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This Newsletter is going to all VRMNC Paid-Up Members.
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Message from the President
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June 2026 GENERAL NEWSLETTER
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"All the VRMNC News that's fit to print"
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Welcome to the newcomers who have joined the Club recently. And welcome to the month of June! This is always a spectacular month as we look forward to the longest day of the year on June 21st—the summer solstice—marking the official arrival of summer. As we enter our wonderful summer weather, it is the perfect season to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and make the most of outdoor activities and patios. Many of our activities and events—such as our upcoming Golf Tournament in August!—take place outdoors and are especially enjoyable this time of year. These gatherings are fantastic ways to make more connections with other members, as well as to spend quality time with the ones you’ve already come to know.
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I want to extend a note of appreciation to all our Activity Coordinators whose efforts make our club function. I would like to say a particular thank you to Wally Lazaruk for his frequent and insightful contributions to our newsletter on the subject of brain health. Wally’s articles often underscore the crucial connection between regular physical exercise, active socializing, and maintaining a sharp mind. His articles are a great reminder that staying active together isn’t just fun—it’s vital for our individual long-term well-being.
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Our Club thrives because of the energy and dedication of our members. To keep our wide range of activities running smoothly, we are always looking for a few more helping hands. Please see the opportunity noted below.
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If you are interested in giving back or have a fresh idea for an activity, please reach out to me at president@vrmnc.ca or chat with our Vice President, Tom Glenn. Your involvement is what makes this club a community!
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Fellowship Events: Committee Members
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Based on the Membership Survey there is interest in re-instituting larger Family/ Spousal events that appeal to a broad range of members. The concept would be to create 3 or 4 events per year open to all members to promote our core value and purpose of Fellowship. Ideally these events would have 50 plus attendees.
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For longer term members it might sound like the former "Special Events" but this has a slightly different flavour. It may be a luncheon / reception to honour the season. It might be a summer BBQ event to open to members extended families. The Executive have some ideas for possible events and are open to fresh concepts.
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Basically the volunteer committee would decide on a Fellowship event and organize the logistics. If you like to organize events or have experience in event organization this is a great position for you to help make a difference in the Club. You'll not be alone, as this will be organized by a small committee of 3 or 4 members
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Membership Report
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Renewal time will be upon us shortly. Watch for an email notifying everyone we can renew.
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Our club now has 321 members. We had one new member join last month. Please welcome David Stamp to our club.
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Where are the new members are coming from? Since April 1,2025 we have had 52 new members from these locations:
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Calgary 12 BC 13 Ontario 12 US 5
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Australia 1 Alberta (other) 2
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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.
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Activities Updates
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Is there is an activity you're 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 a new activity.
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Activity coordinator: Richard Neff 705-500-5002
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Friday Coffee Chat Group
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Want to solve the world's problems and strategize how to get the lowly Canucks and Leafs out from the basements?? 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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Real Money Investment Group
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The “ Real Money Group “ meets on the third Thursday at 1:30 at Goward House.
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The members annually buy units in our portfolio, which are used to actively trade stocks. The benefit that we all enjoy is the regular exchange of market information and comradery of fellow “active” Investors – the Bonus is that the value of the units that we own continue to significantly surpass the gains of
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If you would like more detailed information on our club, please don’t hesitate to reach out to:
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Coordinator: Frank Gibson 780-498-2492
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AD-HOC PICKLEBALL
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NEW ACTIVITY SIGN-UP
We are a large club scattered across the wide Victoria Region. Several members are already playing Pickleball with their partners or want to try it out or improve their game. 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 the email list can book an Ad-Hoc court ie Henderson, or Pearkes or outdoors etc, on any day / time and becomes that Game's Host.
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3) That Game's Host emails time / location / cost e.g. $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 to indicate that the session is full / closed, and lists the players.
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Tennis
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It's high-time for tennis with mostly rain free days and little wind, and playing on free outdoor tennis courts. Monday May 25th was an exception with cool temperatures under grey skies and a brisk, cold, wind. We played for an hour before heading off to a hot coffee and to solve Trump's problem with Iran. Just kidding of course, as we have no idea either.
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We're playing three days weekly now on Monday, Thursday and Friday and are sometimes unable to find enough players for two courts as some are travelling and others are busy with other matters.
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Some of us are watching the French Open tennis and looking forward to learning how to improve our skills.
