Regional News-Optimist April 6, 2023

Mask requirement lifted by SHA

Private clinics can set their own rules

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

Saskatchewan Health Authority is returning to routine infection prevention and control protocols effective April 4.

According to a provincial news release, masking is no longer required for patients or residents, staff or visitors and will be optional in all SHA facilities including administrative offices, hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities. The province states these changes are supported by Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer.

Masks will still be available to those who wish to wear them, and province states personal protective equipment such masks, gowns or gloves will still be required for staff and visitors during outbreaks or in specific high-risk clinical areas. As well, physical distancing measures will also end, and there will no longer be restrictions on food sharing and food donations.

These only apply to SHA facilities; privatelyrun physician’s offices, clinics and other non-SHA facilities will set their own policies.

The other major

news of the day was that eHealth Saskatchewan is decommissioning the SK Vax Wallet mobile device application. According to the news release from the province it will no longer accept updates as of April 17, and as of April 30 the app will no longer be available in the App Store. However, COVID-19 vaccination records are still available on peoples’ MySaskHealthRecord account and can be printed or saved and viewed on mobile devices. The QR code will still be available on vaccination records through MySaskHealthRecord.

Author brings Five Little Indians to the Battlefords Michelle Good addresses the question, ‘why can’t we just get over it?’

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Michelle Good, lawyer, activist and author, brought her novel, Five Little Indians, with her to an evening of discussion on March 28 at the North Battleford library to celebrate her novel being chosen for

the Saskatchewan Library Association’s One Book, One Province.

“One of the things I used to hear, over and over again ... either in the context of litigation, in the context of dispute resolution hearings, in the context of comments and newspaper articles and so on, ‘why can’t we just get

over it?’”

When Good, a member of Red Pheasant First Nation, first heard it, she br ushed it aside, summing it up to some “ignorant fool,” but she noticed how often she’d hear it.

“I realized that that anthem of annoyance, if you will, was coming

from a deep failure to understand what residential schools were and how they impacted Indigenous communities.” And Good decided to answer the question, wanting to illustrate first that this was not the first thing that happened to Indigenous people in Canada.

“What is the colonial tool kit ... that has been used against Indigenous people around the world, not just here?” Good asked.

Colonialism in Canada

“The real heart of colonialism gets lost,” Good said, going back to the very basics, which include her definition of colonialism.

“The policy or practice of acquiring full, or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.”

Good believes that residential schools were only an aspect of that colonialism’s attempt

Continued on Page 9

Porcupines live in mainland forests and thickets in Canada. These rodents are mainly nocturnal. The word porcupine means ‘thorn pig’. A mature porcupine weighs in at about 30 pounds.| Photo and text by Jim McLane

Armed man charged following incident at Co-op mall

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

A 39-year-old North Battleford man faces weapons and assault charges following an incident at a business on Territorial Drive in North Battleford on March 31.

Darwin Andrew is charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, assault of a police officer, resisting/ obstructing a peace officer, and disturbing the peace.

Battlefords RCMP say that they received a report at about 11:20 a.m. on March 31 of an armed man at a business and responded immediately.

He wasn’t located and there were no injuries to anyone at the business.

Police patrolled the area and soon found Andrew walking on 101st Street. He ran from police but was apprehended after a brief foot chase. He assaulted an officer during the arrest. The officer wasn’t seriously injured. Andrew was found to be in possession of a knife and police seized it.

Mike Nord, CEO of Discovery Co-op, posted an announcement on their website saying that an incident outside the Discovery Co-op resulted in the RCMP responding with their firearms drawn.

“At the time of the

Biggar woman to stand trial for accessory in Wendy Bird’s murder

incident our on-site security was notified as well as the RCMP,” said Nord. “The RCMP responded within minutes and did a sweep of the inside and outside of the premises. Upon arriving, the RCMP quickly and quietly began to evacuate guests and bar additional guests from entering the facility. It was determined that the suspect did not enter the building and had left the scene, at which time the RCMP stopped evacuating guests.”

Andrew made his first appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court Monday. He was remanded in custody and was to appear again by CCTV on April 5.

Vigil for Gregory Cope draws crowd

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

A candlelight vigil for 32-year-old Gregory Cope was held on Finlayson Island Sunday.

Cope’s body was found by police by in the debris of a house fire in Battleford on Feb. 27. Cope

was reported as missing to Battlefords RCMP on Feb. 21. Police say they are investigating his death as a homicide.

Finlayson Island was chosen as the location because it was Cope’s favourite spot in the Battlefords, said Dan Dillabough, Cope’s cousin.

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

A trial has been set for a Biggar woman who is charged with accessory to murder in the death of 24-year-old Wendy Bird from Prince Albert.

Melissa Kaponyas, 18, and Dustin CookmanWatts, 25, of North

2023 Candidates

 Peter Brown

 Bruce Sack

 Peter Wiesner

In lieu of Teddy bears, flowers and other mementos, organizers had asked for donations to the Gofundme for Cope’s sons.

Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes asks anyone with information about this homicide to call their local police of jurisdiction.

Battleford were arrested in October 2022. CookmanWatts is charged with second-degree murder. A month later, 19-yearold Cassidy Kiskotagan of North Battleford was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Kaponyas’s trial will be held in November in North Battleford Provincial

Court. Kiskotagen’s preliminary hearing is also scheduled for November and Cookman-Watts preliminary hearing has now been set for July instead of May.

Bird’s body was found by Warman RCMP along Highway 16 near Maymont on Oct. 16, 2022.

Mischief charge dropped against Brent Habetler in Lloydminster

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

A mischief charge was dropped today against a Lashburn, Sask., man accused of committing an indecent act at the Lloydminster swimming pool last month.

Court records show that on March 13 Sir Brent Adair Habetler was charged with mischief for willfully obstructing,

interrupting or interfering with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property, the community swimming pool.

The mischief charge was withdrawn by the Crown in the Lloydminster Alberta Court of Justice on April 4.

The charge of committing an indecent act in a public place in the presence of one or more persons with intent to

insult or offend a person wasn’t withdrawn and Habetler is back in court on that charge May 2.

In March, Sask. RCMP said that in the interest of public safety, they were advising the residents of the Maidstone RCMP detachment area and surrounding communities of an offender who has been charged with committing an indecent act and is at high risk to reoffend.

SASKATCHEWAN’S BEST ONLINE

CO-OP and ICU jumpstart launch of Living Sky fund

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

According to a release from Living Sky School Division, March 30 marked the official launch of the Living Sky Innovation Fund. Money raised will be used to support innovative projects meant to take education into the next generation in areas such as nutrition, extra-curricular activities, and truth and reconciliation initiatives. More than $10,000 has been committed to the fund so far.

Healthcare & less debt highlight of budget for northwest Sask.

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The Battlefords Chamber of Commerce held the first of six Chamber on Tap events in the Battlefords on March 30, at the Co-op Marketplace, with Hon. Jeremy Cockrill, (MLA for the Battlefords) and Ryan Domotor, (MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford) discussing how the recently passed budget will affect north west Saskatchewan.

“We are in a pretty exciting time in the province,” Cockrill said, speaking at the event, adding that, “our province is growing faster than it has in over a century. That is incredible when you think about it.”

Cockrill cites a ‘fairly large legislature as proof that there were expectations that Saskatchewan would be home for millions.

“We have some really exciting days ahead of us … When you have a strong economy, it enables

us to invest in services, in the key areas that we all use each and every day, and it allows us to pay down provincial debt,” Cockrill said.

Healthcare was top of mind for Cockrill who cited additional training opportunities, nursing incentives, increased security funding for Battlefords Union Hospital, and new fulltime physicians arriving in the Battlefords this year due to the Saskatchewan government’s 2023-24 budget.

“We’ve come out of a difficult number of years in terms of what the healthcare system looks like,” Cockrill said, who mentioned nearly $4,000 worth of money in the budget to improve security at BUH.

Cockrill also touched on early conversations centred around rejuvenating the Battlefords District Care Centre, which began with informal conversations with Battleford mayor Ames Leslie.

But Cockrill also noted that besides paying for services, the government is focused and mindful of paying down the debt.

“At the end of the day, there is a cost to borrowing money … over the pandemic, we had to take on some extra debt to ensure services can continue as much as possible,” Cockrill said.

Cockrill believes that the retirement of two billion dollars of debt between this budget and the next saves the provincial government $44 million a year in debt servicing costs and allows the province to put money into healthcare, education, highways, public safety, or various other services.

“I won’t speak for our federal counterparts … but certainly in this province, it’s a priority,” Cockrill said, noting that they’re only able to pay down debts to the strength of Saskatchewan’s economy.

“I think it’s a pretty exciting time in the

Continued on Page 7

Beth Walls, vicepresident of marketing and community relations with Discovery Co-op, presented the first of five payments to the division as part of a $10,000 commitment the Co-op has made to the fund over the next five years, earmarked for the advancement of cultural learning projects.

“At Discovery Co-op, we recognize the importance of acknowledging and addressing the historical injustices that have affected First Nations people. Through this donation to the Living Sky Innovation Fund, we are proud to support the healing process and work towards a more inclusive and respectful future for all. We look forward to the impact this partnership will have on our community,” said Walls.

Innovation Credit Union also committed $500 to the fund. Vice president of member advisors, Chad Gartner, said, “One of our

Ronna Pethick accepts a donation to the Living Sky Innovation Fund from Beth Walls from Discovery Coop. | Photo submitted mandates is to be involved in the community, not because we have to be, but because we want to be ... to be able to provide the opportunity for our students to have equitable growth in areas that will be supported by the Living Sky Innovation Fund speaks to how we want to support our communities. We are very happy to be a part of it.”

The release says that the vision for the fund is to be innovative, encourage creativity and support projects and initiatives that will better serve students now and in the future.

This year several projects ran pilot programs that, with support from the fund, could be scaled to include more schools. One project looked at several schools who had lost over 15 days of learning the past year due to extreme weather and asked, ‘what if we could make learning happen everyday - despite the weather.’

Another looked at creating spaces for students to celebrate and connect to their culture through the creation of a Cree kindergarten program. Supported by the Living Sky Innovation Fund these and many projects like them could be established and rolled out across the division. For a deeper glimpse into the winter learning project at Luseland, Maymont, and Cut Knife, read the full story.

“We are so grateful to Discovery Co-op and Innovation Credit Union for being the first to see the potential we see in the Innovation Fund. This is our way of growing and being able to provide growth without limits, learning for all, for our students. The support of these two businesses is the kick-start we needed for the launch,” said Christeena Fisher, LSKYSD executive assistant and project lead for the fund.

Nominations for News-Optimist

Staff

The Battlefords News Optimist’s staff reporter Miguel Fenrich has been nominated for five awards in the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association’s 2023 Better Newspapers Competition.

Fenrich has been nominated in the categories of Best Tourism Story

of Series of Stories, Best Hard News Photo, Best First Nations Coverage, Best Saskatchewan Arts or Cultural Series of Stories and Best Saskatchewan Arts or Cultural Story, Article or Column.

Lisa Joy, former staff reporter and now SASKTODAY.ca reporter who covers court and crime in the Battlefords

area, was nominated in two categories, Best First Nations Coverage and Best Feature Story, for her article “Thunderchild woman survives ride with ‘The Truck Stop Killer.’ The Battlefords NewsOptimist is also nominated in the Best Editorial Page category for its circulation class.

MLA Jeremey Cockrill speaks at the first of six Chamber on Tap events, while MLA Ryan Domotor prepares his remarks before opening the floor to questions. | Photo by Miguel Fenrich

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.

We deserve better access to health care

Dear Editor

In 2022, Saskatchewan Health removed the available physicians page from their website. Access to local physicians has been greatly reduced since 2012, and we are now facing a population health crisis.

Lack of medical care results in:

delayed diagnosis of chronic diseases; increased emergency room waiting times; limited access to primary physicians for prescriptions; opiate addictions for people waiting for surgeries for relief of painful physical ailments;

delayed preventative scans.

Poorer health outcomes can be expected, and we do not deserve to watch our health stats plummet. Poorer health outcomes result in poor economic performance e.g. lost work hours, illness, increased injury risk.

