Regional News-Optimist August 17, 2023

2024 trial date set for last of 10 accused in 2020 murder

Tiki Laverdiere missing, found deceased

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

A new trial date has been set for the last of the 10 people charged in 25-yearold Tiki Laverdiere’s death. The five-week trial for Jesse Sangster is scheduled to run from Sept. 3, 2024, to Oct. 4, 2024, in Battleford Court of King’s Bench. Sangster, now 27, has been in custody since his arrest in July 2019. He was initially charged with accessory after the fact to murder. A month later the charge was upgraded to first-degree murder. He is also charged with kidnapping, and improperly interfering with a human body.

In October 2020, Sangster was committed to stand trial following a three-week preliminary hearing in North Battleford

Provincial Court. His trial was set for January 2023 in Battleford Court of King’s Bench but didn’t proceed after he discharged his lawyer. Since then, there have been numerous pretrial conferences between the Crown, defence, and judge. Pre-trial conferences are held for several reasons, including to expedite the organization of the case, prepare for the trial to improve its quality, and to discuss potential plea agreements. The media aren’t allowed to attend pre-trial conferences.

In October 2021, new charges of possession of property, a tractor, obtained by crime over $5,000, and failing to comply with a release order, were laid against Sangster. The charges stemmed from the time frame of Laverdiere’s

murder. The details are under a publication ban. Those charges were stayed on April 26, 2023, in North Battleford Provincial Court.

From July 2019 to August 2020, police arrested 10 people in Saskatchewan and Alberta and charged them in Laverdiere’s murder.

All preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings are under a sweeping publication ban that prohibits the publication of any details of the proceedings until all those charged have gone through the court system.

North Battleford Senior Crown Chris Browne and Prosecutor Charlotte Morden are prosecuting the cases of the 10 accused in Laverdiere’s murder.

See more on Page 2

Parade Patrol

Northwest Territorial Days

Fair to close Friday with fireworks

At press time, the 2023 edition of the Battlefords Agricultural Society’s Northwest Territorial Days was getting underway, following a parade Tuesday evening. The fair concludes Friday with fireworks at dusk.

Organizers are offering everyone shelter and shade from the heat and sun as the Battlefords continue to experience

extremely hot days. Tables and chairs will be set up in the Agriplex.

In addition to the midway opening at noon each day, entertainment includes daily family magic shows, circus acts and lumberjack shows. On Friday, a comedy hypnosis show is to precede the fireworks.

The Big Ring will feature light horse events and chariots and chuckwagons will be on the track at

the grandstand. Admission is free for ages five and under, $7 for youth (6-12), $13 for students (13-18) and seniors (60 plus) and $16 for adults.

The first fair was held Oct. 12, 1887, then organized by the Battle River Agricultural Society, formed in 1885. Since 1956, the group has operated under the name the Battlefords Agricultural Society.

Tiki Laverdiere’s family and friends at Battleford Court of King’s Bench in September 2022. |

Photo by Lisa Joy

An officer on a bicycle made his way along the parade route in Battleford Friday, making sure everyone was safe. For more photos from Battleford’s annual summer celebration, see inside. | Photo by Averil Hall / Freelance

Photographer

SASKTODAY.ca

August

For

Parks and Recreation

River Valley Programming

Nature's Graffiti with

Wednesday, August 23rd

Join artist Holly Hildebrand at the River Valley Centre, where we will be using the lines and patterns found in nature to create bold new designs.

SASKTODAY.ca

RCMP say a missing teen has been found deceased.

Fifteen-year-old Madison Yew went missing from Saulteaux First Nation at about 7 p.m. Aug. 5.

RCMP say her family has been no -

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

Two people handed life sentences after being found guilty in the murder of 25-year-old Tiki Laverdiere from Edmonton, Alta., have filed appeals of their convictions with the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.

Soaring Eagle Whitstone, of Onion Lake Cree Nation, and Nikita Cook, of North Battleford, were both sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Cook’s appeal has been scheduled in the province’s highest court in Regina on Sept. 6. A date to hear Whitstone’s appeal is yet to be set.

Whitstone, now 37, was sentenced by Justice Brian Scherman in Battleford Court of King’s Bench in November 2022.

Whitstone was also found guilty of unlawful confinement, and improperly interfering with hu-

tified and Victim Services has been engaged to provide support. The Saskatchewan Coroners Service also attended the scene and an autopsy has been ordered.

Battlefords RCMP thank the media and local search and rescue teams for their assistance in this investigation.

Missing Saulteaux First Nation girl, 15, found deceased Two sentenced to life in Tiki Laverdiere’s murder appeal convictions

man remains, and theft of a vehicle. She was sentenced to two years concurrent on the interfering with human remains charge and 90 days concurrent on the theft of a vehicle charge.

The Crown asked Battleford Court of King’s Bench for a stay on the unlawful confinement charge, which the judge granted.

Laverdiere’s two sisters, mother, and supporters were in the courthouse gallery for Whitstone’s verdict.

Cook, now 35, was sentenced by Justice Brenda Hildebrandt in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench in October 2021.

Details from all preliminary hearings, trials, sentencing hearings, and appeals, are under a sweeping publication ban that prohibits the publication of any details of the proceedings until all those charged have gone through the court system.

On Friday, a new trial date was set for the last of

the 10 people charged in 25-year-old Tiki Laverdiere’s death. T he fiveweek trial for Jesse Sangster is scheduled to run from Sept. 3, 2024, to Oct. 4, 2024, in Battleford Court of King’s Bench.

North Battleford Senior Crown Chris Browne and Prosecutor Charlotte Morden are prosecuting the cases of the 10 accused in Laverdiere’s murder.

Laverdiere was reported missing to Battlefords RCMP on May 12, 2019, and one month later, RCMP announced that her disappearance was the result of foul play and they would be investigating her death as a homicide.

On July 11, 2019, a police dog found Laverdiere’s remains in a rural area outside of North Battleford while RCMP were conducting a ground search.

Laverdiere was in Saskatchewan April 2019 for the funeral of 20-year-old Tristen Cook-Buckle on Thunderchild First Nation.

‘Sextortion’ cases on the rise in Sask.: RCMP

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

There is about a 200 per cent increase in extortion cases already this year with most of them being what is known as sextortion.

From January to June this year, Saskatchewan RCMP have received 105 reports of extortion, compared with 36 reports over the same period last year.

“A 200 per cent increase is alarming – due to the sensitive nature of these extortions, we believe these files are likely underreported to police,” said Monica Deters, a crime analyst with Saskatchewan RCMP’s Crime Prevention/Crime Reduction unit.

“Saskatchewan RCMP proactively monitors crime trends and this allows us to inform the public when we see an emerging is-

sue. Based on the statistics we’re seeing, we’re letting Saskatchewan residents know these extortions are happening and that should be taking steps to protect themselves from these types of crime.”

The reports are coming from communities throughout Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction.

CMP say in sextortion cases, typically, the victim meets someone online on common platforms like social media, gaming or dating sites. Communication may move to other methods like texting, chat sites or messaging. The suspect persuades the victim to send a nude photo or video, then threatens to send it to the victim’s contacts or post it publicly, unless payment is made.

Even if the victim hasn’t sent a photo or video, the

scammers may alter photos to make it look like they did.

Another reported scam involves a suspect telling a victim they’ve hacked their computer/phone or are monitoring their online activities, say RCMP. The suspect threatens to send details to the victim’s contacts, or post it online, unless payment is made. Even if the victim’s online activity doesn’t include anything compromising, the suspect will sometimes threaten to make it look as if they have.

These extortions can be extremely traumatic for victims. Some victims have lost money by paying the scammers by gift cards, e-transfers or cryptocurrency. Even if no money is lost, becoming a

SASKTODAY.ca

BUH Foundation has announced the kick-off of its $100,000 Cash Lottery. With 36 draws and over $175,000 in cash prizes to be won along with a record-breaking 50/50 with a minimum prize guarantee of $25,000, this lottery offers an exciting chance to turn dreams into reality, according to BUH Foundation.

from the 2023 lottery will support the purchase of Pyxis MedStations for every department in need at Battlefords Union Hospital. The Pyxis MedStations will help to improve the quality of patient care, reduce the risk of medication errors and enhance patient safety.

“We are thrilled to kick off our $100,000 lottery and provide our valued donors and community members with a chance to win big,” said Leanne Ducommun, executive director of BUH Foundation.

In addition to the grand prize, there will be several secondary cash prizes available including a $10,000 Previous Purchaser draw.

Lose Not

Thy

Head a spoof on Shakespeare

Additionally, the $100,000 cash lottery gives individuals a chance to make a positive impact on local health care in Battlefords and area. Proceeds

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The Battlefords Community Players is looking forward to five upcoming performances of their Shakespearean summer play, Lose Not Thy Head, which will feature 13 youth performers from the Battlefords and area.

Donna Challis, the club’s executive producer, says the students have been working on the play for over a month and are looking forward to the performances on Aug 18, 19, 20, 25 and 27.

“We have two adults and 13 students from 10 to sixteen, and they are having a ball ... this will be the fourth year, and this is the first time that we in-

cluded youth,” she told the News-Optimist.

“So it’s exciting because. .. more and more people find out what we’re doing. And it opens the door for us to look at future summer theatre programs for kids. And we’re kind of excited about that being another part of the community players.”

The play itself, which is a spoof on Shakespeare, has all of his characters from different works on the table and will feature a little bit of everything from drama to comedy.

“I haven’t seen what they’re doing with it. But they gotta have a little bit of music,” Challis noted, adding that the first three nights are going to be out-

side on the lawn behind the clubhouse at 10226th St. in Battleford, with the final two shows inside.

“I think it shows us ... there’s an interest,” Challis said when asked what this means for the future of the club.

“Hopefully, what we’re doing is just by having youth [involved] we get more parents involved, and just a different audience and different people that get a taste of what we’re doing,” Challis said.

“It just opens things up for a better understanding of what theatre is about. And that isn’t scary. But obviously, having said that, we also have to continue to push and invite new people to be involved.”

This year’s lottery includes additional draws, as well as the enhanced value savings of a Super Pack. You have a great chance of winning with tickets one for $60, three for $140, and the Super Pack of five tickets and 10 - 50/50’s for $300.

For more information about the $100,000 cash lottery, including ticket purchasing details and prize distribution, please visit www.buhfoundation. ca.

