Regional News-Optimist October 6, 2022

Saskatchewan saw most tornados this year since 2012

25 twisters touched down

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

Life in Saskatchewan in 2022 might not have been like Kansas in The Wizard of Oz, but it was close.

Environment Canada is reporting that as of the end of the tornado season on Oct. 4, Saskatchewan recorded an official tor nado count of 25.

That marks the highest number of tor nadoes since 2012. Fortunately, they didn’t do major damage to major population cen tres, but they were definitely a sight to see in a number of rural locations in the prov ince.

The numbers for 2022 were tracked by Environment Canada and by Western Uni versity’s Northern Tornadoes Project.

Of the 25 twisters, the first touched down in May, followed by 11 in June, 11 in July and two in August.

The first tornado of 2022 was an EF-0 rated storm in the Keeler/Caron area on May 17. The vast majority of tornadoes were rated EF-0, with four rated EF-1 and four rated EF-2.

The four strongest tornadoes were the EF-2 events in Manitou Beach on June

29 at 4:55 p.m.; Paynton on July 8 at 4:07 p.m. and Blaine Lake the same day at 6:04 p.m.; and Erinferry on Aug. 4 at 6:53 p.m. that evening.

An EF-2 tornado is defined as one caus ing significant damage with wind gusts of 178–217. An EF-1 normally causes moder ate damage, while an EF-0 causes minor damage. The highest rating on the scale is EF-5 which is gusts in excess of 322 km/h.

Most of the tornadoes touched down either in central Saskatchewan between Saskatoon and Regina, or in northwest and north central Saskatchewan. The most northern event was an EF-0 waterspout in the Uranium City area on July 26 at 5:30 p.m., which was also the lone waterspout tornado recorded in 2022 in the province.

Sunchild Law hosted their 10th annual commemorative Battleford Industrial School Cemetery Walk on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. See inside for more on the day’s events. | Photo by Averil Hall / Freelance Photographer

Wrecked vehicle drives home safety message

Submittted

Put down the phone; pay attention to the road; get to your destination safely. Those are the messages the city’s Community Safe ty Officers will be convey ing during an October en forcement and education blitz about the dangers of distracted driving. CSO Unit Commander Jerry Koliniak worked with SGI and Lash-Berg Towing on a display to give driv ers a visual perspective of the extent of damage dis tracted driving can do to a vehicle – and its occupants – after a crash occurs.

“SGI donated a totaled car to us that Lash-Berg strapped to a trailer, which we will be hauling to dif ferent schools and areas in the region,” commented Koliniak. “The reality is

that so many accidents, in cluding fatalities, happen while vehicle operators, not just young people, are on their phones and not paying attention to their driving.”

Koliniak said that while enhanced enforcement ef forts for distracted driving laws will be a priority for October, the real goal of the initiative is education and prevention.

“We would rather edu cate people about the very real dangers of distracted driving and prevent people from driving while dis tracted before a serious incident occurs. Effective prevention can potentially save lives.”

“Distracted driving” does not just include cell phone use while operat ing a motor vehicle – it also includes eating, using

GPS, reading and personal grooming – actions which can yield a ticket for the driver, along with hefty fines.

The penalties for using a cellphone (holding, us ing, viewing or manipulat ing) while driving are:

• first offence - $580 ticket and four demerit points under the Safe Driv er Recognition/Driver Im provement Programs;

• second offence within a year of being convicted of the first - $1,400 ticket and an additional four demerit points, plus an immediate, seven-day vehicle seizure;

• third offence within a year of being convicted of the first - $2,100 ticket, four more demerit points and another seven-day ve hicle seizure.

Penalties for “driving without due care and atten tion” tickets are the same

A smashed vehicle mounted on a moveable trailer will be used throughout October to spread the message about the dangers of distracted driving. | Photos courtesy City of North Battleford

as above.

The schedule for the Distracted Driving Cam paign stops is: Oct. 3Jean-Paul II Collegiate; Oct. 4 - North Battleford Comprehensive High School; Oct. 5 - Sakawew High School; Oct. 6 - Fron tier Centre (front park ing lot); Oct. 7 - Access Communications Centre (7:30 p.m., dirt parking lot,

North Stars hockey game); Oct. 11 - Discovery Co-op Mall; Oct. 12 - Sobeys off Territorial Drive; Oct. 13McDonalds (east location); Oct. 14 - Tim Hortons (east location); Oct. 17 - SLGA liquor store on 101st Street; Oct. 18 - Little Caesars; Oct. 19 - NationsWEST Field House parking lot; Oct. 20 -Walmart; Oct. 21 - downtown, across from

City Hall on 101st Street.

For the week of Oct. 24 to 28, the display will move to the town of Battleford as city CSOs work on this community safety initia tive and awareness cam paign with regional part ners. Battlefords Citizens on Patrol are also support ing the campaign as they assist in crime prevention and reporting.

Participants in the program are invited to sign the vehicle.

CSO Unit Commander Jerry Koliniak and the city’s team of CSOs will be touring the community throughout October promoting safe driving.

Truth and reconciliation in the Battlefords

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Honour, remembrance and togetherness were at the forefront of many people’s minds Friday as the Battlefords honoured the children who never re turned home, the survivors of residential schools and their families and commu nities on the 2nd Annual National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

The City of North Bat tleford, the Town of Battl eford, The Ridge, and other local organizations hosted and supported events with commemoration in mind, as members of the com munity took in the events, moved by the spirit of re membrance, honour, and reverence for those affect ed by residential schools.

Local representa tives from Battleford’s and North Battleford’s councils, RCMP, Indig enous communities and

local businesses began the events Friday morning with a smudging ceremony in a teepee at The Ridge.

Indigenous elders smudged and prayed, speaking on the impor tance of togetherness, growth, and reconciliation.

“It’s in honour and memory of the children, not only to grieve but in memory of those all across Canada who didn’t make it home,” said Grant Be audry, CEO of MGBLM Economic Development Corp.

The elders spoke of their desire to come together to acknowledge residential school survivors and move into the future. The elders added that they want to see Canada move beyond an “us vs them” mentality and work together to care for the earth and our society, not separately but together.

Later, The Ridge held an inauguration jointly with the Catholic church

Have you ever tried sweetgrass syrup?

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Instead of hosting a traditional Thanksgiv ing supper, the Kihiw Restaurant is doing something a little dif ferent. Joelle Sparvier, the corporate executive chef for SIGA, has been working on designing an inclusive, Indige nous-inspired meal, in gredient by ingredient, that showcases the best of First Nations culture and cuisine but with a fresh new twist.

“We came up with the idea … because we wanted to showcase and highlight First Nations ingredients. It’s [a har vest meal] inspired by traditional Indigenous foods, instead of a tra ditional Thanksgiving supper.”

During the Thanks giving weekend, Oct. 7 to 10, people can treat themselves to five different dishes: a

three-sisters soup with squash, corn and beans, an autumn salad with fall fruits and wild rice, roasted turkey, bison short ribs with a sour cherry glaze, and va nilla/orange cake served with a sweetgrass syrup.

Sparvier wants to use different First Nations ingredients that played an essential role in some Indigenous cultures for thousands of years, us ing foods like sour cher ries, wild rice and bison to celebrate those differ ences.

“We’re always look ing to celebrate First Na tions. It might be some thing we put a twist on moving forward,” Spar vier said, hoping they can create future Indig enous seasonal menus for their restaurants.

The First Nations Fall Harvest will be coming to all seven of SIGA’s restaurants dur ing the Thanksgiving Weekend.

for the new teepee shrine. The teepee was erected at the Oblates of Saint Mary with a portrait of Snow Woman and was dedicated by local indigenous leaders in memory of the residen tial schools.

The same morning, The Town of Battleford raised the Star Children Flag in the spirit of reconciliation with Indigenous drum mers and singers, prayer, and smudging ceremonies. Gavin Baptise raised the flag with elders, Indig enous leaders, and Mayor Ames Leslie in attendance.

Later, The City of North Battleford also raised the Star Children Flag, with Mayor David Gillan, Mayor Ames Leslie, Karen Whitecalf, Chief Sylvia Weenie, Chief Kenny Moccasin, and Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman sharing remarks.

Throughout the day, other organizations joined in honouring the National Day of Truth and Recon ciliation. Battlefords Indi an Metis Friendship Cen tre held their 2nd annual Every Child Matters Event with drummers, powwow dancers, hoop dancers, a balloon wreath and a lunch.

The North Battleford Public Library showed a film by Alanis Obomsawin titled Honour to Senator Murray Sinclair, which shares the speech given

by the senator when he ac cepted the WFM-Canada World Peace Award.

The day ended with

a reception for the new knowledge board erected at King Hill with many local dignitaries in attendance.

A teepee was built on the hill above the city and was lit with orange lights until midnight on Sept. 30.

Dignitaries, leaders, and community members gathered at The Ridge for a pipe ceremony.

Gavin Baptiste raises the Star Child Flag at North Battleford City Hall.

