Bonnyville Seniors Celebrate 50 Years: Traditional Games Keep Communities Connected

The Bonnyville Senior Citizens Society held its 50th anniversary celebration this June. The group hosted a barbecue and cake cutting at the Bonnyville Seniors Drop-in Centre. Founded in 1975, the organization has become a vital part of senior life in the community.

 

President Sherry Hennessey put together a video presentation about the society’s history. The video showed how members raised money over the years through craft fairs, catering, canvassing, selling perogies and pie, and even selling ribbon pieces from ceremonies.

 

Many community centers now see what happens when seniors play mahjong and similar games. These activities boost brain function and create friendships. The tile game makes players remember patterns, figure out odds, and change their plans. Doctors who study the brain say these games might slow down mental aging.

 

Hennessey talked about how important activities are for bringing seniors together. Back in 1979, the group ran bus trips. Seniors got to travel and meet people, while the trips brought in money for the center. These outings showed how one activity can do several good things at once.

 

The society hit some big goals over the years. They burned their mortgage papers in a ceremony that meant they owned their building free and clear. Hennessey pointed out all the volunteer hours that made the group work and thanked the 13 presidents who ran things.

 

The main hall got a new name in 2023. They called it McGregor Hall after William McGregor. He worked on the board from 1992 to 2015 and was president for 10 years. They picked his 100th birthday for the naming ceremony to show how much they valued his work.

 

Barry Kalinski from MD of Bonnyville said he was proud that McGregor came from their area. Ernie Isley spoke at the party, too. He was one of the first committee members and used to be a school principal. He explained how Marcel Ducharme got him involved when seniors asked for someone to come to their meeting.

 

Isley said Ducharme did a lot for the community. He helped build a new hospital and served on the Northern Alberta Development Council and the Lakeland College Board of Governors. Isley called him one of the most overlooked people who helped the community.

 

MLA Scott Cyr came to speak about what the province does for seniors. He said the government wants to help older people age well in their own communities.

 

Mayor Elisa Brosseau thanked Hennessey for all her work with the group. Brosseau mentioned that her great-grandfather, Léon Paul Bougie, was one of the past presidents who had big plans for the center.

 

Community centers could add mahjong to what they already do. The game needs just tiles and a table. People with different skill levels can play together. Groups that meet regularly become friends outside of game time.

 

Brain researchers have learned that pattern games make neural pathways stronger. Mahjong works on memory, focus, and decision making. Players track which tiles got thrown away, remember what they have, and keep changing their strategy.

 

The friendship part matters just as much. Regular players joke around together, cheer for wins, and check on people who miss games. These connections become important support systems, especially for people who live alone.

 

Traditional games link different generations and cultures while helping health. Groups like the Bonnyville Senior Citizens Society keep finding new ways to mix fun with staying healthy. They make places where older adults can do well both socially and mentally.