Remembering our roots ~ Gleichen and Cluny Jubilee Club

By John Godsman Times Contributor

The Gleichen and Cluny Jubilee Club originated in 1977, and initially met in the Legion hall on Sunday evenings. Mr .Shaw of Shaw Moving Ltd. advised the club that there was an old buildng, previously used by Texaco Oil as offices, now displaying For Sale signs at the Calgary airport. This building was purchased and moved from Calgary airport to Gleichen by Shaw Moving Ltd.

After considerable remodeling had been completed on the inside and the Gleichen Lions Club had repainted the outside, the building was named G & C Drop-in Centre and the grand opening was held on Aug. 6, 1981.

The first executive included chair Leroy Nicholson, secretary Eva Barstad and treasurer Alice Rasmussen (who served for 31 years). Regular meetings were held every Sunday evening, fol-lowed by a potluck supper. Tuesday and Thursday afternoons the centre was open to all and any-one. One could play cards, shoot pool or do crafts, and occasionally a guest speaker would visit.

A member of the Happy Gang, Wood Nelson, introduced military whist to the club, and all sen-iors clubs in Wheatland County. Each club took turns on a Wednesday afternoon each month, mainly during the winter, to host this event. Much later, this was changed to a cribbage after-noon.

The Jubilee Club was a hive of activity for many years, with events such as Gleichen Lions sen-iors suppers, bridal showers, choir practices and, more recently, the Gleichen Lions foot clinic.

Sadly, the Jubilee Club closed its doors in October 2006, and an auction was held for the con-tents of the building. A total of $2,753.50 was raised and donated to the restoration of the Gleichen water tower.