Being single and trying to meet new people can be a challenge in rural areas, especially for anyone who shies away from bars and singles clubs.
But in southern Manitoba, a group has been bringing people together for fun for more than 10 years. The group calls itself Prairie Social Singles and it is an example of how single people can get together without feeling they are part of the pick-up scene.
“A lot of people are sick of the bar scene,” said Jude, a past-president of Prairie Social Singles, who did not want her last name included in this story.
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“I liked going there and going out to a dance but not necessarily wanting to meet somebody.”
Prairie Social Singles was started about 11 years ago. It has about 80 members, some from as far west as Saskatchewan and others from as far east as Portage la Prairie, Man.
Dances are among the events organized by the non-profit club, but other activities include bowling, golf and barbecues.
The members range in age from 30 to 60, and while many of them are from Brandon, the club draws a lot of people from smaller rural communities as well, including farmers.
“There are a lot more people from the rural area supporting it than one would realize,” said Bob Janz, vice-president of Prairie Social Singles.
The dances form the core of the club’s social events. They are open to all single, separated, divorced or widowed men and women older than 18.
Non-members are welcome at the dances but they pay a higher fee to attend.
“It basically gives them an opportunity to go dancing without having to go to a bar,” Janz said.
“It helps people to get back into society and to get out socializing again.”
The club had at one time considered changing its name from Prairie Social Singles, because of what members see as being the connotations of the word singles.
While the club provides a setting for single people to get acquainted, it is not a matchmaking or dating service.
“I can’t guarantee you’re going to hook up,” Janz said. “You have to do the hooking up yourself, so to speak.”
Jude is no longer a member of Prairie Social Singles. She established a relationship with someone she met through the club, but said she still hopes to take in some of the events, particularly the dances and barbecues.
“It’s a great place to socialize. It’s a lot of fun. I met a lot of people there.”
