Local seniors were treated to a fun-filled and meaningful day on April 23. The BESTogether leadership committee organized and hosted a Senior’s Conference. BESTogether is a committee with members from three churches in the area; Big Valley, Erskine and Stettler.
The idea for a Senior’s Conference happened after community outreach efforts were made to F.C.S.S, Stettler Connects, A.C.A.A, and individuals from the lodges, to ask: What does this community need?
Barbara Lynn Goodwin from the leadership team stated, “It came back to us that seniors needed to get together because I think this generation of seniors wants activity. They want to be out and they want to be networking with each other. They want to be physically active and they want to stay mentally stimulated”
That’s when this event was born. Now in its second year, the 2025 Seniors Conference was held at the Stettler United Church and nearby buildings. There were over 20 different sessions offered, including “learn to leather craft”, “let’s watercolour”, “birdwatching” and “senior fitness.” The BESTogether committee is hoping to make it an annual event.
Some individuals loved the event so much that they requested it to happen more often than once a year.
Goodwin added, “They said aren’t you doing one in the fall? And we said, oh no, we’re gonna do one in the spring. It takes a lot of organizing.”
The final count of seniors participating in the sessions was between 90-100, a modest increase from last year. The leaders of the sessions were a mix of volunteers and paid professionals.
Attendees paid $20 at the door and signed up for sessions of their choice. All of the supplies for the individuals and facilitators were provided. Funding for the event was secured from the New Horizons Senior’s Programs grant provided by the Canadian Government. Additionally, funding came from the Rotary Club and Superfluity.
Author: Alex Mykyta
Alex is the owner of Hometown Productions and Media. He has worked in media for over 10 years.
