News Optimist June 20 by Battlefords News Optimist

News

Trees in trouble

3 News Watch

Bedford leaves North Stars

Tom Sieben: Knight

Clogged courts

Garden Chat

Yard review

newsoptimist.john@sasktel.net

Sports

Everybody Has a Story

Check us out online at

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Volume 109 No. 46

In the news this week

North Battleford, Sask.

Staff Our popular feature, Everybody Has a Story, is back this week. Now that our newsroom is back up to a full staff, look for either Everybody Has a Story or First Person Exploits

into the Unknown every Tuesday on Page 6. On Page 3, see a story by senior reporter John Cairns on the City of North Battleford’s urban forest and the challenges it faces. Also, the fate is sealed for a tree on 101st Street that

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

found itself in the way of new development. Our newest reporter, Josh Greschner, visited Miss Whitt’s Grade 3 class at Connaught School for a special event. In addition to taking part in a national activity, they also showed

interest in the fact that a reporter was there to record it. See the story and photos on Page 12. You’ll note above North Stars coach Nate Bedford is moving on. Check out Lucas Punkari’s story in the sports pages.

Garden Party The Canadian Mental Health Association Battlefords held a garden party Friday evening, with beautiful backyards offered up by two North Battleford families. Despite the addition of a shower, the event was enjoyed for its gourmet snacks and top of the line entertainment and raised $54,000 to be put toward the renovations of CMHA’s new facility. Above left are recently graduated chef Nora Rongve and fellow classmate Rob Ing who flew out from Vancouver especially to join in the preparation of food for the party. Above right, Canadian folk-pop singer songwriter Jeffrey Straker performs on a backyard patio to the enjoyment of garden party guests. See more on the party in our Thursday Regional Optimist. Photos by Jayne Foster

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PAGE 2 - Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Budding Artists at BCS

“The Grade 1 students at BCS had fun studying their Barbara Reid unit. After reading several of her great stories and studying her unique illustration techniques, they tried their hand at plasticine art. The end results were amazing!” says their teacher at Battleford Central School. The class enjoyed sunset pussy willow art. Photos submitted

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Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - PAGE 3

North Battleford’s urban forest front of mind

Several walking trail trees to be removed By John Cairns Staff Reporter

While there has been heightened awareness at City Hall about saving as many city trees as possible, a number of them are simply beyond rescue. City administration has confirmed that their Urban Forest department will be removing about 80 dead poplar trees and shrubs that line the Territorial Drive walking path between 100th Street and Douglas Ave. While this is not the only area where there are dead trees, the worst of it is along that section, according to administration. In a May 25 city memo, Director of Utility Services Stewart Schafer stated they

regret having to remove the trees, but “they have come to the end of their life and must be removed to prevent them from becoming a safety issue.” It will take time to remove all the trees and shrubs. The Urban Forest department does plan to replant trees in the area, but those will take time to grow. City officials are seeking the public’s patience and understanding as to why the trees are being removed. City Manager Jim Puffalt called removal of the trees an “important part of maintenance of the Urban Forest.” He said the work of removing the trees will continue over the next month.

Expect this row of urban forest along the Territorial Drive walking trail to look quite different in the coming months, as a number of trees that have come to the end of their life are being removed. Photo by John Cairns

Sad fate ahead for 101st Street boulevard tree By John Cairns Staff Reporter

A grim fate is in store for the boulevard tree in front of a new development on 101st Street. Despite the city and council’s desire to save the Amur Maple tree, it was complicating plans to construct a driveway into the parking lot of the newly constructed building that will house the Matrix Law Group, formerly known as Holm Meiklejohn Lawrence. The tree is located right where the entry to the parking lot was slated to go for the law firm. City officials had believed a compromise solution could be found where the parking could be redesigned to have the parking on the south side of the lot instead of on the north side, as was previously proposed. That plan could have allowed the driveway construction to avoid the tree. But that compromise has proved unworkable. In a memo to City Manager Jim Puffalt from Director of Utility Services Stewart Schafer, administration officials met with partners Clifford Holm

and Patricia Meiklejohn on May 17 to discuss possible configurations. In the end, it was decided that having the parking on the south side of the parking lot area was simply too hazardous. “Unfortunately, when we went and staked everything out it created an unsafe vehicle movement,” said Puffalt to council. “So, unfortunately, we can’t save the tree.” What will happen now is that the parking will be on the north side of the lot, and that means the tree has to come down to allow cars to be able to enter the lot from the street. The property owners will be responsible for taking down the tree, and they will also be on the hook for $2,025 to cover the preliminary cost estimate, the permit cost, the tree assessment cost and the replacement and replanting cost of a new tree that will be placed in the area. The selection, planting, and placement of the new tree will be by the City of North Battleford. Also, the property owners will foot the bill for a curb crossing and repair of the sidewalk that was also being proposed.

A tree due to come out.

Puffalt also wants one more issue addressed, and that is to prevent these types of approaches onto major commercial streets in the future, particularly ones close to buildings. “We should look to have sober thought about allowing this to happen again,” said Puffalt. “It’s a pretty major street and you’re coming out close to a building, so I think that is a dangerous situation in itself. We should probably look to limit that.” That issue is to be passed on to the Planning and Development department. While the fate of a tree

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on 101st Street might seem trivial to local observers, the discussion was another example at City Hall of a wider issue that North Battleford and other municipalities across Canada must increasingly deal with. That issue involves how the “urban forest” interacts with construction and new developments happening in cities and neighborhoods across the country. Councillor Len Taylor noted the issue came up at a session of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference in Ottawa in early June. That convention was attended by North Battleford representatives including Mayor Ryan Bater. The conference included one session that focused on the urban forest in municipalities. Taylor said that presen-

tation brought forward two ideas: one is a tree protocol for any new development or substantive infrastructure renovation development within cities. “It means that on any piece of property, if trees are going to be removed, private or public, that they’re noted on that development plan,” said Taylor. Also, if any tree could be damaged by use of heavy equipment, it would have to be marked off in a form in advance and someone would have to take responsibility for it. One idea that Saskatoon has instituted, Taylor said, was that any tree in a construction zone must have an orange fence around it to ensure equipment operators have a “visual boundary” about where to come near a tree. The whole idea, Taylor said, is to “protect the forest infrastructure within a

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municipality.” He pointed to instances of new developments going up in cities without any regard for existing trees that were still in the area. He particularly liked the idea of planning in advance. Taylor suggested taking a look at the city’s own protocol for development activity to include these ideas. Puffalt responded this was perfect timing as a policy is already being formulated for council’s review. “We could certainly add those things in,” said Puffalt. Another change has already been instituted in May, and that is to put eyes on every development permit that comes in to make sure trees aren’t missed. “It’s important that we look after our trees,” Puffalt said.

