The Advance | Vol. 106 | Issue 47

Oratorio choir wraps up season

Illerbrun Church has deep history

Read the story on Page 14

Read the feature on Page 12

Monday, December 7, 2015

VOLUME 106 | ISSUE 47 | www.gulllakeadvance.com

BOOM, BABY Shaunavon’s annual Parade of Lights ended off with a bang last Thursday evening with an awesome fireworks display. Photo by Kate Winquist

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Folks of all ages enjoyed the festivities in Shaunavon last Thursday. There was even an appearance by the jolly old elf from the North Pole. Photos by Kate Winquist

Award-winning singer performs at Lyric Theatre

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

R

&B singer Gerald Eaton, also known by his stage name Jarvis Church, was in Swift Current on Thursday to promote his latest album and light up the Lyric with slick jazz rhythms.

“This was our first time in Swift Current, but we really were looking forward to it,” he said.

Eaton is touring across Canada to promote his latest album Vol. 2 The Songs of Curtis Mayfield, released across country on December 4.

“I’m spotlighting the late, great Curtis Mayfield. He’s always been a huge inspiration for me, I love his falsetto.

I was really excited to do an album primarily in falsetto, and I was also really excited into getting into the soul music of the 70’s.”

The singer, along with a three-man band called the Soul Station performed songs from his first album,

as well as the new one. Additionally, he performed songs from his days as vocalist of the Philosopher Kings, which he is most well known.

“Performing for me is number one,” she said. “It’s really my favourite, because I get to interact with the crowd and meet people.

Eaton has spent a large portion of his carer producing music. He is most known for discovering Nelly Furtado, an award-winning singer from Victoria who topped the charts with songs such as “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light.”

Despite the fact that he’s been both on tour and making new music, Eaton has found time to produce a new artist as well.

“She’s a singer named Jordan Alexander, and we’re going to have a new album out by her in summer of 2016,” he said. “I’ve been spending a lot of time with her writing, producing and editing.”

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Swift Current one step closer to Women’s Curling Championships Eleven other countries are set for world tournament

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

T

he Ford World Women’s Curling Championships are picking up speed with the 11 other countries Canada will face being set last week.

The championship, presented by Meridian Manufacturing, will come to Swift Current next March, bringing elite talent from all over the world to the southwest city.

The European qualifiers came to light after the 2015 Le Gruyère European Championships in Esbjerg, Denmark.

Russia, Scotland, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany and Italy will all be headed to Swift Current for the event.

The Canadian team that wins the 2016 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Grand Prairie, Alberta in February will face off against these teams, as well as teams from the U.S., Japan and South Korea.

Japan and South Korea qualified due to their results at the Pacific-Asia Championships in Kazakhstan.

The teams for each country will be chosen by that country.

Rob Dewhirst, Event Manager for Curling Canada, says this event should be as successful as the last time Swift Current hosted the Worlds.

Germany got gold in 2010’s iteration, winning 8-6 over the Scots. Canada got bronze.

“We held a very successful event in 2010. This is just an amazing facility for the event, and we have a wonderful host committee putting this on,” he said.

“The countries have all been declared, and soon there will be a final draw. We know the countries, but it’s up to them what team will represent them. It’s a different process that’s involved.”

Dewhirst said there were systems in place to ensure there would be a high level of competition at the event.

“They’ve gone through a continual ranking system to determine their eligibility. The countries will be a bit different from 2010 due to the selection process,” he said.

“There is a ranked system and these tournaments have helped show the compete levels in these countries.”

Dewhirst says planning for the curling event is going smoothly, with many volunteers helping out.

“It’s going really good. People are working diligently to get prepared for this event. We’ve been working at it since it was announced last fall. We’ve been working and around since the selection of directors,” he said.

“We’re getting volunteers organized.

We have nearly 530 volunteers. They’re just essential. We couldn’t pull it off without their dedication. We are really blessed to have great people onboard.”

The chances at success for the Canadian team are good.

“The Scotties tournament will determine our Canadian team in February. They’re battling for the right to be here. The champion will come out and compete, and will want that world championship.”

The support Swift Current has shown so far has been tremendous.

“There is all kinds of awareness and sponsorship. Fans are purchasing tickets and it’s good looking forward,” he said.

“This bodes well for our ability to get future and new events. Curling Canada operates so well, and we are demonstrating our ability to put on amazing events.”

For information on ticket packages for the 2016 Ford Worlds in Swift Current, visit www.curling.ca/2016worldswomen/tickets/.

The Salvation Army is seeking both cash donations and collectors, like this man at the Piapot Gun and Hobby Show in Maple Creek the weekend of November 28. Photo by Beth Jarrell.

Salvation Army requests donations for Christmas season

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

T

he Swift Current Salvation Army is seeking donations to gear up for the Christmas Season.

Major Don Grad, spokesperson with the organization, says that while the Salvation Army is in fairly good shape for the holiday season, they are still requesting items.

One of which are volunteers to sit in two-hour shifts at kettles with a bell, asking and receiving donations from people.

“What we really need right now are people to man our Christmas kettles, which is a really fun job,” he said.

“I always encourage folks to walk around, say hello and merry Christmas to people, things that make it fun.”

In terms of physical goods, the organization is requesting donations suitable for adults, as well.

“We could always use some more toques, mitts, gloves and socks for adults. We do a Christmas dinner on December 25, and at the end of the dinner we like to give a small gift to everyone in attendance, the adults as well.

“We are also in need of turkeys, since we like to include those in our hampers for four people or more. We have a shortage this year, so we would really appreciate donations like that.”

Let’s make

Merry

Christmas hampers are some of the organizations biggest event of the year. Major Grad says that this year, around 250 families have signed up to receive one.

“A lot of those names are new, which means older recipients haven’t signed up again this year. That’s a great sign, really, because it means things are getting better for them, which of course we love to see.”

Major Grad says that other than goods for the hampers, cash donations are also extremely important to the organization.

“This Christmas campaign is one of our biggest fundraisers, not only for now, but to support our food bank year-round,” he said. “Christmas is one of our biggest fundraising times, and that finances our year round operation.”

Our Christmas campaign goal is $185,000 this year. At last count, we were at $83,000. Our next weeks with the Christmas kettles will be a big push, and I’m really hoping we can exceed our goal.”

He adds that even if individuals can’t give much, they will feel the benefit of donating over the Christmas season.

“I think when you give, you participate outside yourself, which brings a certain amount of joy, but also makes us look to others as opposed to only ourselves,” he said. “It makes for a healthy, well-rounded individual.”

