Reminiscing with Iris

 It is wild how 75 years can just zoom by when one get together  with a former  high school friend. We  laugh and reminisce of days gone by.  It’s funny how the best stories feel like they happened yesterday!  

Cherishing these moments and connections.  Staying connected today is a blessing. 

Iris (Bartrop) Hardy lived in the Riding Hill, Saskatchewan, farming district. The Riding Hill one room school only went to grade 8. In 1952, Iris rode her horse, 'Shorty', 3 miles across the Cut Knife Creek, to attend the Gallivan High school.

In the spring of 1952 Iris stayed with me. Here we are with my sister Lucille. 

The Gallivan High School went to grade 10, so we took grade Eleven at the Battleford Assumpta Academy  Catholic School.  A poorly exposed picture  of all six of us!! Iris is 3rd from the left and I  am at the right side end. 

For our Grade Twelve we attended the  the Convent of the Child Jesus  in North Battleford. Graduation 1956. (Iris and I are in the 2nd row on the right side.) 

                                Here is Iris and I at the after graduation party!!

 In 1958 Iris asked me to be Maid of Honour at her wedding to Richard Hardy, who was from the Riding Hill / Gallivan District 

They moved to Vancouver and I went on to train in the North Battleford Saskatchewan Hospital. During  summer holiday in 1957 I went to Vancouver to visit Iris. 

Life was busy for us  following that raising a family and working. The next time we got together was recently in 2012  during my RV-ing days, Randal and I visited Richard and Iris They took us to Lynn Canyon to see the Suspension Bridge and the old forest.

Iris, Richard, Lorraine and Randal 

There is something comforting about those phone calls where we check in on each other's health and family updates. It just feels good to stay connected, even if the topics have shifted a bit over time.

Our First Month in Wellings Of Brooks

 WHERE CARE FREEDOM LIVING® COMES TO LIFE  

"Life at Wellings of Brooks is designed to feel lighter, easier, and more connected. Enjoy your own private space, leave the maintenance behind, and spend your time your way, with good friends, shared experiences, and a welcoming community around you."

Can’t believe it’s already been a month since Randal and I started this adventure in the new development!

There’s something energizing about fresh beginnings and discovering all the little quirks of a new place. 

Here’s to more exploring, settling in, and making new memories! Like capturing a sunrise from the north deck off our bedroom.

Finally cleared out all the boxes and now the house actually feels like home. It’s wild how a little order can make everything seem brighter! Looking forward to enjoying this new space, one cup of coffee at a time. 

Our living space blends everything into one cozy spot—office, dining, kitchen, and more. Honestly, having it all together makes life a bit simpler (and way less running around for coffee refills).  

I love the feeling of a shared space where people just naturally come together and connect. There’s something special about relaxing on a deck with others nearby, everyone doing their own thing but part of a community. A little fresh air goes a long way!

A 24/7 clubhouse really sounds like a dream! Just imagining all the late-night games, group meals, and even a spontaneous yoga session or two. I love spaces that bring people together for fun and connection.

Need a break? A cup of tea with good company is all the pause you need! There's magic in sharing warm drinks that ignites the best stories and connections. 

 Consider this your official pause invitation!

Mary Jane Katz A Mentor Remembered,

 

  "Mary Jane Katz ז"ל 

 

May her memory be for a blessing.

Our association goes back to 1984 when she was the President  of the Saskatchewan Psychiatric Nursing Association.  We teamed up to worked on a proposal for Private Psychiatric Respite Care for families in need of this kind of service.  

In the 2000's, during Mary Jane's Presidency of Beth Jacob, we teamed up again in three of the Beth Jacob Anniversary Celebrations.

2001 Lipton Cemetery 100th Anniversary 

Choir Left to right: Ellen Mossny, Leo Morgan, Miriam Friedman, Mary Jane Katz, Rabbi Jeremy Parnes, David Mervitz 

2003 Beth Jacob  10th  Anniversary of the new Synagogue 

Opening of Shumiatcher Garden 

Jacqui Shumiatcher and Mary Jane Katz 

2005  Beth Jacob 100thAnniversary

"Azoy geht es" (So it goes)

Honourary Patron:

Her Honour the Honourable Dr. Lynda Haverstock

Mary Jane with Lieutenant Governor Dr. Lynda Haverstock 

Sometimes you meet someone who truly shifts your perspective. Having Mary Jane as a mentor was a game changer for me. Her kindness and wisdom stick with me every day. 

                              

Lorraine (Birstein) Martin 

 

Memories Of Regina Hadassah WIZO

 Being a member of a charity fundraising group for over 50 years has profoundly shaped who I am. It has fostered my personal growth, strengthened my leadership abilities, encouraged self-reliance, and built a deep sense of confidence.

