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This Newsletter is going to all VRMNC Paid-Up Members.
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FEBRUARY 2026 GENERAL NEWSLETTER
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"All the VRMNC News that's fit to print"
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Message from the President
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January was a busy month for VRMNC activities. We had a record number od attendees for both the Ramblers and the Tuesday hikers. Maximum capacity for the Partners & Pub Walks, Field Trips as well the Appy Gangers. The PickleBall group is off to a great start and The eBike Brigade is tuning up their bikes for the first ride of the season. So why not have a look at our activities and join one. Guaranteed you’ll meet some interesting VRMNC members.
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The VRMNC Mens Club is run by volunteers who serve on the Executive Committee and this year we have a few positions that are completing their 3 year term and need to be filled. So we are calling out for Members who would be willing to serve. We meet about 5 times a year and the positions are not all that time consuming. It’s a fun way to meet others and serve your club.
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One of the positions we're looking to fill:
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Communications: this involves gathering input from Coordinators and publishing the Newsletter. The process is relatively straight forward and you don’t need to be a creative writer just editing and inserting relevant photos. You’ll get to know the coordinators and really understand all the activities the club offers.
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Membership Report
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Our club continues to attract a steady flow of new members. We have had 5 new members join VRMNC In January. This brings our total membership to 299 paid members as of January 31, 2026.
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Please welcome the following new members who have joined us over the past couple of months:
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Another interesting statistic is where the new members are coming from. Over the last 10 months we have new members from these locations:
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For the new members please feel free to ask any questions you may have about our club by contacting myself at the email address noted below.
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It is also important to take this opportunity to remind our members that for the Club to continue to operate in a manner acceptable to all members, we must be aware and understand our Bylaws. Here is a quick link to the VRMNC Bylaws so you can remain up to date. https://www.vrmnc,ca/bylaws
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Members are also asked to notify the Membership Director (membership@vrmnc.ca) if they are no longer interested in participating in the VRMNC which will allow us to maintain an accurate membership list. If you know of Members that have left the area, please notify the Membership Director.
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In the unfortunate situation where a Member has passed away, please let us know so we may take appropriate actions.
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Activities Updates
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Is there an activity your passionate about that is not part of the current VRMNC activities?
You might consider starting a new group. We're here to help and coach you on how to set up for a new activity.
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New Activity:
AD-HOC PICKLEBALL
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NEW ACTIVITY SIGN-UP
We are a large club scattered across wide Victoria Region, several already playing Pickleball and their partners or want to try/learn, why not have a VRMNC Pickleball Activity?
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1) Members and their partners who also want to learn or play sign up for the Activity Email.
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2) Anyone on email list can book an Ad-Hoc court ie Henderson, or Pearkes or outdoors etc, on any day / time and is that Game's Host.
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3) That Game's Host emails time / location / cost ie $5 pp to ahpickleball@vrmnc.ca which auto-forwards to the group.
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4) Players who want to play reply Just To The Host Yes.
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4) When full, that Game's Host re-emails ahpickleball@vrmnc.ca that full / closed, and lists the players.
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PUB LUNCH
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Pub Lunches are first and third Thursday of month, mark your calendars!
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Pub Lunches usually draw 15 + participants. This is a great way to meet fellow members.
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Next Pub Lunch is Feb 6th at Smuggler’s Cove in Cadboro Bay.
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Speakers Luncheons
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The January talk by John Ducker, driving columnist for the Times Colonist (and former Deputy Chief of the VicPD) was well attended with 46 members in attendance. John talked about driving tips in winter and answered questions related to seniors and driving.
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February's talk, on Thursday, February 26, will be on the topic of "The price of paradise—Cascadia's earthquakes and what they mean for us”. Our speaker will be Dr. Edwin Nissen, Professor and Canada Research Chair, School of Earth and Ocean Sciences at U.Vic. Dr. Nissen comes highly recommended as an interesting speaker. Watch for the forthcoming announcement.
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The event will be held at the Sportsview Lounge of the Oak Bay Rec Centre, Cost $42.50 per head.
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The e-Bike Brigade
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It’s time to tune up your e-bike for the season.
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If you enjoy riding and the company of others come join us.
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We always stop mid-rides for a pub lunch and a chance for lots of visiting.
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Our first ride of the season is March 9th
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To join our mailing list contact Orlie
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THREE SOCIAL BRIDGE GROUPS
New Members Welcome
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Bridge Group: The Unconventionals.
Our bridge group, The Unconventionals, Continue to get together at a member's home on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.
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Sometimes we do not have enough for 2 tables but always at least one and the host provides some kind of snack or refreshment.
