Battlefords News-Optimist January 16, 2020 by Battlefords News Optimist

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Thursday, January 16, 2020

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FURNITURE Expect changes to Walmart entries/exits this summer “Where the difference is worth the drive”

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Battlefords Shines

Right-in, right-out is the plan

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

North Battleford city council has voted to move ahead with major upgrades to Carlton Trail in 2020. Council voted unanimously Monday to formally include the Carlton Trail improvement in the 2020 budget, which was itself approved later that

Sports

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evening, and to complete the work in 2020. The project, designed to replace a “failing intersection” at Carlton Trail and Frontier Way, has been budgeted at a cost of $1.45 million, to be funded through reserves. The vote to include the project in the budget was a mere formality, as council had decided during deliberations in December to include the project. The Carlton Trail upgrade was identified as the highest capital priority of administration during those deliberations. While the intersection work has been on the books for a few years, there is new urgency about moving ahead with the project now. According to the city’s planning and development department, they have received three new development permit applications for the area, but the city is not issuing permits for any of those due to the safety risks and traffic failures at the cur-

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rent intersection. The Carlton Trail intersection has been a concern for a few years. The issue is safety at the intersection, with a high risk of accidents. “We have what is currently a non-conforming intersection,” explained Mayor Ryan Bater to reporters following Monday’s meeting. “That intersection doesn’t meet traffic standards.” A city memo from the planning and development and finance departments noted the intersection had been cited in the Transportation Master Plan (2017) as well as the traffic impact assessment commissioned by CIMA+ for the development of the Comfort Inn and Suites in 2016, among others. The solution identified is to close the crossmovement pattern at the intersection and replace it with a right-in, right-out intersection. A signalized four-legged intersection Continued on Page 3

Saturday night was a showcase of talent from throughout the Battlefords and area at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts. Battlefords Shines raised funds for the Dekker Centre. General Manager Kali Weber was happy with how the night proceeded. “The audience response was awesome,” said Weber. Following the show, Weber was presented with a bouquet. See the story on Page 6. Photo by John Cairns

Battleford councillors get top marks for attendance By John Cairns Staff Reporter

There may be frustrations in other communities over councillors not showing up for meetings, but that cannot be said for Battleford. Town council had a good attendance record in 2019, according to numbers cited by Mayor Ames Leslie last week. There were 23 official council meetings during the year, said Leslie, and Councillor Judy Pruden was congratulated for having the best attendance record of anyone on council. She attended all but one

of the meetings, according to Leslie, and no councillor missed more than three meetings the entire year. “It’s probably the closest I’ve seen in the eight years that I have been involved in this council,” said Leslie. The News-Optimist has conducted a quick review of the council minutes from 20 council meetings posted on the town’s website from 2019. Those minutes stated that Pruden was in attendance for all the regular council meetings. She also appeared by FaceTime at the special joint meeting of Battleford and North Battleford councils. All other members of

council missed either two or three meetings each during the year, according to the posted minutes. Leslie was absent for two. Eight town council meetings held in 2019 saw perfect attendance by all members of council. “With lives and sickness and flu and families, I have to commend this council for their high attendance,” said Leslie. “A lot of communities have to put in penalties of their council because they don’t have the attendance and [have to deduct] salaries. This council chooses to be here this often, so it’s a great stat to see.”

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SNOW ANGEL PROGRAM

Be a Snow Angel this winter, it's the neighbourly thing to do!

The Snow Angel Program encourages healthy, willing residents to help others when clearing snow from sidewalks - especially elderly residents or anyone with health or mobility restrictions. HOW IT WORKS Lend a helping hand to a resident who needs it. If someone helps you, please nominate them as a "Snow Angel". Write or email your Snow Angel story to us. North Battleford residents only. Include the name and address of the Snow Angel. MAIL NOMINATIONS TO: City of North Battleford North Battleford, SK PO Box 460, S9A 2Y6 or EMAIL NOMINATIONS TO: dmacdonald@cityofnb.ca All nominees will receive a Snow Angel certificate signed by the Mayor and entered into a monthly prize draw.

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Available online at cityofnb.ca -> Leisure -> Register then click on the membership tab. Or visit us in person at the Aquatic Centre. Prices online after Feb 1, will reﬂect discount. Call 306-445-1745 for more information.

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Prelim dates rescheduled for Jonson murder suspect By John Cairns Staff Reporter

New preliminary hearing dates have been scheduled for one of the two individuals charged with the first-degree murder of Mark Jonson in North Battleford, Nicolas Buck had previously been scheduled for a preliminary hearing beginning Feb. 11. On Tuesday, at provincial court in North

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Don Ross Arena FREE pre-school & senior skating Thurs. 10 am - 11:30 am & 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Civic Centre FREE pre-school & senior skating Wednesdays 1:15 - 2:15 Public Skating Saturdays 12:15 to 1:45 Times are subject to change, please call 306-445-1755 for more information.

Free Public Skating is possible thanks to the generosity of the following service clubs: Bonaventure Lions Club North Battleford Lions Club Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords North Battleford Kinsmen Club The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #70 North West Hockey Development Rotary Club of the Battlefords North Battleford Elks Club St. Josephs Knights of Columbus #7336

Registration is now on for January classes Gentle Yoga: Wednesdays 2:00 pm Chi Kung/Tai Chi: Mondays 11:00 am or Thursdays 5:30 pm TBC (Total Body Conditioning): Wednesdays 5:30 pm Forever In Motion: Fridays 2:30 pm Run a 5K: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 pm Yoga: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 5:30 pm or Wednesdays 7:00 pm To register or for more info call 306 445 1755 / 306 445 1790 or in person at the Don Ross Centre 891 99th Street (door #5) or the NationsWEST Field House Online: www.cityofnb.ca -> Leisure -> Register for Classes

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TV, is remanded to those dates. As well, another case management meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 11 in provincial court. Buck is one of two individuals charged with first-degree murder in the July 2019 death of Jonson in North Battleford. Coaccused, David Keller, who also faces a first-degree murder count, is scheduled for his preliminary hearing beginning March 30.

Second-degree murder matters return Feb. 18 Staff A man charged with second-degree murder on Thunderchild First Nation made another brief provin-

cial court appearance by video Tuesday. Ivor Wapass is charged in connection to the death of Roger Standingwater on

Sept. 15 of last year. His next court date in provincial court has been scheduled for Feb. 18, likely for election and plea.

Bail denied for drug/flight from police suspect Staff Bail had been denied in provincial court in North Battleford for an individual arrested in December by members of the Battlefords Gang Task Force. Trent Angus, 30, of Edmonton, Alta., faces several charges including flight from police, dangerous operation of a vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of drugs for the purpose

of trafficking and several counts of failing to comply with an undertaking. His bail hearing took place Wednesday morning last week before Judge Dan O’Hanlon. Angus was present as were Crown and defence counsel. Angus has been in custody since Dec. 17, after RCMP tried to perform a stop on the vehicle he was driving. According to their news release, the RCMP later located the vehicle

on 91st Street and tracked footprints to a residence there. Angus was arrested without incident. The next court appearance for Angus is Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. by closed-circuit TV, with his matters “to be spoken to.” In all likelihood trial dates will be set at that next appearance. The initial indication from counsel following the bail hearing is that two days would be needed for a trial.

Roving Traffic Unit seizes handgun and $10,000, plus cocaine Staff

LEISURE SERVICES RECREATION PROGRAMS

Battleford, the Crown requested new dates in April and May due to what prosecutor Suzanne Reid described as “quite a bit” of outstanding disclosure still to come. Judge Murray Pelletier has scheduled the new preliminary for April 28, 29, 30, and May 1, 6, 7 and 8 in North Battleford Provincial Court. Buck, who appeared Tuesday by closed-circuit

The “F” Division Roving Traffic Unit often nets more than traffic violations. Jan. 6, “F” Division Roving Traffic Unit, together with Saskatchewan Highway Patrol, were conducting enforcement on Highway 16 near Maidstone. A westbound vehicle was stopped under the Traffic Safety Act.

As a result of the stop, a loaded handgun and approximately $10,000 in Canadian currency was seized. A passenger, 24-yearold Mahdi Mahdi from Regina, was arrested and charged with: obstruction; possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; two counts of failing to comply with a condition of an undertaking; possession of a weapon for

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a dangerous purpose; carrying a concealed weapon; possession of a firearm with ammunition without licence/registration; careless use of a firearm; possession of a firearm when knowing possession is unauthorized; possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number; possession of a firearm ammunition in a motor vehicle; two counts of weapons possession contrary to order; and fail ure to surrender authorization. A second stop was made on Highway 16 near Maidstone Jan 7. An eastbound vehicle was stopped for an equipment violation (a smashed windshield). As a result of subsequent investigation, the vehicle was searched and 526 grams of cocaine was located inside. The driver, 55-year-old Karl Ericson from Prince George, B.C., was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking .

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The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 3

Expect changes to Walmart intersections Continued from Page 1 at the Walmart east access and Carlton Trail would also need to be developed. While council could have waited to 2021, Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Niesink explained Monday that would delay development in the area. Council was of the view that the Carlton Trail intersection project could not be put off any longer. Mayor Bater told reporters they needed to move ahead, in part to “accommodate any future commercial development proposals.” “We don’t want to be in the way of future economic development in Yellow Sky (neighbourhood).” According to the memo, the project calls for concrete work to create a median through the intersection creating a right-in,

This drawing shows a new traffic signalized intersection at the east access to Walmart where it intersects Carlton Trail. Note the median between that intersection and Territorial Drive which will significantly change traffic patterns at the intersection of Frontier Way and Carlton Trail. AECOM

right-out, and then move towards creating a signalized intersection along with curbs and medians and asphalt and ditch and

drainage work. There are also underground infrastructure improvements planned. According to the city’s

memo, the intention for 2020 is to do the underground infrastructure first, and then close off and complete the Walmart east ac-

cess. That would allow the Frontier Way and Carlton Trail intersections to open for vehicles in the area. Once that work is com-

pleted the Frontier Way intersection would then be completed. The intention is for the work to happen this summer.

North Battleford budget adopted, minus grant requests By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The 2020 operations and capital budget for the City of North Battleford has been adopted. The budget was approved in a unanimous vote by council Monday. The budget includes the three per cent increase to property tax and the two per cent utilities increase that were agreed to during budget deliberations that wrapped up in December. For the most part, the budget approved Monday was unchanged from the end of deliberations in December. The one budget item still to be fully agreed to is third-party grants, and that

took up most of the discussion Monday. Council had previously agreed to cap the amount of third-party grants at $69,000. That cap remains in place but items included within that cap are not yet finalized. One of the third-party requests had been from Concern for Youth for $20,000, which would have gone towards retaining an additional outreach staff member for the organization. The final budget document did not include funding for the organization, and that was something that concerned Councillor Kent Lindgren. “I am a little bit concerned if we continue to

City council voted unanimously to approve the 2020 budget for the City of North Battleford. Photo by John Cairns

not fund them at any level they will cease to exist,” said Lindgren, calling for some partial reinstatement

of funding for Concern for Youth. He made a motion that would have amended the allocation by shift-

ing $3,500 to Concern for Youth, while at the same time reducing the allocations for the Battlefords

Empty Stocking Fund and the Sexual Assault Centre by $500, while also removing completely the allocation for Catholic Family Services. In the end, council voted to table the motion to the next meeting, mainly to get further information. City administration will be seeking some written submissions from the organizations potentially impacted, in advance of a final decision on third-party grants. On a related note, council did hear from Tricia Kennedy who made a presentation of Boys and Girls Clubs of the Battlefords seeking grant funding. That funding is included within the budget.

NB approves commercial, residential building incentives By John Cairns Staff Reporter

City council in North Battleford gave its approval Monday to a couple of building incentive applications. The first approval was for the five-year downtown tax exemption for Swanson

Gryba & Company, a chartered professional accounting firm in North Battleford. The incentive is for extensive renovations done at 1292 - 100th St., the former Logan’s location. The total cost came to $498,615.92, but the PST pushed the overall cost

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over $500,000. Swanson Gryba & Co. also plans on doing a Phase II of construction estimated at $21,000. Based on those figures the five-year exemption on municipal taxes was granted. The other approval was under the residential incentive program for a proj-

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This property will receive an exemption of 100 per cent of the municipal portion of residential tax

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Commentary

Top New Year’s food resolution is reducing waste

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.

By Sylvain Charlebois

Professor in Food Distribution and Policy Dalhousie University

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

Canada generates more food waste per capita than any other country in the world. Every year, close to 60 per cent of food produced in Canada is wasted. That’s more than 35 tonnes of food. Considering the energy and resources required to produce this food, the link between food waste and our climate challenges is becoming more obvious – and politicized. About 10 per cent is unavoidable waste – inedible products, such as bones, parts of produce or unwanted scraps, for example. But the avoidable waste is massive. The average Canadian consumer throws out an estimated 170 kilograms of food a year. On a national scale, that’s the equivalent of 61 CN Towers. Every time a shopper leaves the supermarket, almost 40 per cent of what’s in the cart will go to waste. That’s real food and real money. Food waste is no longer just a trivial subject we think about from time to time. It’s about the planet. According to a recent survey conducted by Angus Reid, 53 per cent of Canadians intend to reduce waste as much as possible in 2020. It was the top new year’s resolution for Canadians regarding food – more popular than cooking, losing weight, or even eating more fruits and vegetables. Our collective focus on food waste is clear. For decades, food waste was largely ignored or invisible. Now, many of us are concerned about it. Indulgence and affordability were once the biggest food issues for most of us, and our food economy never really considered the negative externalities that came with our focus on abundance. At one time, food waste was just an issue for organizations working on the margins of our food industry. Second Harvest in Toronto and other non-profits committed to food rescuing way before the food waste issue went mainstream. Most of these organizations have been successful in repurposing food to feed those in need, but their capacity is always cruelly limited. But food companies have realized that tackling waste can be beneficial and profitable. We’ve seen the ugly fruit and vegetable campaigns come and go, with varying levels of success. Large grocers have been selling esthetically imperfect produce at a discount, giving the naturally imperfect products a fighting chance to reach market. Some claimed consumers could get a 30 per cent discount. But given how volatile and unpredictable pricing can be in that section of the grocery store, consumers weren’t sure discounting really occurred. While the idea had merit, the initiative hasn’t show that it reduces food waste all the way along the food supply chain. We’ve also seen the trays of food close to its due date set up in some dodgy corner of the grocery store. But recently, those displays have become more visible and more frequently visited by consumers. But grocers are hardwired to make money selling high-quality, fresh products. From a business sense, retailing rescued food is almost counterintuitive, which is why retailers’ reluctancy is so painfully understandable.

