Regional News-Optimist August 3, 2023

Stockpiles of old ties concern Denholm residents

By Jayne Foster News-Optimist SASKTODAY.ca

Retired railway ties are being stockpiled along parts of CN’s Aberdeen subdivision, which runs between Humboldt and North Battleford, and residents of Denholm aren’t happy about it.

The sight and the smell of the piles of creosote-treated ties are problem enough, but the fire hazard is even more concerning.

Mayor Donna Oborowsky says the village’s biggest concern is fire, with only the Maymont volunteer fire department, which is 25 km away, for their protection.

Creosote is flammable, and about a decade ago the volunteer department had to deal with what Oborowsky called a small fire.

It was discovered by a resident at 1:30 in the morning and it was an hour before the firefighters could get there.

While piles of ties have been left at Denholm before — even for years at a time — the size of this latest stockpile has caused alarm.

CN has been using the extra line there off and on over the year ever since Denholm’s elevators came down, explains Oborowsky. They have stories used ties

and rails alongside the railway and have even stored extra cars on the extra rail when elevators were here. This time around it seems to be more than they’ve had in the past.

She says she has had little communication from CN and has a request in for more information, but, she notes, it is their property to do with what they want, after all.

The News-Optimist/SASKTODAY.ca is also awaiting word from CN on a query sent Friday.

At least one local resident, Tony Yarrow, has sent an email to CN expressing concern over the used ties posing a fire hazard and a safety issue for children of the community, as well as the environment.

His parents, Richard and Diana Yarrow, moved from North Battleford to Denholm eight years ago.

“We searched a long time for this house in a quiet little community,” Diana told the News-Optimist.

But now their dream home sits across the street from a pile of blackened ties. It blocks the views, and smells awful, but Diana says her biggest concerns are the fire hazard and the way the creosote may affect people with breathing difficulties.

There were no piles of ties when they first moved to Denholm, but they did show

RCMP and city challenge accuracy of ‘Crime Town’ label

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

In the latest 2022 Crime Severity Index (CSI) numbers released by Statistics Canada, North Battleford has retained its infamous position as the most dangerous city in Canada. Despite the unsettling statistics, the city’s authorities, along with the police, are at odds

with the label and are challenging its accuracy.

According to the data, North Battleford recorded an overall CSI of 557.1 for communities with a population of 10,000 or more, showing a significant increase from its previous score of 480.7 the year before. The CSI rates communities based on violent offences, Continued on Page 2

up afterwards.

“They came and removed the load two or three years ago,” said Diana. But that only happened after six years of the pile sitting there.

She added, with the wind coming from the south, it blows garbage, dirt and dust into town, not to mention air smelling of creosote, which she believes aggravates her husband’s breathing difficulties.

She also worries about fire. It was her son, Tony, who called the alarm a decade ago when a pile started on fire. And with the heat this summer, she is afraid another could start.

She also worries about the safety of children in the village. Creosote is not only flammable, it is a known carcinogen.

She agrees with her son’s suggestion that CN use the siding at Maymont instead of Denholm

“It’s out in the woods, nobody sees it from town,” she says. “Why not put them out there?

Retired ties

What eventually happens to stockpiles of old ties?

According to CN’s 2022 Sustainability Report, the company is working with its partners to explore innovative ways to optimize resource use and divert waste from landfills.

“For example, our partnership with Kruger, a North American leader in paper and paperboard recycling and a longstanding CN customer, has enabled us to ensure used rail ties are transformed into renewable energy instead of being sent to landfill. In 2020 alone, through our partnership we diverted over 751,000 of CN’s rail ties and generated approximately 186 GWh of clean energy at Kruger facilities.”

Old ties being stacked on CN property at Denholm. | Photo by Tony Yarrow

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Parks and Recreation

Inquest calls for overnight psychiatrists

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

The five-person jury from an inquest into the death of Jilissa Nighttraveller recommends that the Battlefords Union Hospital have a designated area for suicidal people and a fulltime psychiatrist – not on call – on every night.

Nighttraveller was found unresponsive in a bathroom at the hospital on March 24, 2021. Hospital staff responded and lifesaving attempts were made, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and she was pronounced deceased. She had been transferred to BUH the same day by RCMP.

The inquest that ran from July 24 to 26 in North Battleford with Coroner Robert Kennedy presid-

‘Crime town’

Continued from Page 1 non-violent offences, and the overall CSI (all offences combined) that factors in volume and severity of crimes.

“The CSI does not accurately represent whether a community is ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe,’” said Candace Toma, spokesperson for the City of North Battleford in a statement issued ahead of the release of the 2022 CSI ranking a week ago.

“To state that North Battleford is the ‘crime capital of Canada’ or to refer to it as ‘Crime Town,’ as it has been mischaracterized for many years, is a short-sighted and oversimplified dismissal of what are much deeper societal issues impacting much of Saskatchewan.”

Likewise, the Battlefords RCMP said the CSI doesn’t capture the proactive police enforcement being done in the community.

“Our officers, partner agencies, local leaders and community members continue to work together to prevent and reduce crime,” said Sergeant Chris Stephens of Battlefords RCMP detachment.

“The success of these initiatives and proactive enforcement results in more arrests, more breaches of conditions identified, and more charges being laid which can ultimately increase our crime rates. The programs and initiatives we implement stem from our collaboration and consultation with communities – this is why community engagement continues to be at the core of our policing priorities.”

In January 2023, a six-month initiative was launched to focus on targeted criminal enforcement and supporting and enhancing relationships with communities, said Stephens.

Early results show that the Battlefords RCMP

ing, also recommended that the hospital remove anything in its bathrooms, such as bathroom stall coat hangers, that could be used during a suicide. The inquest ruled Nighttraveller’s death was caused from asphyxiation from suicide.

The hospital should also have more support systems on at nights for the nurses, such as a social worker on call and triage nurse duties should be divided between two nurses at the front desk.

The jury recommended that the RCMP keep anyone – who is suicidal or mentally distressed – in custody until a mental health assessor can assess the person, unless the person needs immediate medical attention.

When the RCMP transfer suicidal or mentally

Crime Reduction Team, the Gang Task Force (GTF), and Saskatoon Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST) arrested 63 people, including 10 who were unlawfully at large, and executed 74 arrest warrants. In addition, the Sask. RCMP Combined Traffic Services laid 1,482 charges, conducted 151 inspections, and issued 2,414 warnings during proactive traffic stops.

To address the issue of gun violence, the City of North Battleford is working with Public Safety Canada on a gun violence and gang extrication strategy to help gang members leave the gang lifestyle, said Toma.

The Battlefords RCMP GTF was created in partnership with the city aimed at tackling serious and gang-related crimes. This has resulted in 140 people being charged since January 2021, said Stephens.

Over the last two-anda-half years, police have recovered 38 stolen vehicles, seized 95 restricted firearms and weapons, executed 33 search warrants, seized 15 kg of cocaine, 40 kg of cannabis, seized 179,200 illegal cigarettes, seized $169,000 in proceeds of crime, and took $2.3 million in illicit drugs off the streets.

From April 2022 to March 2023, Battlefords RCMP conducted 474 curfew checks on prolific offenders to ensure they were complying with court ordered release and probation conditions. This resulted in a 25 per cent increase of additional criminal charges of breaching conditions.

Three community safety initiatives to prevent crime were launched through a partnership with the City of North Battleford, Community Safety Officers, North Battleford Fire Department, and a number of local businesses.

The three initiatives included preventing cata-

distressed people, none of the person’s clothing or belongings deemed dangerous to his or her health and safety should be returned until it’s safe to do so.

The RCMP should also provide proper clothing for weather conditions when they transfer someone to a medical facility.

The jury also said that the RCMP staff should have quarterly exercises for CPR/First Aid to ensure personnel know what to do in an emergency. They should also call a family member to come to the detachment cells to help calm the person down.

The Police and Crisis Team (PACT) should be available 24-hours a day to help the RCMP with suicidal and mentally distressed people, recommended the jury.

lytic convertor theft with the “You Etch. We Catch It” program, a safe space for people to buy and sell items called “Safe Internet Exchange Zone,” and the daily routine called the “9 p.m. Routine.”

These initiatives have resulted in a 31 per cent decrease in vehicle thefts and zero catalytic converter thefts.

Battlefords RCMP made 136 school visits from April 2022 to March 2023 for everything from safety and awareness presentations to just interact with students and staff. They also attended 125 community meeting sessions to work with local leaders and the public.

Residential registration of outdoor security cameras is up by 75 per cent since 2021. Still, there’s only so much responsive work that the city, the police, and residents can do to help promote community safety and other levels of government need to step up, said Toma.

“North Battleford has significant social issues, and it cannot police itself out of this dilemma.”

A lot of the province’s crime stems from social problems, maintains the city. The province has high rates of interpersonal violence and in 2022 interpersonal violence made up 52 per cent of all violent crimes. This is compounded by mental health and issues related to substance abuse, as well as the highest rates of HIV and syphilis in Canada. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder also continues to increase in the province.