Baseball Hall of Fame to honour inductees

Corey

La

Gordon Reginald Campbell (deceased),

Avonlea; George Ciocia (deceased) Assiniboia; Larry Flicek, Neilburg; Kevin Frey, Sylvan Lake, Alta; Brad Gyug, Lumsden; Daryl Keller, Pilot Butte; Ralph Mabee (deceased), Saskatoon; Brian Peters, Saskatoon;

Darryl Rowley, Edmond, Okla. [North Bat-

tleford]; Dick Scott (deceased), Milestone; Glen Shockey (deceased), Saskatoon [Perdue]; and Louis Green, Jacksonville, Fla. [NB Beavers]. Recognized in the teams category are the Lloydminster Meridian Twins (senior) (20-2014) and the 1972 Saskatoon Midget Raiders.

‘Sextortion’ cases on the rise in Sask.: RCMP

Continued from Page 2 victim to such a crime can be immensely stressful and traumatic.

Police offer these tips:

- You never really know who you’re talking to online. Be aware that some scammers pretend to be other people to earn your trust.

- Don’t send intimate photos or videos. As soon as they are sent to someone or are posted online,

you lose control of them.

- Monitor your child’s online activity, including their social media use and search history. Have frequent conversations about online safety.

If you are a victim:

- Immediately stop talking to the suspect.

- Deactivate (don’t delete) any social media accounts you are using to communicate with them.

- Keep any record of

conversations with the suspect.

- Don’t send money or gift cards.

- Contact police.

To report an incident, contact your local police service. Dial 310-RCMP to reach your local RCMP detachment. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222TIPS (8477).

The BCP’s 2023 summer show, Lose Not Thy Head, features (pictured left to right) Alex Hawley, Rileey Evans, Natalie Maunula, Sophie Maunula, Abby Malinowski, Kiana Wallin, Emily Carroll, Amber Hawley, and the youth performers for a total of 13. |

Photo by Miguel Fenrich

John Cairns’ News Watch

Urban-rural split is there for all to see after by-elections

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

Unlike the other pundits out there who are going to do the usual over-analysis of the results three provincial by-elections — which saw the NDP steal away two urban seats from the Sask Party while the Sask United Party pulled out a second place showing in the rural seat and about what it might mean for the next election, I feel the need to remind everyone of a few things.

Such as: it’s summer.

The timing of the Aug. 10 by-elections hit in the middle of the one time of year when, quite frankly, nobody cares about politics. People were more interested in the Saskatchewan Roughriders, or the Craven Country Thunder! Or they were more interested in going to the latest Barbie movie or getting their hands on Taylor Swift tickets. Many were taking summer vacations and were headed to the lake or even out of the province on road trips. For these folks, politics was definitely not top of mind.

In fact, immediately after the three by-elections were called, even I left for B.C. on vacation for two weeks. It’s telling when even the Glacier Media resident political reporter has tuned out of politics, and at the end of the day, that really is my main point about these by-elections. The ordinary people didn’t care.

But there were enough people who did care. They consisted of the usual overly-enthusiastic people who are too into politics -- on all sides of the political spectrum and an electorate largely consisting of the upset and discontented.

That, in a nutshell, explains what went down in Coronation Park, Walsh Acres, and Lumsden-Morse. The discontented people showed up, enthusiastic about the opportunity to blow off some steam at the polls on all sorts of issues such as health care, the schools, the cost of living, you name it.

In Regina, those folks voted for the NDP. In Lumsden-Morse, they also voted for the Saskatchewan United Party. And the people who were satisfied with their lives in general, people who might ordinarily vote for the Sask Party, weren’t inspired enough by what they were seeing to interrupt their vacations.

What I am really saying is that in a general election situation a lot more people are going to be more motivated to get out and vote, just to save the government. Much more is going to be on the line. At least, the Sask Party better hope this is the case.

No doubt the Sask Party figured these by-elections would be a flop for them, scheduling them in August during the exact time of year when nobody cares. It didn’t help matters that previous MLA Mark Docherty went on a political podcast and said something to the effect that he couldn’t remember one good thing the government had done for his riding.

It also didn’t help that the Sask Party allowed the

NDP to run wild and go basically unchallenged during the campaign. The NDP held one media conference after another day after day, attacking the government on power rates, blasting them over tax increases, and accusing them of doing nothing about affordability. Never mind the $500 cheques Premier Scott Moe had sent out to people last fall.

While that was going on, the Sask United Party was busy holding town hall meetings in rural Saskatchewan and raising heck on social media about Planned Parenthood.

What was most interesting from the results was the clear divide that we saw at the polls last Thursday. The first thing that comes to mind is that the urban-rural split is back.

Remember that? It was the phenomenon in the late 90s and into the 2000s in Saskatchewan provincial politics where the rural ridings in Saskatchewan would mostly go to the Sask Party, while the urban ridings would mostly go NDP. Eventually, under Brad Wall, the Sask Party was able to break through and take a huge chunk of urban seats from the NDP.

But the two urban wins by the NDP last Thursday, coupled with the Sask Party hold on LumsdenMorse, point to a reversal back to the old pattern if the Sask Party isn’t careful.

What you need to know about the situation in 2023

is this urban-rural split is not so much based on how these by-elections turned out in terms of votes. Rather, it’s based on a real emerging divide in the issues and real life experiences of the people who live in rural and urban areas.

Life’s different in these places, folks. One thing I have personally seen since moving to Regina is a sea-change of difference in attitudes on the types of issues that people are excited about.

In the northwest, people were worried about the carbon tax and the impact of Trudeau government

Continued on Page 5

Letters welcome

Letters to the editor are welcomed by the Regional Optimist. All letters, including those which are faxed or emailed, 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.

Gordon Brewerton Senior Group Publisher Administration

Kylie Cooke • Elisha Parkinson • DTI/Receptionist

Editorial

Jayne Foster Editor SASKTODAY.ca

Miguel Fenrich Reporter

Advertising Sales

Candace Mack-Horton Sales Manager Composition

Claude Paradis Prepress Manager

The commentaries offered on this editorial page are intended to provide thought-provoking material for our readers. Contributors’ articles, cartoons or letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of any Regional News-Optimist staff.

Gardez-loo

By R.H. Wood North Battleford

The front page of last week’s News Optimist was even more interesting and informative than page five usually is – how could this possibly be? We learn that a light standard fell down probably because its steel column could not withstand non-hurricane wind and that the insulation of the swimming pool roof is sodden probably because the overlying membrane is leaking (again). We are informed financial support will be available from the Fuel Tax Fund to defray

News Watch

Continued from Page 4 policies on their farming and oil and gas operations, and worried about criminals running rampant on their property and about their own guns being confiscated away by the government.

If you look at the last several months Premier Moe’s main messaging has concentrated largely on addressing exactly these worries: a Throne Speech focused on public safety with plans for a Saskatchewan Marshals Service; bringing in the Saskatchewan Firearms Act; unveiling policies such as the Saskatchewan First Act and stating the province’s opposition to the federal Clean Energy Regulations. And of course, Moe is opposing the Carbon Tax every opportunity he gets.

These are the types of signature Sask Party policies that will play well in Lloydminster and Estevan, and in all the rural areas in between. But there are two places in particular that look at this and feel a little left out: Saskatoon and Regina.

It’s not as pronounced in Saskatoon where a lot of people who work in the energy and mining sectors are more likely to buy what the Sask Party is selling. Regina is a different world. There are people here who couldn’t care less about gun ownership or the Saskatchewan First Act or any of these other things the Sask Party are talking about. They want some action on other things.

Here, rents and mortgages are soaring, and gas prices are through the roof, and in a

WoodPile The

the cost of these problems, (great reporting).

For decades there has been a federally collected

blue-collar, government town like Regina everyone is feeling the pinch. What’s more, the “record population growth” the Sask Party likes to brag about is resulting in “firstworld” problems such as overcrowded schools in Harbour Landing and hospitals being stressed to the limit. As a result, everyone is angry that the new schools aren’t built yet and that not enough new health workers have shown up.

What’s more, Regina is seeing very visible problems with poverty, addictions issues, mental health issues, and housing, especially the homeless issue. It could not have helped the Sask Party that the biggest news story during the by-election campaign was about the homeless encampment that got cleared off of the grounds of Regina City Hall. All that did was remind everyone of the mounting problems that aren’t getting addressed in Regina.

So if the Sask Party wants to avoid seeing the by-election carnage that took place in Coronation Park and Walsh Acres replicate itself in more urban ridings, they are going to have to make a priority out of what is happening in the cities.

The government needs to come up with a coherent plan to address housing and social issues (ie. the SIS program), and seriously address affordability issues. The Sask Party needs to seriously look to cut taxes — not just the PST, but even suspend the gas tax. People are looking at Alberta and wondering why the prices there are a lot lower than Saskatchewan, thanks to the gas tax

tax on fuel currently 15 cents a litre for gas and diesel and 9 cents for propane. This levy was siphoned from us by means of the Fuel Tax and the Road Use Act. In 2021 officialdom busied themselves and removed the word “Tax” which is quite distasteful and combined and renamed the program the “Canada Community Building Fund” – we certainly wouldn’t want to confuse it with the Carbon Tax. From the CCBF this year Saskatchewan can expect $68 million basically for infrastructure projects or fixing relatively new faulty ones. This is so much more acceptable than the

being suspended and the lack of a PST there.

Perhaps the by-election results are the wake-up call the Sask Party needed to focus on these urban issues. One thing is obvious from these results — voters aren’t giving the government any credit for running a $1 billion surplus, or for using that surplus money to pay down the debt. The Sask Party needs to focus on housing and affordability relief. If they do that, maybe that will inspire their own voters in urban areas to show up at the polls instead of stay home.

The harder part is going to be how to deal with the Saskatchewan United Party after their performance in Lumsden-Morse.

Previously, when the Sask Party were challenged by the upstart Buffalo Party, they responded by going on a tour of the province and they brought in the Saskatchewan First Act, and in doing so undercut the Buffalo Party and all of what they stood for, and headed off that particular vote-splitting threat.

Dealing with the Sask United Party is different. Among other things, the SUP voters seem especially interested in exactly the sort of hot-button social issues that have gotten other centre right parties in this country booted from power.

The hottest topic in the Lumsden-Morse byelection was that incident in Lumsden high school when Planned Parenthood showed up with a bunch of sexually-explicit and inappropriate cards on a table for Grade 9 students to pick up. The Sask United Party ran away

SASKATCHEWAN’S BEST ONLINE

carbon tax designed to encourage fuel economy and get us to vote Liberal as more is refunded than it costs us, so we are told – a fantastic scheme which clearly means that the carbon tax should be increased A.S.A.P., (great politicking).

