Remembering Our Roots: Origins of seniors’ clubs in Wheatland County The Happy Gang, Strathmore
By John Godsman Times Contributor
On Feb. 6, 1970, a group of senior citizens met in the Strathmore United Church hall, located on Third Avenue (where the courthouse now stands), to discuss the forming of a club for seniors, for social afternoons or evenings. The first board was duly elected that afternoon, consisting of president Harold Scheer, vice-president Bill Watt, secretary-treasurer Mabel Groves and social convener Mayme Martin.
The next five years, through December 1975, the seniors’ group, now known as The Senior Happy Club, met twice monthly at the United Church hall. Membership fees were set at $1 per person, per year.
On Nov. 7, 1975 the name was changed to The Happy Gang Society of Strathmore, protected and governed by The Incorporated Society Act.
The club moved to the Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Hall in Strathmore, from 1975 to 1982, while the old community hall that used to stand where the current building is located, was replaced by a new building. The Strathmore Municipal Library and The Happy Gang shared this building located at 85 Lakeside Blvd., and access to the building was through the main entrance. In 2013, FCSS, originally part of WFCSS, moved into the southeast corner of the building, next door to a room used by the Strathmore Lions Club. Entrance to this building was through the main entrance, and The Happy Gang entry was through a door from the main hall.
In July 2015, The Happy Gang premises were a hive of activity when the Town of Strathmore hosted the 55 Plus Seniors Summer Games.
In 2016, the premises were completely renovated by the Town of Strathmore, with grant funding coming from the provincial government. The new building now houses a very enlarged library, still using the original entrance, and The Happy Gang with their own entrance at the southern end of building. FCSS moved to Third Avenue in the old SAAN building.
The Happy Gang enjoys a membership of 185, paying annual fees of $25 each, and has activities daily from Monday to Saturday, which include exercise programs, pool, cards and line dancing. A garage sale is held twice yearly in April and October.