The federal and provincial governments have reached agreements and money is available to recruit more primary care physicians for local clinics. We need doctors now. Residents can call the Battleford’s MLA Hon. Jeremy Cockrill at 306 441 5159 or office@ jeremycockrill.ca

Keltie Paul, MA North Battleford

Letter United Partydivisive politics or uniting force?

Dear Editor

Lately newspapers and other media are reporting about a new political party being organized in Saskatchewan.

They plan to be called the United Party but it seems to me they will do more dividing than uniting. They want to take their position as a right-centre party which, of course, we have in power right now.

They say they are in favour of small government, but will just make it bigger and cost more.

It seems this party was formed more or less as a protest against they way the COVID pandemic was handled by the Sask. Party. Nadine Wilson takes exception to Premier Scott Moe saying, “Things could get uncomfortable for those who refuse the vaccine.” Well, this is true and totally self-inflicted. We know some of those people got very ill and some died or continue to suffer serious after affects.

What would she and her party have done differently or better. What really bothers me is the party’s position on gun control.

They talk of using common sense. Does anyone really believe any private citizen in Canada should be

allowed to carry a handgun or an AK-47 military assault weapon?

Don’t mass shootings, already 130 in the United States this year, and the murders of police officers and a woman in Canada tell us everything possible should be done to at least lessen this murder of innocent people? When we think of all the wars and suffering in our world we should just be thankful for our peaceful Canada and the people who serve us in police forces and

the health care profession.

In my mind, a person elected should work together whoever is in government for the good of all the people he or she represents. This is the way rural, town and city councils operate. The change in government can happen peacefully as it should when the term of office is over.

Cornie Martens Rabbit Lake

Letters welcome

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

Gordon Brewerton Senior Group Publisher Administration

Kylie Cooke DTI/Receptionist

Editorial

Jayne Foster Editor SASKTODAY.ca

Lisa Joy Reporter • Miguel Fenrich Reporter

Advertising Sales

Candace Mack-Horton Sales Manager Composition

Claude Paradis Prepress Manager

For more local and provincial news more often, subscribe to our newsletter

WoodPile The April Fuel Day

By R.H. Wood North Battleford

My amanuensis suggested two titles for this week’s article. The first thought was “All in the Family”. David Johnston, a close family friend of the Trudeau’s and former Governor General, has been appointed rapporteur to look into foreign election interference. It is likely that his report will be greeted with dismissive disparagement and will contain no criticism of our Prime Minister.

Secondly, the

new interim ethics commissioner is the sister-in-law of Dominic

LeBlanc, current Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. He is a long time Liberal minister and erstwhile babysitter to the Trudeau children i.e., Justin and his brothers. His father was Romeo LeBlanc, also a former Governor General, which to some might suggest insider political entitlement. Dominic was found guilty by the then ethics commissioner in 2018 of a serious breach of ethics when he awarded a lucrative fisheries contract to a company linked to a cousin of his wife. He had the brazen affrontery to stand stone-faced with our Prime Minister as

this appointment was justified. They are simply thumbing their noses at the electorate. The comment “You Cannot be Serious” (part two) has to be appropriate – this appointment is absolutely outrageous and surely a conflict of interest within our government. These are the words Mr. Trudeau used as he justified the appointment, “If there is any office in the country that understands how to manage conflict of interest and ethical perception issues it is that office (there) that has always done exceptional work at ensuring the confidence of Canadians”.

Here is a question –

Unlock food’s potential and reduce waste

Submitted

Battlefords Early Childhood Community Planning Network

The Battlefords Early Childhood Community Planning Network (BECCPN) would like you to join us in celebrating Nutrition Month, 2023. The theme this year is Dietitians Help You Unlock the Potential of Food. While working with a dietitian you can learn how to create an eating plan that is simple, nutritious and sustainable. Sustainable

nutrition means that the way food is produced and delivered is done in a way that is mindful of the impact on people and the environment. One of the most important things you can do to reduce the environmental impact of your diet can be to avoid food waste. Spending time to plan meals before you shop can help reduce waste. While shopping,

Regular: $3500 + tax

what single word typifies the recent budget? My choice is shameless as this covers the document and our P.M. and Chrystia, our finance minister. Mr. Trudeau allowed that he is “proud” of the budget while Chrystia assured us many times that it would be fiscally prudent. In my view, it is a blatant, cynical furtherance of typical Liberal vote catching and creates yet another unjustifiable $40.1B deficit which of course will be added to the national debt. Federal indebtedness over the past eight years has become an uncontrollable self-potentiating monster requiring interest payments equal to this year’s deficit. Immediately before April 1st. we filled with gas for a $1.30 per litre. On April 1st. we visited every gas station in North

make sure to get a variety of fresh and frozen and eat the fresh foods sooner. When you do have foods that are nearing their expiration, incorporate them into soups or sauces, or freeze them if able (like ripe bananas or bread). Avoid throwing away leftovers from cooking or dining out, and package them up for a new meal. Get creative and use leftovers in new recipes. For example, some leftover chicken drumsticks could go great in a stir fry or curry. The BECCPN

Presents

The Bromantics

April 21, 2023

7:30 pm

Formed in the summer of 2013, The Bromantics are a Saskatchewan six piece that perform a sensational tribute to the 50s. They also perform original music following similar chord progressions, while working within the parameters of the genre. In making use of warm brass instruments in combination with vintage guitar tones, and accompanying them alongside doo- wop style harmonies, The Bromantics are reviving the era with a youthful energy. They have recorded live sessions through Blue Door Studios, and in collaboration with Nyshe Media have released several videos that encompass exactly how they look and sound live. They are now in the process of recording a debut EP to be hopefully released in 2022. The Bromantics have been performing consistently since they formed and are only gaining more notice. The contagious genre of music, combined with their high energy stage performances has proved successful in creating a nostalgic atmosphere that also promises to have everybody twisting the night away!

Proudly

For tickets: 306-445-7700

committee members work together in the Battlefords to support food security efforts. We believe that everyone has the right to a healthy diet, so they can have the energy and vitality to be the best versions of themselves. For more information regarding this network, please call 306-446 4545 or 306-446 6443.

306-445-7261

Battleford to find that the posted price for gas ranged from $1.28 to $1.49 per litre. The $1.30 gas station now wanted 19 cents more per litre. As I write, the increase in carbon tax is already showing, but worse, world crude prices are about to soar as OPEC has cut production. The gas price honeymoon is over. The increased carbon tax will percolate throughout our economy. Food prices will increase again this year. Inflation, which is really dollar devaluation, is inevitable reminding us of what happened in Britain where the cost of our modest first house has risen 80 times in 60 years.

“Save for your old age” was the mantra drummed in to us when we were young – what an April 1st jocosity that has proved to be!

23041BB0

The Sask. dance clubs that refuse to fade away

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

For decades, smalltown dance clubs acted as the heartbeat of rural Saskatchewan. Ask any senior, and they’ll likely recount their stories of dances that sparked marriages, children and entire family trees or regale you with stories of neighbours, old flames, cousins and distant relatives drawn to the dance halls every weekend regardless of the weather.

Now, the hundreds of once-thriving old-time dancing clubs, polka fests and country bands that dotted the prairies risk becoming a relic of the province’s past as attendance drops and money dwindles.

But one club in smalltown Saskatchewan, 130 kilometres west of Saskatoon, is fighting to keep the tradition alive.

The Landis Fun Time Dance Club, run in a town that boasts a population of less than 150, continues to attract crowds for now.

“... for a number of years, the hall was full to capacity every time,” Leo Schwebius, a member of the club since its inception in 1988, said to the NewsOptimist/SASKTODAY.

“I think it (Landis Community Complex) was

limited to 200, and after that, you couldn’t get in, and that did happen.”

But why are more people today not seeing the appeal of spending an evening twirling around a dance floor?

One possibility is that the younger generation just isn’t as interested in dancing as their grandparents and great-grandparents. And with many of the more experienced, involved dancers getting older, it’s leaving a knowledge gap that is difficult to fill.

But it may also be a simple lack of interest that is causing the clubs to spiral. The sudden rise of technology and the internet may have taken its toll. Maybe, people are just happier staying at home and watching Netflix or scrolling Facebook than dressing up and heading to the local dance hall.

“COVID-19 had a lot to do with it. Up until COVID-19, we did pretty good. COVID-19 really wrecked the world. It wrecked everything around here … it really threw a curve ball into attendance,” Schwebius said.

“Even after COVID, well then you had to have proof of vaccination, and had to wear masks, and that deterred people from coming. I think it affected it, a lot of people were

A book listing names of couples from the first year the dance club was in operation in 1988 has over 100 couples listed as attending their October dance. The green paper notes the executive members,

bands for the club’s 1995-96 dance year. | Photos by Miguel Fenrich two or three tough years, and we’ll still be going,” Schwebius said, laughing.

scared to come out.”

Even before COVID-19, in 2017, a dance with Leon Ochs playing music attracted 125 people. But sometimes, they had 58 or 42 people. Sometimes, attendance even dropped as low as 28 a night.

“We had a pretty good bank account at one time when the dances were going really well, and we’ve gradually lost a little bit of money. We can have

“If we go till we’re broke … if we can get enough people to almost break even, we’d be happy.”

Schwebius highlighted that difficulty getting people to help run the clubs and make midnight lunch also might contribute to a club wanting to close.

“We used to have as many as 10 or eight people to bring two loaves of sandwiches each. Now we don’t phone anybody anymore, we go and buy the lunches because you can’t get people to bring lunch anymore.

“I don’t know why it’s so hard.”

Additionally, the cost of running a dance club has become increasingly expensive. The rising price of food for midnight lunch, gas for a travelling band, rent and electricity is causing some clubs to go extinct. Some club members even want to raise ticket prices above $15, while others worry that increasing ticket prices to meet costs will cut attendance further.

“Every year, we have a meeting to decide what we might need, how much stuff is gonna cost, and what we might need for admission.

“Bands got a little more expensive, travel got a little more expensive, gas is more expensive. Now bands cost $700 or $800. It just gradually went up.”

Despite the challenges, however, there are still those who were and have been determined to keep dancing alive since the club’s inception in the ‘80s, which began with a few yearly dances, including a New Year’s Eve dance. The now monthly dances, hosted on the second Friday of the month between October and April from 7 to 11 p.m., began a few years later.

The Landis Dance Club

The club still uses the Landis Community Complex for their dances which run from 7 to 11 p.m. every second Friday of the month from October to April.

started in 1988 after the Wilkie club folded. The community complex built in 1980 had a cement floor until 1992 when the club began raising money and had a new floor built.

“There were lots and lots of people, and things went really well, and they made pretty good money,” Schwebius said, highlighting that the newly built hall in 1980 welcomed a new wooden floor in 1992, of which the club paid “quite a bit of it.”

“And actually, Bob Kobelesky and Dennis Keller laid most of the floor, and it’s got 2x4s or something underneath, with rubber padding, and that’s why the floor gives. It just made a wonderful hall out of it. The floor gives, it’s the best floor around, and it’s because of the design,” Schwebius said.

“When the hall opened in 1980, it was debt free. When we built it, they told us, ‘you are crazy. You will never pay for that hall. You will never be able to run it. You can’t afford to keep it open.’ Well, we fooled them, we’re still doing it,” Schwebius added.

One member of the club hires the bands, and another gets the liquor licence for the fall and winter, others take care of lunch. It seems more than anything small-town ingenuity and old Saskatchewan camaraderie are the lifeblood of the clubs, something that may be

changing

“If we file in October for the first dance and list every date that the dances are going to be, we get the permit for $100 bucks for all winter. Not $100 bucks a dance, $100 bucks in total. It’s a nonissue.

“They (younger people) are not going to show up and I don’t know, if they’re all older and not able to go anymore, how long are we going to be able to go,” Schwebius wondered.

“I think eventually we’re going to end up having to fold because we can’t keep going. That’s going to happen, I think. We’ll have no choice … there are no younger ones coming. No one is taking their place.”