A reader has asked if attention can again be brought to doddery, deaf and decrepit walkers being given heart attacks by silent cyclists and soft shod joggers who overtake without audible warning on the trails around the city and even on downtown sidewalks. The risk of such a sudden scare plus fear that lamp posts may fall and roofs may

with this issue, calling for Planned Parenthood to be permanently banned and hammering the Sask Party government for allowing that incident to happen.

So now the Sask Party, who are already under fire from the left for suspending Planned Parenthood already, is now under pressure from rural voters on the right wanting an even stronger stance. For their part, the government is promising further action so such an incident never happens again. But if they focus too much on this issue, they risk turning off urban voters who are saying the Sask Party “acted too quickly” against

cave in is enough to cause paranoia. When considering an appropriate warning, I was reminded of the cry by the more refined Edinburgh lieges of old who would, but not always, shout “Gardez-loo” before emptying slop buckets and chamber pots out of upstairs windows on to the sidewalks and the unwary. Why French was used has not been explained but it added a certain finesse and bikers could use it. This city needs more bicycle belles, (great idea). We came to Canada in 1968 and now rarely think of returning to Scotland. However, we recently noted on our eye-pad a stately house for sale in Aber-

deenshire for less than a $2.4 million vertically extended ugly semi-detached townhouse in Toronto with a microscopic backyard. The totally refurbished stately house (castle*) has 16 acres, 10 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms and 7 reception rooms – it would suit us to perfection. As I totter off on my walks, bothered by bikes, shrinking from high windows, suspicious roofs and every lamp post, I dream of a lottery win and a stately Scottish retreat such as described for family and friends and ourselves if ever homesick, (great expectations). * Cairness Castle. Aberdeenshire - a great opportunity for someone.

Planned Parenthood. And let’s not even get started on the issue of “vaccine mandates,” either.

The urban-rural split is wide open. That’s plain to see from these by-election results.

Shoeboxes reach final destination in Costa Rica

By Shauna McGifford

What an amazing week

I had in Costa Rica celebrating Christmas in July. I had the privilege of joining Samaritan’s Purse & Operation Christmas Child in delivering Christmas shoebox gifts to children. Many in the Battlefords and area join in packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes every holiday season and I am pleased to share the final leg of the journey as these gifts reached their destinations.

I arrived in Costa Rica on July 28 and immediately felt the humidity and temperature of Costa Rica in July. Not a -40 C Christmas. I was joined by team members from Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Labrador and for the next six days we took part in four Operation Christmas Child shoebox distributions. What a delight it was to see the joy and excitement on the children’s faces as they welcomed the visitors from Canada who came with gifts for each of them. We handed out a total of 219 shoeboxes, a very small portion of the eight containers and 84,000 shoeboxes Costa Rica received for distribution in 2023 from Canada.

Our tasks at each distribution were simple: play with the children. We had various stations for them to take part in including

bubbles, nail polish, face painting, colouring, soccer and even a parachute. You couldn’t help but join in the excited laughter and smiles of the children as they took part in all of the activities. Following the time of activities there is a presentation and then the great unveiling of the shoeboxes. Children are grouped by age, the gifts are handed out and there is great anticipation and drum rolls before the boxes are opened. The excitement of Christmas morning filled the rooms as the children opened their boxes and discovered what was inside. Some eagerly pull each item out and reach the bottom of their box, others take one item out and are

happy with it alone. Still others open it up, peek inside and then quickly close the box to savour the excitement (and to make sure they don’t lose anything) for later.

The first distribution was at a community centre and the little girl’s eyes lit up with excitement as I showed her there were more items to see inside the pencil case. One team member was opening a box with a young boy who was needing extra help with his school work and his box was full of school items and flashcards to help him learn. We did two distributions in different churches and the girls were so excited pulling out dolls and toys and showing each

other their gifts. I sat on the cement floor and dug through a shoebox with a young boy who was pleased to see a set of paints and markers, along with a new shirt, stickers and squishy smiley-faced balls in his box. He was so happy as we tucked it all back in the box and he headed out.

The final distribution was at a daycare with mostly the two- to fouryear-old age group. What an adorable distribution that was. Those little ones were so happy and excited and when you’re two to four years old, a stuffie is always a hit. The little girl opened up her box, took out the stuffed rabbit and the rest didn’t matter.

What a privilege to share the joy and laughter of the Christmas season this summer and to see that the shoeboxes that we so carefully pack full of school

supplies, toiletries and toys are eagerly received and deeply appreciated. As members of the distribution trip, we were able to pack a special shoebox and give it to a child of our choosing during the week. What an honour to be able to do, and to see the smiles on their faces. I choose a tento 14-year-old girl to pack a box for and included a picture of myself with it. She smiled shyly as I gave it, explaining it was from me and she carefully looked at the picture that was showing. She did not dig through the box there, but she and her friends packed them up to open for later and savour the fun. I could understand that and trust that she appreciated the gift that was given just for her.

Thank you for packing shoeboxes each holiday season with Samaritan’s Purse & Operation Christ-

mas Child. I can now tell you firsthand, that the gifts truly do make a difference in the life of a child, their family and their community. I hope you will consider packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes once again this holiday season, and challenge you to pack one more than the year before. There are over 118,000 children under 14 years in Costa Rica and I know they would love to receive a once-in-a-lifetime gift from Canada and your For more information on Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, go to samaritanspurse.ca or contact Life Church, North Battleford, 306-445-7777. They would be happy to provide more information and help you start packing a shoebox for this Christmas season. National Collection Week is Nov. 13 – 19.

Shauna McGifford with her specially packed Operation Christmas Child Shoebox that was delivered in person to a girl in Costa Rica.

Shauna McGifford helping to deliver Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. |

Photos submitted

Volunteers distributing shoeboxes.

Children exploring the contents of the boxes.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL ABIDE BY BUH FOUNDATION’S POLICY REGARDING THE ELIGIBILITY OF BUH FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN PURCHASING LOTTERY TICKETS. BUH FOUNDATION STAFF AND THEIR SPOUSES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PURCHASE LOTTERY TICKETS. • EVERY LOTTERY TICKET IS ELIGIBLE FOR EVERY DRAW WITH EXCEPTION OF THE PREVIOUS PURCHASER DRAW. YOU MUST HAVE PURCHASED A LOTTERY TICKET IN ONE OF THE LAST 3 PRIOR YEARS TO BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN THE PREVIOUS PURCHASER DRAW. • IF ALL LOTTERY TICKETS ARE SOLD BEFORE THE “EARLY BIRD” DRAWS LOTTERY TICKET CUT-OFF DATE OF FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023, ALL REMAINING DRAWS WILL BE MADE ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 AT 10:00 A.M. • IF ALL THE LOTTERY TICKETS ARE SOLD BEFORE THE “PREVIOUS PURCHASER, BONUS DRAWS LOTTERY TICKET CUT-OFF DATE OF FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023. ALL THE REMAINING DRAWS WILL BE MADE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023 AT 10:00 A.M. • FINAL DAY OF LOTTERY TICKET AND 50/50 ENHANCEMENT SALES WILL BE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 AT 5:00 P.M. THE FINAL DRAW DATE IS

Fun for Families

780-853-4725

ONLINE AUCTION

GORDON BELLIVEAU

ANTIQUE TRACTORS, FARM EQUIPMENT & PARTS Call Dennis @306-823-3618

Consigned Items 2007 Kenworth Semi Tri Drive, Bobcat Skid Steer, 7800 & 4430 JD Tractors Call Boise Agri Ventures Ltd. @639-822-7767

Opens: August 21 @10am

Closes: August 28 @3pm (Soft Close)

Viewing Dates: August 11 -12th & 18-19th & 26th From 10-5pm

Location: From Neilburg SK, 1 Mile East on Hwy 40, 26 Miles South on Hwy 675

READERS CHOOSE PRINTED

Above, the vintage firetruck was available for the kids to try out at the Annual Family Fun Day in Battleford, presented by the Town of Battleford and the Fred Light Museum. There was something for everyone in the family. At right, Fred Light Museum Manager Bernadette Leslie helping out at the fish pond. For more photos, visit SASKTODAY.ca. | Photos by Averil Hall, Freelance Photographer

Blacksmith shop live demonstration.

Mayor Leslie was able to hit the mark and sink volunteer Jesse Crozier at the dunk tank.

Wagon rides were available.

visit these places that are close to home!

If you want to go on a vacation this year without venturing far, consider making your summer holiday a staycation. You can explore new destinations in your own backyard and revisit your favourite nearby places. This type of getaway doesn’t require passports or packing, and it can be just as exciting as vacationing abroad.

There’s no shortage of places in the Battlefords. Keep an eye out for parks, stores, markets, entertainment venues restaurants, golf course and other local attractions to explore.

Checking out these places in our neck of the woods is a fun, easy and affordable way to enjoy your time off.

Battleford’s annual parade was held Friday of last week. Battlefords Immigration and Resource Centre not only had a colourful car but they went all out to highlight the beach theme. For more photos, visit SASKTODAY.ca. |

Photos by Averil Hall, Freelance Photographer

Spectators turned out in anticipation of a great parade.

Miniature horses were a highlight again this year in the parade.

Fred Light Museum highlighted vintage clothing on their float.w

Growth That Works For Everyone

Continuing to Invest in Student Health Care Opportunities

The 2023-24 academic year will increase access to educational opportunities for students interested in a health care career by providing approximately 550 new training seats in 18 high demand health occupations, including new training opportunities for Indigenous students. For more information visit saskatchewan.ca/HHR

306-893-2619

Art Notes

Inspired by bounty

By Lorraine Voegeli Battlefords Art Club

At this time of year, many of us are gathering our garden produce. This year vibrant lush foliage is evident even in a small space such as a backyard garden or vegetable or herb potted plants. Fresher food and greener areas are such good healthy results. Many of our members have chosen fresh produce as interesting subject matter, so we thank them for sharing them with us.

Mayfair and District News

If you wish to see more of our club’s art creations, visit the Chapel Gallery after Aug. 17 for an intriguing display of gallery members’ work.

We are planning another fun afternoon Aug. 29 when we will have a Gelli printing workshop. You’re welcome to register to participate or to drop by the Don Ross Craft Room to observe the action. You can contact us at Battlefordsartclub@gmail.com.

Members are reminded that our meeting is next month and early fees are due.

Ruddell couple celebrates 66th anniversary

Baljennie News ‘n Views

By Dorothy M. Mills

Correspondent

The Western Development Museum in North Battleford is preparing for History In Motion this weekend, Aug. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Volunteers will be on hand to get many activities in motion. There will be a supper for the volunteers after the events come to an end on Aug. 20.

