Past Speakers

January 9, 2025 - Ted Barris

Talk Title: The Battle of Britain: Canadian Airmen in Their Finest Hour

Canadian military historian Ted Barris made an excellent presentation on the important contribution of Canadians that helped ensure victory in the WW2 Battle of Britain.

In the summer of 1940, Hitler’s armies had conquered most of northwestern Europe. Their final obstacle was Britain. All that the German air force had to do was defeat the Royal Air Force, so that many thousands of German troops could then invade the British Isles.

In the summer of 1940 as the Luftwaffe sought to crush the RAF, the Commonwealth pilots scrambled from British air fields, flying Spitfires and Hurricane fighter planes, hoping to defend Britain and thwart Hitler’s plan.

Ted gave us background information as a preamble to the events of that summer and wove into his presentation the courage, determination, resilience of the more than 100 Canadian pilots who flew with a Canada patch on their shoulder. Plus there were over 200 engineers, mechanics, medics and civilians who served behind the scenes to ensure victory.

As Churchill said of the achievement in that summer of 1940, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”.

Ted is an author and has written and presented at our meetings on numerous occasions. He certainly brings in the members in spades. A well done and high energy presentation from a gentleman who was recently given the Order of Canada.

Many thanks Ted from Applewood Probus members.

Peter Crawford

Tim Sayle - Associate Professor of History UofT and Author

Talk Title: Is NATO Outdated or More Essential Than Ever?

November 14, 2024

Timothy Andrews Sayle is an Associate Professor of History and a Senior Fellow of the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at the University of Toronto. He is the author of Enduring Alliance: A History of NATO and the Postwar Global Order (Cornell University Press, 2019), along with three edited books and over a dozen scholarly articles.
He is the founder of Canada Declassified, an online repository of recently released archival documents.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, leaders from Western Europe, Canada, and the United States established a system of international security with NATO as its cornerstone. NATO’s fundamental goal was to prevent the world from falling back into general war.
Now, over 75 years after its creation, NATO is at the centre of the debate about the future of international security. Is NATO outdated, perhaps the cause of tension today? Or is it more essential than ever?

Tim will examine the historical connections between NATO’s Cold War and todays' crises, and consider both why NATO has lasted so long and what threatens its longevity today.

Dr. John Chattoe - Business Consultant

Talk Title: AI - For Real or Just Another Technology Hype?

October 10, 2024

Dr. Chattoe obtained his bachelor and master degrees in Electrical Engineering, and ultimately his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering (human technology interaction) from the University of Toronto.

His professional career has been a long and illustrious path of senior management positions winding through computer technology firms and research organizations, which has given him an excellent window into the ever accelerating, and to the layman bewildering, development of artificial intelligence.

So, will AI ultimately be a salvation or a curse for humankind? Or can it be both? Dr. Chattoe will give us his views.

Ian Graham - Business Consultant

Talk Title: GeoThermal Energy

September 12, 2024

Ian is a former banking IT technology and business consultant, who retired from BMO Financial Group in 2016.

Prior to BMO he had many previous roles: as an educational technology consultant at the University of Toronto; an Internet business consultant/advisor (back when this was a thing); a technical book writer (Web and Internet application design); an unsuccessful startup founder; and as a physics researcher in condensed matter theory (he has a PhD in physics from McGill University).

Ian is currently the Board Chair of Academics without Borders (HYPERLINK "https://awb-usf.org/"https://awb-usf.org), a Canadian nonprofit that helps universities in low and middle income countries improve their institutional capacity, particularly in teaching, learning and research. He also works part-time with the Cascade Institute (HYPERLINK "https://cascadeinstitute.org/"https://cascadeinstitute.org), a Canadian research centre that "addresses urgent and entangled global problems." His initial focus there was on geothermal energy systems (from whence comes the work discussed in today's talk).

The past decade has seen an emerging shift in electrical power production towards renewable 'green' technologies such as solar and wind. But there are many other renewable energy options - including geothermal, which leverages thermal energy from deep inside the earth.

Ian Graham gave us an interesting presentation on geothermal energy. He described what geothermal energy is; how it can be used, how it can be accessed, along with the problems, challenges, costs, technologies for extraction and use, and usability issues.

He described where geothermal energy can be accessed relatively cost-effectively, geological factors, drilling and distribution issues, and possible future developments.

His presentation was clear, concise, and was well illustrated with slides. He fielded many interesting and pertinent questions from the members throughout his presentation.

He was introduced by Alan Woolfrey and thanked by Paul Moore.

He was a shining example of what we hope for in having a speaker at our general meetings: hearing more about an aspect of the world and life and what its all about, in a clear, informative and entertaining manner.

