BETHEL PARK GOLD CARD CLUB CELEBRATES
50
TH
One of the largest
social clubs in
Pennsylvania treats
its members to
memories and fun.
ANNIVERSARY
BY W.B. FRESA
I
n October 1967, Bethel Park’s Board of Recreation created
the Golden Age Club, now known as the Gold Card Club,
a social organization for senior citizens living in Bethel
Park. The purpose was to give the growing population of
retirees a place to meet and enjoy each other’s company. Now, 50
years later, Bethel Park Gold Card Club is still going strong and
commemorating its golden anniversary.
“According to our history, in 1967, more than 650 fliers were
mailed to the senior citizen population in Bethel Park,” says
Cindy Carfagno, current club president. “At the first meeting in
January 1968, 54 people attended. Our membership has grown,
of course, and we have been an active organization ever since.”
The club name was changed and is based upon the gold card
that members received after paying their annual dues. Once
by-laws and board members were named, with Opal Miller
nominated as the first president, Bethel Park Gold Card Club was
off to a roaring start.
Since the beginning, Gold Card Club members have enjoyed
monthly meetings, which take place on the second Thursday.
“We discuss club business, enjoy live entertainment and play
bingo from time to time,” explains Carfagno. “We also offer
members coffee and a donut for 50 cents. If we don’t have it,
they’ll definitely let us know. It’s a special treat for many of them.”
The price for the coffee and donut is reminiscent of the price of
the original annual dues when the club first started.
“Can you imagine paying 50 cents for anything these days?”
she says. “But even now, our annual dues are only $6. That’s
a bargain for our members. Any other special events we plan
are paid for by the members themselves and the subsidies we
receive from the Board of Recreation help pay for the monthly
newsletter.”
Bethel Park Gold Card Club members are treated well when it
comes to special events and holidays.
“We have committees that handle almost every part of our
organization, including membership, new arrivals, birthdays and
Current members of the Gold Card Club celebrating the
organization’s 50th anniversary at the South Hills Country Club.
anniversaries,” notes Carfagno. “We also organize day and
overnight trips via bus tours that go to Lancaster and Sugar
Creek, Ohio; Elkins, West Virginia; downtown to the CLO
and even some sporting events. It’s a great perk at a price our
members like, and they get to be with their friends, which is the
best part.”
Bethel Park Gold Card Club celebrated the 50th anniversary
on April 12 at the South Hills Country Club.
“There are some really unique aspects to our club we wanted
to highlight at our event,” says Carfagno. “In our 50-year history,
we’ve had only nine female presidents serving one- to two-year
terms. As well, we have members who are well into their 90s and
still come to the monthly meetings. We’re a very active club and
it’s what maintains our high membership and ranks us as one of
the largest social clubs in Pennsylvania.”
Of the more than 32,000 residents living in Bethel Park, 22
percent are over the age of 65, which makes the club a perfect
outlet for its retirees.
“A lot of townships around us don’t have a senior social club,
so we feel fortunate not only to have the interest, but also the
support from the municipality and the Bethel Park Board of
Recreation,” adds Carfagno. “Our members simply have to live in
Bethel Park and be 60 years young to join. However, if one of our
members moves, we still allow them to maintain their continuous
membership for $7 a year. It’s our way of keeping them
connected to the community and friendships they’ve cherished
for so many years.” n
To learn more about Bethel Park Gold Card Club and how to become a member, please contact
Regina Bauer at 412.833.2864 or Cindy Carfagno at 412.831.1913.
50
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