The Pla-Mors Hockey Club was organized by former junior hockey players who still loved the game and desired to play. The possibility of reviving the old Senior Hockey League was discussed. Sponsors considered it a bad risk. In 1959 the players decided to go ahead and organize, even if it meant costing them money personally the first year. Their purpose was to promote their own calibre of hockey and foster minor hockey. They were instrumental in re-organizing the Saskatchewan Senior League consisting of Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Regina and Saskatoon. The first coach of the Pla-Mors was Roy Belbin, captain George Hunchuk, manager Jim Chadwick and trainer Earl Gray. Executive for 1959-1960 were Jim Chadwick, president; Leo Heisler, vice-president; Ernie Webb, secretary-treasurer and executive members Clarence Waldo, Merv Hulse and Dr. Bill Mullen.

The original Women’s Auxiliary was formed in 1907 when the Duchess of York Chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire disbanded and its members became the auxiliary to the Moose Jaw General Hospital, now known as the Women’s Auxiliary to the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. The Auxiliary is a member of the Provincial Hospital Association. The main objective of the Women’s Auxiliary is to improve and upkeep the hospital facilities and its staff. Funds are raised mainly through membership drives, teas, bake sales, bridge parties, fashion shows and displays

On Wednesday, March 14, 1956 representatives from interested organizations in Moose Jaw and district held a meeting in the Chamber of Commerce offices for the purpose of considering setting up a local safety council. Previous to this, the council of the Chamber of Commerce discussed and felt there was a need for a coordinating body to promote safety in Moose Jaw.

The convener of the meeting was Stanley A. Ward of the Chamber of Commerce. After discussion it was the consensus of opinion to establish a safety council in Moose Jaw. The Chamber of Commerce offered to supply secretarial services and the use of their offices.

A motion was moved by James E. Adams and seconded by Charles H. North that Moose Jaw Safety Council be organized. The motion was carried. James E. Adams moved and H. Waldman seconded that a steering committee be named to prepare a program of work, recommend the size of executive needed, to prepare a slate of nominations for the executive and to draft the general frame work of the council. The motion was carried. The steering committee consisted of Stan A. Ward, E.H. Stinson, P.J. Stewart, Charles H. North, H.R. Murray, F. Wells, Mrs. Julian S. Marquis, Miss Margaret MacDonald, D. Chapman and L.E. McWilliams.

The first general meeting of the Moose Jaw Safety Council was held on April 11, 1956. In June 1956 Stan Ward was elected chairman and George Friesen was elected recording secretary. The executive elected for 1957 were Stan Ward, chairman, F.J. Stewart, vice-chairman, and Paul Morris and J. Sureau, secretary (they were in Moose Jaw on alternate weeks).
The Moose Jaw Safety Council discussed matters pertaining to all types of home, community, and traffic safety. Recommendations aimed at promoting safer conditions were submitted to provincial or civic authorities. Support of the Safety Council was sought from persons and delegations concerned about unsafe conditions in their areas.

The Moose Jaw Safety Council provided assistance and publicity to nation-wide and local safety campaigns. They submitted press releases to the media during high peak accident times. They provided talks and lectures to local organizations, and distributed literature covering home, traffic, industrial, and holiday safety. Soon after their formation, a representative from the Moose Jaw Safety Council was requested to serve on the City Traffic Advisory Board.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council awarded Charter No. 2 to the Moose Jaw Safety Council on April 14, 1967.

The Women’s Division of the Moose Jaw Safety Council was established in 1961. They were granted a charter by the Saskatchewan Safety Council in 1967. (See MJ-94 Women’s Safety Council Moose Jaw fonds).

In 1977 only two members remained on the Moose Jaw Safety Council, Mrs. Chris Kjarsgaard, treasurer, and Charles V. Stokins, president. On Feb. 22, 1977 they requested that the Moose Jaw Safety Council bank account be closed.

Whimster’s Hardware was established in Moose Jaw in 1923 on 61 River St. W. by Murdo F. Whimster. Before coming to Moose Jaw, Mr. Whimster went into the hardware business in 1902 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. In 1906 he moved to Calgary. In 1916 he established a hardware business in High River, Alberta. After two years on River Street, in 1925 Mr. Whimster relocated his hardware store to 23 Main St. N. In 1937 he turned the business over to his son Donald J. Whimster and moved to California. In 1944 Donald J. sold the business to long time employee Austin T. Ellis, and Les Turner. Both Murdo and Donald finally settled in Lethbridge, Alberta.