Paul Moore

August 8, 2024 - Diana Trepkov - Forensic Artist, Author, Lecturer

Talk Title: Forensic Art As Used in Identification

Forensic art is the artistic technique used in the identification, apprehension/conviction of a wanted person. This person may not necessarily be a criminal, but could be a missing person or an unidentified deceased person. These forensic art images can be admissible in a court of law.
In this presentation, Ms Trepkov spoke about the remarkable 1845 lost Franklin expedition and how one of the members was identified and was published in the New York Times News! She also talked about missing loved ones and why this career is so important, not only to her but to all victims of crime.

Diana P. Trepkov is a Forensic Artist, Author, Lecturer, Creator, Producer & Host of a Podcast, “Can I Help Find Your Missing Loved One?". She started off her career volunteering at the Durham Rape Crisis center to help victims of crime. Throughout Canada and the United States, she has been an artist for many years now and has been involved in 247 law enforcement cold cases to date, which involved her forensic artwork techniques.

Ms. Trepkov has helped to solve high profile cases in the United States. She is an author of six books: one is a forensic art book ($45.00) and 4 of them are children’s safety and motivational books ($25.00 each).

The latest one, just released, is a genuine book about her life and how she overcame many obstacles; No Time For B.S. Just Go For It and Kick Ass.

June 13, 2024 - Andrew Miller - Urbanist, Futurist and Mobility Specialist

Talk Title: The Cities of Tommorow

After a preliminary discussion about his role in Toronto’s Smart City project, Andrew led us on
an interesting journey into the future of autonomous driving cars. His relaxed, casual but
knowledgeable speaking style quickly immersed us in his topic. It was easy to see why he is
considered both a futurist and mobility specialist.

He gave a succinct world view of the current state of autonomous driving and two scenarios for
the future. One optimistic and favourable and the other somewhat deary. Clearly congestion will
be an issue under both but can be ameliorated by more intelligent planning and use of driverless
public transit. The elimination of drivers substantially reduces transit cost and the need for families to have one or more personal cars.

Andrew’s description of the current technology as being “The best of what has been but the
worst of what’s to come” captured his message well. A very interesting and fun presentation packed with ideas and information about an important subject most of us knew little about. I for one, left
with a greater understanding of the potential for this technology and how close it is to being realised.

Thank you Andrew !!

May 9, 2024 William Arthur Humber, C.M. - Sports Historian - Author

Talk Title: Canadian Baseball History

Our May speaker was Bill Humber, preeminent historian of baseball in Canada and Ontario, strong supporter of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Mary’s, Ontario, and producer, for 46 consecutive years now, of “Spring Training for Fans,” a place where disgruntled Bluejay fans of the autumn can rise from a winter of discontent and revel in the sunshine of a new spring filled with hopes and dreams of a return to the glories of 1992 and 1993.

Bill conducted a leisurely stroll by the epic (and well documented) baseball game in Queensville, Ont. in 1846, a full year before Abner Doubleday was playing ball in America, Babe Ruth’s first professional home run right here in Toronto, the soft warm evenings of summer in Little Norway, watching Rocky Nelson and our beloved Toronto nine challenge the visiting Buffalo Bisons or other dreaded foe, up to the appearance of the Bluejays, now “Canada’s Team”.

Thank you, Bill!

Mike Miller

April 11, 2024 Jill Bennett - Adventurer and CKNW 980 Vancouver Talk Show Host
Talk Title: The Camino de Santiago Walks

We were entertained by Jill Bennett with her talk about the Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James).

The Camino is a series of Pilgrimage routes that were established in the 9th century after the discovery of the bones of the Apostle St. James in Galicia Spain. The routes can start anywhere in Europe and end in Satiago de Compostela at the Cathedral where it is believed that St James is buried.

The Camino has been declared a Unesco World Heritage site. Jill has walked three of the routes, (the Camino Frances 1.5 times). She had a wealth of information and experience to share with us. We were treated to images of the beauty of Spain, France, and Portugal during her presentation. As well as some of the history of the pilgrimage itself.

I wonder how many feel challenged to walk at least part of a route. I am
sure she has piqued the curiosity of many of our members.

Doug Brien

March 14, 2024 - J. Randy Attwood, Astronomer - Educator

Talk Title: The Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024

In anticipation of the total solar eclipse on April 8, Applewood Probus was entertained by Randy Attwood, from the Mississauga Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada at its March meeting.

Randy began by explaining the mechanics of an eclipse. Contrary to popular belief total eclipses are a relatively common astronomical event. A total eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun causing the Moon to block our ability to see the Sun, and the Moon to cast a shadow over the Earth. Given the fact that the Moon completes an orbit of earth once a month, each new moon could result in an eclipse.

