I have been asked to write a piece to describe what goes on at the Keremeos Seniors Drop In Centre located next door to Memorial Park.
I have lived in Keremeos since 1967 but only a few short years ago did I decide to see what goes on there. I was totally amazed, there is something to do there for every citizen that goes there.
There are the songsters, run by Barbara Holt, there are pool tables - they are good ones, there is a shuffle board, carpet bowling, many card tables, there is dancing on a beautiful dance floor with a fine old time orchestra which is led by Heiner and Kadia Schwetje. With all the old time dance music I know so well from the old country school houses on the prairie (which I attended in my youth prior to 1939). The fellow that seems to be in charge, Alex Formenco, has the centre running like a well oiled clock. I have seen as many as close to a hundred on the dance floor at once doing all those graceful old time dances, beautiful shirts, and old time dresses, and every one old age pensioners - but you would never know it the way they move around that floor.
Everything is volunteer - even the food and coffee, etc., which is done by donation. No bad language, no smoking, no alcohol and financed by 50 cents for pool.
It is amazing how smoothly it all runs with no one really managing it. Anyone who is a senior pays twelve or so dollars to join. I don’t know how it runs so well. I have never heard a word of complaint. The only time I have seen a charge is for the dance. There is a fee if you dance, otherwise you buy a 50 - 50 ticket and when your number is drawn you get 50 per cent of the take.
Another thing- there are mops, etc. in a cabinet and sinks and stuff. If you make a mess or have dishes to do - you do it. Everyone looks after themselves, but the kitchen duty is all volunteer. People who are in wheel chairs are helped or they care for themselves if they are able. Barbara’s Songsters sing at the assisted living in the D and T Centre once a month. I am one of them.
There are books to read and tapes to play. The ladies have days of knitting and their knitted goods are on sale to help with the operation.
Me? I am just a 91 plus year old kid who happens to belong.
Wilf Miller, Keremeos