Hello to everyone enjoying summer!

The heat has arrived and you are likely enjoying holidays, days at the lake, boating and fishing, barbecuing, grandchildren visiting, gardening, and trying to find a time in the day for a walk where your little canine companions won’t barbecue themselves in the heat.

Personally, I like to stay home in the summer because it’s the best time of the year to enjoy what we have in our own backyard. I love walking around in the flowers and the greenery and soaking in the feeling so it will last all winter. It’s calming for the soul. Short day trips are great as we have some really interesting places right here in the southern half of our province. Have you tried a lazy drive through the Qu’Appelle Valley from the Fort all the way to the end? Go when the roads are dry and you never have to leave the valley.

I read something the other day that said: A beautiful day begins with a beautiful mindset. Every day you wake up, think about what a privilege it is to be alive and healthy. It’s a great reminder that it’s also a privilege to gather together to see each other every couple months. Some said last weekend, “I miss our get togethers and the luncheons.” I know. We’ll meet again in September. The Hell with the Bell breakfast will be on September 3, mark your calendars. Details to come.

Yours cordially,

Pickleball: A Dill-ightful New Pastime!

Get ready, Moose Jaw! The hottest sport in North America has landed here with our new 6-court outdoor facility. Welcome to Pickleball Moose Jaw (PMJ), where the fun never stops!

Are you 55 or older? Join the friendly league every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from May1st to September 30th. All skill levels are welcome however, a paid membership is required! If you want to play for free check out the times on the City of MJ app.

Need lessons? Lori from Project Pickleball offers private and semi-private lessons to get you ready. Prefer indoors? Contact the Cosmo Centre or Timothy Eaton's for schedules and prices.

Grab your paddles and join the pickleball craze. See you on the court! For more information check out our FB groups – Pickleball Moose Jaw Group, Pickleball Moose Jaw Outdoor Court Pass and Project Pickleball. Website is: http://www.pickleballmoosejaw.ca

Sonja’s Summertime Recipes: Guaranteed Crowd-pleasers

Check out these cool recipes Sonja recently shared on the website. These cool treats have summer written all over them. From Sonja herself, click on any of the links to access the recipe:

I have included some summer recipes for you to try. There is a Drumstick Cake, frozen and ready to use when company arrives, stuffed zucchini for those pesky plants that gift us with untold loads of zucchinis, Key Lime pie, another frozen dessert, and my favourite hot dog relish made with cucumbers (particularly those that grow a bit too large.) When I think of zucchinis I remember a teacher who brought a car load to school and tossed them into any cars in the lot that were unlocked. We learned after the first time. Lock the doors!

Adventures at Sea: Ocean Views and Pickleball Moves

Let’s talk ship when it comes to pickleball cruises. If you enjoy pickleball, and you enjoy travel, a cruise ship featuring pickleball amenities might be just for you. Beginners can take onboard lessons, and picklers with some experience can join onboard tournaments. Sounds like a fun time to me.

When it comes to pickleball cruises, there are options for ocean and river cruises. The key is to find the right match of itinerary, date, and ship. That’s where I come in, I can help guide the process and make sure your trip is planned to perfection. So let’s relish the possibilities!

Across all the major brands, most cruise lines have added pickleball in some shape or form. Two I highlight as leaders in this offering are: Ama Waterways for European river cruising. Their double-width ship Ama Magna features a pickleball court.

On the ocean, Holland America Line is the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All 11 of their ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows.

Holland America has itineraries all over the world. With colder weather on the horizon think of them for exciting sun cruises, or perhaps their Down Under itineraries would excite you? In the warmer months, think of them for Alaska and European cruises. Holland America also does unique reposition cruises including Transatlantic sailings (Westbound in Autumn, Eastbound in Spring).

I love to book cruises and I have 15 years of experience matching Canadian travellers up with the travel product that gives them what they want. You can always feel free to reach out, and that includes complimentary Zoom meetings to discuss your travel objectives.