“As a local government, the City of North Battleford does not have the resources or expertise available to adequately address the public health crises and serious social issues impacting the community” without help from the higher levels of government, said Toma.“

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Former NB fire chief seeking damages from the city

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

A recent court ruling has shed some light on the acrimonious departure of a former fire chief from the City of North Battleford.

Trevor Brice, who was fire chief and director of protective services, has sued the City of North Battleford for wrongful termination and is seeking damages.

It seems the main issue still outstanding in the case is damages. Court documents from the Court of King’s Bench ruling from June 27, 2023, stated the city has acknowledged Brice was “terminated without cause.”

What had to be determined was the “quantum of damages, if any, payable by the city in lieu of sufficient notice in the circumstances,” according to the court document.

In this particular court application, Brice sought disclosure of documents to determine the amount of damages he is entitled to. The documents sought by Brice’s application included ones relating to the city’s investigation of two complaints filed against him which were eventually dismissed; those relating to his employment performance; those relating to his termination of employment; his complete personnel file with the city; and other files relating to investigations.

In the end the Court ruled in favour of directing the City of North Battleford to disclose documents relating to Brice’s employment performance; it also ordered the city to disclose documents relating to Brice’s termination, as well as his personnel file and any additional files containing relevant employment-

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

over

related material.

The Court did stop short of granting Brice’s request for an order which would have directed the city to disclose “other files” relating to investigations conducted by the city in relation to Brice. The Court stated this request “casts too wide a net.” Brice had parted ways with the City in Sept. 2019, shortly after city administration embarked on widespread efficiency measures including cuts to full-time firefighters within the fire department. At the time, city officials were tight-lipped about the reasons behind Brice’s departure.

Brice is currently fire chief and director of emergency management in Okotoks, Alta. Lindsay Holm eventually was named Brice’s replacement as fire chief in North Battleford.

Villa Pascal resident celebrates 105 years

Staff

Friends and family celebrated the 105th birthday of a beloved resident of Villa Pascal recently.

Madeline Poitras turned 105 on the 26th of July.

She is described by Villa Pascal staff as always showing concern for her coresidents, making sure they have hats in the sun and coffee in their cup.

“She continues to teach us kindness,” they said.

They celebrated with a party and cake and music by Dr. Kool.

Stacey Poitras, granddaughter, said Madeline Poitras was born July 26, 1918,

in a farmhouse about six miles away from Cochin to George and Marie Odgers. She had two brothers and two sisters.

She married Ernest Poitras in 1936. Together they had 11 children — eight boys and three girls.

They lived in numerous places throughout Saskatchewan until they bought a house in North Battleford in 1975.

She worked at the Saskatchewan Hospital for 22 years until she retired. She lived in her home until she moved to Villa Pasca in 2017.

She has 34 grandchildren 69 greatgrandchildren and numerous great-greatgrandchildren.

The opposition New Democrats were on the attack last week over a closure at the intensive care unit of Battlefords Union Hospital.

Official Opposition

Leader Carla Beck and Rural and Remote Health

Critic Matt Love held a media event in Regina in conjunction with their campaign in three provincial byelections called for Aug. 10. At that media event, they pointed to a leaked Saskatchewan Health Authority memo indicating the ICU at BUH has been closed for weeks.

The SHA memo released to the media, which was dated July 6, had stated the ICU at BUH would temporarily close July 13 to Aug. 3 inclusive.

“During the closure, scheduled ICU staff will work out of the Emergency Department. Inpatient telemetry and code blue responses will remain operational. Nursing unit and physicians may call the

Emergency Department to speak to the ICU staff to obtain a telemetry reading and patient history.”

The memo also stated that if staffing could be sought, the intensive care unit may reopen prior to Aug. 3.

“The Sask. Party has broken our healthcare system and they’re doing everything they can to hide their failures from the people of Saskatchewan,” said Beck in a statement. “It’s time to admit that their recruitment plan is failing. They aren’t working with healthcare workers, they aren’t working with local leaders, and communities across the province are paying the price.”

The NDP also called out the closure for not being listed on the SHA service disruptions page.

“We’re now regularly getting leaked information from frontline healthcare workers across the province. They hear what this Sask. Party government is saying in the media and healthcare workers know this Health Minister isn’t

being transparent or honest. They’re fed up,” said Love in a statement.

It is known that the Battlefords Union Hospital has been undergoing a major capital improvement to its operating room during that same period. Saskatchewan Health Authority had already announced they had instituted temporary changes to surgical services at BUH.

As of 5 p.m. on Friday July 21, they stated surgical services would be temporarily unavailable at BUH, but would resume at half capacity at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Full resumption of surgical services was expected on Tuesday, Aug. 8 at 8 a.m.

No surgeries had been cancelled, stated the SHA, as this was a planned improvement project.

SHA had also stated in their news release that obstetrical patients whose pregnancy is considered high-risk should contact their obstetrician or family physician in advance of their due date to discuss their birth plan.

Madeline Poitras was born July 26, 1918, in a farmhouse about six miles away from Cochin. | Photo courtesy Stacey Poitras.

Madeline Poitras is pictured here with supportive family members, Lillian, George and Arnold. | Photo courtesy Villa Pascal

A leaked Saskatchewan Health Authority memo indicated the ICU at BUH has been closed for weeks

Commentary Inquiry must assess how Canada’s fragmented COVID-19 response lost the public’s trust

By Tania Bubela, Kimberlyn McGrail, Sharmistha Mishra

Over the course of the pandemic, more than 53,000 Canadians died and nearly five million contracted COVID-19.

While Canada had lower numbers of cases and deaths and higher vaccination rates than most other G10 countries, these successes mask inequities across communities, socio-economic conditions and demography. They also hide challenges in data sharing and loss of public trust over time, evidenced by the “freedom convoy” movement that occupied Canada’s capital, Ottawa, in early 2022.

These and other challenges are laid out in a series of articles published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on July 24, that we co-authored with other clinical, research and public health experts across Canada. Now is the time to learn from the COVID-19 response through an action-oriented, independent inquiry focused on implementation and accountability.

Loss of public trust

Canada’s public health response was hampered by fragmentation in decision-making, shared between federal and provincial/territorial and sometimes municipal governments. The Public Health Agency of Canada, which was created in the wake of the first SARS outbreak in 2003, develops national clinical and public health guidelines while provincial and territorial health agencies make decisions for their individual jurisdictions.

In the absence of a co-ordinated planning and delivery authority, different public health measures were implemented in different locales. For example, measures like vaccine eligibility and mandates, masking and school closures varied among provinces.

The rationale and supporting evidence for these different approaches were unclear. Some variations addressed local risk factors as evidence evolved, but insufficient availability and sharing of data and analyses — combined with a lack of transparency — made it hard to explain the variation to the public. Over time, this led to a loss of confidence in public health guidance.

Fragmented data

Part of the problem is outdated data infrastructure

that isn’t able to support public health decision-making in real time. Health information systems lack integration and interoperability between data sources, even after $130 million of investment over the past eight years.

However, other problems are legal and cultural. Canada’s health data privacy and protection laws, developed before the era of big data applications, create legal impediments to using and analyzing data across jurisdictions.

These impediments were exacerbated by a culture of risk aversion among the custodians of data in different jurisdictions and organizations. This culture requires a shift from a safeguarding mindset to one of stewardship for public good.

Technological advances mean data no longer need to be pooled across jurisdictions. Data need never leave their secure data environments; instead, de-identified data may be accessed and analyzed across independent systems using federated data structures. Unfortunately, these structures were not in place at the start of the pandemic and have not been implemented over the past three years.

Improved data access also presumes that data are fit for purpose, and that was not the case.

Comparisons between jurisdictions were difficult for several reasons, including policy differences in testing eligibility, types of tests, how test results were reported

and how hospitalizations or deaths were attributed to COVID-19.

Over the course of the pandemic, most jurisdictions reported COVID-19 case numbers, but data about demographics or location were withheld due to privacy concerns. This lack of nuanced data left people with a lack of understanding of their personal or communitylevel risk factors. The lack of ability to make informed decisions contributed to loss of public trust over time.

Even worse, the initial pandemic response was illdesigned to address the socio-economic and structural

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.

It is clear that some public trust in public health, science and government has been lost in Canada and around the world.

WoodPile The Balancing Act

By R.H. Wood North Battleford

Our esteemed Prime Minister is governing without a full pack. He needs to appoint fourteen more ministers to give him a full fifty-two. He himself is of course the supernumerary commonly known as the joker. The recent cabinet rearrangement and cleansing which normally occurs in spring in our house has brought attention to how this country is being run. Seven new ministers have been ordained and seven retained in the cabinet in their current positions – boy they must be indispensable and incred-

ibly good,

Let us examine the current covey of ministers. There are 38 in all, plus one, nineteen are male while the other nineteen are female – gender

balance supplants competence. From the total, sixteen are from Ontario and eleven from Quebec plus Mr. Trudeau who frequently, when necessary, proclaims himself a proud Quebecer. New appointees are from scattered constituencies, apparently some of them being marginal and rendered less vulnerable by having ministerial representation. The twenty-seven ministers represent only two provinces leaving eleven from the other areas. This is not a fair balance in my view, in fact it is outrageous and explains some of the discontent in the land. Four regions have no cabinet representation at all (Saskatchewan, N.W.T., Yukon and Nunavut). Of the new

ministerial appointees five are from Ontario, one is from Quebec, and one is from B.C.

