Remembering our roots Carseland Jet Setters Club
By John Godsman Times Contributor
A small group of seniors met at the home of Mickey Malmberg on Nov. 17, 1977 to discuss forming a senior’s club. It was suggested and approved that the club would be named The Jet Setters.
They originally held their meetings upstairs in the lounge area of the newly built recreation centre/curling rink. This area was quite warm and cozy, but difficult for seniors to negotiate the stairs. In 1993, the Carseland Agricultural Society offered the club rent-free space for 99 years in the new Carseland Community Hall complex. New Horizons provided funds for the new club room, and in 1994 they held their first meeting in the new premises. Forty-three years after its inception, The Jet Setters club is still going strong.
The club has always been very social, and in the early years, they hosted clubs from Arrowwood, Indus, Milo, Blackie, Strathmore, Gleichen, Standard and Rockyford for cards, darts, shuffleboard and bingo, and potluck suppers. Two large events by The Jet Setters included the summer picnics held at Wyndham Park, now known as the Summer Windup, and the annual Christmas party, complete with entertainment and catered dinner.
Bus trips have always been popular, and through the years they have travelled to many dinner theatres, the Glenbow Museum, Aspen Crossing for the train rides, the Saskatoon Farm, etc. In more recent years, they have visited Waterton, Canmore, Lake Louise, the Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller and a Hutterite colony.
Classes are held for painting, cooking, pottery and crafts. Entertainment in the form of speakers, comedians and musicians (The Duelling Pianos), as well as local school students who are always a favourite.
The Jet Setters volunteer at casinos, and with the money raised, support local charities such as Strathmore Hospice, STARS and Carseland Aggie Days, and plans are going forward to support the local fire department.
The age limit has been raised from 40 to 55 (and up), and current membership is 130. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of the month, and the fourth Wednesday is set aside as activity day.
The Jet Setters have been a vibrant part of the community of Carseland, and they look forward to many more years of existence and enjoyment.