President Irene Kaufman welcomed 17 seniors, one guest, and guest speaker Ron Shelley to the Merry Makers October meeting held at Jamesway Manor in Clifford.
Doris Jaunzemis was asked to place the wreath for the group during the service of remembrance on Nov. 10 at the community hall. Birthday greetings were sung for Ruby Bell who celebrated her 98th on Oct. 1.
Dorothy Domm shared poems and stories from The Voice.
A committee consisting of Ruby Bell, Domm, and Geraldine Greenfield turned to thoughts of thanksgiving and passed along a tray of treats. A story on the spirit of thankfulness was filled with wonders of blessings, family, health, friends, and the countryside.
Domm introduced Zone Rep Ron Shelley of Fordwich. On behalf of President Bernard Jordaan, Shelley shared highlights from the (USC) United Seniors of Ontario conference held in St. Catherines. He noted the area may be expanding and the fiscal year may be changing.
In his role as zone rep, Shelley relays relevant information from the conference to neighbouring clubs. He offers an insight into the seniors programs and installs officers as part of his duties. The USC is run by a dozen committed volunteers. He believes if your club is active, you will be attractive and your club will grow. He says it doesn’t pay to be average, be outstanding in all you do, and remember just be different, not difficult.
Shelley loves sharing his humour and stories about aging. Enjoy every minute of your life, he urges. He suffered a heart attack four-and-a-half years ago and continues to farm a herd of 15 cattle maintains a vegetable garden, mows the lawn, and takes time for hunting. Being optimistic, he renewed his passpport for 20 years, loves to dance, and continues to have fun. He is a lay minister in the Anglican church. He believes that seniors who refer to themselves as 55 plus appear younger, so you don’t need to say you belong to a seniors group you belong to a 55-plus club.
Membership in the Merry Makers is $2 a year. Members plan a monthly program which may include lunch, snacks, dining out, games, bingo, guest speakers, or slide shows aimed at the 55-plus crowd. It doesn’t cost anything to check out club,; just show up, enjoy the day and decide.