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

December Saskatchewan child exploitation Land Sale unit educates parents Chamberlin faces further charges in sex crimes case Generates $10.9 Million T THE ADVANCE

YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015

5

mind of a guy with a trenchcoat. Now to kids and saying, ‘go, get out of my hair.’ they just go to the Internet.

They don’t That’s no different than giving your kid

By Jordan Parker As a result of the ongoing investigation against him, These are on top of the sexual assault, invitation to have to hang out at schools anymore. loaded gun.

With no training expe-exhas seen additional charges, including sexuala touching, sexual interference andor sexual he Saskatchewan InternetChamberlin Child Withincharges, a shortanperiod of time, kids areploitation riences, molesters and him pedophiles know Cabri man Ryan Chamberlin was arrested again two sexual assault invitation to sexual charges laid against in late February.

Exploitation Unit gave a gripping groomed and each doing things we never Heand will take advantage, ” heProvincial said.

Friday, March 20 andpresentation charged with additional crimes touching and a count of sexual interferappeared in Swift Current Court on keeping children safe charge, imagined our kids would do. ” “When I started doing this, we usually as more victims came forward in the case against him. ence, sexual exploitation and a corrupting children March 23, and was released on an undertaking before CONTRIBUTED online in Swift Current last week.

There are 14 million websites depict-a judge dealt with kids 15 to 18. Now, with techcharge. on conditions. editor@gulllakeadvance.com The talk, held at the Swift Current ing sex with kids out there, and over Chamberlin, nology and tablets at in young39,kids wasgetting a hockey coach several Comprehensive High School, gave par20,000 new photos updated weekly. Thesouthern er ages, cases go as low as eight, nine andhis Saskatchewan communities throughout askatchewan’s December sale of ents and teachers a crash course in spotcollections can be 100,000 files, on aver-adult10. life.Kids are getting younger and things petroleum and natural gas rights ting warning signs and keeping predaage.

There a publication are isgetting worse. ban in place to protect the raised $10.9 million in revenue for the tors out of children’s lives. identity of the victims, nextand court “Almost every game kids play now is Patterson saidand theChamberlin’s things they see province at an average price of $685 Brian inChukthat ~ involves “We~deal with Zanything will be April 13 at 9:30 a.m. interactive. My grandson loves Mine-appearance per hectare, bringing the calendar year the need to be popular on social media the exploitation of children through the investigation is ongoing, and investigators intotal for 2015 in land sale revenues to craft, and we have three or four investi- Theleaves kids vulnerable.

Internet … When it comes to exploitawith additional information for$56.5 million. gations with kids who met people on it,vite people “Kids have 500 to 600 friends to oncome Facetion, we get in there,” said Sgt. Ron Weir, The sale results come in the wake were lured to another site, groomed, andward.book, but how many do they actually of the Fraser Institute’s annual Global who presented with Cpl. Cory Patterson. were sending pictures. Be conscious of know and communicate with? I tell parPetroleum Survey of petroleum execuThey have been helping with classents there’s D. no Wayne reasons for these kids to Elhard, MLA tives, where once again Saskatchewan room units on the subject, with partnerThe Internet has brought have that many friends.

I can guarantee Cypress Hills Constituency ranked number one in Canada and ships in place with local RCMP detachinnovation and the compiling of one of those people isn’t for the among the top ten worldwide in the Making your voice there heard in Regina. information to new heights, but ments, the Chinook School Division and reason your kids think they are, ” he said. rankings of attractive jurisdictions for 401 Redcoat Drive also comes at a cost. thelong United Way. It doesn’t seem that ago when I wrote a coldevelopment of a greater national spirit rather than “You wouldn’t believe the things we P.O. Box 308, Eastend, SK. S0N 0T0 investment in petroleum exploration They fight every day against an umn about a remarkable series published since 2011 an emphasis on “states’ rights,” which was one of Phone: 1-877-703-3374 see kids post on social media.

It’s unbeand development. cypresshills.mla@sasktel.net thebeen New York Times on the U.S.and Civildisturbing War. Now, trend. the causes of the war. ever-growing “While land sale activity by has lievable.” what your kids are playing and to just how www.wayneelhard.ca it appears, that series will soon come to a close.

It’s hard, in our current 21st century context, “There are 40,000 chat sites out there relatively subdued, we continue to rank Weir told the crowd all it takes is one interactive the go.” to fight, and in Called Disunion, the collection of pieces folbelieve that men would volunteer that defend sex between kids and adults. as a top destination for investment image, and the predator will never let go.

Cory Patterson, the otherInspeaker, the developments of the Civil some- and many cases, dieCpl. for the cause of “states’s rights.” dollars,” Economy Minister lowed Bill Boyd Go anywhere onWar theinInternet you’ll “They never let you stop at one. They said we now intoa do society where you thing akin to real find time, them. albeit 150 later. context, those rights hadlive a lot with slavsaid. “With an operating environment Oneyears thing weAswere this dealing will threaten and extort for more and canimagine connect with here friends family via events unfolded throughout the course of the war, ery. But can you anyone todayand volunrich in opportunity and friendly to with when this started in 2009-2010 was more, ” he said. social media, and therights Internet. historians and analysts discussed what impact they teering to stop a bullet forapps provincial in business, Saskatchewan is positioned the misconception that viewing child “This isn’t just a world or internation“But thisDakota encompassing Canada? Or even North rights acrossworld the has for the world market to catchhad. up to us, pornography is a victimless crime, ” he The Town of Gull Lake It’s is accepting al or Canadian issue. a Saskatche49th? The whole absurd. builtconcept itself seems up and other things couldn’t and not the other way around.” Disunion can be found at opinionator.blogs.nysaid. applications for student employment the wan issue.

We had a young girlwith in Yorktimes.com.

I still try tokeep wrapup. myThere head around the key issue are always chat sites we Saskatchewan rated highly in the Town Maintenance Department Weir explained that child pornography UR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER TUESDAY, MARCH 31,an2015 5 I just realized that in a few weeks the 150th of the Civil War, slavery.

How is it that not-so long ton who sent one initial photo and was know nothing about, and then we get 2015 survey relative to other jurisdicforfor the100 summer of 2015. works on a supply and demand format, niversary of the Confederate surrender at Appoago, slavery was a common practice?

(In some parts extorted images and 60 videos. tions in regards to policy, investment five, six, seven complaints about kids Applicants must: and by demand for such mattox Court House willplacing come up.

