Through letters to other church and community groups, she generated interest and gathered a group of able people who shared her concern. Some of the people who worked hard to begin the club were: Dorothy Rising, Lucille Havill, Clarence Oot, Jesse Pooler, and Bob Smith.
Valerie Barner from the Fayetteville Senior club assisted through the benefit of her experience. In June 1964, a small group of interested citizens met in the Minoa Library with Mr. Lyle Welker, director of adult education for the ESM School district, to discuss the possibility of providing a program in the village for Senior Citizens from the area. At this meeting it was decided to form such a group. At first the small group met at various homes where they enjoyed each other's company and shared mutual interests. An advisory board was formed including the following members: Mrs. Marty Bowne, Mrs. Lucille Havill, Mrs. Zara Cash, Mr. Jesse Pooler, Mrs. Hilda Pooler, Mr. Ken Martindale, Mrs. Dorothy Rising, Mr. Leo Myers, Mr. Clarence Oot and Mr. Thomas Doxsee, the co-chairman being Bowne and Havill.
The first meeting of the Senior Citizens was held on August 10, 1964. At this meeting the group elected Marty Bowne and Lucille Havill as temporary co-chairmen. At this meeting, they set the goals for the club:
1. Promote mental alertness
2. Reduce anxieties that increase in older years.
3. Provide opportunities for friendship and for continued individual
development and education.
4. Provide companionship which will prevent neglected, unhappy,
lonely and bored senior citizens.
5. Create a home-like atmosphere where there will be acceptance
with love and understanding.
6. Provide opportunities for self-expression and creativity.
The sponsoring organizations included: Home Bureau, Library Club, Jr. Chamber of Commerce, Minoa Methodist Church. St. Mary's Holy Name Society, Kirkville W.S.C.S., Minoa American Legion, Minoa Fire Auxiliary, Eastern Star, and N. Manlius United Church.
At one of these meetings, the name, "Golden Age Club," was selected for the organization and the rules adopted were very simple--NO DUES AND NO ALCOHOL. The club was formed as a social club and still is. As the membership grew, the need for a larger common meeting place became apparent.
The Minoa Methodist Church had built a new church, and the original building was purchased by George Rees, a man very much interested in the future of the area. He in turn sold it to the village for $1.00 with the understanding it was to be used as an activity center. The building at that time housed our public library.
At the September 16, 1964 meeting, the advisory board accepted the Village offer of the two rooms over the Post Office, in the same building as the library. One requirement was that the rooms could only be used during the hours that the Post Office was open.
The club continued to grow and more space was again needed. 1965 was an eventful year for Minoa Golden Agers. In that year, the club asked the Minoa Village Board for the use of the present library facilities when the library moved to its new home on Willard Street. As soon as the legalities between the village and the ESM school district were completed, the Golden Age Club moved into the former library space on East Avenue.
The room was 40' x 30' with 12 foot windows. Furnishings were sparse, consisting of some old folding chairs which had been previously stored. There were no rest rooms and no kitchen facilities. The only sink was a janitor's sink. The school donated odd chairs and many other need items. Tables, an old electric stove and a used refrigerator were purchased with money donated to the group. Rev. Milton Sweet's boy scouts accepted all dishes, silverware, and furniture that were offered.
In October of 1965, the Minoa Village Board approved Mr. Buckley's estimate of $138 for the installation of toilets and $63 for the partitions needed for the project. The Golden Age Halloween party that year was held as the construction took place. Girl scouts made table favors and the room was festively decorated with corn stalks and small pumpkins. The club's advisory board attended in Halloween costumes. Later that year, a public dance was held at the Club. George Lisi and friend provided music and entertainment for the people who attended.
The first slate of Minoa Golden Age Club officers were elected: Co-chairman--Lucille Havill and Hilda Pooler, Secretary--Dorothy Rising, Corresponding Secretary--Norma Boss, Treasurer--William McKinley, Business Manager--Jesse Pooler.
Thanks were extended to Clarence Oot for a gift check and to the Oot Brothers for their gift of a color television set.
On October 10, 1968 the birthday of Minoa Golden Age Club celebrated with an open house. Memorial plaques were dedicated at that time. Another celebration occurred when the Oot brothers provided a pre-Thanksgiving dinner for club members. An old-fashioned turkey dinner with all the trimmings was enjoyed by all who attended.
During the next year, the club lowered their membership age from 55 to 50 years of age. Do-s and Don'ts were drawn by the members and named the Golden Rules. A copy was posted in the clubrooms for all members to see. Dorothy Rising was elected president of the club. She held the position until 1976, when she asked for a change. Emma LeConte succeeded Mrs. Rising as president for that year. She was succeeded by Martha Showers at the next election. Martha has held the presidency ever since--22 years.
Over the years the Minoa Golden Age Club has enjoyed many activities. One important sub-group of the club was the famous Kitchen Band. The band first performed on December 14, 1974 at the club's Christmas party. It consisted of musicians who used traditional instruments and some very unconventional instruments, including jugs, pots and pans, washboards, etc. The group added their own voices, to provide fun sing-along songs. The Band became legendary and very well known throughout the area.
The Kitchen Band made their television debut on January 2, 1978. They appeared on Jan Gibson's "Women on the Go" show. Later Ms. Gibson was a guest of the club at one of their famous covered dish luncheons. That same year the band was able to buy new chairs for the club, using money that they had earned performing. They performed at the New York State Fair and won a blue gold rosette special award, as well as a standing ovation from the audience. By 1981 the band had received their sixth blue ribbon.
At one time the first Wednesday of every month was set aside as a day of service for the community. The club members spent many hours making cancer pads, as well as other planned projects for the benefit of the community.
Another tradition of the Golden Age Club is the annual dinner. The first was held on October 5, 1966 and featured a lovely chicken and biscuit dinner. Cabbage salad, sliced tomatoes, relishes, cake, coffee and tea were enjoyed by all. After dinner, the club held their first open house. Members' exhibits from the State Exposition were displayed, as well as other handiwork by club members. Twenty-four guests attended the open house and were treated to the display.
The first meeting in the Community Center on Osborne Street was on February 23, 1984 where the meetings are still held. In January of 1999 the Golden Age Club incorporated. Every Thursday they enjoy a luncheon, companionship, cards, bingo, movies, and Colby Gowin on the organ. The organ was donated by the Bridgeport Methodist Church. They invite anyone 50 years of age and older to join them in their festivities. Just call Martha Showers at 656-9020.
* * *
The caption under the photo of the Minoa Golden Age Kitchen Band ca. 1970's reads:
Members of the Kitchen Band from Minoa area, from left, front row: Leona Parsons, Hazel Wilsey, Bertha Sowter, Rosemary Hewes, Bessie Wilsey, Anne Boehmer, Rose Muglia, Imelda Myers, Harriet Anderson, and Emma Le Conte. Second row: Martha Showers, band director, Esther Rawson, David MacLeod, Grace Wiley, Hugh Wiley, Anna Marcely, Florence McGinley, George Heffentrager, Laura Ring, Mary Kiggins, Sally Baister, Eleanor MacLeod, Jane Houde. Absent from picture are Lula Lansing, Anne Stafford, Floyd and Esther DeVaul.
"The Minoa Chronicle" is published quarterly by Norma Jenner, Bob Kinsella, Bev Petterelli and Loretta Sturick, and is available at Green's Hardware Store, the Minoa Public Library and the Village Office in Minoa, and at Brownell's Printing in Eastwood.