Sixty is considered a milestone in our culture. For one thing, one can apply for Early Canada Pension, qualify for discounts on bus tours , and finally, one can truthfully cash in on some Senior Discounts ( at least at some stores and restaurants on certain Tuesdays if you happen to be in the city that day). Heck one might even get to be 'carded' again.
Sixty is also the qualifying age where one can join the local Senior Citizen's Centre. You may be familiar with that social group in most prairie towns that usually meet in a renovated abandoned store on main street. It can often be identified as the building with the hand stenciled "Do Drop In", "Happy Horizons", or "Pioneer Lodge" signs hanging askew in blind drawn windows. Hallowed ground for some.
These buildings are the haven of shuffle board tournaments, whist drives, and late-evening/early afternoon polka / dance parties (depending upon the ethic origin of the community). The 'Senior's' has always been the place in town to celebrate 40th/50th/and 60th Anniversaries. These are only some of the rare times that 'youngsters' are ever allowed inside to view the press board wood panelled walls, orange /brown patterned carpet, and dine on 'beef on a bun' at fold down tables covered in plastic flowered oil cloth.
People refer to the 1960's as an era of upheaval in terms of social, cultural and moral values. One can only guess what the effect of these new '60s' will have on Senior Centres wherever they exist. Will there be a mass influx of Disco Dancing on laminate flooring? PacMan/Nintendo tournaments? Midnight Vegan Socials? The possibilities are as limitless as the money to be made in stocks in adult diapers, false teeth, and arthritic medication.
Best Wishes to all who celebrate their 60th birthday this year.
You just wait and see...
the Best is yet to Be!
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