Prayers over the Star Child Flag at Battleford Town Hall. | Photos by Miguel Fenrich

Yes, payroll taxes really are taxes No, Trudeau shouldn’t be raising them

By Franco Terrazzano Canadian Taxpayers Federation

Political pundits are twisting themselves into pretzels arguing mandatory Canada Pension Plan and Employ ment Insurance payments are not a tax.

They’re missing the point: the government is taking too much money from Canadians.

If you make $65,000 this year, then the federal gov ernment is taking nearly $4,500 directly from your pay through CPP and EI taxes. Every employer must also cough up an extra $4,800. That’s more than $9,200 that a working mom could’ve used to buy formula, ground beef or pay for dental bills, but instead her and her employer have to fork it over to the feds.

The total payroll tax bill increased by $818 this year for each middle-class worker. In fact, payroll taxes in creased three times since the beginning of the pandemic.

And over the decade, the total annual payroll tax paid for each middle-class worker has increased by $2,435. The annual CPP tax alone increased by nearly 50 per cent. Can workers expect to retire 50 per cent earlier? Did seniors’ pension cheques increase by 50 per cent? Don’t count on it.

There’s no debate that the government is taking more money from workers through higher CPP and EI pay ments.

But should CPP and EI payments be considered taxes?

Yes.

If something looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it’s a duck. Likewise, if it takes money from you like a tax, funds government spending like a tax, and even the government admits it’s a tax, then it’s a tax.

Unlike fees, payroll taxes are mandatory. You can choose whether you want to purchase insurance from Manulife, a sandwich from Subway or a ticket from Via Rail. The taxman doesn’t give you a choice when it comes to your CPP and EI payments.

Payroll taxes also don’t directly pay for your service. You pay $160 at a government passport office for the service of renewing your passport. That’s a fee. But that’s not what happens with CPP payments.

“There’s an assumption that the money one pays into the CPP is going to fund their own personal retirement,” explain Charles Lammam and Hugh MacIntyre of the Fraser Institute. “[But] most of the contributions you make today fund someone else’s retirement.”

The money that comes off your pay cheque largely funds today’s retirees.

When you retire, you won’t be spending your money. Your cheques will be coming from future generations. And you’ll be counting on future politicians to keep the fund healthy and delivering those cheques.

But there is no legal requirement for a future govern ment to provide pension benefits. And if you pass away early, your CPP benefits aren’t fully transferred to your family.

Letter

Hope prevails in the health care system

Dear Editor

While patients, doctors, nurses and other people in struggle to navigate the world of health care, on behalf of the Sealy family I would like to relate one journey of hopefulness.

Tragically, Edward (Ted) Sealy lost his life after a brief journey with cancer, surviving only two weeks from the initial diagnosis. From that moment on, the medical world came to our aid, providing support while we were fortunate to have our patriarch at home, and, at the end, giving the family a place in the palliative care unit to spend time together. At no time was Ted in pain, a blessing to be sure, and the family felt well supported.

Our heartfelt thanks go out to many agencies: Tam my, Ambulatory Care Clinic; Scott Parker, the palliative care co-ordinator; Audrey, speech and language patholo gist; Kennedy Harris, occupational therapist; Ashley, dietitian; Dr. Patricia Campbell, the palliative care lead; Dr. Melissa McGee; Dr. Mohammed; and the numerous nurses involved in Ted’s care.

At a time when there are unbelievable stresses in the medical world, these people were all angels from heaven who did their best to assist us all, and especially Ted at

this difficult time. We should all give thanks to and for each one of them, and with hope in our hearts that with dedicated people like this better times lie ahead in the world of health care.

On behalf of the Sealy family

Barbara Sealy North Battleford

Letters welcome

Letters to the editor are welcomed by the Regional Optimist. All letters, including those which are faxed or emailed, must be signed and bear the address and telephone number of the writer. The name of the writer will be published. Letters are subject to ed iting. Personal attacks will not be printed. Letters will be rejected if they contain libel ous statements or are unsigned.

Gordon

Water is No Weak

By R.H. Wood North Battleford

I have not forgotten the night of the 31st of January 1953, the year of our late Queen’s coronation, and my frightening walk to my piano lesson with Mr. Marr, a true man of music, who had Irish connec tions and was pacing the floor repeating “they say water is weak — water’s no weak”. It was the night of “the great storm” — the night the Stranraer to Larne ferry sank in Belfast Lough off Donagadee.

It was the night when my father’s two-storey henhouse fell on its back,

The

WoodPile

legs in the air. All the chickens survived, includ ing Jack, that vicious, veritably pugilistic rooster which later got my bare legs. The replacement

hinged-in-the-middle A-frame was also subse quently blown flat — all the hens and Jack were flattened (not fattened) and given to the local butcher who sold them to grateful villagers still suffering from rationing shortages.

The Princess Victoria sinking saw the loss of ev ery woman and child plus the crew; 135 people died. Captain James Ferguson apparently could not risk turning the vessel around in Loch Ryan and fatefully attempted the crossing from Scotland to Ireland in a force 12 gale. The 2,600 ton, 400-foot-long

roll-on roll-off vehicle ferry had inadequate rear doors and poor drain age for any water taken aboard. The local talk was that Captain Ferguson, who had refused to sail on previous occasions in poor weather, was under pressure.

What, dear readers, you may be asking is the point of these havers. The point is that in life you must be prepared as in the Boy Scout’s motto. Things must be properly con structed — that vessel had a serious flooding episode a year before the disaster due to the inadequacy of the rear doors and this accident was not properly reported and dealt with. As for houses, these have to be properly built antici

pating storms and securely anchored o the ground.

The house we had on Red River Dive in Winnipeg is no more. We learned in England never to live on a seafront — paint and shin gles were regularly blown off. We have learned never to build on a slope and absolutely not on scree. Of course, we must have sym pathy for those who are trapped on flood plains, etc. but this is muted for totally obvious reasons.

It is fatuous nonsense to blame all today’s disasters on climate change.

Our small population cannot afford to be overly philanthropic abroad when we have our own issues.

Charity begins at home and I think should remain largely in this country,

which is so schismed ethnically and politically. We have our own prob lems, which are worsen ing, not lessening, due in part to people in general and very much to those in charge in Ottawa who are to my mind incompe tent, inadequately trained, painfully and politically partisan and short-sighted. Lessons should be learned from Germany. How could a presumably intelligent country allow itself to be energy deficient with the result that partially or otherwise it is dependent on a 750-mile-long storm-, sabotage- and shutdownsusceptible underwater pipeline from an unpre dictable Russia?

Gang Task Force assisted with $55M drug trafficking seizure

By Lisa Joy Staff Reporter

NORTH BATTL EFORD - Battlefords

RCMP’s Gang Task Force assisted in Project Cobra’s $55 million drug seizure by seizing five kilograms of cocaine in North Battle ford in August. The crossborder investigation also resulted in the seizure of firearms, luxury vehicles,

Payroll tax

and property.

Police from multiple agencies seized $7 million worth of property, bank accounts, luxury vehicles, and other suspected pro ceeds of crime, including a $3.5 million home in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, classic cars, and $200,000 cash.

“Removing five kilo grams of cocaine from the

Continued from Page 4

That means you don’t truly own the money you’re forced to pay into the CPP.

Let’s review. The government forces you to pay for CPP and EI. The govern ment then redistributes much of that money to other people. That’s the defini tion of a tax.

Even the federal government admits CPP and EI payments are taxes.

If you type “what taxes you pay” into Google, the first result is a government website that lists the various taxes Canadians pay. Just below income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes and tariffs are CPP and EI payroll

streets undoubtedly makes our community safer,” said Sgt. Adam Buckingham of Battleford RCMP’s Gen eral Investigation Section.

“Illicit drugs put lives in danger and they also increase occurrences of property crime and gang activity. That’s why Battle ford RCMP works diligent ly – including in partner ship with other police and public safety agencies – to

taxes. The Tax Court of Canada deals with appeals to EI or CPP decisions. As a member of Parliament, Justin Trudeau described rising EI payments as “a direct payroll tax increase.”

It’s a good bet most Canadians aren’t too concerned whether deductions from their paystubs are described as a contribution, levy, fee or tax. Canadians are concerned that their pay isn’t keeping up with the rising cost of living. Politicians should focus on the real concern and stop eating away at Canadians’ pay with higher payroll taxes.

— Franco Terrazzano is the Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation

keep drugs off our streets.”

Fifteen people were arrested and charged, in cluding Tianna Bull, 24, and Russell Ens, 39, from North Battleford. Enns is charged with possession for the purpose of traffick ing and possession of prop erty obtained by crime. Bull is charged with pos session for the purpose of trafficking.

RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration assisted the investigation led by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team

“Certainly, this inves tigation also shows that

drug trafficking at the lo cal level is sometimes tied to organized crime,” added Buckingham. “We are ap preciative of our partners at ALERT and the many agencies involved in this in-depth three-year inves tigation.”

The Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force’s man date is to target organized crime, the drug trade and serious property crime. Since its inception in No vember 2019, the Gang Task Force has led a num ber of successful drug trafficking investigations, including the execution of search warrants and drug interdiction traffic stops.