The museum had the old fire truck in the Battleford parade. The WDM has been busy with tourists visiting from all parts of Canada. The village and the corn maze have been well received. Workshop volunteers are always kept busy on all sorts of projects.

Fred Light Museum in Battleford held a family fun day. Many attended. It was followed by the Battleford Parade Aug. 11 in the downtown streets. There were fireworks in the evening to end the day.

Visiting with Stanley and Dorothy Mills were Dorothy’s sister Norma Kowarchuk, her son Carman, Margaret Parrish of Battlefords Regional Care Centre and her husband Sam Parrish of Willowmoor.

Birthday greetings go out to Adeline Villard of Battleford West Place. Afternoon coffee and ice cream cake were served.

Adeline told the group she would be leaving the area to live in Alberta with fam-

By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent

ily.

A big thank you goes out to Paul, a Battleford West Place resident, who is regularly out walking many miles and picking up the garbage people toss out along the streets and highway. There seems to be so much trash tossed out in our area. Good job, Paul, as it looks great.

There seem to be a lot of grasshoppers about. In an open area by Oil Can Charlie’s flocks of seagulls have been feasting on them. They are infesting country fields. It’s also a bad sign for another year when the females have laid their eggs to hatch in the spring. With the long, dry season much of the harvesting is well underway.

Combines are in full gear except near Leoville as I noted when I was at my cabin this past weekend picking blueberries north of Chitek Lake with friends from another province. A full ice cream pail (3.78 litres) is selling for $50 as a kid came to my cabin trying to sell blueberries. Last year the sellers were charging $45 per pail. Obviously, I was torturing myself in the forest clearings picking berries amongst fallen trees, thorn patches, tall grass and other plants, not to mention flying insects. Bears are another concern. It’s certainly hard on the back as the wild blueberry plants grow to approximately eight inches in height. If I didn’t pick my own, I would pay the asking price.

Congratulations to Alyssa Lange on her recent

wedding to George Kotelko from this area which took place on a sunny summer afternoon in their farmyard near Mayfair. The bride is the daughter of Sandra and Dan Lange also of Mayfair and the groom’s parents (Muriel and Mitchell Kotelko) are both deceased. An outdoor farm wedding is a personal experience. Many guests brought their tents or trailers for overnight accommodation in the yard.

Best wishes to a wonderful Ruddell couple who celebrated 66 years of marriage last Thursday. Don and Carol Schmidt have farmed in this area for many years and partake in and spearhead many functions. She was one of the co-ordinators of Ruddell’s annual August wiener roast. Since this is a small hamlet no one minds a fire pit in the middle of a gravelled road for approximately two dozen people

roasting supper. Side dishes were shared amongst everyone. No mosquitoes dared to show up. This place usually has an activity open to everyone once a month.

Longtime farmer Myron Chomicki of Whitkow passed away last week. The 95-year-old became a city farmer when his son became active in farming. Condolences to his family Coffee time at Mayfair Library is next Wednesday, Aug. 23 from noon until 2 p.m. Our librarian Teresa would like to see a crowd because Mayfair doesn’t have much going on.

Harvest is in full tilt for everyone which is earlier this year but on a positive note farmers will end sooner. Yields will not be what one would call recordbreaking. As long as the bills are paid and there’s food on the table, what more could a person ask for in this troubled world?

Hon. Scott Moe, Premier, MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook scottmoe.mla@sasktel.net 306-747-3422

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill, MLA for The Battlefords office@jeremycockrill.ca 306-445-5195

Ryan Domotor, MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford domotor.mla@sasktel.net

Battlefords Art Club members have found inspiration in the annual garden harvest. | Photos submitted

Above, there are many clearings in the Chitek Lake forest area going north along the large grid to Meadow Lake and Big River. Logs are neatly piled in a row waiting for the timber trucks to transport them out. Apparently, this project started this spring and is making great progress. At right, must have been something in the mid-afternoon air at Chitek Lake when suddenly a few dozen or more dragonflies clung to the spruce trees. | Photos by Elaine Woloshyn

You’re going to lose access to local news on Facebook and Google.

Dear readers,

Your access to local, provincial and national news is going to be revoked on Google, Facebook and Instagram.

And it’s not because of anything we’ve done.

Recently, Canada passed the Online News Act, also known as Bill C-18, which has led to a standoff between the government, Google and Meta — the parent company behind Facebook and Instagram.

Both Google and Meta have said they plan to cut ties with the news industry in Canada as a result.

This means Meta will block the posting and sharing of our news articles on Facebook and Instagram. Google will also remove links to our sites and articles in Google News, Discover and search results. They’ll also cancel significant content licensing agreements already in place with our parent company, Glacier Media.

Undoubtedly, this will have a huge impact not solely on us but, more importantly, on people like yourself who may use these platforms to discover what’s happening in your community and to get context to events happening in your own backyard.

We’re not planning on going anywhere, but here’s how you can help:

1. Sign up for our free daily newsletter by scanning the QR code. (And encourage your family and friends to do the same.)

2. Follow us on Twitter.

3. Bookmark our website as the homepage on your devices.

4. If you own/operate a local business, consider supporting local by placing ads with 100% Canadian-owned media outlets, like us.

With your help, more people will be able to get their local news from a trusted source. In today’s age of misinformation, that’s more important than ever.

Thank you. We appreciate you.

Sincerely,

The Battlefords News–Optimist team

FOSTER: Anita Foster

MARTIN: Shirley Anne

Martin was born September 7, 1949 in North Battleford, SK and passed away on July 30, 2023. Shirley leaves to cherish her memory her sisters; Linda and Cathy Martin; and numerous cousins and their families. Shirley was predeceased by her parents: Les and Olga Martin; brother Billy; grandparents; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Shirley worked in the accounting field for 48 years before her retirement. She enjoyed spending time outdoors in nature. Shirley also enjoyed playing the guitar, listening to country music, and photography. Shirley was an easy-going happy person who enjoyed helping others whenever she could. We are going to miss her happy smiling face, and personality.

PICHÉ: Patricia Margaret

Piché was born on February 5th, 1948 in Gravelbourg, SK, and passed away on June 27th, 2023 in North Battleford, at the age of 75. Patricia is survived by her mother Elizabeth Piché, her siblings Robert (Bob) and Darlene Piché and their children Chad (Precillia) Piche and Carlie Piché (Jason) Schauenberg, Linda (Syl) Yaskowich and their children Lisa Yaskowich, Cari (Brian) DesGagnes, Daniel (Maddie) Yaskowich, Yvette (Damon) Syrota and Andrea (Ryan) Plumb, Elizabeth (Betty) and Rick Sehn and their children Lloyd (Roanna) Sehn, Renee (Joey) Thoms, and Amie (Kyle) Whitehead, Laurie and George Kotun and their children Samantha (Austin) Abramson, and Jake Kotun, 20 great nieces and nephews, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. Patricia was predeceased by her father Jean Piché, her grand parents Robert and Sarah Piché, and Robert and Libbie Scoular. A celebration of life for Patricia will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 2:00 PM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, North Battleford, SK. Following the celebration of life will be dainties & fellowship at Battlefords Wildlife Federation, Hwy 16, North Battleford, SK.

CLARK: On August 10th 2023, our Mom finished another chapter in her life story, passing away peacefully with her four children at her side; her story will never have an end as many chapters are to still to be written with the lives of her amazing family, her mark on her community and with everyone she met. Louise Editha Ward was born in Sonningdale Sask. on Apr 19th 1927, the third child of Robert & Gertrude Ward. Her childhood was filled with adventures, challenges and cherished memories. At the age of 18 her mother (43) passed away, and she had to put her life plans on hold to stay home and raise her 3 younger siblings in a small log house with limited resources. Mom would share many funny and heartbreaking stories that came from these times –the hard work they did to survive and the decisions they had to make as children - their struggles to find enough wood to burn, food to eat and keep the animals alive. She had fond childhood memories of christmas concerts, her love of school and her close friends. Mom prided herself with her thirst for knowledge - she did crossword puzzles, was a veracious reader, was always learning new words for her vocabulary plus learning about the different countries in the world.

In 1950, she married Clayton Clark and moved to Fielding, Sask to farm on the Clark homestead. Not being a stranger to hard work, together they built a life and a farm to be proud of and raising their four children. Mom loved the life of being a wife and mother; plus raising animals, gardening and her love of chickens. Life was full of challenges that they met head on and conquered and full of community events. They later bought new land and moved north of Fielding, so they had more water and could raise more cattle. They would later retire to Radisson. Memories of going to the river hills to count the new baby calves and pick the first crocuses in the spring are vivid in our minds. Mom especially loved wild birds, she taught us all the names and their habits; she embraced nature to the fullest. The common thread through Mom’s story is family – she would always stress that family is the most important thing in life, and she was so blessed with the family we have. She was recognized as the matriarch – the glue that kept us all together. She was predeceased by her brothers: Perry & Raymond (Bud); sisters: Helen & Dorothy; and survived by her oldest brother, Wilbert (Web). Here to proudly carry on her legacy are: Her daughter, Ruth (Allan) Sayers - Comox BC. Grandson, Jeffery (Melissa) Richards - greatgrandchildren: Kate (Muyoma), Lukas and Jonas & great-great granddaughter, Marea; granddaughter, Wendy (Chris) Stevens –great grandchildren Kaedon and Cedar; Jody (Jes) Richards – great-grandchild, Drew. Her daughter, Karen (Lee) Schmidt - Cochin Sask. granddaughter Mandy Schmidt – great grandchildren Rylee (Dallas) Prince (great great grandson Theodore), Chase Prescesky & Reese Lantz. Grandson, Wade (Jennifer) Schmidt, great grandsons, William & Max; granddaughter, Loni (Lou) Legault, great granddaughters, Olivia & Addison. Her son Murray (Debbie) Clark, Prince Albert Sask. Granddaughter Kimberly (Rahim) Visram, great granddaughters Alianna & Alexia, grandson, Clayton (Alyssa) Clark – great granddaughters, Chloe & Emma. Daughter Bev (Cal) Shumlich, Denholm Sask. Grandson Blair (Heather), grandson Lane – great grandchildren Xander & Aurielle. To list mom’s accomplishments, interests and talents will take up many chapters in her life’s book. As a young woman she was an accomplished ball player, proud of her track and field medals and markswoman with a gun, flipping jack knives and juggling clubs. She learned to tat and do handy work from her Grandma Ida and she took on the challenge to continue to learn new ways to use her hands – quilting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, brazilian embroidery, hardanger. When discussing Mom you cant leave out her baking – she was known in our family and the community for all the buns, pies, spudnut doughnuts, cinnamon twists, cookies and fruit cakes. She could put on a full meal in an instant, even if it meant going out and cutting the head off a chicken plucking it and sticking it into the oven to feed a crowd. Mom always had a huge vegetable garden and loved her flowers. She would always have freezers full of frozen produce, and jars of canning (and baking!) Her flowers were always brought joy to her, continuing on to the last home she lived in, Riverside Health Complex in Turtleford. She took on many rolls in the community, proudly taking on responsibilities, leadership roles, and often politically involved! She was never afraid to off her opinion or advice. Mom and Dad belonged to a tight knit group of friends in Fielding and they all remained close until one by one they moved on, Mom was the last surviving member of that group. In retirement, Mom and Dad were an integral part of the Radisson Senior Center: Mom was on the library board, and both were involved where ever they could help. Mom and Dad were the pillars of the community, respected and dependable - they were often the first to help and the last to finish things up. Their strength and integrity have been passed onto us and our generations – we are who we are because - of them – and proud of it. We ask everyone not to mourn, not to grieve, but to celebrate that Mom touched your life in some way – we ask that you please be kind to others, appreciate and love your family, and be grateful for what you have – may you be even a portion as fortunate as we are – we are truly blessed to be able to proudly carry on her story. Mom requested that donations in her honour be made to either: The Fielding Community Club – for the Fielding Cemetery, c/o Greg Ferris, Box 43, Maymont, Sask. S0M 1T0 or to The Radisson Senior Center c/o The Town of Radisson, Box 69, Radisson Sask. S0K3L0 With only family in attendance Mom & Dad’s ashes will now be joined and laid to rest in the Fielding Cemetery. May your hearts be with us. Bev, Murray, Karen, Ruth & families.