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PAGE 4 - Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Commentary

Discomfort with death and grief is a modern ailment Modern western society could use more, rather than fewer, religious communities integrated into public mourning By Peter Jon Mitchell

Senior Researcher, Cardus

HAMILTON, Ont. / Troy Media/ - There’s an old story sometimes shared during eulogies about an elderly women planning her funeral. “Bury me with a fork,” she tells her minister. “Yes, but may I ask why?” he inquires. She explains that as a child, when the dishes were cleared from the table, the forks were occasionally left behind. She came to learn that when the forks remained on the table, a sweet dessert was to follow. “Bury me with a fork because something better is coming.” Modern western society is uncomfortable talking about death. This discomfort is on display in a recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute and Cardus aimed at exploring faith in Canada. About 60 per cent of Canadians surveyed believe in some form of life after death. There’s no consensus on what form that takes. About 55 per cent believe actions in this life have consequences in the life to come, with 57 per cent professing belief in heaven and a minority at 41 per cent stating they believe in hell. The declining presence of religion in public life is surely a contributing factor in our inability to find common language around death, in what is a community experience. Author and journalist Jonathan Kay makes this point in a recent column, noting that the once commonly held idea of an afterlife made grieving tolerable. Kay considers the wide range of public reactions to catastrophe in a secular age where God is no longer welcome at the public podium. He confides that after a recent loss in his own social circle, “I realized that I hadn’t the slightest idea how to talk to my children – or anyone – about death.” Kay is hardly alone. This summer marks the 20th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death. Among the ocean of flowers that pressed against the gates of Kensington Palace, mourners left accompanying notes and cards providing the equivalent of a core sample of the soul of the nation. Biblical scholar and former Anglican bishop of Durham, N.T. Wright, summarized the sentiments as “a rich confusion of belief, half belief, sentiment and superstition about the fate of the dead.” Faced with death, religious communities embody a narrative of hope displayed through corporate rituals and acts of support that are instinctual in compassionate communities. The presence of religious communities

also matter beyond the moments of tragedy and public grief, Wright reminds us. Philosophers from Plato forward understood that what we believe about death shapes how we live. Despite the absence of a common narrative around death, we understand grief requires public expression. Yale theologian Miroslav Volf argues that western culture is in a memory boom. Every tragedy is memorialized almost the instant it happens. Volf says the obsession with erecting memorials is in part a response to our short memories amid the frenzied pace of consumer culture and 24-hour news cycles. Volf writes: “We demand immediate memorials as outward symbols because the hold of memory on our inner lives is so tenuous.” Another reason we so rapidly memorialize is our social consensus that remembering and, more concisely, our continuous remembering is “our most basic obligation to do justice.” Remembering is a matter of doing justice. Grief draws us to reflect on meaning. Kay reminds us of the common refrain, in the aftermath of tragedy, to love each other more. “It’s sentimental and unsatisfying,” he writes. “But without God by our side, it’s the best we can do.” Kay argues we find meaning in social connections, investing time and energy in those around us in order to hold on to love. Modern western society could use more, rather than fewer, religious communities integrated into public mourning. Religious communities are invested in the care of the isolated, suffering and dying, motivated by love of neighbour and love of God. They hold on to love, always remembering that the fork remains on the table.

Letter

A Sask PM in 2019 Dear Editor Over the past year, the Conservative Party of Canada leadership candidates travelled across the country to meet with Canadians and promote Conservatism. The result is a stronger, more active Conservative membership base that is larger and more enthusiastic than ever before. Thank you to all candidates for taking the time to participate in the conversations across Canada that will continue to keep our country great. Your commitment to the Conservative movement gives us a strengthened position to send responsible government back to Ottawa. Congratulations to Mr. Andrew Scheer and his grassroots campaign team! I look forward to volunteering for the new leader to achieve the goal of a majority Conservative Government in 2019. I hope you will join us Orville Bilous North Battleford

Letters to the editor are welcomed by the NewsOptimist. All letters, including those which are faxed or e-mailed, must be signed and bear the address and telephone number of the writer. The name of the writer will be published. Letters are subject to editing. Personal attacks will not be printed. Letters will be rejected if they contain libelous statements or are unsigned.

Peter Jon Mitchell is a senior researcher at thinktank Cardus.

Published since 1905 Becky Doig Editor

A community newspaper published Tuesdays Owned & Operated by The Prairie Newspaper Group LP a division of GVIC Communications Corp. 892 104th Street, North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 1M9 (Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to the above) Telephone: 306-445-7261 – Fax: 306-445-3223 Email: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net Personal Delivery Charge — Out of Town $44.29 Plus GST.

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Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - PAGE 5

Clogged courts focus of Senate recommendations You don’t have to look far to see that Canada’s courts are under strain. Even at the North Battleford courthouse, the court docket is usually filled with people whose cases are moving slowly through the judicial system. But it’s an even worse situation elsewhere in Canada. There, the situation is approaching a crisis level as criminal charges such as murder are increasingly being tossed out entirely due to unreasonable delays in getting matters to trial. “Court delays have effectively paralyzed Canada’s judicial system,” said Senator Denise Batters of Saskatchewan, “and the time to act on criminal court delays is now. We can’t afford to wait because justice will suffer.” To that end, the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs released their final comprehensive report Wednesday on how to alleviate the strain seen on the court system. This follows up on the release of the interim report last August. The findings were presented at a news conference in Ottawa attended by Sen. Bob Runciman of Ontario and Sen. George Baker of Newfoundland. The Senate committee released some 50 recommendations in its report to deal with the situation. Their wide-ranging recommendations include creating alternatives to issuing stays of proceedings, addressing the need for better case management, and addressing judicial vacancies, among others. Batters said the Senate legal committee has been studying the issue of criminal court delays for the last year and a half. Those included intensive hearings including a day-long one in Saskatoon, because “Saskatchewan in many ways is a leader in Canada’s criminal justice system as far as trying to reduce court delays as much as possible.” What prompted the Senate to ramp up their efforts was a Supreme Court decision from 2016 in R. v. Jordan, that established time limits from the time changes are laid, right to the end of the trial. Delaying these limits would be a violation of the accused’s rights to be tried in a reasonable time under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Senate had been studying the whole issue for eight months prior to that decision, Batters said, but with the Supreme Court ruling the issue really was “coming to a head.” Very strict time limits were imposed in that ruling including 18 months for provincial court cases and 30 months for Superior Court cases. If those couldn’t be met, the charges would be stayed. There is a transition period before the full impact

newsoptimist.john@sasktel.net of the time limits comes in during January 2018. But the fear was expressed by the Senate committee is that once January hits, there is the potential for thousands of stays of proceedings to be issued, including for particularly serious offences such as murder or child sexual assault. Already, there have been some cases where people charged with serious crimes are seeing their charges being thrown out because of court delays. “The very serious consequence of a major court delay is that some very serious cases of murder, child sexual assault, organized crime – those types of cases are being stayed,” said Batters. “People potentially convicted of these charges are going free. And this is a shock to the conscience of our communities and a denial of justice.” She notes the impact to victims of crime who may not see justice done, as well as to the accused who may be stuck waiting for years