The Moose Jaw Milk Producers Association was formed in 1924. Membership consisted of all farmers and dairy-men shipping milk to the creameries in Moose Jaw. The object was to promote better relations between the dairy-men and the creamery. Among those involved in the formation of the association were Benjamin Hopkins Thomson, R.H. Jones and Fred H. Jones.

The Association was financed by the creamery deducting one and one-half cents per one hundred weight of milk from each dairyman’s monthly cheque.

The Association promoted the Moose Jaw Herd Improvement Association and the Moose Jaw Boys and Girls Calf Club. They were also instrumental in promoting cow testing in order to improve the butter fat production in the herd.

In 1968 a new Moose Jaw Milk Producers Association was formed with new by-laws. President was George Fagan and secretary-treasurer was E.R. Champion.
Over the years, producers costs kept rising, but their returns kept falling, as profits were going to labour and distributors.

In 1972 Moose Jaw area milk producers decreased to 21 from 78 in 1960. The Moose Jaw Milk Producers Association disbanded in 1986. A bank account was open until 1992.

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church was built in the summer of 1907 in Tuxford, Saskatchewan. The church cost $2 630 to build and Geo. Logan was the head carpenter. Reverend McGregor was the first pastor and there were approximately 20 families in the congregation. In 1925, the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational churches formed the United Church of Canada. St. Paul’s became a United Church as a result of this merger. St. Paul’s Church was rededicated on May 6, 1962. In 1971, the Tuxford Pastoral Charge was dissolved and St. Paul’s Church joined the Minto United Church in Moose Jaw to create the Minto Pastoral Charge.

On April 15, 1974 owners and interested parties of property in the Buffalo Pound Lake North shore developments met at the Moose Jaw Co-Op Auditorium. The meeting was called to order by John Finn. Fred Pepper acted as secretary. Charlie North, of the South shore development of Buffalo Pound Lake (Sun Valley) was invited to speak on how the South side formed a hamlet.

It was discussed that an organization was needed to protect the interests of the owners/tenants of the 110 cottages on the North shore. Tax assessment was considered too high in relation to the services received. It was agreed that an association be formed first, and then go to the Government to investigate other forms of organization, such as a hamlet.

A motion was passed that an executive be elected consisting of a chairman, secretary-treasurer, and three members from different sections of the shore. Elected were John Finn, chairman; Fred Pepper, secretary-treasurer; and committee members Vic Myles, Jim Luther and Henry Gebkenjans.

In the first year 103 cottage owners joined the Association. Issues of concern were garbage disposal, road improvements, constructing a boat ramp, moving the Sasktel pay phone from the highway to midway along the road, taxes, obtaining titles to properties, and improvement of administrative problems. In January 1975 a proposed constitution was presented . It was adopted on May 14, 1975.

In 1978 the North Shore had named 5 subdivisions: Ash, Elm, Maple, Oak, and Pine.

In 1979, the Association petitioned to become a hamlet, but it never materialized. It took many years of legal surveying to be completed. In 1988, a petition was submitted to the Minister of Urban Affairs to have the resort area of North Shore on Buffalo Pound Lake (in the Rural Municipality of Dufferin, No. 190) incorporated as the Resort Village of North Grove.

On Wednesday, May 31, 1989 the North Shore Cottagers Association held their last annual meeting. The North Shore area was now the Resort Village of North Grove. A motion passed that was made by Howard Hilts, seconded by John Finn that the North Shore Cottagers Association be dissolved and when their affairs are settled and all debts are paid, any surplus funds are to be transferred to the Resort Village of North Grove.

In 1908 the Government of Saskatchewan enacted the Child Welfare Act. It provided for the establishment of children’s aid societies and required cities with populations of over 10,000 to provide and maintain temporary homes or shelters for orphans, underprivileged, retarded and delinquent children.

