Maples area seniors celebrate milestone

The Maples

The Maples Seniors Indo-Canadian Society Inc. is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its regular gathering and wellness activities. The 55-plus organization is one of the most vibrant and successful seniors groups in Winnipeg,

The 11 members board of directors and over 160 members held their annual farewell banquet on Sept. 28 at the Maples Community Centre. To honour and extend well wishes to over forty members who will soon be travelling to their original homeland, India, to spend the winter months and return in the spring.

“We are very happy to have many dedicated members volunteering at all our activities and for the support of our area community centre,” said president Kaur Singh Dhaliwal.

Additionally, at this year’s fall farewell party, the Maples Seniors Indo-Canadian Society recognized seven community leaders/elected officials, primarily for their community services in north Winnipeg. A crystal plaque was presented to each awardee: Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan); J.D. Devgan for MLA, McPhillips; Diljeet Brar, MLA for Burrows; Kevin Lamoureux, MP for Winnipeg North; Minister Mintu Sandhu, MLA for The Maples; Narinder Kalkat, community leader/finance manager and volunteer, and myself, as a Seven Oaks Schoold Division trustee.

Members of the seniors society regularly meet at the Maples Community Center gymnasium three to four times per week on week days between 1 and 4 p.m. While most of the seniors reside within walking distance to the centre, several members are from Amber Trails, Amber Gates, Waterford Greens and West St.Paul.

Some the seniors activities include: group chatting on current affairs, farming (many members were farmers), the occasional yoga classes, safety seminars, card games, of course, chai tea and biscuits at 2:30 pm., and the popular annual chartered buses excursion and day picnic at sites as St. Malo and Heckla Island.

Six years ago, the seniors group was recognized as an excellent example of volunteers coming together and organizing recreational and wellness activities in partnership with their local community centres. And, the City of Winnipeg’s General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres produced a promotional video that included the Maples Seniors activities at the Maples Community Centre.

President of the Maples C.C. Gurinder Pal Singh said, “We welcome other seniors groups in the area to also organize wellness activities at our facilities.” General manager Martino Vergata added, “Congrats to the Maples Seniors Society. And, we look forward to welcoming our diverse community as we expand and develop more sports and recreational programs.”