To repeat, we in Saskatchewan have no cabinet representation as we insultingly and stupidly returned no Liberal hopefuls in the last election. From this, of course, a lesson has to be learned –like it or not we must vote Liberal all across this benighted prairie wasteland in the next federal election. Even the Albertans had enough sense to return one Liberal to Parliament.

B.C. struggled to send four Liberals to Ottawa but I don’t think that has done them much good as they have the highest gas prices and, despite carbon tax, the province is largely on

fire.

As has already been observed, Mr. Singh is curiously and cautiously silent at the moment. Perhaps he is miffed at not being offered the rapporteur or grocerteur position and the public probe which he has been demanding seems to be off the radar. His main problem is balancing his criticism of the Liberal government with his declared support of it. Furthermore, as he is the current de facto P.M. and will continue in this role if a hung parliament is declared after the next election, he has to juggle the risk of alienating himself should, horror of horrors, Conservatives gain the most seats.

The B.C. dock strike

negotiations has been an object lesson on how to balance a strike threat and getting what you want. U.K. history clearly demonstrates that long illmanaged pig-headed work stoppages result in financial benefits being minimal or lost entirely. The process should be – strike, negotiation, tentative agreement, return to work, rejection of terms, threat, return to negotiation based on the last temporary agreement, repeat as necessary. One can’t help but feel a measure of sympathy for strikers as, amongst other legitimate concerns, inflation is rapidly eroding the purchasing power of earnings as even Queen of Hearts Chrystia has to admit.

Inquiry must assess how COVID-19 response lost the public’s trust

Continued from Page 4 inequities that led to disproportionate burdens of the pandemic.

Health inequities

Highest rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths were among racialized people, recent immigrants, lower-wage essential workers and those living in higher density and multigenerational households.

Case rates were highest where high-density living intersected with high-density working conditions, and were amplified by barriers to testing, vaccination and ability to isolate. This trend did not resolve over the successive waves of the pandemic.

Health data that include not only locale, but also racial identity, occupations, household size and income can help unpack social

determinants of infection and health outcomes, and can be used to tailor public health programs. However, the collection of such data give rise to responsibilities to reduce inequalities, not just describe them. Sadly, decisions to collect such data can be politicized. Ontario only collected relevant data after pressure from community activists and Québec resisted similar community pressure to collect race-based data.

Canada’s diversity was also not adequately represented at decisionmaking or advisory tables, nor was it represented in research that generated evidence for the public health response.

Public health decisions involve health, social and economic tradeoffs that need to be informed not only by standard

epidemiological data, but also by social science data. These data can illuminate the social determinants of health, the spread of misinformation and disinformation and political factors, such as the rise in social unrest due to public health measures. Evidence generation needs to be inclusive of diverse voices, specifically from those communities that bore the greatest burden of the pandemic.

Public inquiry and reforms

It is clear that some public trust in public health, science and government has been lost in Canada and around the world. This does not bode well for future threats, such as emerging pandemics, and current threats from the opioid

crisis and climate change. For these reasons, we call for a different kind of inquiry, agreeing that another expert report packed with recommendations will gather dust and not serve to rebuild public trust. We need political will to call an independent inquiry that is inclusive of a diversity of voices, accountable to communities and with a mandate to implement change. Reforms to data generation, access and use are essential in preparing for the next public health emergency.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Disclosure information is available on the original site.

Authors:

THE TOWN OF BATTLEFORD'S 38th ANNUAL PARADE

7:00PM Friday, August 11, 2023

Theme: “Beach Party”

Everyone is invited to join in the fun and excitement and participate in the Parade.

We welcome: Bands, Autos, Service Clubs, Horse/Riders, and Businesses. The parade will start and end at the track behind St. Vital School. Entry forms are available at the Battleford Parks & Recreation Office in the Alex Dillabough Centre (south side), Battleford, or by mail: Battleford Parks & Recreation Office, Box 1240, Battleford, Saskatchewan S0M 0E0 or e-mail: parks@battleford.ca. An entry form can also be downloaded from our website: www.battleford.ca.

Inquires may be directed to Rec Office 937-6216 or 937-3103 (fax).

Deadline for entries is August 7, 2023.

Tania Bubela, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University; Kimberlyn McGrail, Professor of Health

Services and Policy Research, University of British Columbia; Sharmistha Mishra, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Toronto.

Everybody has a story

‘My bones are talking to the dust,’ says Sask.’s newest poet laureate

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The library was one of dee Hobsbawn-Smith’s favourite places growing up, a little girl in the small town of Courtenay, British Columbia, nestled in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, spending almost every Saturday combing through rows of books in the town’s library.

That love of books and her captivation with the written word is proof that the award-winning author, chef, poet, and journalist who’s left her mark on Vancouver, Calgary, and now rural Saskatchewan is prepared for her two-year appointment as Saskatchewan’s 10th Poet Laureate (if

Hobsbawn-Smith’s first memory of her interaction with the written word as a writer began as a teenager with the writing of terrible sci-fi short fiction stories that involved turning her brothers’ names backwards and using them as characters.

“I wrote science fiction because I had a hard time figuring out how to write a story where something happened in a normal dayto-day kind of situation … I had a good imagination, but I didn’t have an imagination for how to utilize day-to-day life in a piece

of fiction.”

Eventually, when her family left the Air Force and headed east, she took her final years of school in Langham, just about 30 kilometres from the province’s largest city, Saskatoon.

“I was already interested in literature as a language, the sound of it and the shape of it and just reading it and listening to it and not always understanding what those poems were about, but loving, loving the listening,” HobsbawnSmith said, describing her English literature courses taken via correspondence.

But despite living in the same house that her grandparents and mother used to live in before her, she felt like an outsider in school after a life of moving with the Air Force.

“I felt like my bones are talking to the dust here. And there was a sense of fitting … but I always felt a bit of an outsider in the schooling sense,” she said, noting that she later ended up being the fifth or sixth generation of her family to live in the area.

“I was trying to find ways to fit in that weren’t always appropriate … I learned how to drink, and that was a painful process. And I learned about boys, and that was a painful process. And I thought about

girls, and that was a painful process. And through it all, I had started writing shitty poetry.” Shaking Saskatchewan’s dust off her feet

On her mother’s side, Hobsbawn-Smith is descended from Hutterites: makers and artisans from Europe. On her father’s side, her grandfather designed tapestries for the French in Woodstock, requiring what she describes as a mechanical and mathematical brain. HobsbawnSmith decided before graduation that no matter what she decided would be her future career, she had to be making something.

When she turned 18, she said wanted to shake the dust of Saskatchewan off her feet. She moved to Vancouver, where she stayed with her older sister Lee for three months before attending college. And while she took French, History, and of course, English classes, money problems eventually made her decide to stop going to university and seek out work instead.

Making use of a government program that had a computer analyze skills, interests, and aptitudes, the program ended up giving her a list of possible careers that included moving to Nova Scotia to build ships, designing jewellery and fashion, but notably

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of interest to HobsbawnSmith, was cooking.

Eventually, she found herself in Calgary, raising kids, running a restaurant or a catering company (or all three), where the first point of entry back into her youthful passion for writing was her first cookbook.

“So I would cook, and then if it worked, I’d write it down … when I sold my restaurant, I had a stack of recipes. So I pitched my first cookbook to Whitecap Books in Vancouver. And as it was, they said yes.”

But despite a love of cooking, Hobsbawn-Smith remembers telling Elaine Jones, her editor, that she wanted to keep the sidebars for her recipes.

“And it was a decent piece of writing … but I saw it very clearly as an entry point into the kind of writing I wanted to do,” Hobsbawn-Smith said, who then ended up writing for the Calgary Herald as a freelancer with a weekly column called The Curious Cook.

“I learned to become a journalist on the go. And I had good editors who were patient with me. I remember my first stuff would come back with ink all over, and I’d go, ‘Oh, my God...’” And she’d be told she just has to revise.

Now she calls herself the revision queen, an idea that served her well as she began to plan a future career in writing.

“By then, I was writing about food, and every now and then, one of my poet friends would say, ‘Oh,

had that food writing was a lesser skill … But there are fabulous food writers just like there are fabulous science fiction and fantasy writers.”

But with the poor advice from a mentor at the time who suggested she stick to poetry and away from fiction, she worked on getting poems into magazines before finally returning to University in her 50s, where she joined the second cohort of the Master of Fine Arts program in Saskatoon in 2012.