Regional

More consumers now look for ways to reduce food waste and save money. They’re also expecting substantial results and grocers know it. Loblaws opted for an app called Flashfood, and IGA and Metro in Quebec have recently launched a new initiative in partnership with an app called FoodHero. It’s a simple solution for shoppers: they use the app to buy unsold items that are still perfectly good to eat, at prices marked down by 25 to 60 per cent. Consumers bid on items approaching their best-before date. It’s a great concept but the business case is still in progress. Neither app has made a profit yet but the uptake appears to be promising. Time will tell. We’re also seeing how food waste can serve another completely different economic purpose. Toronto’s newest biogas facility is a perfect example. Organic waste, or compost, will be diverted to an anaerobic digester to produce biogas. Starting in March 2020, several Toronto garbage trucks will be partially fuelled by renewable natural gas made from food waste. Food waste is not only the food industry’s responsibility. We can only gain by seeing more municipalities and other organizations getting involved in such initiatives. As food rescuing receives greater focus, we can expect the industry to look for more ways to address the issue – and very publicly. But given modern lifestyles and the fact we eat out more often than at home, it may be that we simply buy too much food at the grocery store. This is certainly not something the industry wants to hear but our way of life has changed dramatically over the years. We go to the grocery store without a plan about what and how to cook, and we don’t think about how to repurpose leftovers after a large meal. That’s food for thought! Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agrifood analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University. www.troymedia.com

A community newspaper published Thursdays Owned & Operated by Prairie Newspaper Group LP a division of GVIC Communications Corp. 892 - 104th Street, North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 1M9 Telephone: 306-445-7261 • Fax: 306-445-3223 Serving the Battlefords since 1908 E-mail: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net

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Letter

Column writer’s views are not universal Dear Editor Thank you for the hard work you put into the NewsOptimist. I read it weekly, and find it quite helpful to stay up to date with events in our community. I’ve been interested to see, over the past months, small text boxes scattered throughout the paper encouraging readers to “spot fake news.” This is a good set of skills to develop. Ironically, however, on page 5 of the Jan. 2 edition, I saw the question “is the perspective biased?” right next to Brian Zinchuk’s column. And the non-rhetorical answer is “of course!” Zinchuk’s writing, while technically well-executed, is definitely biased. He is the editor of Pipeline News, and always provides a pro-pipeline perspective. It makes me wonder if the News-Optimist editorial team assumes that everyone in our community shares that view. There are many of us, from various parts of the political spectrum, who are deeply concerned about climate change, environmental pollution, species loss and general ecological breakdown. Zinchuk’s views are by no means universal in the Battlefords and surrounding regions. To continue to give him a full and regular column sends the wrong message about our community, and silences other voices and convictions. So, “is the perspective biased?” Yes, and it’s time for that to stop. Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck on the shores of Murray Lake Gordon Brewerton Senior Group Publisher

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The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 5

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Quick Dick McDick, best thing since Corner Gas The other day Brad Wall shared a post from Jason Kenney. That, in itself, isn’t much to talk about. The former premier of Saskatchewan and the current premier of Alberta are two peas in a conservative pod. But Kenney, who grew up in Saskatchewan and went to school at Wilcox (Woollerton, pffft!), has something of an attachment to the flatland. And it was Kenney’s post of a video by “Quick Dick McDick,” Wall shared on Facebook on Jan. 10, that had me in stitches. “This Sask farmer is a beauty!” Kenney said. I’m pretty sure it was Kenney himself who shared it, not one of his communications staff in his name. No underling would dare risk his job for posting a video from someone whose other videos could be considered off-colour or risqué. No, it had to be Kenney. The video was on the federal carbon tax. Quick Dick, as it were, explained in his rapid-fire manner, how “Our glorious federal government, in all their majesty, has convinced Canadians that the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is to put on a charge on carbon. Our federal government’s solution to pollution is taxation???” He then used “a little bit of a twist” to show how Canada’s portion of global greenhouse gasses equates to a few cups of oats compared to a global five-gallon pail. (He has a thing for these pails, as shown by another video.) He then explains how perogies and sausage equates oil and

From the top of the pile By Brian Zinchuk

brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net

gas, and the taxation of farting. It gets much, much better from there, and that was pretty good as it was. I had to see more, and over the next few hours watched the other 20-odd videos he posted on YouTube, including “Protestor Diets.” It was very similar in theme to several columns I’ve written about hypocritical protestors. You can find him by entering “Quick Dick McDick” in the YouTube search bar. I shared both in short stories on Pipelinenews. ca and they quickly got plenty of views, and continue to do so as I type this. It’s largely because the raw, tremendously politically incorrect satire is so biting, you’d think he was chowing down on the aforementioned perogies and sausage. I had to track this guy down and interview him. Putting out a call on the Pipeline News Facebook page, I was soon contacted by Quick Dick McDick, himself. His email said it all. “Hello Brian, “I can’t tell you how many times I have sat on the throne reading Pipeline News. I enjoy all your articles!” We talked for a half hour that night. Turns out

that McDick, who would prefer not to reveal his real name at this time, is originally from around Tuffnell. Right after high school he went to work in the oilpatch in Brooks, Alta., and then a few years later found himself up in Grande Prairie, Alta. He spent the last seven years as the operations manager for an oilfield trucking outfit, herding about 60 workers in a company that grew from three trucks to 36. They chased frac crews all over the place, supplying them with liquid CO2, N2 and chemicals. But recent years have been hard, and it wasn’t a lot of fun when it came to trying to fight for every dollar. “That NDP turned things upside down in that province,” he said to me. McDick had “gotten tired of all the garbage.” “It’s really turned into a disaster,” he added. The intensity of his life was getting to him. “Your phone never stopped, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” And when he came home, he noted, “All of a sudden, your phone is dead.” After 19 years in the patch, he had had enough and wanted to come home. He has a half section near

“Somebody tell Quick Dick what powers a temperature controlled van in a commercial vehicle? I’ll give you a hint! You find it in these, and it was not the almond-milk chai latte you had before you came to the protest this morning,” says Quick Dick McDick. Photo by YouTube

Tuffnell that he rents out. After spending a summer clearing his head by putting over 25,000 kilometres on his Harley, touching every province and territory that had a road leading to it, he got back to the farm. These days he helps two guys out as a hired hand, and it sounds like he couldn’t be happier. Well, maybe if he had a Mrs. McDick? He’s single, no wife, no girlfriend, no kids, but he’s got lots of females (heifers) following him around every day. I suggested he do a piece on mail-order brides. “I found happiness immediately,” he said, upon his return to the farm life. As for the Quick Dick McDick persona, that started from videos done on Snapchat. For a while, he was doing one a day, but on Snapchat, they would stay up only for a day. So in mid-December, he started posting on YouTube in a big way. The

first video was “Trains vs. Pipelines.” That one saw 600,000 views on Facebook, which is ironic, because McDick doesn’t even have his own Facebook account. Since then his videos have featured “5 Gallon Pail,” “Propane East,” “Coffee Row,” “Saskatchewan Shops” and “Saskatchewan Farm Trucks,” to name a few. But the best, by far, have been the “Federal Carbon Tax” and “Protestor Diets.” I see he just posted “Agricultural Olympic Training,” which is also a hoot. “I can’t believe how it took off,” McDick said.

“It’s a comedy channel, where you touch on this sensitive stuff.” “I’ve finally taken the time in my life to look at stuff and say, ‘It’s hilarious!’” No kidding. Well, OK, lots of kidding. Quick Dick McDick is the most Saskatchewan thing to come to humour since Corner Gas. The difference is he’s crass, brutally hilarious, and has no sacred cows except perhaps the ones he feeds. In other words, he’s perfect. Brian Zinchuk is editor of Pipeline News. He can be reached at brian. zinchuk@sasktel.net.

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Archie Robinson 306-441-3455

1541 - 100th Street, North Battleford

A multi-day episode of cold wind chills hit this week. While at press time it was expected to warm up into the -20s by Thursday, Environment Canada described the early week as having a cold, arctic air mass entrenched over southern Saskatchewan. Extreme cold wind chill values of -40 C to -45 C were reported in almost all of southern Saskatchewan and the trend was expected to continue until later this week as the cold air mass was likely to remain anchored over the prairies for a several days. Environment Canada reminds us, extreme cold puts everyone at risk. Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes. Dress warmly. Dress in layers that you can remove if you get too warm. The outer layer should be wind resistant. Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle such as extra blankets and jumper cables. If it’s too cold for you to stay outside, it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside. Photo by Louise Lundberg

306-445-5555

,00

6 32

Quality Craftsmanship & Design!

Spacious Family Home!

• 1,106 sq. ft. • 4 bedrooms /2 bathrooms • Large open kitchen • Fully finished basement • Low maintenance home • No condo fees • Call Jayna Hannah or Tracy Voigt today! MLS®SK796612

• 1,450 sq. ft. • 5 bedrooms,3 bathrooms • Newly renovated bathrooms • Large heated garage • New shingles 2019 • Call Jayna Hannah or Tracy Voigt today! MLS®SK796619

Available Immediately!

• 998 sq. ft. • 3 bedrooms, 3 baths • Maintenance free yard • Heated garage with direct entry • Call Kevin @ (306) 441-5960 for your private viewing MLS®SK796626

,90

4 $ 23

,90

9 35

4 $ 18

Fresh New Updates! • 4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • Double detached garage • New flooring(kitchen, basement, bathroom) • Furnace updated 2019 • Freshly painted / some updated light fixtures • All appliances remain • Call Tracy Voigt or Jayna Hannah @ (306) 445-5555 MLS®SK796418

Page 6 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

Regional News-Optimist

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Battlefords Shines draws from the community By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Saturday night was a showcase of talent from throughout the Battlefords and area at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts. It was Battlefords Shines, the fundraiser event to raise money for the Dekker Centre. A large audience was in attendance to see the talent both on the stage as well as off. The works of several local visual artists was prominently displayed inside the lobby. Featured was the work from the following artists: Michael Brokop, Chasity Moosomin, Lynn Strendin, Kamila Badura, Bob Carnahan, Holly Hildebrand, Chris Hodge, Jean M. Dunn, Marilyn Richardson, John Bowyer, Mariann Taubenssee and Faye Erickson. Also featured was live auction art that was painted live at the event by students from North Battleford Comprehensive High School. A number of models displayed the fashions of Melissa Squire, former North Battleford resident who has a boutique in Saskatoon. On stage, performers ranged from Indigenous artists Wild Bear Singers, Lyrik Albert and Calvin Wuttunee, to dance from Dance Connection and Annette’s School of Dance, to the New Orleans’ inspired sounds of “Jivin; Jackie and Big Baby T” with the adaptation Drop Me Off in North Battleford, to the country sounds of Troy Wakelin, and the music of the NBCHS Jazz Band. Dekker Centre general manager Kali Weber was happy with how the night proceeded. “I thought the show had lots of energy, it’s so wonderful to see these different artists showcased,” said Weber. “The audience response was awesome.” The decision had been made to turn Battlefords Shines, which had been held before at the Dekker

Centre, into the major fundraiser event. It is part of the Dekker Centre overall strategy to

turn around the financial picture at the performing arts facility. In addition to fundraising, the Dekker

Centre has focused on increasing attendance by booking a wider variety of acts appealing to a wider

audience, including families. For Battlefords Shines, an estimated 250 tickets

were sold in advance and the hope was to raise over $10,000. Final numbers wil be known soon.

The cast gathered onstage for a grand finale. See more photos at www.newsoptimist.ca. Photo by Averil Hall

Annette’s School of Dance performs to I Have a Voice. Photo by Averil Hall

Dance Connection performs to Good Time. Photo by Averil Hall

Models displayed the fashions of Melissa Squire, former North Battleford resident who has a boutique in Saskatoon. Photo by John Cairns

Battlefords & Disctrict Community Foundation Wild Bear Singers from Saulteaux First Nation perform an honour song. Photo Battlefords and District Community by Averil Hall Foundation Inc.

Designated

ANNUAL Funds GENERAL MEETING BDCF manages funds that have been established to benefit local agencies. Battlefords Boys and Girls Club receives annual income from the Edwards Irwin Fund and the Caring for Kids Fund. The Peggy Westwood Fund has been established to benefit Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre. Marylou and Panos Antoniades created an endowment that provides yearly funding to nine groups including: St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Battlefords Humane Society and the recreation department of Battlefords District Care Centre. As a donor, you can create a designated fund that will help the causes that you care about. Forever. Contact us to find out how. 306-441-2961 or info@bdcf.ca

Monday, January 20, 2020 at Noon RBC Dominion Securities Board Room 1101-101st Street, 6th Floor North Battleford

EVERYONE WELCOME

BDCF currently has 19 funds providing annual support to groups from health care and recreation to post-secondary scholarships.