for cases to be resolved due to court delays. And the public’s confidence in the justice system is undermined, she said. As for what is causing the delays, Batters acknowledges they have heard of instances of accused people or their lawyers trying to game the system and create delays, although they have also heard from people saying that doesn’t happen. What the real problem is, Batters said, is “a culture of complacency” in the courts, but also in the government. “We have a significant problem with judicial vacancies in Canada,” said Batters. She noted there are now 81 judicial vacancies in Canada. As well, there are massive vacancies in the judicial advisory committees that make recommendations on potential judicial appointments, and that is holding up the appointment of judges as well. One of the interim report’s recommendations addresses this issue direct-

ly. It called for Superior Court judicial vacancies to be filled immediately. This was included again as a priority recommendation in the final Senate report. The other priority recommendation in the report calls for the remedy for unreasonable trial delay to be found in sentencing and in costs, particularly for the very serious offences. “Stays of proceedings, throwing a case out of course, should not be the only judicial remedy available for unreasonable delays in criminal proceedings,” said Batters. The Senate committee is also recommending that the Attorney General refer the issue to the Supreme Court of Canada to determine how this proposed change to the Criminal Code could be implemented constitutionally. Other recommendations address specific charges such as impaired driving, an issue of importance in Saskatchewan. Certain types of offences, which could include lower-level impaired driving offences, could be potentially dealt with as administrative penalties, therefore freeing up the courts to handle other cases. The Senate committee is also putting forward a recommendation to eliminate preliminary inquiries or at least limit their use. This has been an idea floated in Saskatchewan

Good marks for Block Party wknd By John Cairns Staff Reporter

City officials say they are pleased with the response they received to their heavily-promoted Block Party weekend, lasting from June 9 to 11. While there were only a couple of block parties held that weekend, Ryan Mackrell of the city’s planning department reported they have received four or five additional applications for more block parties later. Another block party was scheduled for the following weekend, and the weekend after that as well, he told council. More are expected for July and August. The city has promoted block parties as a way for people to be able to get to

know each another in their neighborhoods, encouraging greater community safety. In advance of Block Party Weekend, city council had voted to waive the $25 permit fee for the rest of the year. For Mackrell, he was satisfied the main goals of Block Party Weekend were met: that residents knew that block parties were encouraged and that they were actively organizing them. “We’re getting the word out there that it’s not so hard, it can be done, and getting people out and meeting each other,” said Mackrell at council. “I think we’re on the right path we want to get to. We had to pick a weekend so that’s the one we

picked, but at the end it’s just trying to get people out there to have them, and I think we’ve accomplished that.” As for a grand prize of 150 burgers from No Frills that was being offered to one of the lucky block party entrants, Walker Drive was the winner.

lately by the provincial government as a way to deal with court delays. They are now hoping the federal government will move forward and implement some of these recommendations right away, particularly ones such as getting judges and judicial advisory committees appointed. But Batters doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the government to be able to do that.

“Quite frankly the Trudeau government has been all talk and no action,” said Batters. “Platitudes won’t fix this court delay crisis, and frankly we need more of Saskatchewan in the Canadian justice system because Saskatchewan is a leader in the country when it comes to innovation to address court delays, and that’s one of the reasons they have one of the lower levels of court delay problems in Canada.”

News-Optimist.ca Last week’s News-Optimist online poll: How do you think the Saskatchewan Roughriders will do in 2017?

• They’re going to do nothing. Too many familiar faces gone! 40% • They might get to .500. 24% • They’ll have a winning campaign. 21% • The Riders will win the Grey Cup! 15%

This week’s News-Optimist online poll:

School is almost over for another year. What’s the best part of having the kids out of class? • They get a chance to have some fun. • Parents and grandparents get to see more of them. • There’s less running around to extracurricular activities. • They can help around the home more. • What best part? Can’t wait for them to go back!

Visit www.newsoptimist.ca Follow Battlefords News-Optimist on Facebook and BfordsNewsOpt on Twitter