These initiatives have tak en a significant amount of drugs and firearms off lo cal streets.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their commu nity can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

Railway Avenue W. now officially Pēyak Trail

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The City of North Bat tleford has a new street name with the now-official Pēyak Trail (pronounced pay-ack), formerly West Railway Avenue. The cer emony took place on the corner of 12th Avenue and Pēyak Trail on National Truth and Reconcilia tion Day, with comments from Mayor David Gillan, Councillor Bill Ironstand, and Marilyn Richardson.

Pēyak means ‘one’ in Cree and was chosen spe cifically to show that rec onciliation has just begun in the Battlefords, and there is much more work ahead.

Chief Sylvia Weenie of

fered a prayer in Cree be fore the proceedings, ask ing that everyone could put their prayers together.

“... we can ask the great creator to bless this town, bless the people, and bless all the surrounding areas and give us the guidance to move forward …”

Mayor Gillan spoke on the importance of to getherness, education, and the dedication of the City Council towards making a consistent change in North Battleford as they moved towards reconciliation.

Gillan said that renaming Railway Avenue to Pēyak trail is the first step in reconciliation for the city, with much more work to be done in the coming months and years.

Councillor Bill Iron stand spoke on truth and reconciliation as well.

“I was reminded today … that truth and recon ciliation is not just about Indian residential schools. There were day schools, there were Indian hospitals … sanitoriums for Indig enous people only, there were many systemically racist things that happened to us as Indigenous people. Those are the truths and the reconciliation that need to take place.”

To thank the volunteers involved with the renam ing, decorative plaques were presented to Mari lyn Richardson and Leone Neville while the four oth er plaques were delivered.

Local chorus to host international school at Chapel Gallery

Submitted Battlefords Blend

Battlefords Blend will be one of three hosts of the Region 26 Sweet Adelines International area school in the fall of 2022.

This world-class event will be held in the Chapel Gallery in North Battleford Oct. 21 and 22 and is open to the public as long as they pre-register by Oct. 8.

This is the first year back for the schools after having been postponed due to pandemic restrictions. Faculty for the event are world-class educators and musicians who are well qualified to teach in their areas of expertise.

Sandy Marron has been the musical director of Li ons Gate Chorus, Vancou ver, since 1991. You may recognize the chorus as the exciting group of ladies who wowed the judges in Canada’s Got Talent earlier this year.

In addition to being able to motivate her chorus members to go outside of their comfort zone, Marron has extensive training in classical piano, degrees in psychology and music edu cation from the University of Victoria and vocal jazz and classical choral sing ing and conducting. These have all contributed to her success as a leader for Li ons Gate Chorus and SAI.

She is a certified Master 700 Director, which is the highest designation possi ble in Sweet Adelines. She is also a Certified Sound Judge for SAI, a profes sional barbershop coach and travels the world as a coach for Sweet Adelines

and the Barbershop Har mony Society. Sandy also sings tenor with Brava!, the 2004 International Quartet champions and Canada’s first queens of harmony.

Marron will be pre senting on the subjects of Vocal skills myth bust ers, speech-level singing, riser placement (using a demo group) and will be a member of the judge ques tion and answer panel. Her specialized knowledge and methods of teaching will be a huge asset for anyone interested in improving their vocal skills or direct ing abilities.

Another member of the faculty is Lisa Greenough, master director of Gateway Chorus, Edmonton, and approved visual communi cations judge. Greenough has a more than 30-year history with SAI, and has been a part of Region 26 since 1989. As a director, choreographer and educa tor, Greenough is noted for her high energy and great humour plus, of course, her selfie stick.

She has a long history of learning in order to better her barbershop knowledge and shares that knowledge freely with others who wish to learn. With all of this education, her presen tation on visual communi cation will incorporate all aspects of the barbershop art form, from vocal pro duction to characterization

to performance. Her ses sions typically leave ev eryone better educated and breathless from laughter.

Greenough will also be presenting a session on Beyond DEI: Creating a Culture of Belonging. Di versity, equity and inclu sion (DEI) has become an important part of inclusion in each chorus with SAI. In this session Greenough will be introducing ways to make every member feel welcome and valued.

Final presenter will be the accomplished Cheryl Pearce, director of Magic City Chorus, Saskatoon. She has taken her chorus to top-five placings at contest most years, which is an ac complishment considering the level of competition in Region 26, which is the only all-Canadian region of SAI. She will be giving a presentation on the aging voice.

This event is subsidized by SAI, so it does apply specifically to barbershop singing. It is an opportunity for area singers and directors of all types of choral music to learn and grow their knowledge base and skills. The event starts on Friday evening, Oct. 21 and goes all day Saturday. Lunch and supper will be available for all participants at an extra cost.

Join in the music and the fun.

Officials pictured at the official renaming of Pēyak Trail.

Mayor David Gillian presents commemorative Pēyak signs to Marilyn Richardson and Leone Neville. | Photos by Miguel Fenrich

The crowd watches the official renaming of Railway West to Pēyak Trail.

Crookedneck sentenced to three years for apartment fire

By Lisa Joy Staff Reporter

Judge Kevin Hill ac cepted a joint sentenc ing submission Friday of last week from the Crown and defence for a man ac cused of arson in a fire that destroyed an apartment building earlier this year.

Keeanu Crookedneck, 22, was charged with arson with disregard for human life following the Jan. 3 fire of the three-storey, 20unit apartment building.

“I think it would be a rare day that it would be appropriate for an apart ment fire of this magnitude causing this much danger to attract a sentence of only three years,” said Judge Hill. “It is appropriate in your case.”

Judge Hill said the sen tence doesn’t signify the breakdown of the proper functioning of the justice system and may well do the opposite, signifying the proper functioning of the justice system.

Crookedneck pleaded guilty and admitted to starting the dumpster fire outside of the apartment building. Court heard that fires were started inside the building and outside in the dumpster.

Crookedneck was given a three-year sentence and with credit for time served he has 689 days left to serve. This means his re maining sentence is under two years so he will go to a provincial jail rather than a federal penitentiary.

Court heard that Crookedneck had a limited criminal record and significant Gladue factors.

Defence Jared Aumiller of Saskatoon said that Crookedneck’s mother was confined to a wheelchair and unable to care for her four children so at a very young age he was sent to a group home on Red Pheasant First Nation whereas his siblings went to live with family.

Aumiller told the court that Crookedneck was physically, emotionally and sexually abused at the

group home. He eventually returned home for a brief period. He helped care for his mother and they formed a close bond as she relied on him for help.

He ended up being thrown out of his home on Saulteaux First Nation at about the age of 11-12 after he didn’t get along with his Kokum, said Aumiller. She was a survivor of residential school and had a “tough love mentality,” said Aumiller.

“The effects of Colo nialism and inter-genera tional trauma are still be ing passed on.”

Living on streets at early age

Crookedneck ended up living on the streets and relied on the goodwill of friends and family. In spite of being homeless, Crook edneck continued to at tend school until Grade 10 in North Battleford on his own initiative, Aumiller told the court.

His mother became paralyzed in his later teens and required surgery. Crookedneck got himself to the Saskatoon hospital to be by her side and that’s when he ended up quitting school.

Aumiller said his moth er’s surgery was successful and she is now a major sup port person in his life.

Crookedneck was in troduced to drugs when he was living on the streets as a child. He started out with marijuana, then ec stasy and cocaine before developing an addiction to methamphetamine in his late teens.

Aumiller told the court that at the time of the ar son, Crookedneck was “in the throws of addiction to meth.”

He added that Crookedneck has been clean and sober since being incarcerated and is much more clearheaded.

“He has a very good head on his shoulders and he’s very pleasant to speak to. If he puts his mind to it and stays away from drugs I’m certain we won’t see him again.”

Aumiller said Crookedneck was remorseful, never denied his involvement, and is taking responsibility for his actions.

Crookedneck apologizes

Crookedneck apolo gized to the court for his actions.

“I’m sorry for the in volvement I had in it. I re gret my actions for what I have done.”

Crookedneck also told the court that he hopes they don’t see him again.

Meth alters

perceptions: Judge

Judge Hill said meth likely altered Crooked neck’s perceptions and attitudes the night of the apartment fire.

“I want you to reflect on how much trouble crystal meth makes for you per sonally and the community at large.”

He added that given the challenges of Crooked neck’s upbringing and the Colonialism present within the system, it is to his cred it that he comes before the court with only one minor entry on his criminal re cord.

“You have had a tough upbringing,” said Judge Hill. “You should have got more caring and under standing in your upbring ing than you did. Every child deserves that - and protection - and I sense you didn’t receive your fair share and that’s why you’re here.”

Judge Hill encouraged him to continue with so briety.

“It strikes me you are a bright young man that has

the possibility of a strong future with your family but you have to stay away from drugs and alcohol.”

The apartment fire

Battlefords RCMP had received a call about an apartment fire on 102 Street in North Battleford at about 1:25 a.m. on Jan. 3. When they arrived the structure was fully en gulfed in flames. Sev enteen residents and six emergency responders re quired medical treatment.

Crown Prosecutor Scott Bartlett told the court that two to four people occu pied many of the suites in the building. Numer ous residents couldn’t flee through the hallway and exits. They were trapped and had to escape from their balconies by either homemade rope ladders or by fire department lad ders. Some residents were forced to jump off of their balconies and sustained in juries.

