POMPTON LAKES GOLDEN AGE CLUB, INC.

The Pompton Lakes Golden Age Club, Inc. was organized in November of 1964, with six members, one of whom was Mrs. Kathryn Schuman, who became its first president. It was due to her efforts and hard work that our Club became a success. After achieving this goal she passed away unexpectedly in 1966. The Civic Center was dedicated to her memory.

The original six members were Emma Van Bouchante, Ethel Burke, Mary Reilly, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Bednarik and Katherine Schuman. Evelyn Foley joined the Club in 1965 and whatever history we have today is due to Evelyn's notes.

The first bank deposit was made on December 3, 1964 in the amount of $32.75.

In 1965 the By-Laws were initiated with help from Lou Eis and Evelyn Mulqueen.

In 1966 membership reached 55. Today, because of limited space in the Civic Center, we cannot have any more than 95 active members.

The first meetings were held in the lower floor of the Einstein Memorial Library with the permission of the Library Board of Trustees. We were then permitted to use our Civic Center. The Borough Council provided us with tables and chairs and kitchen facilities, which were new at that time.

In 1978 a Federal Grant to the Pompton Lakes Seniors of approximately $3400 was donated to the Borough of Pompton Lakes to pave the parking lot behind the new Municipal Building. This was done so that we seniors could walk safely to the Civic Center.

The Borough tried on several occasions to reduce our space, once to put a printing machine in where the officers sit today, and once when they used the Civic Center as a repair shop. The Golden Agers, led by Evelyn Foley, marched on the Borough to stop this action and succeeded. Also, more recently, in 1993, Bill McQuaig fought for us to be able to use the Civic Center every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Pompton Lakes Golden Age Club meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday each month. The other Thursdays are used for Arts and Crafts and Chorus practice. The Chorus performs at local Nursing Homes several times a year. Arts and Crafts makes articles for sale at our annual arts, crafts and bake sale held in the Civic Center. Profits are used for the benefit of the Club, such as helping pay for our yearly Anniversary, Thanksgiving and Christmas parties. We travel to Atlantic City twice a year and go on eight other planned local trips. Our meetings are held mainly to socialize, have refreshments, and discuss local, health and political news that is of interest to us. At times we welcome speakers.

Hopefully, in the near future, the Pompton Lakes Golden Age Club will share a new Senior Club with St. Mary's Seniors for the benefit of all. A new Senior Center will provide a pleasant atmosphere to meet in and also a means to raise funds so that we can become more self-sufficient.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Colonial Theatre's history goes back to the early 1900's. It was known as the Cowdray Playhouse, and one could see the latest Vaudeville acts. The Playhouse in time was made into a movie theatre and has now become a twin screen entertainment center.