History of the Essex Retirees Social Club


On March 2, 1976, despite inclement weather, thirty-three people attended the first meeting of the Essex Retirees Social Club, which was held at St. Paul's Anglican Church Hall in Essex, Mrs Dorothea Knights, Executive Director of the Greater Windsor Senior Citizens Centre was the guest speaker, providing many useful insights on organizing a Senior's Club.

The executive was appointed consisting of Roger Purvis as Chairman, Edna Labaj as Recording Secretary, Bruce Armstrong as Financial Secretary, and a Board of Directors consisting of seven members. Subsequently, the need was felt for two more executive positions resulting in the appointment of Chester Stotts as Vice Chairman and Ethel Queen as Assistant Secretary.

Initially, meetings were held in the St. Paul's Church Hall. However, as membership and activities increased, a need was felt for a more permanent meeting place. Through the cooperation of the Essex Recreational Committee under the leadership of Norm Brown and the Kinsmen Club of Essex, the Club was provided the use of the Field House located on Fairview Avenue, three days a week, free of charge.

Meetings and activities were held at the Field House until 1978 when the Club was provided with facilities at 115 Talbot Street North, by the Town of Essex. Extensive renovations to the building were made possible by a New Horizon Grant and the dedication and hard work of the members.

In August of 1998 the Club moved again. This time to the Dowswell Public School building located at the corner of Russell Street and Centre Street 32 Russell Street, most recently used by the Board of Education for administration purposes.. Currently the Board of Education is still using a portion of these facilities for computer Training, and will continue to do so for a period of time.

Volunteers operated the Club until 1985 when expanding programs and increasing membership gave the status of a Multi-Purpose Service Centre under the Elderly Persons Centres Act. As a result, a grant was received to hire a Meals Coordinator and an Office Staff Person.



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