“Many left with just the clothes on their back and losing all of their personal possessions.”

Bartlett told the court that the apartment building had to be demolished and damage was estimated to be more than $3 million.

Naomi Yellowtail is also charged in connec tion with the apartment fire. Yellowtail remains in custody at Pine Grove Cor rectional Centre in Prince Albert.

Her trial is scheduled to run Feb. 27 to March 2, 2023. The charges against Yellowtail haven’t been tested in court.

Too good to be true

Staff

Battlefords RCMP re sponded to the report of a robbery shortly before 1 p.m. on Sept. 25. The victim arranged an online sale of property with an unknown male. The sus pect changed the location for the exchange at the last moment to the area of 108th Street and 9th Av enue in North Battleford. When the victim arrived, he was approached by a lone male with a firearm, who stole a cell phone and cash from the victim before fleeing. The vic tim was not physically injured.

On Sept. 29, the Battle fords RCMP Detachment and RCMP Gang Task Force arrested a 26-yearold North Battleford man at a residence in the city in relation to the Sept. 25 robbery. A search warrant was subsequently execut ed at a property in North Battleford by members of North Battleford RCMP General Investigation Section and RCMP Gang Task Force, where evi dence in relation to this investigation was located and seized.

The 26-year-old man is charged with: Robbery with a fire arm; Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; Unauthorized posses

sion of a firearm;

Possess firearm know ing it’s unauthorized;

Carrying a concealed weapon;

Three counts fail to comply with a release condition;

The RCMP wishes to remind the public to al ways take steps to ensure their safety when arrang ing buy/sell exchanges with someone they do not know. Some suggestions include:

Check the other par ty’s social media profiles for anything that makes you uncomfortable, and do not agree to meet if something seems out of place;

Always meet in a well lit, public space;

Complete your trans action during daytime hours;

Have someone accom pany you to the transac tion or at the very least – let someone know the details of who you will be meeting, date, time and location of the exchange;

Agree on transaction details before agreeing to meet;

Carry a phone with you;

Limit the amount of personal information you provide;

Remember: If some thing is too good to be true – it probably is.

Sunchild Law hosts 10th commemorative walk

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Sunchild Law hosted the 10th annual commem orative Battleford Industri al School Cemetery Walk on Friday at The Ridge to honour the children who never came home and to remember and elevate the voices of Indigenous resi dential school survivors.

Mayor Ames Leslie, Eleanore Sunchild, Chief Sylvia Weenie, Senator Jenny Spyglass, Treaty Commissioner Mary Culbertson, and Indigenous Elders were among the many present and honoured to share their thoughts, hopes, and wishes for reconciliation on the important day.

Indigenous Elders and living survivors of the resi dential schools, along with local indigenous leaders, spoke on the importance of remembrance, reconcili ation, and recognizing the intergenerational impacts of residential schools.

Karen Whitecalf, proj ect manager for Acahkos Awasisak, spoke on the

events, “... seeing all these people, all of these events … it’s amazing. It’s amaz ing how … two non-Indig enous communities and about eight First Nations communities, our elders, our chiefs were able to come together,” she said.

“It shows that we’re tak ing steps towards true rec onciliation, all of us getting together. This has never happened before. I’m truly blessed to be alive to see this happen.”

A blast is had at the city’s family fall event

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Since the 1st of Septem ber, the City of North Bat

tleford has hosted or spon sored 10 events to honour InnovationPlex’s 10th an niversary, ranging from Family Fun Day to free

movies at the field house or the pool. When Septem ber’s events culminated this Saturday with the City of North Battlefords Fall

Blast Festival, there was something for everyone at the Aquatic Centre, the Na tionsWEST field house, or the Plaza.

“All of our events throughout the month of September have been real ly well attended, now fami lies can celebrate all of the fall flavours that are upon us here in the Battlefords,” said Candace Toma, pub lic relations co-ordinator for the City of North Bat tleford.

The city-run event started with a pancake breakfast, followed by family-friendly activities. Children enjoyed arts and crafts, face painting, tem porary tattoos, and carni val games in courts 1 and 2 of the Fieldhouse. At 11, kite flying took place in the field across from the Inno vationPlex, and the first 50 families received free kites to take home.

During the lunch hour, the Discovery Co-op pro vided a barbecue lunch, and from 1:30 to 4 p.m., the

aquatic centre had pool in flatables and features in the pool. At 1:30, the city held a mini powwow with more than 100 dancers in part nership with local Indige nous communities, includ ing a friendship dance so

everyone could participate.

“There is always that possibility that if there is enough excitement and en thusiasm, we may want to continue something like this in the future,” said Toma.

It’s

family effort to put the kite together.

Photos by Averil Hall

Photographer

Family flying a kite near InnovationPlex.

A crowd gathers prior to the walk. For more photos, please visit SASKTODAY.ca.

Eleanore Sunchild, whose law firm hosted the walk, speaking before the walk commences. | Photos by Averil Hall / Freelance Photographer

Senator Jenny Spyglass speaks about her family’s experience with residential schools.

Teepee Shrine inaugurated at The Ridge

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

In 1954, Father Alfred Hubenig created a mo saic titled, Our Lady of the Snows, depicting an Inuit mother with a child, reminiscent of the mother of Jesus and the church’s love for her. Hubenig was a seminarian at St Charles Scholastic at the time. A replica of that artwork was inaugurated Friday in a specially built teepee shrine at The Ridge on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

Grant Beaudry, CEO of MGBLM Economic De velopment Corp., officiated the ceremony, dedicating the shrine jointly with first nations leaders, Indigenous elders, and representatives from the church in memory of those who didn’t make it home and survivors of resi dential schools.

Beaudry said the inau guration was in the spirit of truth, reconciliation and healing. He hopes for the shrine to be a place of dia logue between Indigenous communities, the govern ment, and the Catholic church so that the commu nity can move forward.

Elder Alvin Baptiste and Gary Armstrong held a smudging, and Father Mike Dechant offered a blessing.

Senator Jenny Spyglass prayed before the walk

Mayor Ames Leslie says a few words with Grant Beaudry looking on. See SASKTODAY.ca for more photos.

from the Oblates cemetery to the industrial school cemetery, saying there is a need for forgiveness.

Father Michael Dechant apologized on behalf of

the church and their role in Battleford’s industrial school before the Four Directions prayer.

Father Maurice Schroeder originally came

Ervin Wuttunee, who designed and executed the teepee construction with construction personnel Mike Kiskatagen (Red Pheasant), Steven Littlepoplar (Sweet Grass), Jewell Frenchman (Red Pheasant), Tyrone Stone (Mosquito), Peter Spyglass Jr (Mosquito) and Tyson Pahsaknunk (Mosquito).

up with the idea, hoping that a collaboration with the Indigenous community could bridge peace with the church and help inspire further reconciliation.

Our Lady of the Snows, Diya (Nakoda), Kona Eskwew (Cree), mosaic was first displayed in the chapel of the original building (which burned in

2003) and was transferred to the chapel of St. Mary’s Residence until 2020, when MGBHLM, in partnership with Stoney Knoll, acquired it.

Guests at the inauguration. | Photos by Averil Hall / Freelance Photographer

The teepee serves as a shrine hoped to be a place of dialogue between Indigenous communities, the government and the Catholic church.

Book Week tour features local author

SASKTODAY.ca

The Saskbooks Book Week tour arrived in the Battlefords last week with a reading and Q&A from local author Miguel A. Fenrich, author of Blue: A Novel. Fenrich read the first chapter of his book and took questions from the crowd.

The North Battleford Public Library hosted the event on Sept. 28th, with Saskbook’s Finance Offi cer Daniel Parr and Book Week Intern Logan McKay in attendance.

McKay spoke before the event, welcoming the crowd and Fenrich be fore thanking funders, in cluding the Government of Canada and Creative Saskatchewan. McKay thanked the North Battl eford Public Library and acknowledged the tradi tional lands of the Cree and Metis.

Blue: A Novel is set in a future society where people with blue eyes are

Art

discriminated against and used for their cheap labour in slave camps, farms, and factories. The main char acter, Wolfe, tries to over throw the system and free the millions of oppressed blue-eyed people while oppressive forces work against him.

Miguel A. Fenrich is the local author of Blue: A Novel and owner of Bat tleford’s Supernova Press which is currently open for submissions. Accord ing to Supernova Press’s website, Fenrich wrote his debut novel during the CO VID-19 pandemic and said he was inspired to write the book to encourage critical thinking and start conver sations around race rela tions in Canada. As a POC himself, he says he felt re quired to speak.

“I think … people need to start having conversa tions again. We need to do something about the reallife issues like poverty, racism, classism, inequal ity, and violence against

women, and we need to talk about it. By not talk ing about it, we’re letting it continue,” Fenrich said

When asked about his book’s sometimes intense subject matter and political nature, Fenrich offered a few comments.

“It’s a dystopian novel … it’s darker by nature. Books like Blue aren’t going to be easy reads, but they make you think about the world differently. Books like Blue make you look straight into the real ity of a situation and face it head-on instead of ignor ing it.