Art was painted live for auction by students from North Battleford Comprehensive High School. Photo by John Cairns

Hilda Irwin

Founder of Edwards

Regional News-Optimist

The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 7

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of the Battlefords MARKETING YOUR PROPERTY TO THE WORLD

1391 - 100th Street, North Battleford, SK

(306) 446-8800

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

www.remaxbattlefords.com Compilation submitted by Lynn Strendin

Search and Rescue information night coming Staff Search and Rescue could be coming back to the Battlefords in 2020. Battlefords Search and Rescue has announced plans to become a chapter of Search and Rescue Saskatchewan Association of Volunteers. In conjunction with that effort, they have scheduled an Information Night for Jan. 20, between 7 and 9 p.m. at the Battlefords Wildlife Federation building. Those interested are

encouraged to come out to find out what resources a local search and rescue chapter as well as how to become a member or supporter. There had been a Battlefords Search and Rescue club up to 2014, but disbanded at that time due mainly to the high costs of liability insurance. When the club wound down, it donated its remaining funds to the Army Cadets and to the STARS Air Ambulance.

It appears there is already some early interest in the new organization. According to organizers, the club has 11 members signed up after a previous information night in November of 2019. They also have announced plans to hold a 40-hour searcher certification course in April of this year. For more information about the new club, go to the Battlefords Search and Rescue page on Facebook.

Social media incident at Holy Family sees staff sent home Staff

A social media incident landed a number of staff members at Holy Family School in trouble in November and December. Light of Christ school division confirmed a number of staff members were sent home with pay by the school division between Nov. 15 and Dec. 3 over what is described by the

school division as an internal personnel matter. It was confirmed by Light of Christ’s director of education, Cory Rideout, to the News-Optimist that the allegations revolved around what is described as inappropriate communications by some staff at Holy Family School on a social media website. It should be noted that

in this instance the staff involved were sent home with pay, as opposed to suspended. Few other details are being shared by the school division as to what exactly took place or how many staff are involved, however, parents as well as representatives from the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation were notified.

Kayla Petersen

Shawna Schira-Kroeker REALTOR®

Wally Lorenz

Brett Payne

Owner / Broker

Owner / REALTOR®

Owner / Branch Manager

Elaine Elder

Dorothy Lehman

REALTOR®

1412 104th Street, North Battleford 1,100 sq. ft.

$99,000

5342 Progress Street, Macklin 1,585 sq. ft.

10321 Henderson Drive 4

$439,900 1131 108th Street 967 sq. ft.

$145,000

Nicole Lovell

Owner/ REALTOR®

Shane Murdoch

REALTOR®/Assoc. Broker

REALTOR®

Randall Cote

REALTOR®/Assoc. Broker

Great starter home at 1412-104th Street North Battleford, SK having 1 bedroom and full bath on main, a bedroom and open area on second level and one bedroom and 3 pc bath on lower level. Large dinning room off kitchen and a roomy back yard deck off kitchen area. Upgrades include the furnace, water heater and shingles. Back yard is fenced and has a garden shed. Give us a call for a viewing. Wally Lorenz MLS®SK784886

Have you been looking the perfect location, features and space in a home? Well here it is, a spacious 1585 sq. ft. raised bungalow in a great family neighborhood! Main floor boasts a large foyer as you are greeted by the open floor plan with 10 ft. ceilings, 3 generous sized bedrooms on main which include the master with en-suite and walk-in closet, main floor laundry w/custom closets, office, see through fireplace between dining and living room. Kitchen has plenty of cabinetry, new appliances, pantry and island with a deck off the dining room. Downstairs you will find an additional 2 bedrooms, rec room/utility room, family and games room as well as third bathroom, plenty of room to entertain or enjoy your abundance of space. Included in purchase is the pool table, gym equipment (treadmill, weight bench system & weights, punching bag, recumbent bike and attached TV). Outside features: underground sprinkler system, permanent fencing, no rear neighbors, and bonus off street parking - large enough for your RV or extra toys! Added features and mentions: central air, central vac, double attached heated and insulated garage, all appliances to include: microwave hood fan, dishwasher built-in, oven built-in, fridge, stove, washer, and dryer.

Nicole Lovell MLS®SK762907

$423,000

1,375 sq. ft.

Marlene Kotchorek

Dorothy Lehman MLS®SK767477

Here is a gorgeous, executive and custom built home in the sought after area of Fairview Heights. This stunning & pristine home shows the pride in ownership everywhere you look. Walk into the extra large entrance area with tile flooring and a large coat closet, you will see that the main floor has an open concept, featuring a kitchen with an abundance of cherry alder cupboards and gorgeous black speckled granite countertops and a good size island. There is a large living room with a gorgeous stone natural gas fireplace. There are 3 main floor bedrooms with a large en suite and walk in closet off the master. Hardwood floors cover the whole main floor except the kitchen/dining area and the 2 smaller bedrooms. When you walk into the lower level you will be impressed with the large foyer with unique leather flooring, a very open rec room/games area with lots of natural light. There is a bathroom, an extra large 4th bedroom and an office which could be a 5th bedroom if needed. Walk out of the garden doors onto the deck and look at the professionally landscaped, well manicured yard with underground sprinklers on timers and independent water lines to each shrub, talk about convenient! So many quality finishes in this home including Stainless steel appliances, high end lighting, triple glaze windows, Central Air, Central Vac, BI surround sound system and much more! All furnishings are negotiable, so come take a look at this one, you will be very happy that you did!

Brett Payne MLS®SK786191

102 Heritage Court, Battleford 2

1,245 sq. ft.

$419,900

Dorothy Lehman MLS®SK776793

Page 8 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

Regional News-Optimist

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Chamber elects executive committee for 2020 By John Cairns Staff Reporter

With board elections in the books, the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce has now elected its executive committee for 2020. As expected, Harris Sutherland of Gold Eagle Casino was elected unanimously as chair in 2020, with Dallan Oberg as past-chair, Melanie Roberts as vice-chair, Vivian Whitecalf as second vice-chair and Darren Erbach as treasurer. The positions all run for one year. Chief Operating Officer Linda Machniak also serves on the executive committee. The election took place at what was Oberg’s final board meeting as chair before he hands over the gavel to Sutherland, who served this past

year as vice-chair. The new executive takes over their new roles Jan. 24 when Sutherland and the new executive are sworn in at the Chair’s Banquet, to be held at Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts. Chief Roy Petit, from Sutherland’s home reserve of Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation has been invited to administer the oath of office. The guest speaker is slated to be SIGA President and Chief Executive Officer Zane Hansen. The meeting also saw the formal appointment of the winners of the recent Chamber board elections. Elected to serve as directors are: Gordon Brewerton, Tisha Carriere, Susan Challis, Cassandra Germsheid, Misty Lavertu, Dana Rissling and Vivian Whitecalf.

Chamber director Terry Caldwell (second from left) presides over the election of the new executive committee for the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce at Tuesday’s board meeting. Photo by John Cairns

Power Hour a new initiative for local chamber By John Cairns

Tuesday, the chamber announced its intentions to host what is dubbed the “Power Hour” – a noon event featuring the mayors, MLA and Member of Parliament for the region. The event is slated for March 6 and will feature

Staff Reporter

A new event is coming on the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce calendar involving the top local political leaders of the area. At its board meeting

Mayor Ryan Bater of North Battleford, Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford, Battlefords MLA Herb Cox, and Battlefords-Lloydminster MP Rosemarie Falk. A couple of area First Nations chiefs have been invited as well.

The format is based on one in Peterborough, Ont., that won a national chamber award in 2019. At the Peterborough events, keynote speeches were given by the participants and that was followed by a question and answer session.

Chamber Chair Dallan Oberg said a question-andanswer session will accompany this event as well. The event will be a change from the annual State of the City/Town address, as all levels of government will be in at-

tendance to answer any questions. More details are expected about the event in the coming weeks. The Western Development Museum has already been booked as the venue.

Public will be able to use Wi-Fi in city facilities By John Cairns

eford has voted in favour of entering a five-year agreement with Access Communications for Wi-Fi at city

Staff Reporter

The City of North Battl-

recreational facilities, the Dekker Centre and City Hall. An RFP was issued in

November with the contract awarded to Access for exclusive internet and telephone services in city facilities. Included was provision of wireless services to the public in city

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10020 Thatcher Avenue, North Battleford

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The city foresees no impact to the budget as a result of this decision. The City of North Battleford plans a news release once the Wi-Fi is operational.

306-445-3757

Your curiosity fuels our commitment to keep you informed on local news, events and businesses. Together, we make a community that’s connected every minute at newsoptimist.ca and every Thursday in your The Battlefords Regional NEWS-OPTIMIST

ords attlef

facilities. According to city officials, Access will be providing free Wi-Fi to all users, not just their own customers, in those city facilities.

B L A CK FRIDAY EVEN

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the winter season. Enjoy outdoor activities like tobogganing, snowshoeing and ice-fishing along with a variety of others including several Winter Fun Day events that can be found at rs www.saskparks.com. visito Spor

Hon. Scott Moe, Premier orts

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Randy Weekes

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Larry Doke

MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford larrydoke@sasktel.net 306-893-2619 1/13/2020 9:49:21 AM

Regional News-Optimist

w w w. n ew s o p t i m i s t . c a

sports

The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 9

Winter weather sets challenges for SJHL By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Neither rain nor sleet nor, in this case, snow could keep the Nipawin Hawks from their appointed rounds at the Civic Centre last Wednesday. Unfortunately, that wasn’t such good news for Battlefords North Stars fans who braved the elements to come to the game, because their home team ended up 4-1 losers on home ice to the Hawks. The big story was the winter storm conditions that had ravaged roads around the area. There were questions about whether the game would go ahead given the conditions, but those were put to rest quickly as the North Stars confirmed on Facebook that the Hawks had arrived the previous night after playing in Kindersley. It was a different story in Melfort. The bad weather prevented the Flin Flon Bombers from arriving and forced a postponement of the game between the Mustangs and the Bombers. That meant the North Stars-Hawks contest was the only one in the league

that night.

Nipawin 4 North Stars 1

The North Stars dominated the shot count, outshooting the Hawks 37-21 on the night, but seemed to suffer from bad bounces and bad luck the entire game. The Hawks’ Carson Erhardt opened the scoring with 1:31 left in the first period. In the second, the North Stars tried desperately to draw even. On one play, Ben Hiltz broke free of the Nipawin defence but his shot was stuffed by goaltender Ross Hawryluk. Around the seven minute mark of the period, the North Stars managed a three-on-one break, only for Matthias Urbanski’s shot to rattle off the iron. Later on, Elijah LoonStewardson missed a wideopen net with the goalie down. Finally, a Jason Steele power play goal tied the game at 1-1. Unfortunately, that would be the high point of the night for the North Stars. Jeremy Bisson’s goal went off the post and with three minutes left

in the period to restore the Hawks’ lead. Jordan Simoneau made it 3-1 with 8:17 left in the third. Finally, the Hawks burned the North Stars on a turnover with 1:47 remaining, as Dawson McKenzie scored unassisted. Parker Rey took the loss in net for the North Stars, stopping 17 of 21. After the game there were no excuses from coach Brayden Klimosko, in particular when discussing all the missed North Stars chances in the game. “The game is funny that way,” said Klimosko. “When the bounces go your way, it’s probably because you worked hard, and when you haven’t worked hard you aren’t going to get those bounces … so yeah, it is what it is. It’s a tough pill to swallow but that’s the way she takes.”

North Stars 5 Notre Dame 1

It was a tough weather day on Tuesday for the North Stars as well. It was deep-freeze conditions for the team in Wilcox, but the North Stars managed to be red-hot on the ice as they beat the Notre Dame Hounds 5-1 on their home

Battlefords North Stars fans who braved the elements to come to the game last Wednesday were disappointed their home team ended up 4-1 losers on home ice to the Hawks. Photo by John Cairns

ice. The North Stars won on the strength of five unanswered goals in the second and third periods. After Brady Clayton made it 1-0 Notre Dame in the first period, Matthias Urbanski (on the power play) and Dylan Esau gave the North Stars the lead after two periods. In the third period the

North Stars got goals from Matthew Fletcher, Seth Summers (on the power play) and finally Elijah Loon-Stewardson into an empty net. The game was the first since the goaltending deals that saw Parker Rey sent to Swan Valley while Kristian Lyon was acquired out of British Columbia. Austin Schwab got the start for the

Battlefords and he stopped 30 of 31 shots for the win. The North Stars outshot the Hounds 35-31 overall. The North Stars were due to take on Melville Wednesday night. Results were unavailable at press time. They play La Ronge at home Friday and Saturday against Notre Dame in Hillmond for Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

Several North Stars selected for SJHL/MJHL Showcase By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Rosters have been announced for the SJHL teams competing at the annual SJHL/MJHL Show-

case in Regina. The showcase pits the talent of the SJHL up against the top players from the Manitoba league. Each league will be represented at the tournament

by three teams. The SJHL squads are Team Kunitz, Team Schwartz and Team Mitchell. Team Kunitz and Team Mitchell will have rosters comprised of under-20

North Stars involved in goaltending deals By John Cairns Staff Reporter

There were a couple of SJHL transactions involving goaltenders Friday of last week and the Battlefords North Stars were involved in both of them. Bidding farewell to the

Battlefords is first-year North Stars goalie Parker Rey. He heads to the Manitoba League’s Swan Valley Stampeders for a player development fee. Rey, a 2000-born player from Ludington, Mich., had a 9-3-0-1 record with the North Stars this season and a goals-against average

of 2.44. Heading to the North Stars is Kristian Lyon from the Langley Rivermen of the BCHL, also for a player development fee. With the Rivermen, the 2000-born Lyon had a record of 2-4-1 this season and a goals-against average of 3.30.