The Children’s Aid Society of Moose Jaw was organized in December 1911, due largely to the efforts of Arthur Hitchcock. The first officers were president, Arthur Hitchcock; vice-president, J. W. Sifton; treasurer J.E. Chisholm; secretary, Mrs. E.H. Cuddy. The first honorary solicitor was H.D. Pickett and the first honorary physician was Dr. A. R. Turnbull. The first directors of the Society were Mrs. Sims, Mrs. H.C.Pope, Mrs. Wellington White, Mrs. Radcliffe, Mrs. W. H. Spotten, Mrs. E.N. Hopkins, Mrs. G.H. Maybee, Mrs. Navin, Mr. J.A. Hallan, Mrs. Tobin (later Mrs. J.F. Sheehan), Mrs. Clara Hansberger, Mrs. Nicholson, and Dr. J.M. Hourigan. The first matron of the shelter was Miss Richardson, replaced in little over a year by Miss Rose L Laughton.

The first annual meeting of the Society was held on January 9, 1912.

The work of the society was three-fold: 1) to care for neglected and dependent children. 2) to deal with and help juvenile delinquents. 3) to give temporary assistance to children.

The first shelter was the old nurses residence on the corner of Thirteenth Avenue and Fairford Street East. In 1918 a new shelter was built with money from the City of Moose Jaw, the Government of Saskatchewan and private donations. It operated until 1946 when it was no longer needed. It was returned to the city who sold it to the Moose Jaw General Hospital. Currently it is the Ina Grafton Gage Home for senior women at 200 Iroquois Street East.

In 1946 the Child Welfare Act was amended and the children became wards of the provincial government. Children were placed in foster homes. The work of the Society was lessened but continued to function in other capacities. The society sponsored a probation officer who gave counseling to delinquent children. His duties were eventually taken over by the police department. In 1950, the Children’s Aid Society assisted in the financing of the Housekeeper’s Service of the Family Service Bureau. It helped the bureau to find homemakers to take care of children and homes of mothers who were ill. It also gave legal advice to unmarried mothers.

The Society was approached by parents to establish a school for retarded children. In 1956 they opened a classroom in the basement of Ross Public School. In 1959 it was expanded to a second room and by 1961 they had three classrooms. They named it the John Chisholm School.

By this time the Society saw the need for a separate school for retarded children, but under its charter was unable to raise funds for this purpose, so the Society of the Education of Mentally Retarded of Moose Jaw and District was formed. In September 1964 the Public School Board took over the John Chisholm School that was housed at Ross School. In September 1965 the new John Chisholm School located at 1250 Eleventh Avenue N.W. was opened.

The Children’s Aid Society disbanded in 1965. All their funds and bonds were transferred to the Public School Board for the construction of the new John Chisholm School.

The last president of the Children’s Aid Society was William Whitell and the secretary was Mrs. J.H. Knox.

Mrs. Armstrong Junior Studio Club was a group of piano students of Mrs. Charles E. (Minnie F.) Armstrong. Members were under 15 years of age. There was also a club formed for the piano students that were over 15 years old, called Mrs. Armstrong Senior Studio Club. These clubs were formed on January 25, 1924 at the home of Mrs. Armstrong, 152 Athabasca St. E.

The first officers elected by ballot for the Junior Club were Helen Ogilvy, president; Gertrude McIntosh, vice-president; Helen MacBean, secretary; Patricia Criushanks, treasurer; and social committee Nancy Horns, Mary Leask, Charlotte Hannah, Archie Hill and Maurice Schull. Each member paid fifty cents for a six month membership to cover cost of refreshments. Meetings were held once a month (no meetings in the summer months) at Mrs. Armstrong’s home, followed by a recital and then refreshments were served. Every second month parents and friends were invited to attend. The last written account of this club was in 1931.

Mrs. Minnie F. (nee Ruttan) Armstrong, formerly of Winnipeg, MB was married to crown prosecutor Charles Ernst Armstrong. He unexpectedly died from pneumonia on Christmas day in 1916. They had six children. There is no record of Mrs. Armstrong in Moose Jaw after 1938. It is believed she married an Alex Barrie who passed away in 1956. Minnie passed away in North Battleford in 1957. They are all buried in Moose Jaw.

The scouting movement was founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in England in 1907. The movement began in Canada in 1908. In 1915 the Provincial Council of Saskatchewan Scouting was established, although there were scouts prior to that. The aim of the Boy Scouts of Canada is to help members become resourceful and responsible members of the community by providing for their mental, physical and spiritual development. This included learning about outdoor living through camping and hiking along with good deeds.