It seems of prodthe world, being it still is). and regulatory climate, geopolitical By the time we were on, he was directing exploited,” he said.

• be self-motivating

By Jordan Parker As a resultcertainty, of the ongoingremarkably investigation against him, uct, These are on top of the sexual assault, invitation to kids short, that the war only lasted four Let’stoconsider“There some other what-ifs.

What if the people are allowing more risk, administrative labour her for thingsminimal he wanted.

Cory was on are 25,000 apps dedicated for Chamberlin has seen additional charges, including sexual touching, sexual interference and sexual ex• require supervision years.

Confederacy did win the war, not conquering the hurt.charges laid against him in late February. regulations n Chamberlin was arrested againand two employment sexual assault charges, anagreeinvitation to sexual get ploitation that case for nine or ten months. phones now. Facebook, Instagram, Twit• have a valid driver’s license and charged with additional crimes touching charge, andregulations, a countPerhaps each of sexual He appeared Provincial Court North, but successfully succeeding? Would we still itinterferseems so“They short due theCurrent contrast with ments, environmental sayintoSwift they’re just collectors, and “Coryinhas all stating these experience different profiles, me forward in the case against him. ter, KIK and Snapchat are some. They Apply writing to: ence, sexual exploitation and a corrupting children March 23, and was released on an undertaking before how long States wasones deployed to have slavery today? Would it extend all the way to trade barriers, charge. taxation regime and the United a judge on conditions. they aren’t the who abused the kids.

Town of Gull Lake and he will go online in search of predwere created for a good purpose, but Chamberlin, 39, was a hockey coach in several Afghanistan, the nation’s longest war inbe its history, California? If not, what would have caused it to quality of its geological database.

Why should they charged southern Saskatchewan communities throughout hisin regard ators or take Box over150 online accounts of always to have bendbeen the rules and LloydIraq. Iraq is not as up as we thought end? Would asomeone Spartacus-like slavehas revolt adultwrapped life.

The December sale saw the 12-2eow Gull Lake, SK. S0N talk, 1A0 they to what is done on their personal time? victims.

When these kids don’t and use them for nefarious things.

A lot There is a publication ban inincluding place to protect the inevitable? Would the North have taken another was,with as the U.S. and numerous allies, minster area receive the mostitbids gulllaketown.admin@sasktel.net identity of the victims, and Chamberlin’s next court It didn’t take long for judges and pros~ Brian ZinChuk ~ know who they’re talking to.

Kids take of kids are really putting themselves out Canada, are getting pulled shot at it, 10 to 20 years later? Would there have appearanceinto will bethe AprilSyria/Iraq 13 at 9:30 a.m. ISIS sales of $4.8 million. The Weyburn-Esecutors to understand that every time The investigation is ongoing, and investigators inwhat people say at face value, and never there, ” he said. been a series of continental conflicts for decades? tevan area was next at $2.92conflict. million, people with additional information to come foranvite image of abuse is viewed, know who’s on the other side of that “For every fractured social media account ward.

I think that’s what stands out the most for me, the child If theisU.S. had remained into the 20th you followed by the Kindersley-Kerrobert exploited all over again. ” screen.” create, you make a digital fingerprint, having lived during at time when the U.S., and by century, what would the impacts have been globarea at $2.91 million and the Swift CurD. Wayne Elhard, MLAinnovation The Internet has war brought extension, Canada, has been at continual since ally? Would itand have tipped the balance inconnect the Firstto you. ‘breadcrumbs’ that The ICE unit uses a program that can rent area at $254,187.

Cypress Hills Constituency 2001a(As we’ve withdrawn fromMaking Afghanistan, it World War inSome favourkids of the Allies?

Wouldsecure it haveby not and the compiling to new The highest price paid for sinthink they’re spot the IP addresses of people viewing yourof voiceinformation heard in Regina.

MOVIE INFORMATION LINE • (306) 297-2241 • SHAUNAVON 401 the Redcoatpeople Drive take long deploy tobut Iraw).

To been the decisive player in the Second World War, gle parcel was development $2,550,082.

Windfall also comes at a cost. divulging details on one site but doing child pornography and their locations m that long ago when I wrote a colof a greater didn’t national spirit rather than toheights, “Movie Presentation at its Finest!”

P.O. Box 308, Eastend, SK. S0N 0T0 markable series published since 2011 an emphasis on “states’ was one 1-877-703-3374 of ourwhich time, thisof has become newPhone: normal. leading to itsitsuperpower status, would it have Resources Ltd. acquired the rights,” 547-hect“Whenthe I was young, we got informaon another.

But or you know who’s conin real-time. They used this to show the cypresshills.mla@sasktel.net k Times on the U.S. Civil War. Now, the causes of the war.

It wasn’t always like this.

In most cases wars been too concerned about a future conflict with its you www.wayneelhard.ca are lease southwest of Pierceland.

The series will soon come to a close.

It’s hard, in our current 21st century context, to tion from encyclopedias … Now kids necting the dots?

Google.

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BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

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United States was deployed to e nation’s longest war in its history, s not as wrapped up as we thought .S. and numerous allies, including ting pulled into the Syria/Iraq ISIS

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have slavery today? Would it extend all the way to Town of Gull Lake before the blockade took hold to General Robert E. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net California? If not, what would have caused it to Box 150 end? Would a Spartacus-like slavestyle revolt have been Lee’s of command.

One what-if centred 12-2eow Gull Lake, SK. S0N 1A0on the inevitable? Would the North have taken another gulllaketown.admin@sasktel.net shot at it, 10 to 20 years later? Would there have been a series of continental conflicts for decades?

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5

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Agribition end means plans ahead for Swift Current

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

W

hile Agribition may be over, its impact is still being felt across the southwest.

The six-day event took place November 23-28. This was the last year it was held in Regina, as the City of Swift Current, the CCA and Swift Current Ag and Ex recently struck a five year deal bringing the Agribition to the southwest.

“We’re very excited it’s moving to Swift, it’s going to be a great thing.

A lot of people around here feel the same way, it’ll be good for the region and good for us.”

Lenora Bells, Event Development Coordinator for the Ag and Ex says that the event struck some inspiration in the planning for the 2016 event.

“I think we’re going to have the same spectacular rodeo that everyone is used to. It was really good, and some of the other ranching events are something we will be carrying over as well.” she said.

“We’re also talking about adding a trade show.”

She says some of the key differences that she noticed between locations was the distance that people have to walk and park from the facility, both of which she believes will be easier with the move to Swift Current.