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players from around the SJHL. In the case of Team Kunitz, they will include several players from the league leading Battlefords North Stars. Their roster includes Noah Form, Matthew Fletcher and Seth Summers on defence,

Matthias Urbanski and Quintin Loon-Stewardson at centre, Elijah LoonStewardson at right-wing and Austin Becker and Rylan Nivon at left wing. North Stars’ head coach Brayden Klimosko will be one of the coaches on that team, along with Melfort’s

Trevor Blevins. Team Schwartz will consist of a roster of under-18 players, and includes North Stars forward Steven Kesslering in that lineup. The Showcase takes place Jan. 21 and 22 at Co-operators Centre in Regina.

Page 10 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

Sharks split weekend

Words

Cheer

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The Battlefords Sharks split a couple of games they hosted over the weekend at Battleford Arena in female AAA hockey action. Saturday, the Sharks came through with a 4-2 win over Notre Dame Hounds. Madison Glynn was star of the game for the Sharks with a goal in the first period as well as

Special abilities By Rhea Good

Patience Beard is an all-American girl, a college cheerleader for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and she is an amputee. Her left leg was amputated below the knee in childhood. She wears a zebra-striped prosthetic, but you would hardly notice she is different from the other tops on the team. She’s has skills. Special abilities cheerleading has existed at the local level for decades. The unfiltered enthusiasm of Special Teams is always a crowd-pleaser. Kudos to the coaches who are able to create choreography to feature the strengths of each unique athlete on the special abilities teams. Cheer Canada just announced its invitation for video submissions to all special abilities teams across Canada. The 2020 International Cheerleading Union competition has defined the Special Abilities division and the Adaptive Abilities division to create space for special abilities teams at the World Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Fla., in April 2020. There are six divisions in the Special Abilities

a shorthanded goal in the third period. The Sharks also got a shorthanded goal by Mykayla Pylypow to open the scoring, and an empty net goal from Jordyn Blais late in the game for the win. Goalie Haylie Biever stopped 30 of 32 shots in net for the win. Sunday, the Weyburn Gold Wings beat the Sharks 3-2 in overtime. Once again, Glynn was a key player for the Sharks,

scoring a power play goal in the first period and then a game-tying goal in the second period. But Dakota Bowler’s third-period goal gave the Wings the win in overtime on a power play. Next action for the Sharks is Friday night at home to Swift Current. They play Swift Current again Saturday at Hillmond Arena as part of Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.

Stars beat Regina in AAA action Difficult, but not impossible. Let’s give this special abilities stunt group a cheer! Special abilities athletes have been amazing crowds for years. YouTube features many videos of special abilities cheerleading in competition and other videos are human interest stories about the special athletes. Photo submitted by Rhea Good

category. Some divisions are defined for teams with more than 50 per cent of athletes with intellectual disabilities per team, and other divisions for teams comprised of 100 per cent of athletes with intellectual disabilities. This means that special abilities athletes can be combined with non-disabled athletes, which will encourage inclusion in smaller gyms or on school teams. The Adaptive Abilities division has five team types. In the Adaptive Abilities divisions, each di-

vision is defined with different rule modifications such as no basket tosses. Teams in the Adaptive Abilities divisions must have 25 per cent or more of athletes with any disability. This definition offers inclusion opportunities to athletes with disabilities other than intellectual disabilities, such as amputees like Patience Beard. Cheerleading has always been an inclusive sport and the new competition divisions will invite those teams to the mat at international events.

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The Battlefords AAA Stars were winners on the weekend, beating the Regina Pat Canadians in a shootout 2-1 at the Civic Centre Sunday afternoon. The Stars opened the scoring on a power play goal by Kyle Heintz in the first period, with Vaughn

Watterodt and Tanner Willick assisting. There were no goals scored in the second, and then Regina tied it in the third period on a goal from Zach Cain. The game went to a shootout. Of the four Stars shooters in that session, only Heintz was able to put the puck into the net. That would be enough, as Stars goaltender Ethan

Hein stopped all four Pat Canadians shots in the shootout to secure the 2-1 win. Overall, Hein stopped 42 of 43 shots for the victory. Next up is a trip to Hillmond Redden Arena for a game with the Notre Dame Hounds on Saturday. Their next home action is Sunday against Prince Albert.

SPHL results from Jan. 10-11 By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Here is a look at the scores from this weekend’s action in the Saskatchewan Prairie Hock-

ey League. The Meota Combines were on the road for two games on Friday and Saturday. Their first game was Friday night in Radisson where they beat

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the Radisson Wheatkings 6-3. Daxen Collins had a hat trick for the Combines. Myles Baptiste, Kyle Gregoire and Derek Welford also scored goals. On Saturday, the Combines were in Turtleford where they beat the Tigers 5-3. The Combines got goals from Baptiste, Welford, Coleman Bear, Bryce Gatzke and Connor Neave in the win. The Battleford Beaver Blues were in Glaslyn Saturday night against the North Stars, and won 12-5. Brent Salzl had a hat trick for the Blues. They also had two-goal nights from Cody Danberg, Cody Kalyn and Keegan Sparrow. Other action from Friday saw Spiritwood beat Turtleford 6-2. The other Saturday contest had Perdue beat Maymont 5-3. Next action in the league is Friday with Maymont hosting Radisson. Saturday games have Battleford at Spiritwood, Turtleford at Radisson, Meota at Maymont and Perdue at Glaslyn.

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The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 11

Page 12 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

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Witness Blanket symbolizes steps toward reconciliation The Witness Blanket, now on exhibition at the Chapel Gallery in North Battleford, is a national monument recognizing the atrocities of the Indian Residential School era. The introduction to the exhibition reads: “For more than a century, there were Indian residential schools across Canada. In 2013 and 2014, the Witness Blanket team travelled nationwide, collecting pieces of this history. “The project resulted in the collection of 887 donated and reclaimed items, all of which are included in the installation and mobile app. This inclusive approach symbolizes reconciliation, which requires national participation and commitment. “As Carey Newman, artist of the Witness Blanket, states, this crosscountry involvement is ‘a testament to the human ability to find something worthwhile, even beautiful, amidst the tragedies, memories and ruins of the residential school era.’” Inspired by a woven blanket, the exhibition is a large scale art installation, made out of hundreds of items reclaimed from residential schools, churches, government buildings and traditional and cultural structures including

Friendship Centres, band offices, treatment centres and universities from across Canada. The contributions incude letters, photos, stories, books, clothing, art and fragments of buildings. Those responsible for the school system – churches and the Canadian federal government – have also donated pieces for this installation as a gesture toward reconciliation. Carey Newman (Hayalth-kingeme), multi-discipline artist and master carver, says, “I consider myself a contemporary artist with a traditional soul. I try to innovate, creating movement and suspended animation within my work. At the same time I work strictly within the rules of my traditions. Rooted in tradition while looking to the future, and trying to reflect the world that we live in today. Perfection is in the details and details go on forever, therefore my work is never done. My style is distinguishable by moving lines anchored to traditional figures. If one can see where my figures will make their next movement, I have begun to succeed.” Through his father, Newman is of the Indigenous clans of British Columbia, and through his mother he is English, Irish and Scottish. In his artistic

practice he strives to highlight either Indigenous, social or environmental issues. The original Witness Blanket is currently undergoing conservation at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Man. After having toured across Canada for three years. Newman and the CMHR have partnered to create a reproduction, allowing its stories and messages to continue to be shared. The Witness Blanket Monument is at the Chapel Gallery until Feb. 9. The Chapel Gallery is open noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. You can get the Witness Blanket app for Apple IOS at https://itunes. apple.com/ca/app/witnessblanket/id973295312?mt=8 *** Following is one of the stories shared in the Witness Blanket monument: The day I was scheduled to leave for St. Anne’s, Papa rose early to fetch river water. Usually he scrubbed my hair. This time he wanted me to do it. He showed me how to lather the hard-to-reach parts behind my ears. We came inside and Mama gave me a plate of dried fish. I nibbled at it but my tummy was too upset to eat all of it. Normally Mama and Papa told me off if I wasted anything 20013PS0 20013PS1

but Papa just took my plate and finished it. After breakfast, he and Mama stood around their bed and spoke in hushed tones about what I should pack. Mama wanted me to take the family photo of us all. It was an old one, taken the summer before Rita got sick, so she was there too. I knew it was really special because there were only three photos of Rita, and they were all worn until the paper was soft. But Papa said “No point, they’re just gonna take it from him anyway.” They left the photos on their bed and I stood there and looked at them as Papa got dressed. Alex was already up and dressed. He asked, “Where’s he going? Where’s he going?” Mama told him that I was going to residential school, but he kept asking, like he didn’t understand. When I was packed, I put my hand on Alex’s heart and looked him in the eyes, as Papa did when saying goodbye to Mama. Then Mama grabbed me and pulled me into her, and I could smell her scent of bannock and tea. Papa and I went outside. The sun had broken through the c1ouds, and I saw that our firewood was wet, so it must have rained in the night. Strange, I hadn’t heard it. Papa, took my hand and I looked back and saw our chimney spurting smoke. I realized that I wouldn’t be there for the final fire before they left for a winter in the bush. It struck me that I wouldn’t go with them at all, and I squeezed his hand tighter as we walked to school. The three-storey school building had always been there, just across the river channel, and I studied its

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square windows as we approached, wishing I could see inside. For a split second I saw a man through the window. He was wearing a black cloak like the town priest, and grabbing the sides of a boy’s head. There was a prickly feeling in my chest as I realized he had the boy’s ears. The kid had lost his balance, stunned, and then I realized that my imagination was playing tricks on me. This was just a story that an older boy had told me – there was no child in the window. We were at the concrete steps. I was trying to hold on to our time together but it was slipping by so fast. Papa was at the top of the steps and knocking on the wooden door. “Good morning,” a nun said to us in Cree. “Come in.” We walked into a wide lobby that was nothing like our house. The hall was so bright, with lights shining down from on high and tall windows, and everywhere was white: walls, tablecloths and clocks. No furs or grass on the floor. Instead, hard things – a see-yourself glass, grey stone stairs and leatherlike floors where your face looked back at you. I saw lots of squares – photo frames, side tables, chair seats – and surfaces that must have taken many hours’ scraping to be so smooth. The air was different here, too, and it was not just the smell, which I later discovered was bleach, but the way it moved, like there were lots of invisible things in it, and all the things were too close together. *** Another story tells the tale of suicides: And just as matters seemed to be going their way, the young

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people began to kill themselves, and not just at Cat lake First Nation. In other remote fly-in Anlshlnabe, Oje-Cree and Cree communities throughout the north, at places no one in the south had ever heard of - Pikangikum, Poplar Hill, Slate Falls, Sandy Lake, Deer Lake, Kee-WayWin, Sachigo lake, Bearskin Lake, Big Trout lake, Weagamow Lake, Muskrat Dam, Webeque, Wapekeka, Kasabonika lake, Neskantaga, Kashechewan, Nibinamik, Fort Severn, Weenusk, Fort Albany, Attawapiskat, Marten Falls and Eabametoong - the youth started to die. Children as young as twelve were doing it. Girls as well as boys were involved. They joined together in suicide pacts, they copied the actions of friends who had killed themselves and they deliberately overdosed on drugs before doing themselves in. More often than not, they hanged themselves, making a statement in the extreme manner of their deaths that they considered themselves to be fundamentally worthless and to merit suffering as they left this world. In the farewell messages, many said they had no way to escape pain and almost all of them said life was not worth living. Across the vast northern wilderness, families were shattered emotionally and communities were left deeply scarred and in a state of shock. Schools and band offices closed and there were wakes and funeral services. People, many of them strangers, alerted to the tragedy by the Native-language radio station, Wawatay, broadcasting from Sioux Lookout, came from reserves Continued on Page 13

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The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 13

Witness Blanket contains many artifacts and items donated to the project from families affected by the residential school system. Above, a book written about coming home and being unable to talk to parents. The Witness Blanket Monument is at the Chapel Gallery until Feb. 9.

The Witness Blanket, now on exhibition at the Chapel Gallery in North Battleford, is a national monument recognizing the atrocities of the Indian Residential School era. See more photos at www.newsoptimist.ca. Photos by Averil Hall

A letter written by parents asking for their children to be sent home.

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Some of the items came from schools and churches.

Witness Blanket Continued from Page 12 across Northern Ontario to demonstrate solidarity with the bereaved in the face of the incomprehensible suicide of one of their children. If the death was in the winter, the people would mount their old brokendown vehicles and travel great distances by winter road to the home of the grieving family. In sum-

mer, a few would come by boat, but most arrived by air, somehow finding the money for the fare. They would be met either at the shore or at the airport by volunteers in pickup trucks who would drive them to the home of the deceased. There they would take their place outside in the lineup of friends, neighbours and other visitors from far away, and wait patiently to go in to express their condolences.

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Gifts galore at December quilting events Submitted Jean bags, table runners, pillowcases, Merino wool and silk scarves, cork purses and gorgeous quilts are a few of the created gifts made by the Rivers’ Edge Quilters for December. Comfort quilts have been given to keep individuals snuggled up cozy warm this season. A very enjoyable Friday afternoon was spent with a special guest, Marcela Petersen of Cut Knife. She has won many international awards with her hand embroidery and thread work. Her expertise

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and years worth of crafting skills were mind boggling. A Christmas potluck dinner followed. Our group is full of helpful tips, full of new ideas and lots of fun, so if we can interest you, please contact Leslie at 306-9377471 or Bonnie at 306-3863116.