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We have a number of regular players each of whom would host on a semiannual basis. We also have a number of spares to fill in. We play a very basic bridge but have knowledge of basic conventions.
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We welcome new players either as regulars or as spares
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VRMNC has three social Bridge Clubs: The focus of all three is on the social side of bridge, not the competitive side. New members are welcome in all the groups. Some playing experience is preferred.
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The first group plays on the every Monday afternoon, from 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm .... Coordinator Fred Stepchuk <stepchuk.fred@shaw.ca>
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The second group plays on the every Tuesday evening, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm .... Coordinator Bruce Thomson <bthomson99@gmail.com>
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The third group plays on the every "other" Thursday afternoon, from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm .... Coordinator Dave Nicholds <jdnicholds@gmail.com>
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Keith Beange, Overall VRMNC Bridge Coordinator
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Appy Gang
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Thanks again to our hosts, Paul & Isobel St. Georges, for having us to their fabulous home. You did a wonderful job with set-up even though I think we let you down when it came to your themed evening. It seems NHL hockey jerseys and paraphernalia is in short supply here in Victoria! But those seats you scored from the Montreal Forum are impressive!
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This should also serve as a call-out: if anyone is planning to move anything eastward in a truck, please reach out to Paul as Isobel mentioned that she would like to get some chairs moved back to Quebec sometime in the near future.
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The food was really great. There was a good mix of goodies available and not much left as we wrapped the event at 8 pm.
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Next month we will hold the appie event on February 20th. Details about time and location will be sent out in early February
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Tim Allen
Appy Gang & Golf Tournament
Email: aggt@vrmnc.ca
Phone: +1 (416) 540-8782
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Field Trips
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Two field trips were organized in January to kick off the New Year.
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On January 13th, a group of 15 members attended a tour of the Driftwood Brewery in Esquimalt. The tour was conducted by Gary Lindsay, Purveyor of Precious Liquids and one of three founding partners. The brewery was established in 2008 and moved into the current facility in 2021. The tour was followed by a tasting session in the Driftwood Bar.
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On January 29th, a group of 14 members had a rare opportunity to see the unique personal car collection of Rudi Koniczek, a long-time Victoria-area resident and legendary restorer of classic cars. Rudi’s extensive knowledge of classic cars was on full display as he entertained our group with stories of his illustrious career in the restoration business and as a life-long collector of custom performance automobiles and motorcycles.
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Our next field trip will be on Thursday, February 12th when we will view the 2026 Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibit at the Royal B.C. Museum, followed by lunch at Bartholomew’s Public House. Please watch for the registration email.
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Sunday Hike and Pub for Members / Couples
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On January 11 John and Eva Archibald led an urban hike, starting at Cedar Hills Golf Course, proceeding as far as Mount Tolmie, circuitous return, and then afterwards a stop-off at McRae's Restaurant ...
Planned for February 8th is a six km hike at Francis King Regional Park, led by Keith Knowles and Yvonne Beaubien. It will wind between the trees, including some muddy spots and uneven areas! Then afterwards, we will reward ourselves at nearby Four Mile Restaurant.
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This Activity is not just for couples; individual VRMNC members are absolutely welcome. If you would like to be on the mailing list, contact Coordinator Greg Bosecker at gregorybosecker@gmail.com
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VRMNC History Book Club.
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The History Book Club met on January 14 to discuss Madeline Drohan’s 2025 book, He Did Not Conquer: Benjamin Franklin’s Failure to Annex Canada. Introducing the book, Jack Mulkins noted that the author had recently spoken about the book to a meeting of the Canadian International Council in Victoria.
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Obviously the book is immediately relevant given Trump’s musings on Canada becoming the fifty first state. Connecting the historical figure of Benjamin Franklin with annexation came as a surprise for many club members. Franklin is well known as an 18th century scientist, diplomat and a key Founding Father of the United States. The fact that Franklin was also in Montreal in 1776 as part of an invasion to win Quebec over to join the thirteen colonies in the American war of independence is little known. Franklin was consistent in his desire that Canada become part of the new American nation. Growing up in Massachusetts Franklin knew about attacks on the colony by the French and their aboriginal allies. He was also aware that expansion of English speaking colonies would be constrained by French control of the Louisiana territory and Quebec. For reasons of security and expansion Franklin fought to have Quebec become part of the United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris that ended the American War of Independence. He failed in this endeavour.
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In our discussion, members appreciated the focus on Benjamin Franklin as being important for understanding the present moment. Franklin’s biography also gave us insight into the politics and mindset of the 18th Century and the formation of the United States. In closing, Jack observed that the book could have spent more time sketching the historical context. While agreeing with this observation, members indicated that it was a valuable and informative book.