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Tom Sieben: Knight

By Josh Greschner josh@newsoptimist.ca

other charicontribute to a number of r community table events in the greate rld War II Wo . ion cut rse pe lic tho Sieben Ca too. with relief “Want a beer?” Tom are also saw the Knights mobilize tpo a for red ing pa The Battlefords Knights lud pre inc g isin dra fun asked me as he d an nts ir Sunme the tle for set h h ris ris pa tal Pa cating known in their edu for d fun st luck in the hall of St. Vi tru n llio ture homethe hall’s a $1 mi day brunches, which fea affected by ers mb me in Battleford. We were in of en ldr chi as the par- the made sausage. backroom, which serves ent that World War II. the etme s bu e lum lud Co “It was something differ inc nts in the 1950s ish’s Knights of eve le tab No d an the Gr we all enjoyed.” campaign for “under ing room. Sieben was cess inlumbus the Knights’ Co of e ts dg The sausage-making pro right, igh Ple . Kn U.S the the of t to ed Knigh add be to ng d” uri cil #5626 Go volves “getting your flavo d smoke g the land Father Bigonesse Coun an of Allegiance, and buyin m ter s Hi rs. ilt. yea bu en s then you put ‘er in casing e ‘er out ee Stadium wa Battleford for sev nk Ya ich wh tak u on yo en . Th pleted it and freeze it. established of office was recently com Afterwards, the Knights ator res and eat ‘er.” d. ted sai I tia ,” ini “Sure enjoyable mber of funds, nu a s ner hio ris pa ip, re Sieben said the most centres of worsh We waited for mo for ts jec pro is tasting. s n tio ces pro part of the ough a cou to show up. I flipped thr Grand a ing Be s ple Knights of Columbu Knight can be a a magazines. There was time-consuming reKnights of Columbus cal After sponsibility. er endar, charter and bann en years, Sieben sev on the wall. is willing to concede Growing up Catholic, I the duties to a newlywas vaguely aware of the elected Grand Knight, I Knights of Columbus. dd Bailey. Sieben’s To on knew they wore purple tenure began as Father I special occasions, and Greg Elder began as knew they had something the parish priest, and ts to do with the breakfas Father Greg will soon that miraculously ap be leaving the parish. peared in church halls “It’ll be sad to see like the fish and loaves in Father Greg go, yet exMatthew 14. ing to see what the cit “Come eat,” Sieben new priest will bring,” s said. A long table wa Sieben said. filled with all sorts of Sieben said the most different foods, from perarding part of his rew ogies to holubtsi to spa Knights experience has ghetti to fruit-in-Jello. been working with other Our table lined up, people. and in a casserole dish, “It has always been a a was the Battlefords group you go to where s Knights of Columbus ng thi e hav le lot of peop famous homemade sauben Sie n,” mo com in sage. d. “You’re supporting sai of ts igh The Kn g family, you’re supportin g Columbus has a rich lin dea Tom Sieben and Father Greg Elder in the St. Vital Parish Knights of Columbus meeting room. e u’r yo the elderly, history. The organization Photo by Josh Greschner sup e u’r yo th, dea with lwas founded in 1882 dea porting life, you’re Michael Father by d e s s ferent things that e in r g h o r urc p Ch a s rth ing with lot of dif do day to day. fou attract the attention a to ng McGivney at St. Mary’ bei ued tin of ks con d ran an ough the normally icut, on the as John F. Kennedy thr degrees you wouldn’t r h fou suc s New Haven, Connect are ent ere sid ds you’re Th pre t. of igh y kn ity, fraternit ere are other people’s nee er) and degree Th mb e me s gre bu De h lum urt Co principles of charity, un Fo of ts the in their lives od, and larity of the (a Knigh a part of and you share ights orga- of knightho ceremonial regalia. Kn e Th n. and patriotism. The popu aga Re ld na It builds your faith at ople joined Ro p Knights wear e an and everything. hav ls nci order spread quickly. Pe directed nized large-scale relief efforts to hel cou ns lai exp Sieben rks Katrina and nd the same time.” because charitable wo r Knights victims of Hurricanes , which features a gra d ive an cut exe yed plo A em Sieben thanks his brothe ke. un ua or, thq aear tre 10 a 20 , s ary iti’ ret toward the po Ha sec d financial y provided withthe Catholic Rita, an t’s website knight, a s, “for their support the igh ard Kn gu the as on ll widowed are central to e we icl as art er, 12 a record and assistance the organization 20 re at least 15,300 surer, which guards the monthly out whose help we re the faith, and because the t tha s ort rep not be as strong as it e of lity Catholic de and 1.9 million on ng behind closed doors, while Council would wi rld offered relief to the hosti wo ls nci cou w meeti time in Ne is.” doors. immigrants faced at the fe Donna. pted members. other guards outside the ado the ts lligh we Sieben also thanks his wi Kn re l na we a igi on Or nad up Ca t in bea ts t England. igh jus ll Kn s great. e wi wa s Th “The guard their patron, The food at the potluck e in,” ing Catholic army ish com abl to Christopher Columbus as est nt for wa d I met n y an ow the ng kn if mi ebody s welco councils by War I and a welfare som said. “It’s not true,” he added, The parish wa rld Wo and the order reached 38 g , who rin ark du ts hw hu Sc n ed Ke Sieben ts march someone named 1886. Roughly 6,000 knigh s Day in program in 1941. As Saskatchewan laughing. bu ok my hand. organizations in New Haven for Colum his wife Donna, sho ther Greg th wi was settled, fraternal , ben Sie Before we sat to eat, Fa , and ishment of church ago abl rs est yea 1892. the 17 th d s about wi for e ent ttle ros cem Ba eared in moved to e announ town. He made som Canada’s first council app o and es. Early Saskatchewan councils bein ts d “And igh sai Kn he the en Th ned n. Mexic an and he joi church goings-o rm Ge e on th s wi wa as ts are igh Montreal in 1897, while al Kn rur d r new parishioBattlefor ncils in 1905. gan in nch, Uk rai- said the r I’d like to welcome ou or not,” and Fre eve s ile he’ wh ls rs, the Philippines saw cou nci me cou far ive lish st act ls appeared Po ner, whether he knows it ls emerged of the mo Central American counci nian and Filipino counci Encyclo- been a part of. In the group, there are I heard my name. g ce as well. The four years later. ben said. of members with varyin riod, the in the provin “Stand up and wave,” Sie s there are a number say an ew tch During the wartime pe ska . Sa ent of ped Faolvem for offering pedia Someone had to have tip 150 coun- levels of inv d on an ts Gr igh e Kn 0 Knights were known cam 00 be 10, ut ben Since Sie services to abo ther Greg off. skatchewan’s relief efforts and social group has taken on a cils in the province. Sa the t, An . igh ths Kn fai ce all vin of said in the known in the pro Allied servicemen number of projects. Sieben ian wrote Knights are African-American histor s didn’t for their Indoor Games events and for past four years the group has replaced s ask bu p. The Knights of Columbu the Knights of Colum een 1917 sponsoring students going to cam Battleford cemetery, the at ss en cro we bet the tw les s Be ma wa Catholic “[draw] the color line.” ther Bigonesse council tal parish, took on their n joined the The Fa Rod- upgraded St. Vi r the Fa th ova es of 18 and 118 to join wi ag ren 64 d the 19 an t. and 1923, 400,000 me Oc ing int pa of formed in er mb nu ranks. parish priest of St. a number of Knights. and ger Jourdain as n jobs, fundraised for a ers tio mb nu n’s tio iza y, an Da org The such as World Youth in the twen- Vital. the Knights of events d the Battlefords Catholic ned joi inf luence grew strongly ben Sie rte t leaders cor sick. after moving to suppo tieth century, as Knigh Services, and visited the d Columbus in 1978, ly an mi pes Fa po an th wi ew tch ly ect ska Sa g to the llin th wi wi is rk responded dir up wo gro to added the took an anti- Unity grew up in Sieben ben Sie presidents. The Knights ol. Po t hea spoke against W communist stance and members. Macklin, with 10 family ung age yo a at ts ren pa Sieben lost his and a brother in 1982. ently than “I grew up a lot differ said. “No ben Sie kids do nowadays,” t, so we tha e lik s ng thi d computers an ertainent for depended on ourselves knew u yo n, ment. It was a small tow at can the ked kic everybody. We t tha e lik s ng thi see n’t night. You do re.” happening much anymo st degree Sieben began as a fir to the new s wa knight because he ights Kn the se cau be d an community ce sin has He aligned with his faith.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - PAGE 7

Odishaw recognized by Yellowhead association Staff The Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway Association has presented Chris Odishaw with its prestigious Tete Jaune Award. “Tete Jaune” is the French translation for “yellowhead,” the same name for what is now known as Highway 16. The award recognizes longstanding commitment and service to the association. Odishaw, who owns Battleford Furniture and who served two terms as mayor of Battleford, was recog-

nized for his contributions as vice-president, director, committee chair, and for his work towards the objectives of the association. Odishaw was presented the “Builder of the Yellowhead” in 2007. Odishaw’s award was presented at the association’s annual meeting in Sherwood Park/Strathcona County, Alta. Hon. Amarjeet Sohi, federal minister of infrastructure and communities, was also in attendance to recognize

Up in Lights

Odishaw. “The Town of Battleford was a participant in the formation of the TCYHA and Chris was instrumental in maintaining that involvement during his time as Mayor,” said Sandy Salt, incoming TCYHA President, in a statement. “He also took his support to a personal level having his business, Battleford Furniture, be an ongoing corporate supporter. Chris continues to be an integral part of the future direction of the Association.”