Marcela Petersen of Cut Knife (left) was a guest one Friday afternoon at the Rivers’ Edge Quilt Guild. Photos submitted

Owning a home becoming a pipedream for many millennials Soaring house prices and increasing debt has made home ownership far more difficult CNW - Soaring house prices and rising personal debt are making it impossible for many millennials, even those with good

paying jobs, to ever afford a home, finds a new poll commissioned by KPMG in Canada. While almost three-

quarters (72 per cent) of millennials say their goal is to own a home, almost half (46 per cent) say home ownership is a pipedream, the KPMG Millennials and Retirement poll finds. The poll surveyed 2,500 Canadians, including 1,000 millennials between the ages of 23 and 38 who now represent the largest population generation in the country. “The combination of rising house prices, high levels of personal debt and annual incomes that are just a fraction of the cost of 20013JJ0

buying a home compared with their parents’ generation, is pushing the dream of home ownership out of reach for many millennials,” says Martin Joyce, Partner, National Leader, Human & Social Services, KPMG. Key Poll Findings: 72 per cent of millennials say their goal is to own a home; Nearly half (46 per cent) of millennials say owning a home a pipedream; An equal number, 46 per cent of millennial homeowners, received a financial boost from their parents in order to buy a home; Two in five (38 per cent) believe their house won’t be worth as much in the future. As the most educated generation, millennials have incurred high levels of student debt and those who have been able to enter the housing market have taken on larger mortgages relative to their incomes than those who came before them, according to Statistics Canada. While millennials have higher incomes than previous cohorts, in part because of their higher educations, they are not necessarily better off, the poll indicates. Household debt has been on an upward trend

for the past 30 years and recently reached record highs, making home ownership even more unaffordable, especially in tight markets. Whereas the average debt-to-disposable income ratio in Canada was almost 87 per cent in 1990, it was more than 175 per cent at the end of 2018 – a trend that has caused the Bank of Canada to raise alarms about the country’s economic vulnerability. Debt-to-income ratio is a key financial indicator and, for young millennials, that now stands at 216 per cent, far exceeding the 125 per cent for Gen-Xers and 80 per cent for baby boomers at the same age – primarily because of mortgage debt. Wage growth has also been slower than expected, the Bank of Canada has warned. While millennials have proven to be willing to incur higher levels of debt to attain home ownership, they are less optimistic about the payoffs, the KPMG poll finds. Millennials now take an average of 13 years to save for a 20 per cent down payment, while it took their parents just about five years in 1976, according to a Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp. report. “That’s eight fewer years that millennials might have for saving more

for their retirement,” Joyce says. “If they do manage to save up and buy a house now and delay retirement savings, our poll finds 65 per cent of millennials fear they won’t have enough saved for retirement.” It’s these fears that have spurred calls for action from the federal government and prompted such measures as the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive, and led Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz to encourage the mortgage market to evolve to give Canadians more choice. A majority of all the generations surveyed in the KPMG poll wants Ottawa to take action such as: make housing more affordable; make it easier to use RRSPs for down payments; raise TFSA limits; and implement a new registered savings system, like RESPs for education savings, to make housing more affordable. “It seems pretty clear that millennials are in a unique situation in terms of their ability to purchase a home – which has historically been a foundation for retirement stability – and most Canadians agree that the government has a role to play in making it a more achievable dream for many of them,” Joyce says. “It’s time to have a national conversation.”

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The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 15

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BATC CDC steps in with emergency funds for Boys and Girls hockey

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consecteSHOWTIMES tur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod Jan. 17 to 23 tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Quis ipsum suspendisse ultrices gravida. Risus commodo viverra maecenas accumsan lacus 1:45 vel facilisis. Matinees - Sat & Sun: Fri to Thur: 7:15

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The Gentlemen Movie Info: (306) 445-8300 MagicLanternTheatres.ca Lakeland Library headquarters recommends the book One Rogue Too Many by Samantha Grace. “This book has many twists and turns when it comes to the characters. You won’t be able to stop reading from the first page to the last page.”

Back row - Councillor Lux Benson (Red Pheasant), Chief Kenny Moccasin (Saulteaux), Mayor Ryan Bater, Mayor Ames Leslie, Chief Sylvia Weenie (Stony Knoll), Councillor Preston Weenie (Moosomin). Front row Vivian Whitecalf (BATC), Councillor Trina Albert (Sweetgrass) and Tricia Kennedy (Boys & Girls Club). Photo submitted

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The Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Community Developmemt Corporation Board of Directors presented Tricia Kennedy of the Boys and Girls Club with a cheque for $25,000 Tuesday to replace the

equipment for their hockey program. The previous equipment was made unusable in an unfortunate flood at their Don Ross storage room. They applied to the CDC for additional emergency funding. The Boys and Girls

Club hockey program consists of 40 athletes and is run by volunteers. The program offers youth between the ages of 5-14 the opportunity to experience hockey each year and it is one of their most popular programs. The BATC CDC board

said they were pleased to be able to assist the Boys and Girls Club to continue this program for the 2020 season and offered thanks to the Boys & Girls Club for the great work they do in the community and the inclusive programming they offer.

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892-104th Street North Battleford 306-445-7261 OBITUARIES GORDON: Evelyn Margaret Gordon (nee Norman) was born on August 20, 1929. She was the youngest daughter of Edwin and Margaret Norman of the West Hazel district (Turtleford). Evelyn, along with her sister Hazel received their schooling from the West Hazel School. Travelling each day, rain or shine, by horse back or buggy to the school 2 Ω miles away. The school was the hub for many social events which the family attended. In her teens, Evelyn started a job with the Turtleford Sun Newspaper, where she learned the technique of typesetting. She remained at this job for 7 Ω years, becoming quite skilled at it. She also spent time in North Battleford as a member of the staff for the North Battleford News. On August 21, 1952, she married Bruce Leonard Gordon of Turtleford. Bruce had been working for the Pioneer Grain Company as helper in various locations. Following their marriage, he was offered the position as agent for Pioneer Grain in Rockhaven. It was there that they made their home. Their first child, Norman Bruce was born Jan 22, 1954, followed by Barbara Eileen Feb. 14, 1955, Lois Margaret July 17, 1961 and Kenneth Richard May 12, 1966. Tragedy struck in August of 1976, when Bruce, while fishing drowned in Turtle Lake. Evelyn remained living in Rockhaven, receiving love and support from the community and her many friends. Her love for music and singing kept her involved with the local United Church. She showed off her talents as a member of the Cut Knife Embroidery Guild. Creating many beautiful treasured pieces. Evelyn was a dedicated member of the Royal Purple and for many years sold Avon to customers in the Rockhaven area and beyond. Due to failing health she left Rockhaven and moved to the Park View Place in Unity, Sask. There she resided for a couple of years before moving to the Unity Long Term Care. Her love for music remained with her until the end. She was often humming and keeping the beat to the old time favorites. Left to cherish her memory are her loving children: Norman (Karen) Gordon, Turtle Lake, SK and their daughter Tanya Gordon (Alain) Garceau, Regina, SK; Barbara (Bart) Brown, Unity, SK and their sons: Gordon (Jody), Gallivan, SK, Evan (Karalyn), Unity, SK and their families; Lois (Ed) Halpenny and their sons: Bradley, Michael (friend Linaya) and Shaun, Rockhaven, SK; Ken Gordon, Waldheim, SK; sister-in-law Phyllis Gordon, Prince George, BC; sister-in-law Helen Fitzgerald, Red Deer, AB; dear life time friend Jean Chambers of Turtleford, SK; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Bruce (1976); parents: Edwin & Margaret Norman; sister & brother-in-law, Hazel & George Inkster; mother & father in law: Ellsworth & Hilma Gordon; brothers-in-law: Arthur Gordon and Don Fitzgerald. Funeral Service was held on Friday, January 10, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. from ‘The Garden Chapel’ - Battlefords Funeral Service, North Battleford, SK with Robert MacKay officiating. Music Ministry: Organist - Glenn Goodman; Soloist Robert MacKay - Precious Lord, Take My Hand; Hymns: Amazing Grace & The Old Rugged Cross. Honorary Pallbearers were Order of Royal Purple & Family and Friends. Active Pallbearers were Gordon Brown, Evan Brown, Bradley Halpenny, Michael Halpenny, Shaun Halpenny & Tanya Gordon. Memorials are requested to Unity Long Term Care (Please Designate to the Rec Department), Box 741, Unity, SK, S0K 4L0 Or to the Donor’s Choice. Interment was at Rockhaven Cemetery, Rockhaven, SK. Condolences can be sent to www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Arrangements were entrusted to Robert MacKay of Battlefords Funeral Service.

REID: Mr. Donald Reid passed away at the River Heights Lodge at the age of 81 years. A Funeral Service was held Monday, January 6, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at The Garden Chapel- Battlefords Funeral Service 1332 100th St North Battleford, SK . Memorial donations in memory of Mr. Reid may be directed to the River Heights Lodge 2001 99th St North Battleford, SK S9A 0S3 or the Heart & Stroke Foundation 1738 Quebec Ave #26, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9. Left to cherish his memory and will be deeply missed by his children: Karen (Ray), Jamie (Charlotte) and Marcy; grandchildren: Ashley (Donald), Cole, Grayson, Roberto, Emily, Andrew, Marianna, Christopher, Angela, Michael and Jonathon; greatgrandchild Luke; siblings: Archie (Marie), Joyce (Donnie), Lynda, Janet and Ethel (Terry). He is predeceased by his wife Stella; parents Downie and Minnie and sister Eleanor. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Vanessa Macnab & Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium Card Of Thanks The family would like to thank Dr. Johnson and the staff at River Heights Lodge. Also, to our family and friends for your support thought this difficult time.

BEGGS: Margaret Beverley (MacLeod). It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of Wilkie and formally of Battleford. Beverley passed away quickly and peacefully at Battlefords Union Hospital on January 10, 2020. Beverley is survived by her loving husband Donald; her daughter Donna (Jim) Meier; Lorraine (Bill) Oppen; her granddaughter Erin (Mike Reid) Meier; grandson Jeffrey (Lauren Drieschner) Meier and great-granddaughter Zara Meier. As per Beverley’s request a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Beverley Beggs may be made to Third Avenue United Church, 1301 – 102nd Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 1G4 or Bethany Enhanced Living, PO Box 629, Wilkie, SK S0K 4W0. Condolences can be sent to www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Robert MacKay of Battlefords Funeral Service (306446-4200).

MILNE, Joyce March 27, 1939 January 5, 2020

GRATTON: Maurice Joseph of North Battleford, Saskatchewan passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on January 5th, 2020 at the age of 85 years. Maurice is survived by his loving wife, Evelyn (Thompson) of 62 years, his children Linda McFaul (Saskatoon) and her 3 sons, Seamus, Brennan, and Calin, his son, Victor Gratton (North Battleford), and Laurie (Ralph) Westerager (Drayton Valley) and her sons, Jesse (Ange) Saccucci and Justin Saccucci. He is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren Mikaylah, Khol, Jace, and Jayden and his little puppy, Buttons. Maurice was predeceased by his oldest son, Raymond Gratton in 2004, his parents, Ulderic and Flora (Lessard) Gratton, his sister, Aline Roberts along with his in-laws Walter and Eva Thompson, and brother-in-law, Archie Thompson. Dad was born on August 3rd, 1934 in the Hamlet of Delmas, Sask. He spent his early years attending school in North Battleford, Sask. until the family moved to a farm in the Edam, Sask. where he worked on the family farm until they moved back to North Battleford. He was employed at the Saskatchewan Hospital until he retired after 30 years of service in 1987. Dad enjoyed spending time with his family, whether it was camping and sitting around campfires or maybe doing a little fishing when out in his boat, holiday gatherings and carving up turkeys. His love for travelling with Mom across all of Canada and the USA and spending many winters in Arizona. He was never one to pass up a road trip. Some of Dad’s proudest moments in life were becoming a grandfather to his 5 grandsons and 4 great grandchildren. Celebrating almost 63 years with his best friend and wife, Evy. Dad was very down to earth and friendly, always had a smile on his face and a firm handshake for everyone. He will be remembered by all for the dedicated husband and father that he was, hardworking and a proud man. There will be a private celebration of life with his family at a later date. Special thanks to the Doctors, Nurses at Battlefords Union Hospital, the staff from Home Care and COPS, along with the Tele-Health Coordinator and Scott Parker. Your care and compassion were greatly appreciated by our family. Thanks to Eternal Memories for taking care of the arrangements. Donations in honour of Dad, can be made to the Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke Foundation 1738 Quebec Ave #26, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9 or the Canadian Cancer Society 1910 McIntyre Street Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2R3. Good byes are not forever Good byes are not the end They simply mean we will miss You Until we meet again. Written by his daughter, Laurie For those wishing to leave a condolence, you may do so at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Joyce Milne announce her passing. Mom had a stroke on December 22, 2019 and passed away January 5, 2020.Mom’s love and energy for life was contagious. She always had time for family, friends, neighbours and anyone who crossed her path. Barely a day went by that either her children or grandchildren or both would call Mom (Grandma) for advice, support, or just to have a chat. She will deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband Woody Milne, children Ron Johnson, Barb (Kevin) Feist, Judie (Ross) Buell, daughter- in-law Brigitte St. Amant, grandchildren Kelsea (Matt) Glencross, Luke Feist, Danielle Buell, Kimberly Buell (Jordan Tornato), Michael Buell and great grandchildren Chase Glencross and Nate Glencross. She is predeceased by son Rod Johnson. A graveside memorial will be held at 11:00 am on Sunday May 10, 2020 (Mother’s Day) at Woodlawn Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.prairieviewchapel.com . Arrangements are entrusted to PRAIRIEVIEW CHAPEL AND CREMATORIUM (306) 242-7884. __________________________________________________ SCHAEFER: It is with sadness the family of Darin Schaefer, resident of the Meota, SK district passed away at home peacefully with his family by his side at the age of 50 years. A Celebration of Life service for Darin was held on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 2:00 pm from the Meota Community Complex with Pastor Deb McNabb officiating. Darin is remembered by his loving wife Terra; son Damon Schaefer, daughters Kennedy Schaefer and Kesha Schaefer (Jesse McNabb); parents Maurice & Louise Schaefer; sister Tina Schaefer; brother Derrick Schaefer (Lyla Johnson) -Dylan & Emma; mother-in-law Dianne Schweitzer; sisters-in-law Natalie Guy (Dean Casorso) - Harley, and Renée (Matt) Storgard - Talia and Sofia. He is predeceased by his son Adam Schaefer, father-in-law Donald Guy; grandparents Ralph & Rita Schaefer and Arthur & Antoinette Gelinas. In lieu of flowers and food, memorial donations in memory of Darin may be directed to Edam H. Hardcastle school for the Better Together T shirt program Po Box 370 Edam, SK S0M 0V0 or to the Village of Meota PO Box 123, Meota, Sk, S0M-1X0 for the future purchase of a Columbarium. For those wishing to leave a condolence, you may do so at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Trevor Watts of Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium.