“Dystopian novels are also warnings. Blue is warning people about be ing apathetic, quick to hate ‘the others,’ and being ig norant about something as silly as skin colour, sexual organs, what gender you’re attracted to, who you pray to, ect … That’s why I cre ated Blue.”

Fenrich is currently working on two other books and says a sequel is

It’s not about money

By Linda Hauk Battlefords Art Club

Some say an artist is an individual earning a certain percentage of in come from their art. That was not the message given by a group of local artists attending a one-day art ist retreat at the Don Ross

Centre.

Painting, composing music, sewing, working fi bre and even an interesting group project creating a Cranky. So many talented people sharing their craft and knowledge. Money earned was almost the last message being shared. Although money spent

on learning and honing their craft was a recurring theme. It seems that the many artists in our com munity think that it’s not so much how they see the world, but rather how they make others see it.

Thank you to the Bat tlefords for supporting the arts.

Provincial Book Week comes to the Battlefords with Miguel A. Fenrich’s debut novel, Blue. | Photo by Brianne Hager

not currently in the works, “If there is a sequel to Blue, it’s many years off still. I’m focusing on two complete ly separate universes now.”

According to the Sask Books website, the Reginabased organization repre sents the best interests of

book publishers in Sas katchewan. When the Min ister of Parks, Culture, and Sport declared Book Week in 2016 to celebrate books published in Saskatch ewan, Saskbooks teamed up with local libraries, schools, and community

centres to showcase some of the books Saskatchewan has to offer.

You can browse a list of Saskatchewan publish ers online at skbooks.com or browse the list of past Book Week events at book week.skbooks.com

It seems that the many artists

not so much how they see the world,

how they make others see

100 YEARS OF FIRE PREVENTION

This year marks the centennial anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. A campaign teaching children and adults how to avoid fires and stay safe if one occurs was first launched by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in 1922.

North Battleford Fire Chief’s Message

Fire Chief Lindsay Holm

Fire Prevention Week is October 9 to 15, 2022!

T h is year Fire Prevention Week focuses on “Fire won’t

Wait. Plan your Escape.” Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning. “It’s important for everyone to practice home fire escape so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.” “Every home is

different, so you need to have a plan that works for your home and your family. Remember that children, older adults and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure you plan for someone to help them.”

TIPS ON FIRE ESCAPE PLANNING

• Working smoke alarms are your first line of defence. Install

smoke alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home. Best practice is to install alarms inside each bedroom.

• Test your alarm monthly and replace batteries regularly.

• Make sure your fire escape plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

• Know at least two ways out of every

room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in your household.

• Call 911 from outside your house using a mobile phone or from a neighbour’s house if possible

Members of the North Battleford Fire Department

DID YOU KNOW?

If you can’t hear your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, there are devices such as strobe lights or bed shakers that help alert you in an emergency. Contact the North Battleford Fire Department for more information or visit the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency website at www. saskpublicsafety.ca

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Perry

Acting Captain Robin Tomaz

Acting Captain Brett Gore-Hickman

Full Time Firefighter Brent Raven

Full Time Firefighter Clay Lazar

Acting Captain Jason Poitras

Part Time Firefighter Braden Rozsa

Part Time Firefighter Frank Kigozi

Part Time Firefighter Ryan Hutchison

Part Time Firefighter Boris Rehak

Rob Campbell Brian Marchewka

Part Time Firefighter Tyler Van Stone

Part Time Firefighter Mark Guieb

Fire Prevention

Schedule of Events

Fire Chief For the

will be on

Know 2 ways out.

Hafford Vikings continue winning ways

By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent

Most farmers have com pleted harvest with reports that crops yielded average to excellent depending on the rainfall, which was spotty this past spring and summer. There will not be too many grain dryers op erating, as the warm, sunny and often windy days were good for drying out crops. We’ve certainly been blessed, as the days keep us busy outside doing various tasks before the white stuff appears.

Rabbit Lake Health Care Centre is a mislead ing name as some people are confused when this title is used. Rose Gill Lodge is not a government operated facility. It is a private level one/two facility run by a

board of directors. This building is the former rural hospital, which was closed a few decades ago. Most places are under govern ment jurisdiction with staff being 18 years and older with certification and abid ing by the rules. The gov ernment ones usually have a worker appointed to do fun things such as crafts, bingo, stretching exercises and musical activities to give stimulation to the resi dents. This employee often assists with the other per sonal needs of the elderly. Hope this gives some clari fication and is not mislead ing to the public.

Thunderstorm Roofing from Saskatoon were hired to re-shingle the Ukrai nian Catholic Church built in 1944 in Whitkow. This building is structurally

sound and an important historical icon in our area. Many churches built in that era are of the same design and structure. The high rooftops are a challenge to work on. This beautiful building might get used a couple times a year, as the families practising that re ligion are dwindling in the district.

Sandwith Hall is spon soring a harvest dance Saturday, Oct. 22 from 7 to 10 p.m. The band is called Over the Hill and admis sion is $10 so come out and have a good time. It’s great to see small hamlets putting on an event such as this.

The Hafford School Vikings senior boys’ sixman football team were crowned provincial cham pions for the third year in

a row last season. I wonder if they will keep up with this fantastic record for this football season, which is half finished. Two more home games before the fi nals will proceed against Hague Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. and Oct. 20 against Dal meny at 4 p.m. They have won every game so far, so the next month will esca late to more fans cheering them on now that harvest is almost complete. Way to go, Vikings.

Correction from last week’s news: Medstead Library will be holding a Christmas Bazaar Satur day, Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Medstead Community Hall. Ven dors will be selling crafts, food, gifts and other items. To book tables please call 306-342-4988.

Colleges international partnership expands to NWC

SASKTODAY.ca

In October 2021 an in ternational recruitment and admissions partner ship, which includes Great Plains, Cumberland and Parkland Colleges, was established as a two-year pilot project.

Largely due to the suc cess of the project, the part nership will be expanding to include Southeast and

North West Colleges for the 2022-23 academic year.

The colleges will be working as a collective under the “Saskatchewan colleges” banner, in an ef fort to build the reputation of the regional colleges in the international education market.

“The expanded part nership will allow us to build off of the knowledge

gained from the first year of the partnership,” explained Great Plains College’s di rector of learner services and adult basic education Keleah Ostrander. “It will also enable Saskatchewan colleges to grow their re cruitment and admission capacity in a collaborative and financially efficient manner.”

Dr. Eli Ahlquist, presi

dent and CEO of North West College says “The partnership has the po tential to truly benefit our local economies and en rich the experiences of all learners. Collaborating under the Saskatchewan College partnership will enhance our efforts in re cruitment and ensure that we can offer the best qual ity experience to our future

students.”

“Regional Colleges collectively pride themselves on providing personal, positive educational experiences for their students,” said Dr. Vicky Roy, president and CEO of Southeast College.

We are looking forward to being a part of this initiative and to be able to provide this experience to

individuals that come from abroad.”

One individual dedicat ed solely to the internation al file, along with support staff, will recruit for all five organizations starting in October 2022.

Information on pro grams that accept inter national students can be found on each college’s website.

The historic Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whitkow is sporting new shingles. | Photo by Elaine Woloshyn

Biggar Museum is a community staple

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The Biggar Museum’s mandate is to preserve, protect, and present the history of Biggar and area, and the museum celebrat ing its 50th anniversary on Oct. 14. It opened in 1971 when then-Mayor Lloyd Hock asked a few historyminded community mem bers, “How do you feel about opening a museum?” The Biggar museum was born.

Delta Fay Cruickshank is the public relations coordinator for the museum and says the museum is a staple in the community. They host art and yoga classes, display local art, sell local authors’ novels, hold silent Christmas auctions, and bring new art exhibits into their gallery every other month. Cruickshank offers tours of the museum and is happy to explain the many artifacts on display.

Biggar earned its name from Grand Trunk Pacific Railway solicitor, Willam H. Biggar. All of the rail executives travelled west by car, naming everything along the now-finished rail. Because Biggar is a di vision point between Wain wright and Watrous, he de cided the town would be prosperous, so he named it after himself.

“During COVID, I got the chance to communicate closely with the curator of the Biggar museum in Biggar, Scotland,” Cruickshank said. After inquiring about the naming of Biggar’s European counterpart, she was informed that ‘biggar’ was a Norse word from the Vikings, meaning barley grown on a triangular field. “We have the second largest barley and malt plant in the world, and Palliser’s Triangle is

in Saskatchewan. Even though the land can be arid, we’re still growing barley on it!

“At one time, there were close to 8,000 people in the RM of Biggar, and now there are less than 700. At one time, there was a fam ily on every quarter sec tion.”

The museum also has six volumes of family gene

alogy and a Biggar district and area research collec tion. They have a reproduc tion of the Biggar Majestic Theatre, with the original theatre seats and the origi nal player piano used for the silent films between 1914 to 1930. Cruickshank added that the theatre hired people to change the music rolls included with the pur chase of a film.

When asked about the infamous Biggar KKK exhibit, Cruickshank said, “We’re not racist, we feel that history is here to teach us, the good and the bad. And I like to think that we’ve evolved.”