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At our next meeting on February 11 Marcel Mercier will present Breaking Point: The New Big Shifts Putting Canada at Risk. This is a new (2026) book by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson.
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History & Historical Fiction Book Club
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The History: Fact or Fiction Book Club meets 10 times per year with a hiatus in July and August when many of the members are vacationing. The membership is limited to 10 members at any one time. Those interested in joining are welcome to add their name to the waiting list.
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Last month the group was led by Rick Holms discussing "Chocolate Wars"
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UP Next: On February 10th Cam Berry will lead the discussion on "Clear" a novel set across the backdrop of the Scottish Highland Clearances
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Tennis
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Our two new Members have already played with our group in Oak Bay’s Monday / Friday schedule now stretching through April and several of our travelers have returned bulking us back to full schedules.
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Many of us are watching the Australian Open Championships where the world’s best compete at incredible levels of skill and fitness.
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The thirty eight year old Djokovic played the twenty four year old Sinner to victory before a giant audience and a lengthy four hour time span and faces a twenty two year old Alcaraz Sunday hoping for his record setting 25th Major win.
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So pleased to be a Member of VMNC with so many activities offered and so many at no or little cost. Tennis is certainly one of many with a cost of about $14 a game and no cost when outdoors. Tennis racquets last indefinitely but with occasional cost to restring and then there is now Pickleball so many opportunities to stay fit.
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Tuesday Hikers
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Tuesday hikes begin at 9:00 a.m. and are approximately three hours in duration. The number of participants tends to range from six and 15.
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We had variable weather for Tuesday hikes throughout December, with the December 16 hike being cancelled due to heavy rain. Our hikes included a wide variety of settings at the following locations:
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Alec Road to Pickles Bluff in John Dean Provincial Park- led by Frank Gibson
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Dallas Road beach front and Beacon Hill Park - led by Bob McKechnie
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High Rock Park, Veterans Cemetery, Saxe Point Park and McCauley Point - led by Allen Meyer
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Charlie’s Trail and the forested areas of the Royal Roads University grounds - led by Keith Knowles
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Monday Ramblers
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The Monday ramblers group have been enjoying various areas around greater Victoria over the past month including hikes around the Juan de Fuca Recreation Center and the east side of Royal Roads, the parks and forest of Ten Mile point, the north side of Oak Bay and Uplands Park, and Esquimalt Gorge park to the Colquitz estuary, all led by various members.
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We have had up 17 members enjoy the hike each week.
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Each week, our hikes are led by various volunteers, coordinated by Ted Mathie (mathie@uregina.ca, if you wish to join our activity). Typically, we hike for 2 to 2.5 hrs, about eight km distance, starting out at 09:30 Mondays. An invitation is prepared by the volunteer leader three days ahead of each hike and sent to the whole ramblers mailing list. The invitation includes the exact meeting location and some advice about the hike. Those who want to participate, register with the leader, who normally follows up the evening before the hike with a note listing those who have registered, in case anyone wants to sort out some car pooling for themselves.
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Wednesday Nine Hole Golf
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Open for additional players !
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Gary Shaw's "Birdie" at Highland Pacific
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The Wednesday golf group has signed up 27 members for the 2026 calendar year. At our December holiday gathering at the Monkey Tree Pub, we discussed as a group the impact of increased prebooking fees for VRMNC to hold our Wednesday dates at Highland Pacific. Highland Pacific has nearly doubled our fees to reserve in advance by almost 100% since 2022. The overwhelming desire of the group was to keep our annual contribution to HP for these prebooks relatively constant (these are just to hold the dates and start times and don't cover the Green Fees). The organizers managed to reschedule our starts (4 foursomes) to reduce the number of Wednesdays in November to February where people are away, holidays intervene, and the weather can cause us to lose money on starts that are cancelled for weather. We now are golfing biweekly during those months and returning to weekly from March to October (see schedule attached). We will play more rounds this year at Metchosin and fewer at Ardmore. We still are arranging our summer excursions and tournaments.
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You can also contact Garry Shaw by phone at 778-584-4171.
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Friday Coffee Chat Group
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A great opportunity to meet some fellow members and enjoy some stimulating conversations over coffee. The Coffee Chat Group meets every Friday at 10:00am on the second floor at Quality Foods in View Royal. (just next to the Victoria General Hospital). There's ample free parking and a separate quiet space where we meet on the 2nd floor above the deli. Come out and enjoy the comradery and conversation.
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We talk about a lot of topics and solve all the world's problems. Given the different backgrounds of everyone the discussions can be very informative. There are also a lot of laughs.
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Wine Making Group
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Hello to all wine lovers.
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Cheers from your wine maker,
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Billiards Group
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