This warm, friendly group is made up of newcomers to the Meaford area and local people, many of whom have lived here all their lives. People who decide to give the club a try are made to feel part of this large family from day one. There is always someone with similar interests with whom to talk and lots of variety at each get-together.

Guest speakers, card and board games, social mixers, day trips, theatre, dinners, special occasion parties and more are featured at the meetings says 2006-07 chairperson Garry McEachern. Club members take a summer break in July and August and are eager to get into the swing of things after Labour Day.

Current membership is approximately 85 men and women; members can attend as few or as many meetings as they want. Membership is open to all persons, retired or not, who are 55 years of age and over. We have members in their late fifties and all ages up to ninety-plus.

A year’s membership costs only $5.00: the price has remained the same since the club’s inception in 1995. Coffee, tea, and cookies are served after each get-together, and members take turns preparing refreshments.

The final event before the summer break was a luncheon trip to the Inn at Walter’s Falls. Before that, some of us enjoyed a three-day trip by bus to the Ottawa Tulip Festival. Since then, we have heard a talk on how to prevent identity theft by scam artists; enjoyed a satire on Prince Charles, with many members taking acting roles; and recently had all potential councillors who were running for municipal office present their backgrounds and platforms at one of our meetings. The Hallowe’en party saw many members, some in masks and colourful clothing enjoying a best costume competition and games. At Christmas, members enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings cooked by members of the Ladies of the Legion. Show and tell days and craft days with member displays are always popular.

The 55+ Club gives back to the community through helping with tag days and promotions for the Grey-Bruce Alzheimer Society; tagging for cancer research; helping out at the Terry Fox run headquarters; and planting, watering and caring for various town gardens.

The club was formed in 1995 when members of the Meaford Legion were asked to put together a seniors’ initiative program. The Legion gave the group a start-up grant, and the club paid it back in its first year of operation. While meetings are held in the spacious second floor of the Legion, for which club members are grateful, the club operates independently from the Legion.

Executive includes Ruth Pearson as vice-chair; Barbara Jay, in her second term as treasurer; Sheila Carmichael, secretary. Rosemary Tiffin arranges trips and special excursions; Joe Walsh aided by Don Graham is kitchen convenor; Judith Barr continues as historian and publicity and photography person; Lorraine Mierau, Barbara Russell, Florence Lynch, Betty Belton and Dorothy Dalgleish assist the chairperson in setting up programs; Leo Girard is membership chair. Members actively involve themselves in suggesting and arranging weekly activities to assist this committee

For more information, please telephone Judith or Leo Girard: 519-538-3035.