Are you close to hitting the magic age of 55? Are you a little past that benchmark, unsure of what lies ahead? Either way, there is good news for you!

"Your worry is now over because there is an organization in South Winnipeg that will help you enhance the quality of your life after turning 55. Boomers and seniors cannot say there is nothing to do in Fort Richmond any more", says Bernadette McCann, chair of communications for Pembina Active Living.

Pembina Active Living, or PAL(55+) was launched a few years ago to address the social, physical, creative and intellectual needs of people 55 and older and has been growing by leaps and bounds ever since.

At a successful fund raising banquet held in October at the Sheraton Winnipeg South, a new logo for the organization was unveiled. PAL(55+) organizers hope it will soon become a familiar sight on notices and posters.

As seniors downsize into condos and apartments, they are asking for a centre of their own in the south end of Winnipeg where they will have more opportunities for learning, fitness, socializing and artistic ventures. PAL (55+) is hoping to make this dream come true through a series of fundraising efforts.

At the recent banquet, board chairperson Bob Newman spoke about "building the dream," and "the need to have a safe place for seniors where they can run programs that will enhance their lives".

As the organization continues to grow, PAL (55+) has added new locations for activities this fall. Yoga, watercolour painting, meditation, a garden club, weight training and belly dancing are now offered at Grace Christian Church at 50 Barnes St.

St. Norbert Community Centre hosts several other activities. These activities are in addition to the extremely popular wellness, leisure and special interests series running out of Richmond Kings Community Centre.

A Christmas get-together will be held at Grace Christian Church on Dec. 6. It will be open to all interested seniors.

Seniors interested in being added to the PAL (55+) contact list for winter programs in early December as well as regular information of interest to seniors should contact pal55plus@gmail.com or Lois at 204-946-0839.

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Ecole St. Avila invites families to its Soiree de mathe (mathematics evening) on Thurs., Nov. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The goal is to help parents understand the math curriculum for kindergarten to Grade 6 students by inviting them to travel from class to class to see how a concept like numerical reasoning is taught.

 Sunday Olukoju is a community correspondent for Fort Richmond. You can contact him at sunday.olukoju@gmail.com.