In the late 1920s, J.J. Maloney moved to town and headed the western KKK division. He moved to Biggar due to the Catho lic covenant.

“In the late 1920s, they [The KKK] were against the liberal government and immigration, blaming eco nomic issues on Saskatch ewan’s immigrants, which sounds an awful lot like today. During the great de pression, he worked at the Roman Catholic Church … we’re all immigrants!” Cruickshank added.

However, not all history is good history. Lee Xiong (or Pete) ran Biggar’s laun dromat and couldn’t afford to bring his family to Can ada with him. Xiong went to the railway and waited for his family to come, rocking on his heels with

his hands behind his back, but they never came. Xiong eventually fell ill and moved to North Battleford, and the museum was, for tunately, able to save some of his artifacts.

“At one point, the head tax was so high that peo ple could have bought a penthouse in Manhattan with the money.” Some of the letters he’d sent home to his wife in China have been translated into Eng lish and are on display.

Cruickshank has been working at the museum since 2013, and she recounted a time when the VIA rail was nine hours late on a cold, rainy June day, and people were wandering around Biggar. Cruickshank invited them inside, brought them cookies, and made them coffee while they played

the piano and danced in the lobby.

The Biggar Museum will have a re-opening ceremony on Oct. 14 in tandem with a downtown street fair with an expected attendance of 500-600 people. Biggar Mayor Jim Rickwood and his mother, the only surviving original board member for the museum, will be cutting the ribbon after a speech from Cruickshank. Local Biggar families have matched up to $2.5 million for town revitalization projects and are excited to welcome as many people as possible in October.

An original piano from Biggar’s Majestic Theatre was returned home after travelling Canada for years.

CN stations had a ‘Beanery’ (cafe) attached, open 24-7, 365 days a year. One woman recounted having her first tomato and bacon sandwich at the Biggar Beanery. | Photos by Miguel Fenrich

A diorama of the first non-Indigenous settlement 18 km southwest of Biggar.

Biggar’s very first inhabitant from 250 million years ago.

Delta Fay Cruickshank, public relations co-ordinator, pictured outside the Biggar Museum.

House moved in to occupy empty lot

By Lorna Pearson Correspondent

How can it be getting dark by 7 p.m.? Where has our summer gone?

Bridge was played in the city’s Pioneer Hall Thursday, with three ta

bles in play. Top score was by Jean Lawes and Fraser Glen, followed by Mary Phelps and Gerry Craig.

Canasta was quiet, with the few that showed up playing for fun. It was a nice social evening any way.

Another old timer passed away Sept. 30 at home in Leoville. Myrtle Moore was 91 years old and had been our neigh bour for many years. Her daughter Vernel has been living with her and car ing for her. The celebra

tion for Myrtle will be held next summer when her family can all get home during the long weekend in August.

Another house moved into Meota this past week end, and will be worked on as time permits, getting

the foundation in place and the house set down.

It’s nice to have the empty lots used and cared for.

The first shuffleboard tournament of the fall will be Oct. 8, so get your name in to Nestor by Thursday, at 306-441-6164.

The golf course is being kept open an extra week this year as the weather has been so nice. Their closing date is Oct. 16, so keep on playing.

Sept. 29, a group of friends from Meota and North Battleford travelled to Minot, N.D. to attend Norsk Hostfest, a celebration of Scandinavian culture. Two days were spent enjoying music by The Texas Tenors, Molly B, Williams and Ree to name a few. Then they enjoyed traditional Scandinavian foods from Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland at the food court. They watched demonstrations of weaving and other typical traditions. A day was spent enjoying the Scandinavian Heritage Park and the Gulstave Church. An enjoyable time was had by all.

Alaskan Cruise

Submitted by Trudy Iverson – To celebrate my 80th birthday, Jerry and I set out driving to Vancou ver where we boarded the Celebrity Eclipse at the Port of Vancouver for an 11-day cruise to Alaska. Joining us for this jour ney were Jerry’s sister and brother-in-law Patte and Paul Rust from Surrey, B.C.

Continued on Page 17

A traditional weaving demonstration was one of the attractions at Norsk Hostfest in Minot, N.D. | Photo submitted

The group who attended Norsk Hostfest visited Gulstave Church in Minto, N.D. | Photo submitted

Friendship Club gathers for monthly potluck

By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

The Borden Friendship Club held their monthly potluck supper and pro gram Sept. 29 in the Bor den Community Centre with 65 on hand to enjoy the evening.

Peter Thiessen gave the blessing and after the meal a presentation was given by the Little Sprouts Early Childhood Centre being proposed for Borden. They did a video presentation with each member of the board telling of the plans

for the future of Little Sprouts – Jillian Orchard, Josie Schultz, Emiley Saunders, Shania Meyer, Brooke Rideout, Jessica Larsen, Tesa Tway, Megan Blatz and C. Bradshaw.

The board have purchased the former Sugar Shack cafe and two lots beside it, which will become a playground. They have renovations to do to make the building acceptable for all the regulations to become a licensed facility. With 11 babies born this year and close to 40 children in the

age group that could attend, the need is significant and they are looking for donations.

After the presenters left, two large decorated cakes baked by Evelyn Skarra were brought out, Happy Birthday was sung to the two celebrants present –Bev Hrynuik and Lew Wall – and cake and ice cream was passed around for everyone to enjoy. Then Peter told a few jokes and introduced the entertain ment for the evening –Highway 31.

The band consisted

of Ian McLeod and Neil Campbell playing bass guitar, Doug Martin on drums, Joan Julseth playing the keyboard and Glenn Julseth playing guitar. Except for Doug, the foursome all took turns singing the many songs they harmonized.

Oct. 7 will be the last day of Borden Farmers Market for the summer and it will be apprecia tion day, with free goodies and beverages to thank all those who supported the market during the summer months. Karen Kerr (phone 306-997-5600), president of the market, is taking ap plications for tables at the Christmas market Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Borden Community Centre. Spots are filling up fast.

October is the month for fall suppers and three that I know of are the Bor den Lions Oct. 15 in the Community Centre from 5 to 7 p.m., Speers United Church Oct. 19 in the Rec reation Centre from 5 to 7 p.m. and Langham Oct. 23 in the town hall.

Meota News

Continued from Page 16

Ports visited included Sitka, where some of Rus sia’s presence pre-1867 remains. St Michael’s Or thodox Cathedral with its onion dome towers over the city. Once the capital of Alaska, it is famous for its commercial and recre ational fishing.

The Hubbard glacier was the next point of in terest. Our amazing cap tain drove our ship within a half mile of this ancient piece of snow and ice.

Juneau was the next destination point. There we took a journey about town to a nursery high in the rain forest among trees, flowers and road ways that were spectacu lar and breathtaking. This manmade wonder was the vision of a man called Steve and his dedicated crew. On our way back to the ship we were taken to Mendenhall Glacier.

In Skagway we boarded the White Pass train that traced the gold seekers’ journey during the Klond ike days. The scenery was beautiful as we followed the unbelievable path these people took to what ended up to be very little per

sonal fortune. The city of Ketchikan gave us the op portunity to tour in an am phibious vehicle called a duck bus.

We sailed to Victoria for a day then back to Vancou ver where we were met by Jerry’s nephew Nik Rust. It was 11 days well spent — exceptional weather, scen ery and the fabulous celeb rity staff from all over the world.

We took the oppor tunity to finish our holi day at White Rock on the ocean for five days before basking in the beauty of the scenic fall colours via Kamloops, Jasper, Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer.

The Borden Friendship Club is holding a Fall Tea and Bake Sale on Friday, Oct. 14 at 2 pm in their club room, with proceeds from the tea, bake sale and 50/50 all going to the Bor den Care Home.

sizes are 19x12 on the top part and the bottom base is 28x10 also its inch and a quarter thick.

price is $680 if you take something similar to a photo.

If you are in need of something different, Contact me 306 831 2336.

Nobody will be able to beat our prices. Pillow headstone 19x12 inch and a quarter thick for $450

Highway 31 entertained following the monthly Friendship Club potluck. The band includes Ian McLeod, Neil Campbell Doug Martin and Joan and Glenn Julseth. | Photos by Lorraine Olinyk

Borden Friendship Club September birthday celebrants are Lew Wall and Bev Hrynuik.

Above, Trudy and Jerry Iverson boarded an interesting tour van, called a duck bus, at Ketchikan, Alaska for a tour of the city. | Photo by Trudy Iverson

TAN: Sidney Chow Tan, born Chow Ming Fai, died Monday, September 26, 2022 at the age of 73, at his home in Vancouver, British Columbia.

He is pre-deceased by his grandparents (Norman Tan and Wong Nooy Chow), his ex-wife and mother of his children (Emi Carmichael nee Michaloski, later Tan), and his brother (Dick Tan). He leaves his children (Kalee and Jordan Tan) and his granddaughters (Zuva TurnerTan and Alexandra Tan). Along with his niece and nephew (Jamie and Michael Tan), he leaves many loved ones. He will be missed. Memorial Service will be held at Carnegie Community Centre in December of this year. Interment is planned for the City Cemetery, North Battleford, Sask.