When she started her MFA, she told Jeanette Lynes that she wanted to write a novel and that she had an idea that would double both as a first draft and as her creative thesis. With the guidance of Sandra Birdsell and Elizabeth Philips, Hobsbawn-Smith spent nine years writing her novel and Danceland Diary was published by Radiant Press in 2022.

“Even though I’ve only written one novel, I have a plan for a second one,” Smith said, surprising herself.

your column in the Herald today, it gave off emanations of Annie Dillard’ … So I thought, alright, how do I get more of that into my writing?”

Danceland Diary — the quintessential prairie novel

Although she’d been living in Calgary for 27 years, she decided she wanted to get out of the culinary world there and back into writing. Not wanting to move to Regina, where her future husband lived, they decided to move back to 18 acres of her family farm in the late 2000s.

“I knew that if I stayed in Calgary, I was going to remain completely caught up in the culinary world where even though I wasn’t running a restaurant anymore, I was writing restaurant reviews, and I was doing cooking classes … I knew I had to actually physically remove myself; do a geographic rescue,” Hobsbawn-Smith said.

“The goal was to move here and to become a writer.”

And it was an invitation to one of Sage Hill’s writing retreats just outside Saskatoon that set her down that path despite being wracked with intimidation.

“...a poet [is] supposed to be this beautiful young woman, right. And here I am … part of it was intimidation because I felt older than a lot of the people there. Part of it was intimidation because I knew I was a rank beginner.

“And on top of it, it was the sense really that I

“I never thought I’d say that, Miguel, holy s**t. I have a plan for a second novel. But I have a plan this time. ... so how hard is it going to be to write a second novel? Well, your guess is as good as mine.”

A

poet’s description of poetry

When HobsbawnSmith was asked to describe poetry, she said that she frequently starts by writing prose before chipping away all the extra stuff, digging out line breaks and compressing it into a poem.

“Poetry, in essence, is a philosophical encapsulation of an emotion. It’s a moment captured, it’s how someone responds to something that has happened or that they have witnessed or that they feel ... a good short story isn’t about what happens externally, it’s about the change that’s internal, and a poem is the same way.”

When asked to describe a poem she said poetry really relies on the accurate use of language. There is a rhythm, a musicality that always draws her back and enraptured her all those years ago in a library in B.C.

And to her, it comes down to the function of words, as well as the artfulness and the way they’re used, all in just 26 characters.

“You know, when I write a poem, I want it to be beautiful. But damn, I want it to have some kind of a message underneath … I don’t want it just to be a beautiful piece of writing, I want it to have to be

Continued on Page 9

dee Hobsbawn-Smith, Saskatchewan’s 10th Poet Laureate. | Photo submitted

Happy Saskatchewan Day I AM A PROUD

Mr. Speaker, the second improvement included in the Bill before you is an additional statutory holiday, the first Monday in August which shall be known as Saskatchewan Day.- G.T. Snyder, Minister of Labour in 1975 Hopefully it will also inspire us to pause, Mr. Speaker, and reflect upon our own good fortune to share in that peaceful prosperous land that we call Saskatchewan.-

& demolition

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

Everybody has a story

Continued from Page 6 saying something ... utility conveying what it is that I’ve got in my head, above and beyond simply the story that might be the encapsulation of that particular poem.”

Hobsbawn-Smith went on to note that someone once said that poets are the unpaid legislators of the world.

“But, you know, the thing I like about poetry is you can use poetry to write political poems. You can use poetry to write love poems ... poetry can serve

all kinds of purposes.

“I’m first and foremost a poet, I think ...you know, it’s a hard question,” she added. The future for dee Hobsbawn-Smith Because she’s talked herself out of work too many times by sharing information too early in the process of writing, she can’t share what she’s working on now. What she can say is that it’s her belief that writers tend to write about a small number of themes. Hobsbawn-Smith’s themes include grief, loss,

and mourning while trying to find a way to recover from a loss.

But will she even continue writing? That was a question she asked herself a few weeks before she sat down for her interview with the News-Optimist/ SASKTODAY.ca several weeks before her appointment as Poet Laureate.

Though she’s not convinced she has an audience, and she doesn’t sell a lot of books, she gets great feedback.

“I looked at the fact that those kinds of wonderful

responses aren’t translating in my life as a writer into high sales or high visibility or anything like that. And so why do we write?”

Hobsbawn-Smith says that, in the end, she writes to express herself. She believes it helps her as a person and as an artist it helps her come to a better understanding of the world. She also writes (she hopes) to help others

get through a dark time in our society referencing a resurgence of fascism and the erosion of women’s, POC and LGBTQ2+ rights.

“All those things are under attack.

So, for now, she will travel across the province sharing the gift of the written word as an ambassador for poetry, something she says she’s elated by.

“It feels abundant, it

feels rich and really, really, really amazing, and humbling, and terrifying and overwhelming all at the same time,” she said about her appointment.

“I will write ... but when I figure that I’ve said everything, then I’ll just go back to cooking and quilting and running and everything else in my life and stop writing,” she added.

“But I’m not there yet.”

A library reading and magic show was one of Pride Week’s events.

Pride Week in the Battlefords finished up Sunday with a parade. | Photos by Averil Hall / Freelance Photographer

A drag show was held Thursday last week. A family event on Saturday saw entertainment such as fortune telling.

Happy Saskatchewan Day!

306-893-2619

Art Notes

20230727_News Optimist Ad_Sask-Day.indd 1

Valley views inspire plein air creations

By Jean M. Dunn

Battlefords Art Club

Our group was inspired!

A few of us went to a plein air painting workshop taught by Grant McConnell. We were joined by some other artists from the area for a group of

— Salvador Dali

nine. We were painting the river valley. Thursday night our view was from the Chapel Gallery patio and Friday on the Poundmaker Trail traffic pullout. After a bit of rain, we were back to the gallery for a critique session on our creations.

Grant demonstrated and taught how to quickly paint the “gist” of what we see so we can finish it later and keep the memories. There are many different set-ups to paint.

Many thanks to Leah Garven, curator/manager of galleries, North Bat-

tleford, for bringing this workshop to the Battlefords.

As always, come check out the Battlefords Art Club, Tuesdays, Door No. 2 at the Don Ross Centre basement craft room. You can usually find a smiling face

Breaking out of food stigma: The power of food neutrality

Submitted

Battlefords Early Childhood Community Planning Network

“I was bad today and had cookies.”

Have you heard a similar statement? Constant categorization of foods as “healthy,” and “unhealthy,” can have unintentional negative impacts on children.

While foods have differing nutritional values, it’s important to acknowledge that we choose foods for reasons beyond nutrition. Factors such as time, cooking skills, and food access, amongst many others, are major reasons why we

choose to eat a certain food. When we judge the food choices of others, they may feel guilt or shame even though that may have been the only food available.

To prevent feeling stigmatization, youth may create unhealthy habits (i.e. food avoidance) that could cause more long-term harm than eating a “treat” food right now.

The concept of food neutrality encourages individuals to view all food choices as equal, without judgment or shame. This can empower young individuals to make decisions based on their unique needs, preferences, and available

resources.

By embracing food neutrality, we can break free from the cycle of guilt and stigmatization often associated with food, leading to healthier food relationships and confidence with eating, and increasing the likelihood of children nourishing their bodies to grow and learn.

The BECCPN committee members challenge you to consider how you discuss food around youth and encourage you to help us create more inclusive environments. For more information regarding this network, please call 306-446 4545 or 306-446 6443.

Jeremy Cockrill, MLA for The Battlefords office@jeremycockrill.ca

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

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.”

The picturesque North Saskatchewan River Valley was the subject of the workshop.

Grant McConnell led a plein air painting workshop.

A chair and painting supplies is all you need.

Al Garven prepared to paint.

Members of the Battlefords Art Club and other artists painted images of the North Saskatchewan River Valley during a workshop led by Grant McConnell. | Photos submitted

VOICE OF BUSINESS

Connecting Voices. Building Business

Phone: 306-445-6226

Find us on Facebook www.battlefordschamber.com

P.O. Box 1000

North Battleford SK S9A 3E6

Industry Associations Call for More Time to Repay CEBA Loans

On July 24th, 2023 the Canadian Chamber of Commerce network together with other industry associations called on Minister Freeland, federal Minister of Finance, to extend the current Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) repayment deadline by two years to the end of 2025, or at least by one year, while maintaining access to the forgivable portion.

Almost 900,000 CEBA loans were approved across Canada. Many businesses had no choice but to take on this loan due to circumstances beyond their control. This includes businesses in some of the hardest hit industries such as the retail industry and tourism sector. Mandatory business closures and other government health restrictions left businesses with severe income losses and cash flow issues.