For those who are dedicated to keeping the old-time dancing tradition alive, the fight still exists. Every year, another club in small communities across Saskatchewan finally decides to close their doors, and decades of laughter, music and fun end with it.

“If we could get at least 50 people all the time, we probably could break even … we don’t want to quit.”

Perhaps the bigger question of whether a beloved prairie tradition and form of social interaction will survive for generations isn’t whether it will end but instead what we will lose when it does. But will dance clubs eventually die?

That’s up to all of us.

prices and

Medication Matters

North Battleford Lions Club recently presented a $5,000 donation to Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation that will support the newest capital campaign “Medication Matters.” The campaign has been undertaken to support the purchase of Pyxis MedStations for every department in need at BUH. In the photo are Lions Gordon Mullet, Harold Bishop and Cecil Russell. Accepting the contribution is BUH Foundation Executive Director Leanne Ducommun. | Photo submitted

Healthcare & less debt highlighted

Continued from Page 3 province, and I think it’s a pretty exciting budget”

MLA Ryan Domotor

Domotor began his comments by speaking to the agriculture-heavy topics prevalent in his constituency, noting later that many people living in the constituency often utilize services in the Battlefords.

“I’m gonna probably speak to more of what benefits the Cut KnifeTurtleford constituency,” Domotor said, which includes more agriculture and the being able to offer $446 dollars back on coverage per acre on insurance.

Domotor also highlighted the $297.9 million for municipal revenue sharing announced at SARM, and the expansion of rural internet with SaskTel, which offers increased speeds to several communities within the Cut Knife-Turtleford constituency.

The budget includes $98.8 million for the recruitment of healthcare professionals, which Domotor feels will help the constituency, highlighting Wilkie’s struggle since Dr. Kemp’s retirement at the end of 2022, “... they’ve been struggling to get a replacement,”

Domotor said, adding that the additional RNs from the Philippines will also help Saskatchewan, the Battlefords and rural Saskatchewan.

Domotor also noted that daycare facilities are taking advantage of new funding in Wilkie and Meota.

“I think that benefits them in a good way,”

After their official remarks, the floor was opened up to questions including the retention of physicians, plans for small businesses in Saskatchewan, and concerns over the possible new Saskatchewan Revenue Agency.

Healthcare and BRCC

physicians is intense. It’s like a bidding war between provinces…” Cockrill said on the retention of physicians.

“The best thing we can do is get them here,”

Cockrill said before telling the audience that the people of the Battlefords have to show incoming physicians the quality of life in the Battlefords while also understanding that now everyone is going to stay.

“We do have some room to improve in how we engage new people.”

Speaking on the rejuvenation of the BRCC and timelines for its implementation, Cockrill said community involvement will be key over the coming months as the project is planned and scoped out.

“If there is large support in the community … hopefully, we can move this along as fast as possible,”

Cockrill said that conversations need to be had within the community, and considerations have to be made to ensure they are building something reasonable to staff.

Cockrill also noted that it’s the oldest building in the province providing patient care.

“...I think that speaks directly to the staff and management.”

Small business and PST

Chris Odishaw noted that there are struggles in the makeup of small businesses in Saskatchewan, and while education and healthcare are important, he wonders what’s being looked at for support of businesses.

“...it’s not about the money sometimes. I hope our government will be able to help us out, maybe, in the future,” Odishaw said, noting struggles with succession planning, worker retention, the carbon tax, and the loss of smaller, independent businesses.

Cockrill noted that he wouldn’t want the

government involved with succession planning for businesses, with Odishaw suggesting the government could create a better environment for businesses to make those decisions.

Cockrill added that the government’s large surplus can be attributed to high potash and oil prices and that as the government finds a better structural revenue system, there is hope that the PST can be lowered at some point.

“The approach we’re trying to take is to find the right spot,” Cockrill said to concerns that PST is now applied to too many products and services, ranging from golf courses, restaurants, and fruit trays at the grocery store.

Saskatchewan Revenue Agency concerns and minimum wage

Linda Machniak, CAO for the chamber, raised her concerns over the Saskatchewan Revenue Agency floated by the government that would offer duplicated services of the Canadian Revenue Agency.

“At this point, the Sask Revenue Agency is purely exploratory,” Cockrill said, citing the Minister of Finance’s frustrations with the CRA. Cockrill said that every time the government changes the tax code, the government has to pay the CRA.

When asked if rising inflation and cost of living would justify an increase in minimum wage past $15 dollars in 2024, Cockrill said that they are watching inflation, optimistic that they’ve come through the peak of inflation.

“There is no plan to adjust that strategy,” Cockrill said.

Domotor reminded Cockrill that the government continues to index the personal exemption every year, unlike other provinces.

“...for folks that are making close to minimum wage [it] does make an impact,” Cockrill said.

Michelle Good’s novel has changed lives Everybody Has a Story

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

Michelle Good, author, lawyer and activist from British Columbia with ties to Red Pheasant First Nation, realised she was good at writing when she was about 10.

“I was one of those little kids that walked around with a journal under their arm,” Good told the NewsOptimist/Sasktoday.ca in an interview prior to a March 28 event at the North Battleford Public Library.

“So, I was journaling, really when I was maybe 11, but certainly no older than that. So, it’s always been a part of how I relate to the world and express, and it’s also been a huge part of my work,” Good added.

But Good also believes that writers are born, not made, noting that there is a certain demeanour that writers have.

“Writers observe, we consider, we record.”

While Good found power in her artistic communication in elementary school, she also realized she wanted to be a lawyer.

“When I was in elementary school, I wanted to be a lawyer, I thought that would be very cool. But of course, I considered law in the context of justice, which of course, it isn’t.”

Good was a Sixties Scoop kid. She spent five years in the foster care

system, aged out at 18, and didn’t go to law school until she was 40. She was, however, an activist for her entire adult life, and by sheer coincidence, luck, or miracle, she was introduced to her mentor.

“Just by hook or by crook, by luck, by opportunity, I was introduced to a very important Indigenous leader in B.C., and I went to work with his organization,” Good said, speaking about Chief George Manuel, the first president of the National Indian Brotherhood.

“But I wanted to make a transition in my life from working with Indigenous people and just doing that work from a different perspective,” Good said about her eventual 20-some-year foray into law.

“I was thinking, ‘I wanna do this, if I don’t do it now, I won’t,’ so I did it.”

The Attraction of Law

And it was the notion of justice that attracted Good to law. The notion of protecting people had interested her since her youth.

“Obviously, I was a little kid, my perception of it would have been less sophisticated, but that was my notion. And it really wasn’t until I got to law school that it has nothing to do with that at all. Law is really just a set of rules. Law is not about justice, it’s about order.

“You follow the rules,

or you don’t, and if you don’t, you run into trouble, period. That’s it. That’s law in a nutshell,” Good said.

“There is room to improve things through the law, but it doesn’t end there … we have achieved victories through the legal system that we couldn’t have achieved politically at the time,” Good said, which included recognition of aboriginal title, aboriginal rights, and entrenchment of those rights in the constitution.

“Although it really doesn’t make any difference … the systems that were formed through the colonial agenda remain today, and nothing is going to change substantially until those things are revisited and changed, and that’s, you know, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

To Good, that change would look like a recognition of Indigenous jurisdiction, creating a third order of government with a direct relationship with the federal government and establishing equalization payments to Indigenous governments.

“This country has been enriched by what has been taken by Indigenous land and Indigenous resources, without any consideration

for Indigenous people. And so that needs to be recognized, and there has to be something like equalization payments to Indigenous governments.”

“Not just a pseudogoverning system,” Good said, “we need to be a third order of government.”

But Good recognizes a junction between storytelling and law.

“In litigation, what you’re doing is you’re basically standing in front of the judge and trying to convince them that your story, your interpretation of the facts, the law, the events, are stronger than your opponent’s. And so, it really is storytelling in a different way, in a different context.”

The Creative Process and its Outcomes

Good has used that to tell the story of Indigenous people and survivors of residential schools in her novel, Five Little Indians.

“There are people that write in the context of art for the sake of art, and I don’t have any issue with that; it’s beautiful, but that’s not the way I approach it. My creative work is very focused on educating and making a point, and clarifying and creating deeper understanding in

readers,” Good said.

“I get literally hundreds of emails from readers, and they say the most amazing things, like, ‘I just had no idea, but now I’ll never forget.’

“This one woman who wrote and said, ‘this book made me ashamed of myself, and I’m going to change the way that I think about and interact with Indigenous people, thank you for making me a better person.’”

Her novel has had an impact that she never dreamed of, sending ripples across the country and around the world that have hundreds of thousands of people reading her book.

“The success of the book is beyond my wildest expectations … I thought it was going to be a niche book for a niche audience. I thought, some people are going to pick it, and they’re going to think about it, but it’s going to be people who already have an interest in this.”

Good spent nine years writing her book while operating her law firm and representing survivors. Then she entered the Master of Fine Arts program at the University of British Columbia.

“My thesis for the MFA program was the first draft of the novel. And another reason it took that long is this is not a subject that you take on lightly … it is such a sensitive subject, and it had such a potential to be triggering and, in a way, hurtful to survivors, which is, of course, the last thing that I would want it to be.”

Five Little Indians

So Good had to get her novel, Five Little Indians, just right.

beings that have trauma and psychological injury, yes, but also have laughter, joy, rage and every human feature,

“I think that’s another reason this book resonates, because I took the time,” Good said, adding that she’s often told that her characters stay with people.

“That’s the best thing you could possibly want.”

Many of Good’s own experiences inform her novel, including her experiences in foster care, racism, or ageing out of the system.

“When you age out of foster care, that’s it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got 10 cents in your pocket, that’s it, you’re on your own … I’m fortunate in the sense that I understand what that’s like, and I’m able to articulate that in the form of character development.

“Something needs not be factual to be true, and that’s what people found in this book, they’ve found an aspect of truth about the residential school legacy,” Good said, speaking on her book that she believes would never have been so successful had it been a book of poetry or another form of writing.

“I will do this work until I die or until my fingers fall off or I’m no longer able to keep my brains together. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, the implements of what I refer to as the colonial tool kit are something I’ll write about forever.”

Good, at the time of the interview, had recently returned from a two-week trip to France, launching the French translation of her novel at the Canadian embassy in Paris.

2022-2023 LR21-0111

$1000 WINNER

#541 - Arnold Combres - Richard

$600 WINNER

#34 - Donna Oborowsky - Denholm

$400 WINNER

#997 - Donna Shay - Hafford

$200 WINNERS

#169 - Maxine Gerlinsky - Wilkie

#838 - Isobel Gallagher - Turtleford

#864 - Estate of Carl Sankey - Medstead

#829 - Linda McGarry - Neilburg

#764 - Deana Winterhalt - North Battleford

#1059 - Patricia Johnson - Battleford

#610 - Carol Maybuck - Cando

#430 - John Edwards - Battleford

#826 - Wayne Combres - Richard

#1226 - Barry Thompson - Glaslyn

“And so I knew I had to get it just right, and that took a long time, and that was OK, you have to have the right tone. You have to tell the story in a way that’s authentic, that is reflective, but is not, you know, as somebody a while back coined the phrase, trauma porn, right?”

Good is mindful to balance both the story that she wants to tell and the story of the characters that are fully formed human beings. Human

“Going to France really was a phenomenal experience. It just made me really, really, really think, I thought about my mother so much during that time. In one lifetime, I think, as I said before, we’ve gone from nobody talking about it, a complete brick wall in terms of communicating about this, to speaking about it on the world stage. It’s phenomenal,” Good said.

“We’re moving forward.”

Michelle Good from her Facebook page.

Author brings Five Little Indians to the Battlefords

Continued from Page 1 to overtake Indigenous people and unravel their society, noting that Indigenous people didn’t recognize borders and that the American government was intent on killing the buffalo.

“General Sheridan said this, ‘Let them kill, skin, and sell until the buffalo are exterminated. Then your prairies can be covered with speckled cattle and the festive cowboy,’” Good said.

Other policies included the the introduction of tuberculosis and forcing Indigenous people to accept treaties that allowed the government to take control of the land of North America.