Jamieson: With great sadness, the family of Mr. Elvin Jamieson announce his passing on September 22, 2022, at the age of 64 years.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, September 28th at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in North Battleford with Reverend Trevor Malyon officiating. Left to cherish his memory is Valerie (North Battleford, SK.), and their three children; Scott (North Battleford, SK.), Devin (Southampton, MA), Tarryn (Jordan) Pernala (Battleford, SK.), and grandchildren Berklee and Kooper Pernala. Elvin is survived by his sisters Dorothy (Nels) Andersen; Marian (Charlie) Sayers; his sister-in-law Judy Jamieson; his brothers Wes (Donna) Jamieson, Gilbert (Claudette) Jamieson, Clifford (Janice) Jamieson, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents George and Ethel Jamieson, his brother Ken Jamieson, and nephew Nix Andersen. Elvin was born January 23,1958 in North Battleford, Sask. and was raised on the family farm at Highgate, Sask. He grew up assuming farm chores with his parents and siblings and following the family tradition in the Highgate 4-H Beef Club, raising project calves. After graduation from North Battleford Comprehensive High School, he worked with his brother Wes with Tri-City Surveys at the future Key Lake Mine Site, and as a ski technician at Hunter’s Sport Shop in North Battleford. He married his wife, Valerie in 1983, and they moved to the family farm at Highgate where they raised their three children. Elvin spent his winters as an instructor and Ski School Director at Table Mountain Regional Park for many years. He always shared his passion for skiing and had a mountain of energy teaching adults and children in Nancy Greene, Ski Wee, Grade 5-12 School Programs, and the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiers. Elvin was a hard worker – along with his farm chores, he helped tend a large garden and orchard, and always found time to help his children pursue their wide range of interests. Anything was possible: from purchasing obnoxiously loud musical instruments, attending dance conferences, snowboard trips, and baseball games, to caring for a small herd of wild horses. Elvin was very devoted to his family, and a kind and generous neighbor and friend. He will be remembered most for his warmth and compassion, his tender care for many kinds of animals, his smile, and his ability to make you laugh with his quick sense of humor. In our loss, we are all comforted knowing he is at peace. Someone so special can never be forgotten.

Cards of Thanks

The family of the late Elvin Jamieson would like to thank the following: Nurses, Aides and Recreation Staff at Battlefords District Care Centre for their compassionate care and support during his time there. All those who attended his service September 28th, 2022, Reverend Trevor Malyon for his leadership and words of comfort, Organist Allan Curry, and the St. Paul’s ladies who so kindly served our lunch. Thank you to Eternal Memories Funeral Service who gave us peace of mind knowing arrangements would be well taken care of. Many thanks to family and friends who brought food, flowers, cards, and warm hugs. Memorial donations in memory of Elvin may be made to Battlefords District Care Centre, Box 69, Battleford, SK., or the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. Condolences for the family may be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca.

TRAUTMANN: It is with heavy hearts the family announces the passing of Thaddeus “Ted” Trautmann on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at the age of 95 years. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, September 26, 2022 at St. Joseph Calasanctius Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Father Phinh Do as celebrant. Interment followed at the City Cemetery. Left to cherish Ted’s memory are his 5 children: Marina (Wayne) Winterhalt, North Battleford, SK – son Tyler, his children: Emma & Julie; Jonelle (Dean) Mack, Kerrobert, SK -children: Braden (Meredith) Mack, Riley Mack (Famke Liefbroer), Brett Mack (fiancée Koralie Huber); Delpha (Dave) Premech, Pierceland, SK-children: Ashlee (Brian) Lechelt-children: Chloe and Addison, Shaylee Premech; Aaron Trautmann, Tokyo, Japan; Dorian (Sharon) Trautmann, Prince Albert, SK- children: Tatianna and Maxim; grandchildren: Jesse Hancheryk and Viona (Ted) Gardner and son, Malcolm; brother-in-law, Larry (Nell) Bleile, Biggar, SK. He was predeceased by his wife, Celestina (Sally); son, Meldan Trautmann; parents: Vincent and Frances Trautmann; sisters: Margaret Vetter, Frances Schmidt, Barbara Trautmann; numerous half brothers and sisters; step-grandson, Colby Winterhalt; in-laws: Pius and Agatha Bleile and sister-in-law, Margaret Mesic. Memorial donations in memory of Mr. Ted Trautmann can be made to Canadian Food Grains Bank 393 Portage Ave, #400 Winnipeg, MB. R3B 3H6 Condolences for the family can be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium - Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

Beatrice

Marguerite

Julian

Kevin

Muriel Evans

Garry Weran

James

John

Edward

KULYK: Shirley Ann Kulyk died suddenly in the place she loved, Sleepy Hollow. Born in North Battleford Saskatchewan on June 25th 1936, Shirley was the middle of three girls. Shirley Bulbeck and Stephen Kulyk met at a country school dance and their love flourished. They raised three talented children in North Battleford and Saskatoon. The family remained rooted in the farm, even when living in the city, they could not stay away. They were very active in the farming community. Shirley and Steve were enthusiastically involved in their neighborhoods and in their church community in Saskatoon and North Battleford. Their home was always open and often a central gathering place for community, friends and family to discuss the bustling farm world around them, with a warm embrace from Shirley and Steve. Shirley was predeceased by her parents: Charles and Mae Bulbeck; her dear Aunt, Vie and Uncle, Larry Lefler; husband, Steve Kulyk; daughter, Cindy Litman; and sister, Vida Brunwald. She is immediately survived by son, Charles Kulyk and wife Kim Kulyk, daughter, Michelle Kulyk, sister, Charlesena Nachtegaele, granddaughters: Jessica Litman, Allison Litman, Claire MacDougall and Emma MacDougall. Nephews: Danny Brunwald (Laurie), Greg Brunwald, Glen Kulyk (Pam), Lorne Kulyk, Richard Kulyk; nieces: Peggy Mueller, Sheila Budd (Rob), Elaine Besuyen (Barry) and so many more relatives in the Brunwald, Nachtegaele, and Kulyk families. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church, North Battleford. Donations can be made in Shirley’s memory to support Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church. Condolences for the family can be left at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium - Christian Lafontaine Student Funeral Director. “Dying is nothing more than to stand in the sun and melt into the wind” ~ Kahil Gibran

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IN THE ESTATE of HALARIA RUTH STELMASCHUK, late of North Battleford, Saskatchewan, deceased. ALL CLAIMS against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 28th day of October, 2022.

Battle River Law Baldwin, Friedman, SpenceBarristers & Solicitors 201, 1291 - 102nd Street Box 905 North Battleford, SK S9A 2Z3 Solicitors for the Executrix of the Estate of Halaria

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No statues, lighting or other ornamentation is permitted on or around grave sites. Flowers are permitted provided they are in holders or vases permanently secured to the base of a memorial. All flowers and any other items are to be removed by October 21, 2022. Any remaining flowers or items will be removed by Town staff after this date for winter maintenance and vases turned down to avoid damage in winter.

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Carbon tax didn’t stop Hurricane Fiona: Falk

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

Conservative MP Rose marie Falk has lambasted the federal Liberals’ plans to triple the carbon tax by saying the tax failed to stop Hurricane Fiona.

The Battlefords-Lloy dminster MP made the remark in the House of Commons Tuesday, dur ing a debate on the motion

put forward by Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre on the carbon tax.

“Today’s motion, put forward by our Conservative leader, calls on the government to abandon its plan to triple the carbon tax, and it would make a real difference in the lives of Canadians,” Falk said, as recorded in Hansard. “Canadians, and certainly my constituents

in Battlefords— Lloydminster, cannot afford the tripling of the carbon tax.”

Falk noted that since the Liberal government imposed the carbon tax, “it has failed to meet every climate target that it has set for itself.” She said “dou bling down on this failed policy, or I should say ‘tri pling down’, will continue to do nothing for the envi ronment.”

As she went on, Falk pointed to Hurricane Fio na, which had just impact ed Atlantic Canada on the weekend, as an example of the carbon tax’s inef fectiveness in preventing weather events.

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“Mr. Speaker, what is perplexing about ‘carbon pricing,’ or the carbon tax, is this: What is it doing to prevent disasters? What has the federally imposed Liberal carbon tax done for the environment? I ask because I come from a province that it has been imposed on. How come it did not prevent hurricane Fiona?

“Where are these tax dollars going? What is it doing? It is doing nothing.”

In the end the Liberal government, with NDP and Bloc Québécois backing, defeated the Conservative motion.

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Unity News

Fall Fair and Trade Show welcomed back

By Sherri Solomko Correspondent

Whether you are trav elling this Thanksgiving weekend or hosting, re member to take extra care driving on the highway and arrive alive. Wishing you all a weekend of food, fam ily, fun and, most of all, plenty to be thankful for.

Last weekend was a busy one as the Fall Fair and Trade Show was wel comed back. The local pet store held another puppy adoption event through an area rescue organization, the minor ball volunteer team was laying turf and KC Rescue held an open house and bake sale, so residents enjoyed opportu nities for activity right in town.