Lacklustre response to Harpauer’s letter By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The minister of government relations Donna Harpauer has sent a response to Mayor Ryan Bater’s correspondence on the provincial budget. But if Bater and the rest of council had expected a substantive response from the minister pledging to reverse budget decisions, they were sure to be disappointed. The city had sent a letter to Premier Brad Wall in an attempt to engage in direct dialogue with the government about its decision to end payments-in-lieu from SaskPower and SaskEnergy. The loss of those payments, as well as other provincial budget cuts, ended up blowing a $1.4 million hole in the city’s own 2017 budget. As part of their correspondence, the city had proposed a policy alternative of having a one per cent province-wide levy added to power and gas bills, instead of eliminating the payments-in-lieu. But when Premier Wall responded, it was only to say that the concerns had been forwarded to minister Harpauer. In her response to the city, dated May 10, Harpauer gave absolutely no

indication that the province would reinstate paymentsin-lieu at all. The only change she acknowledged was the decision to cap the loss of payments-in-lieu at 30 per cent, a decision announced a week after the budget was handed down in the legislature. “After discussions with municipal leaders, we felt that it was too much of a burden to put on those municipalities, so we are capping the reduction to ensure that no municipality will see a reduction of more than 30 per cent of their revenue sharing amount.” Harpauer’s response also did not acknowledge the city’s policy alternative proposal of a one-per cent levy to gas and power bills. Instead, Harpauer pointed to a lack of policy alternatives put forward by the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association. “Our immediate response to concerns raised did not exclude SUMA from proposing alternative options and in fact they were asked to do so by the four Cabinet Ministers in a meeting just after Budget Day. To date we have received nothing,” her correspondence stated. Harpauer also went on to say the payment of the

“municipal surcharge” of 10 per cent of the value of the sales of electrical power by SaskPower in North Battleford “will continue unchanged. In 2016, your community received over $1,600,000 in revenue from this surcharge.” Council voted to receive Harpauer’s correspondence, which did not receive much comment from council Monday night.

Remember when folks at the Capitol Theatre were saying “keep an eye on the sign?” On Wednesday, workers were busy installing a new sign on the marquee of the Capitol, part of the extensive renovations that have already taken place there. By afternoon, it was up and running. Staff photo

Security ramping up after break-ins at city facilities; no impact on budget By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The City of North Battleford is stepping up its security efforts after a couple of separate break-ins during the month of May at the city yards. According to a city memo, the first happened on May 24 when a vehicle was stolen and driven to Turnor Lake, where it was destroyed. The second incident took place on the weekend of May 26-29, when thieves broke into the public works shop and stole $150 out of the workers’ coffee and candy funds. City staff inspected the building the following

Monday to determine if tools were stolen, but none were found missing. In response, city council has voted in favour of having a security alarm system placed in the park shop, the public works shop and also the waterworks shop. The security system is from The Security Company of Excellence, which

provides security for all the City of North Battleford’s buildings. Up to now, the public works compound has been secured by a fence and barbed wire, and it is locked up during the evenings, but it was felt more was needed there. Councillor Greg Lightfoot said he could justify the cost of the

security system, given the value of the equipment in the facilities. The total price for the security system came to $8,402.92 plus PST and GST. The money has been found internally from the supplies accounts for each department and there will be no impact to the 2017 budget.

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Lucas Punkari

Sports Reporter

Phone: 306-445-7261 Fax: 306-445-3223

Email: newsoptimist.sports@sasktel.net

Bedford leaves North Stars after one year By Lucas Punkari Sports Reporter

After leading the Battlefords North Stars to their first Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League title in 17 years, head coach and general manager Nate Bedford is moving on. It was announced late Friday afternoon that Bedford had been hired as the head coach of the Portage College Voyageurs, who compete out of the Alberta College Athletic Conference and will be playing out of Cold Lake starting this fall after moving from Lac La Biche. “It’s an honour to work for Portage College and we are excited to have a fresh start with the hockey program in Cold Lake,” Bedford said in a press release Friday. “The way they’ve treated my family from the early stages of the process to today is a strong indicator of why this is a great decision for us.” Although the decisionby Bedford to move on might seem like a surprise to many, it was something that North Stars president Troy Slywka knew was a possibility. “I had talked to Nate a couple of weeks ago and he had informed me that a team had reached out to him,” Slywka said. “We had talked again last week and everything was look-

Nate Bedford, seen lifting the Canalta Cup trophy in April, has left his role as head coach and general manager of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Battlefords North Stars after one season to take a job with the Portage College Voyageurs in Alberta. Photo by Lucas Punkari

ing good on our end, as he was preparing for next season and we were talking about a contract extension. “I got a call from Nate on Friday saying that he had received an offer that he couldn’t refuse from Portage and everything went from there.” Attempts to reach Bedford for comment on the move were unsuccessful as of press time. This marks the sec-

ond time that Bedford has coached in the ACAC, as he was an assistant coach for two seasons with the Keyano College Huskies before becoming their head coach in 2014. His time with the Fort McMurray based school ended in the spring of 2016 when the program was folded, which led to him being hired by the North Stars in August after Kevin Hasselberg took a job with

the Pensacola Ice Flyers of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Bedford’s one season in North Battleford was an outstanding one, as the North Stars had a 48-91-0 regular season record before going 12-0 in the playoffs to win their second Canalta Cup title in franchise history. The team would finish in fourth place in the Western Canada Cup after losing 4-0 to the tournament host Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League. “Considering that he brought a league championship to the Battlefords for the first time in 17 years, Nate’s time here won’t be forgotten any time

soon,” Slywka said. “Whenever you bring a team a lot of success after a long time, there’s always going to be a lot of interest in teams to have you come on board and that’s what happened with Nate.” The Voyageurs finished in the eighth and final spot in the ACAC standings last season with a 4-23-1-1 record and parted ways with head coach Terry Caplan in February. The program, which was founded in 2008 and last made the playoffs in 2014, announced last month that they will be playing out of Cold Lake. “It was clear from the start that this was the guy we wanted to lead our men’s hockey team into

the next era,” Jim Knight, manager of athletics and recreation at Portage College, said in a press release. “The things that stood out to us was his team’s commitment to defence, discipline, team chemistry and representing the community in a positive role. With Bedford’s departure, the North Stars now have four staff vacancies to try and fill before the 2017-18 campaign gets underway. In addition to the head coach and general manager spots that are now open, an assistant coach job and trainer position are both available after Braeden Johnston and Robbie Tanner left the team after this season. “Timing wise isn’t the greatest as the head coach helps with the search for the other roles, but it’s certainly doable,” Slywka said. “It’s better that it happens at this time of the offseason than if it had taken place at the start of August. “Nate is still helping us out and we have (newly promoted assistant general manager) Wylie Riendeau and a number of other staff members taking charge in the interim when it comes to getting things in place for next season.” Bedford is the first SJHL head coach to leave his team after winning to a title since 2004, when Dave Hunchak left the Kindersley Klippers to become an assistant coach with the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos.