Good went on to dispel a myth that Canada was kinder to Indigenous people than the American government.

“He (John A. Macdonald) developed a policy that he defined as a policy of submission based on the policy of starvation,” Good said, which included signing a treaty and being forced to pick a reserve, placing them under the control of an Indian agent.

“The Indian agents were not distributing rations that were promised in treaty, and they were instructed not to force the purpose of this submission to starvation,” Good said,

describing the events of the Frog Lake Massacre, which she calls the Frog Lake Incident.

“The Indian agent was basically torturing Big Bear’s family,” Good said, describing the agent refusing to distribute food and laughing at them. “These were people who were boiling twigs to survive.”

“Going back to my note about the violence that we always think we were above,” Good said, reading from a letter from General Middleton of the Canadian Militia in 1885. “’If you do not (give yourself in), I shall pursue and destroy you and your band or drive you into the woods to starve,’ that’s the relationship.”

Residential Schools in Canada

“There was this strong move within the church to encourage the establishment of these schools,” Good said later in the evening, describing a bishop in Alberta who wrote a letter to John A. Macdonald, saying, ‘We instill upon them a supreme distaste for the native life so that they will be humiliated when reminded of their origin. When they graduate from our institutions, the children will have lost everything native except their blood,’ so, again, not my words,”

Good said.

“So, when you hear people, and there still are people, residential school denialists who say, ‘oh, you know, it was a really good intentioned thing that went wrong.’ Don’t be sold on that, it wasn’t.”

Later on, speaking on the death toll of residential schools, Good read from a 1907 medical study focusing on the residential schools in the prairies.

“In [the author’s] report, he said, ‘if he had sought to create a mechanism for the successful transfer of tuberculosis, then we have done that with residential schools.’ He went on to say, ‘Indian boys and girls are dying like flies. Even war seldom shows us a large percentage of fatalities as the education system we have imposed on our Indian wards’”

When Dr. Peter H. Bryce, the author of this medical study, was promptly fired for his advocacy for Indigenous people, the former superintendent of Indian Affairs responded formally in 1918.

“And he said this, ‘It is readily acknowledged that Indian children lose their natural resistance to illness, habituating so closely in the residential schools and that they die at a much higher rate ... but this alone does not justify

a change in the policy of this department, which is geared towards a final solution, to our Indian problem.’”

“How many people could think, this is in 1918, this is before the Second World War? How many people would think that the term Hitler used for the Jewish Holocaust came out of Canada, true north strong and free?

“That was the underlying motivation of these schools.”

What’s next?

Good has a collection of essays coming out May 30 called Truth Telling, 7 Conversations About Indigenous Life in Canada, which she read briefly.

“The urgent demand for truth has become a call to action in itself,” Good read warning against letting anthems such as, ‘without truth, there can be no reconciliation,’ become rote. That also includes ‘pre-meditated land acknowledgements’ and public gestures acting as tips of the hat without body or substance behind them.”

When asked by someone in the crowd what could be done beyond wearing orange shirts and nodding during land acknowledgements, Good laughed, saying,

“Everybody always asks me that ... you figure it out,

we did,” Good joked to scattered applause.

Good went on to use the example of the Constitutional Express in the 1980s, led by Chief George Manuel, as Indigenous groups fought to insist on the entrenchment of their rights in the constitution.

“George Manuel had a Grade 3 education,” Good said, adding that he survived a residential school and a particularly virulent form of tuberculous in the bones of his legs, and Indigenous people, at that time, were four per cent of the population.

After listing the many systemic problems facing Indigenous people then and now, including incarceration rates, suicide rates, apprehensions, addictions and homicide, Good said, “Nevertheless, we changed the constitution. As a lawyer, I can tell you it’s virtually impossible to change the constitution, but we did it. Nobody gave that to us.

“If we can do it, imagine what non-Indigenous people could do with their privilege if they chose to speak?” Good asked.

“So that’s what I say. If we can do it, imagine what you could do.”

Michelle Good visited the North Battleford Public Library for a March 28 event, as her book, Five Little Indians, is the SLA’s choice for One Book, One Province. | Photo by Miguel Fenrich

2023-24 Saskatchewan Budget Growth That Works For

Everyone

We are making record investments in our health care system to grow our workforce and strengthen the programs and services patients need in communities across our province. This year’s investment of $7.1 million overall will: recruit 250 full-time health care professionals and expand part-time positions across the province add 550 training seats in 18 health training programs fund 6,000 more surgeries, for a total of 103,000 this year Learn more at Saskatchewan.ca.

306-893-2619

Art Notes

20230330_News Optimist Ad_Health-Budget.indd 1

Artists inspired by spring

By Kathy Smith

Battlefords Art Club

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” — Hal Borland Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal and new life.

I hope you all eat lots of chocolate. Chocolate causes certain endocrine glands to secrete hormones that affect your feelings and behaviour by making you happy. Therefore, it counteracts depression. Your stress-free life helps you maintain a youthful disposition both physically

and mentally, SO EAT LOTS of CHOCOLATE! Things are beginning to ramp up at the art club. Attendance on Tuesdays is much higher and you can feel spring in the air. As a club we have greatly enjoyed the workshops given by our members and will enjoy constructing “fascinators” for the Fred Light Museum’s Mothers Day Tea. We are in the planning stages for a show and sale at the Chapel Gallery June 29 and 30. Watch this space for ongoing information. Some of the works of members of the Battlefords Art Club. | Photos submitted

The Quilt Patch Quilt ‘til you wilt

Submitted

Rivers’ Edge Quilt Guild

A talented group of 23 quilters attended our “early” April meeting which was moved up to March 31, due to Good Friday being the first Friday in April.

Committees provided information to the guild on recent donations, one of which was a quilt to the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation for their recent ladies night, hoping someone went home with a beautiful quilt while raising money for the foundation.

Upcoming projects planned for the month of April include a foam bag on April 13, and bowl cozies April 27.

Another quilt retreat is being organized for May 11, 12, 13 with an opportunity to work on another organized project or just your own

project while enjoying the company, conversation and quilt games with the other quilters, lots of fun and laughter is usually had by all.

The organization of a bus trip to Saskatoon for a quilt show in October was also the topic of conversation and information. If any member of the quilt guild is interested in the bus trip, they should contact Barb or June as soon as possible.

The best is always saved for last at the meeting which is “Show and Tell.” More than 25 quilts and other projects were displayed by eager members. Beginner or experienced quilters are always welcome to join. For more information please call Carol (306-445-4352) or Heather (306-445-6776)

Next monthly meeting is scheduled for Friday May 5, 1p.m. at the Don Ross craft room.

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

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

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

Spring tune-up essentials

After a long, cold winter, spring is in the air. This means it’s time to give your car a little TLC before cruising in the sunshine. Ensuring everything is in tip-top shape before you hit the road can help you avoid costly breakdowns. Here are eight essential spring tune-up tasks.

1. Battery. Most batteries last five to seven years. However, cold winters are notoriously hard on batteries. With warm weather on the horizon, ask your mechanic to check the condition of yours.

2. Windshield wipers. Ice, snow and freezing temperatures can take a toll on your wiper blades. Therefore, when the weather warms up, it’s a good idea

to check your blades for signs of wear and replace them if necessary.

3. Tires. If you installed winter tires on your vehicle, now’s the time to have them swapped out for summer ones. The rubber treading on winter tires wears out faster in warm conditions. If your car is equipped with all-season tires, inspect them for tread wear, cracking or other signs of damage and replace them if necessary.

4. Hoses and belts. Harsh winter weather can affect the life of your car’s hoses and belts. It’s best to have them inspected by a trusted mechanic for cracks, leaks, fraying and stretching to ensure they’re ready to go the distance this

spring.

5. Filters. Ask your mechanic to look at your vehicle’s engine and cabin filters and replace them if needed. A dirty cabin filter can cause your air conditioning system to malfunction, and a dirty engine filter can put undue stress on your engine.

Battlefordlocationnowopen inBattlefordCrossing

6. Brakes. Don’t wait for something to go wrong before getting your brakes checked. Have the pads and rotors professionally inspected to keep them in good working condition.

7. Lights. When you take your car in for a spring tune-up, have the mechanic check the turn signal bulbs, brake lights, headlights, marker lights and daytime running lights.

8. Fluids. Several fluids must be changed when you go through your spring tune-up routine. For example, the engine oil, power steering fluid, brake and transmission fluids, coolant and windshield washer fluid should all be checked and topped up as necessary.

When you’re ready to get a spring tune-up for your vehicle, contact a local

mechanic to get the job done right and keep you safe on the road.

How to clean your car’s undercarriage

is an optional step, but it allows you to move more freely around the vehicle and get into all the nooks and crannies.

mud

1. Lift the vehicle. Lifting your car with a jack makes accessing every part of the undercarriage easier. Skip this step if you have a lifted truck.

2. Remove the tires. This

3. Rinse the undercarriage. Wash the undercarriage section by section using a pressure washer or garden hose with a spray attachment. Start from the front, moving toward the back. Hold the spray attachment or pressure washer wand at a 45-degree

How to maintain your car’s weatherstrip

angle for the best cleaning action.

4. Clean stubborn areas with a degreaser. To get rid of persistent dirt and debris, spray degreaser on the undercarriage and let it sit for 20 minutes. Scrub with a brush and then rinse the surface.

5. Dry the undercarriage. Rust can develop if moisture is left behind on the metal. Dry every part of the undercarriage with old towels.

6. Apply a protectant. This helps protect the metal of the undercarriage against damage. It‘ll also keep it cleaner for longer.

If you don’t feel confident washing your car’s undercarriage, look for a local car wash that offers the service.

The rubber seals, or weatherstrips, around the edges of your car doors prevent rain, wind and moisture from seeping through the gaps into the cabin. Here are a few tips for keeping yours in good shape.

1. Wash the weatherstrip. Keep the weatherstrip clean by washing it regularly with car-safe soap and warm water. Dip a rag or sponge in the bucket and scrub any dirt off the lining. Do this whenever you wash the outside of your car.

2. Repair or replace weatherstrip. When cleaning the weatherstrip, inspect it to ensure it isn’t coming loose anywhere. If it is, reattach it with a tube of weatherstrip adhe-

sive. If it’s frayed or torn in several spots, replace it.

3. Apply a protectant. To prevent the rubber weatherstrip from drying and cracking, apply a silicone protectant. This’ll protect the rubber from excessive heat, preserving its sponginess and lubricating it. The protectant

also prevents the strip from freezing in the winter. Performing these tasks regularly keeps the weatherstrip from damage and helps you avoid replacement. Ask your mechanic to inspect your weatherstrip when you bring your car in for your next maintenance appointment.

4 car deodorizing tips

spritz the mixture on your car’s dashboard, cupholders, seats and carpets. Let the solution sit for 30 minutes, then wipe it away with a clean, damp rag.

3. Baking soda lifts unpleasant scents. For example, sprinkle some baking soda on your vehicle’s carpet or upholstery if you’ve spilled something on your vehicle’s carpet or upholstery. Rub the baking soda into the area and leave it for a few hours. Then, vacuum it up.

rities and nasty smells. That’s why it’s commonly used in air and water filters. Pick up a charcoal briquette, like the ones used for grilling, at a local store. Leave the briquette in your car for a few days. Charcoal is highly porous and absorbs any nasty odours floating in the air.

white vinegar.

4. Charcoal absorbs impu-

Lastly, spray down your car vents with a specialized cleaner. Over time, your car’s vents build up dirt and debris that can cause an unpleasant smell. If any bad smells persist, take your car to a cleaning professional.

Soft-touch vs. touchless car washes

Winter roads are filled with dirt, mud and road salt. After months of driving in less-than-ideal conditions, you probably want to visit a car wash to make your ride look its best. Here’s a short guide to help you choose between a softtouch or touchless car wash.

• Soft-touch car washes

use foam and cloth applicators filled with soap and water. The materials gently glide across the vehicle, spreading the soapy solution over its surface. The cloth makes physical contact with the car, wiping away the dirt. However, the cloth strips can be applied too forcefully, potentially dama -

ging your vehicle’s mirrors, detailing, antenna or other loose parts. Small stones and dirt can also get stuck inside the fabric, damaging your vehicle’s finish.

