December 2023

 As I reflect back on the past year I am so very grateful for all the things that came into my life. Family and Friends. I may live a distance from them however I appreciate the modern technology that brings us together. 

Our Annual Family Traditional ZOOM brought us together, all across North America, British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and North Carolina. 

We were invited to spend Christmas Day with Pat and Kate Fitzgerald and Kate's Mother, Edie Dibley. It has been a long time since Randal and I sat at such a beautiful decorated home and dinning room table. 

 

Honour of Past and Present Presidents

On November 5, 2022 the Regina Jewish Community proudly Presented  The Fall Gala in Honour of Past and Present Presidents of the Beth Jacob Synagogue. 

Jerold Birstein was president from 1992 to 1995 and 1984 to 1986.

Quote from his story 1989 

"I became active with Beth Jacob Synagogue and community by being voted to the Board of Directors, serving on various committees, i.e. House Chairman, Vice President, and President. I was also active in B'nai Brith, chairing the Car Draw Dinners and with the Wheat City Curling Club as treasurer for many years.  Throughout the years I have been active in fund raising, not only with B'nai Brith and the Beth Jacob Community but with UIA, Israeli Bonds and Hadassah-WIZO Bazaars. I was made a Life Associate Member of Hadassah-WIZO when Lorraine and I made out trip to Israel in November 1987." 

Jerold Birstein's Story 1943 to 1946 War Years

 #R284533    ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE      

Jerold Birstein’s Own Story 

A day after my 18th birthday, October 18,1943, I left school to join the RCAF. I went to Edmonton for basic training. After spending three months there, I returned to Regina to take a refresher grade twelve course.

When I finished the course I was sent to Yorkton for several months. Morris Schumiatcher and Les Benjamin were also training at the same time. Les and I were together for the next three and half years. Les and I did many things together, like playing bridge in the wash rooms on many nights after the lights were out.

I went to Winnipeg for a few more months before I was discharged on January 24,1945. Fellow service men and I were given our discharge papers in one hand and our Army call papers in the other.

I had one month to make up my mind. During that month I went to Chicago to hear the “Big Bands” concerts.” 

 #111359 CANADIAN ARMY

I joined the Army on February 28,1945 and went to Winnipeg and then to Camp Shilo, near Brandon, Manitoba to the Canadian Artillery Training Centre. 

Jerold pressing uniform 

There were a group of German Prisoners of War. I had to supervise them while they worked on road building. I was the truck driver and transported the prisoners to the work sight.  I found them to be young and very friendly. They never talked about the war or of Germany. The cook of the camp was from the German ship “Bremar” After the war they were sent back to Germany.

German Prisons from Bremar

I also drove the Army gun tractors that pulled the canons. While I was in the services for three and a half years, I thought I would never see civilian life again.  

I was discharged on May 9,1946.

Story written in 1990. Jerold passed away in 1999 at the age of 74 

In Remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II

My remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II goes back to when she became Queen in 1952. Quote from my biography  "Notes and Clippings, It all Started in Saskatchewan" , 'We were given the day off school for the Coronation Day of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. It was a big affair in England as well as in every small town in Saskatchewan. On this occasion the Gallivan school children were bused to North Battleford to attend a parade.' 

In May 2005 Queen Elizabeth II visited Regina, Saskatchewan. She was very dignified in handling the very cool rainy day. 

The Regina Council Of Women were invited to attend. We were seated to observe the festivities that took place in front of the Parliament Buildings.

A Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Celebration

 A Jubilee Anniversary Celebration    

Now-a-days it is very seldom that we get together at a table to enjoy a meal without the cell phone or TV on.

This year instead of going out  we decided to stay home to celebrated our 17th Wedding Anniversary,  making it a “Jubilee Meal”.

I remember my Mother telling us when she was young  how her mother put on a “Jubilee Meal”.

Quote from “ Hughenna’s Story”, my mother’s story.

“My mother always taught us during the long winter holiday. This kept us out of mischief and helped us to be well up in our schoolwork. She had a wonderful system of getting us to earn one hundred marks a day. When we reached one thousand marks we had a “Jubilee”. That consisted of a holiday and a special meal with some special treat on the table. Alain white cake with apple frosting was a feast. She set the table with the nicest dishes and a pink tablecloth. Just we children ate at the table, which was made small for the occasion; the pink cloth didn’t fit a big table. Those were happy days, how little it takes to make one happy”

Randal and Lorraine's Wedding Anniversary Meal Celebration

All electronics turned off.

Table set with place mats, decorated with an artificial red rose and bottle of Mateus wine. 

Menu consisted of:  Chicken Cordon Bleu made from prepared frozen chicken patties, fresh garden vegetables, cucumber and tomato slices 

For the first time in ages, we sat across from each other, talked and  ate as slow as we could, taking less than 20 minutes! 

It was a special event and how little things make us happy! 

Kayla And Arturo

My heart is full of joy! I am very blessed with what my family brings. Each and everyone of them brings love, light and energy through their creativity. 

One milestone we celebrated was honouring the marriage of my granddaughter, Kayla, to Arturo.  We, the Canadian family, were not able to join them in North Carolina, so, we went with the times, on ZOOM  We wishes them many years of fulfilment and happiness.

On May 14th 2022 they joined with their  US family and friends at Ecovillage of Earthaven, Black Mountain, NC

Partied out!!! 

Kayla and Arturo's Home 

Full Circle Family Farm, Black Mountain NC 

Mother's Day Special Visit

 

I am truly grateful for the visit with my daughter, Lynne and her husband, Kerry, from Calgary. 

It was especially wonderful as she gave me a gift on Energy Work, BARS and Reflexology as well as flowers.