Despite their best efforts, high interest rates, inflation and increased labour costs are making it difficult for small-and-medium size businesses to keep their heads above water, let alone make any dent in the debt many had to take on to survive pandemic restrictions. A recent analysis of over 15,000 Canadian businesses found that inflation, input costs, and interest/debt costs are the three most acute obstacles faced by business (at 56%, 40% and 38%, respectively), and the smaller the firm, the more constrained they are by debt.

Moreover, recent surveys focused on CEBA loan-holder companies reveal that:

• 49% of small businesses are still making below normal revenues;

• 50% of Canadian foodservice operators are currently operating at a loss or breaking even compared to 12% pre-pandemic; and;

• 45% of Canada’s tourism businesses are likely or somewhat likely to close within the next three years without government intervention into their mounting debt load.

With each passing day, entrepreneurs who collectively maintain a very considerable workforce, face increasingly daunting financial pressure. Ottawa needs to act now to extend the CEBA repayment deadline.

Unless the federal government acts quickly to postpone the CEBA repayment deadline, businesses that are unable to repay their CEBA loan in time will lose access to the forgivable portion of up to $20,000, thus further increasing their debt load. Extending the repayment timeline for the CEBA loan without losing access to the forgivable portion would give many small-and-medium size businesses the stability and certainty they need to get back on their feet on a path to prosperity.

“The government did a good thing during the pandemic: it responded to businesses in crisis and gave them a lifeline with the CEBA loan program. But not all businesses have their heads above water yet: they’re facing extreme inflation, unreliable supply chains, and the tightest hiring market in a generation. They’re just asking for more time to pay the government back.”

Calendar of Events:

Upcoming Chamber on Tap Dates:

Guest: Travis Low, Blue Moose Media

Thursday, September 14th, 2023

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Blend Kitchen & Bar (Riverside)

North Battleford Golf & Country Club

Thursday, October 26th, 2023

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Blend Kitchen & Bar (Riverside)

North Battleford Golf & Country Club

Sponsored By:

The Power Hour

Thursday, October 12th, 2023

11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Western Development Museum

Matthew Holmes, Senior Vice

President

of Policy and Government Relations, Canadian Chamber of Commerce

Policy Matters: Regulatory Reform

-Canadian Chamber of Commerce

At the Canadian Chamber of Commerce they talk a lot about regulatory burden because it is consistently one of the biggest barriers to economic growth that we see across sectors. So, what *IS* it exactly? In a Nutshell ….. “Regulations” are the government rules that legally dictate what businesses are allowed to do when it comes to producing, manufacturing and selling their goods and services.

The OECD lists three general types:

• Economic regulation is meant to improve the efficiency of delivering goods and services to markets and customers. It can include government-imposed restrictions on things like prices, quantity, service and imports and exports.

• Social regulation is meant to protect the well-being and rights of society. It can include protection of the environment, health and safety in the workplace, workers’ rights, and consumer protections against things like fraud.

• Administrative regulation relates to general government management of the operation of the public and private sectors. It can include regulations relating to taxes, business operations, distribution systems, health care administration and intellectual property rights.

THE POLICY PROBLEM

Well-designed and well-implemented regulations can be one of the government’s tools to grow the economy and help keep Canadian citizens and our environment safe. Unfortunately, Canada has a complex network of overlapping regulations from all levels of government that make a lot of things more expensive and difficult than they need to be for businesses. Complying with all these layers of regulations is also time-consuming, and combined with inefficient and unpredictable regulatory processes, Canadian businesses are not set up for success.

POLICY SOLUTION

Considering Canada’s alarmingly low level of economic growth – our GDP is projected to grow by only 1.4% this year and 1.3% in 2024 – we literally can’t afford the regulatory burdens facing Canadian businesses. The solution? Regulatory reform (aka regulatory modernization).

A modern, streamlined regulatory process is a thing of beauty, removing barriers and allowing businesses to stay competitive and maximize their growth while protecting the welfare of Canadian citizens. This looks like improved environmental, social and economic protections, while simultaneously increasing investment growth and the number of jobs for Canadians – win-win!

We can’t just talk the talk when it comes to regulatory reform – we need to see real action that will move the needle. How do we do it?

Collaboration: A holistic, whole-of-government approach that coordinates action across all departments and provides ongoing resources for research and analysis of new and better approaches to designing and implementing regulations.

Regulatory departments and agencies need to work together to examine the regulatory systems of their respective jurisdictions and work with the private sector to identify areas for improvement and better alignment.

Trade: Establish a registry of interprovincial trade barriers. A public registry will both educate Canadians on the barriers to interprovincial trade and compel governments to defend why such barriers are justified within our national economy – transparency is key!

Reduce regulatory barriers between the U.S. and Canada by renewing the work of the Regulatory Cooperation Council.

Economic: Launch a comprehensive independent review of the tax system – Canada needs to make our tax system more modern, simple and fair to win the competition for global investment.

Develop a common definition for ‘net-zero aligned investment’ by governments and include emissions reduction estimates alongside policies.

Make it mandatory for regulating bodies and agencies to look at all regulations with an economic and competitive lens. There is currently a siloed approach where a particular department only looks at the regulations from their own perspective i.e. health, environment, etc. We need to consistently be looking at regulations holistically, from all angles, including from an economic point of view.

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OBITUARIES

Prepayment required

Hours of operation:

Monday - Thursday 8am - 4:30pm

Friday 8am - Noon

Adelina Klippenstein

God made the appointment. Mom showed up. July 27, Thursday evening, it was a glorious home-going and we’re sure the words, “Well done, faithful servant,” were uttered, with joy, just after a big hug with Jesus!

And what gentle care, all day Thursday, from Villa Pascal folk! For almost two years the Villa has been Mom’s home and she was so well loved.

Adelina (Dick) Klippenstein was born almost 101 years ago in what has been both Russia and Ukraine depending on shifting borders. At the age of two, Adelina escaped to Canada with her parents and big brother right in the middle of one of those violent shifts. Phew! We, her children, are grateful!

Mom grew up in Glenbush, attended Normal School in Battleford, taught children taller than her at the Carrollton School District, and, faithful sister that she was, changed career to help pay for her brother’s medical degree by working at Massey Harris in Saskatoon.

After that, love, marriage, and baby carriages spanned across Hepburn, Paynton, Glenbush, Rabbit Lake, Glaslyn, North Battleford, Maymont…

No, they were not fugitives. Peter Klippenstein, adventurer, farmer, teacher, dragged us all over the province. Mom faithfully followed and, now, is finally getting rest.

It’s all about Mom, so:

Master gardener Superb seamstress

Brilliant artist

Intricate baker

Skilled cook

Faithful friend

Exceptional daughter-in-law

Selfless mom

Resilient wife

Lovely neighbour

Gracious hostess

Everyone’s favorite teacher

And perfect grandma

And she would have been a great housekeeper but random children and grandchildren pretty much undermined every good intention.

What might be deemed either her best attribute or her greatest flaw is that she was the nicest person in the world. We deserved so many spankings we never got.

Once all children were diaper free Mom resumed teaching, two grades, most subjects. No time to dust! Her last school was the Heritage Christian School in North Battleford.

Dad and Mom didn’t skip a beat, resuming full-time farming after classroom doors closed.

But no, Mom didn’t just send Dad off to the farm with coffee and lunch. She hosted Bible studies, organized Christian Women’s Clubs, taught Sunday school, managed the Gideons Ladies Auxiliary, did alterations for Grobmans and Craig’s department stores. And right when she thought she might grab a nap or clean the house, grandchildren would land like tornadoes.

Also, into her eighties, Mom cross country skied daily. And you expect her to keep a perfect house?

Finally she’s got a beautifully appointed home, in heaven. We promise not to mess it up when we get there, Mom.

And there have to be lists:

Children who got left behind, Les Klippenstein, Kathy (Dean) Covert, Don (Daisy) Klippenstein, Keith (Cheryl) Klippenstein

Grandchildren who miss her, Kyle (Chrissy) Klippenstein, Deanna Covert, Adrian Klippenstein, Anna (Moses) Yu, Jalissa Klippenstein, Rodney Klippenstein.

Grandson Eric Klippenstein met his Grandma in heaven - probably with ball in hand, ready to play catch. No doubt husband Peter would be tagging right along.

Great-Grandchildren who adored her, Drayton Klippenstein, Emma Klippenstein, Aiden Klippenstein, Kayden Klippenstein, Parker Klippenstein

Adelina continued to claim and love Christine LaRochelle, Samantha Warren, and Lisa Whitt.

Wayne was like a son, Suyi and Ben were like grandchildren, Elena, Isaac, and Esther think she really is their great grandma. Sister Eleanor (Dennis) and in-laws, Irene, Marie, Hertha and Paul - are not sure they appreciate being left behind.

There! Is that it?

Nope! The Celebration of Life:

Friday, August 25, 1:30 p.m. at the Territorial Drive Alliance Church in North Battleford

Memorial Donations to ShareWord Global Canada PO Box 3619 Guelph, ON N1H 7A2 Now we’re done.

Mom, aren’t you glad there are no lists and no dust in heaven?

