Welcome to the March 2026 UWRA Monthly Bulletin!
Spring is just around the corner—yes, really—and we’re delighted to bring you the March 2026 edition of the UWRA Monthly Bulletin, packed with events, updates, and new features to help thaw out your winter‑weary spirits.
UWRA event: Seeing the unseen
Community events: WPL turns 150, a web series on how to find fulfillment in retirement, CURAC annual conference
Introducing a new UWRA Travel Feature:Amsterdam travel notes with Colin Jones
Featured discount partners: Belairdirect, Trip Merchant
Worth sharing: Understanding body image in later life
Upcoming UWRA event:
Seeing the Unseen with the Vera Rubin Telescope
When: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 • 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Where: EC5 Room 1111, University of Waterloo
Join Elizaveta (Liza) Sazonova, Rubin Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Waterloo, for an engaging look at how the new Vera C. Rubin Observatory will transform our understanding of the universe. Its ten‑year Legacy Survey of Space and Time will repeatedly map the night sky, revealing how galaxies grow and evolve, and capturing short‑lived events such as supernovae and moving asteroids.
Cost: $10 per person (retirees and guests) Parking: $8 payable to UWRA with registration.
Online registration is required.
Community events:
Waterloo Public Library Marks 150 Years
Waterloo Public Library celebrates its 150th anniversary this year. For generations, WPL has served as a hub for learning, creativity, and community connection. To mark this milestone, the library is launching a season of special programs, activities, giveaways, and historical highlights. The celebrations will honour WPL’s past while showcasing the possibilities ahead as it looks toward the next 150 years of service.
Charting the Journey to a Fulfilling Retirement
The Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE), in partnership with Fidelity Investments, is offering Charting the Journey to a Fulfilling Retirement, a six‑session webinar series designed for current and soon‑to‑be university retirees. The series explores evidence‑based strategies for aligning financial security, personal identity, and emotional well‑being in retirement. Details and registration are available on the AROHE website, along with presenter biographies.
The UWRA is a member of CURAC, which in turn is a member of AROHE. Questions may be directed to Ron Champion, UWRA President and CURAC Board Member.
CURAC 2026 Annual Conference – “Making Connections”
The SFU Retirees Association will host the 2026 national CURAC conference from May 20–22 at the Inn at the Quay in New Westminster, BC. Retirees from colleges and universities across Canada are invited to take part in three days of presentations, good food, and opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and meet new friends. The “Making Connections” program will feature inspiring stories and practical guidance for enriching your retirement years, along with plenty of time for conversation and community.
Registration is now open at curac.ca/en/conference/2026-conference.
Introducing a new UWRA travel column
We’re pleased to introduce a new feature in the UWRA Monthly Bulletin: Travel Notes with Colin Jones. Colin, a UW retiree and active UWRA member, travels extensively with his wife, Maureen. He will share practical tips, memorable experiences, and fascinating insights from destinations around the world. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply enjoy exploring from home, Colin’s stories will offer inspiration, useful advice, and a window into remarkable places.
Travel Notes with Colin Jones: Amsterdam
Amsterdam is a classic starting point for land, river, and ocean adventures. It’s an ideal gateway to the Netherlands, Northern Europe, the British Isles, and many European river cruises. Whatever brings you there, make time to explore the city itself. Amsterdam is rich with art, history, and unforgettable scenery.
Tip: Amsterdam is very walkable, but watch for uneven surfaces. Be especially cautious around cyclists—many move quickly and expect pedestrians to stay clear. Taxis are metered, so ensure the meter is running and that you have a general sense of your route.
Did You Know?
- Tulips aren’t Dutch. They arrived in the 16th century as gifts from Persia and the Ottoman Empire.
- Amsterdam began as a fishing village and sits about two metres below sea level. The city rests on roughly 11 million wooden poles driven into soft peat and clay.
- Tall, narrow houses reflect 17th‑century property taxes, which were based on the width of a building. The narrowest home is just two metres wide.
- The city’s 165+ canals stretch more than 100 kilometres.
- Canal cleanup crews recover 12,000–15,000 bicycles each year, lost through abandonment, accidents, or perhaps a few too many Heinekens.
- You can call a Canal Uber. These on‑demand water taxis offer a quiet, crowd‑free way to get around.
- A “coffee shop” isn’t for coffee. In the Netherlands, it’s where cannabis is sold—tolerated, though not technically legal. For your latte or cortado, look for a café.
- Look down as you walk. You’ll find small brass “Stumbling Stones” embedded in sidewalks across Amsterdam and other European cities. These plaques commemorate victims of Nazi persecution outside their last freely chosen homes.
Affinity partner spotlight:
NEW! belairdirect now offers Trip Cancellation Insurance to UWRA members through our CURAC partnership.
Coverage highlights:
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance Multi-Trip Plan
- Trip Cancellation, Interruption & Delay1 – up to a maximum of $12,000 per insured, per trip.
- Baggage & Personal Effects – up to a maximum of $1,500 per insured to a maximum of $3,000 per family.
- Document Replacement – up to a maximum of $200.
- Baggage Delay - up to $400 per insured to a maximum of $1,000 per family for the purchase of necessities.
More information and the application form are available here. Email application to: travelinsurance@belairdirect.com or mail to: belairdirect Travel Insurnance, PO Bo 4456, STN A> Toronto UN M5W 0R6.
The recording of the February 10th Zoom session featuring belairdirect is now available. This affinity partner provides car, home and travel insurance for Retiree Association members.
- Session length: 00:54:50
- Watch the recording Passcode: 7ID=9!a5
Travellers, did you know?
Trip Merchant can book any travel supplier for you (river cruises, ocean cruises, guided tours, etc.) that works with travel agencies and you will earn your 2% in Trip Merchant Loyalty Rewards. Check out Trip Merchant on the CURAC website.
Worth sharing:
Body image and aging: More than how we look. Learn from McMaster experts how small shifts in thinking and behaviour can support a more balanced, compassionate relationship with your body over time.
We’d love to hear from you—truly! Travel tales, quirky updates, or ideas for activities are all welcome. If you’ve got something worth sharing (and we know you do), send it along to uwracomm@uwaterloo.ca for possible inclusion in next month’s issue.