Toronto North Probus club

Our speaker is reporter Kevin Donovan, Toronto Star’s Chief Investigative reporter and author of The Billionaire Murders, the Mysterious Deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman.  His talk will focus on the Sherman Murders:  what we know and the mystery that remains.

The Sherman murders refer to the 2017 deaths of Barry and Honey Sherman, a prominent Toronto couple known for their business success and philanthropy. They were found deceased in their home, and police later determined that both deaths were the result of homicide. Despite years of investigation, the case remains unsolved and continues to draw public interest due to its unusual circumstances and high profile.

Ways to Prevent Becoming a Victim 

Deanne Taylor is a Crime Prevention Officer with the Toronto Police Services. Her presentation will be on Distraction Thefts and Personal Safety. Distraction theft is a type of crime where a perpetrator deliberately diverts the victim’s attention to steal their belongings, often without the victim even noticing.

CPO Taylor will discuss strategies for personal safety and practical ways to prevent becoming a victim.

A Superhuman View of the Cosmos

Tom Vassos is an astronomer, University of Toronto instructor, author, and member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. A recognized science communicator, he regularly appears on radio and television and serves as Astronomer-in-Residence for Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity cruise lines, leading astronomy and eclipse expeditions worldwide.

In A Superhuman View of the Cosmos, Tom invites us to see the universe beyond human vision through stunning astrophotography of nebulae, galaxies, and supernovae. Featuring the fun “Bigger Is Better!” trivia game, this engaging presentation explores the Big Bang and our cosmic origins in an accessible and awe-inspiring way.

The Amazing Eye

Dr. David Williams is Professor Emeritus at the University of Waterloo and has spent over 50 years studying, teaching, and learning about the human eye. Trained as an optometrist and vision scientist, he brings clarity, history, and humor to the fascinating science of vision.

In The Amazing Eye, Dr. Williams explores how our eyes work, how vision changes as we age, common eye problems, and the surprising history of glasses. This engaging presentation offers fresh insights into the vital role vision plays in our overall health—and what we can do to protect it.

Journey Through the Northwest Passage: The Troubling History of Grise Fiord

Bruce Rhodes, a member of the Richmond Hill Probus Club, shares his captivating experiences from a September 2024 expedition through Canada’s Northwest Passage and along the west coast of Greenland. His presentation focuses on the troubling history of Grise Fiord, a remote community in northern Nunavut.

Bruce’s interest in Canada’s far north began in 2015 while volunteering during a federal election in Yukon. This engaging talk combines personal travel, history, and reflection to shed light on one of the most isolated—and compelling—regions of the Arctic.