While living in Regina Saskatchewan during 1960 to 2001, I was a member of Regina Hadassah-WIZO. I held many executive positions during those years.   

One of the major fundraiser was the Hadassah Trade Fair and Bazaar 

Quote from Notes and Clippings, a personal autobiography: "The Regina Trade Fair and Bazaar was the main fund-raiser that took the help from every able-bodied member of the Jewish Community, men, women and sometimes children. It was well promoted with interviews by CKCK TV on the Johnny Sanderson Show and the Regina Leader Post."

National Convention, 1990.

Francie Steen, Sherril Brooks Lorraine Birstein 

Kaney's Accomplishment

 Feeling a rush of pride seeing my first born granddaughter, Kaney Hilderman, accomplish something special. There’s nothing quite like watching family grow and thrive! 💖

Quoted from North Shore Environmental Consultants posting

 "Kaney joins North Shore with approximately seven years of experience working in the environmental field and a Bachelor of Science in Ecology from the University of Calgary. She has supported projects across a multitude of different sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, transportation, and residential and commercial development, and is excited to continue growing her career in environmental consulting with North Shore.

Kaney has a well balanced and specialized background including supporting environmental field studies focused on wetlands, vegetation communities, and sensitive ecosystems, as well as participating in reclamation and restoration initiatives. Kaney has helped coordinate and lead field crews, contribute to project documentation and data recording, and worked closely with fellow staff members and broader multi disciplinary teams to complete environmental programs safely and efficiently. Outside of work, Kaney enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, skiing, and rock climbing!

We’re excited to have you on the team, Kaney Hilderman, and look forward to the contributions you’ll bring to North Shore!"  

 #NorthShoreFamily #EnvironmentalConsulting #BiophysicalTeam

70 Years of Friendship

 

Marking 70 amazing years of friendship that started in Psychiatric Nursing in 1956! From study partners to lifelong companions, our journey together has been extraordinary. We've shared adventures like unforgettable European trip, supporting each other through challenges and gathering heartwarming stories. Here's to community, wellness, and the joy of growing old with love and laughter. May our bond keep flourishing! Now we get together on several ZOOM calls a year to continues with memories and supportive conversations.  

Eleanor (Buzik) McDonald, Lorraine (Bertrand/Birstein) Martin, Marion (Bronsch) Creswell, Jacqueline (Dutruit) Sumarah   

Memory of Christmas Past Versailles, France 1960

During our Europe Adventure, Marion and I had the opportunity to spend Christmas in  Versailles, France. We were working at the time in Switzerland. We took the night train from Lausanne, Switzerland to Paris and then on to Versailles 

 We arrived in Versailles and took a cab out  Carol Renault's home. We were welcomed by Carole's mother, Mme. Renault, brother and a bounding dog. Carole's family lived near the Castle of Versailles for twenty years. 

In the afternoon of Christmas Eve we decorated their tree. In the evening Carole's mother,   put our shoes under the tree for 'Peré Noël' to fill up at midnight. At eight in the evening we dressed up in our best for a big supper. The table was decorated with four green candles, flowers and sparkling Christmas string, as the centre piece. Before each each person had three crystal glasses, one for water, one for wine and one for the 'aperitif'. Every dish was served separately. To start the meal we drank a toast, of a special French wine, to us, 'Noël' and Canada. The first course was twelve raw oysters with lemon juice which would be the second time I ate oysters raw.  But this time they were good, as long as you don't chew them as you suck them out of the shell. We were told to just let them slide down our throats.  All through the meal we drank red wine and ate fresh French bread.

Course number two was a special sausage made of mushrooms, milk and bread crumbs, eaten with lots of melted butter. Course number three a small mushroom and chicken pie. Number four, string green beans with butter; number five we had a variety of cheeses, Swiss, French and Dutch eaten with more bread.  Marion's mother had sent her a Christmas cake, which Marion brought along. Carole's family has never seem a Canadian Christmas cake before so it was something new for them. Mme Renault served a fruit cocktail dessert with the cake. M. Renault, then brought on a bottle of champagne. 

It took well over two hours to eat supper. Marion and I thought it  would never end. We felt very full but very light hearted as we retired to the living room to relax and watched French Ballet from Paris on TV until midnight. 

Then everyone brought in their 'Cadeaux' (gifts) and put them under the tree in the respective shoes. Later on we opened the gifts.  Marion gave me two lovely make-up bags while I gave her a red  umbrella. We bought Mme Renault what we though was a table cloth but  turned out to be a pillow case. We ever rather embarrassed about it. So that was our Christmas Eve. When we heard Christmas corals on TV, we immediately thought of home.

                       Excepts Autobiography "Notes and Clippings"