Message from Your Local Branch President

Welcome to the green month! I recently read that “the brain perceives the colour green as therapeutic.” Can’t you just feel the renewed energy from walking through the green parks and trails? Many of us also find that digging in the dirt brings a sense of peace and tranquility as we prepare our gardens and flower pots. Isn’t spring joyous!

For anyone interested in planting a flower that will spread wonderfully in a pot, try Supertunia Mini Vistas. They come in Hot Pink, Scarlet, Pink Star, and a couple other colours. Plant at least 5 in large pots and watch them expand! I personally prefer Supertunias of all sorts because deadheading is not necessary.

At the recent STS Annual General Meeting in Saskatoon, the Moose Jaw Chapter was represented by a full delegation of 8 members. One afternoon offered interest sessions focused on Blue Cross, Internet and Phone Fraud, STS Finance, and Exercise. The Blue Cross rep has accepted an invitation to speak at our September Luncheon (September 17) where you will hear about the Health and Dental Plans plus have the opportunity to ask questions.

Note: If you submitted a claim in April or May, be prepared to wait for processing. There is as backlog since the site was revamped. We are also planning a future program dealing with Fraud. At the AGM session, stress was placed on Social Insurance Numbers. Never give your number to anyone online or on the phone. And, do not carry your SIN with you. You don’t need it in your wallet. You may also receive emails that say “Click Here.” Don’t.

On June 17, the Moose Jaw Chapter will meet socially in Wakamow, at the Burger Cabin at 4:30. We will order from their menu and socialize in the area at the cabin. We want to ensure the Burger Cabin stays open! We’ve missed it. We’re asking for lawn games, if you have any. Register here for the June Social.

Not to be forgotten are the School Farewells on South Hill. The “walks through memory lane” are as follows:

1) Westmount - June 5
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
food trucks, carnival
6:30 – 7:30: memorabilia in school – gym open with displays and cake
auction of Westmount items plus a cake

2) Empire – June 3
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
alumni students and staff
food trucks-memorabilia- bouncy castle
come & go barbecue

3) St. Mary – June 14
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
barbecue

4) Sacred Heart – June 14
11:00 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Open house – memorabilia – t-shirts for sale
Food Trucks to be available

🏥 Take a Look at the New Blue Cross Rates

Did You Know?

Our new 2 year agreement with Blue Cross comes into effect on July1, 2025 – June 30, 2027.  Our new rates are as indicated below and include several enhancements as indicated in an earlier update.

Extended Health Plan

Those eligible for Saskatchewan Seniors Drug Plan

Dental Premiums

👏 STS AGM 2025 - Congratulations, Sunil and Sonja!

A successful 2024 Annual General Meeting wrapped up on May 15, 2025. You will find attached to this email, at the end of this section, the results of the resolutions and motions that came to the AGM. The Executive and staff will work to implement and respond to these resolutions over the next year.

A new Provincial Executive was also elected for the 2025-26 year and will be as follows:

President: Sue Amundrud - Carrot River Valley (Melfort & District) Chapter
Vice-President: Terri Mitchell – Yorkton Chapter
Past-President: Doug Still – Regina Chapter
ACER-CART Representative: Helen Sukovieff – Regina Chapter

Councillors:
Martin Berg - Unity Chapter
Huguette Kitchen – Lloydminster Chapter
Devona Putland – Moosomin Chapter
Owen Sebastian – Shaunavon Chapter
Anna Wehrkamp - Carrot River Valley (Melfort & District) Chapter

Members-at-Large:
Chris Atkinson – Regina Chapter
Joyce Hoffman – Regina Chapter
Gail Huber – Wakaw Chapter
Jane Isinger – Saskatoon Chapter
Beverly Magel – Last Mountain Chapter
Sunil Pandila – Moose Jaw Chapter
Sonja Susut – Moose Jaw Chapter

Our congratulations to the elected members of the Provincial Executive and our thanks to all those who let their names stand for elected office. Our STS continues to be a vibrant, democratic organization. Special thanks go to out to Alan Laughlin from the Battlefords and District Chapter, Dean Lucyk from the Regina Chapter and Diane Selby from the Saskatoon Chapter for their years of commitment and service to the STS and retired teachers.