• Touchless car washes are entirely automated. They use sophisticated sensors to guide high-pressure washers along the

contours of your vehicle to clean every inch of it effectively. The car isn’t physically touched by anything other than powerful cleaning agents and water. This reduces the risk of your vehicle being damaged during the cleaning process. However, the pressure washers can’t get into

every crack, crevice and hard-to-reach area. Moreover, chemical cleaners can harm your vehicle’s finish. Lastly, a touchless car wash should work just fine if your car is only slightly dirty. If you haven’t washed your car in a while, a soft-touch car wash will provide a more thorough clean.

Mayfair and District News

Wildlife federation dishes up fish fry Saturday

By Elaine Woloshyn Correspondent

Nine decades of celebrating a birthday is what Genieuve Russell was doing at a big family gathering in Hafford last week. She and Geordie (deceased husband) have five daughters and one son. They, with their families, were in attendance. This is a great milestone, Genieuve. Wishing you many more birthdays to celebrate.

Meat draws are a good fundraiser in Yuma, Ariz. and perhaps other places in the United States. Generally, tickets are three for $1 and most people purchase at least that amount or up to as much as $10 for one draw.

At the disabled veterans’ chapter where I attend there are seven draws for five assortments of meats. One strip of three tickets

gives a person five chances to win meat. The last two draws include a large tray of meats and vegetables. I volunteer selling 50/50s. People of all ages come for approximately three hours of entertainment during an afternoon.

Three weeks ago,

Lorna and Russell Buziak, their daughter Jolene and Brennon Strain and their four young sons vacationed to Disneyland. The children were enthralled with the popular rides and experienced all of Disney’s magic! Touring Universal Studios was also a big highlight.

Ken and Paulie Rogers are once again grandparents to a newcomer named Miles Layne. This bouncing baby boy’s parents are Ty and Jamie Ligers. Fresh fish fry anyone?

Come to Thickwood Hills Wildlife Federation’s

Stitching A Warm Welcome

annual fish fry on Saturday, April 8 starting at 6 p.m. This function takes place in our community centre. Admission is $20 for adults and kids 12 and under are free. After supper the awards presentation will be held.

Colleen Wicks along with her husband has resided in Speers for a number of years. She is a great volunteer with many committees and reports that live theatre this last weekend was successful.

“When Bullfrogs Sing Opera” is a comedy with a cast of seven and was directed by retired Hafford school teacher Linda Paulow. It was a real hit with the crowd. This is an annual fundraiser for the Speers United Church and community recreation board. They have been hosting live theatre for 27 years.

The annual plant sale

in Mayfair is on Saturday, May 27. The time and location to be announced.

Puzzle exchange will be an ongoing project at Mayfair library. The next coffee get together is slated for Tuesday, April 18 from noon until 2 p.m.

April is Autism

Awareness month in honour of all adults and children who are living with autism. Most school aged children are fortunate to have an educational assistant with the classroom teacher to give them a decent education as everyone deserves to get.

My friend Sheri is proudly displaying her jackpot winnings at a recent veteran’s chapter fundraising meat draw. Her haul would put a smile on anyone’s face.

|

The Rabbit Lake Quilters have once again been working on individual projects as well as making charity quilts this winter. Last week they donated eight quilts to the Battlefords Ukrainian Canadian Cultural Council to assist families coming from Ukraine to make their new homes in the Battlefords. We hope these quilts will be useful in setting up their new homes. Rabbit Lake Quilting is a library program run on Mondays at the Rabbit Lake Library. | Photo submitted

Notice of Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the members of Innovation Credit Union will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

Virtual meeting time is set for 7:00 p.m. CST.

Information on how to join this virtual meeting will be available by April 15, 2023 by visiting our website at www.innovationcu.ca.

Meeting agenda items include:

•Report on 2022 operations and presentation of financial statements (copies of financial statements will be available for examination on our website at www.innovationcu.ca or at any advice centre of Innovation Credit Union after April 15, 2023)

•Announcement of Elected Directors

•Appointment of Auditor

•Other Business

‘One In Spirit’ concert brings 11 choirs together

Submitted

Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church from Meota hosted a “One In Spirit” concert in North Battleford recently.

This event was held at St. Joseph’s church March 26. The concert hosted 11 church choirs including a youth choir. Piano and

violin instrumentalists also performed for an audience of mor8e than 260. A Filipino choir was featured along with St Andre’s choir singing a French hymn providing variety.

The audience was entertained and clapped along as Father Peter Nnanga sang in his

Nigerian dialect. The ensemble of more than 100 singers sang The Lord is My Shepherd and This Little Light of Mine to conclude the evening. Meota ladies graciously donated dainties for a social that followed. Concert hosted in North Battleford.

1.866.446.7001 | www.innovationcu.ca

Photo by Elaine Woloshyn

More than 100 voices combined for the finale of a “One in Spirit” concert hosted by Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church from Meota. | Photo submitted

Lions Chase the Ace jackpot still growing

By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

BORDEN – The winner of Borden Lions Chase the Ace March 27 was Jillian Orchard of Borden and the ace of spades was not drawn so the jackpot is still up for grabs.

The Borden Municipal Childcare Committee (Little Sprouts) held a burger and pop sale April 1, outside the Borden Community Centre, raising money to renovate the former cafe into a childcare centre. Action Bowl, operated by Carlye Saunders, and situated in the Community Centre basement, held a bowling tournament with 12 teams entered. Winning first place cash was the team of Ian and Mandy Tracksell, Shaun Barth and BJ Berg.

The Borden Friendship Club held their monthly potluck supper March 27, in the Borden Community Centre, with more than 70 on hand to enjoy the meal and entertainment. The

blessing was given by Ed Neufeld, who welcomed everyone. After the main meal, those having March birthdays gathered around the table while Happy Birthday was sung. They were Hylke van der Wal, Martha Rempel, Doreen and Art Flath and Terry Petriew. Ruben Rempel told a few jokes, then introduced the Hamp Orchestra– Erwin on bass guitar, Wilmer on guitar, Eugene on fiddle, Helmut on drums and Cathy Flath on guitar.

Lori Amson and Pamela Pidwerbesky joined in for some of the vocals along with Wilmer and Cathy, and Eugene and Helmut sang a few. They did seven instrumental waltzes and polkas interspersed with the singing of 15 songs.

Easter weekend will see the Riverbend Fellowship Church having a brunch at 9:30 a.m. on Good Friday followed by a service in the Community Centre (Seniors’ Room). St. John’s Anglican will have a Good

Meota and District News

Friday service at 11 a.m/ followed with a light lunch of hot cross buns, cheese and beverages. Easter Sunday the two churches will have services at their regular times – Anglican at 10:30 a.m. and Riverbend Fellowship at 10:50 a.m. Stores and business will be closed Good Friday and some will be closed on Easter Monday.

The new librarian is Maryann McKay from Borden, with the former Librarian Beth Usselman going to work at the RM office with administrator Tonia Derksen. The library hours stay the same; Tuesdays 3 to 7 p.m. and Fridays 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (instead of Wednesdays). Maryann is also the preschool teacher on Wednesdays from 9:30 to11:30 a.m. so that day had to be changed. Drop in during hours to meet the new librarian and borrow some books, DVDs or other materials.

Lifetime memberships awarded to seniors

By Lorna Pearson Correspondent

Spring gets closer and closer as most days bring on some melting of our huge snowbanks. The snow melt on the roof above me is noisy some days, as it slides and slips on the way down. Many are looking forward to the end of such goings on and the green grass that follows.

During coffee hour at the Do Drop In March 29, honorary life memberships into Saskatchewan Seniors Association were presented to Rose Delainey (above) and Svend Christiansen (below) by Linda Ard, regional director, Saskatchewan Seniors Association Inc. and Eric Callbeck, president of Meota Do Drop In. They were joined by 17 other coffee drinkers and well-wishers. | Photos submitted

Tuesday bridge at the Pioneer Hall saw top score go to Barbara Mitchell and Margaret Dyck. In second were Jeannine Beloin and Cletus Scherman. Thursday found two and a half tables in play with top score going to Mary Phelps and Eric Callbeck. In second place were Jean Lawes and Fraser Glen. Soon the snowbirds will be back and maybe there’ll be a few more players show up.

At the Do Drop In on March 31 Norwegian whist saw Eric Callbeck with high score followed by a tie for Bev McCrimmon and Vivianne Lesko and fourth place went to Linda Ard. The next two sessions of whist will be played in Towers II on April 14 and 28. Canasta will be played in Meota April 7 and 14. These games are open to anybody who wants to join friends for a social time together.

The Hamp Orchestra entertained at the Borden Friendship Club potluck supper March 27 which was attended by more than 70.

Borden Friendship Club members celebrating March birthdays are Hylke van der Wal, Martha Rempel, Doreen and Art Flath and Terry Petriew. | Photos by Lorraine Olinyk

All the right choices for you to reach More People...

ACKER: Sharon Acker passed away Sunday, March 26, 2023 at the age of 73 years. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, April 10, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. held at the Western Development Museum with Reverend Janice Trost officiating. Interment will follow at the Town of Battleford Cemetery.

Sharon grew up in the Glenbush area and spent most of her life in North Battleford. She had two amazing children, 7 beautiful grandchildren and two sweet great-grandchildren. She spent 38 wonderful years married to Dave Acker. Throughout her life, Sharon enjoyed music, singing, playing ball, golfing and spending her summers at Little Loon. She spent many hours doing executive and volunteer work for the Royal Canadian Legion, worked Kindersley Transport over 25 years and then part-time at Canadian Tire for about 10 years. She was a competitive dart player earning a spot on the Saskatchewan Provincial Team numerous times. She was an artist, taking after her dad painting beautiful pictures. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers the family gratefully requests memorial donations in memory of Mrs. Sharon Acker to go to the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 70 1352 100th St. North Battleford, SK S9A 0V8 or to the North Battleford Humane Society Po Box 645 North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y7. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium - Elle Dell Funeral Director.

HAGEN: Lydia Hagen was born March 7, 1931, in the Medstead District, SK and passed away January 26, 2023, in North Battleford, SK at 91 years of age. Lydia is lovingly remembered by: her daughters: Donna Hagen (Geraldo Fernandes) of Saskatoon, SK and family: Kera (Dustin) Doherty –Adelyn, Lynea (Ben) McPhail - Leah and Lauren and Spencer Kennedy (David Tsukada), Step-children: Jordan (Candice) AmbroseMason, Ryker, and Hadlee, Lindsay Ambrose (Christian Hudon) - Cleo and June, Michael Moroz (Step-son-in-law), Henry (Marla) Fernandes - Sophie and Libby, Adam Slobodzian (Allison Sproat) - River and Lily, Neville (Madeline) - Cavan, Kieve, Ori, and Safa and Simon (Megan)Savio, Leo, and Hugo, Arlene (Gary) Drieschner of Spiritwood, SK and family: Erin (Andy) Mitchell - Max, Leo, and Ebby, Daniel (Taylor) Drieschner – Gibson and Beau Drieschner (fiancée Kelsey Grimes), Karen (Sylvan) Martens of Glenbush, SK and family: Aleta (Zac) Schellenberg - Eli and Sylvie and Tanner Martens, her siblings: Emma Marshall, Dorothea Dryer, and Katherina Klemp also numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is predeceased by: her husband: Dennis Hagen, her parents: Adolph and Elizabeth Lange (nee Nerstheimer), her siblings: Erna Voss, Herbert Lange, Robert Lange, George Lange, Andrew Lange, Martha Lange and Elizabeth Lange, her son-in-law: Douglas Ambrose and stepgranddaughter: Melissa Fernandes Moroz. The funeral service was held Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 11:00 am in the Medstead Community Hall, Medstead, SK with Delores Beaulac officiating. The eulogy was given by Donna Hagen and daughters reflections were shared by Arlene Drieschner and Karen Martens. Grandchildren’s reflections were shared by Spencer Kennedy. Music was provided by her grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers are considered “All those who shared in Lydia’s life.” The Urn bearers were Lydia’s grandchildren. Lydia’s final resting place will be in the Robinhood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation in memory of Lydia Hagen as tokens of remembrance. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Delores Beaulac Funeral Director, Spiritwood, SK (306) 883-3500.