Card of Thanks

We thank Turtleford Riverside Health Complex for the support and care these last 5 years to make mom feel at home. The kindness of the nurses, the attention to her health and listening to her stories and advice.

(Esbensen) July 1931August 2023 Mom was born in St. Walburg on July 17, 1931. It was a difficult birth and as a result Mom grew up as an only child. She was, however, surrounded by aunts, uncles, cousins and her maternal grandmother as she grew up in St Walburg. Mom’s mother, Grandma Esbensen (Ireland) came to St Walburg from Manitoba and Grandpa Esbensen immigrated from Copenhagen Denmark. Mom was raised in a home with quite proper European values and attitudes. After graduating high school, Mom went to the U of S in Saskatoon where she studied Home Economics and then attended Normal School to earn a teaching certificate. Her first teaching job was in Edam. This is how Mom and Dad met. They were married in July, 1954 and moved to Bolney. Dad built a house for them while working as a Sask Wheat Pool agent and Mom taught school. Beverley (1957) was born while the family was in Bolney. In 1957, they both gave notice to their employers, withdrew their pension contributions and moved back to Edam as owners of the local John Deere/Plymouth dealership. Brian (1959) joined the family and then Glen (1961) was born. Kevin (1966) completed the family just as we all moved into the new house Dad built two doors down from the Arena. Mom was kept busy as co-owner and CFO of Foster’s Service while also being very involved in the community. She was a Guide Leader, 4H Leader, substitute/term teacher, member of the UCW, and she worked with home care. Mom also found time to curl and square dance. Of course, raising four very busy kids is also quite a time commitment. Keeping us fed and clothed (Mom made most of our clothes for many years) and at practices and lessons on time was pretty much a full time job in itself. She also cut our hair, and that of some family friends. After John Deere moved away from small dealerships and Foster’s Service had to close, Mom and Dad went “full on entrepreneur”. Mom was the CFO and dispatcher for J R Foster & Sons Trucking as well as dispatcher for the excavating branch of their business. Mom and Dad then bought or built, operated, and eventually sold, a paint and wallpaper store, an insurance agency and a dry cleaning business. In most of these businesses Mom did the majority of the “paperwork” and Dad was involved with operations. Just at the end of the Foster’s Service era and all through the trucking/excavating period, Mom also was a farm wife. Though she didn’t operate farm machinery or regularly care for the livestock (except for looking after the brooder house), she was the chief gardener and poultry processor. Again, Mom served as CFO for the farm operations. Mom and Dad finally sold their businesses and retired in 1995, though Dad occasionally helped Kevin with the dry cleaning business. Dad passed away in 1999 (72) after a battle with cancer. After retiring, Mom felt the need to keep busy so started walking, a lot. She often made a three mile round trip into the Seniors’ Club for coffee. She also became a regional representative for the Provincial Senior Citizen organization. This involved travelling to meetings all over the province. Mom really enjoyed visiting these areas and meeting new people. Mom lived on the acreage at Edam until wrist and shoulder injuries, and balance problems, made it too difficult to live there by herself. In 2011, she moved into the Turtle River Lodge in Turtleford. With the help of the wonderful homecare staff, Mom lived at the Lodge until moving to the Red Deer Nursing Home in Porcupine Plain in June of 2021. We are all so grateful to the staff at RDNH for the way they cared for Mom (in so many ways) over the last two years. The staff assured us, on many occasions, that they enjoyed working with “Sassy” and we know how much Mom enjoyed the playful kibitzing with them. In early summer this year, Mom developed a respiratory ailment. The staff provided exceptional care for Mom but the illness progressed and she passed away, with family present, on August 3, 2023. Mom was predeceased by her parents, all her in-laws, Dad and her youngest son, Kevin. She is survived by three children, twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM, August 19 at the former United Church in Edam. Memorial Donations could be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

