THE ELK POINT OLD TIMERS' ASSOCIATION
by Ila Bornwsky
Early records give credit to Mr. F. Bullis for being the moving force in the organization of the first Old Timers' Association. The following is a copy of the minutes of the first meeting:
Elk Point Old Timers' Association-First Meeting November 24, 1952.
Mr. O.J. Fish, Chairman Mr. E. Bullis moved that an association be formed and this was seconded by Ed Smith. It was put to the meeting and carried.
Moved by Mr. Fish that we elect the officers.
Moved by Mr. Bullis that Mr. Fish be president, seconded by Ed Smith. Carried.
Moved by Mr. Bullis that A.A. Rain be secretary-treasurer. Seconded by Mrs. Swanson.
Moved by Mrs. Rain, seconded by Mrs. Ramsbottom, that Mr. F. Bullis be vice-president.
Executive Committee: Mr. Fish, Mr. Bullis, Mrs. Swanson, Mrs. Babcock, Mrs. Lester Smith, Mrs. Ramsbottom, Mrs. Rain, Mrs. Graves.
Mr. Bullis was asked to get in contact with Mr. J.W.G. Morrison in Vermilion to draw up the Constitution. (Years of residence was set at forty years in the western provinces for members.) This was moved by Mrs. Ramsbottom, seconded by Mrs. Rain.
Membership Fee was set at $1.00.
Signed O.J. Fish,Chairman;A.A.Rain, Secretary-Treasurer.
The following are excerpts taken from the Constitution "Whereas it has been felt by several old timers residing in the postal district of Elk Point that an association should formed for the purpose of getting those men and women together for social purposes as a body and to that end have oi lined a Constitution of which the following are suggest provisions:
Constitution of which the following are suggested provisior The name of the Association shall be the "Elk Point 0ld Timers' Association" and shall have headquarters at F Point, Alberta.
ELK POINT OLD TIMERS
BACK ROW, Left to Right Mr and Mrs Earl Bullis Mrs. Day, Mr. Craven, Mrs McGinnis
SITTING Henry Jacobson, Mr. Dave Nelson, Mrs C Smith, Mr H Day KNEELING: Mr. Turney. 1953
The object of the association is to promote social activities. among the members; to bring the old timers and their families together for social purposes and entertainment, particularly on the occasion of the annual gatherings; discuss impartially all questions affecting interests of community and welfare and enjoyment of members general. The association however shall not take part as a body municipal, provincial or federal affairs, and political discussion shall not be permitted at any of the meetings.
OLD TIMERS' PICNIC, 1920
BACK ROW, Left to Right: Mrs. Lars Johnson, Mrs. Ole Jacobson, Mrs. T. Aarbo and Mother, Mrs. Hill, Mrs. C.A. Johnson, Mrs. 0. Fish, Mrs. C. Hood.
FRONT ROW: Mary Fish, Mrs. 0. Holthe and Sidney, George Johnson, Mrs. Tom Wolfe.
Any person living in the district of Elk Point who resided in the western provinces, west of the Great Lakes, a period of at least forty years may become a member of association upon payment of membership fee of one dollar which is payable on or before date of annual meeting. annual meeting shall be a dinner meeting and dance cal upon a date fixed by the executive and of which ten d notice shall be given the members. The word "person" "member" shall include male or female. At the annual dinner all members or others present shall pay the dinner and dance charges. Exception may be made of guests present on invitation of the Executive."
The first meetings were held in the Scouts' Hall, late the Legion Hall. The first Sports Committee consisted Charlie Keller and Mrs. O.C. Graves. The first directors - Mrs. Swanson, Mrs. Easton, Mrs. Graves, Mr. Bullis, Mrs Erickson and Mr. Bartling. The first auditor was (M Florence McDonell. The Entertainment Committee (Mrs.) Floris Fenton, (Mrs.) L. Edwards, (Mrs.) F. McDonnell and (Mrs.) M. McGinnis.
It was in 1954 that Dr. F.G. Miller suggested that the executive take it upon themselves to attempt to get reports from the various parts of the community so that a local history might be compiled.
The music for the dance after the first banquet and annual meeting was supplied by (Mrs.) Minnie Boos, Mr. C. Boos, Jr. and Mr. August Bartling. Membership at this time consisted of from seventy-four to eighty-four members.
In 1956 the Legion Hall was being used as a school room, which presented the problem of what to do with the school books during the meeting and banquet. Mrs. Flanders suggested shopping bags be supplied to all the children so that books would not be misplaced. Eighty-six attended that banquet.
The presidents and secretaries respectively for 1952 to 1964: Mr. Fish, Mr. Rain; Mr. Fish, (Mrs.) Elsie Babcock; Mr. Harry Smith, (Mrs.) M. McGinnis; Mr. R.C. Flanders, (Mrs.) M. McGinnis; Mr. Martin Loftus, (Mrs.) M. McGinnis; Mr. Wm. Wolfe, (Mrs.) Elsie Babcock; Mr. Ed Scott, Mr. M. Aarbo; Mr. Bill Bartling, (Mrs.) Clara Rowe; Mr. M. Aarbo, (Mrs.) Olive Berg.
By 1964 membership had decreased considerably due to deaths and to people moving away.
In 1967 the Christian Education Committee of the United Church decided they should do something for our senior citizens. It was decided to have a supper between Christmas and New Years and ask all senior citizens, also all persons, old or young, in the district who were alone or had no place to go and no relatives or family. This developed into parties for senior citizens for all special occasions, such as Valentine's Day. No mention was made of forming a senior citizens organization until Charles McLaughlin who was then P.5.5. director, carried to one of the parties and talked to the people about forming a senior citizens group. A committee was formed and, with the help of Mrs Bochon, a start was made on forming the present senior citizens group.
Over two hundred attend the first Senior Citizens' Christmas Party at the Elks' Hall