SACCUCCI: Melvin November 13, 1940 – April 2, 2023 It is with sadness the family of Melvin Saccucci announce his passing on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at the Mennonite Nursing Home in Rosthern, Saskatchewan. Melvin is lovingly remembered by his sister Vera, brother Albert (Vivian), brother-in-law Armand, numerous half brothers and sisters, special aunt Eva, special goddaughter Lisa, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and many, many friends. Melvin was predeceased by his wife Florence, parents Julius and Anna, stepmom Betty, stepdad Alex, grandparents Peter and Caroline, special uncle Dominic, sister Carol, brother-in-law Eddie, sisterin-law Helen, special friend Lorraine and numerous family members. We would like to acknowledge and thank the staff of the Mennonite Nursing Home for the care and affection they provided for Melvin for the last 3 years. A Viewing will take place at Park Funeral Home, 311 Third Avenue North, Saskatoon on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at Our Lady of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 504 Third Avenue East, Meadow Lake on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. There will be a viewing from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Interment at Meadow Lake Woodlawn Cemetery and lunch will follow at the parish hall. Live stream of the service will be available to view through the church’s Facebook page. To share memories and condolences, visit www.parkfuneral.ca “Obituaries-Guestbook”. Arrangements entrusted to Derryl Hildebrandt, Park Funeral Home 306.244.2103.

DISHKO: It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bill Dishko on March 23, 2023, at the age of 57 years. Bill was born in Hafford, Saskatchewan on March 11, 1966. Bill will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Carla; son, Ty (Alyssa); granddaughter, Rayleigh; daughter: Tara (Steven); his mother, Halia Dishko; siblings: Patricia (Sylvester) Kohut; John (Holly) Dishko; Ron (Joanne) Dishko; numerous nieces and nephews, in-laws, friends, and colleagues. He is predeceased by his father, George Dishko. Bill spent many happy years growing up on the family farm near Hafford. After graduation, Bill went on to work numerous jobs and for the last 15 years co-owned and operated a trucking company. Bill’s passions included his love of sports, in particular the Edmonton Oilers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hafford Vikings and Hafford Hawks. Bill enjoyed golfing, fishing and Garth Brooks music. However, his greatest passion was his love for his family and becoming a Gido. Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hafford Communiplex. Pay tribute to Bill by wearing your favorite sports jersey, preferably for one of his favorite teams, or anything from a Garth Brooks concert. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Mr. Bill Dishko can be made to the Ben Stelter Fund https://benstelterfund.com/ Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium - Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

COMING EVENTS

~~ScoutsBottleDrive~~

The2ndNorthBattlefordScout

Troopisfundraisingforourfirstinter -provincialcampingtrip-aweeklongScoutCampinOntarioin

August2023!

Pleaseconsiderdonatingyour bottles/canstosupportour fundraisingefforts.Pleasecontact usanytime,aswe'dbehappyto freeupspaceinyourgarage, basementorbackyardbyarranging apickuptime. Ifyou'dliketosupportby purchasingproduct,askusabout ScoutPopcorn,Scoutgarden seeds,ScoutCoffee,andCo-opGift cards!

DESMARAIS: Raymond

Phillip Desmarais passed peacefully with his loving family by his side, April 3, 2023 at the age of 83 years. He was born to his parents Armand and Beatrice on August 26, 1939. Raymond is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol. His son Jeff (Dawn). His daughter, Jody (Murray). Grandchildren: Kathleen (Matt), Patricia, and Taylor (Tom) and Greatgranddaughter, Ella. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Raymond can be made to Parkinsons Canada - donate.parkinsons.ca or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Friends and family wishing to leave condolences for the family may do so at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service – Vanessa Macnab Funeral Director.

OLSON: Patrick Olson (Pat),was our beloved son, brother, uncle and friend. Pat had a big heart, a generous soul, and was well known for his thoughtfulness and his sense of humour. He worked as a Care Aid at Sask Hospital for over 25 years, and had a positive impact on his co-workers, patients and residents. He loved spending time at the family cabin at Turtle Lake, hanging out with his friends, cooking elaborate meals (his fudge recipes are legendary) and planning out the most thoughtful gifts and presents for holidays and special occasions. He will be missed beyond words or measure, especially by his parents Les and Donna Olson (nee Knutson), brother Brad Olson (Tria Donaldson), and his sister Jen Olson (Justin Carre) and her children Ben, Simon and Elodie, along with many cousins, aunts and uncles. A Celebration of Life was held on April 4, 2023 the Western Development Museum in North Battleford. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association in Patrick’s name at www.cmhabattlefords.ca A recording of the service or to leave a condolences please visit www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium - Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

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

FOR

SALE - MISC

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 51 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649.1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

WANTED

Wanted old advertising: Dealership signs, service station, gas pumps, globes, oil cans, Red Indian, White Rose, Buffalo, Husky, Ford, GM, Dodge, Tire signs, Coke, Pepsi etc. Call 306-2215908

WANTED: OLDER TACTOR, 130 HP, FWA, no front end loader, running or not. 306-937-2832, Battleford, SK.

LIVESTOCK

Black and Red Angus Yearling and 2 year old bulls.

-Adrian Edwards 306-441-0946 Valleyhills Angus - Glaslyn, SK

HEALTH SERVICES

battlefords humane society

Big Fiona!

HIP/KNEE Replacement?

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?

The Disability Tax

Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax

credit and up to $30,000 Lump sum refund

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide!

Providing assistance during Covid.

Expert Help: 1-844-453-5372

IN MEMORIAM

InLovingMemoryofJanetMBear March22,1965-April12,2020

WeThinkAbout YouAlways, WeTalkAboutYouStill, YouHaveNever BeenForgotten, AndYouNeverWill. WeHoldYouClose WithinOurHearts AndThereYou WillRemain, ToWalkAndGuideUs ThroughOurLives, UntilWeMeetAgain.

LoveAlways,RonandKids

InLovingMemoryofGaryW.Bear

December6,1962-April1,2006

DAD WhatwouldIgive, toclasphishand Hishappyfacetosee Tohearhisvoice, andseehissmile Thatmeantsomuchtome. Therollingstream ofliferollson Butstillthevacantchair Recallsthelove, thevoice,thesmile Oftheonewho oncesatthere.

Nothingcanevertakeaway Thelove,aheartholdsdear Fondmemorieslinger everyday Remembrancekeeps himnear.

LoveAlways,Deanna,Greg,AudreyandSam

FUNERAL SERVICES

Airseeder - 28 foot Vibra Master BOURGAULT 2115 special tank asking $5,000.00 Call 306-997-4987 Borden Sask.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE ESTATE of DONALD WAYNE

DILL, late of Saskatoon, 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 April, 2023.

Battle River Law

Baldwin, Friedman, Spence Barristers & Solicitors 201, 1291 - 102nd Street Box 905 North Battleford, SK S9A 2Z3 Solicitors for the Executrix of the Estate of Donald Wayne Dill HOUSES FOR RENT

INDEPENDENT ADULT LIVING apartments in Martensville, SK. Spend your retirement years in a community close to family/friends in the Saskatoon area that has large city services and small town safety and charm. 2 bedroom suites available. More information at www.chateauvilla.ca, 306-2814475 or chateauvilla@sasktel.net

FARM SERVICES

Integrity Post Frame Buildings

SINCE 2008 Built with Concrete Posts Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and More sales@ Integritybuilt.com

1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com

PastureLandForLease

TheRMofHillsdaleNo.440is acceptingapplicationsforpasture leaseofAll26-46-23W3Mand All27-46-23W3M.Applications willbeacceptedbydropoffat themunicipalofficelocatedat39 CentreStreetinNeilburgorby email:rm440@sasktel.netpriorto 12:00p.m.Thursday,April20, 2023.SaskatchewanAgand Foodpastureleaseguidelines maybeusedasthecriterialfor theapplicationprocess.Before leasewillbeofferedthecostof improvementsmustbepaidto thepreviouslessee.Applications maybedownloadedfrom www.rmofhillsdale.comorpicked upintheoffice.

306-823-4321 www.rmofhillsdale.com

FEED & SEED

WE BUY

DAMAGED GRAIN

HEATED... LIGHT

BUGS... TOUGH

MIXED GRAIN

SPRING THRASHED

WHEAT... OATS

PEAS... BARLEY

CANOLA... FLAX

“ON FARM PICKUP”

WESTCAN FEED & GRAIN

1-877-250-5252

A lil spitfire of a kitty! I came to the shelter almost a whole year ago! I’m currently playing with all my friends at the cat café in Saskatoon. If you need more love in your life then here I am!

BY CHERRY INSURANCE & REGIONAL NEWS-OPTIMIST

battlefordshumanesociety.com

FEED & SEED

AGPRO

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS for

the Board of Directors

is looking for vibrant, forward thinking, community minded directors.

DISCOVERY

As a member of the Board of Directors, you will help set direction and monitor the progress of this progressive retail organization with annual sales of over $150 million. Representing a membership of over 18,000 the nine-member board is responsible for strategically planning the future of Discovery Co-op and providing sound governance over the organization as it fulfills its goals. For more information, you may contact Mike Nord, CEO, (306) 445-9800, or e-mail administration@discoverycoop.com

NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023

Discovery Co-op

SPONSORED

CARD OF THANKS

The Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival Committee

thanks the individuals, businesses and organizations who made the 2023 Festival a success.

• Alison O’Keeffe

• Andrea Whelan

• Arch Rivals Foot Care

• Austin’s Saddlery

• Barb Beland

• Barb Hoover

• Battleford Furniture

• Battlefords Animal Hospital

• Battlefords Blend Sweet Adelines

• Battlefords Massage

Therapy

• Battlefords Ministerial Association

• Battlefords Regional Optimist

• Battlefords Registered Music Teachers Assn.

• BeePlus Workplace Solutions

• Bev and Murray

Greenwood

• Bonnie Holm

• Bralin’s Technology

Solutions

• Canada West Performing Arts Festival

• Canadian Music Festival

Adjudicators’ Assn.

• Canadian National Conservatory of Music

• Charabin Seed Farms

• Chinley Hinacay

• CIBC

• City of North Battleford

• Comfort Inn

• Dance Connection

• Debbie Logan

• Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts

• Devan Oborowsky

• Dianne Gryba

• Discovery Co-op

• Don MacKinnon

• Donna & Roy Challis

• Dr. and Mrs. Hesselson

• Dr. Russell Butler Dental

• Dynamic Appraisals

• Elaine White

• Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium

• Fortress Windows & Doors Ltd.

• Gene Aulinger

• Grace Lang

• Hudec Law Office

• Ilene Wettergreen

• Jacquie and Len Pawlus

• Jaki Esquirol, CPA CGA

• Jenise Schneider

• Jennifer Hesselson

• Jenny Nolin

• Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

• Joan Bunce

• June Newsham

• Karen Ulmer

• Kelley Bahrey

• Kelly Waters

• Kimberly Night

• Kinsmen Band

• Kitty Funke Morin

• Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords

• Knights of Columbus,

Notice of Preparation of Assessment Roll

R.M. of Medstead No. 497

• A Thousand Words

Photography

• Affinity Credit Union

• Amanda Grant Dogsleds

• Apex Trampoline Park

• Arch Rivals Footcare

• Aurora Boutique

• Battle River Taxidermy

St. Joseph’s Council #7336

• Kramer Trailer Sales

• Lakeland Veterinary Services

• Les Morin

• Lindsay Charabin

• Loralee Cawood

• Lorenzo Bacchetto

• Margaret Sigouin

• Marusia Kobrynsky

• Matrix Law Group

• McPhail Family

• Meagan Kachur

• Meridian Surveys

• Michele Isaac

• Milbanke Flowers and Home Décor

• Moon’s Kitchen

• Murray & Cecilia Burton

• NBCHS

• Nester Brunwald

• North Battleford Lions Club Inc.

