching, speaking, or writing, she enjoys time in nature with her family and practicing the self-care principles she teaches. Hailey’s mission is to help others make the rest of their years the best of their years.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Ted Barris

    • October 29, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in their Finest Hour

    Ted Barris will tell us about the gripping and heroic story of fighter pilots defending the skies over Britain from unprecedented Nazi attack.

    For 113 terrifying days in 1940, Nazi Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe, threw everything it had at Great Britain in hopes of early victory in World War II.

    The task of defending southern England from airborne attack fell to pilots in the Royal Air Force, supplemented in their darkest hour by more than 100 flyers from Canada.

    These Canadians, some from famous families, some straight off the farm, served in forty-seven different Battle of Britain squadrons.

    On Dec. 29, 2022, the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, announced 99 new appointments to the Order of Canada, including Ted Barris, C.M., “For advancing our understanding of Canadian military history as an acclaimed historical author, journalist and broadcaster.”

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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  • Monthly Meeting with Jeff Willmer

    • November 26, 2025
    • 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Portuguese Club, 870 Townline Rd, Cambridge, ON

    Jeff Willmer, will speak to us about A Better Tent City.

    A former Kitchener city planner, Jeff played a critical role in A Better Tent City's development. Recognizing the limitations of traditional shelters, he helped co-found the initiative alongside the late Ron Doyle. Jeff's expertise in urban planning and municipal governance was instrumental in securing land, navigating zoning and regulatory challenges, and advocating for A Better Tent City as a viable model to address homelessness.

    A Better Tent City (ABTC) in Kitchener, Ontario, is an innovative housing initiative aimed at providing a safe and stable community for individuals experiencing homelessness. Established in 2019, ABTC consists of small cabins that offer privacy and security while fostering a sense of belonging. It provides essential amenities such as washrooms, a communal kitchen, and social support services.

    As chair of ABTC’s inaugural board, Willmer continues to provide leadership and strategic direction. He works closely with local governments, social service agencies, and community partners to ensure the project's long-term sustainability. His advocacy has helped ABTC gain recognition as an alternative approach to housing solutions, emphasizing community-driven support over institutional responses. Under his leadership, ABTC remains a model for other municipalities exploring similar solutions to address homelessness with dignity, stability, and community care.

    Here's a podcast with Jeff discussing A Better Tent City.

    LUNCH BUNCH: After the meeting, all members are invited to have lunch (at their own cost) at a local restaurant. A great way to get to know your fellow members.

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