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North Stars bring in trifecta of new faces Ryan Shepherd’s single in the top of the sixth inning helped to get the North Battleford Beavers’ offence rolling at Beaver Lions Stadium Thursday in their 7-2 win over the Battlefords Trappers. Photo by Lucas Punkari

Beavers prevail in first meeting with Trappers By Lucas Punkari Sports Reporter

If the early returns are any indication, the battles between the Battlefords Trappers and the North Battleford Beavers will become must-see events at Beaver Lions Stadium. In the first head-to-head meeting between the two North Saskatchewan River Baseball League sides Thursday night, the Beavers used their impressive offence to pull away late as they picked up 7-2 victory over the Trappers. “It was a much closer game than the score indicates,” Beavers outfielder Ryan Shepherd of the Beavers said. “The Trappers are a really talented team and they’ll stay in a game right until the end.” The game was tied at a run apiece until the top of the sixth inning, when Blair Geering cleared the bases on a three-run triple. The Trappers got within a run in the bottom of the frame, but the Beavers pulled away for good in the

seventh inning after a tworun home run off of the bat of Jared Inkster. “It took us a couple of innings to get going,” Shepherd said. “We had some runners on base in the third and fourth innings, but we made a couple of base-running errors that ended our chance of getting runs home. “The way we’re hitting the bat right now reminds me of last year, when we had the most runs in the league. The biggest difference this year is we’re getting good defence and pitching, especially from Kyle (Palmer) who’s had three really good starts for us.” The Beavers, who lead the Albers Division with a 5-2-1 record, have scored 62 runs so far this season and are only one run behind the Border City Blue Jays and Mervin Flyers for the league lead. Meanwhile, the expansion Trappers are going through a rough patch at the moment. After starting the sea-

son with two straight wins, they have lost their last six games and now sit in third place in the Albers Division. “The hitting has been there as it has been from the start of the year,” Trappers coach Michael Hudec said. “We just haven’t had the timely hits that you need and we’ve had the odd error that can hurt you in this league. “This was a well-played game that could have gone either way. I feel like our young guys have been adjusting well to playing against older players and our veteran guys are getting back in the swing of things, but we just haven’t had the results go our way.” The Trappers will have a chance to gain a measure of revenge Tuesday, when they’ll meet up with the Beavers in a 7:30 p.m. clash at Beaver Lions Stadium. “We’re looking forward to it,” Hudec said. “They are a good team and this was a really enjoyable game to be a part of.”

Staff Prior to head coach and general manager Nate Bedford leaving the team Friday to become the head coach at Portage College, the Battlefords North Stars brought in a trio of players for the 2017-18 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season. After acquiring Josh Sielsky of Maidstone from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Neepawa Natives in a trade for future considerations last week, the Canalta Cup champions signed Foxwarren, Man. product Jacob Tibbatts from the Yellowhead Chiefs of the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League Wednesday. Tibbatts, 17, had 32 points this year for the Chiefs and had a strong performance at the North Stars prospect camp in April at the Civic Centre. The Tibbatts name will be a familiar one to long

time North Stars fans, as his uncle Trent played for the team from 1992 to 1996. His father Derek was a member of the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades from 1989 to 1995. Sielsky, meanwhile, is coming off of a rather busy 2016-17 campaign. After starting the season with the Nipawin Hawks and playing in four games for them, the 18 year old was traded to the MJHL’s Portage Terriers in October. He had a goal and an assist in seven games for them before he was dealt to the Natives in November, where he had 15 points in 32 games. In what was Bedford’s final transaction before leaving the team, the North Stars acquired defenceman Michael Fradette from the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Kirkland

Lake Gold Miners. The 18 year old from Victoria, B.C. had a goal and three assists in his first season of junior hockey after spending the previous year playing for The Hill Academy, which is a prep school based in Vaughan, Ont. In other North Stars news, plans are in the works for a pair of pre-season games with the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Bonnyville Pontiacs. While the official schedule for the North Stars has yet to come out, the current plan is to have the North Stars visit Bonnyville on Sunday, Sept. 3 before hosting the Pontiacs at the Civic Centre on Monday, Sept. 4, according to the AJHL’s website. The 2017-18 SJHL preseason and regular season schedule is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

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OBITUARIES TATRO: John George Tatro “Jack” age 70 years of Delmas, SK., passed away at Battlefords Union Hospital on Saturday, June 10, 2017. John was born in North Battleford on April 17, 1947. He grew up on the family farm and was working as a mechanic as well as farming. He married Marie Sayers in North Battleford on July 7, 1973. They moved to Lloydminster where John worked in the oil fields as well as working for his uncle Frank as a mechanic. They then moved to Loon Lake where he helped his dad building houses, later moving to Delmas where he resided until his passing. John was predeceased by 2 sons George and James, his parents George & Lillian, one sister Lillian Lavoie, a brother-in-law Gerald Lavoie and a sister-in-law Bertha Dwyer. He is survived by his wife Marie; 5 children: Tracey, Matthew, Amanda-Jo (Corey) Klein, Orin and Stephen; 3 granddaughters; one great-grandson; his brother Allen (Frances); 5 sisters: Jean (Leon) Lacoursiere, twin sister Joan (Aime) Prince, Elizabeth (Charles) Dillabough, Edith (Don) MacAngus, and Marian (David) Sayers as well as numerous nieces and nephews. It was John’s request that no funeral service be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of ones choice. Condolences can be sent to mail@battlefordsfuneralservice.com Arrangements are entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service. (306-446-4200) __________________________________________________