• Nutec Embroidery

• Outback RV Service & Repair

• Regina Symphony Orchestra

• River Valley Eye Care

• Rotary Club of the Battlefords

• Royal Canadian Legion Branch #70

North Battleford

• Royal Canadian Legion #9, Battleford Branch

• Ruth Solheim

• Sarah Whitbread

• Saskatchewan Lotteries

• Saskatchewan Music Festival Assn.

• Saskatchewan Orchestral Assn.

• Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra

• SaskTel

• Sheri-lyn Berry

• Sherron Burns

• Shoppers Drug Mart

• Sky-Tech Equipment

• Sobeys

• Sons of Norway

• Sound City AVU

• Splish Splash Auto, RV and Pet Wash

• Swanson Gryba & Co

• Third Avenue United Church

• Together in Biggar Keyboard Kamp

• Town of Battleford

• Trina Bahrey

• Ultra Print

• University of Regina

• University of Saskatchewan

• Vantage CPA

• Yvonne and Ken Loehndorf

See you at next year’s Festival: April 13 - 28, 2024

• Battleford Home Hardware

• Battlefords Animal Hospital

• Battleford’s Flooring

• Battleford’s Furniture

• Battleford’s Remedy Rx

• Beaver Grill

• Beckman, Richard

• BeePlus

• Bergen, Evelyn

• Betty Bubbs

• Bidwell, Noelle

• Big Valley Creation Science Museum

• Bootlegger

• Borden Co-op

• Borealis

• Bosman, Jesse

• Briercrest College and Seminary

• Bullerwell, Hugh & Marlene

• Cafe 4 U

• Callaway Park

• CJ’s Market

• Crouse, Brooke/Epicure

• Crouse, Brooke/L&B

• Currie, Allen

• Custer, Pat

• Doug’s Paint Shop

• Elevation Ag

• Elliott, Whitney

• Empress Furniture

• Equip

• Fabricland

• Family Life Canada

• Fishers Drug Mart

• Focus on the Family

• Fountain Tire

• Fragment Media

• Frey, Kimberly

• Funkner, Darcy

• Gold Eagle Lodge

• Gray & Arbor Photography

• Grazeful

• Guys Furniture

• Hampson, Blair

• Hemmerling, Debbie

• Home Hardware NB

• Hyundai

• InAScent Bath & Body

• Inkster, Kaitlin

• K & J’s Sugar Fix

• Kaitlin Inkster Nails

• Kam’s Courier

• Kelly’s CupCakery

• Kelly’s Kick*** Coffee

• Kennedy’s Parable

• Kim, Junghee

• Lesko, Carlie

• Klassy Kuts

• L7 Electric

• Life Church

• Living Books

• Lowe’s Saskatoon

• Magnusson, Kathy

• Make Stuff Move

• Marshall, Zelda

• Military Museum, Calgary

• Minute Muffler

• Morris Equipment Ltd

• Moser, Angie/Avon

• Moser, Angie/Norwex

• Mr. Wiebe’s class

• Mrs. Kim’s class

• Murdoch, Sabrina/MojiLife

• Mutch, Gordon & Sharon

• Nelson, Breanna

• Nelson, Meghan & Richard

• Northern Nurseries

• Oil Can Charlies

• Pizza Hut

• Pollard, Dan & Heather

• Portabella’s

• Prairie Lily

• Prairie Storm Candle Co

• Ranger Lake Bible Camp

• Red Swan Pizza

• Revelstoke Mountain Resort

• Rock N Wood

• Rooted Plumbing and Heating

• Round 2 Clothing

• Rush

• Sager, Katha

• Sallows and McDonald- Wilson and Zehner Funeral home

• Sask Aquatic Adventures

• Sask Milk

• Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra

• Second Specs

• Shannons Sugary Sweets

• Sharon Church

• Smash Therapy

• Sobeys

• Splish Splash

• Spudogs

• Stroo, Becky/Sunset Gourmet

• Stromquist, Nicole/ Tupperware

• Taylor Powder Coating

• Taylor, Sheryl

• Tim Hortons

• Tkachuk, Melissa/Arbonne

• Trudeau, Ruth & Al

• Ultraprint

• Vangool, Christine & Joe

• Wagner, Brenda

• Wanders Tiny Farm

• Wappel, Caitlin and Monica

• Wappel, Joseph

• Wasmuth, Darla

• WDM- North Battleford

• Weinkauf, DarrenAuctioneer

• Whelan, Andrea

• Wiebe, Chad

• Wiebe, Collette

• Wiebe, Debbie & Gerald

• Wolfe Garden and Open Market

• Wright, Carol/Scentsy

• Zarowny, Victor

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the R.M. of Medstead No. 497 for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Friday, March 30th, 2023 to May 1st, 2023.

A bylaw pursuant to Section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the RM of Medstead No. 497, Box 12, Medstead, SK S0M 1W0. A notice of appeal, accompanied by a $50.00 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, must be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Revision, Western Municipal Consulting, Box 149, Meota, SK S0M 1X0, by the 1st day of May, 2023.

Dated this 30th day of March, 2023. Christin

Egeland Assessor

RESORT VILLAGE OF TURTLE VIEW NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Resort Village of Turtle View for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the following days: Monday, Thursday and Friday, April 6, 2023 to May 8, 2023.

A Bylaw pursuant to Section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person wishing to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the Resort Village of Turtle View, Box 370, Livelong, SK S0M 1J0, Phone: 306-845-1440. A notice of appeal, accompanied by a $100.00 appeal fee, which will be returned if the appeal is successful, must be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Revision, Marlene Hassard, P.O. Box 149, Meota, SK S0M 1X0, by the 8th day of May 2023.

Dated this 6th day of April, 2023.

Lorrie Bannerman Assessor

We would like to thank the following for their contributions, that made our 19th Annual Dinner Auction Fundraiser a success:

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

REQUIRED

IMMEDIATELY:

Person to COOK & CLEAN for heavy construction camp this spring with possibility of year round. Spring location: Arborfield, SK. Must have valid driver’s licence and safe food and handling ticket.

Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844

Email:

brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca

www.

brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

306-445-7261

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

ROCKY MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT IS HIRING: Parts Technicians, Agriculture & Heavy Equipment Techs - Journeyman, Apprentices, CVIP/Truck Techs and RAP Students, Shop and Field positions available. View Open Roles www.rockymtn.com/careers. Possible Relocation and Signing Bonus Offered.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: needed this spring for dozers, excavators, rock trucks: near Carrot River, Sk. Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844

Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca

www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

Notice of Preparation of Assessment Roll

Village of Mervin

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Village of Mervin for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 8:30 am-4:00 pm on the following days:

Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday

April 6, 2023-May 8, 2023

A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the Assessment Notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her Notice of Appeal with the Secretary of the Board of Revisions

Liana Stepan

PO Box 149, Meota, SK SOM 1X0

By the 5th day of June, 2023

Dated this 6th day of April, 2023

Assessor

Liquor Permit Advertising Form

(Under the provisions of The Alcohol and Gaming Regulations Act, 1997 )

Notice is hereby given that Magic Lantern Theaters Ltd. has applied to the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gamin Authority (SLGA) for a Special Use - Theatre Concert Theatre permit to sell alcohol in the premises known as Capitol Theatre at 1101 100 St. North Battleford SK S9A 4B1

Written objections to the granting of the permit may be filed with SLGA not more than two weeks from the date of publication of this notice.

Every person filing a written objection with SLGA shall state their name, address, and telephone number in printed form, as well as the grounds for the objections(s). Petitions must name a contact person, state grounds, and be legible. Each signatory to the petition and the contact based objections within the beverage alcohol industry may not be considered and may be rejected by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Licensing Commission, who may refuse to hold a hearing.

Write to:

Saskatchewan Liquor and Gamin Authority Box 5054 Regina Sk. S4P 3M3

TENDER

THE TOWN OF RADISSON

Radisson is now accepting tenders on PT Lot 26, 10-11, BLK 02, Plan G1466 also known as the Tweedsmuir Hall. Sold as is, where is, with no liens or encumbrances.

Please submit all sealed tenders with plans of use to the drop off box at the Town Office, located at 329 Main Street, or mail to:

P.O. Box 69

Radisson, SK S0K 3L0

Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

Closing date: May 31st, 2023

Attn: Norma Stumborg

306-827-2218

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

RESORT VILLAGE OF TURTLE VIEW

Public notice is hereby given, in accordance with The Planning and Development Act, 2007 that the Council of the Resort Village of Turtle View intends to adopt amendments to Bylaw #16-2021, the Official Community Plan and Bylaw #17-2021, Zoning Bylaw to apply to lands added to the Resort Village from boundary alteration.

INTENT

The proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw (ZB) amendments will allow the provisions of the OCP and ZB of the Resort Village of Turtle View to be applied to the land added to the Resort Village’s jurisdiction.

REASON

The purpose of the bylaw amendments is to control the use of land for providing the amenity of the area of the Council’s jurisdiction and for the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of the Resort Village of Turtle View and to implement the policies of the Official Community Plan of the Resort Village.

PUBLIC INSPECTION

The bylaw amendments may be inspected by any interested person on the Resort Village of Turtle View website: www.rvturtleview.com, or by appointment (306-845-1440) at the Resort Village Office at #116 Golden Sands Drive, Resort Village of Turtle View, SK. between 8:15 am and 4:45 pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, excluding statutory holidays. Copies are available at cost.

PUBLIC HEARING

Council will hold a public hearing on April 29th, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Resort Village of Turtle View Fire Hall and by Zoom through individual requests to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaw amendments. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing or delivered to the undersigned at the municipal office (The Resort Village of Turtle View, P.O. Box 370, Livelong, SK. S0M 1J0; or Email: resortvillage@turtleview@xplornet.com) before the hearing.

Issued at the Resort Village of Turtle View, this March 30th, 2023.

Signed: Lorrie Bannerman, Administrator.

R.M. of Blaine Lake WEED INSPECTOR

Requirements:

• Must have valid pesticide applicator licence

Application Deadline: 4:00 pm on April 14, 2023

Forward work experience and references to:

R.M. of Blaine Lake #434, PO Box 38, Blaine Lake, SK, S0J 0J0 or email rm434@sasktel.net.

TENDER COUNTRY LIVING NEAR THE CITY

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

1. 210 George Street - double lot on north end

Parcel NO. 129061649 & 129061661

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

2. 101-109 Albert Street - south residential end Parcels: 129067667, 129067690, 129067713, 129067735, 129067757

Lot 1-5, Blk 12, G3010

3.706 Goodrich Street - south residential end

Parcel No. 129067263 - Lot 3, Blk 3, F4857

4. 208 George Street - southwest side

Parcel 129061683 - Lot 16, Blk/Par 14, Plan I5059 Ext 0

5. 206 George Street - southwest side

Parcel 129061717 - Lot 17, Blk/Par 14-Plan I5059 Ext 0

Please submit your sealed tender by May 31* with your name on the outside of the envelope, clearly indicating the land that you are putting a tender on, to the drop box at the Town Office, located at 329 Main Street, or mail to:

Town of Radisson

Box 69

Radisson, SK SOK 3LO

Highest or any tender bid not necessarily accepted.

Closing date: May 31, 2023

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

Source: News Media Canada

TAX ENFORCEMENT LIST

TOWN OF MAIDSTONE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Noticeisherebygivenunder The Tax Enforcement Act that,unlessthearrears andcostsappearingoppositethelandandtitlenumberdescribedinthe followinglistarefullypaidbeforethe5thdayofJune,2023,aninterestbasedon ataxlienwillberegisteredagainsttheland.

Note:Asumforcostsinanamountrequiredbysubsection4(3)of The Tax Enforcement Act isincludedintheamountshownagainsteachparcel

R.M. OF MEDSTEAD NO. 497 SEASONAL MAINTENANCE/ EQUIPMENT OPERATOR POSITION

The R.M. of Medstead No. 497 invites applications for an experienced full time Seasonal Maintenance/Equipment Operator. The Seasonal Maintenance/ Equipment Operator will be responsible for mowing this municipality’s ditches, rock picking, mulching in conjunction with the grader operators, installing and repairing signs and other jobs as directed by the Reeve. Opportunity may be present in the future to move into a grader operator position. Pay rates depending on experience.