BECKTON: Beckton, McCrimmon 1949 – 2023 Mac left us peacefully on Friday, July 28, 2023 after a valiant battle with cancer. Mac was predeceased by his parents, Dorothy (in 1995) and John McCrimmon (in 1989). He is survived by his brother, John; sister, Clare (Ken); brother, George (Judi); nieces, Monique (Hagen), Mylah, and Jennifer; nephews, Kynan, Dustin and George; three great-nieces; and one greatnephew. Mac spent most of his years living in Toronto and Vancouver driving a taxi and later buses. He loved watching his beloved Toronto Blue Jays play ball. A family Celebration of Life will be held in early fall. Condolences may be left at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home (306-244-5577).

COCKBURN: It is with great sadness that the family of William Alexander Cockburn announce his passing. Bill, as he was fondly known, passed away at home on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Bill was 84 years old. Born December 19, 1938, in Dorintosh, Saskatchewan, Bill moved to North Battleford in 1952, at the age of 14, to begin his new life. Bill’s lengthy vocation in road construction began with McMillan Brothers Construction in 1955. In 1978, he ventured out on his own starting his road construction company Cockburn Construction Limited. Built on a reputation for the integrity of his word, the honour of a hand shake, the importance of quality workmanship and hard work, Bill and his son Robert went on to establish a very successful business that has spanned 45 years! Bill’s son Robert and grandson Tyler carry on the Cockburn Construction legacy. Bill met Denise Nachtegaele in 1959 and in 1961 married and began their family life together. Bill and Denise had three children, Sandra, Dean and Robert. Along with their children, Bill and Denise had the support of a very large extended family of aunts, uncles and many cousins making family life very dynamic and exciting! For Bill, family was his everything! Left to carry on Bill’s loving memory and cherish his life are his wife of 62 years Denise, his daughter Sandra (Blair) Lamon, grandson Reid (Jordan) Lamon and great-grandsons Blake and Luke, granddaughter Jada Lamon and great-grandson Grayson from North Battleford; son Dean (Charlann), granddaughters Cassandra and Denelle, and grandson Dane from Edmonton; son Robert (Tracy), grandson Tyler (Megan), granddaughters Brooklyn and Jessica from North Battleford as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bill was predeceased by his grandparents George and Isabelle Cockburn, his parents Peter and Margaret Cockburn, his brother George and sister-in-law Lillian Cockburn, and his sister Dorothy and brother-in-law Al Whitman. On behalf of Bill, Denise, Robert and Tyler would like to express their gratefulness and immense thanks to the North Battleford and greater Battlefords area business communities for their many years of support for Cockburn Construction Ltd. As well, they would like to say a special “Thank you” to their amazing, dedicated staff, several whom have been with the company for many years! Denise and family would also like to recognize and thank the outstanding medical staff and caregivers at St. Paul’s and the Battleford Union Hospitals Dialysis wards for their kindness and unwavering dedication to Bill’s care. A special thank you is also extended to family Doctor Peter Holtzhausen and staff for their many years of medical care. A celebration of life was held Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the Rustic Nine Golf Course, North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Catholic Social Services, North Battleford, or the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Anyone wishing to have mass offerings on behalf of Bill, please make arrangements with your home priest and parish. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium –Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

FOR SALE - MISC

Loretta

Love, George and all the family.

Sept 22, 1957 - August 16, 2022

ANNIVERSARIES

Happy 70th Anniversary

Margaret and Victor Gillen

Congratulations and love

From Your Children, Grandchildren And Great Grandchildren.

Andrew and Margaret Sawchyn

August 4, 1961

Happy 62 nd Anniversary!

FUNERAL SERVICES

Golf Club says “THANK YOU”

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!

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE ESTATE of MARLENE

TRACEY LANGE, late of 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 25th day of August, 2023.

Battle River Law

Baldwin, Friedman, Spence Barristers & Solicitors 201, 1291 102nd Street Box 905 North Battleford, SK S9A 2Z3 Solicitors for the Executors of the Estate of Marlene Tracey Lange

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Funerals

Fenrich eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca 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

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

After 30 successful years, Bilton is still growing our team, we are seeking to immediately fill the following positions in Innisfail, Alberta. We offer competitive wages, benefits and a $500 signing bonus after probationary period is completed.

Welders: Apprentice, Journeyman and B Pressure • Pipefitter, Apprentice and Journeyman

• Project Manager

• Instrumentation Technologist

• Senior Process Engineer

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES 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

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NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

PUBLIC NOTICE

Resort Village of Aquadeo Public Notice - Zoning Bylaw Amendment

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Resort Village of Aquadeo (RV) intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007, to amend Bylaw No. 19/89, known as the Zoning Bylaw (ZB).

INTENT: The intent of the amendment is to clarify the use classification and circumstances of when a Recreational Vehicles can be placed on a residential site in the RV within the R1 - Residential District. Two categories of uses would be created: Recreational Vehicles as permitted accessory use to an existing principal dwelling; and, discretionary temporary use while constructing a principal dwelling. New regulation and guidance for evaluation would be added for the latter.

AFFECTED LAND: All lands within the R1 - Residential District would be affected.

REASON: The ZB does not explicitly indicate whether a discretionary Recreational Vehicle use is temporary, accessory or permanent; the amendment would clarify this matter. The current provisions for a Recreational Vehicle as accessory would be unchanged. The RV is seeking to allow a Recreational Vehicles as a temporary principal use during construction of a principal permanent dwelling as a discretionary matter where Council deems appropriate.

PUBLIC INSPECTION: Any person may inspect the bylaw at the RV office between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Wednesday through Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Copies will be available to the public at a cost or by emailing aquadeoadmin@gmail.com and asking for a copy. The office can also be reached at (306) 386-2942. A digital copy of the amendment is available at the following web address: https://aquadeo.net/public- notices.

PUBLIC HEARING: Council will hold a public hearing on August 18, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at the RV Office. Written submissions and requests for verbal representation must be received by August 16, 2023. For additional information, please contact (306) 386-2942 or aquadeoadmin@gmail.com. Written submissions can be mailed to Box 501, Cochin, SK, SOM OLO, or emailed to the address above.

Issued by the Resort Village of Aquadeo this 24th day of July, 2023.

Gina Bernier,

Chief Administrative

Officer - Resort Village of Aquadeo

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

Public notice is hereby given, Pursuant to Section 207 of the Planning and Development Act, 2007 that the City of North Battleford intends to pass a bylaw to amend the Zoning Bylaw No. 1971 as hereinafter provided. The proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw No. 1971, are as follows:

To amend Zoning Bylaw No. 1971 Section 4.8.4(3), General Regulations, Accessory Buildings and Structures, Private Garages and Carports by adding the following text after “by the door”:

i. “except as provided for in 4.8.5(2)”

To amend Zoning Bylaw No. 1971 Section 4.8.4(4) – General Regulations, Accessory Buildings and Structures, Private Garages and Carports, by adding the following text after “by the door”:

i. “except as provided for in 4.8.5(2)”

That Clause 4.8.5 – General Regulations, Accessory Buildings and Structures, Location and Size of Accessory Buildings (including private garages and carports), is amended by adding the following new paragraph 4.8.5(2)(b) after paragraph 4.8.5(2)(a) and amending the numbering of uses listed thereunder:

“4.8.5 (2)(b) Notwithstanding (2)(a), detached accessory buildings located in a front yard, regardless of the size, may be considered as a discretionary accessory use, and shall be evaluated and considered for approval by Council under the following circumstances:

(i) The setbacks, site coverage, driveway location and any other requirements of the Zoning Bylaw must be complied with.

(ii) The detached accessory building should not detract from the character of the neighbourhood and should be complementary to the established principal use to which it is accessory.

(iii) The degree to which the proposed accessory building complements the typical operations of the principal use.

(iv) The existing land uses and land use policy designation of the area.

(v) Compliance with any City policy or regulation with respect to curb crossing or access where a new access is required.

(vi) The potential impact to view lines of existing adjacent properties and as viewed off site from the public realm.

(vii) No accessory building or use may be placed within the sight triangle as defined in this Bylaw.

(viii) Council may impose limitations or development standards with respect to site placement, orientation, or height in the approval of the discretionary accessory building or use.”

Reason

This amendment has been requested to be made to the Zoning Bylaw No. 1971 by an applicant looking to place a single car garage in a front yard Zoned R3 Medium Density Residential District.

Bylaw Inspection

Any interested person may inspect the Bylaw at City Hall, 1291-101st Street, North Battleford, SK Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Copies are available to persons through the Office of the City Clerk.

Public Hearing

Representations respecting the Bylaw will be considered by the Council on the 21st day of August, at the Don Ross Centre at 6:30 p.m. Council shall hear any person or group of persons or person acting on their behalf, who wish to make a representation. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing or delivered to City Hall before the hearing.

Issued at North Battleford this 31st Day of July, 2023. Stacey Hadley, City Clerk

You never know what you’ll find inside.