COLLIAR: Mr. Robert (Bob) Colliar resident of Harwood Manor, North Battleford, SK passed away with family by his side on Monday, July 31, 2023, at the age of 93 years. A Celebration of Life was held at the Meota Community Complex at 11:00 am August 12, 2023. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Mr. Bob Colliar can be made to the Battleford’s Union Hospital Foundation or the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame. Bob is remembered his children, daughter Roberta (Gary) Tebay, son Kelvin (Sharon) Colliar, son Gordon (Brenda Whitehead) Colliar, daughter Barb (Jody) Colliar- Brown. His grandchildren: Brodie Tebay (Janelle Owens): GG children: Sadie and Hannah, Brennan (Chelsey) Tebay GG children: Cameron and Claire; Kristin (Joe) Lukan GG child: Jacob; Kyle (Jaira Ranger) Brown; Morgan Bowman and Cassondra Bowman: GG children: Aiden, Dante, Vaida, Lydia, Cambrie; Matheson (Braydon) Johnston: GG child: Myles; Amanda (Danny) Thepsavanah: GG children Charley and Franky, Sister- in-law Sylvia Colliar, Sister in-law Lillian (Kelly Kopp), Sister-in-law Marion Hrycyna, numerous nephews and nieces. Bob was predeceased by his loving wife of 62 years Betty, his parents James and Jeanie Colliar, brothers Donald and John (Jock) Colliar, brothers-in-laws John, Walter, Peter Hrycyna sister in law Mary Kalinowski. Robert ‘Bob’ Colliar was born on July 9, 1930, in North Battleford to James Colliar, who was of Scottish descent from Meadowhead Farm near the small hamlet of Cleish, in Fife Scotland and Jeannie MacDonald who was also of Scottish heritage being born and raised in Clydebank a suburb of Glasgow Scotland. James immigrated to Canada in 1919 and homesteaded three miles west of Meota. Jeannie stayed in Scotland with her Aunt Bess while her father and his new family moved to Canada. In 1928 she joined her family in the Cavalier region where she met and married James Colliar in 1929. The Meota community was joined by four boys in the next four years: three Colliar boys, Robert-1930, Donald-1932, John (Jock)-1934. A fourth boy, Walter was born 1932 to Christina (Teenie) (nee Colliar) Tait. Walter would become just like a brother to the three Colliar boys. The boys grew up in the uncertainty of the depression but enjoyed the life of the Meota area with the summer joy of family picnics at the Jackfish Creek and Lake. The boys grew up with a strong work ethic created by a father with a farming and military background. They also had the soft hand and heart of a mother who had lost the guidance of her own mother and had been brought up by her Aunt Bess and footballer Andy Rennie in Glasgow, Scotland. It was through her upbringing that she shared and nurtured a strong love for sport with the Colliar boys. They had a great love for baseball, hockey, and all sports in general, which they never lost. In 1959, Jeannie took ill and she and James moved into Meota in a home paid for by her saved cream money, unfortunately her time in the house was short as she spent the next few months in hospital and passed away in May 1960, less than a month after her first grandchild Roberta Jeannie Colliar was born. She was denied two of her dreams; to enjoy the convenience of running water and to have one last look at her Bonnie Scotland that she missed so much. In 2004, Dad and Jock visited Clydebank; that day was an emotional experience for them both as they believed they were fulfilling their mom’s dream of returning to Scotland. 1962 saw another loss, as their beloved brother Donald passed away after a long battle with diabetes. In September of 1976 Jim Colliar passed away at the age of 82. Life on the farm was full of adventure and Dad, being the oldest of three boys, was the lead when dealing with the horses alongside his dad and Uncle Willie Tait. Dad never lost that love for horses and kept horses in the yard just so he could feed them. He always followed the chuck wagon and chariot race seasons and never missed the Kinsmen Rodeo. Dad’s first school was Wing school (1936-1941); a one room grade 1-8 school about a mile away from the Colliar farm. In 1942 our grandfather, James Colliar reenlisted as a military policeman and the family rented the land and moved into Meota until the end of the war. Dad attended Meota School until graduation. After graduation, Dad stayed in Meota to support his father on the farm and began his lifelong career as a diesel technician, originally working for the John Dart John Deere Dealership. During that time (1952-57) dad also began his community service resume and served as player and manager of the Meota Monarchs hockey team in the Big Six and Big Four Hockey Leagues and was elected as the first president of the Big Four Hockey League back in 1953. From 1957-65 he then served on the executive of the S.A.H.A. Referee Association, and held the post of Referee in Chief and secretary-treasurer of the Big Four Hockey League for over 25 years (’57-83). In the late 1950’s dad moved to North Battleford to begin working for the Gillen Brothers John Deere Dealership. Louis, Jerome and Vic Gillen were not just employers for him, but became lifelong friends. In 1957 dad came into the hospital to have a piece of steel removed from his eye. He was interested in dating a young Lab Tech named Betty Hrycyna; for one year she refused his requests. Our dad was persistent, and our mom finally accepted his invitations for a date. Bob and Betty were married on May 8th, 1959, in Notre Dame Church. Early in 1960, the first announcement of a precious gift arrived for Mom and Dad; Roberta Jeanne was born on April 23, 1960. Bob and Betty went right back to work and on April 24, 1961, Kelvin James Walter was born. On July 21, 1963, their third child, Gordon Donald arrived. Finally, on July 15, 1965, the family was complete when Barbara Lynn Elizabeth was born. For the first 10 years of marriage we lived in the Boychuk apartments. Life was simple and money was scarce. However, when money was spent Mom and Dad always put their children first. Christmas was special and so too were birthdays. From the earliest of ages Dad always taught us that we were loved and that we could be anything we wanted to be in life. He taught us how to build and hold on to integrity, be honest, and be trustworthy. He taught us to seek truth, one of his common sayings was “Believe nothing of what you hear and only half of what you see”. There was no place in his life for gossip or negativity. Dad taught us that we always needed to believe in tomorrow and it was our goal to make tomorrow better for ourselves and for others. I’m sure he believed he was going to live to be 130. He was so proud of us, our spouses, and his grandchildren in their life successes. He will be looking out for his great grandchildren to cheer them on in their life endeavors. Our parents had a short list of friends but shared a great deal of time with relatives. Our childhood memories centered around visits to Uncle Mike and Aunt Mary Kalinowski’s home, visits with Uncle Jock and Aunt Sylvia, time with Uncle Walter and Aunt Mary Tait, Aunt Lillian and Kelly Kopp. They also enjoyed their time with Steve and Doreen Rawlyk. Mom and dad grew to love travel. In their early years together money was scarce so travel was only into Saskatoon and Regina where dad often had Baseball meetings. Then in 1973 our first real trip; we took the train to visit Uncle Jock and Aunt Sylvia on Vancouver Island. After that trip we would travel to Kamloops on the Easter weekends. After the kids had left home they traveled to Las Vegas twice, several times to Duncan to visit Uncle Jock and Aunt Sylvia, Quebec City, Poland and the Czech Republic. However, Hawaii was their favorite destination; they visited 3 times. In 1969 Dad moved from Gillen’s to manage Robinson Diesel Injection, a job he held until 1986. He then ventured into Real Estate for a few years and gradually gravitated back to the diesel repair business, starting his own company, Colliar Diesel Service. He also began another career as a school bus driver working for Jordan Bus Lines. This was a career he enjoyed and in speaking to many young people on his route they liked him too and often showed their gratitude at Christmas with many gifts, including bottles of Scotch. From the 1960’s until 1992 Bob farmed 400 acres, including the original home quarter. After dad’s major health scare in 2010, he returned to his business and picked up where he left off; he was a fighter. In 2015 after a second major health scare he closed his business in the old Meds Farm Equipment building and sold fuel conditioner out of his garage. His last invoice was written to Ed Cadrin in the summer of 2018 at the age of 88. Mom and Dad loved their home in Meota. Right up until his passing he continued to express his desire to GO HOME. Today we are delivering on that promise. Dad served on Village council from 1985-2006 and again from 2012-2016, retiring at the age of 86. From 1992-2006 he served as Mayor. In that time, he delivered on a new hall, a new waste transfer station, and the huge legacy of a trusted water system. He was instrumental in the formation on the Pine to Prairie Regional Economic Development corridor, not only supporting his community of Meota but every community along Highway 26. He was involved in the formation of WYRA waste management in the north West as well. He loved to support Northwest Saskatchewan on the Zone 7 Sports council, TransCanada Trail, The Terry Fox Run, and Meota ADRA. For his efforts he was named the North Battleford Citizen of the year in 1993. Dad’s biggest contribution to community came from his involvement in Baseball: Coach and Manager of North Battleford Junior Beavers - 1958-1998; Saskatchewan Baseball Association 1965-78 - President 1973-1978Lifetime Member; Western Canada Baseball Association - President 1976-1986 - Lifetime member; Led North Battleford to National Championship Competition in 1967, 1971, 1973, , 1978, 1979, 1985, 1986 - Collecting 5 Bronze and Silver medals; 2 time Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame as inductee - Player Coach and Builder. Although this resume is a legacy in itself, his true measure of achievement was always the successful men he helped to mentor and share lifelong friendships with. Dad was a smoker from what we understand from his early teens to 1980. He also dealt with grain dust, chemicals from his job as a diesel mechanic but he remained healthy until his early 70’s. In 2002, dad had his gall bladder removed and suffered a pulmonary embolism, nearly taking his life. For the next 8 years he would suffer when he had attacks in his bile duct. This became a serious issue when in 2010 at the age of 80 dad contracted Guillain Barre Syndrome from the H1N1 vaccine. He was paralyzed from his shoulders to his ankles. He was in RUH for two months, then transferred to City hospital to learn to walk again. In the spring he was back fixing tractors. In 2015 he had two heart valves replaced and a new knee installed again, he had near death experiences. In 2017, while working in his yard, he tripped and fractured his hip and had it replaced. If you add it up he was more expensive than Steve Austin. It was not until mom had a serious health scare that they left their beloved home in Meota and moved to Caleb Village in North Battleford. Through it all he smiled and laughed and continued to make sure everyone else was ok. Although Dad left a huge legacy in the sporting, political and volunteer world; his true legacy lies in his family. As children, we did not always have the most peaceful and affluent lifestyle; however, what we did have is the knowledge from our parents that we were always loved and the faith that we could do anything we set our minds to. We grew up stubborn, ready to challenge the status quo, understanding that nobody criticizes people who do not promote and try to make the world a better place. He would have rather faced the criticism of people who did not like change than to do nothing. We learned from our dad through our upbringing there needs to be balance in your life; helping others in your community is important, but not foregoing your family needs for your time, treasure, and talent. The time dad invested in his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives will not be forgotten and will always be treasured. Our family would like to send a huge thank you to: all of you who attended dad’s Celebration of Life; to everyone who sent condolences and love over the past weeks; to all the staff and residents of Harwood Manor and Caleb Village who cared for our parents over the past 5 years; to Reverend Jo-Ann Hills, Jim Ramsay, Jaki Esquirol Wayne and Gary Wappel, the Meota community members who prepared lunch; to Vanessa and Eternal Memories Funeral Home; to everyone who has shared in our dad’s life journey-thank you all. Dad please know that we are who we are because of your love and kindness. It will always be with us and it will transcend time and touch the future through our children and grandchildren. To you Dad rest easy, enjoy your time once again with mom, with your mom and dad, with your brothers Jock and Don, all your sporting buddies, and farmer friends. Watch over us, be at peace, celebrate a life well lived! Cheers dad, we love you today and always.

ANNIVERSARIES CARD OF THANKS

GoldenAnniversary

OnAugust10,Mike&Nancy Cadraincelebratedtheir 50thweddinganniversary!

HappyAnniversary, Mom&Dad!

Love,Deanna&Darrin, Ryder,andNatalie;Tara&Dan, Amber,andJordan;Angie, Owen,Seth,andSunny

STROO: Thank you to Dr. Campbell for taking care of our loved one. Your caring and comfort for all our family during this very difficult time. The nursing staff on Palliative 3rd floor BUH and River Heights were incredible. The Stroo Family

Lovingly Remembered

Grant Howatt

Final FlightAugust 16th, 2013

In a moment you were gone Goodbyes unsaid Beautiful footprints left behind A life lived for the love of family, friends and flying Imprinting hearts with treasured memories

Greatly loved, deeply missed Sisters - Phyllis and Merle Daughters - Bobbie and Tracie Granddaughters - Havana and Logan

FUNERAL SERVICES

Adelina Klippenstein: A Celebration of Life will be held for Mrs. Adelina Klippenstein on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. at the Territorial Drive Alliance Church in North Battleford, SK. Memorial Donations to Share Word Global (Gideons) PO Box 3619 Guelph, ON N1H 7A2

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & CrematoriumTrevor Watts Funeral Director.

Eternal Memories

Funeral Service and Crematorium

2691 - 98th St., North Battleford (306) 445-7570 24 hours

1332 - 100th St., North Battleford (306) 446-4200 24 hours

Trevor and Adria Watts - Owners

Funeral Directors

Vanessa Macnab • Elle Dell

Funerals | Burials | Cremation | Preplanning FAMILY OWNED FAMILY FOCUSED

FOR SALE - MISC

In Loving Memory Catherine MacKennon Dryhorub

January 18, 1939 - August 15, 2022

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NoticetoCreditors

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 49 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649.1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

WANTED

I thought of you with love today, But that is nothing new. I thought about you yesterday, And days before that too.

I think of you in silence, I often speak your name. All I have are memories, And your picture in a frame. Your memory’s my keepsake, With which I’ll never part. God has you in his keeping, I have you in my heart.

Forever Loved, Forever Missed. -Debbie, Lyle, Sandra, Shelby, Saige.

FOR SALE - MISC

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www.swna.com or call 306-6491405 to find out how!

HEALTH SERVICES

FINANCIAL SERVICES Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca

MEETINGS

Battlefords

North Stars AGM

August 22nd, 2023 • 7:00pm at the Gold Eagle Lodge Meeting Room

CARD OF THANKS

Living Water Ministry

Pastor Brian (Chris) Arcand and Pastor Anand George of Living Water Ministry would like to acknowledge and thank the following for assisting in making this camp meeting a success.

City of North Battleford • Moosomin First Nation

BRT6 Health • Guy’s Furniture

Gold Eagle Lodge • Comfort Inn • Go Market

B&D Meats • Danish Bakery • Discovery CO-OP

Sobey’s • SL Contracting • Giant Tiger No Frills • Swan’s Pizza

Dominos Pizza • Pizza Depot

Tim Horton’s North NB

• Tim Horton’s South NB

Mark Ramshaw • Aaron Arcand

Lawrence Saddleback • Dean Whitecalf

Aiden Dyck • Mark Watchmaker

Peter Osecap • James Watchmaker

Allison Arcand • Bryan Arcand • Wilson Faithful

Frank Natamagon • Wilfred Arcand

Rashel Arcand • Randy Ermineskin

Bella Dumais • Violet Bull • Eliza Tipawan

Neal Potts • Bruce Soonias • Evelyn Aubichon

Ron Dewald • Leo Lasalle

Viola Pewapesconias

IntheestateofBeverlyPritchard, lateofCochin,Saskatchewan, deceased.Allclaimsagainstthe aboveestate,dulyverifiedby statutorydeclarationandwith particularsandvaluationofsecurity held,ifany,mustbesenttothe undersignedbeforethe1dayof September,2023.