C A R E E R

Bells adds that while some aspects may change, much of the rodeo format will stay the same.

“We’ve been doing rodeos for a long time and CCA has been involved for just as long. The rodeo format will definitely stay the same, except we’ll be using 12 competitors in each of the events instead of 10.

“We’ll still exhibit something special at the beginning of the rodeo, and we will still have the best livestock and best Canadian cowboys. The rodeo will run in such a spectacular fashion because of the level of entertainment.”

Bells believes that the rodeo will maintain its level of excellence if no other reason than those who compete in it.

“All year long these cowboys work to get ready for this, and it’s because of this that the show is always so good. That is one thing that won’t change. We aren’t daunted at all, we believe we can do this.”

For those who attended Agribition to compete, it was a similar experience.

Brady Bertram was one such competitor, and won the championship title in Saddle Bronc riding.

“I tried to go into this year doing my own thing without worrying about anything else. I was pretty confident going in this year compared to years past, but I really just wanted to have fun this year, that was my main thing. Let loose a little.

“I won a handful of rodeos this season, but nothing this big. This was by far the biggest competition of the year, so now we get to take a little break.”

Bertram has been riding for 10 years, since he was 17. He says that this season was one of his best to date.

“I knew about halfway through the season that I was going to go to finals, so the pressure was kind of off,” he said. “I still wanted to go to as many rodeos as I could and try and stay sharp, in rodeo shape.”

“I don’t really train, just try and stay active for the next season, stay in some kind of shape. I work at the auction and

play hockey, so that’s how I stay fit for the rodeo season.”

Bertram, who lives in Maple Creek, says that the attitude around the ranching community towards the move to Swift Current has been nothing but positive.

“We’re very excited it’s moving to Swift, it’s going to be a great thing,” he said. “A lot of people around here feel the same way, it’ll be good for the region and good for us.”

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6

THE ADVANCE

Commentary FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

Voting to defund Planned Parenthood is disrespectful, regardless of veto

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

P

roving there’s nothing more important in politics than making a statement, the Senate in the United States used this sensitive time to vote 52-47 to defund Planned Parenthood.

This shouldn’t be about abortions. It shouldn’t be about sticking it to Obama.

It shouldn’t be a petty artificial vote That’s right, after a shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado just last week that left three dead and nine wounded, this is the Senate’s big fix.

Voting to get rid of funding for an organization trying to help women with one of the most difficult decisions of their lives, whether you agree with it or not, is to mock a major tragedy in American history, and kick a whole throng of bewildered and mourning people while they’re down.

Robert Lewis Dear, insane or not, pulled the trigger that day. But the Senate, in making this decision so swiftly after the attack, may as well put up a big endorsement sticker.

This vote, while vetoed

by Obama and symbolic in nature, is still a sucker punch at an unnecessary time, completely devoid of the sympathy this situation deserves.

It’s an opportunistic ploy to gain support for a cause based on fear. It’s a disgrace to a country in mourning.

But others don’t see it that way.

“The value is to let him know (Obama) and others that there’s a big division in this country, and a lot of us don’t like it, and the American people don’t like it,” Republican Senator Richard

Shelby of Alabama told the press.

So though Obama has final say, this vote allows senators to speak their mind on an issue like Planned Parenthood.

While senators taking a stance isn’t a bad thing -- in fact, it’s democracy -- what isn’t fine is the timing of the whole thing.

There was literally a malicious attack on one of these sites last week, and no one in Senate thought to themselves, ‘Hey, maybe we should hold off on this for a little while.’ But what more can be expected from politicians?

“Individuals who speak out for the life of children shouldn’t be suddenly be silenced by being screamed down because an insane person does a shooting in a clinic,” said Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma.

But by pushing this forward -- shooting or not -- Americans are once again focusing on the wrong issues.

This shouldn’t be about abortions. It shouldn’t be about sticking it to Obama.

It shouldn’t be a petty artificial vote.

Maybe politicians should put their ears to the ground, blow off some dynamite while they’re down there, and figure out what they should really be focused on when the dust clears.

Start with gun control and the safety of Americans.

Whether they believe in Planned Parenthood or not, the organization is about a whole lot more than that one procedure.

But never fear, Republicans. You can worry about the unborn fetuses once you’ve begun protecting the walking, talking Americans first.

How’s that for a symbolic sentiment?

We’d love to hear from you.

Letters to the Editor are always welcome The Advance welcomes letters to the editor of up to 400 words.

The deadline for submission is 4:00 p.m. on Thursday for the next edition.

All letters must be signed and include a phone number for verification plus the name of the writer’s hometown. Unsigned letters will be discarded. The Advance will not publish phone numbers and addresses. Letters may be subject to editing for length, clarity, grammar and legality. The Advance reserves the right to decline to publish letters. Letters are the opinions of their writers only and do not reflect the opinions of The Advance.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

FROM THE TOP OF THE PILE

Comments not wanted

BY B R I A N Z I N C H U K

brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net

I

n the past, if you didn’t like a news story, you muttered to yourself as you put down the paper or flipped the channel. Only if you were extremely incensed and motivated would you write a letter to the editor (with no such option for TV or radio news). To be published, you had to sign your name and provide contact information proving you were a real human being.

There was a very real possibility the editor might call you up and confirm that yes, you did indeed write the diatribe, before running it. There was accountability at many levels, but most importantly, because your name was attached to anything you said.

These days, letters to the editor are soooo 20th century, but comments are 21st. Post an article online, and expect the comments to flow.

This week CBC decided to ditch the comments section on a certain subset of stories – anything applying to indigenous people (Aboriginal is apparently no longer cool, according to what was probably the eighth renaming of the federal ministry responsible for our First Nations). It turns out almost any story talking about indigenous issues

is rife to get way more than its fair share of racist comments, and trying to police the comments section for such statements is, um, difficult. CBC hopes to figure out a way to get those comments back up in the New Year, presumably by automating a way to censor all the bad things people say.

CBC’s comments section can get pretty wild. In no time flat, you can see 1,925 comments on one story. It’s like a tidal wave.

The biggest problem is anonymity.

People will say all sorts of nasty things if no one calls them out on it. But tie it to their name, and it’s a whole new ball game.

That’s especially true today, where a misguided Twitter post, less than 140 characters long, can get you fired or dropped as a political candidate, even if that post was made years ago. These days, you’re just as well to delete everything on your social media accounts (especially Twitter) if you want to keep your job. The first thing some grievance collector will do to out you as a nasty person is seek out any piece of dirt that can be attributed to you, ever, including when you may or may not have been sober.

