Compiled by Cec Jahrig
On May 7, 2024, the Woodcreek Seniors group is celebrating their 23rd Anniversary. The following is a history of the group’s journey from its origins to present day.
The Woodlands Community Association was incorporated on May 21, 1980. Two years later the Woodbine Community Association was registered on October 19, 1982. In 1987, a community centre building approximately 1,000 sq. ft. was built on the Woodlands Community Association grounds. To better serve the needs of the area, the Woodlands and Woodbine Communities amalgamated on January 29, 1992. The Community Association’s name was changed to Woodcreek Community Association (WCA) and now represents the approximate 15,399 residents of both communities.
Now we get to the start of the Woodcreek Seniors’ group. Josie Fogerty and Marie Despins started the Seniors’ Group on May 7, 2001. Josie wanted a social area for her mother. Initially the meetings were held at Hull Services and the starting members paid $5 per meeting to cover the rental cost. That only lasted about two meetings when the group had grown to 15 members! In 2006, the group moved to the Braeside community building. In 2010, a 2,500 sq. ft. addition to the Woodcreek Community Association was completed. The Seniors’ meetings were back at WCA and continue to present. They moved to WCA with the stipulation that all members required a current community membership.
After the first chairperson, Josie Fogert, Marie Despins chaired the group for three years, and was then followed by Sherill Nelson. After Sherill, we had Charlotte McManus and Sheila Jahrig until January 2019 when Anne Bundgaard became Chairperson. There are still four of the original founding members in the group – Mary Burrell, Joan Davies, Marie Despins, and Sheila Jahrig.
Sophia Tahan was the first Treasurer. Cec Jahrig joined the Seniors as the Treasurer in 2006, a position which he still holds. Cec joined the Woodcreek Board of Directors in November of 2008 and on January 20, 2009, a motion was passed at the WCA Board meeting that the Seniors become independent of the WCA and assume management of the Woodcreek Seniors’ group.
In the past, substantial funding for the Seniors group was provided by the Woodcreek Lions established on February 3, 2002. From 2007 to 2020, until the Lions disbanded, the Lions donated $30,300 to the Seniors. Prior to 2010, funding for the Seniors group included bake sales. They initially were vendors at two local organization’s craft sales – Braeside Community Centre and Holy Spirit Church. A craft sale was established at WCA in 2010 where the Seniors have baking and knitting tables. Current funding sources include a bake sale, support from the Knitting Group, WCA, local businesses, book sales, 50/50 draws at the meetings, and the Annual Garage Sale. In 2010, two other Seniors groups were added – Knitting and Bridge.
Our membership normally includes 70 to 85 people with approximately 30% of the members coming from outside the community. The group meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month with attendance varying between 35 and 45 persons at each meeting. The Woodcreek Seniors provide a great social outlet for the seniors in Woodcreek. Entertainment, field trips, speakers, luncheons, and volunteering are some of the activities for the group.
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