🔗 Full Voting Results

👋 Let’s Welcome our 2025 – 2026 MJSTS Executive

President: Sonja Susut
Vice President: Dianne Newman
Treasurer: Dalelene Yelland
Secretary: Elaine Parsons
Past President & House: Brenda Brodie
Registration: Rosalie Marcil
Cards and Calls: Pat Mann
Recreation/Social: Norbert Fries
Technical & Archives: Al Thiessen
Newsletter/Website: Sandi Hutchinson/Dianne Newman
Members @ Large: Bev Curran, Arlene Wuschke, Chris Turcotte, Sunil Pandila, Maureen Wareham, Debbie Taylor French

🎶 Support the Moose Jaw Band and Choral Boosters!

The Moose Jaw Band and Choral Boosters are thrilled to announce two exciting fundraising initiatives to support our upcoming events — including the 2025 Junior Select Band and a variety of band and choral programs throughout the city. Your support makes a real difference in helping local music thrive!

1. Sarcan Bottle Drive – "Drop & Go" for MUSIC4LIFE

♻️ We’re continuing our bottle drive in partnership with Sarcan Recycling!

To donate:

Take your recyclable cans and bottles to any Sarcan Drop & Go location.

Enter the code MUSIC4LIFE at the kiosk.

That’s it! Your donation will automatically go to support our programs.

Prefer not to use Drop & Go?
No problem! Just email us at mjbandchoralboosters@gmail.com and we’ll happily arrange to pick up your donations in January.

2. Tru Earth Eco-Friendly Fundraiser

🧼 We’re also launching a new fundraiser with Tru Earth, a Canadian company known for sustainable laundry and household products.

(Notice from Web Warrior June: the link provided to us leads to a website that some browsers and antivirus software flag as potentially dangerous. If you wish to visit it regardless, copy and paste the URL below into your address bar.)

Shop using our dedicated link:
👉 https://tru-earth.sjv.io/mjbandchoralboosters

Every purchase made through this link helps fund our local band and choir programs — and helps the planet too!

Thank you for supporting music in Moose Jaw. Together, we’re building a stronger, more vibrant arts community! 🎵

🌍 Explore the World—Stress-Free, Well-Organized Fun!

Group Travel with Barbara and Martin Holzer

We’re retired high school teachers from Moose Jaw who used to lead European tours with our students, and we loved every minute of it. Over the years, we’ve explored more than 25 countries, with students, with adults, and on our own.

When we retired, we knew we weren’t finished traveling—or organizing amazing trips—so we started leading tours for adults, and we’ve never looked back! We specialize in planning and executing well-organized, stress-free, and enjoyable tours to
beautiful and exciting destinations.

Our travelers are often locals—friends, family, and friends-of-friends—and we always enjoy a great mix of people. Whether you join with your partner, your friends, or travel solo, you’ll feel part of the group and likely make a few new friends along the way.

Adriatic Adventure: Austria, Slovenia & Croatia

Tour Dates: May 14–26, 2026
If you love to travel but would rather skip the stress of planning, consider joining us. Let us take care of the logistics while you enjoy the experience.

What’s Included

Your tour package includes everything you need for a memorable trip:
• ✈️ Round-trip airfare from Regina (with airport transfers)
• 🏨 11 nights in upgraded hotels, each with a private bathroom
• 🍽️ Daily full European upgraded breakfasts and dinners
• 🎤 Full-time professional tour director
• 🧭 Guided sightseeing tours (with high-tech headset) and city walks
• 🏰 Admission to select attractions as per the itinerary
• 💁‍♂️ Gratuities for the local guide and bus driver
Note: On the arrival day, only dinner is included. On departure day, only breakfast is included.
Tour price does not include airline baggage fees or passport/visa costs.
✈️ Prefer to book your own flights? Ask us about a “land-only” option at a reduced price!

More Info

📘 Facebook Group
Join our private group: Barbara’s Adriatic Adventure 2026
👉 It’s private, so you’ll need to request to join—but there’s no obligation to travel.

🌐 Tour Website
Visit our tour centre at: www.explorica.ca/Holzer-6169

🛡️ Travel Protection
Add travel insurance for just $25/day, including a Cancel for Any Reason waiver. Learn more at: www.explorica.ca/protect

Contact Us
📧 Email: holzerbarbara17@gmail.com
📱 Text or call: 306-631-1431 or 306-631-4243