306-445-7261

TENDER COUNTRY LIVING NEAR THE CITY

The Town of Radisson is now accepting tenders on the following land with no liens or encumbrances:

1. 210 George Street - double lot on north end - unserviced

Parcel No.129061649 & 129061661

Lot 14-15, Blk /Par 14 Plan NO. 15059 Extension 0

2. 208 George Street - southwest side - unserviced

Parcel No. 129061683 -Lot 16, Blk/Par 14, Plan 15059 Ext 0

3. 206 George Street - southwest side - unserviced

Parcel No. 129061717 -Lot 17, Blk/Par 14-Plan 15059 Ext 0

4. 212 George Street - southwest side - unserviced

Lot 13, Blk 14, Plan 15059

5. 307-311 Dickenson Ave

Lot 25-28 Plan G3778

6. 302-308 Dickenson Ave

Lot 48-51 Plan G3778

7. 110 William Street

Lot 6 Blk 25 Plan 15059

Submit all sealed tenders by August 15th with your name on the outside of the envelope, clearly indicating the land that you are putting in a tender on, to the drop off box at the Town Office, located at 329 Main Street, or mail to: P.O. Box 69

Radisson, Saskatchewan

S0K3L0

Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

Closing date: August 15, 2023

Norma Stumborg, Administrator 306-827-2218 tradisson@sasktel.net

RM of Round Hill No. 467 Full Time

Grader Operator

Qualifications:

Must poses a valid driver’s license and have their own transportation. Have knowledge of grader operation and service. Have a working knowledge of road building and maintenance. Have a full working knowledge of grading techniques. Must be capable of working with a minimum or without supervision.

Duties:

- Operate equipment and work in compliance with the Saskatchewan Employment Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

- Maintain and repair all roads on a priority basis as required by road conditions.

- Blade all roads in a professional and safe manner.

- Service machinery and assist in repairs as the case may be.

- Do work as per the road maintenance schedule or as directed.

- Road maintenance personnel are required to work 10 hour per day during certain seasons.

- Ensure shop and work areas are kept clean and organized at all times.

- Communicate any unsafe conditions or accidents/injuries in a timely manner

- Demonstrate contiguous effort to improve operation and work cooper tively and jointly with the rest of the crew.

- Diagnose / identify defects in heavy duty equipment.

- Clean, lubricate, and perform other minor maintenance work.

- Maintain a working knowledge of changes in technology and operation techniques.

- Perform trip inspections on equipment operated and load, ensuring safety and roadworthiness.

- Other duties as assigned by council and administrator

- Any other skills (carpentry, electrical, welding, etc.) would be considered an asset.

- Looking with someone to take leadership.

The RM of Round Hill No. 467 is willing to pay top wages in accordance with qualifications and experience.

Applications are currently being accepted at the Municipal office in person, or by e-mail to:

rm467@sasktel.net or mailed to:

RM of Round Hill No. 467

Box 9

Rabbit Lake, SK S0M 2L0

Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is hired.

North West College Full-Time, Permanent Registrar Battlefords Campus

Posting #62-BC-2324

Are you a detailed orientated person who enjoys analyzing data and translating statics? Our clients come to us with a desire to improve the opportunities for themselves, their families and communities. As the Registrar, you will be an essential part of their journey.

This position is based on the beautiful Battlefords Campus, with the option to work in a hybrid model.

As the Registrar, you would oversee the College’s student registrations, records and administration of student loans.

Starting wage: $5076.50 monthly; with an excellent benefits package For a complete position profile, and application, visit: www.northwestcollege.ca

Applications will be accepted until August 9, 2023 at noon

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

The Village of Waseca is currently accepting applications for the position of Chief Administrative Officer.

The CAO will be responsible for all operations of the Village in accordance with the policies and bylaws established by Council and The Municipalities Act.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing and maintaining assessment and tax rolls, preparing utility billings and managing utility accounts, knowledge of Municipal Election Procedures and Legislation, preparing and adhering to the annual budget and attending to the day-to-day operations of the Village.

This is a part-time position of 25 hours per week.

Salary will be reflective of individual experience and education. Please submit a cover letter, resume with three employment references, salary expectations, applicable certifications, and a current criminal record check to: Village of Waseca, Box 88 Waseca, SK S0M 3A0 Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. email: villageofwaseca@sasktel.net

Program Assistant

Canadian Mental Health Association,

Battlefords Branch, Inc.

A Program Assistant leads social, recreational and wellness activities during the day, evenings and weekends, transporting participants to and from events. Participates in administration work associated with the role, event reports, incident reports, participation statistics, and others as needed. Facilitate the collection, recording and documenting event fees. Support organizational functions and events beyond the social, recreational and wellness programs.

Preferred Experience:

Working with persons living with mental illness preferred.

Behavioral Qualities:

Strong work ethic.

Able to work effectively as part of a team and independently Strong communication and organizational skills. Problem solving and conflict resolution skills.

Qualifications:

Class 5 drivers license and clean drivers abstract and criminal records and vulnerable sector check provided upon offer of employment.

Microsoft & Google

Preference to those with First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid, ASIST.

Meota a strong pull for Chase descendants

By Sylvia Besplug Meota

When E. A . (Ted) Chase brought his bride, the former Blanche Killen, to “Mistic-ooseegan,” their Meota home on Beach Avenue in 1922, he couldn’t have imagined the draw that the community would have on his family, over a century later.

After Ted’s passing in 1967, his widow parcelled out the various rental cottages to their offspring. Blanche would spend the summer in “Sunrise,” daughter Maude and family would inhabit “Kenwood” and son Dave and family would travel from their farm near Islay to stay in “Woodlands.” Daughter Pat and family would camp at the back of the property and son George and family would own “Resthaven” and “Brentwood” while staying in the half-timbered Tudor-style “big house” primarily. Don and family of Winnipeg and Bryce and the brood of Calgary would join the siblings often for family get-togethers.

Fast forward to current times, the Chase property

is lovingly cared for by new owners after the death of Maude and George, but the Chases still feel the magic of Meota. Since 2001, they have gathered for one weekend a year, using the campground, the former Hannah’s Haven, family property and residents who have opened their homes to the returning relatives as accommodation.

This year, the sneak preview of coming attractions was the 100th birthday celebration of the sole surviving child of Blanche and Ted, their oldest son Bryce. Held in his hometown of Calgary the first weekend of June. Sixteen of Blanche and Ted’s 20 grandchildren were there,

including representatives from five of their six children, as part of the large crowd to celebrate Bryce. Attendees travelled from as far as Wichita, Kan. to share in the joy.

This Canada Day weekend was the date of the 2023 reunion, with separate events held the three days for people to participate in.

The Meota Hotel never disappoints, catering a Friday steak night (thanks Dave and crew), with 29 attendees (some just popping in for the night, before returning home). Saturday morning had 30 sitting down at the Do Drop In for breakfast fare and family chatter. While some found

Mitchells brings Bacon Battle to Cochin Days

SASKTODAY.ca

Western Canadian meat company Mitchell’s is coming to Cochin Days with a recipe competition event.

The grand prize is a year’s supply of bacon.

Local foodies are encouraged to apply for the Mitchell’s Bacon Battle. To

enter, people can state their name and the dish they’d like to make with a short description. If selected as a finalist, participants will showcase their dish at the Bacon Battle tent Aug. 12, where a team of chefs will prepare samples for everyone in attendance. At the end of the day, s panel of will crown a winner. Visit Mitchell’s website to enter.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

RM of Meeting Lake No. 466 is Accepting Applications for Seasonal/Full-Time MOWER OPERATOR/MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE

General Skills and Abilities

- Valid driver’s license

- Operate various types of equipment

- Willingness to learn

- Knowledge of machinery maintenance

- Be safety conscious and pay attention to detail

- Class 1A would be in asset

Duties May Include but not Limited to

- Ditch Mowing

- Installation of signs and installation/maintenance of culverts

- Service and maintenance of equipment

Submit resume including

- Work experience

- Education and skills

- Certifications

- Current drivers abstract

- Three references

The candidate must have well developed interpersonal and motivational skills, be able to take direction from Foreman, must be able to complete physically demanding work and work independently or as a team.

RM offers a comprehensive benefit package, municipal employee pension plan and competitive wages.

Please submit resume by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 to: RM of Meeting Lake, Box 26, Mayfair, Sask. S0M 1S0 Fax 306-246-4974

E-mail: rm466@sasktel.net

We thank all applicants in advance. Only those under consideration will be contacted.

treasures at the many garage sales or basked at the beach, 16 golfers survived the heat and good-natured competition. The competitive spirit continued back at the Do Drop In with several offerings of chilli served with a side of smack talk and potluck delights to the 32 gathered there.

The morning of July 2 included a gathering for

breakfast, worshipping at the church service and final farewells. In all, 36 members of the family attended, travelling from New York, Vancouver Island, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary and area, Saskatoon, Edmonton and area, and Ottawa. Blanche and Ted’s bunch carry on growing. In the subsequent weekends, Dave’s grandson

married in Vermilion (July 8), George’s granddaughter married in Saskatoon (July 15) and Maude’s grandson married in the Comox Valley (July 22).