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - PAGE 11

OBITUARIES GIANNOULIS: On Saturday, June 3, 2017, Elias Anastasios Giannoulis passed away after a long but courageous battle with depression at the age of 22. Elias was born on December 5, 1994, in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. He was the youngest of three siblings. Elias was a natural athlete and excelled at every sport he played, including hockey, soccer and cross country. Elias was a defenceman in hockey and was selected by his coaches and teammates to be the captain of several of his teams. A quiet leader, Elias chose to lead by example rather than by words. Elias was the kind of player who would take the puck from one end of the ice to the other and instead of taking a shot on net, he would wait for another teammate to arrive and pass the puck to that teammate so that they could score a goal instead of him. He always had more assists than goals and it would be rare to see Elias ever put his stick in the air when he scored a goal. Elias took his defensive style from hockey and applied it to soccer. He would literally lie down on the field and block a soccer ball shot like he would a slapshot in hockey which always drew laughs from his teammates. One of Elias’ favourite activities was running cross country. He won too many races to count but he was humble about it and would wait at the finish line to congratulate his competitors. Elias had a good sense of humour as he ran one race in a pair of Crocs and another in a pair of jeans and skateboard shoes. Running was a passion of Elias’ so he decided to take it one step further and became a marathon runner. Elias ran several marathons and was a pro at them, just like everything else in life. Elias briefly attended the University of Saskatchewan but soon realized that university wasn’t for him. Being the caring person that he was, Elias decided that he wanted to make a difference in people’s lives so he enrolled in the Parkland College in Melville and successfully completed his diploma and become a Primary Care Paramedic. Elias did his practicum at WPD Ambulance in North Battleford and lived with Alex and Brooke while commuting the thirty minutes from Wilkie to North Battleford. Like everywhere else Elias went, he was loved and admired by his coworkers so it was no surprise when Elias was offered a job at WPD Ambulance and moved to North Battleford. Elias started as a casual employee but his hard work and love for others landed him a full time job which he was very proud of. Elias recently moved in with his girlfriend, Dellyn, who he loved dearly. They recently went to New York on a holiday and Elias loved it, but he said he wouldn’t go back because it was a little too big of a city for him! Elias instantly fell in love with Dellyn’s dog, Asher, who was a calming influence for him and provided a great level of therapy. Elias loved sending pictures of him and Asher hanging out in the backyard to his family members and friends, even posting a few on Facebook. Elias was the biggest fan of Trailer Park Boys, and he could literally say every line from every episode word for word. Elias had an electronic drum set that he loved to play on. Alex was overjoyed that Elias moved close to him, and took every available opportunity to drive to North Battleford to visit him, often going to Tim Horton’s and Boston Pizza. Elias loved giving hugs, and would always tell Alex to hug properly every time he left from visiting! Elias struggled with depression for much of his life and he went to several calls as a paramedic that affected him. Elias was open with his family about his illness and sought help from others. Depression did not define who Elias was as a person and he tried his best to deal with the pain that most people could not see he was in. Elias was predeceased by his grandfathers, Stavros Giannoulis and Frank Biro, his grandmother, Doreen Mattison and his Golden Retriever friend, Jake. Elias will be lovingly remembered by his father, Peter Giannoulis; his mother, Darla Giannoulis and her fiancé, Greg Ulmer; his brothers, Zachary and Alexandros (Brooke) Giannoulis; his girlfriend, Dellyn Winterhalt; his four-legged friend, Asher; his grandmothers, Kalliopi Giannoulis and Margaret Biro; his uncles, Lambros Yannoulis and Tracey Biro; his aunties, Della Yannoulis and Darlene Biro Pedersen; and his cousins, Kelly, Steven, Michael, Jamie, Stavros, Poppy, Nathan and Caleb, as well as several cousins and family members. The Hull family was a second family to Elias, and he will be lovingly remembered by Carey, Cara, Jacey and Bretten Hull, and Russel “Papa” Holth. Elias’ teammates, friends and coworkers will miss him dearly. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, June 7, 2017 from St. Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church in Yorkton, Saskatchewan with Father Spyridon Vandoros and Father Rodion Luciuk officiating. A Celebration of Elias’ Life was held on Thursday, June 8, 2017 from the Gallagher Centre in Yorkton with Kathy Novak officiating. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by his brothers, Alexandros and Zachary, his girlfriend, Dellyn and by many of his teachers, coaches and friends. Special music was shared by Jackie Guy, Scott Hoffort, Savannah Guy and Kristen Jonassen who sang, “Why?”, “Go Rest High on That Mountain” and “Till I See You Again”. A Guard of Honour was made up of friends from WPD Ambulance in North Battleford as well as other First Responders. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery officiated by Father Spyridon Vandoros and Father Rodion Luciuk. The pallbearers were Elias’ brothers, Zachary Giannoulis and Alexandros Giannoulis, his cousins, Nathan Biro and Caleb Biro, and his friends Bretten Hull, Lyndon Shea and Spencer Tetreault. Friends so wishing may make a donation in Elias’ memory to Wounded Warriors Canada which provides mental health programs and services to first responders and their families. The family would like to thank the Risling, Flett and WPD Ambulance families for their much needed support. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie’s Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan. ___________________________________________________

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PAGE 12 - Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Mrs. Whitt’s Grade 3 class meets Canada

By Josh Greschner Staff Reporter

“What’s that?” asked the students sitting in the back of Mrs. Jamie Whitt’s third grade class at Connaught School. “It’s a recorder,” I said. Mrs. Whitt’s class was participating in an event called KidsMeet Canada. Touted as a historic first national webcast, KidsMeet Canada was a Google Hangout featuring six classes across Canada from BC to Newfoundland. Each class got some time to present their school and community to others Wednesdays, June 28 - August 30

Pajama Tales - Join us for drop in story time for children & their families at the North Battleford Library from 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. Wear your pajamas and bring your favourite cuddly toy. Ages 2-5.

Saturday, July 1

Visit our website

www.newsoptimist.ca for more community events

Community Events Calendar ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Please call our 24 hour helpline at 306-446-6166 for support or information.

AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS

If someone’s drinking troubles you attending Al-Anon Family Group provides understanding and support. Meetings Monday at 7:00 p.m. and Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church, corner of 15th Ave. & 108th Street. Contacts 306-937-7765, 306-937-7289 or 306-441-9324.

Every Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Lawn Bowling at 6:30 p.m. at 1802 - 106th Street across from Caleb Village until October 15. Call 306-445-8433 for more information. Everyone welcome.

Wednesdays, June 21 & 28

Time For Tots - Come and enjoy 30 minutes of simple stories, rhymes and finger plays at the North Battleford Library at 10:45 a.m. For ages 18 months to 3 years and their parents or caregivers.

Fridays, June 23 & 30

Tales and More - Come and enjoy 45 minutes of stories, rhymes and finger plays at the North Battleford Library from 10:45 - 11:30 a.m.. For ages 3 to 5 years.

Tuesday - Saturday, June 20 - 24

Town of Radisson will celebrate Canada 150 in a big way. Members of the Radisson Canada Day Festival Committee have been hard at work since late in 2016, putting together the biggest little celebration in the province. The day-long festival will be held on July 1st of this year at the Radisson Agricultural Grounds, with the gates opening at 11:00 a.m. Admission is free. Opening ceremonies will take place at 1:00 p.m. Master of Ceremonies for the event is Radisson author (The Great Canadian Notebook) and former broadcaster Dennis Rimmer. Beer Gardens open at 2:00 p.m. Little Abby will provide free buggy rides from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Free face painting 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Radisson Curling Rink. Other attractions two bouncy castles, a colouring corner, a seniors tent, barrel rides, plenty of door prizes and a 50/50 draw, along with a critter corner and a reptile show. Special firefighters/first responders display. Terrific product vendors will be on-site all day long. Radisson’s outdoor swimming pool will be open. The Great Canadian Canteen will be open from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. MLA Randy Weekes will be in attendance for the birthday cake cutting ceremoney following the 5:00 p.m. prize draws. Evening musical entertainment provided by Mabelaka from Saskatoon. The Durge Fire Dancers will perform at 9:30 pm with a fireworks display at 10:30 pm. For more details contact Shawn Mitchler: smitchler@ hotmail.com. Dennis Rimmer is available for media interviews. Contact him by email: dennisrimmer@sasktel.net.

Saturday, July 1

Canada 150 Celebration at Manitou Lake Regional Park. Manitou Lake Canada 150 committee is now preselling the picture/souvenir book entitled “Historic Sites & Memoirs Manitou Lake Country”. Please phone 306-8234213 to order. The book will be launched July 1st, 2017 at the Canada 150 celebration at Manitou Lake Regional Park near Marsden, SK. There is a free addmission but the pancake breakfast starting at 7:00 a.m. food booth and supper are extra. There are many activities: Fun Slo-pitch Tourney (306823-3781 by June 20 to register) Bouncey house, children’s games, bingo, horseshoes, wagon rides, petting zoo, 1-Up-Gaming, live entertainment, local show and shine, quilt raffle, free cake etc. Ending with fireworks at 11:00 p.m.