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We still have room for additional players.
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Call Des at 250-721-1496 if you would like to join in.
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PUB LUNCH
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Pub Lunches are held on the first and third Thursdays of each 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
THURSDAY June 4th
Four Mile Brew Pub, View Royal
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WHAT: This Pub Lunch is on the first Thursday, June 4th. Next will be on the third Thursday, June 18th.
NEW JOINERS: Welcome, please make yourself known at event!
WHEN: 11:30am on Thursday June 4th.
WHERE: Pub on South side of complex, The Four Mile House, 199 Island Hwy, Victoria, BC
WHO: Members & Guests who are interested in joining VRMNC.
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Speakers Luncheons
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The speaker for May was Bill Riggs, CEO of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR). This organization, formerly known as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, operates in BC coastal waters. It handles some 500 marine distress calls a year through a network of almost 900 professionally trained volunteers operating from 29 rescue stations from Victoria to Haida Gwaii. RCMSAR is a registered charity, with HQ in Sooke. It also undertakes educational outreach work and is the sponsor the Kids Can't Float program that provides loaner lifejackets for kids at many beaches and marine areas. Distress calls range from boating accidents, missing kayakers and swimmers, mechanical and fuel problems with small boats and even extraction from remote coastal areas. Bill's talk was well received and prompted many questions.
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There will be no speaker lunch in June as the Oak Bay Rec Centre will be under renovation.
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The next speaker lunch will be on Thursday, September 24, which will also be the AGM. The speaker will be Jody Thomas, former Deputy Minister of DND and former National Security Advisor to PM Justin Trudeau. She will speak on Canada's Place in the World Today. Watch for the announcement of registration right after Labour Day.
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Hugh Stephens, Speaker Coordinator
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Norm Leslie, Logistics Coordinator
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BRIDGE GROUPS
New Members Welcome
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Attention Bridge Players!
VRMNC BRIDGE TOURNAMENT
Monday June 15th 2pm - 7pm
Foxborough Hills Recreation Centre
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The tournament is open to all VRMNC members. Our goal is 28 players; 7 tables of 4.
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Entry Fee: $20 for a meal and prizes.
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This is a great social event … come out and join your fellow VRMNC Members for a memorable day.
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Coordinator: - Colin Cassie
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Bridge Group: The Unconventionals
Our bridge group, The Unconventionals, continues 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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Social Bridge Groups
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Players Urgently Needed!
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Interested in playing Social/Progressive Bridge weekly? … or participating occasionally as a spare?
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There are currently 3 groups respectively playing on Monday afternoons, Tuesday evenings, and Thursday afternoons. Each group consists of a core group of 8 to 10 players who meet on a regular schedule. Frequently core group players are not able to play on a given night so a list of spares is maintained for all groups and players to call upon.
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Beginners are welcome but some knowledge of the game and playing experience are required. We, in general, follow Standard American bidding conventions and ACBL contract bridge rules. That said, the emphasis is on fellowship and fun, not competition.
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Please contact the Activity Coordinator, Keith Beange.
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Keith Beange, Overall VRMNC Bridge Coordinator
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The Appie Gang
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As I was absent for this past Appie event, I asked Ken Brown to stand in for me and he did! Below is Ken’s summary and photo of the event:
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The Appie Nite Group were hosted by Darryl and Jean Owens at their comfy home in View Royal. Once again, their house lent itself to chatting over food and wine in the kitchen, adjacent living room, dining room, and wine room. And given the weather that night, the outdoor sunny and sheltered patio accommodated us very nicely as well. By the way, who else has a putting green just off their patio? Neat!
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It was a pleasant evening, from Jim and Chris O’Neil’s immaculate 1966 Stingray in the driveway, to Norm Leslie and John Pierce’s special dishes to a small contingent of Winnipegger’s discovering each other and sharing their many experiences – and yes – even some not involving -40° C/F.
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Thanks Ken and Darryl! You guys - along with all of our members continue to make the Appie Gang a huge success, both for our veterans and newcomers alike!
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For June, our event will be hosted by Ian and Arlene Weatherdon. Details will be available mid-month. Hope to see many of you there.