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OBITUARIES

BIRTHDAYS

HEESE: Tim Percival Heese was born in Dodsland June 19 1956. On Dec.7 he passed away in Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon. Tim was raised on a farm in the Kelfield /Duperow area. He attended school in Laird, Rosthern, and Biggar. After graduation he attended Kelsey where he studied cabinet making. As well as raising his children Tim wrote songs and played in rock and country bands over the years. At one point his country band toured the States and Canada. Flying was another passion of Tim’s. He worked as a commercial pilot but flying his own plane was what he enjoyed the most. Tim married Jean in 2008 he gained 3 more children and numerous grandchildren. They lived in Kindersley in the house that Tim built. After many years of running his own cabinet shop, he worked as an operator in the oilfield which he very much enjoyed. The support from his boss and co-workers over the past two years has been phenominal and much appreciated. Tim is survived by his loving wife Jean, daughter Cassie(Jesse) son Kyle (Jolene) and son Kim. Stepson Kevin (Jo), Nathan (Kelly) and Linsey(Jenn) His mom Marj Mackie and sister Deb (Ian) Mcleod. Grandchildren, Morgan, Joseph, William, Natalie, Aubrey, Vivian, Brett, Courtney, Lexus, Regan, Aniston, Nick, Charlie, Tim, Nic, and Lia. Tim was predeceased by his sister Maria May Heese, father Bob Carter, and Grandmother May Hawkins. A heartfelt thank you from Jean and family for the support from so many including hospital staff and everyone who contributed to Tim’s funeral especially Fr. Richard Doll and Fr Emmanuel Azike __________________________________________________

The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 17

FOUND

LAND FOR SALE

Farm Land For Sale

Ron Falcon

RM of Medstead NW 10 49 13 W3 159 Acres – 130 Cultivated Assessment $177,000 SW 10 49 13 W3 160 Acres – 124 Cultivated Assessment $160,300 Contact Kyle (306) 480-6711 • Evenings

will be 78 on January 18th 2020

TENDERS 20013DS9

MEETINGS

COMING EVENTS Is this a credible SOURCE?

COMING EVENTS

Sharing Grief’s Journey From Mourning To Joy

P O T

St. Joseph Calasanctius Church

New Sessions start Monday, January 27, 2020 For information please call Sue 306-441-5441 or Denise 306-441-3338

Don’t believe everything you see.

CARD OF THANKS

LOST

SPOTfakenews.ca

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

20013DS8

NOTICE OF CLAIM

Light of Christ would like to say a special Thank you to Discovery CO-OP

I Eva Grise am serving Andy Muzyka a notice of claim. File #22404. Dawson Creek Provincial Building 1201-103 Ave. Dawson Creek, BC V1G 4J2 (250) 784-2224

for generously sponsoring Christmas lunches at our elementary schools in North Battleford And also a special Thank you to Nicole at Second

2 None

for preparing the meals for us.

FOR SALE - MISC 40 Brome, Brome/Alfalfa Bales $75.00. 40 Wheat Straw Bales $25.00. 306-445-5426. 306-4412741

FUNERAL SERVICES

306-445-7261

Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium

2741-99th St., North Battleford Trevor Watts - Owner/Director (306) 445-7570 24 hours

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.

IN MEMORIAM

The Battlefords Only On-Site Crematorium

Ash Lascelle

Funerals | Burials | Cremation | Preplanning

02/07/02 - 01/20/18

Battlefords Funeral Service

Robert Mackay - Director (306) 446-4200 24 hours

Serving Families with Dignity, Respect & Compassion WE ARE LOCALLY AND FAMILY OWNED

eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

1332 - 100th St., North Battleford

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news-optimist Serving the Battlefords since 1908

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892-104th Street North Battleford 306-445-7261

When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand That an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand; The angel said my place was ready In Heaven far above, And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven’s Gates, I felt so much at home, for God looked down smiled at me, And told me “Welcome Home.” So when tomorrow starts without me. Don’t think we’re far apart, for every time you think of me I’m right there in your heart. Just 2 years ago you were called Home, but every day feels like efernity we love and miss you Our Son / Our Brother Our Friend and our Favorite # 9

Love Dad, Mom

Dion & Mitchell

Page 18 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

FOR SALE - MISC

LAND FOR SALE

FARM SERVICES

RENTALS & LEASES

FEED & SEED

SENIORS AFFORDABLE HOUSING

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306-649.1405 for details.

WANTED

Integrity Post Frame Buildings

COYOTES FOR CASH! Unskinned up to $100; Skinned & Frozen up to $150. #1 C a n a d i a n Market. Call Bruce Beasley 403501-4416

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HIP/KNEE Replacement? Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?

sales@ Integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com

The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and $20,000 Lump sum refund.

Take advantage of this offer.

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New easy access 2 bedroom unit in a four-plex 6 appliances $

876/month

Must be 55+ and make under $44,500 per household. Call Linda

306-441-2533 900 Block on 104th Street CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Now accepting applications for the following:

DUPLEXES FOR RENT

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide!

Expert Help:

1-844-453-5372

2 Bedroom duplex for rent. Fridge, stove, washer, and dryer. $900-$1100 per month. references required. 441-1596 or 441-6728 (no texts)

TEACHER

• Macklin School

ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFF CAMPUS PROGRAM COORDINATOR

battlefords humane society

• North Battleford Comprehensive High School

BUS DRIVER

FEED & SEED

• Medstead MEDS4 – South of Medstead Apply online prior to 12:00 noon, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020

BUS DRIVER

Im Scarlette I am a big people pleaser and just want to be the biggest goofball to make you smile! I do have a few.... lets say....conditions when it comes to what I am looking for in my forever home! I am not a fan of those things called cats.

• Casual – Cando area Apply online prior to Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Tsunami is the name. I am a very playful young lady. I’m a very confident and outgoing feline and I deserve amazing people because I’m an amazing kitty cat.

Details and link to online applications can be found on our website at www.lskysd.ca. All applications must be submitted online.

Call the Animal Shelter 306.446.2700 SPACE FOR LEASE

SPACE FOR RENT - 1,500 sq. ft.

2202 - 100th Street North Battleford Next to A & W

Call: 306-481-6576 OR 306-397-1212 NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

TOPLINE DANCE CLUB CALENDAR 2020

****************************

NEW LOCATION… The Topline Dance Club will hold monthly dances, September to June, in the Denholm Community Hall, Denholm, SK. [20 km east of North Battleford on Hwy 16]. Time: 8-12, lunch served. Min. Age 19. Members $10, Guests $12. Enjoy an evening of dancing and socializing. Everyone Welcome! Jan. 25 - Leon Ochs Feb. 22 - Leon Ochs March 28 - Leon Ochs April 25 - Country Junction May 23 - Harry Startup June 27 - Leon Ochs Sept. 26 - William & the Shadows Oct. 31 - Leon Ochs Nov. 28 - Gold Tones Dec. 12 - Leon Ochs [by ticket only] *Changes may be necessary. For more information call: Sharon, 446-0446; Leela, 445-7240; June, 445-3216

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

Kanaweyimik is an independent, non-political child welfare agency providing child welfare and family services to five First Nations. Moosomin, Mosquito, Red Pheasant, Saulteaux & Sweetgrass First Nations contract for services with Kanaweyimik. The following is a general description of a Family Service Worker (Social Worker) position. Salary will be commensurate with experience, training and education. This is a full-time, permanent position.

FAMILY SERVICE WORKER (SOCIAL WORKER) 1 FULL-TIME, PERMANENT POSITION • The Family Service Worker is directly responsible to the Supervisor and/ or Executive Director; • Manage a caseload in the area of child welfare and family support services; • Intake services; • Services to children-in-care; • Community development; • Services to families in need of support to prevent children coming-into-care; • Maintain computerized data, case recordings, individual and family files, etc; • Coordinate case planning sessions and monitor case plans to ensure families are receiving services; • Child abuse investigations; • Will comply with the provisions of the Kanaweyimik Personnel Manual as it exists from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS • Must have a University Degree from a recognized School of Social Work; • Must have at least 5 years experience and proven ability to work in the counselling and social services area with families and children; • Must demonstrate knowledge of The Child & Family Services Act; • Must have work experience assessing families and children; • Must have work experience counselling families and children; • Must demonstrate a clear understanding and knowledge of native family systems; • Must demonstrate knowledge in the area of family violence dynamics; • Must demonstrate knowledge of the effects of separation as it relates to placement of children; • Knowledge of the Cree language is an asset; • Computer skills are a position requirement; • Excellent verbal, written and time management skills are required; • A clear criminal records check MUST BE PRESENTED AT INTERVIEW; • Must have a valid drivers licence. Application deadline is January 31, 2020 at 5:00pm. Start date to be determined. Please forward resumes by fax, email or mail to: (306) 445-2533, marleneb@kanaweyimik.com. Only successful applicants will be contacted for scheduled interviews. Recruitment process to continue until a successful candidate is selected.

Kanaweyimik Child & Family Services, Inc. P.O. Box 1270 Battleford, Saskatchewan S0M 0E0 Attention: Marlene Bugler

TO BOOK CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

CALL 306-445-7261

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 19

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre Inc. is an accredited organization serving the Health needs of the following First Nations: Little Pine, Mosquito, Poundmaker, Lucky Man, and Moosomin. Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre Inc. is seeking a PERMANENT FULL TIME HOME CARE NURSE AN EXCITING NURSING OPPORTUNITY IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT Qualifications: • Registered Nurse in good standing (or eligible to become registered) with Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association • Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Home Care nursing experience in First Nations community an asset. • Must be self-directed and demonstrate organizational skills • Excellent interpersonal communication skills • Valid driver’s license • Previous working experience with First Nations people and demonstrate an understanding of the health and social issues encountered by First Nation people and a willingness to learn about and accept First Nations cultures. • Knowledge of Plains Cree Language is a definite asset • Must provide a clear criminal record check with vulnerable sector

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

JOB OPPORTUNITY

R.M. of Douglas No. 436

FAMILY SERVICE WORKER

ADMINISTRATOR

Due to upcoming retirement, The Rural Municipality of Douglas No. 436 is accepting applications for an Administrator with a start date of May 1st, 2020. This position requires a minimum Rural Class "C" Certificate. Experience in MuniSoft software programs along with excellent oral and written communications is required. Interested candidates can submit a cover letter, detailed resume including qualifications, past and present related work experience, salary expectations and three work related references. This position will remain open until a candidate is selected. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. R.M. of Douglas No. 436 Box 964 Speers, Sask. S0M 2V0

Email: rm436@littleloon.ca Phone: 306-246-2171 Fax: 306-246-2173

(Term Position February 1/2020–February 28, 2021) Keyanow Child and Family Centre Inc. is seeking application for a highly motivated individual who is willing to meet the challenges of Child Protection on Little Pine First Nation, Poundmaker and Lucky Man Cree Nation. In this position, you will be responsible for investigating allegations of neglect, physical or sexual abuse; assessing family function; determining risks to children’s safety; implementing intervention plans to address child protection issues; and providing support services to families. When necessary you will initiate court proceedings and work through this process with the family. You will be required to travel and work flexible hours. Our Agency has Zero Tolerance of Drugs including Marijuana, and Alcohol. Must have a BSW or BISW. Qualified applicants please submit: resume plus 3-professional and 2-personal references, RCMP Criminal & Vulnerable Sector Record Check and a Driver’s Abstract to: HR Personnel at P.O. Box 1426, North Battleford, Sk. S9A 3M1 or e-mail: joyces@kcfcentre.com or fax 306-445-5568. Deadline for applications is January 17, 2020 We thank all applications and wish to advise that only those individuals who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

Hours of work: 8:30 to 4:30; Monday to Friday. Rotational On Call Weekends Company Vehicle Provided.

For position specific information contact Lorna Whitford, Home Care Nurse Supervisor at 306.937.6700. Submit resume, cover letter and 3 professional references by 4:00 PM, January 17, 2020 to: Human Resources Department Email: Recruitment@BRT6HC.ca Fax: 306 937 6767

Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

• Door‐to‐door • Carrier service • Total coverage • Personalize your coverage area

CALL NOW!

306‐445‐7261

FOR THE BEST COVERAGE IN THE COMMUNITY T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

BRT6HC wishes to thank all applicants for their interest however, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

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NEWS-OPTIMIST Serving the Battlefords since 1908

THURSDAY’S BEST

Financial thinkers ONLINE wanted.

www.newsoptimist.ca

We’re looking for fresh customer service talent to join our team. We create an exceptional experience for members and potential members both face to face and online/mobile. Visit the careers section of our website to view full details on any of our positions. innovationcu.ca Innovation Credit Union offers

The R.M. of Meota No. 468 is seeking a highly motivated, energetic and responsible team player for the position of Deputy - Chief Administrative Officer About Us We have a progressive Council that supports Administration to provide services to our residents, cottage owners, hamlets, agricultural producers, community partners and commercial developments. Recent expansions in the energy sector have provided both opportunities and challenges. Our office is located in the Village of Meota situated on Jackfish Lake, 37 kms northwest of North Battleford. About You You have experience in municipal administration, finance, bylaw/policy development and land use planning. You are looking for an opportunity to build your skills and career in municipal government while contributing to a team that values hard work, fun and a job well done.