The R.M. of Medstead No. 497 is located in central Saskatchewan located approximately forty five minutes north of North Battleford. Applicants must possess a valid Class 5 driver’s license and have skill and experience in maintenance and operation of equipment including tractor, mower, rock picker and mulcher.

Submit written resumes stating experience, expected wage, two references and a current driver’s abstract by 12:00 p.m. on April 11th, 2023. All resumes shall be marked “Seasonal Maintenance/Equipment Operator Position” and dropped off at the RM Office, mailed to the address below or emailed to rm497@sasktel.net.

R.M. of Medstead No. 497 Box 12 Medstead, SK S0M 1W0

Council thanks all applicants for their interest in this position but only persons selected for interviews will be contacted.

The R.M. of Medstead No. 497 reserves the right to reject and refuse any or all expressions of interest.

FISHER’S DRUG STORE

Fisher's Drug Store is a large independently owned pharmacy operating under the Pharmachoice banner. We offer a friendly work environment and have very attractive store hours. We are open from 9am to 7pm during the week, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and closed on Sundays and holidays.

We are looking for a Pharmacy Assistant or Technician

to join our team to provide a high level of personal, professional service to our customers. We provide a wide range to services to our clients, including compliance packaging, ostomy products, athletic and injury bracing and many more. Experience is a asset but not required as we will train the appropriate person for the job

Duties will include the following:

•Assisting in filling prescriptions, under a pharmacists supervision, as provided for by the regulations of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals.

•Be aware of and abide by government regulations, and any policies of the employer, in regard to control, safekeeping, sale, return and disposal of pharmaceuticals, under the supervision of a pharmacist.

•Be responsible for general housekeeping duties, and the general appearance of the pharmacy area.

•Be familiar with all merchandise carried in the department, as well as new products, especially those pertaining to the pharmacy and retail pharmacy area.

•Assisting in customer complaints within the policies of the employer.

•Assisting with inventory in the pharmacy area-ordering and receiving pharmaceuticals under the supervision of a pharmacist, and other duties related to inventory in the pharmacy area, (as assigned by management).

•To provide prompt courteous, friendly, caring service to customers.

•Other duties as assigned by management.

To apply, please contact Darren Fisher's at Drug Store by: Phone: 306-445-6153 Fax: 306-445-7114 email: fishersdrugstore@sasktel.net

Datedthis6thdayofApril,2023

JoshuaLangill Treasurer

Maidstone and District News: Girl Guides have busy day

By Kathy Utri Correspondent

Congratulations to Brayden and Treana Reis on the birth of their son, Dallas Thomas Reis (7 pounds, 14 ounces, 21.5 inches long) March

27. Dallas is the first grandchild for Rodney and Barb Weisner of Waseca. Maidstone Gymnastics Club held a recital in the elementary school gymnasium March 30. Each age group from four to 12 years (Pre-K to Grade 6) performed a Frozenthemed floor routine followed by showing their individual skills on the uneven bars, balance beam and vault. They all did a wonderful job. The evening ended with presentation of certificates to the gymnasts and a well-deserved thank-you gift to trainer, Eila Miller.

Maidstone High School drama students

20.

MHS badminton placings at Loon Lake last weekend were: in singles, Jordan and Brooke won silver, Ean won bronze; in mixed doubles, Zander and Avery won silver; Daxon and Mickey won bronze; in boys’ doubles, Derek and Noah won silver. At junior badminton in Unity, Gwen and Alexis won silver and Tristin took bronze.

Kara Wakefield and Shannon Whitney of Maidstone Trade Fair present a $500 donation to Maidstone Arena board rep, Dawn Bonnar. competed at regionals in North Battleford last week. Hudson, Steele and Hailey received accolades from the front of the house adjudicator, Kyla and Bryelle received accolades from the back stage adjudicator, and Sydney was recognized for set design. The whole cast and crew won the Best Virtual Production award. I’m really looking forward to their dinner theatre April

In U13 STEP League hockey finals, Maidstone Jets played Neilburg Monarchs in game 1 and lost 3-1. The second game

The Rural Municipality of Mervin No. 499 is a progressive and rapidly growing Municipality, presently seeking a self motivated individual to fill the position of full time Administrative Assistant.

The Administrative Assistant, under the direction of the Administrator, will provide support to the Administrator for all aspects of municipal administrative duties which include, but are not limited to, the day-to-day office operations, customer service, assessment and taxation, accounting and tax enforcement. The successful applicant will work closely with existing office staff in a team environment.

The successful candidate will possess excellent organizational and public relations skills and a thorough knowledge of computers and accounting software. Preference will be given to those applicants possessing their Local Government Administration Certificate (LGA) or are in the process of obtaining their LGA.

The Municipality offers a comprehensive benefits package including a pension plan. Candidates for the position are invited to submit their detailed resumes including education, experience and references by April 30, 2023 to:

The Rural Municipality of Mervin No. 499

c/o Brenda Ottenbreit

Box 130

Turtleford, SK S0M 2Y0

Email: cao@rmofmervin.com

The Municipality would like to thank all who apply and advise that only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Maidstone

2023 grads were auctioned for labour on April 2 raising $3,430.

was in Neilburg March 29 with Jets winning 5-2 to tie the playoffs. A 10-minute mini-game saw neither

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY SUMMER STUDENT PROGRAM

The Resort Village of Aquadeo is seeking a Seasonal Summer Employee.

The position will include but not be limited to the following:

• maintenance related to buildings, beaches and parks and green space

• operation of various equipment

• refuse pick-up

• occasional weekend work

The qualifications require you to have a valid Drivers License, the ability to work with other employees and also independently and to be available for the summer months.

Resumes will be received until suitable candidate has been hired.

Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Start date will be as soon as possible.

PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESUME BY EMAIL TO: THE RESORT VILLAGE OF AQUADEO aquadeoadmin@gmail.com

Attention: Gina Bernier

team scoring, resulting in a 20-minute sudden-death game. Neilburg scored and won the championship.The Jets were 15-0 in regular season.

Maidstone Trade Fair committee thanks everyone who supported their 36th annual event: all the vendors and visitors, Triple S Concession for great food and service, Kin Club for supplying chairs, Maidstone Legion for running the door and Maidstone Arena for helping to get the show off the ground again. They hope to be bigger and better next year. The lucky winner of the door prize supplied by Maidstone Coop was Wendy Breadner. Maidstone Arena appreciates the generous donation of $500 from the Maidstone Trade Fair. An enthusiastic group gathered for the MHS grad auction on Sunday afternoon at the trade fair.

Principal Brennan Becotte introduced each team of grads who were eager to do any kind of labour required.

Auctioneer Russ Copeland from Lloydminster egged the buyers on, with the highest bid bringing in $650. The students thank everyone for helping them raise $3,430 for Grad 2023.

Maidstone Girl Guides are grateful for all the support they had at the Trade Fair. Winners of the two raffles were Aiden

from Smokin’ Jerks (kids’ basket) and Marion (adult basket). The total number of cookies in the “Cookie Guess” bin was 503. With five people guessing 500, a draw was made. Kaien was the winner of a Bluetooth speaker, water bottle and hat supplied by Synergy Credit Union who also donated the cost of their booth.

Maidstone Girl Guides (Sparks, Embers, Guides and Pathfinders) are doing a bottle drive May 6. They have a form on Facebook “What’s Happening in Maidstone” for you to fill out and submit if you have recyclables to be picked up, or you can call 306-4417571. To drop off, use the back alley at 212 -2nd Ave. E.

Next week is spring break for our school division. I wish everyone a happy Easter. Temperatures will be above zero most afternoons with sun for six out of seven days, so I hope everyone enjoys the spring weather.

Dates To Remember:

April 6 - Kin Club’s Easter Family Dance at Maidstone Legion Hall 7 p.m.

April 14 - Communities in Bloom deadline for Equinox self-watering planters.

April 16 and 23 - Waseca Community Centre Bingo at 1 p.m. (drinks and snacks available)

High School

Maidstone High School drama won Best Virtual Production at regional competition in North Battleford. | Photos submitted by Kathy Utri

Jesus Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Praise God!

The tomb couldn’t hold Jesus. Jesus Christ is God, and He is risen indeed. Christians believe in the risen Christ who promises, “Because I live, you shall live also.” (John 14:19 and John 11:25). Good Friday and Easter Sunday are at the heart of our Christian faith. I recount the resurrection of Jesus from the dead from Matthew 28:1-10

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven

N

eighbourly

Advice

By Raymond Maher www.accordingtoed.com

According to Ed raymaher085@gmail.com

and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him, the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus

who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.’ So they departed

quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.’”

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, the wife of Clopas and the sister of the mother of Jesus, seeing the empty tomb, were afraid yet filled with joy. They were conflicted; it was a gigantic event to take in. They were

thrilled that Jesus was alive from the dead but afraid to believe in such a miraculous miracle. How wonderful that in their struggle to know the truth, they met Jesus, whom they could see with their eyes and hold his feet in their hands as they bowed down in worship before him. The dead Jesus of Friday was alive again on Sunday, the first day of the Jewish week.

In Acts 10:38- 43, Peter confirms, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, and we are witnesses of all that he did both in the

country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us whom God had chosen as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God to judge the living and the dead. To him, all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” A blessed Easter to you.

Unity News: Stepping into spring

By Sherri Solomko Correspondent

Even though the calendar says the first day of spring has arrived, Easter traditionally marks the official kick-off of spring.

Delta Co-op will wrap up their Easter-themed events on Saturday in Macklin, after hosting events in Unity and Wilkie this past week.

Easter Saturday, you can head out to Senlac and support their 4-H club as they are hosting their annual cake bingo.

A big thank you to organizations and businesses who have already hosted Easter events this week including the Kin Club event held April 1. Ma & Me Bakery, small business Easter egg

hunt was April 4. Delta Co-op hosted an Easter eggstravaganza at their Unity and Wilkie food store locations.

Congratulations to all participants of last week’s 97th music festival, including the showcase held on April 2.

Unity Composite High School Grade 12 student, and avid long-time curler, Kaybree Spendelow, was drawn as the winner for the Unity Curling Club 55” TV raffle, presented by lounge manager, Sharon Reiter.

Sharon Reiter was announced by CurlSask, as the winner of the CurlSask 50/50 draw totalling $3,371. Reiter was quick to clarify the afternoon curling league pooled their money and she went online to purchase the tickets, so the jackpot was a group

that can celebrate the winnings.

Unity Community Centre indoor walking program will remain operational until it warms up and/or more of the snow/ice outdoors is gone.

Schools will start their Easter break April 7 and return to class on April 17.

At Unity Composite High School, Hoopla results included the senior boys winning an overtime victory to capture bronze while the UCHS girls’ team was unable to medal, earning fourth place.

Congratulations to UCHS drama who performed a well-received production March 26 and 27 before they headed off to the regional drama festival March 31 in North Battleford. UCHS badminton, in both junior

and senior divisions, held a home tournament March 31 weekend.

At St. Peter’s School, Paralympian silver medalist, Lisa DeJong, visited staff and students to talk about her experience. DeJong has a niece who is a student at St. Peter’s.

Parkview Place continues to keep its residents busy building inter-generational relationships. After their successful garage sale held March 25, they played host to a special Easter-themed activity afternoon with the Unity Public School Pre-K class. In addition to games and crafts, treats were served and a special presentation by their “Dinner Table Choir” singing ‘Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail’ was part of the egg-citing afternoon.

Despite some structural problems that suddenly closed Unity Curling Club, there was some good news at the club, see details in this column. | Photo courtesy Unity Curling Club

Unity Western Days will be marking the 40th anniversary of their event in 2023. Committee member, Terry Smith,

is looking for milestone photos and highlights from the past 40 years of the annual first-weekend-ofJune event.