As the local scenery erupts with all the colourful vibrancy of spring as it rolls its way across the Fraser Valley, members of the Canyon Golden Age Club are gearing up again to host their annual Spring Tea, which has been running for at least 30 years.
“It’s typically a great time for everyone,” said Eva Andrew, who was elected as the Club’s president in January. “We serve tea, there’s a bake sale, we sell bouquets of daffodils, and there’s a pie walk give-away.”
Held on Saturday, April 13, from 2 till 4 p.m., in the Club’s hall, Andrew says the Tea is the Club’s main fundraising event of the year, and all money raised stays within the Club to be used for supplies and maintenance.
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“Last year we did a major renovation on the hall,” Andrew explained. “We painted it all and put in a new wheelchair ramp. It looks really good now.”
The Golden Age Hall was originally constructed as a set in the movie First Blood, but when filming was over, the production crew donated the building to the District, who in turn, gave it to the community’s seniors so they’d have a place of their own.
“Our mandate is to keep seniors active,” Andrew said. “People come here for the company, snacks, and to be social so they’re not sitting at home alone.”
Andrew says the Golden Age Society also brings in speakers to discuss topics such as wills, and they even had an AED training session recently with almost two dozen attendees.
“We want to offer some more seminars in things that will be of interest to older people,” the Club president continued.
But don’t forget the cards, Andrew adds.
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One of the most popular social activities at the hall are the card games. Outside of regular games, several times a year, members from affiliated clubs across the Valley make their way to Hope to partake in semiannual tournaments for games like Cribbage and Whist.
“It keeps the mind active, and just keeps people busy. I know they keep me busy!” Andrew joked.
Baking for the upcoming Spring Tea is also keeping Andrew added: she’s been baking up a storm to make sure there are enough goodies to delight the masses.
“We’ll also have sandwiches as part of the Tea: for $5, people get a sandwich, tea or coffee, and a goodie,” said Andrew, who’s been a member of the Club for nearly a decade. “And we usually have at least 80 to 90 people attend, but we make most of it right here at the hall to keep our costs low.”
For more information, or to check out what all the fun is about, visit the Golden Age Society at 560 Douglas St., or you can message them on their Facebook Page at Facebook.com/CanyonGoldenAgers.
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