Vice President Sue Schierer and I have just returned from a whirlwind tour of CJCS central Canada where we were joined in Ontario by Director Myrna Christensen. It was an excellent trip with on average 140 Jewels at most events. Some have posted their own reports above but we wanted to share with you what fun we had and what a wonderful feeling it was for Sue, Myrna and I to connect with members and to hear some of their stories of what CJCS means to them but more importantly, what a feeling to be surrounded by over one hundred smiling faces, listening to the chatter and laughter throughout the room, knowing that our Jewels know how to have FUN! - Lynda Millard

After two quick flights Sue and I arrived in Regina and as we started down the escalator to baggage claim there was a Jewel dressed in red and white! Thank you Marion Paterson for being there with a friendly smile and hugs to welcome us to Regina. Marion not only drove us to the nearby hospital to visit Mary Huber, but brought along a snack for us of cheese, crackers and fresh strawberries just in case we were hungry. How very thoughtful.
It meant so much to us to be able to visit Mary, but we were sorry that her recent fall and broken hip meant she couldn't participate in the dinner she had planned for us that evening with the Royal Court.
After our wonderful visit full of laughter, tears and hugs with our dear friend Mary, we were dropped at our hotel to freshen up. Not long after Marion returned with Shirley Tchorzewski and they took us off to the Royal Court dinner at Tony Roma's. We were greeted by many of the local (and some out of town) Queens and Vice Queens. No formal meeting tonight just socializing: catching up with friends and meeting new friends. Saskatchewan Jewels have a knack for always making me feel welcome! Sue too!
The next morning Marion and Shirley were back at our hotel to whisk us away to the "Purple Hat Tea" hosted by the very elegant Queen Bonnie Doyle and her Queen City Crimson Cougars. The room was decorated beautifully. Bernice Herperger (Queen of the Ruby Gems) had made a corsage for every one of the attendants (a 280+hour project!) Thank you so much Bernice! I will save mine just as I have saved the one I received at the National Convention several years ago in Regina. Sue had brought some of her beautiful hair fascinators with her to sell and we also had some CJCS items to sell.
The room was filled with so many familiar faces and it was such fun to catch up with as many Jewels as we had time for. Some had good news and some reported on some difficult times they are going through. It's so good to know that our Jewels are here to support them. We enjoyed a lovely lunch followed by entertainment and all too soon we had to leave for the airport. Our trustee chauffeurs, Marion and Shirley returned us safely to the Regina airport for our next adventure. It's always so difficult to say goodbye when we've had but just a short visit!

Another short flight and we were in Winnipeg. We grabbed the hotel's shuttle and got settled into our hotel room and then went to find a bite to eat. We were joined later by the son of a fellow I had grown up with. He's a local Winnipeg Doctor and also star of a Rock Band and really quite easy on our tired old eyes. We had a delightful visit with some animated conversations with Jarrett then collapsed into bed.
First thing in the morning Lynda Choquette was there to pick us up. Lynda had already been out to Assiniboia Downs to oversee the set-up for the Spring Tea (which was really a lovely lunch) then drove all the way back to pick us up. We tried to get there early so Sue could set up with the other vendors before the Jewels began to arrive but as you all know, it's hard to be first as our Jewels are rarely late for anything when FUN and food are in the mix!
Many thanks to Lynda and her committee (Marguerite Malo, June Bone, Valerie Watt and Karen Janzen) who all helped to provide our Crown Jewels members with a happy and fun filled day. As Lynda said: "I believe your visits have the potential to stir things up and get things moving.  For sure, your visit here in 2014, to establish our Royal Court, made lots of difference for us at the regional level.  Our Royal Court is scheduled to meet again June 23, and I think we have lots to talk about regarding planning for this region in the future.  Thank you and Hugs!!"
Thank you to former Director and Regional Representative Debbie Lamb and members of her chapter who drove in from Kenora, Ontario to attend (2 hours each way.)
A very special thank you to Queen Betty Paley and her "Roblin Rubies" from Roblin Manitoba. These ladies drove 4 1/2 hours each way to attend the luncheon and entertain us (they had us in stitches they were so GOOD!) Being such a long drive they arrived the night before and made this a "Road Trip Adventure." I'm sure they were exhausted by the time they arrived home later that night.

Queen Joy Robichaud of the Regal Rubies Of Niagara and Queen Diana Ruicci of The Niagara Gypsies were our hostesses in Niagara Falls for a lovely CJCS luncheon. Director Myrna Christensen who is also the South & Eastern Ontario Representative drove in from Montreal as did her Vice Queen Diane Elliott. Both women drove with their husbands and we thank them for chauffeuring our Royalty to Ontario so they might attend this event and meet other Queens and members. We also had an honoured guest, Vicki Braidberg Queen of the "R H Factor" in Calgary who joined us as she was visiting in the area.
Again Sue had her fascinators for sale and there was also another vendor present. Lunch was excellent and we were given quite a choice of delicious home-made pies for dessert. We met so many lovely ladies that we didn't want to leave. Turns out we had the room until 4:00pm so several of us sat and enjoyed a lovely visit after the party was over. Thank you to the Dundas Valley Gems who brought a busload of Jewels to the luncheon. Rumour has it you managed some sightseeing too!

The trip was exhausting yet exhilarating! As Sue said: "Just a wonderful tour, to be able to sit and chat with our Jewels, to share stories.....it brings such a big smile to you!"
On behalf of Sue and myself, we THANK YOU and send HUGS to all who helped make this such a successful trip!! We look forward to seeing many of you in Calgary in September.
Lynda Millard