WE NEED YOURCALL HELP! FOR ALL YOUR ONE OIL FIELD NEEDS C.O.P.P.

• Competitive wages • Comprehensive benefit program • Matched company pension of 7% • Attractive variable incentive program • Career advancement • Financial education support • Learning on work time • Fast paced exciting environment

R.M. of Meota No. 468

The R.M. of Meota No. 468 offers a comprehensive benefits package. The minimum qualification for the position is a “Rural Class C” or “Urban Standard” Certificate. The salary range for qualified applicants is $84,000 - $106,287. Interested candidates are invited to submit a covering letter, copy of certificate(s) and a resume. Applications for this position will be received until January 31, 2020. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

306-463-1454

ONE CALL FOR ALL YOUR OIL FIELD NEEDS

Is hiring 6 permanent, full time

THE BATTLEFORDS CITIZENS ON PATROL PHONE 446-1720 for more information

Email your application package to: cao@rmmeota468.ca

306-463-6337

OILFIELD FLUID OPERATORS (Water & KCL)

WINCH TRACTOR and CRADLE OPERATORS

306-463-1454

with 1 year minimum exp.

Good To Go Trucking is a private oilfield service company that has been in business for 29 years and is based out of Kindersley, SK.

At Good To Go Trucking, our focus is our employees!

We endeavor to create a working environment based on safety, respect, common sense and a desire to provide excellent service to our clients.

306-463-6337

Skills & Abilities:

Is hiring 6 permanent, full time

Kindersley. Saskatchewan 306-463-5898

with 1 year minimum exp.

Ability to pull Quad Trailers & Super B’s an asset, but not mandatory.

Kindersley, At GPE Saskatchewan Fluids Management, our focus is our employees! WeCELEBRATING endeavor to create a working 28 environment YEARSbased on safety, respect, common sense and a desire to provide excellent service to our clients. IN KINDERSLEY! Skills & Abilities:

• Must be diligent with logs • Must possess a clean abstract and valid Class 1A license • Oilfield tickets an asset, but will train • Must be able to work independently • Must be able to perform basic maintenance on power units and cradles • Must be diligent with logs • Must be in good physical condition

• Must possess clean abstract and valid Class 1A license • Must be able to work without supervision • Good physical condition • Must be able to perform basic maintenance on power units and trailers • Must be diligent with logs Oilfield tickets an asset, but will train

Benefits:

• Health & dental • Short term & long term disability • Company matched savings plan • Competitive wages • Family environment • Lodging Available

306-463-5898

• Health & dental • Short term & long term disability • Company matched savings plan • Competitive wagesSaskatchewan • Family environment • Lodging Available Kindersley,

Wage/Salary to be negotiated. CELEBRATING 28 YEARS Apply to: carthurs@gtgt.ca IN KINDERSLEY! Fax: 306-463-2814

Benefits:

Wage/Salary to be negotiated. Apply to: operations@gpefluids.ca Fax: 306-463-2814

Page 20 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

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Borden seniors plan Telemiracle fundraiser By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

The Borden Friendship Club held their first meeting of 2020 Jan. 8. They set the date of their Telemiracle Tea and Bake Sale for Thursday, Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. The proceeds from the tea, bake sale and 50/50 will all go to Telemiracle and there will be door prizes. The club will subsidize one-half of the ticket price

for any member wishing to attend the Borden Lions Dinner Theatre Feb. 15 in the Borden Community Centre, with the Battleford Players presenting a comedy – Red Feather

Ladies. Upcoming at the Friendship Centre Jan. 15 is a cash bingo starting at 7 p.m. and on Jan. 21 there will be a Kaiser tournament starting at 7 p.m. The monthly potluck supper and birthday celebration will be Jan. 29 at 5:45 p.m. with Borden’s Putt Putt Garage Band entertaining. The three churches are all back with services after

the Christmas break. The Anglican Church meets at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Sheldon Carr and the United Church at 1:30 p.m. with Gayle Wensley, both in St. John’s Church. The Riverbend Fellowship meet at the Borden seniors’ room at 10 a.m. for adult Bible study. The service starts at 10:50 a.m., with Pastor Ron Mills. There is Bible/book study at St. John’s Church on Fridays at 11 a.m. and

everyone is welcome. The Anglican and United Church will be hosting a luncheon Friday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Borden seniors’ room and the donation proceeds are to go to the Borden School breakfast program. Volunteers from the five churches in the area – Baptist, Anglican, Lutheran, Riverbend Fellowship and United – go on Tuesday afternoons at 3

p.m. to provide a brief service to the residents at the Borden Care Home. They also bring lunch for a time of fellowship after. The Care Home Auxiliary go in on Thursdays at 2 p.m., providing entertainment, playing bingo, doing crafts or providing storytelling. Thanks to all the volunteers from Borden, Radisson and Langham who provide these programs for the residents.

Crafts and yoga resume to chase the winter doldrums By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent

We’ve been in and out of the deep freeze, but mostly in, over the past week. But take heart, the first day of spring is on its way. Craft day is in full swing at Mayfair Library every Wednesday at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Call Dora Brown at 306-246-4848 or Ellyn Scotten at 306-2464849 for information. The cost is minimal. Yoga classes will resume Monday evenings at the hall. Instructor Louise Sylvester from North Battleford as been driving to Mayfair for the past eight years. For more informa-

tion call her sister Teresa Toews at 306-246-4812. A funeral for a dear lady who passed away Jan. 8 will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 17 at Rabbit Lake Community Hall. Remembered is 76-yearold Norma Sherman, wife of Gordon, mother to Rhonda Prescesky of North Battleford and Barry Sherman of Lloydminster. She was also a mother-in-

law, grandmother to five and great-grandmother to two. The family is expecting a fair-sized crowd, as Norma was instrumental in many of the clubs in and near her farm home. Many who would attend are vacationing in warmer climates. Dec. 11, I was at a concert at the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon. The four-part band, Close Talker, is an excellent Canadian band. A few members are originally from Saskatchewan. Jan. 5, Valerie Taylor, Leanne Cherwinski, Faye Liebaert and I went to the musical “Elf” at Perse-

phone Theatre in Saskatoon. It was worth the price of admission, featuring humour and great entertainment. Many families were in attendance the day we chose to go and it was held over for two weeks. Our day ended at Mr. Noodle restaurant downtown, an authentic Chinese eating establishment. My husband and I enjoy watching our two older grandsons, age nine and five, play hockey. Cooper, the five-yearold, plays on the Radisson Oilers initiation team. His second game was in Perdue two weeks ago. His older brother, Park-

er, plays with a Radisson Atom team. They hosted a tournament this past Saturday. Radisson won the tournament and our grandson took home the “hustler” banner. This will be added to his collection of awards. Christmas at our house was held Christmas Eve. I fed 15 people and had four dogs in and outside. When “in” I sometimes found myself tripping over them. Two of the four grandchildren were enduring bad colds. The day went by quickly. We even ate from my Royal Albert china. The Mennonite Christmas program Dec. 23 at

Mayfair Hall was enjoyed. Several participants played the piano, accordion and sang Christmas carols. The evening ended with lunch and fellowship. It was nice to see former Mennonite pastor Dan (Naomi) Unger originally from Rabbit Lake and residing in Saskatoon as of three months ago. Safe travels to everyone taking a break from the cold prairie winter. In the desert a bad winter sand storm played havoc with vehicles with sand blasting at 100 mph. The vehicles have pit marks from the sand. A winter snowstorm is much easier on the paint job.

Music has the power to change the world By Kelly Waters

Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival Committee

The deadline for entries for the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival is Saturday, Jan. 20. Teachers and students have around a month remaining to make selections that best showcase local talent. This year’s festival runs from March 24 to April 5. Fees for solos, duets, trios and small ensembles are $15 per entry. Band, choir and large ensemble entries are $30 per

entry. Late entries will be accepted with a $25 fee per participant. As the festival entry system moves along with technology, an online profile can be created at any time. If the student or

teacher has a profile from last year, it will be saved in the system. According to blogger Catherine from “The Creative Music Blog” https:// blog.procollabs.com/role-

music-plays-life/ “Music makes you express your emotion.” When we play an instrument, we usually play the music that reflects our thoughts or our emotions. This way our brain conveys the thoughts with the medium of music, without speaking a word. When we try to understand the music, it makes our mind more creative. Also, “Music makes learning more pleasant.” Music is an effective way to develop the capability of memorizing. The best example is, that

COMING EVENTS

Thursdays

Peer to Peer Support Group for Mental Health meets Thursday mornings @ 9:30 am at 1602 103rd Street in North.We welcome you to join us as we work towards recovery, and support one another.You will be warmly welcomed by all.

Saturday January 25, 2020

The Topline Dance Club will be hold its dance in the Denholm Community Hall, with music by Leon Ochs. Dancing from 8:00PM 12:00AM lunch served. Min age: 19. Contacts: Leela, 445-7240; Sharon 446-0446; June 445-3216. Enjoy an evening of dancing and socializing.

Monday January 27, 2020

Visit our website

www.newsoptimist.ca for more community events

Join us for a discussion of Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. 7PM, at the North Battleford Library.

Monday January 27, 2020

Sharing Griefs Journey. A support group for those struggling with the loss of a loved one. Monday evenings at 7:00PM For 8 Weeks. For more information call: Sue 306-441-5441, Denise 306-441-3338.

Wednesday January 29, 2020

Alcoholics Anonymous

Please call our 24 hour at 1-877-341-3322 for support or information.

Al-anon Family Groups

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

Mondays & Thursdays

North Battleford Table Tennis. September - May 28. Mondays & Thursdays from 7:00PM - 9:00PM 1371-103rd Street - use back parking lot doors off 102nd - behind the library. Youth, Adults & Seniors - All skill levels. Contact us for more information or drop in! tabletennisnb@gmail.com.

For ages 18 months to 3 years. Enjoy 30 minutes of stories and rhymes. At the North Battleford Library.

Wednesday January 29, 2020

Join us as Wanda Bru discusses her trip to London, England. 7PM, at the North Battleford Library.

Friday January 31, 2020

Enjoy stories inspired by STREAM activities.At the North Battleford Library. Ages 4-8.

This section is provided free-of-charge to non-profit organizations. To list the Community Calendar please please email adtakers@sasktel.net. Please provide complete information including event, time, date and location. Although we will do our utmost to make sure your event appears in this section, we can not guarantee all submissions will appear. Deadline for submissions is Friday at 10:00 a.m.

you can easily learn songs rather than learning a syllabus. The reason behind learning a song quickly is that your mind enjoys music. Whatever your mind enjoys, it preserves. Thus, music is said to be a good option to learn new things quickly. In primary classes, students might have learned poems first. Poems are being taught to children because they find them interesting and easy to learn and retain them in their mind. The music in the poems makes it more enjoyable. This is the only reason many remember those poems throughout their lives. These days, the schools realize the importance of music, thus they are enhancing the methods of teaching by making it interesting with the help of music. Music has the power to change the world. Many classrooms in the Battlefords area place band or choral singing ensembles entries into the music festival. Some local classrooms over the last few years have discovered the joy of preparing and entering choral speech. Choral speaking does not require expensive instruments or years of specialized training. Anyone can do it. All that is needed are poems and stories that teachers and students feel are worthy of exploring along with some imagination. Choral speech lends itself easily to language arts and arts education curriculum learning objectives.

Speech arts are a fun way to explore written text using dynamics (loud versus soft), tempo (fast versus slow), rhythm and dramatic expression. Choral speaking activities are highly engaging for students and offer safety in numbers for those students less comfortable with public speaking. It is not difficult to find material that is both educationally valid and of interest to students. Schools have the option to travel to a festival venue for adjudication or, with a minimum of five group entries, request that the adjudicator come to their school to view performances. Participants are welcome for adjudication by experts in the field of each musical discipline and recommendation to the provincial and national competitions. To be eligible for scholarships and awards, participants must be 19 years or under and have lived in the Battlefords and district for a minimum of six month prior to the festival or be furthering their education elsewhere, but still supported by parents living in the Battlefords district. Areas of competition for musicians include voice, piano, guitar, strings, woodwind, brass, percussion, pipe and electronic organ, choir/school music including special education, multicultural, speech arts (individual verse and speech therapy classes, storytelling) and small ensembles as well as band and orchestral classes.

Regional News-Optimist

The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 21

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Hockey season moves into playoffs and provincials By Sherri Solomko Correspondent

Midway into the first month of this new decade and how is your year going so far? Let’s continue to hope and pray for peace in our world, for relief from Australian fires and hope for our children’s future. Unity continues to flourish with activity, wellness opportunities and a continued commitment by residents to enhance the community and community life. Upcoming activities include: Jan. 18 - Midget AA Lazers vs North East; Jan. 18 - Unity Miners vs Eatonia; Jan. 19 - Midget AA Lazers vs Beardys; Jan. 21 to 25 Pattison Ag Men’s Curling Bonspiel; Jan 25 initiation tournament; Feb. 1 - Unity Wildlife Supper; Feb. 8 - Midget AA Lazers vs Martensville; Feb. 14 - Sweetheart Soiree hosted by Unity Kin Club to benefit Telemiracle 25. Last weekend’s Battle of the Blades was a big hit and could not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of

nity News

both community men volunteer skaters and the Unity Skating Club skaters, along with the USC organizing team. Next up for the Unity Skating club is an ice carnival set for March 8. As league playoffs and provincial competitions edge into hockey schedules, stay tuned to the Town of Unity website, posters around town and the TVs at the rink for what’s on tap for the second half of hockey season for all divisions. You can also check out the seasons of Unity players who are playing with West Central Peewee and Bantam Wheat Kings, the NW Female AA Bantam Sharks and the Battlefords AAA Stars. Unity’s Karson Blanchette was selected for the Bantam Top 160 SaskFirst tournament in Decem-

ber and has now learned he made the Bantam Top 80 SaskFirst event upcoming in February. Karson currently plays with the West Central Bantam AA Wheat Kings, earning 11 goals and 20 assists with the team as of December’s end. Karson is affiliated with the Unity Midget AA Lazers, having played one game with them so far. Pre-season, Karson played with the Prince Albert AAA Mintos in three games. Nominations are now open for the Celebrate Unity event for a business or someone who has contributed significant time and dedication to community activities, groups, events or organizations. Deadline for nominations is Jan. 27 and can be made to helena@helenalong.com. The Celebrate Unity event is to be hosted March 2. The community thanks those who contributed and organized the “adopt-a-grandparent” gift program in December, delivering gifts to Parkview Place and longterm care.