Fridays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28

Tales and More - come and enjoy 45 minutes of stories, rhymes and finger plays at the North Battleford Library. For ages 3 to 5 years. Fridays: 10:45-11:30 a.m.

Wednesdays July 5, 12, 19 & 26

Huge Garage Sale at 1232 - 107th Street, North Battleford from 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Scentsy table set up, brand new fish finder, mini cam corder.

Join us for drop in story time for children & their families at the North Battleford Library. Wear your pajamas and bring your favourite cuddly toy. Wednesdays, 6:30-7:00 pm - Ages 2-5.

Get your Summer Read On Day - Come to the North Battleford Library and join the TD Summer Reading Club from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. All Ages are welcome to join us for some fun that includes Canadian landmark Green Screen photo booth, Canadian trivia and a library scavenger hunt.

Thursday, July 6

Saturday, June 24

Topline Social Dance Club - Harry Startup at the North Battleford Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 1352 - 100th Street, North Battleford from 8:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight. Lunch served. Min. age 19. Dress casual. For more information call Sharon 306-446-0446, Leela 306-445-7240 or Jean 306-445-8815.

Saturday, June 24

Green Screen Fun at the North Battleford Library for all ages. Come and play with our new green screen and see yourself in ways you never imagined! Let us take some fun and funky photos and email them to you. Fun and funky themed backgrounds available.

Wrangler Elisa- Come to the North Battleford Library for Saskatchewan’s top reptile show! Learn all the amazing things about each reptile. 2:00-3:00 p.m. All Ages. This section, which will appear weekly in Tuesday's News-Optimist and Thursday’s Regional Optimist, is provided free-of-charge to non-profit organizations. To list the Community Calendar please call News-Optimist at 306-445-7261 or fax the information to 306-445-3223. Please provide complete information including event, time, date and location. Although we will do our utmost to make sure your event appears in this section, News-Optimist does not guarantee all submissions will appear. Deadline for submissions is 5:00 p.m. Thursday prior for Tuesday's & Thursday’s publication.

tuning in. “Because it’s the 150, I thought it’d be good for the kids to learn a little more about Canada and their community,” Whitt said. KidsMeet Canada is one of many events the class had planned to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. Whitt said the class received a $1,000 portion of a $2,500 grant allowing them to go on five field trips to a number of places in the Battlefords, including the Fred Light Museum, the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the Allen Sapp Gallery. Everyone went to at least one place they hadn’t been before,” Whitt said. KidsMeet Canada was the sixth field trip. “This webcast is new,” Whitt said. “We were given the opportunity to connect with other classes, but this just did it all at once.” “What do you want to learn about other places in Canada?” I asked the kids. “Can the recorder hear

us?” There were some minor technical difficulties with Google Hangout before the Grade 4-5 class from Assumption School in Powell River, B.C., appeared on the screen. Mrs. Whitt’s class marvelled at a photo of a totem pole. Then it was Mrs. Whitt’s class’ turn to present. The kids were given slips of paper to read from, they lined up in front of the camera, and read their lines. Before signing out, the class waved the peace sign. “It was fun,” Garrin Thomas said. Canadian Trivia was also part of the Google Hangout event. “What’s your name?” I asked Kirk Favel Jr. “Kirk,” Kirk said. “How much money do you make?” The kids asked enough questions for the News Optimist to hope they all become reporters. Kirk might be disappointed about the money, though.

Follow the sirens

Watercraft rescue on the river Staff North Battleford Fire is reporting that a watercraft rescue was performed on the North Saskatchewan River Wednesday. The location was about 500 meters east of the old Battleford bridge. The department was called in response to a capsized canoe around 3:44 p.m. A fire department rescue boat was launched, and fire personnel were able to

locate the canoe. According to the department, it does not appear as if there was anyone on the canoe at all. The canoe appeared to have been in the water for some time. After it was located, the canoe was brought to shore and disposed of. Four apparatus and six personnel responded from the fire department and were on scene for almost 70 minutes; the RCMP also attended.

Man arrested after armed robbery Staff Battlefords RCMP are reporting they made an arrest in connection to an armed robbery outside a business on the 900 block of 101 Street in North Battleford. RCMP had responded to

the incident at around 4 am on June 14. The investigation has resulted in a 25-year-old man from Onion Lake being arrested and charged in relation to this crime. A firearm was also located and seized.

Tuesday, June 20, 2017 - PAGE 13

NO.Across 757

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This Week’s Puzzle Solution

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Another season in bloom for Rare Plant Rescue

might support plant species at risk. Currently the program has 79 participating landowners conserving over 103,000 acres of native prairie habitat! There are many both nationally and provincially rare plant species in Saskatchewan; RPR targets six-

ANSWER TO PUZZLE NO. 757

teenDOWN of the most imperilled tion of their habitat. Many the removal of natural disspecies, which include nine of RPR’s target species, turbances such as grazing. 1. Shy federally and seven provin- including many of this “There are a lot of ben2. listed Woodsman’s cially plants. “Each year’s focus species, are efits to having a rare plant summerimplement we focus our ef- specialists that live in on your land,” says Putz. forts on searching for a sandy soils, blowouts, or “Not only do you have a 3. Caribbean, select few of these sixteen. active sand dunes. While unique piece of the prairie e.g.Slender Mouse- Saskatchewan has many that is disappearing, but This year, ear-cress, Small-flow- of these features through- plants like Hairy Prairie4. Registers ered5. Sand-verbena, Close, once Tiny out its southern reaches, clover are great for polliCryptantha, Smooth Goose- these are also some of the nators and others, such as Adjust to foot,6.and Buffalograss are province’s most threatened Buffalograss, are valuable surroundings the focus of our efforts,” landscapes, sensitive to forage species for grazing Emily program’s stabilization through the livestock.” 7. Putz, Unit the of heat If you have native praicoordinator explains. encroachment of woody or 8. Happen invasive vegetation, rie or are interested in “Small cryptic plants, like CROSSWORD PUZZLE indusANSWERS activities, or through more information on Rare Tiny9.Cryptantha, USE trial AMERICAN SPELLING Dates are hard to find, and that particular species has not been seen for many years in the province despite search efforts; we hope to once again be able to say definitively that it is here.” The most common Serving threats to rare plants tend Our Rural to be the loss or degrada-

the landowner for permission before accessing their land. For more information about the Rare Plant Rescue program, or to report a rare plant occurrence on your property, please contact Rare Plant Rescue at 1-800-667-4668. Reporting plant species at risk occurrences helps increase knowledge about their distribution and population size, facilitating conservation efforts and helping downlist the species’ risk level in the future.

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Plant Rescue’s target species please contact us or visit our website for a free pocket guide. Also, if you know someone with native prairie encourage them to look into our program and the work that we do. RPR aims to conserve rare plant habitat by building respectful relationships with landowners who have rare plants or rare plant habitat on their land. Private information is never shared without landowner permission and we always contact

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