Empangeni resident Joy van Graan celebrated her 90th birthday in grand style at two different parties with her friends of the Golden Oldies club last week.
‘We had a party for Joy at her place at Leisure Gardens and the other at the Empangeni Country Club as her birthday coincided with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the senior citizens Golden Oldies club,’ said resident Ray Peyters.
‘Joy, together with her sister Paula White, were the main instigators in starting the club, but I must say it was strongly supported by Jean Barnes, Vera Henderson, Robbie de Robillard, Sandy Jerome, Ann Anthony, Sue Labuschagne and Prudence Brown.
‘Some of these stalwarts, like Pruddie and Sue, are still regular attendees at the club’s weekly meetings.
‘While I was paging through Joy’s albums, I noticed that the club went on numerous exciting excursions to uShaka Marine World and The Play House, when travelling costs were not that high,’ said Peyters.
Joy has since handed over the leadership position to Elaine van der Venter and the club still swings as the senior citizens enjoy great entertainment week after week.
At present, the club members are preparing for their big walk and making their ‘Wild West’ style outfits for their event themed ‘Cowboys and Indians’ which, according to Peyters, shall see the senior citizens ‘grooming their horses or servicing their wheelchairs’.
The Golden Oldies Club is open to senior citizens over the age of 55 and meets every Friday morning at the Empangeni Civic Centre.
For more information about club activities contact Elaine on 082 4318110.