BABY

Brian Woytiuk draws the Grand in Your Hand wnning entry out of a bag bursting with entries. Top prize winner of $1,000 in Chamber Bucks was Unity’s Jaclyn Thompson. Photo submitted

2019

Registry

Congratulations SAYGE CARLANN PARKINSON February 7, 2019 Parents: Grant & Bailey Eisenkirch Siblings: Jordan & Ashley Grandparents: Michelle & Kelly Atcheynum Linda Mitchell

Rome Radley Squire Clark

March 4, 2019 Parents: Joel Clark & Melissa Squire Clark Grandparents: Brian & Pat Squire Dave & Naomi Clark Great Grandparents: Annie Polischuk, John & Marlene Squire, Louise Clark

Sayge Carlann Parkinson

October 12, 2019 Parents: Lyndsey & Jake Parkinson Grandparents: Margaret & Brian Parkinson Carol Bowman & Martin Bowman Great Grandparents: Pat Chapman, Kay Rutherford Sophia Parkinson, Ruth Blencoe

winner of the 2019 Baby Registry Gift Courtesy of

Battleford Boutique

Blake Dean MacDonald

Grandparents: Glorianne & John Schulkowsky The late Diane & John MacDonald

Jaxon James Bugg

Rowan June Marie Silvester

Parents: Rodney & Lori MacDonald Big Brother: Jase MacDonald

Greta Joyce Bugg

November 9, 2019

March 21, 2019

Parents: Brad & Beth Mitchell

Parents: Adam & Becky Bugg

Parents: Colby and Jessica Brosseau

Parents: Kirsten Matlock & Regan Bugg

Grandparents: Rob & Janet Hildebrand Dorothy Mitchell

Grandparents: Brenda Bradley John & Joyce Bugg

Grandparents: Murray and Ramona Evans Dave and Cheryl Panton

Grandparents: Murray & April Matlock John & Joyce Bugg

Proudly brought to you by

Aralynn Grace Brosseau December 9, 2019

Olivia Audrey Sheppard

October 15, 2019 Parents: Brett & Sarah Sheppard Grandparents: Bob & Bonnie Sheppard, Kay Sidebottom, Tim & Ruth Guenter, Lillian Guenter, George & Berte Fraser

November 26, 2019

Sloane Terry Mitchell

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

Ryder Kelly Kurt Eisenkirch

September 13, 2019

Regional

news-optimist Serving the Battlefords since 1908

June 5, 2019 Parents: Michael & Lisa Silvester Sister: Ava, Brother: Bradley Grandparents: Brian & Sandy, Mike & Connie Joe & Marie-Anne, Murray & Kathy, (Late) Val Wickstrand

Page 22 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

Regional News-Optimist

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Black coffee is the key to weight loss says Ed Yesterday, when Ed called, I was making myself a coffee. My old neighbour shared they were back (Jan. 4) from visiting family in Edmonton for the holidays. He said his daughter is beginning Weight Watchers in January to help her lose weight in 2020. Ed was not impressed because it was going to cost his daughter money to help her lose weight. Ed was sure he could have her lose pounds and keep her money. He offered to stay one month longer at his daughter’s house and put her on a diet of black coffee and his cooking. Black coffee, according to Ed, will keep

for lunch, and scrambled eggs and a baked potato in the microwave for supper. Diet snacks would be microwave popcorn, or an apple with all the black coffee wanted, or water to drink each day. This rotating diet reflects what you used to be your cooking when Ruby was away.” “That was pretty much what I had in mind for her diet, but my daughter opted for Weight Watchers, assuring me she could afford its cost,” Ed said. I told Ed not to feel bad because people are fussy about what they eat even if they are on a diet. In the Bible, God’s people grumbled because

eighbourly Advice

According to Ed By Raymond Maher

www.accordingtoed.com

revraymaher@accesscomm.ca the pounds off because the more black coffee you drink, the less you will want to eat. Knowing the few things that Ed cooks, I said that if Ed cooked for his daughter, that might be close to child abuse. I asked him, “Would she be on a circular diet

of instant oatmeal for breakfast, a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, three slices of fried bologna or baloney with a boiled potato or two for supper? I assume the second day of the diet would be one or two hard-boiled eggs with toast for breakfast, cheese slice sandwich

they lacked the food they were accustomed to in Egypt. The Lord provided the Israelites with manna or bread from heaven each day except the Sabbath. The manna was like a wafer of bread for the people to collect for food each morning. God was providing food for them in their travel through the desert, but they still complained. I informed Ed that in 2020 that I am sure it will be a good year and that I could become rich and famous, but if I become so, I will still be a good friend. Ed said that would be a welcome change. In every year, we all treasure those that we see as a good

friend. A good friend is there to help, to support, to walk with us, or cook for us, show us what matters most: that we are not alone or forgotten A good friend helps us see that though we do not have what we once had, we have what we need for now. God waits to be your good friend in 2020. He is ready to help you. He says, “Do not fear.” (Isa. 44:2) “I will come to you and bless you.” (Ex. 20:24) “Let my word direct your footsteps.” (Ps. 119:133) “What is impossible for you is possible for me.” (Luke 18:27) “I am God in heaven and on earth. There is no other.” (Deut. 4:39)

Worship Together Spend some quality family time together. Worship at the church of your choice. Our community has a number of churches and a variety of denominations for you & your family.

(RC) St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish 1942 - 98th Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 0N4

TerriTorial Drive alliance church

306-446-1695

PASTOR: Rev. Phinh Do

DAILY: Tues., Wed., Thurs. & Fri. - 9 a.m. unless otherwise noted WEEKEND MASS TIMES: Saturdays - 7:30 p.m. Sundays - 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church

ANGLICAN PARISH

306-445-5901

St. George’s Anglican Church - 9:30 a.m.

1401 - 98th Street, North Battleford, SK

SUNDAY SERVICES Rev. Trevor Malyon

Reverend George Yando Sunday Services 10:30 AM Everyone Welcome

191 - 24th Street West, Battleford, SK

St. Paul’s Anglican Church - 11:00 a.m. 1302 - 99th Street, North Battleford, SK

Hope Mennonite Fellowship

Battlefords Grace Community Church

1291 - 109th Street, North Battleford

SUNDAY - 11:00 a.m. - Worship Service

Pastor: Bill Hall

Pastor Gerhard Luitjens & Abel & Sonya Zabaleta (Mission Partners)

191 - 24th Street W., Battleford, Sk. 306-937-7575

WORSHIP SERVICES - 11 a.m. Sunday

Church Phone 306-445-4181

Everyone Welcome

Battlefords Cowboy Church Services 1st & 3rd Thursday of each Month

Battleford Legion Hall 7:00 p.m. PASTOR - Rick Martin

All Saints Ukrainian Catholic Parish

ROMAN CATHOLIC ST. VITAL’S

DIVINE LITURGY Sundays at 10:00 a.m. Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.

Phone 306-937-7340 PASTOR - Fr. Sebastian Kunnath

902 - 108th Street, North Battleford

Contact: Fr. Ivan Derkach 306-937-3767 or 306-317-8138

Battleford United Church 52 - 4th Avenue West Battleford, SK

306-937-3177 Rev. Gayle Wensley

SUNDAY SERVICES 11:00 a.m.

Third Avenue United Church Rev. Dexter van Dyke Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 a.m. Sunday School 1301 - 102nd Street, Phone 306-445-8171

Everyone Welcome www.thirdavenueunitedchurchnb.ca Email: thirdaveunited@sasktel.net

11 - 18th Street, Battleford, SK

Saturday Evening Mass - 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass - 10:30 a.m.

Living Water Ministry

Sr. Pastor Brian Arcand Pastor Anand George Phone: 306-445-3803 Cell: 306-441-9385 Fax: 306-445-4385

1371 - 103rd Street (Use East Door)

LIVING FAITH CHAPEL

1372 102nd St 306-445-3009

DELMAS - Fr. Sebastian Kunnath SUNDAY MASS - 9:00 a.m.

S0M 0P0

Phone 306-937-7340

Maidstone/Paynton United Church of Canada Phone: 306-445-4338

Clergy Person: Rev. Ean Kasper

10:30 a.m. Service

Church & CE Wing: 306-893-2611 For booking the Wing: 306-893-4729

Sunday Services 10:30 am Various Weekly Programs www.livingfaithchapel.ca

Battlefords Seventh-Day Adventist Church

St. Jean Baptiste de la Salle Roman Catholic Church Box 10, Delmas, SK

Sunday Evening Service 7:00 p.m. Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 p.m.

1702 - 106th Street, North Battleford

Come Join Us Sundays at 11:00 am Loving God Growing Together Serving Others Phone Church: 306-445-4818 Fax: 306-445-8895 Email: tbcnb@sasktel.net www.trinitybaptistchurch.ca

Pastor James Kwon

Corner 16th Ave. & 93rd Street, North Battleford

Phone 306-445-9096

Saturday Services Bible Study - 10:00 a.m. Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Regional News-Optimist

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The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020 - Page 23

At the lake

Residents learn about north development By Lorna Pearson Correspondent

It sounds like this week could set records for cold temperatures and we will have to cope as best we can. There will be less traffic, as it is hard on vehicles to be running and harder on people if there are problems, like the furnace, or anything depending on electricity, not working. Gasoline freezing up causes trouble on the road, which is not funny. It could be a good week waiting for a tow truck, as I’ve seen one go by here today with a truck that probably wouldn’t start. The meeting held in the RM building Jan. 8

eota News

brought forth many ideas and many questions were answered regarding future development north of the village of Meota. Pros and cons were discussed and information shared. The monthly meeting at the Do Drop In was held Jan. 10. An appreciation lunch for the Hobby Band is planned for Jan. 14, but is not finalized. The new vice-president is Vivianne Lesko. SSAI lottery tickets are on hand and will be

sold, with 25 per cent of the money coming back to the club. The phone number 211 is a number to call for services available by the government. The walkathon running from April 1 to May 15 was discussed with emphasis on the fact that all physical activities can be counted in, not just walking. Next shuffleboard is set for Jan. 18. Again the defibrillator was discussed but nothing was finalized. Does one need a demonstration as the instructions are there? A report on the RM meeting followed. Vivianne reported on films and videos available. Happy Birthday was sung to Nestor Fransoo. We need to begin

planning for the regional meeting we offered to host this spring. The free noon luncheon Feb. 17 is being hosted by the Lions Club in appreciation of the support they get from the community. The next meeting will be Feb. 14, also followed by a potluck luncheon. A set of New Year twins born in Indiana arrived in different decades – one in 2019 and one in 2020. Duplicate bridge was played here Jan. 2. Betsy Brown and Catriona Winterholt were the winners, followed by Maureen Campbell and Richard Groves, Trudy Iverson and Eric Callbeck and Mary Phelps and

Norma Assmus. Jan. 7 saw top score go to Donna Scherman and David Sharpe. Second were Bob and Betsy Brown and third were Catriona Winterholt and Pat Zaychkowsky. Jan. 9, top score went to Jean Lawes and Fraser Glen followed by Margaret Dyck and David Sharpe. Canasta was played in the Do Drop In Jan. 10, with top score going to Dave Ottis and Gwen Lacerte. Second were Evelyn Dutton and Arlene Walker, third were Terry Neale and Lorna Pearson and fourth were Paulette Neale and Svend Christiansen. It was nice to have four tables in play as the weather keeps getting colder. It really is

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a great social time to visit. A fellow used to take his dog to the doggie park for exercise every day, for years, travelling on the city bus. The time came when the fellow couldn’t manage to go, so a bus pass was fastened to the dog’s collar and it continued to travel to the park, daily, alone. By mid-week, when this paper comes out, we will know if we really did hit -40 C and I expect we will have. With the wind chill factor likely well below that. Not sure what Calgary is facing, but they are not happy either. The one good point will be if the cold kills off those pine beetles that are threatening forests.

Look for the RIGHT business for the JOB DEADLINE FOR THURSDAY EDITION IS MONDAY BY 4:00 PM

GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Derrick Shynkaruk General Contractor

• New Construction • Renovations

306-445-6769

3 miles N.W. on Hwy. 16, 2 1/2 miles west on Sunshine Road

CRANE SERVICE

Race Crane Ltd. 24 Hr. - 7/24 Service

306-446-2155

Shop - 10021 Thatcher Ave. racecrane@sasktel.net Serving the Battlefords Area for over 35 years

COURIER SERVICE & MOVING

Kevin Ryhorchuk

306-441-8727 ESTHETICIAN

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306-445-4500 • 1821-100 St. North Battleford

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Page 24 - The Battlefords, Thursday, January 16, 2020

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Regional News-Optimist

Orange is the new green. Battleford - 82B Battleford Crossing North Battleford - 2-302 114 Street