Next week is National Fire Prevention week, a good occasion to take time to appreciate and thank lo cal volunteer firefighters. UFD will host an open house and barbecue Oct. 13.

Recently Unity Minor Ball was thankful for vol unteers who helped Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 laying down new turf to complete the upgrades on this diamond for the next season.

Unity Composite High School girls’ volleyball team undertook some ges tures at their home tourna ment Sept. 16-17 by sew ing hair bows from kokum scarves for each player, to taling 150 as well as hang ing both the treaty flag and Metis flag in the gymna sium.

Warrior high school football’s last home game of regular season was dedicated to mental health awareness and fundrais ing. They raised just over $1,100 for the mental well ness group. The team is now on the road until the end of their season, with hopes of securing a home playoff game.

Unity Public School students will be kicking off Education Week with Bus driver appreciation day on Oct. 17.

St. Peter’s School, staff, and students collected nonperishable items for the

local food bank and were happy to present a healthy donation recognizing that many families have much to be thankful for, while wanting to help those that don’t have the same oppor tunities.

Unity Curling Club will hold registration Oct. 1112, readying for the season to start at October’s end.

Unity Miners season is set to begin Oct. 28 week end with the Miners being part of eight teams com peting.

Unity United Church is holding a women’s re treat on Oct. 22 at the CE building from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with registration deadline being Oct. 15. The day includes defin ing love, clearing clutter in lives and spirits to live God’s purpose. The event is hosted by the Unity United Church women’s

prayer group and lunch and snacks are included in the registration. You can con tact Barb Dresser for de tails at 306-228-3111.

If you are a chocolate lover, Parkview Place is doing a Purdy’s chocolate fundraiser for their activi ties department. You can look at their Facebook page for the link to online order ing or go to the senior’s centre to view a catalogue.

Flu clinics are now part of our proactive health measures, as well as those eligible for the Bivalent COVID-19 booster. Check with your participating pharmacy or public health for when you can get these vaccines.

We understand that in just a few short weeks the highly anticipated new pool, Simply Swimming will be open for instruction and aquasizes.

Warrior football presented over $1,100 to Unity’s Mental Wellness group as a result of a fundraiser held at their night lights game on Sept. 29. | Photo courtesy of Jennifer Wilson

Weekly practices undertaken by Unity volunteer fire department keep their members prepared and proactive for when the alarm bell rings. | Photo by Sherri Solomko

Unity Minor Ball enlisted volunteers to lay turf on the Elks diamond as one of their upgrade projects. | Photo by Sherri Solomko

Do you ever feel sorry for yourself?

Most folks have had weeks when things seem to be particularly challenging. Last week, it wasn’t the eye-stinging and chestcoughing smoke from nearby forest fires that made my week less than ideal. Instead, each day seemed full of varioussized potholes jolting me.

Yes, I have lots to be thankful for every week, but life has its mean and bitter side, and some people experience more than their share of afflic tions and sorrows. Widow ers and widows know the anguish of losing a spouse to death. Perhaps they can best understand the grief of Naomi in the Bible. She felt a three-fold dagger of pain pierce her heart.

Neighbourly Advice

By Raymond Maher www.accordingtoed.com

According to Ed raymaher085@gmail.com

Naomi lived in Bethle hem with her husband and two sons, but because of a famine in the land, they went to live in the neigh bouring country of Moab. There they lived for 10 years. Sadly, her husband and her two sons died during those 10 years. She was a widow without any family in Moab except for

her two daughters-in-law. She could not provide for herself or her daughtersin-law, so she decided she would return to Bethlehem. Her one daughter-in-law, Ruth, insisted on staying with her and going with her to Bethlehem. There, Naomi said in her grief and destitution, “Call me, Mara, because the Al

mighty, has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” (Ruth1:20-21)

It was natural for Naomi to feel bitter and afflicted and that God had let mis fortune trip her and knock her down three times. Inescapable changes in our lives can leave us feeling numb in denial, angry and blaming God, others and ourselves with frustration. Naomi faced a depressing future, and even going back to Bethlehem did not mean someone in her relatives would step up to help her and her daughter-in-law.

Jesus speaks of the need to care for widows and orphans because it often meant widows in his day were left unseen, unsup ported, and regarded as valueless in society. But unfortunately, the news from the United Nations is that widowhood in our present world for its 258 million widows worldwide still reflects Naomi’s bleak future.

In many countries, widows do not have equal inheritance rights, and they may be stripped of their land, evicted from their homes, or even separated from their children. They may be denied access to inheritance, bank accounts and credit. The United Na tions estimates nearly one

in 10 widows worldwide lives in extreme poverty.

In the world, women are less likely to have access to pensions than men, so the spouse’s death can lead to deprivation. (UN Women June 21/21)

Like widows, we can be slapped with misfortune, shattered health, the death of a close loved one and the loss of our income. When we face affliction, we can blame God, other and ourselves or trust God to care for us. As Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, would not leave her, God will not leave us but goes with us as our God. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isa. 40 29

Hope Mennonite

Pastor Melvin Bartley

Maidstone and District News - Junior boys undefeated

By Kathy Utri Correspondent

Congratulations to Maidstone junior boys’ volleyball team on their gold medal victory at Gate way in Meadow Lake last weekend. They swept the tournament, winning all six of their games and ev ery single one of the 12 sets they played.

Sixteen years ago, in 2006, Joan Smith painted a satellite dish. It was dis played at the Whistle Stop Park rest area across from the hotel where its beauty has been enjoyed by many. Over the years the painting faded considerably, need ing repainting, but Joan, who is now 89, was un able to do it. Gill Churn and Heather Chisholm took on the task, returning the painting to its original beauty. Thank you to the town of Maidstone for re moving the dish from its pedestal, to Gord Banks for transporting it back to be rehung by the town, and especially to Joan, Gill and Heather for sharing your talent with our community.

Maidstone Gully Multi

ple 4-H Club held their an nual general meeting Oct. 3 at Milleton Hall. Reports were given by members who attended 4-H camp, helped at the Pine Island Suites fundraiser and held a petting zoo at Waseca Days. Elections were held for club executive with the following results: presi dent - Tristan Blyth, vicepresident - Kayden Tuplin, secretary - Mickey Blyth, treasurer - Jayce Myer, ju nior district representative - Jacob Gerlinsky, senior district representativeIsabelle Harbin, reporter/ advertising agent/phoning chairperson - Saidai Mosh er, photographer - Kyden Rhinehart, general leader - Deiedra Blyth, assistant general leaders - Christine Myer and Mary-Ann Car son. Potential projects for this year include archery, canine, cats, Cloverbuds, crafts, dairy, light horse, outdoors, sheep, vintage cooking and woodwork ing. The next meeting is Monday, Nov. 7 at Milleton Hall. (submitted by Saidai Mosher)

Maidstone Kin Club runs a “Flocking” as our

If you have any Maidstone area news, please let me know. Email duwell@sasktel.net, text 306-893-7378 or phone 306-893-2799.

big fundraiser for Telemir acle. Residents pay to have a flock of flamingos land on people’s lawns. Those people in turn pay (do nate) to have the flock re moved, and they can then say whose lawn they would like the flock to fly to. We post a picture on our Face book page of each home with the flock outside and include a clever jest about the flock on their lawn.

People enjoy the positive posts on their Facebook for the weekend, have some giggles and the Kin Club earns money to put towards Telemiracle. This year we had the addition of a “live” flamingo, the Turk-Mingo, who posed in all the pic tures alongside the flock and just made the whole event more entertaining. Last weekend, we ended up flocking around 75 houses, which was a great success for our group. Funds are still coming in so we’ll let you know the total soon.

The Kin Club of Maid stone appreciates the com munity’s support of our fundraiser and we hope this fun weekend brought a smile to your faces. (sub mitted by Vickie Bailey)

We’re excited to share some exhilarating news. A female hockey board was

recently established for our region. We joined efforts with Hillmond, Maidstone, Lashburn and Neilburg to form a new U9 all-girl team which will be play ing under the name of NW Hawks. We’re currently canvassing businesses for sponsorship to help us get on our feet. (submitted by Dustin Ellis)

Our sincere condo lences to Eileen Evans and family on the passing of Keith Evans on Sept. 2 at the age of 87 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Keith was a quiet, steadfast man who farmed all his life in the Forest Bank dis trict north of Waseca. With a vast amount of commu nity knowledge, he will be missed dearly. The funeral service will be at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Forest Bank on Tuesday, Oct.11 at 2 p.m.

The second annual Maidstone Glow Run for Cystic Fibrosis in memory of Aimee Gray-Carrol will be held Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at Maidstone Del frari Park. If you have any

questions, contact Marc 780-522-4976 or email marctelenga@gmail.com.

Other upcoming events: Halloween dance at Maidstone Legion Hall (no minors), Saturday, Oct. 29. Doors open at 9 p.m., dance 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Maidstone United Church Fall Supper, Sun day, Oct. 30 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Patterson

Howl’oween Spook’tacular Event for Kids (community treat handouts) – Monday, Oct. 31 from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Maidstone junior boys’ volleyball team were gold medalists at Meadow Lake. | Photo submitted by Kathy Utri