The solution to CBC’s problem, of course, it to make people accountable, using real names instead of fake ones.

When accountability becomes real,

most people will keep a civil tongue.

Comments sections are a double-edge sword. They engage your audience, sometimes intensely. In media, that’s always desired (especially if you are selling advertising). But they can be a real headache, too. The aforementioned nastiness is the majority of comments. It becomes non-productive dealing with this.

Personally, I like comments, and often engage in them. But I have always used my own name, just as I do with this weekly column. It is its own comment section.

Facebook has tried to enforce a “real name” policy over the years. It can be used for comment sections, too, resulting in “your name is attached” accountability. That may be the way CBC has to go.

As for the underlying issue of racism directed towards indigenous people, it goes to show there’s a lot of issues and resentment on all sides.

Every so often I see a meme online saying something along the lines of “Thank God they didn’t have the internet when I was young.” There’s a whole generation that might regret their online histories now.

Brian Zinchuk is editor of Pipeline News. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net.

POINT OF VIEW

Bill 6 – taking the high road isn’t turning the other cheek

BY S H E R I M O N K

sherimonk@gmail.com

L

ast week I attended a meeting in Lethbridge hosted by the Alberta government about Bill 6. The heat and pressure on the government to withdraw the bill has been constant and intense.

On my way into the city, I passed a convoy of big trucks and tractors on their way to town to show their displeasure. This convoy took one entire lane of Highway 3, slowed down the remaining eastbound lane significantly, and generally caused a traffic hazard. I get they wanted the visibility – I’m just not sure that was the most ideal way to go about it.

That same morning, I interviewed Lori Sigurdson, Alberta’s minister of jobs, skills, training and labour. Honestly, she sounded genuine, but very, very green. While willing to admit that perhaps the government approached this project in the wrong way, she wouldn’t come anywhere near close to considering starting over.

Once I went to the meeting, the room was packed. There had to be 500 people there, of all ages, from all walks of life. There were quite a few children missing school to hold the signs their parents had painted for them. Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier was also to be in attendance, along with Ms. Sigurdson.

As soon as the meeting was called to order, the crowd drowned out the facilitator while they chanted “Kill Bill 6! Kill Bill 6!” at the top of their lungs.

My interest was piqued. As a journalist, it’s both exciting and rewarding to see the public engaged over issues – provided the engagement is informed and reasonable. Unfortunately, as the meeting progressed, I began to seriously question how many in attendance were informed or reasonable.

There was an incredible amount of heckling. The crowd was angry – very angry – to the point where it felt like a kettle about to boil over and I didn’t want to be anywhere in the way. Seriously. I looked around the room to make sure I knew where all the exits

were. And if that’s how uncomfortable I felt, I can only imagine how the ministers felt up on stage.

At one point, Carlier nervously stuttered when answering a question, and the audience roared with laughter, and many began making fun of him. One individual who was given the microphone to ask a question started to imitate the minister, stuttering his words as he posed his question. The longer the meeting went on, the less the people listened, and the angrier and the bolder they became. I was actually ashamed, and my face flushed with the collective embarrassment we all should have been feeling. In fact, I ended up leaving halfway through the meeting. I couldn’t stomach anymore.

The truth is, those ministers are just doing their jobs and they are showing up to face the music at each and every meeting. That takes the kind of balls I know I sure don’t have, and I respect the hell out of them for facing that kind of hostility. I couldn’t. I’d probably pee my pants a little, and end up in tears.

And I know I’m a very empathetic person, but how could the people in the audience not also have been uncomfortable with the aggression, and the name-calling? I became more and more uncomfortable by the hive behaviour, but it seemed like most other people took it as sanction to bully them even more.

This isn’t an evil government. It’s an amateur one. They truly don’t understand the challenges of creating employment standards for small family operations, and they thought they could amend the legislation now, and figure out the details later. I don’t for a second think they were trying to destroy the family farm, kill the branding tradition, prevent kids from being in 4-H, or stop spouses from bringing dinner out to the field. I literally think they were just trying to extend workplace rights and safety to all workers, and that they are too new and too inexperienced to know how to roll it out. I do believe that they thought they could consult with the industry in the next year as they intended to do, and that they would create legislation that would work for everybody. I do not

believe for one second that they had any idea what kind of a hornet’s nest they were stepping into.

I do not support unplanned, ill-timed and poorly researched legislation. I think the government went about this entire process ass backwards. They should have consulted at length first, and then proposed the legislation.

And once they realized they screwed this up, they should have immediately tabled Bill 6, and started the process over. And while it’s true that Alberta is the only province where occupational health and safety legislation doesn’t apply on farms, not all provinces have employment standards for farm workers. For instance, in Saskatchewan, workers are covered by OHS, WCB and they have the right to organize, but developing specific employment standards is exceptionally complicated for agriculture, so it hasn’t been done there. In Manitoba, there are employment standards, but they are very tailored for agriculture. So when the government’s public relations response is to simplify and shame people by saying all the other provinces have the same legislation they are trying to enact, that’s not entirely truthful, and that lack of upfront transparency has cost this government everything when it comes to the rural vote.

But nobody should be bullied the way those elected officials and their staff were that day in Lethbridge. We can protest and we can be loud and we can be heard without being cruel and threatening. As coverage of these meetings increasingly makes its way into the households of urban families, I am seeing more and more lash back against the agricultural community for their vitriol and their seeming complete refusal to consider any safety laws on-farm. Considering the amount of support from all levels of government for the agricultural industry across the country, we cannot risk alienating the general public by becoming an embarrassment. In general, producers are widely respected and for good reason.

As a community of people who take a great deal of pride in the value of a handshake, we must be better. Our future depends on it.

THE ADVANCE

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Black Friday shows bigger problem than sold out toasters

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

W

hile the day of Thanksgiving was something that Canadians experienced months ago, it was only a week ago for our neighbours to the south. Despite the huge difference in time, that hasn’t stopped Canadians from participating in a tradition that dates back to the 1930’s - Black Friday.

Black Friday, the day after American Thanksgiving, has always been known as the day where stores will put massive sales on goods in order to get them out the doors. While this particular tradition has stayed an American one for decades, we are beginning to see parts of it bleed into Canada.

Millions of Canadians participated in Black Friday from home this year, as countless stores in larger city centres offered goods for sale in deals that rivalled American companies.