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Tim Allen
Appy Gang & Golf Tournament
Email: aggt@vrmnc.ca
Phone: +1 (416) 540-8782
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The Bon Vivants
The Bons Vivants group was created for the men who like to cook and share food with others and their spouses. We don’t take ourselves seriously. We simply enjoy the camaraderie and the experience of pretending one evening each month that we run a three star Michelin restaurant. Well, okay, make that a two star Michelin restaurant.
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The group dinners are on the second Thursday of every month. Participants take turns to host. The host picks a theme and prepares the main course. He then assigns other courses or dishes to the others. Each participant also provides a paired wine. What better way is there to have a lovely evening with friends and spouses?
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If you want to join, simply email the coordinator. There is always room at the table for two more plates.
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Field Trips
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On Saturday, May 9th, a group of 11 of us (including a few spouses) took in the Tally-Ho Farm Tour at Hidden Acres Farm in North Saanich. Tally-Ho’s majestic draft horses have captivated visitors to Victoria for 120 years with carriage tours of James Bay and the Inner Harbour.
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Twice each year, the owners provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of their private horse farm in Saanichton. We watched a fascinating farrier demonstration by a husband-and-wife team and enjoyed a morning surrounded by these magnificent horses, experiencing their calming energy, affectionate nature, and playful personalities, learning about their care and specialized needs.
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On Wednesday, May 27th, our brave group of six suited up in Mustang Survival Suits to set out in a twin-outboard zodiac for a Prince Of Whales ocean adventure on a gorgeous sunny morning. Although all was calm in the Inner Harbour, not so out in the Strait of Juan de Fuca!
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We traversed over to the U.S. side, bucking and bouncing over the large swells, to follow a pod of nine orcas for quite some time. We then made a white-knuckle rough crossing back over to Beecher Bay in search of grey whales, but found none. Then it was over to Race Rocks and calmer water to check out a colony of sea elephants in full grunt and bellow mode. By the time we made it back to the Inner Harbour, we were exhausted and sore, hungry and wind-burnt, but all agreed it was a very fun outing.
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We have a couple more field trips planned as follows:
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On Thursday, June 11th, we will be joining a CRD Watershed Tour, a 5.5-hour tour to learn about where our water comes from and how it is protected and treated. The tour follows the flow of our water supply starting at the north end of the Sooke Lake Reservoir to the surrounding forests and Rithet Creek, the main tributary to Sooke Lake Reservoir. During the tour, we will explore the Sooke Lake Dam, go on a forest walk to explore the ecosystems that support our water supply, and visit the Goldstream Ultraviolet Treatment plant to learn about the water treatment process that provides Greater Victoria with drinking water. SOLD OUT
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On Thursday, July 2nd, we will be taking in a baseball game at Royal Athletic Park where the Victoria Harbourcats will be taking on the visiting Nanaimo NightOwls. Game time is 6:35 p.m. (Limited to 12 people.)
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Please watch your inbox for the registration emails for these events.
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Sunday Hike and Pub for Members / Couples
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May 17th saw about 20 hikers on the Humpback Trail (just outside of Langford), led by David and Darlene Riley. We made it a bit past the suspension bridge (see photo):
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And afterwards, lunch and refreshments at Loghouse Pub:
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It seems a good time was had.
Planned for June 14 is a visit to the Durrance Lake area, followed by Fireside Grill.
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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:
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VRMNC Original Men's Book Club
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The Original Men's Book Club members wrapped up their season with the annual luncheon, once again held at Cordova Bay Golf Club on May 5. All but one (who was travelling) were able to attend, joined by four spouses to add to the social ending. Books of course made up much of the conversation as well as travel or summer plans. Summer is the time to read non-club choices and longer tomes. A few mentioned were Hilary Mantel’s A Place of Greater Safety (2006), about Danton, Robespierre and Desmoulins in the French Revolution, Jacinda Ardern’s Different Kind of Power (2025), a memoir of the journey to being New Zealand’s prime minister, and a mind-expander called Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art (2020) by James Nestor.
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To the question of how do you choose what to suggest for next season, some mentioned that they consult guides such as The New York Review of Books, the Globe and Mail, the Guardian Book Reviews and Kirkus Book Reviews. So, everyone left the event looking forward to a summer to read what they want and to consider what book they will host on one of the second Tuesdays of every month in 2026-2027, September to April, plus a resolve to have it chosen by August 1.
