January 2026
Welcome to the January 2026 UWRA Monthly Bulletin!
A new year is upon us, and with it comes fresh opportunities to connect, stay active, and enjoy the company of fellow retirees. This is the monthly bulletin for the University of Waterloo Retirees Association, sent to all UW retirees. Here’s what you’ll find in this issue:
UWRA events: Let's get active! Brew Crew, AI Boom or Doom?
UWRA news: A note of thanks from a retiree scholarship recipient
Community events: Ear Essentials, Hoop, there it is!, LIVING the Dementia Journey, Third Age Learning winter lecture series.
Affinity Partners: TWO contests!
New resource: ROW Older Adult Health page.
Worth sharing: CURAC newsletter
Photo of the Month: Hosting the Holiday Reception
Greetings from the Prez: 2026 promises to be an eventful year for your UWRA.
A fresh retiree has joined the UWRA board. Mario Coniglio, recently retired from the Faculty of Science, was appointed as a Member at Large until our AGM in May. Welcome, Mario!
The UWRA trip to Spain is fast approaching! Goodbye, shuffling off to Buffalo. Hello, Costa del Sol! Search for “UWRA Spain” for the details now that you’re thinking it would be nice to get away this April. Friends and family welcome!
We’ll host our first presentations in EC5-1111 in early 2026. You might not recognize the room number, but you may have visited the theatre for a Greenshield or other info session a few years back. The 100-seat theatre includes a lobby area for mingling before and after presentations. We’re working with Sustainable Transportation to offer convenient parking to retirees in Q and X Lots.
The UWRA will collaborate with FAUW, the UWSA, and others on campus to offer another round of retirement planning workshops, hosted by Entente Education Canada (formerly RTOERO). Stay tuned for some other noteworthy collaborations.
On behalf of your UWRA board of directors, I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2026. Feel free to contact me or any director anytime with questions, suggestions, or offers.
Ron
Let’s Get Active: Cross-Country Skiing at Schneider’s Bush (Rare Property)
Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Time: 1:00–3:00 pm EST
Location: Schneider’s Bush (Rare Property)
Enjoy winter at its best with a leisurely cross-country ski through the beautiful trails of Schneider’s Bush. This easy-to-moderate route features mostly flat terrain with a few gentle hills—perfect for an enjoyable afternoon outdoors. After the ski, participants are welcome to join an optional stop for a hot beverage at nearby Java Garden. Register online so we can contact you with any event updates.
Join our Brew Crew! Come out on January 8 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of this monthly celebration of friendship! Tim’s at Conestoga Mall, 10 a.m.
AI Boom or Doom? How People Can Be Shepherds Rather Than Sheep: Join fellow retirees for an engaging presentation by Paul Thagard, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, on the promises and risks of artificial intelligence.
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM
Location: Schlegel Village at University Gates, Town Hall Room
UWRA’s rep for the Waterloo Retirees’ Scholarship Fund, Sharon Lamont shared this thoughtful note of thanks from one of the scholarship’s recipients:
I am currently a second-year student at the University of Waterloo, enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program. I chose Waterloo because I completed my undergraduate studies here and fell in love with the campus life, the collaborative community, and the opportunities for growth. The pharmacy program at Waterloo is unique in Ontario, as it offers a co-op component, which allows students like me to gain valuable hands-on experience while pursuing our education. I am passionate about pharmacy and eager to make a meaningful impact in healthcare, and Waterloo provides the perfect environment for me to develop the skills, knowledge, and connections I need to succeed. One of the most rewarding aspects of my time at Waterloo has been the chance to pursue a career I am passionate about while building strong connections with my cohort. I have greatly benefited from the support and guidance of both faculty and staff, who have created a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. Outside of the classroom, I am actively involved on campus as a Pharmacy Ambassador. I have had the opportunity to participate in the university’s Open House, where I spoke with prospective students and their families about pharmacy, introduced them to the profession, and highlighted the significant role pharmacists play in the community. I am also participating in the Meet and Greet events for the incoming cohort, which allows me to guide first-year students, help them transition into the program, and foster connections that may last throughout their careers. Thank you! Receiving this award has made a meaningful difference in my ability to pursue my education and career goals. The Doctor of Pharmacy program comes with significant tuition costs, and when combined with living expenses and other out-of-pocket payments, it would have been challenging for me to continue without financial support. This award has alleviated some of the financial pressure, allowing me to focus on my studies, participate fully in volunteer and co-op opportunities, and engage in campus life. I am truly grateful for this support.
Ear Essentials: Facts, Fun, & How to Keep Hearing Healthy
Date: January 15th, 2026 at 1pm ET
Sign up now for CURAC’s Retiree Associations Conversation with this Affinity Benefit partner. Send CLL your name, email address, and the name of your local retiree association to cllenave@ucalgary.ca
Join this Zoom Meeting: https://ucalgary.zoom.us/j/98474524149. Meeting ID: 984 7452 4149
Looking for free, family-friendly fun? Join us for Fantastic Alumni, Faculty, Staff & Retiree Day on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at the PAC! Cheer on the Warriors at women’s and men’s basketball games, enjoy games and giveaways, and don’t miss the popular Paper Airplane Toss with great prizes. Free tickets (limited) with promo code FAD2026 — register online early!
LIVING the Dementia Journey (LDJ) is an award-winning, evidence-informed training program that builds understanding of dementia and transforms how people support those living with it. Organized by Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA)
Where: Virtual (Zoom)
When: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m EST
Cost: $200
Later Life Learning tickets on sale: TAL-KW's Winter 2026 lecture series is entitled "Being Canadian Today". This 8-week virtual series will feature speakers from across Canada focusing on our distinctly Canadian experience at this pivotal time in our history. Lecture Descriptions and Dates. Lectures will begin on Tuesday, January 13th (1:30 – 3:00 pm ET) and continue on each subsequent Tuesday, up to and including Tuesday, March 3rd. Get your ticket today.
TRIP CONTEST with Trip Merchant: Vietnam & Cambodia!
Want to win a 12 Day/11 Night package in Vietnam & Cambodia? Enter today and good luck! This is a CURAC event provided by one of our Affinity Partners.
Passport to Prizes Contest! belairdirect are giving you a chance to win one of five $10,000 travel vouchers* up for grabs. It’s so easy to enter! Simply visit belairdirect.com/ptpcontest, complete the quick and easy entry form, and you’re entered. Good luck! *Certain conditions apply.
Region of Waterloo – Older Adult Health: We’ve added a valuable new resource to the UWRA Resources & Related Sites page! The Region of Waterloo – Older Adult Health site offers a wealth of practical, easy-to-navigate information especially relevant to retirees.
Have a favourite resource you’d like us to highlight? Let UWRA know—we’re always happy to share helpful finds with our community.
Explore the new resource: Region of Waterloo – Older Adult Health page
Welcome to Issue 3 of the relaunched CURAC News: December 2025 Newsletter — CURAC
President Ron Champion (right) welcomed guest speaker Thomas Duever, Interim VP Academic and Provost to UWRA’s Holiday Reception on December 3, 2025.
We welcome your input for future Monthly Bulletins—P stories, updates, or suggestions for activities that fellow members might enjoy. If you have something to share, please submit it to uwracomm@uwaterloo.ca for consideration in next month’s issue.