I’ve always found it strange that the values of Thanksgiving are so alien to the concept of Black Friday. On Thanksgiving Day (or as we like to call it in my household, Turkey Day) we sit down with friends and family, celebrate great food and give our deep gratitude for the things we have.

Then, merely hours later (or that same evening for some shoppers who camp out overnight to be first in line!) people will fight tooth and nail to get four dollars off a blender at a big box store.

Every year, media coverage will showcase the same stories. You’ll always see stories of toys being ripped out of children’s hands, people being shoved and assaulted, and, in extreme cases, being trampled to death by masses

of people shoving their way into a store to be the first there.

It makes one wonder why we encourage this behaviour.

Not only that, but think about the practical applications of Black Friday, as well.

When the tradition started, it was for good reason. People marked the end of Thanksgiving with getting a jump on Christmas shopping, and supported their local stores on a day they had off to do so.

Now it has turned into a competitive mess of who can outspend and out-save who on goods that aren’t needed.

I saw one picture someone posted on the Internet of a man with 15 blenders in his cart because they were 75 per cent off.

Blenders aside, one has to wonder not only how have we stooped this low, but how we, as Canadians, got involved. With the dollar at par, it made sense to jump on the bandwagon and purchase American goods.

Now that our dollar is low, and has been for months, it makes much less financial sense to participate from afar, or What used to be a practical sale has turned into massive debt and greed at the hands of Americans and Canadians alike. The worst part is, we get to do it all over again in less than a month for Boxing Day. Let’s do ourselves a favour and remember this Boxing Day what the spirit of Christmas- and Thanksgiving- really are. While we’ve seen holidays such as these become commercialized messes, let’s try and remember that the whole reason for the holiday season is giving, not getting.

Sex offenders should remain under microscope even after sentence

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

C

rime is crime. It’s true that if you’re convicted of anything, chances are you’re going to be asked about it in a job interview.

But there’s also a view in society -- implicit or explicit -- that certain crimes are more forgivable than others.

Possession of narcotics, fishing or hunting without a license, public intoxication, traffic violations,, loitering and causing a disturbance are all things teenagers get charged with all the time. Many of them get slapped with probation and go on to live fulfilling, do-gooder lives.

Then there are non-violent crimes.

Theft, drug trafficking, fraud, embezzlement and prostitution are things that, on their own, may not be that concern if the person does their time and rehabilitates.

But then there are the most violent, heinous crimes. These are the ones we can’t forgive. Murder is a huge one, but perhaps more traumatic and angering is any crime that involves the sexual assault or exploitation of a member of our society, especially a child.

For these crimes, perhaps offenders should never see the light of day. If you kill someone or rape someone, you should stay behind bars. You have lost your right to parole point blank.

I have long preached in my columns about rehabilitation and my belief in it, but when public safety can take a tumble due to the release of a sex offender, the freedom of the inmate shouldn’t supersede the comfortability and ability of the community to feel safe.

The problem with child molesters, pedophiles and rapists is that, in Canada, we rarely know where they’ve settled, what their offences were, or even how closely they’re being watched.

The Canadian Sex Offender Registry is not available publicly. Your next door neighbour could be a former sex offender, and the police would never tell you.

Sure, we get the odd heads up if a high-risk offender is being released in our area, but these reports are few and far between.

The most common reason given for journalists and the public to not know names, addresses or cities of offenders at high risk to reoffend is due to the privacy and safety that must be afforded to offenders.

But here’s the thing. Why risk the safety of a community for the peace of a sex offender? If your addiction is so strong that it leads you to be convicted of crimes because you hurt other people, you should remain in prison, especially if you’re likely to reoffend.

A sex offender can ruin the lives of the people they encounter; they can taint lives and childhoods. Not to min-

7

imize alcohol or drug addictions, but often these addicts hurt themselves more than others. For sex offenders, the opposite is true.

I don’t know how you assess whether a sex offender will commit more crimes once released, but if it’s that hard to know, maybe a hospital is the best place for them.

During the Internet Child Exploitation Unit’s meeting in Swift Current this week, they showed eventgoers a map of everyone watching child pornography at that time in the city.

The numbers were staggering, and the question I had was if things like this happen every day in Swift Current, why shouldn’t we, the public, worry about offenders or future offenders in our communities?

If we can’t make informed decisions based on the location of convicted predators, then why should we welcome reintegration?

The safety of the community comes before all else, even when it comes to people trying to rehabilitate. No one, especially sex offenders, should be on the street if people have to worry about them.

Police obviously try to do their jobs, but how many people can they possibly keep track of ?

The last thing we need are victims of senseless crimes because someone felt it was time to give a sex offender a second chance.

The Christmas Contract; the Santa Clause

BY M E G A N L AC E L L E

megan@gulllakeadvance.com

P

lease excuse my bad pun; I’m literally in my seventh hour of studying for my contract law final. The only thing that’s getting me through the next two weeks of exams is the impending relief that will hit me once I hand in my last final and race home to celebrate my four separate Christmases.

It’ll also be the first Christmas for two of my nephews and a great excuse to sit down and watch some classic Christmas movies featuring my favourite benevolent obese man, Santa.

Growing up I loved Santa, I mean loved him. I used to make him presents every year to leave under the tree and was extremely concerned about our lack of fireplace – I mean, I know we left our door unlocked, but why would Santa use the front door like some commoner?

I loved Santa Clause movies, Santa Clause

letters and Santa Clause presents. But something I never realized, until this year, were the different types of Santa Clauses that would visit each home in my area. My gifts from Santa were always thoughtful and moderately priced, although sometimes they had a price sticker – at which point I would stare curiously at my mother and she’d make up some excuse about elves shopping at Wal-Mart.

Good work mom.

But in all reality, Christmas is an expensive holiday for which every family’s Santa Clause has a different budget sometimes leading to one child wondering why Santa got his friend a battery-operated ATV while he only got pyjamas.

In 2013, The Globe and Mail reported that Albertans typically spend around $700 on gifts for Christmas. In 2011, each person in Saskatchewan was estimated to spend about $680 on gifts.

For some families across the province, that number is the difference between making rent and sleeping outside. Why does this matter

when it comes to Santa? Because Santa is supposed to be a jolly, indiscriminate gift-giver who doesn’t care if your parents are accountants or cashiers. He’s a symbol that being kind to others is to be rewarded – regardless of economic background.

By all means, buy, build or give your child whatever you want for Christmas. But maybe take a second to reconsider putting Santa’s name on the most expensive item. Better yet, consider showing your children the true meaning of the season – giving.

