This month’s topic for Times Past is “Clubs” you can check out the site here.
I’m a Baby Boomer, city of Adelaide, Australia
Our family wasn’t into joining clubs, in fact we didn’t socialize very much at all, family was the focus. I went to Sunday School…. regularly when it was almost annual Picnic time. Before I was even a teenager I’d become disillusioned with the church but I joined the Youth Group for the social interaction. The only thing I remember about that was going on “Progressive Dinners” which I thoroughly enjoyed. For anyone unfamiliar with them each course is held at a different person’s home. Sometimes we met up with the Youth Group from a neighbouring church and that’s how I found out about their Tennis Club.
I joined the Tennis Club, there was never any pressure to attend church. I loved participating in the matches and went to practice every week. I distinctly remember Saturday nights being dejected because it was a whole week before the next match. It was the only time I really socialized, I was very shy at school. I belonged to that club until I left home and the city.
When I was at College I joined the Travel Club and even became president or something and was responsible for organizing trips interstate. Meetings were held in the lead up to the trips. Like going to Sunday School belonging to the club was just a means to an end.
After I married and had children we joined the local Tennis Club and were active members for many years. We all made many friends there and enjoyed lots of social occasions. I eventually stopped going when I realized that on hot days I was so badly affected by the heat that I was a write-off for the rest of the weekend.
The only club I belong to now is a 4WD club which my husband and I joined so that we’d have the support of experienced members. Although we attend meetings and participate in some activities I wouldn’t describe myself as an enthusiastic member. We’ve made friends there and enjoyed camping trips away but in reality I think we’ve inherited the strong “family group” emphasis and we enjoy that more than membership of any clubs.
Musings of a Retiring Person 
I love that photo. Are you in it? I can remember tennis skirts like that. You’ve also brought back progressive dinners. We used to participate in these with my mother usually scoring the dessert or coffee portion. She hated cooking so entrées and mains were definitely not her forté. For me these were a church event also. I think it is lovely that family supplies all your needs as far as being in a club. Thanks for joining in. Great memories.
There is a little arrow pointing to my head but the photo was grey scale and I presume that’s why the coloured arrow wouldn’t show up. It did register with me just how different the tennis outfits are now, far more colourful and revealing! Somehow we managed to avoid having to supply a course for the progressive dinners, maybe because we lived much further away from the church. Mum definitely would have avoided any catering at all.
I see the arrow now. I missed it before because it looks like an other post. Your mother sounds like mine – but as the minister’s wife it was difficult for her to get out of it altogether.
If ever we had to take food it always came from the shop. Mum saw herself as a business woman, never as a “housewife”.
I take it you are the tall lass with the arrow above her head? Sue.
Yes, that’s the way I used to look. 🙂
Good looking, Sue.
Maybe, in the long ago!
sigh, Time does do mean things to us doesn’t it?
Time and gravity conspire against us.
In Canada we had CGIT (Canadian Girls in Training). It was loosely church based, teaching us social skills and citizenship. A wonderful club, with branches all over Canada. Don’t know if it still goes on, but I doubt it!
Not sure I like the title of your club, it makes me think you needed training like at Puppy School but the aims are ideal. I’m sure you had lots of fun there:-)