When Elizabeth Mangan stepped up to the podium on Nov. 14 she recounted how small groups of seniors would find relaxation and fellowship in the early 1970s from a small room at the Innisfail United Church.
“It was not in the downtown area and they came in in small numbers. There were not any men; they were mostly attended by church folks,” said Mangan. “After two years they decided to do something different.”
Led by Oscar and Mabel Lundgren, seniors in the community took decisive action to find a home of their own following a survey in early 1974 that showed almost 200 citizens were interested in seeing the creation of a local seniors drop-in centre.
Three months after the survey, held around Easter in April of 1974, the Lundgrens invited 35 seniors to come to their home. Most came and an executive was created, with Oscar chosen as the drop-in's first president.
On Oct. 3, the new organization had its first home – in a vacant barbershop. “There was room for four card tables. They found that the place was very cold so they approached the mayor and asked to be considered as tenants in the new town complex,” recalled Mangan.
The following year on Aug. 25 the town opened its new fire hall complex and members of the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In moved in. The organization has been a successful and vital institution ever since.
“We gradually grew in size for functions and memberships,” said Mangan. “Over the years we have come up and come down. We have gone through 14 presidents.”
The organization celebrated 40 glorious years on Nov. 14 with an evening of fellowship and smiles at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion. More than 200 people came to share memories, listen to speeches of best wishes for the future, hear heartfelt songs from the Senior Serenaders, watch a humorous and colourful fashion show and witness the cutting of the anniversary cake.
“They were people who had an absolute passion for service,” said Brad Lundgren of his grandparents Oscar and Mabel whose photo was perched proudly beside the 40th anniversary cake near the many other drop-in artifacts. “In the early 1970s when they were retired they saw there was a need for seniors to have the opportunity to get together, to do activities, have fellowship, to spend time together.
“It was that passion and vision that spurred them on to create the beginning of the drop-in centre,” added Brad. “I think they would look now and be astounded by what it has become over this period of time. We couldn't be happier to be here and be part of that legacy.”
Jean Bennett, publicity director for the drop-in centre, said a committee began organizing the event last July. She said it turned out to be a complete success with lots of smiles and laughter.
“The fashion show entertainment was tremendous. It was a takeoff of all the fashions names that we have known in the past. It was a tremendous, tremendous event,” said Bennett, confident it will give the organization another big boost for the future. “Another great 40 years, I hope.”
Sharron Matthewman, community facilitator for the town's Family and Community Support Services office, said the event proved to the community that it has every reason to be proud of what the seniors have accomplished over the past four decades.
“Having gone on for 40 years is a great length of time to be going,” she said.