Spend some time at a local shelter, give food to your local food drive or maybe adopt a family.

The Christmas season is always a reminder of how blessed I am – healthy family, thoughtful friends, a full belly (even if it’s full of microwavable noodles,) a roof over my head and a comfortable place to rest my head. But not everyone has the same experience.

No child should dread the holiday season – instead it should be a time where laughter and warmth is spread through giving to more

than just your family, but your community and those with less.

Instead of buying that ugly sweater for your Aunt Peggy or that homely pair of slippers for your Uncle Bert, why not donate your time, money or food to someone who really needs it. If you’re not into that, maybe you can donate blood.

In 2014, 81 per cent of Canadians planned on donating to charities over the holidays, Saskatchewan fell just under the mark with 72 per cent of the population agreeing to donate.

About 40 per cent of Manitobans and Saskatchewanians planning to donate say they do it to set an example for their children or others. Back slaps all around. I mean it.

Christmas is truly a wonderful time of year; whether you say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, or Happy Holidays. For some it remains a truly religious holiday, for others it’s an excuse to spend time with their loved ones.

But regardless of your definition, it truly is a giving season. So make Santa proud and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

8

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Saskatoon Photographer special guest in southwest gallery

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

S

askatoon based photographer and artist Hans Holtkamp is the featured guest at the Grand Coteau Heritage & Cultural Centre Art Gallery this month.

On December 1, Holtkamp was on hand to open his exhibit, titled “Southwest Inspiration,” featuring photographs of the southwest as well as a couple bronze sculptures he has created.

Holtkamp, who has been taking photographs since he was young, says that photography gives him the power to be in his element.

“I’ve done art all my life,” he said. “I’ve done different mediums; painting, sculpture, photography … I’ve found that photography is the most responsive and immediate for me. I could get into that zone that sports guys talk about.

“When you take photos, it’s immediate.

You can immediately get that sense of accomplishment that comes with it. For painting and sculpting, it’s more of a process; it’s a lot of considerations. When you put the camera up, you lose track of who you are, where you are … The camera does that for me.

“I started doing photography 10 years ago, but as a teenager I did some film, but

never really took it up until now, where we have digital,” he said. “That way we don’t have to think ‘how much is this going to cost?’”

Holtkamp adds that he enjoys the medium of photography as an art form not only because it comes naturally to him, but also because it allows him to travel to beautiful places.

“There’s lots of considerations in photography, too, but I can do that without thinking about it,” he said. “It’s intuitive now. Whether I have the camera or not, I’m composing all the time.

“When you take a photograph, you have nothing to do with it, really, you just get to stand there and take it all in, and then take a picture of the beauty. You don’t have to create it, you just press the shutter and admire it.”

While he is relatively new to digital photography, he says that he enjoys the opportunity to learn different skills that it has allowed.

“I’m a very observant person, and a creative person,” he said. “I enjoy just capturing and manipulating photos because of that. Digital photography has become a lot harder to do than film.

“Before, you captured the image and gave it to a lab to develop and print. Now you’re doing everything; processing, printing, all

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of it. All three disciplines are difficult to learn and separate. The post processing, now that you’re in control of a lot of things, is a lot more difficult but also more fun.”

While he doesn’t manipulate his photos much, the photographer says when he does, he enjoys editing his image directly after a shoot.

“When I do it that way, I can remember how I felt when I took it. What I’m trying to get across in the photo. I’ll lose that if I do it later. I try and manipulate the image to get it as close as I can.”

For Southwest Inspiration, Holtkamp says he tried to capture the true spirit of Southwest Saskatchewan.

“For this show, I wanted to find work that exhibited the Southwest. I’ve been coming here, maybe a dozen times a year, for decades. When things get slow, I go drive around and find inspiration.”

While many artists and armature photographers struggle with capturing something the way they want it to look, Holtkamp says he uses a special method to capture the perfect photo.

“I can’t describe what inspires me, I just see something and am compelled to photograph it,” he said. “I try and put the extraordinary into the ordinary stuff of everyday.”

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Bryce Magkasi, Errylson Oledan and Gage Haubrich were three of the four students who won the competition. Missing: Carter Wotton Photo By Beth Jarrell

Comp students win province-wide competition

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

F

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our Swift Current Comprehensive students have won big on the provincial stage.

When Bryce Magkasi, Errylson Oledan, Gage Haubrich and Carter Wotton entered the Business and Beyond competition held

by Saskatchewan Polytechnic in Moose Jaw, they never expected to win it all.

The competition saw them compete with 18 other schools across Saskatchewan in categories such as insurance, marketing and management, something their teacher Cindy Lowe says the students worked hard to prepare for.

“There were six different rounds in total, each department created a mini-competition within the category. The top teams in each category won points, then the teams with the most points made it to the final round.”

The final round saw the teams

then had to make a business plan and make a five to 10 minute presentation to a board.

“There were four teams selected to do the final presentation.

The kids were told at lunch that they had made it to the final round, then had only one hour to create the presentation and proposal.”

The categories were ice cream, pets, fitness and music. The Swift Current team was selected for the music category.

“They had to create a service or product pitch. They came up with a live streaming music company. The whole thing was made up, but they came up with a PowerPoint, an HR plan, a management plan and plotted how they were going to sell it and make money in an hour.”

She says that while the final competition was a surprise, the grade 11 accounting students were prepared.

“We had been preparing for about 6-8 weeks at the school,

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going through marketing projects. I had guest speakers come in to talk about HR and management practices.

“They did a lot of prep work on their own, too, studying the principles of marketing.”

The students are rewarded with their hard work with almost $1000 each of tuition promises and textbooks should the students decide to attend SaskPoly.

“Competitions like this are really important because they reward the students for academic achievements and not other things like sports and arts,” she said. “For the students who may not excel in sports, this is their chance to shine.”

The students, for their part, were thrilled to win. “it was a lot of fun because all the students going wanted to be there, so they were really trying,” Gage Haubrich said. “ it wasn’t one of those things that they were there because they had to be.”

TransCanada highway crash leaves man dead T H E A D VA N C E S TA F F

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

A

n 84-year-old Swift Current man was killed when he was hit by a truck Thursday.

At 6:15 p.m. the Swift Current RCMP responded to the collision on Highway 1, near the Nissan dealership, involving the truck and pedestrian.

The highway was closed and traffic was diverted for approximately six hours.

The RCMP investigation continues and the highway has been reopened.