C.Smithson

1229-49Ave, Lloydminster,SK,S9V1Y9

780-871-2776

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE ESTATE of SHIRLEY ANNE MARTIN, late of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, deceased. ALL CLAIMS against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 15th day of September, 2023.

Battle River Law

Baldwin, Friedman, Spence Barristers & Solicitors 201, 1291 - 102nd Street Box 905 North Battleford, SK S9A 2Z3 Solicitors for the Administrators of the Estate of Shirley Anne Martin

LAND WANTED

FARMLAND WANTED

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS

Saskatchewan born and raised, I know farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information

306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

FEED & SEED

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN HEATED... LIGHT BUGS... TOUGH MIXED GRAIN SPRING THRASHED WHEAT... OATS PEAS... BARLEY CANOLA... FLAX

“ON FARM PICKUP” WESTCAN FEED & GRAIN

1-877-250-5252

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Busy construction company requiring a SLINGER OPERATOR WITH CLASS 3 LICENSE. Must be capable of manual labor assisting with exterior weeping tile and basement gravel installation.

Competitive wage with year round employment and opportunity for overtime. Must submit drivers abstract.

Email resumes to rversteeg@ a1cement.com or call 1-403-333-1722

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS & LABOURERS WANTED

For all heavy equipment: ie. dozers, excavators, scrapers etc.

Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844

Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca

www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

battlefords humane society

As you can see my luscious fur flows, just like my spirit. If there’s anything I like its pats and scratches and if you sit on a bench I’ll join you and put my paws in your lap and give you lots of kisses!

It was either Tuna or Sardine but honestly I’m glad they decided to wait to give another cat the name Sardine because I think Tuna really really suits me! I’m cuddly, chatty, and I promise I’m not smelly!

SPONSORED BY CHERRY INSURANCE & REGIONAL NEWS-OPTIMIST

battlefordshumanesociety.com

BOOK CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

CALL 306-445-7261

NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT OF POLL

[Section 82 of the Act]

Town of Radisson

Whereas a poll is not required pursuant to The Local Government Election Act for the office of: Councillor of the Town of Radisson

I hereby give public notice that no voting for the above said office will take place and the following person is elected by acclamation:

Selina Daniel

Norma Stumborg

Returning Officer

RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF MEOTA NO. 468

Public Notice – Zoning Bylaw & Official Community Plan Amendment

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Rural Municipality of Meota No. 468 (RM) intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007. A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 02/2011 known as the Zoning Bylaw (ZB).

INTENT: To amend Country Residential Sites from a discretionary use to a permitted use within the Agricultural District.

AFFECTED LAND: Lands within the A1 – Agricultural District will be affected by the amendments.

REASON: The Zoning Bylaw required farm residential sites on less than a quarter section to be considered as a discretionary use, Council wishes to change the use to be permitted. This will assist in reducing timelines for residential permits within the Agricultural District.

Policy in the Official Community Plan is amended to reflect the change from discretionary to permitted.

PUBLIC INSPECTION: Any person may inspect the bylaws at the RM Office during regular business hours, excluding statutory holidays. Hard copies will be available to the public at a cost at the RM Office. Digital copies can be obtained by contacting the Municipal Planner (robin@northboundplanning.ca; (306) 873-2200).

PINTAIL WINTER WHEAT

ExtrEmEly hardy high yiElding awnlEss. ExcEllEnt variEty for foragE or fEEd grain production

Low inputs HigH profits

In SK call or text

306-229-9517

In AB call

403-556-2609 or text 403-994-2609 mastinseeds.com

PUBLIC HEARING: Council will hold a public hearing at 1:30 PM on September 6th, 2023, in the RM office to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw. Public may attend meetings via teleconference or in person. If you wish to attend the meeting via teleconference, please contact the RM Administrator, Kirk Morrison, at cao@rmmeota468.ca requesting meeting link invitation. Council will also consider written comments received on or before September 1st, 2023, by the undersigned at the RM office by hardcopy or email before the hearing. The RM office is located at 300 1st Street East, Meota, SK, S0M 1X0. The RM Office contact information: (306) 892-2061 or development @rmmeota468.ca.

Issued by the Rural Municipality of Meota No. 468 this August 9, 2023. Robin Bloski, BA (Hons), RPP, MCIP Development Officer / Municipal Planner RM of Meota No. 468

Notice of Poll and Advance Poll

[Section 81 and 83 of the Act]

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that:

(1) A vote will be held for the election of the following position of: Councillor: VILLAGE of WASECA

(2) The Advance Poll will be open on Friday, August 25th, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, located at the Waseca Memorial Hall, 303 Railway Ave, Waseca, SK.

(3) The Poll on Election Day will open on Wednesday, the 6th day of September 2023, from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm at the following polling place: Waseca Memorial Hall 303 Railway Ave, Waseca, SK.

(4) I will declare the result of the election at Village Office on the 7th day of September 2023, at 9:30 am local time.

Dated at Waseca, this 17th day of August, 2023.

Stephanie Knorr, Returning Officer

VOTER IDENTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED TO VOTE

NOTICE

TO: MICHAEL LAKEMAN (DECEASED)

Take notice that DAVID WASHBURN has filed Court proceedings against you in the Court of King’s Bench for Saskatchewan, Judicial Centre of Battleford under KBG-BF-00045-2023 pursuant to the Statement of Claim, issued on February 14, 2023.

The Court of King’s Bench has made an Order for Substituted Service dispensing with personal service of the Statement of Claim and approving service to be effected on you by advertising on two occasion in the Public Notices section of the Battleford’s Regional News Optimist.

Please be advised that unless, within 20 days after the date of this advertisement, you file in the registry of the Court a Statement of your Defence to the Plaintiff’s claim, the Plaintiff may proceed to Judgment on the claim in your absence and without further notice to you.

Further information can be obtained from the Court of King’s Bench, Judicial Centre of Battleford, or the solicitor acting for the Plaintiff [Brent M. Illingworth, Matrix Law Group, 1421 – 101st Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 1A1 (306) 445-7300)].

Anyone who knows anyone administering the Estate of Michael Lakeman (Deceased) is asked to bring this to their attention.

August 10, 2023

Brent M. Illingworth Solicitor for the Plaintiff, David Washburn.

FARM SERVICES

SENIORS AFFORDABLE HOUSING

New easy access

2 bedroom unit in a four-plex, 6 appliances $986/month

Must be 55+ and make under $50,000 per household. or if disabled $57,500 per household. Call Mel 306-490-7414

900 Block on 104th Street

From the Pastor’s Desk Hymn sing evenings resume Sept. 24

By David L. Walker Turtleford Baptist Church

Hello there. The summer is slipping away and that serves to remind us how a lifetime passes quickly. The longest life down here is brief and eternity is forever. Where will you be a million years from now?

July at TBC was quiet. Attendance was down in the low 20s and we had only nine at the GGMH hymn sing. We had more time for selection requested though, and lunch consisted of hot dogs, and homemade cake with ice cream. There will

JACKFISH LAKE 2ND ROW LOTS FOR SALE OR DEVELOPMENT

For more info, Call 306-480-4146 Jackfish

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST LEASE OF PREVIOUS RINK HUT RESORT VILLAGE OF COCHIN

OPPORTUNITY

The Resort Village of Cochin is seeking expressions of interest from experienced retail operators who can demonstrate a proven track record in delivering a high commercial service to locals and visitors alike.

The leased premises to include the portion of the rink hall not presently being utilized by Cochin Community Players.

The tenant shall have exclusive use of the leased premises from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024. The landlord will pay for water supply, natural gas, and electricity; Tenant is responsible for all other costs associated with conducting business while entered into MOU with the Resort Village of Cochin including Commercial Leasehold Improvements

The Tenant agrees to pay the Landlord rent of $500/month for the term, payable as follows; $500/month on the 1” of each month. The Tenant shall pay to the Landlord a Security Deposit of $1000.

The Tenant will strive to maintain regular service hours to the public; the Tenant agrees to use the leased premises only for services generally provided by a commercial retail and wholesale craft, art, clothing, art supplies, novelty items and fabric and notions sales outlet or as otherwise deemed appropriate by Council.

Expression of Interest may be sent to cochincao@sasktel.net or mailed to:

Resort Village of Cochin

Box 160 Cochin, SK SOM OLO

be no GGMH at the end of August. We will resume the GGMH Sept. 24. Also please be reminded that during the winter months if the roads are bad, or if there is any doubt as to “weather” or not GGMH is on, please call to make sure it has not been cancelled.

Pastor David has not missed one Sunday ministering at TBC in about five years, so Dave and Lorna have finally decided to take a much-needed break. Our hearts go out to all of you who have lost so many friends and relatives unexpectedly. Many of them suffered heart seizures so young and in the prime of life. Until next time, would you like to have a little more wisdom in this life?

You can James 1:5 — If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Borden and District News

Entertaining lineup in 101st Ag. Fair parade

By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

An 80th birthday party for Gerry Penner was held at the Borden Friendship Club Room Aug. 12, with guests enjoying cake and ice cream and visiting with family and friends. The room, hallway and outside were decorated with blue and white helium balloons, and at the front was a balloon tower with 8 and 0 balloons at the top. On the blue-covered tables were miniature John Deere tractors and mini semi-trucks hauling a JD tractor. Gerry was a semi-driver hauling many JD and other tractors up from the United States before retiring. Family on hand to help Gerry and Heather celebrate were his daughter Pamela (Darryl) Sly from Tofield, Alta. and four children and two spouses, with one from Ottawa and another from Whitehorse, Yukon. Gerry’s other daughter, Bonnie (Morad) Nikpay, and fam-

ily from British Columbia were unable to attend.

Saturday winners in the 101st Radisson Ag Fair mini tractor pull were: ages 3/4 – Layla Kuny; ages 5/6 - Oliver Hosegood; ages 7/8 - Harlen Beaulac; and ages 9/10 - Canyon Beaudoin. Each winner received a mini tractor trophy.

The parade was held the morning of Aug. 12, led by flag bearers Dale and Diane Kieper riding horseback along with many more riders on their horses. The TINT Centre float was pulled by a team of Clydesdales. It was followed by the Town of Radisson Float, a few ATVs and a line of vintage tractors –MF95, John Deere G, MM, Cockshut 30, Farmall H pulling a vintage grader, three Case tractors and a Seamar. There was also a 1967 JD 55 combine. Following was the Radisson Seniors’ Club float and the Wheatkings hockey team float that featured wheat bales and sheaves. The

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Alex Scott Family Farm (19461999) vehicle and Grad ‘93 float followed.