The first boy scout troop in Moose Jaw was organized on September 28, 1910 when boys from all denominations met in the Zion Methodist Church. Rev. G.F. Salton presided at the meeting and outlined the work, aims and objects of the scouting movement. Enthusiastically a troop was formed and patrol divisions were created. In 1911 the following scout troops existed in Moose Jaw: Divisions “A”, “B”, “C” First Moose Jaw Troop, Zion Church; Second Moose Jaw Troop, St. John’s Church; and the Y.M.C.A. Troop , Y.M.C.A. In 1914 there was a scout troop at St. Michael’s and All Angels Church on South Hill. Troop No. 9 (Hillcrest) was organized in 1926. Troop No. 1 St. George’s was formed around 1923. Scout Master was C.F. Kempton. Senior Patrol Leader was Herbert (Bert) Gray.

Over the years there were many changes. Scouting was divided into sections for the various age groups: Beavers, 5-7, began in 1974; Wolf Cubs, 8-10 years, began in 1916; Boy Scouts, 11-14 years; Venturers, 14-17 years, began in 1966; Rovers, 18-26 years, began in 1917. Scouting is now open to both boys and girls.

In 1971 there were nine scout troops in Moose Jaw, 1970 seven troops, 1993 five troops. In 2004 there was one active group, Troop No. 5, Hillcrest with approximately thirty children in Beavers, Cubs and Scouts. There is no longer a local district, there is an area commissioner.

Beta Sigma Phi was founded in 1931 in Kansas by Walter W. Ross. He thought women needed more in their lives than work, responsibility and hardship. His efforts created the Beta Sigma Phi sorority, a non-political, non-sectarian social and cultural organization. The name is taken from the first letters of the Greek words meaning “life”, “learning”, and “friendship”. In 2005 Beta Sigma Phi had a total membership of over 250,000 in 12,500 chapters in 32 countries throughout the world. The yellow rose and the candle are the symbols of the society.
The first Beta Sigma Phi chapter in Moose Jaw was the Beta Chapter, formed in 1939 by Bessie Nixon. Membership in Beta Sigma Phi is by invitation. In Moose Jaw there are seven chapters each representing different degrees. Each degree is obtained after a set length of time in Beta Sigma Phi and every member can transfer to chapters of her degree in different cities. Each chapter meets twice monthly for a short business meeting followed by a cultural program. The chapters in Moose Jaw are served by a Beta Sigma Phi City Council that is responsible for coordinating and planning activities or projects involving the city’s 7 chapters, and designed to help promote inter-chapter harmony. It consists of the president and one or two representatives from each chapter. It sponsors some of the sorority’s social events such as the Christmas dance, Founders Day banquet, rituals and the fall tea.
Although it is not a service club, each chapter takes on some projects. They have contributed to the community by helping with projects such as the Cancer Society Drive, Heart Fund Campaign, Cancer Daffodil sale, blood donor clinics, Moose Jaw Festival of Dance and the Moose Jaw Music Festival. They have contributed financially to the Moose Jaw Transition House, Times-Herald/Salvation Army Christmas Fund, CHAB Christmas Fund, Telemirale, Food Bank, Union Hospital, Providence Place and other worthy causes. The chapters raise funds through activities such as working the gates for the annual fair and holding steak nights.

At a conference in Regina on March 7 & 8, 1970, the Wheat for Vietnam Committee, a national organization was established by some prairie farmers and others offering aid in the form of wheat to the people of war torn Vietnam. The secretary of the Committee was Lloyd Mattson of Moose Jaw. They were asking farmers to pledge wheat. Monetary donations would also be accepted to cover expenses. Once they had enough pledges to ensure the success of the campaign, the Committee would consult with the proper government authorities about transporting the wheat to the terminal point in Vancouver. In a letter to Mr. Mattson from the Canadian Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Otto E. Lang, dated November 23, 1970 it appears Mr. Lang is not supportive of the Wheat for Vietnam initiative. After this there is no further material to document what became of the Committee or their objectives.

Waldsea Lake Regional Park was located northwest of the City of Humboldt. The park was developed in the early 1910s, further established in the 1920s, and eventually became a Regional Park in 1961. The collection of material came from Waldsea Lake Regional Park Association containing dates from 1980s to 2010 when the park was closed due to flooding in 2011.

On November 10, 1944 the Department of Natural Resources was expanded to include an Industrial Development Branch, resulting in the creation of the Department of Natural Resources and Industrial Development.

