A Brief History of CASA

Nearly fifty years ago, sometime in the late 1970s, a handful of expatriates in the Algarve gathered around a dinner table with a simple idea: good food, good company, and a chance to meet people who understood the adventure of building a life far from home. They could hardly have imagined that those casual dinners would grow into one of the region's longest-running social organizations.

The early gatherings quickly developed a personality all their own. Dinner was often merely the opening act. Once the plates were cleared, members blessed with confidence, talent, or perhaps an extra glass of wine would leap into impromptu performances. Songs were sung, skits appeared from nowhere, and evenings frequently evolved into entertainment no one had planned but everyone remembered.

As CASA's reputation spread, so did its membership. The original venue soon found itself struggling to contain the growing crowds. By the early 1980s, the group's energy naturally split into two directions. Those whose hearts belonged to the stage went on to establish what would become the well-known Algarvian amateur theatre group. Those who preferred conversation, camaraderie, and social gatherings continued under the CASA banner. A select few refused to choose, happily maintaining memberships in both worlds.

Through the decades, CASA has grown and adapted alongside the Algarve itself. What began as a club centered in the small coastal community of Carvoeiro gradually expanded as expatriates settled across the region. The organization's original name, Carvoeiro Association for Social Activities, reflected its roots, but its membership increasingly stretched far beyond the town that gave it birth.

Today, CASA is a thriving community that spans the West-Central Algarve, bringing together members from a wide range of backgrounds, nationalities, and experiences. Recognizing this broader identity, the club formally adopted its current name, Club for Algarvian Social Activities, at the AGM in March 2023.

While the name has changed and the membership has grown, the spirit remains remarkably familiar to those first gatherings nearly half a century ago: good friends, shared experiences, plenty of laughter, and the belief that life in the Algarve is best enjoyed together.

Activities

CASA members typically gather once a month to share a meal at a welcoming local venue. As reflected on the map, these gatherings are usually held somewhere between Lagos and Guia—striking a balance that keeps things convenient while offering a rotating taste of the region’s many excellent spots.

Beyond our regular dinners, CASA adds a dash of adventure to the calendar. Some years include group trips—often by coach—to explore Northern Portugal or venture across the border into Southern Spain. Closer to home, we’ve been known to organize car treasure hunts or “away days” to places of local interest, blending curiosity with good company. To keep everyone in the loop, we also publish a monthly newsletter filled with updates, highlights, and upcoming plans.

Most CASA events are open to non-members, usually for a small additional fee, making it easy for newcomers to join in and get a feel for the group. During the Covid pandemic, however, the few events that could be held were limited to members only.

While CASA is first and foremost a social club, giving back to the local community remains an important part of who we are. We support a range of charitable organisations, often nominated by our members. The Bombeiros Voluntários have been frequent beneficiaries, receiving donations of €1,000 in 2014, €1,500 in 2016, and €1,000 in both 2021, 22, and 25. In addition to financial contributions, we also provide practical support in the form of much-needed equipment, benefiting the Bombeiros as well as children’s homes, care facilities, and other local Portuguese organisations in need.

For more details on recent charitable efforts, please visit our Latest News page.

Management

Behind every successful CASA event is a committee of dedicated volunteers who generously contribute their time, energy, and enthusiasm to keep the club running smoothly. No one is paid; the club is managed entirely by members for the benefit of members.

The highlight of the club's administrative calendar is the Annual General Meeting, usually held in early March and, in true CASA fashion, accompanied by a dinner. The AGM provides members with an opportunity to elect the committee, review the year's activities, discuss future plans, and contribute ideas that help shape the direction of the club.

It is a tradition that reflects the spirit on which CASA was founded nearly fifty years ago: a community built not simply by its members, but through the active participation of its members.

   Your Committee for 2026/27

Committee Members are Morri Bookout, chairman; Bill Tomko, Publicity; Bob Berg, Newsletter; Jamie Mary Berg, Membership; and Karen Tomko, Treasurer and Social Secretary.

We would like to welcome Mary and Bob to the committee.

A New GNR Safety Program for Senior Residents

Sometimes you don't realize the value of a program until it unintentionally proves its point.

Karen and I recently learned about a new initiative offered by the GNR (Portugal's National Republican Guard) that is designed to provide senior residents, including expatriates, with faster and more effective assistance in the event of an accident, medical emergency, or crime. We first heard about it at an expat information event hosted by another local club and decided it sounded worthwhile, so we signed up.

A few days later, Corporal Miguel Ramos contacted us to arrange a visit to our home to complete the registration process.

The irony wasn't lost on us.

As he was trying to find our apartment, my phone rang.

"I'm nearby... I just can't seem to find you."

We offered directions. A few minutes later, the phone rang again. More directions. Then a third time. Eventually, we found ourselves standing in the street waving him in like an aircraft marshaller guiding a jet to its gate.

We all had a good laugh about it, but the experience also drove home an important point. If that had been an ambulance or another emergency response vehicle, those extra minutes could have mattered. Before anything else, Corporal Ramos carefully documented the precise location of our home so emergency responders can find us quickly in the future. That step alone made enrolling in the program worthwhile.

With the navigation challenge behind us, we settled in over a cup of coffee and completed a surprisingly comprehensive interview. We discussed our daily routines, emergency contacts, both local and abroad, our vehicles, our pets, and the people who might normally be seen around our property, including our cleaner, gardener, pool service, and maintenance personnel. The idea is to help officers distinguish between ordinary activity and something that might indicate a problem if they are ever called to our home or are just passing by.

The program also offers optional wellness checks. If you live alone or simply appreciate an extra level of reassurance, a GNR officer can periodically stop by to make sure everything is okay. If you're planning to be away for an extended period, they can also keep an eye on your property.

Best of all, the service is completely free.

Beyond the practical benefits, it was refreshing to spend time with a GNR officer outside of an emergency situation. Corporal Ramos was professional, friendly, and genuinely interested in getting to know the people who live in the community he serves. It's comforting to know there's now a familiar face and a local contact should we ever have questions or need assistance.

Living abroad has countless rewards, but it also comes with challenges, especially as we get older. Programs like this provide an added layer of security and peace of mind, not just for us but also for our families who may be thousands of miles away.

If you're a senior resident or expatriate living in Portugal or even a life-long portuguese citizen,, I encourage you to look into this program. Hopefully, you'll never need it. But if the day ever comes when you do, you'll be glad you took the time to register.

Below is the information sheet that Corporal Ramos left with us after his visit.

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