Rhinestone Cowboy was the theme of the Nutting family float that was followed by a number of decorated vehicles – Lakeland Library, Affinity Credit Union, Wayne Lerch and his archaeological dig, Elevation Ag Services and Nutrien Ag Services. The Radisson Car Wash float pulled a small sprayer and sprayed water on the street.

JMH Equipment and Repair (Jeremy Hosegood) entered a truck. Discovery Co-op entered a vintage truck. Fort Radisson Trading Post (Kleese Ranch, Big Beaver, Sask) was represented. Vintage cars were entered by Erwin Hamp (Pontiac) and Cliff Wilkie (yellow Cadillac 1920s sedan). Daryl Amy drove a Massey Harris tractor pulling a three-furrow plow. Bringing up the rear were the four Radisson Fire Department vehicles. The two-day slo-pitch

Town of Battleford Employment Opportunity

Internal/External Posting

Arena Attendant - Temporary, Full Time Position (Medical Leave)

The Town of Battleford is seeking to fill the position of Arena Attendant. This is a seasonal, full-time temporary position to cover a medical leave. Expected duration of employment is September 2023 to March 2024 but is subject to change. Reporting to the Manager of Parks and Recreation, the Arena Attendant performs a variety of tasks involved in the operation and maintenance of the Battleford Arena and seasonal outdoor facilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform tasks related to the operation and maintenance of the Battleford arena including; cleaning and janitorial duties, ice maintenance, building maintenance, snow removal.

• Perform tasks related to maintenance of outdoor facilities including; snow plowing, flooding outdoor rinks, garbage removal.

• Perform tasks related to the basic care and maintenance of Zamboni and vehicles.

• Operation of riding equipment including; Trucks, Zamboni, Tractors, Skid Steers etc.

• Operation of hand equipment including; ice edge, power tools, snow blower, floor scrubber.

• Qualifications

• Grade 12 Diploma, GED or equivalent.

• Must possess a valid class 5 drivers license.

• Mechanically inclined with general knowledge of operation and maintenance of parks equipment.

• Ability to work under supervision and to work independently.

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.

• Ability to complete work in a timely and efficient manner.

• Ability to deal with the public in a courteous and responsive manner.

• Ability to lift heavy objects, walk up and down bleachers and stand for long periods of time.

• The willingness and ability to work evenings, weekends and overtime as required.

• Covid Vaccination policy in place. Applicants must be willing to provide proof of double vaccination.

Remuneration

Starting wage is: $19.58/hr in accordance with CUPE Local $3003 collective agreement. The Town offers an attractive benefits package as well as defined pension plan.

Application Details:

Email resume and cover letter to parks@battleford.ca

Deadline: September 5th, 2023

A detailed job description can be obtained by contacting the Battleford Parks and Recreation Department.

This position is being posted in accordance with the CUPE Locale No. 3003 collective agreement and is open to both to both female and male employees.

“All Good THings Come From The Earth” Founded AD 1875 Incorporated AD 1904

tournament held Saturday and Sunday had 14 entries with Derek Murphy in charge. In the A event, Robdawgs Wolfpack defeated Borden’s Jagermeister, with the Saskatoon Balls to the Walls winning the consolation final over Saskatoon Cherry Blasters. Other winners were: Allanators over Sandy’s Sentinels; Dream Krushers over Find the Hole; Sloppy Mitts over Borden’s Walk it Off; Gonz Show over Nuttings; and Little Amsons over Wheatkings.

A celebration of life was held Aug. 11 in the Borden Community Centre for Murray Dyck, who passed away July 19 at the age of 75. Condolences are extended from the community to his children Matthew, Andrew and Meaghan, grandchildren and their mother Linda and any other family members. MC was a longtime friend, Milo Chubb, and sharing memories of Murray were Grant Swanson from the vocational agriculture class of 1968 and Rueben

Mapletoft from U of S vet college who travelled to many countries with Murray in the embryo transplant business. Gwen (Andrew) and Matthew Dyck shared fond memories of Murray, and also sharing memories were Ron Bezugly, Earle Elliot, healthcare providers, other relatives and four grandsons, who read a poem “Farmer’s Work is Done.” Memorial donations went to Borden Care Home or a charity of choice.

Flag bearers Dale and Diane Kieper and horseback riders leading the Radisson Ag. Fair parade. | Photos by Lorraine Olinyk

A line of vintage tractors and a John Deere combine in the Radisson Ag Fair parade.

A team of Clydesdales pulling the TINT Centre float.

Rhinestone Cowboy was the theme of the Nutting family float. They tossed out Mardi Gras beads to kids.

Gerry Penner celebrated his 80th birthday at the Borden Friendship Club room Aug. 12. In the photo are Gerry (Heather) Penner and family, Pamela, Daryl and children.

Do Drop In gearing up to host flu shot clinics

By Eric Callbeck

Meota

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves, we will come rejoicing …

Here we are. mid-August and five per cent of Saskatchewan crops are combined already. As we travelled west for birthdays, we encountered more fields of deep green colour. It shows that the fall season may be prolonged in other regions. We had a view of nature this past week when a blackbird sat perched upon the hummingbird feeder. The two wee hummingbirds hovered nearby trying to get to their food supply. Bird mentality?

On a sober note, we had a request for Do Drop

time from the Ministry of Health. There will be flu shots offered there midfall. The dates will be posted as things are finalized. The importance of these shots was heavily stressed by our health officials. The danger comes from the likelihood of new COVID strains attacking weakened targets. Seemed pretty heavy when spelled out, but made sense. The full long-lasting effects of COVID are alarming and now coming to light.

The Gregoires, Bernie and Lucille, indicated their wish to journey to Winkler, Man. to see their granddaughter compete in the under-18 western Canadian softball championships.

The Menssa seasonal

campground continues to show speedy progress with numerous trees planted, a new high wood fence erected and lot developments to the point a few trailers have taken up residence. Dean has explicitly stated that weekenders are not being welcomed.

This week’s winners for senior golf were Bernie Gregoire, Lucille Gregoire, Marcel Duhaime and Kent Morton scoring 36. Second place went to the Jack Day, John Patterson, Laurie Ward and Eric Callbeck team with a score of 39. Numbers were greatly reduced by a forecast of rain which never occurred.

Canasta had four full tables with top score going to Vern Iverson and

Arlene Walker. In second where Viviane Lesko and Lilliane Serenko. In third place were Cora Christiansen and David Otis.

Thursday afternoon bridge had the team of Gerry Craig and Eric Call-

beck in first. Second place was won by Vern Iverson and Rudy Wiens.

The men’s Meota golf night had another big night with over 100 entrants. The new clubhouse fundraising tournament is scheduled

Seniors On Parade

for Aug. 17 so will be over by the time this is printed. This and the possible longterm plan of an additional nine-hole expansion are major capital projects and will require community backing.

Hope

Radisson Seniors’ Club entered a float in Radisson’s 101st Ag. Fair parade Aug. 12. |

Photo by Lorraine Olinyk

Maidstone and District News

Donation supports fire equipment upgrade

By Kathy Utri Correspondent

Maidstone Waseca and District Fire and Rescue were honoured to be chosen by Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) to receive their annual charity golf tournament donation. The $25,000 will be put towards upgrading equipment including SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatus) and rescue tools.

Two more lucky local winners were drawn in Synergy Credit Union’s “Summer of Smiles” member cash giveaway. Tristan Blyth of Waseca, a youth recipient, took home $800.

In the community-based non-profit category, Waseca Recreation Board won $8,000 which will be put to good use on community projects. There will be four more winners every eight days until Sept. 21. You can see all the winners at https://ow.ly/mo4650Pvtas

where I noticed Kyla of Maidstone and Maidstone Eldon Recreation Board were also $8,000 winners in July. Congratulations to everyone. In the spring, Ratush-

niak Elementary kindergarten students planted vegetables and flowers in tubs at various spots around Maidstone Museum grounds. Under the watchful eye of Eileen Anderson, the crops have flourished and a bountiful haul of potatoes was donated to Maidstone Group Home on Aug. 7. Thank you to Maidstone Co-op, Henderson family, Ros Hall, Mike Andruik and Laurel Pauls for donating bags of soil, Kara Wakefield (Bloomers) for plants, Calvin Lamb for rocks to paint and Bill McGilvery for the mineral tubs.

Good entertainment, visiting and delicious refreshments served up by museum volunteers made for an enjoyable afternoon when the Yellowhead Ramblers played on Sunday at Maidstone Museum. They’ll be doing it up again next Sunday, so if you missed it, be sure to come out at 2 p.m. We’ll be printing lyrics for many of the popular songs so everyone can join in.

Standard Hill Lakers were in Yorkton for the Senior AA Tier 2 Provincials Aug. 11 to 13. The tour-

nament was a five-team championship featuring Yorkton Marlins, Standard Hill Lakers, Carlyle Cardinals, Saskatoon Rockies and North Battleford Beavers. Rain delayed the start until Saturday afternoon but then the Lakers came away with two wins. Sunday was a different story with an unfortunate 5-3 loss to Carlyle in the final and the end of a terrific season for the Lakers.

Maidstone Disc Golf high averages as of Aug. 9 were: Tier 1 Alex Francois -9, Tier 2 Andrew Williams +3, Tier 3 Kennedy Schmidt +10. Drawn winners were Chase James and Ryan Donovan.

Our new playground is already showing signs of disrespect and abuse. With broken glass and garbage strewed around, it is not a welcoming or safe place for anyone, especially children. There have also been rocks thrown in the playground and at neighbouring properties. It is hoped these were random acts that will not continue. Keep a watchful eye and thank you to those who offered to clean up the current mess.

Synergy Credit Union’s Tari Rutley and John Veenstra present Tristan Blyth with an $800 cheque from their “Summer of Smiles” event.

This weekend is our Utri family reunion. Many of Doug’s family are coming from Saskatchewan, Alberta and as far away as Idaho. We’re looking forward to seeing a few relatives whom I’ve never met

and getting together with others we haven’t seen in a long while. It will also be fantastic to have most of our own children and grandchildren together again. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Reminders: Aug. 19 - (Saturday) Waseca Community Day. Aug. 20 - (Sunday) Yellowhead Ramblers at Maidstone Museum 2 p.m. Sept. 5 - (Tuesday) First day back to school.

Cora Lambkin and Lisa Gauld of Canadian Natural Resources Limited present a $25,000 donation to Brent Olson of Maidstone Waseca and District Fire and Rescue. | Photos submitted by Kathy Utri