William Dale
Published online September 23, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
Local Journalism Initiative
For the members of the Fort-Coulonge Golden Age Club, community connection comes down to a few essential ingredients: high-quality food, genuine personal touch, and deep-rooted respect for neighboring organizations. Recognized last year with a Readers’ Choice Award for being one of the region’s top senior organizations, the club continues to find success by keeping its focus on quality and care.
“I think it’s the attention that we pay to the meals we prepare,” said club representative Rosalie Boucher, reflecting on what makes the organization stand out. “They’re prepared locally, and we put a lot of love, care, and quality into them. For example, our cipaille is made with prime rib. We put in that extra effort so people want to come back for the next one,” she added.
Beyond the kitchen, Boucher emphasized that the club’s welcoming atmosphere relies on face-to-face interaction. The club hosts a variety of ongoing activities to keep area seniors active and connected, including specialized exercise programs for the elderly, sandbag games, and palets (a traditional puck-tossing game). The club’s hall also serves as a central hub for small private gatherings, family birthdays, and community events. In planning its itinerary, the executive committee takes a distinct, community-minded approach to avoid overlapping with other local groups in Fort-Coulonge, such as the Knights of Columbus, the Patro, or the local arena.
“We try not to copy or interfere with their activities,” Boucher explained. “In a small town, it’s important to be respectful of what others are doing. When people know you respect them, they come to your activities because of the respect you show them. It’s a give-and-take.”
Like many regional non-profit organizations, securing volunteers remains an ongoing challenge. With many older residents facing health or mobility limitations, the club recently lowered its membership age threshold to 50 and over to bring in new energy and executive members. In the meantime, family members frequently step in to keep operations running smoothly. For Boucher, who is 74 and remains deeply involved across the Pontiac including church committees and performing free music and karaoke with her brother at local manors and long-term care homes, community service is a passion she hopes to pass on.
Looking ahead to the fall and winter seasons, the Fort-Coulonge Golden Age Club has a few major events lined up:
November: A community cipaille supper, alongside a fall craft sale.
December: A traditional Christmas turkey dinner featuring live music.
With a balanced mix of spontaneous programming and cherished traditional suppers, the Fort-Coulonge Golden Age Club continues to ensure that local seniors have a warm, welcoming space to call their own.
PHOTO: The Fort-Coulonge Golden Age Club, home to local senior activities, exercise programs, and community suppers. (WD)