Meota continues to call to the hearts of all of Blanche and Ted’s bunch, and we look forward to meeting again next July. The community is just too special to miss.

Rustic Nine Golf Course hosts sunflower charity

Submitted

The owners of the Rustic Nine Golf Course, Victor and Elaine Liebaert, are once again doing a Sunflower Charity fundraiser.

Beginning Sunday, July 30, the Liebaerts are allowing people to take photos in their field of sunflowers next to their family-owned golf course.

This year they have chosen the local community initiative, Better Together SK Clothing, as the recipient of all donations. Better Together provides T-shirts to community members to promote connection

Anyone wanting to take photos in the sunflower field is required to call ahead of time to book

Hole in One

a session: 306-441-8386. A minimum $20 donation will be collected before the 30-minute time slot allowing you to take your photos. Pets are not allowed. The sunflower sessions will end for the season in mid to late August, depending on weather and flower condition.

Rustic Nine Golf Course saw its second hole in one of the season on July 19. Eleven-yearold Ryker Slabaida was golfing with her friend Elan Kramer. She teed off on hole number five, one of the shortest holes, which is 65 yards from the tee off. When Ryker, Elan and Ryker’s mom got to the green they couldn’t find her ball. They looked in the cup and there it was. Ryker cheered! Ryker received a hole in one bag tag along with a free round of golf at the Rustic Nine Golf Course from owner Elaine Liebaert. | Photo submitted

By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

Radisson is hosting an agricultural fair Aug. 12 and 13.

Saturday will feature slopitch all day, a parade at 11 a.m., Beeper the Clown from 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. and

gymkhana starting at12:30 p.m. In the afternoon, a show and shine begins at 2 p.m.

A music jamboree begins at 1 p.m. with a mini tractor pull at 4 p.m. There will be a petting zoo. Supperis from 5 to 7 p.m.

So-pitch continues Sun-

day with a vintage tractor pull beginning at noon. The exhibit building is open until about 4 p.m.

Savannah Sutherland was the 400M hurdle Canadian National Champion in Langley, B.C. and is now off to Budapest later this summer.

The Chase home, date unknown. | Photos submitted

Bryce Chase (seated) with his three children and 13/16 nieces and nephews.

Mayfair and District News Meeting Lake fish derby Aug. 19

By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent

It’s great to see that Meota news is still being submitted now under the penmanship of Trudy Jansens and Eric Callbeck. It’s wonderful to read what’s happening in small communities.

Meeting Lake Regional Park is sponsoring fishing tournament Saturday, Aug. 19 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The $25 entry fee can be e-transferred to Wade Schmidt at meetinglakefishing@gmail.com or $30 in person to him Aug. 19 at cabin No. 35 just near the park gate. Interested individuals can Google Meeting Lake community bulletin board for all details.

Proceeds will go towards for a community fire shed.

Relocating parents with five children from Utah to rural Saskatchewan is a large task. Heather Parsons (nee Konopelski) grew up on a Rabbit Lake farm and started university in the United States, got a teaching degree, married Greg and now full circle is glad to be here again. She is the daughter to Jessie Konopelski of North Battleford and Sam (deceased father). One of her brothers resides on home farm site. Welcome back,Heather and family.

There was a wedding ceremony at Brenda and Mervin Chudy’s beautifully landscaped yard for their youngest daughter Kelsey

to Ryan Humen of Hafford

The meal and dance was held in Hafford Communiplex. The happy couple reside on a nearby farm. Due to lack of rain the crops are quickly maturing in our area as some fields are golden yellow already. There certainly isn’t a shortage of those pesky grasshoppers who thrive on farmers crops. Combines are getting tuned and adjusted for harvest. Again,this will mean large equipment on roads so motorists please drive with caution. Wishing all farmers a safe harvest with most yields probably not been what they wished for.

The village of Rabbit lake is planning a funfilled day for all ages Sat-

urday, Aug. 12. The ever so popular bunnock game is starting at 10 a.m. It is mandatory for each team to have one member of the opposition sex. To enter the bunnock tournament please call 306 230-8296. The library is having a story walk, the local museum will offer a great old-timers display and there is a hamburger lunch at the seniors’ centre on Main Street. A farmers market will have many vendors. Supper is at the community hall featuring a hot pulled pork supper. Doesn’t this sound like a wonderful time to take a day off and support this thriving community?

Many communities are saddened to hear of the recent passing of Adelina

Three young boys eagerly fishing for perch off the dock at Meeting Lake. | Photo by Elaine Woloshyn

Klippenstein of Villa Pascal who was almost 101 years old. She along with her family resided in Rabbit Lake Glenbush, Glaslyn and Maymont areas to name a few places. Mrs. Klippenstein was a wellspoken individual who was adored and loved by all.

Condolences to her family. Rider Express is safe, reliable, comfortable ground transportation to many locations such as Calgary, Vancouver, Kamloops and Regina. To book travelling arrangements the telephone number is 833-583-3636.

Worship Together

Maidstone and District News

Synergy Shares Program supports arena renos

By Kathy Utri Correspondent

Lyle Sutherland of Waseca passed away in the arms of his wife, Jeanette Cossette, at Lloydminster Hospital on July 19 at 59 years of age. A graveside memorial took place at Waseca Cemetery on July 31. Sincere sympathy is extended to Lyle’s family and friends who will miss his good nature, laughter and kindness to all.

Congratulations to Shae Cutsforth and Steve Payne of Maidstone who were married on July 29 in a beautiful ceremony at her parents’ acreage just outside of Maidstone. All of their children and siblings stood with them and Steve’s sister did the unity knot presentation. Shae and Steve thank everyone who made their special day a magical one.

Maidstone Ice Arena was honoured to receive a $25,000 cheque from Synergy Credit Union as part of the Synergy Shares Program. The funds will go towards much-needed renovations to make the washrooms accessible for

all who participate in arena activities.

Grace Community Church put on a fantastic week of fun and learning for community children at their 2023 summer kids’ club (vacation Bible school) from July 24 to 28. Throughout the week, a total of 31 children participated in games, crafts, snacks and stories about the love of Jesus. Thank you to all the volunteers who organized, worked and shared their love with the children.

Maidstone Gully Multiple 4-H Club donated three Little Caesar’s pizza kits to Maidstone Group Home. The residents thoroughly enjoyed making and eating the pizzas on July 27.

Maidstone Disc Golf team night winners on July 26 were: first place (-11)

Brendan Donovan, Cody Garnham, Matt Sayers and Jacquie Ross; second place (-10) Adam Bolig, Candace Bolig, Justin Wiltermuth and Troy Donovan; third place (-7) Morgan Thomarat, Wes Bolig and Ryan Donovan. They won two $20 A&S Domo gift cards and two $20 Lou’s & Sue’s

Jody Zerr, manager of Synergy Credit Union, Maidstone branch presented a $25,000 donation to Dawn Kinchen of Maidstone Ice Arena on July 12. | Photos courtesy Kathy Utri gift cards.

Noah Perkins (son of Richard Perkins and Angie Pike Perkins) has been added to the U13 Tier 1 western baseball championships playing for Prince Albert, the team that beat Maidstone U13 out in provincials. Best of luck in the tournament on the Aug. 17 weekend, Noah.

Congratulations to Coo-

per Olson of Standard Hill Lakers, top pitcher in the NSRBL 2023 picks. In NSRBL semifinals round 2, after the first game win over the Cardinals, the Lakers lost to them in Unity 7-2 July 25 and at home 10-6 July 27. With one win and two losses, the Lakers were out and Unity is playing North Battleford in the final. The Lakers will

be playing in Tier 2 provincials in Yorkton Aug. 11-13. They’ve had an entertaining ball season and thank all the fans and business sponsors who continually support them.

Hayley Yuill of Maidstone recently returned from a trip to Mexico where she attended the IDO Acro World Championships in Monterrey. Acro is like Cirque du Soleil. Hayley’s nephew, Zachary Ralph (age 17), came in second in his solos and his team came in first for Group Formation Dance. Canada won first in every single category.

Kin Club Maidstone’s summer raffle draw was

made on July 31. Lucky winners were: Jayden Jaindl – cooler of booze (value $1,500), Brant Franks –Yeti cups (value $260), and Julie Vandale – Bluetooth Charge 5 speaker (value $185).

Reminders:

Thursday, Aug. 3 - come and go farewell for Speirs family 6:30 - 10 p.m. at Silver Lake ball diamond shelter. Maidstone Library summer reading program (K-6) Wednesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. until Aug. 16. Maidstone Farmer’s Market - Fridays 4 to 6 p.m. at Silver Lake Regional Park until the end of August.

Residents of Maidstone Group Home making pizzas donated by Maidstone Gully 4-H Club.