1985 11 06 Heinsburg seniors cut the ribbon
By Irene Magnusson
A large group of Seniors and other well-wishers gathered in the newly-constructed ‘‘Riverview Senior Citizens’ Club” at Heinsburg, to officially open the new building, and to give it a lively send-off.
Some five years ago the birth of the idea took place, to have a special place where the seniors could enjoy companionship and recreation. The best plan was to incorporate it with the Heinsburg Community Club, which already had a hall. The new addition, financed by funds the seniors raised for themselves and with grants from New Horizons and Alberta Culture, took three years to complete — and no doubt more things will be added as time goes by — but today is a very nice place indeed.
Attached to the south side of the Community Hall, the center is bright, light and cheerful. There are ample tables and chairs for cards, lunches, etc., with a very nice kitchen to prepare snacks in. The mandatory pool table is there, along with a shuffleboard along one wall.
A donation has been made of a used piano, and last Friday, October 25th, it got a workout as a good old fashioned sing-song rang out. On the piano top stands a handsome ornate clock, also a gift received.
To kick off the celebrations, the 24 member Club invited seniors from Elk Point, Tulliby Lake and Dewberry, along with anyone else who wished to attend. A super pot-luck supper was served to all (and if that’s what pot-luck means I’ll take pot-luck anytime).
Grace Meger asked the blessing, before the line-up to the groaning board commenced. Amy Krider, President of the Riverview Senior Citizens’ Club, spoke on the commencement of the club, and how funds were acquired for the project. ‘‘We had a Card-a-thon,’”’ she said, “where cards were played continuously from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning.”’ Over a thousand dollars was raised in that effort, she said.
Mrs. Krider then read a letter of Congratulations from the Hon. Jack Epp, Minister of Health and Welfare. She said a Certificate of Incorporation had been received, which hangs on the club’s wall.
Alvin Meger, president of the Heinsburg Community Club, M.C.-ed the event. He added his congratulations for their efforts, and said, ‘“‘I wish them well,” and, of the addition, added ‘When I am ready to use it, I hope it will still be there.”
Meger, together with the secretary-treasurer Bertha Botting, held the long red ribbon, while Mrs. Krider applied the sheers. The ribbons fell to generous applause.
An evening of dancing followed, for those who would dance, music supplied by local Harry Jenner on drums, and Katie and Berle Swanson, with guitars and strings, all music-makers from way back. Other guests settled in for some card playing.
The first president of the club was Sam Krider, first secretary Mrs. Vinge. Visitors were present from as far away as Kamloops, B.C.. The 25 or so busload from Elk Point had a good time, as did the load from Dewberry, just back from a trip to Edmonton.
The beauty of having the Center attached to the Community hall, is that it allowed the large crowd of 75-plus people to dine in comfort, in one half of the hall, dancing takes place in the other half all this leaving the seniors’ cosy carpeted room intact, for visiting, cards, pool and so forth.
Congratulations to the Senior of Heinsburg, for the persistence to go ahead and acquire what was needed to make their lives a little brighter.
Congratulations, too, to all the citizens of Heinsburg — and to any of us who travel that way — on the lovely black and gleaming new highway, presently paved and polished all the way from Elk Point to Heinsburg. The glittering white and yellow lines on the new section are a joy to drive between, and the smoothness of the ride has shortened that road up considerably.