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Once again, every member had been asked to review the offerings of the past season and choose their top three reads with a few reasons why. The results were amazing: every book but one in the last season received a nod in at least one of the placements. Members commented that “looking back, I must say we had some really good books which makes picking the top three very difficult”; and “tough choices, lots of good books”.
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The best book of the last season was Ben Macintyre’s The Spy and the Traitor (2018), chosen first, second and third twice. It was a non-fiction about a Russian double agent with a suspenseful escape included, billed the greatest espionage story of the Cold War. The second best was a memoir/non-fiction about Artificial Intelligence’s early research by Dr. Fei Fei Li titled The Worlds I See (2023). It also received selections for first, second and third. The third most favourite was a reworked story of Huckleberry Finn, James (2024) by Percival Everett, a clever fiction and Pulitzer Prize winner. An honourable mention was Penelope Lively’s Heat Wave (1996) also chosen in three categories, a well-written novel by a past Booker Award winner for Moon Tiger (1987). So, one can see there was a good mix of current and older publications, a balance of three non-fictions among the eight books, and topics that explored autism, ghost writing, Mongolian shamanism and life in Atlantic coastal Ireland during the Celtic Tiger economic boom- varied indeed and promoting good discussions.
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The VRMNC Original Men's Book Club has nine members (we gained a new member last year) and we would invite others to inquire or come to sample a meeting.
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VRMNC History Book Club
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Michael Randerson led a discussion of “Agent Sonya: The Spy Next Door”, by Ben MacIntyre at the May 13 meeting of the History Book Club. Introducing the book, Michael remarked on the on how a seemingly ordinary middle class English woman could be such a successful Soviet spy. Agent Sonya, aka Ursula Kuczynski, was born into a progressive German Jewish family in Berlin in 1907. S he resisted the rise of fascism and nazism in her student years joining the Communist Party. She remained a spy and a communist throughout her lifetime serving in China in the 1930s, then in various European countries in the 1940s, ending up in England during the cold war.
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Many members of our book club are familiar with Ben MacIntyre’s writing. He specializes in excellent investigative studies of espionage in the 20th Century. One of his best known books is “A Spy Among Friends” about Kim Philby and the Cambridge circle. In “Agent Sonya” MacIntyre relates the colourful life story of a woman who was both skillful and lucky. She was trusted and enjoyed good communication with her handlers, which fostered the goodwill of her fellow spies. She was fortunate to encounter incompetent officials who failed to follow up on some obvious red flags. She lived out her years in retirement in East Germany and, following the fall of the Berlin Wall, in a unified Germany, dying in 2000 at the age of 93. As Ben MacIntyre remarks, she lived throughout the entirety of Soviet rule and beyond.
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Michael pointed out that one of agent Sonya’s most significant roles was developing a relationship with the German physicist, Klaus Fuchs who was a German theoretical physicist working at the Los Alamos Laboratory developing nuclear weapons. Also a committed communist, Fuchs shared nuclear technology with agent Sonya who passed it along to the Soviet weapons program.
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Members had a lively discussion about the choices made by Sonya, her family and associates during a time of political turmoil in Germany in the 1920s. Comparisons were made between the conditions and responses of that time with current political divisions in contemporary politics.
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At our next meeting on June 10, Roger Fox will lead a discussion of Stephen R. Bown’s latest book, “Roald Amundsen: The Last Viking.
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History: Fact or 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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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 for our May hikes ranged from 10 to 15.
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We had generally good hiking weather throughout the month. Hikes included a wide variety of settings at the following locations:
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McKenzie Creek and Craigflower Creek trails, plus Seymour Hill, in Thetis Lake Regional Park
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Scafe Hill, with a great view of Mount Baker, via the Mount Work Connector trail, starting from Mount Work parking lot on Munn Road
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Stewart Mountain via Lighthouse trail, starting from Bellamy Road
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Goldmine, Arbutus & Prospector trails in Goldstream Provincial Park, starting from Goldstream Park main parking lot
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If you are interested in joining the Tuesday hiking group, contact:
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Monday Ramblers
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The Monday Ramblers at Uplands Park
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The Monday Ramblers group continue to enjoy weekly hikes around greater Victoria. Over the past month our hikes have included North Oak Bay including Uplands Park led by Marcel Mercier, John Dean Park led by Roger Love, Esquimalt Lagoon and Royal Roads University led by Richard Neff and Ten Mile Point led by Robert Shannon.