As Randy explained this doesn’t happen for two reasons: the first is that the Moon’s orbit varies by 5 degrees up or down, and the Moon’s distance from the Earth varies. Normally, coincidence of the plane and the distances among Earth, Sun and Moon occurs 2-4 times a year. Perfect coincidence occurs only about once every 18 months. This coincidence of course can occur anywhere in the world, the rarity is that the coincidence occurs where YOU happen to be. Of great significance is that one of those rare occurrences happens on April 8/24 across Mexico, the central US and southern Canada.

At about 3:20 pm the path of totality (when the Moon completely covers the Sun and casts its shadow over the earth) passes directly over Niagara Falls; all that’s needed for perfect viewing is clear skies. The next local isn’t until 2044.

Randy then discussed what we could expect to see, including shadow waves on the ground and the spectacular diamond ring effect known as Baily’s Beads. Randy stressed the safety aspects of observing the eclipse. You should never look at the Sun without approved sola glasses. The much greater danger occurs when the Sun is observed with amplification such as binoculars or telescopes, this should NEVER be attempted even with solar glasses unless the device is equipped with solar filters.

While Randy was asked to speak about the eclipse, he’s a recognized expert in all things astronomical. He demonstrated his expertise by giving a ten minute dissertation on the Apollo program and the contributions made to it by Canadians.

As a parting gift Randy gave out solar eclipse glasses. There was an emerging consensus that we should invite him back to talk about the Moon landings.

Paul Taylor

February 8, 2024 - Shelley Babin, President and Chief Executive Officer – Atura Power

Talk Title: Hydrogen Fuel as Part of the Green Energy Transition

Ms. Babin discussed how Atura Power is developing the market for green hydrogen (hydrogen gas released using green hydro) as part of Ontario’s transition to a lower carbon economy.

She mentioned their Niagara hydrogen facility (using hydro from one of the Beck generating stations), a Windsor underground storage facility, Miway’s plans for fueling some of their buses with hydrogen and Atura’s vision for a hydrogen highway along 401 to Montreal.

She concluded her talk with an update on Ontario Power Generation’s plans for four 300 mW Small Modular Reactors at their Darlington generating station’s facility with in-service dates of 2036.

Shelly brought a video to share, which available here: Atura Power (about 1/3 of the way down the page)

BIO

Atura Power is a leader in Canada’s energy transition through its safe and reliable operation of
Ontario’s largest fleet of combined cycle natural gas turbine powerplants, and the development
of low-carbon hydrogen production and battery energy storage centres.

Prior to her appointment at Atura Power, Shelley was Ontario Power Generation’s (OPG) Chief
Legal and Ethics Officer, and led the company’s Environment, Social and Governance work. In
2021, under her leadership, OPG’s Law Division was named the Energy and Resources Law
Department of the Year by the Canadian Law Awards, and Shelley was awarded Tomorrow’s
Leader by the Canadian General Counsel Awards in 2018. She practised commercial litigation at
a large national Bay Street law firm prior to joining OPG.

Shelley holds her ICD.D designation and sits on the board of Global First Power, a joint venture
between OPG and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation with a mandate to construct and operate a
small modular nuclear reactor in Ontario.

January 11, 2024 - Bryana McLaughlin - Senior Coordinator, Capital Projects, Credit Valley Conservation

Talk Title: Serson Creek and the Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area

The waterfront between Marie Curtis Park on the east and the developing residential area on the former Lakeview Generating Station lands is being re-shaped into a 26-hectare forest, meadow, and wetland with trails, a teaching amphitheater, and an observation promontory. Construction includes a scale model to ensure a design that protects the shoreline, refurbishing Serson Creek, and planting tens of thousands of trees and native plants. In a presentation with videos and slides, we were given a glimpse of the premier conservation area scheduled for opening in 2025.

You have probably never heard of Serson Creek, until recently a "lost river". This small Mississauga waterway disappeared into pipes underground some sixty years ago in the name of urban development. It has recently been restored and daylighted, flowing above ground into Lake Ontario and is home to fish once more.

This is just one small aspect of the new Jim Tovey Lakeview Conservation Area, a vast 26 hectare lakefront greenspace being created just a few kilometers east of the Port Credit Yacht Club. Containing three coastal wetlands, meadows, a forest, and shoreline habitats, this new space will be a hub for passive waterfront recreation, and a hotspot for wildlife migration and a green oasis in the heart of the city.

It will not open to the public until 2025, but Bryana Mclaughlin will give us an inside look at Credit Valley Conservation’s construction progress and vision for the new Conservation Area.