Mercury The Tofield
$1 GST INCLUDED Vol. 101 Issue 50, Wednesday, August 14, 2019
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Established in 1918 in Tofield, Alberta
Local cannabis store scheduled for a November opening
Tofield’s Landon Van Engelen and Ty Yoder play in 5th Bretzky Annual
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Ryley’s Havanese breeder ecstatic over her dog’s litter of 11 puppies
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‘Happy Wanderers’ group keeps local senior ladies busy throughout the year Kylie Kuflay Student Reporter
Members of Happy Wanderers go on trips and attend events that are not only affordable, but also address the various interests expressed by them, making it a great experience for all. SUBMITTED PHOTO
The ‘Happy Wanderers,’ a group that provides rural senior women an affordable chance to attend functions, and events in and around Alberta, also keeps them busy throughout the year. “The group was started by a few women in the community who were interested in doing fun things,” said Chairperson Loretta Kroeker. “These women realized that there was a need for an organization that would give senior women in the area an affordable chance to attend various functions.” Kroeker explained that ‘Happy Wanderers’ was arranged after some ladies heard that there were other older women like themselves who do not drive out of the small towns very often. Many of these women no longer have a partner to attend functions with or aren’t interested.
“Surveys were handed out to as many women as we could find in local coffee shops, or restaurants,” Kroeker added. “These surveys helped determine that this was something that could be beneficial for them.” After going through the surveys a committee was formed with volunteers to represent Tofield and Ryley. “We try to target older women with a set age from age 55 and up,” explained Kroeker. “But although there’s a set age we would never turn anyone away if they wanted to come and were a bit younger.” The group has already participated in various events, such as a Legislature tea and tour, Dinner theatre, and a visit to the Lois Hole Enjoy Centre. Happy Wanderers will continue to focus on local events in the community and surrounding areas such as the annual Christmas events, dinner the-
atres, and others that the group expresses interest in. “I have enjoyed the enthusiasm that the women have exhibited when they attend each event,” said Kroeker. ”Of course it should be stressed that we are still learning, and everything doesn’t always go as planned, but the excitement stays even if things don’t go the way they were intended to!” Happy Wanderers has asked local businesses for grant money to continue to operate and are grateful that they recognize the need to increase the quality of life for senior women in the local area. “Addressing social isolation among the many rural women in the comunity was the most important issue for this group,” Kroeker stated. “I think we will continue to address and meet the needs of our senior women and we hope Happy Wanderers will be in operation for years to come.”