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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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The Nine Hole golf group plays Wednesdays, rain or shine, and May brought sunshine.
Bob Kane (below) on #5 at Highland Pacific in March. It is much more pleasant now!
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We play every two weeks at Highland Pacific on an alternate week schedule. On the other weeks in May, we went to Metchosin Golf Course. An extra Wednesday in May gave us our annual up-island 18 hole excursion to Mt. Brenton Golf Course in Chemainus. We had 3 foursomes for that outing and prizes were given for Longest Drive on #10 (Bobby Esslemont at 256 yards), Closest to the Hole on #7 (Bobby Esslemont at 15 feet with a birdie 2), lowest 18 hole score (yes, Bobby Esslemont again!) and Longest Putt on #18 (Garry Shaw with a spectacular 3' 6" putt... everyone tried really hard to lag to four feet but ended up too close to the hole). This shows that anyone can play in our group.
From June to September, we add Ardmore Golf Course to our rotation. We still have available start times which are not being used so if you wish to play once a week, contact
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You can also contact Garry Shaw by phone at 778-584-4171.
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Wine Making Group
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Greetings to the wine making group!
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The last wine bottling session was back in early August 2024. Since then I have taken on the quest to become the next Darth (Czypyha) Vader. I have had my right knee and my right shoulder replaced and now waiting for the call to have my left knee replaced. I hope that will be done in late September. During the down time, my wine stock has depleted to approximately 120 bottles. (I am drinking wine bottled in 2023). If anyone from the group is interested in starting a new batch so am I.
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Blachard Street Winery is having a 30th Anniversary sale at this time. We can pick and chose which wines we would like to make. They have the RQ 2026 series (4 red & 1 white) 8 week kits on special price, comes to about $8.50 a bottle. The winery had to dispose of their wine barrels, but I was told that they can add extra oak and age the wine for 6 months (if we so desire) and it would be ready to bottle before Christmas. Please let me know asap so we can start the process.
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We have room to add individuals to this group in June 2026
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New members are more than welcome to participate. I can answer any questions you may have.
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Billiards Group
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Greetings to all snooker & Uky billiard players.
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The summer season is upon us and some of our regular players have other activities to occupy their Tuesday and Friday’s.
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For the Tuesday snooker session we have several openings so I am reaching out to VMRNC members that have inquired in the past about joining our group to play snooker and extend an invitation to come out if they are still interested. Also, asking the existing players to invite friends that may be interested in playing.
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The same invitation is being extended to anyone interested in playing Ukrainian Billiards on Friday’s.
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We play at the Pro-Patria Legion on the corner of Jutland and Gorge. Start time is 11:00am sharp. We play for 2 hours and everyone is welcome to stay for lunch or a libation afterwards (not mandatory, but it is a good time to boast about some of your excellent plays).
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Enjoy the fun and camaraderie of shooting pool with fellow Members! Ability ranges from beginner to experienced.
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WHERE: Royal Canadian Legion, 411 Gorge Road E. (corner of Gorge and Jutland). PARKING: At Legion, free. WHEN: Weekly every Friday at 11:00am – 2:30pm. WHO: Open to all.
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Coordinator: Peter Czypyha 250-516-6192
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Brain Training
Article Submitted by Wally Lazaruk
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Brain training, also called mental exercise or cognitive training, refers to
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a set of regular activities intended to maintain or improve our cognitive abilities.
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Cognitive abilities are mental processes such as attention, processing speed, memory, reasoning and perception. These processes enable us to analyze, store and recall information, conduct daily tasks, learn, and adapt to our environment.
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Brain or cognitive training is based on neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s lifelong capacity to adapt, reorganize, and rewire itself. Nerve cells (neurons) in the brain form new synaptic connections and strengthen existing ones in response to new experience, learning, or injury. For example, when we acquire a new skill such as learning a new language or playing a musical instrument, our brain actively rewires its neural networks to store that new information.
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What are examples of brain training activities?
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Computerized programs such as BrainHQ, Lumosity, and CogniFit which focus on improving processing speed, attention, and memory through game-like online exercises. See links to a list of such programs in the References section.
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Learning a new skill such as a new language, photography, dance or a musical instrument to boost memory, coordination, and auditory processing.
