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CANORA - As part of Canora in Bloom, a come-and-go tea was held on July 17 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Keen Age Centre in Canora. Keen Age members brought a variety of tasty squares and other snacks to go with the coffee and tea.

Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis congratulated the Keen Age Centre on this special milestone “on behalf of the Province of Saskatchewan, constituents of Canora-Pelly, my family and myself.”

Dennis, who was born and raised in Canora, recalled that Mike Lukey was the Keen Age president back in 1973, when the Keen Age Centre was first opened.
“It’s been great for the whole community,” said Dennis. “It’s very important for Canora to provide recreation for our seniors. Seniors built our community and our province. It’s vital that they have a place to gather and meet friends. The Keen Age Centre fits in with the three most important things for the community: health care, recreation and education.”

Information on the history of the Canora Keen Age Society was compiled by Edith Kotzer.

According to the information, in 1973 Egan Grams started a campaign to form a seniors’ organization in Canora, and it was officially formed on Feb. 22. The former John Deere shop owned by Harry Gardner was chosen as the group’s building with rent set at $150 per month. The building had been constructed in 1948.

Nov. 1, 1973 was the official opening day. It was decided that Dan Daniels be the master of ceremonies. Kay Daniels, Laura Gardiner, Ouida Scott and Harriet Grams were chosen to convene the lunch and other arrangements for the occasion.

Jean Zarazun, Keen Age social convenor, recalled that her father had purchased a John Deere tractor in the same building that later became the Keen Age Centre. According to former Canora Mayor Mike Swerhone, following renovations to the building, “one would never know it was once a John Deere shop.”

Kotzer said that grants to support the organization and its activities were received from New Horizons, federal and provincial governments, social services and the Town of Canora.

Laura Gardner won a contest to name the organization the Keen Age Society.

Lil Crotenko designed the Keen Age Centre flag and also wrote the words to The Keen Age Song, sung to the tune of Red River Valley.

This all started and made a beginning

In the year of 1973

When some people had thought of the future

And that fast soon old they would be.

Too young to retire and do nothing

With time on their hands that they had

Just sitting and reading was boring

For your mind, it would surely be bad.

Got together and did some thinking

Those government grants we could take

A building was needed to meet in

And a few people with plans to make.

Senior Centres became such a rampage

This need in Ca-no-ra was sure

It was then that we started the Keen Age

A place to keep fit, a safe cure.

In this song we salute our seniors

Those of now and those of the past

Don’t put off your con-gra-tu-la-tions

Because the time is sure going fast.

As mentioned earlier, in 1973 the first president was Mike Lukey. The first vice-president was Dan Daniels while Marge Erichsen served as the second vice-president. Stan Petroff was the treasurer and Harvey Clotsman the secretary.

Over the years the membership grew to as many as 222.

In 1978 the old John Deere building was purchased for $20,000. Fundraisers included bake sales, sausage suppers, raffles, bingos and recipe book sales.

The Keen Age Society presidents have included: Mike Lukey, Dan Daniels, Nick Sopoff, Paul Zarazun, William Babchishen, Frank Siganski, Joe Raiwett, Leo Rakochy, Richard Roe, Lawrence Toffan, Peter Wiebe, Edith Kotzer and Robin Rubletz. 

In 1994, Keen Age Society members were involved with creating the world’s largest quilt. The unveiling was in Nipawin, to which Jean Zarazun and Edith Kotzer travelled to witness. Many quilts had been stitched together and covered the entire arena floor, measuring 155 feet long and 82 feet, eight inches across. The quilt was later the subject of a mathematics question in a Grade 8 textbook printed in Orlando, Florida.

In 1998 the Keen Age Society celebrated its 25th anniversary. A supper was provided, which was catered by Ann Pasloski. The Can-Am band entertained.

In that same year, members took part in the creation of the world’s longest tablecloth, which measured 1,650 feet in length. This was 150 feet longer than the previous record in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In 1999, the group hosted an antique show-and-tell. There was spinning being done, carding, butter making and ice cream making. Stan Petroff brought the spinning wheel and Mary Wihnan did the spinning.

The availability of grant money has allowed the organization to make a number of purchases and improvements over the years. There are no steps at the entrance to the Keen Age Centre, making things easier for the handicapped.

They purchased a barbecue with grant money. The old shed was removed from the premises and a new shed was put up at the back of the Keen Age Centre building. The building was rewired and insulated. New siding and windows were installed. They put on a new roof and added attic insulation. The roof was modified to help dry the attic. New flooring was installed in the west portion of the building.

At the 2022 Keen Age AGM, President Edith Kotzer reported that, “considering COVID-19 and all, we are doing well, although memberships are down due to those who passed away or moved.” Kotzer expressed her wish to resign and that she enjoyed her time as president. Robin Rubletz has since taken over the position.

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