Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! If you were at the mall on Saturday, January 25, you will have enjoyed the Lunar Celebration with the lion dancers, the food, and the activities. Our little mall has been very quiet for many months so it was pleasing to see the large crowd that attended the event.

The roller coaster of temperatures this month have certainly made it difficult to be out and walking the trails (or even our sidewalks.) Many of us may have dusted off the treadmills and kept safe inside while keeping ourselves healthy. I’ve spoken to several people who have fallen on ice but managed to escape injury due to the bundles of clothing they were wearing. Don’t take those parkas off yet. Have you noticed the garden materials arriving in the stores? Seeds! Browsing through the packages is a wonderful way to help us forget the ice and snow!

If you have read the last STS magazine article about loneliness, you will know that during the winter months many superannuates are often isolated and alone. Valentine’s Day is approaching! Let’s think about friends and former colleagues. Visit a friend, take a friend for coffee or lunch, go walking with a friend, or call a colleague who is still working and wish them a happy day. Not only will your friend appreciate the thoughts but you will feel the same sense of gratitude in having given someone a special moment.

• Check out the STS Executive Notes for January 2025 here

Square One Community Inc. January 15 Luncheon Presenter Mary Lee Booth

Mary Lee Booth was the presenter at our January luncheon. She shared insightful information about the Non-profit organization, Square One Community Inc.

Their mandate is to provide clean, secure housing options for people who face multiple barriers. Mary Lee showed a short film “A Home to Call My Own” It invites the viewer into the lives of two lived-experience individuals and also addresses some of the common myths associated with the homelessness situation in Moose Jaw. The film is very informative. The film is an opportunity to promote awareness and engage community members on the plight of individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Please take the time to watch this 30-minute film here.

Health Spending Account, what you want to know from Sunil

Members have been asking for information on our new Health Spending Account. First a little background. As a result of a number of resolutions passed at the Annual General Meeting in May 2023, the Provincial Executive has authorized the implementation of a Health Spending Account (HSA) for members (Primary Plan Holders) of the Extended Health and/or Dental Plan to be used between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2026.

Secondly, this is what you need to know: A Health Spending Account allows you the flexibility to apply the allocated funds as you wish for any health expenses (this part is important) Allowed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) which ARE NOT included in, or completely covered by, the STS Extended Health and Dental Plan. (See the CRA website under Eligible Medical Expenses).

Lastly the allocations to the HSA are:

. $200 if the Primary Plan Holder has “Single” coverage

. $400 if the Primary Plan Holder has “Couple” coverage

. $460 if the Primary Plan Holder has “Family” coverage

If you need more information plan to come to our March 19, 2025 Luncheon, our STS President Sue Amundrud is our guest speaker.