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Playing strategic games like chess, bridge, Mahjong or complex video games to improve reasoning and processing speed.
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Regular physical activity such as fitness classes, brisk walking or dancing to improve cognitive flexibility and balance.
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Activities that engage multiple senses, such as cooking, trying new food, or visiting new places to help stimulate the brain.
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What are the benefits of brain training?
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Advocates for brain training programs claim the following benefits:
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Improved cognitive functions such as working memory, processing speed, focus and "hand-eye coordination".
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Reduced risk of cognitive decline evidenced by brain speed training exercises (see link in References to ACTIVE Study).
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Better everyday performance in managing daily activities, such as navigation, shopping, and financial tasks.
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Increased cognitive reserve, the brain’s ability to adapt, find new pathways, and use different strategies, developed over time through life experiences such as education, work, learning new skills, and staying mentally active.
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Improved mood and mental well-being through mental activities and social interactions that decrease stress and improve focus.
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How can we make brain training effective?
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We can strengthen our brain training by including these elements in our practice:
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Novelty by selecting and practicing new and challenging activities and learning new skills that require the brain to think and adapt.
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Consistency by engaging in these activities on a repeated, frequent basis.
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Variety by participating in different types of activities.
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Healthy lifestyle habits, such as quality sleep, a balanced diet, regular physical activity, stress management and social connection. Quality sleep of 7 to 9 hours allows the brain to consolidate memories. Diets such as the Mind or Mediterranean diets are linked to better brain health. Regular interaction with others helps maintain processing speed and can reduce stress. Brain training activities can be effective as part of a broader strategy which incorporates healthy lifestyle habits. See November 2025 newsletter article entitled Healthy Lifestyle.
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"Whatever you practice is what you grow. You are the architect of your brain."
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-Dr. Caroline Leaf
Prepared by Wally Lazaruk, May 2026
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References: (clickable links)
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If you have concerns about cognitive decline, Island Health opened two primary care memory clinics for seniors. See link below:
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Webmaster’s Corner! Did-You-Know:
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Re-Newed Website Feature: CLUB CHAT
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VRMNC has reinstalled our Chat feature on our website but on a dedicated webpage. To access it just click on Club Chat in Menu Bar and type away!!
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We encourage all members to sign into our website and check out this newest feature. Note that you need to sign in to post a chat.
If you stay signed in you will not need to repeat this step in the future. If you make a post and a fellow member replies it will be forwarded to your email.
Please give it a try and let your Coordinators and club Executive know your thoughts.
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1) car pool to a Field Trip
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2) discuss an existing Activity
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3) brain-storm / start a new regular or one off activity (ie Happy Hour Group, Cooking Class, Volunteer with Our Place, travel ideas to Portugal, Nova Scotia . . . ).
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4) New Joiner just posted asking for interest in Trip to Phoenix for Baseball Spring Training.
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NOTE: If you are logged-in when posting, you can tick the small Bell button beside "Post Comment" button to be notified of responses.
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PRO-TRICK: When logging-in to our website, tick the "Remember Me" tick box so you stay logged in and don't have to next time visit. You can tell if you are logged in as top right beside Menu will say "Welcome Back Orlie".
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QUESTIONS: Please contact:
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OTHER WEBSITE INFO:
- New arrival to Victoria? Check out our Members Area > Useful Web Links webpage.
- VRMNC Branding - Need our Logo? Several formats available at Members Area > Branding.
- VRMNC Assets / Signage - Need a screen projector or pull-up banners or other signage, see all our assets and their custodian in Members Area > Assets.
- CONTACT DETAILS CHANGE: Please contact Membership@VRMNC.ca with any email, phone number or address change (no need to make these changes yourself).
- MISSED / LOST A NEWSLETTER: Go to website > News > Newsletters to see all of them.
- EXEC MEETING MINUTES: are published on Website > Members Area > Meeting Minutes.
- CONTACT LIST: This is maintained and updated on website by Membership Director Dennis Aitken just Log-In to website and go to Members Area > Contact Book. Please do not share this outside the club!
- FAQS: These have been updated on our website under Members Area, have a look, and please suggest any additions / changes!
- VRMNC GROUPS: Anyone can start a new VRMNC Group, just contact Activity Coordinator Richard Neff at activitycoordinator@vrmnc.ca 705-500-5002 with your ideas!
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