Pleasant Hours Senior Club Keeps Going in Sixth Decade

The Monday meeting of the Pleasant Hours Senior Club is in session at noon at Trenton’s Westfield Activities Center.

At one table, President Audrey Dibble looks over the day’s agenda while chatting in a relaxed atmosphere with other women in the group. The native of England, who turns 76 in February, is a retired nurse, an organist at her church and a widow since 1954. She is enjoying her first year as president and especially enjoys the company of fellow seniors.

At another table is Marge Singbiel, 86, who worked at Mulias and Elias until the Trenton department store burned down. A member of Pleasant Hours for 10 years, Singbiel finishes her sloppy joe and says “everybody is friendly” in the city’s oldest senior citizen club.

Two seats down is 80-year-old Don Junk, who is the only male among the 21 meeting attendees on this cold Monday. Some members go south for the winter or stay home on cold snowy days, Dibble said. Junk is having fun and compares the lively group to a “playground full of kids.”

At the next table is Lorraine Nicholson, who, at age 90, is the oldest member of Pleasant Hours and has been in the club the longest. Nicholson is known for being fun, her ability to win medals for swimming every year in the Downriver Senior Olympics and her high heels–among other attributes.

“At her 90th birthday, Lorraine was wearing a tight leopard skin shirt, high heels and lace stockings,” said Darlene Florek, who was sitting at the same table. “She’s a winner–she’s a keeper.”

The Pleasant Hours Senior Club is 57 years old. Nicholson has been in the club the longest.

“Thirty years ago, seniors sat home, probably glued to the TV,” Nicholson said. “They didn’t have any friends. Here, we make wonderful friends–all of us. We’re all the same age and we love each other."

Carol Garrison, senior citizens coordinator for the city, said the four clubs in Trenton are set up by the city, but self-governed by the members. She said the Pleasant Hours Club provides a social outlet and fellowship for members, a light lunch, bingo, door prizes, lots of laughs and more.

“Pleasant Hours was the founding club in the city,” Garrison said. “Trenton is strong in support of senior citizens. We are extremely grateful for that. We are extremely busy in this building.”

Garrison said it costs $5 to join the senior club and $1 a week at the door. Nicholson said she is actually in the Thursday club as well and used to be a member of the Friday evening club, which is known for its dances.

Besides weekly meetings, the Pleasant Hours group holds special events throughout the year, including an “attic sale” and a picnic in August, a craft sale in October and entertaining variety shows a couple times a year, Dibble said. Proceeds from the sales benefit the club.

“One day, I just started going,” Dibble said, “and I’ve been going ever since. I think it’s good for all of us to get out there and be active and do whatever we can. I was very ill four years ago and wasn’t expected to come home from the hospital. Now I’m feeling very good. It’s healthy to get out and do things with people. It’s better for you.”

On this Monday, Florek filled in for usual bingo caller Herman VanReesch as Terry Riedel kept track of the numbers called.

Club member Ruthie Gerwig, who is known as the “Sunshine Lady,” gathered signatures on a greeting card for an ill club member and planned to make sure it was delivered.

“Everyone cares about one another,” Sally Myre said as she signed the card. “It’s a real nice group.”

About the Trenton senior clubs: Membership in the four Trenton clubs is open to the public. Pleasant Hours meets Mondays, the Heritage Club meets Wednesdays and the New Horizon Club meets Thursdays. The Friendship club holds dances every Friday night from September through June. For more information about the clubs, call the Westfield Activity Center at 734-675-0063.