The department originally consisted of 10 branches, as follows: Forestry, Lands, Mines, Coal Administrator, Fisheries, Game and Fur, Water Rights, Surveys, Parks and Industrial Development.

The Industrial Development Branch was established to promote the general economic utilization of Saskatchewan's natural resources. Provincially-owned and operated industries developed by the Department included: a shoe factory, a tannery, fish filleting plants, a box factory and a fur marketing service.

The Lands Branch at this time was comprised of the Land Patents Division, Cultivated Lands Division, Land Sales Division, and Grazing Lands Division. On May 1, 1945, the Land Utilization Division was established when the function was transferred from the Department of Agriculture.

The following changes occurred in departmental structure between 1947 and 1949:

In the 1946-1947 fiscal year, the Office Administration and Personnel Branch was established within the department. As well, the Construction and Equipment Branch was formed to build roads and fireguards in northern areas. On January 1, 1949 the divisions within this branch became separate branches, the Equipment Branch and the Construction Branch.

Also in 1946-1947, the Parks and Lands Branch was set up to manage provincial parks and lands unsuitable for agricultural or pastoral purposes, including wasteland, forests and lands in the northern mineral belt. In 1948, the administration of agricultural and pastoral lands governed by The Provincial Lands Act and The Land Utilization Act was transferred to the Department of Agriculture.

During the 1947-1948 fiscal year, the Mines Branch reorganized into Mineral Resources Branch with the Coal, Metals, Minerals and Petroleum divisions. These divisions merged in 1950.

Following the creation of Local Improvement District "A" as a vast northern municipal district, the Northern Administration Branch was established in June 1947. While the Department of Health administered health issues, the Branch held responsibility for social aid, old age pensions and child allowances.

A Radio Branch was also formed in 1947.

During 1948-1949 an Office of the Executive Assistant was set up in Prince Albert to provide assistance to the Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister.

In March 1950, Order-in-Council 503/50 established the Industrial Development Office to promote the development of new industries in Saskatchewan, assist already established industries and publicize the province's resources, opportunities and industrial progress. The old Industrial Development Branch was renamed the Resources Utilization Branch and administered the utilization of industrial minerals.

In 1950, the Department of Natural Resources and Industrial Development reverted to its previous designation as the Department of Natural Resources.

The Saskatchewan Department of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs was established on June 27, 1997 by provisions of The Department of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Regulations. From 1997 to 2000, the Minister of the Department was also Provincial Secretary. Between 1998 and 2000, the Department had an Associate Minister. During the 2000-2001 fiscal year, separate Ministers were sworn in for Intergovernmental Affairs and for Aboriginal Affairs and Provincial Secretary; while in the 2001-2002 year, the separate portfolios were Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and Provincial Secretary. At its establishment, the Department was organized into three Divisions: Intergovernmental Affairs; Aboriginal Affairs; and Provincial Secretary, with two supporting Branches: Administration; and Communications.

The Intergovernmental Affairs Division was responsible for the promotion of Saskatchewan's interests through its relations with other governments in Canada and abroad. It was organized into five Branches: Constitutional Relations; International Relations; Trade Policy; Telecommunications and Broadcasting; and Federal-Provincial Relations. During the 2000-2001 fiscal year, the Division reorganized into two Branches: Trade Policy and International Relations; and Canadian Intergovernmental Relations and Immigration.

The Aboriginal Affairs Division was responsible for relations with the province's First Nations, Métis and Aboriginal peoples. It promoted and facilitated partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups and negotiated with the federal government on matters pertaining to Indigenous peoples. The Division was organized into two branches: Aboriginal Policy and Operations; and Indian Lands and Resources.

The Provincial Secretary Division was responsible for the provision of services related to protocol, honours, ceremonial events, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, and the Office of French Language Co-ordination. At its establishment, it was organized into three Branches: Protocol Office; Office of the Lieutenant Governor; and Office of French Language Co-ordination. During the 1998-1999 fiscal year, branches were added for an Anniversaries Secretariat in preparation for the Province's Centennial in 2005, and for the administration of Government House. In the 2001-2002 fiscal year, the Office of French Language Co-ordination became an independent unit within the Department.

The Department of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs was disestablished on March 31, 2002. The Department of Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs was established and assumed responsibilities of the former Department, and portions of the Department of Municipal Affairs and Housing.