10

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

453 Railway Avenue Abbey Saskatchewan S0N 0A0

453 Railway Avenue Abbey Saskatchewan S0N 0A0 Phone 1-866-746-BONO (2666) or 689-BONO (2666) Phone 1-866-746-BONO (2666) or 689-BONO (2666)

Fran

Lisa

Terry and I along with all the staff at Bono Holdings would like to wish everyone a very “Merry Christmas” and may you have a “Healthy, Happy & Prosperous Terry and2016”.

I along with all the staff at Bono Holdings would like to wish eve-

Simon Alex

ryone a very “Merry Christmas” and may you have a “Healthy, Happy & Prosperous 2016”. Simon

Terry and I along with all the staff at Bono Holdings would like to wish everyone a very “Merry Christmas” Simon and may you have a “Healthy, Happy & Prosperous 2016”.

Terry

D awn o n o B n a i r B

Renee

15 Great

Valintyn

Bono Holdings is proud to announce that on Dec 31, 2015 we will have completed 15 years of being in business.

It seems like it was only yesterday that we opened our doors to our new venture. Following are the people that I would like to thank, I won’t mention names for fear I may leave someone out. I would like to thank the many customers for their val- ued support over the past 15 years. It is your support that has made our business what it is today and allowed us to give back to the surrounding communities, community events and organizations.

Thanks to friends and customers for picking up freight on their trips to Swift Current and Saskatoon it really is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all the past and present employees that have worked and continue to work for me over the past 15 years. Once again I could not have built the business without your hard work and Bono Holdings is proud to announce that on Dec 31, 2015 we will have completed 15 years of being in business. It seems like it was only yesterday that we opened our doors to our dedication. Thank You to my family for all your help in the many ways that you have, whether it was delivernew venture. Following are the people that I would like to thank, I won’t mention names for fear I may leave someone out. I would like to thank the many customers for their valing or picking up working in the shop, or taking phone for Bono Holdings.

And last, but first, ued support over the past 15 years. It is your support that has made ourproduct, business what it is today and allowed us to give back to thecalls surrounding communities, community events and organizations. Thanks to friends and customers for picking up freight on their trips to Swift Current and Saskatoon it really is greatly appreciated.

Thank you to all the past and in thanks to my wife Terry for her support and confidence in me, thanks for the thousands of freight pick-ups present employees that have worked and continue to work for me over the past 15 years.

Once again I could not have built the business without your hard work and dedication.

Bono Holdings is proud to announce that on Dec 31, 2015Current, we will have 15night years of being Iindid business. seems like it you. was only yesterday that we opened our doors to our Swift thecompleted many late meals, noticeItand I thank

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Following are the like to thank, won’t mention names fear I may leave someone out.working I would to thank the many customers for their valHoldings. mysupport wife Terry support confidence thanks the thousands of freight pick-ups in Swift Current, the many late night meals, ued support overAnd the last, pastbut 15 first, years.thanks It is to your thatfor hasher made our and business what in it isme, today andfor allowed us to give back to the surrounding communities, community events We are very proud of being a part of the surrounding rural communities and Southwest Saskatchewan.

I did notice andThanks I thankto you. and organizations. friends and customers for picking up freight on their trips to Swift Current and Saskatoon it really is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all the past and are very proud of being a part of the surrounding rural communities and Southwest Saskatchewan.

“Believing In Ruralproud isit. our motto and I stand proud behind it.

“Believing Inover Rural is our o and stand behind presentWe employees that have worked and continue to work for me theSaskatchewan” past 15 years. Once againmott I could not Ihave builtSaskatchewan” the business without your hard work and dedication.

“A Huge Thanks to Everyone from the bottom of my heart.”

Thank You to my family for all your help in the many ways that you have, whether it was delivering or picking up product, working in the shop, or taking phone calls for Bono Holdings. And last, but first,Check thanks out the to my wife Terry for her support and confidence in me, thanks for the thousands of freight pick-ups in Swift Current, the many late night meals, My shop guys aren’t doctors but they can Easy Access help you with your bent or out of shape tube.

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11

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Val Marie Lions see club resurgence

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

I

One of the most anticipated events leading up to Christmas in the southwest is the Gull Lake Christmas Cove! The Gull Lake Campground is transformed into a winter wonderland for the entire month of December. Be sure to stop by and check it out - you won't be disappointed. Photo by Kate Winquist

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n a time when service groups in some small towns struggle to survive, the Val Marie Lions find themselves in the middle of a sort of renaissance.

The group is gaining members and goodwill in the community with a host of events and fundraisers, providing spark to the town.

“It’s just a group of us local guys. We get together and try to put on events around town for people to come and enjoy. We try to raise funds and really help out.

We pay fees and some goes to Lions International, but we try to put the rest back into the community,” said President Jessie Grant.

“We donate to the seniors club, give a $500 scholarship to a graduate from the high school, and put money toward a slopitch tournament, community Christmas supper, Grey Cup watching parties and a boxing day dance. We get people out and socializing.”

Grant joined in the spring of 2013, in the hopes of helping his community.

“When I left home, I went away for education and work for five years. I came home to the farm and wanted to get involved in this community. Home will always be home, and I wanted to get some things going. When I joined the Lions Club, six other young guys were joining too,” he said.

“They were losing members and getting older. They needed that influx, and it kind of brought it back to life. We got functions going and people noticing we were really back in Val Marie. This fall we had another three guys join,” he said.

“I think the influx this year has really helped out a lot. These guys are ambitious, motivated and know the importance of small town functions. Once you

lose things, it’s hard to get them back.

“Older guys who were considering quitting are not getting back into it. They’re showing us the ropes and are more involved now. This has really helped. Without the Lions, it’s tough to have events. People see the logo and they’re so well-respected.”

Grant says it’s important for groups like the Lions Club to keep people socializing.

“The problem nowadays is it’s so easy to stay at home, turn on the TV and that’s your night. When we throw a function and get people out, they say how happy they were to come out,” he said.

“They can talk to neighbours and really just have a blast. They talk about what’s going on in the community.”

The more the Lions club puts events on, the more popular they seem to get.

“Slo-pitch has become really popular.

It keeps growing and events keep going well. The first week or two leading up to slo-pitch gets people buzzing. We hope to have more annual events, and lot that people get excited,” he said.

“Without stuff like this or some sort of community group, I don’t know how successfully you can keep the community spirit alive.”

He said the tourists and kids working for Parks Canada in the summers get a kick out of the events like slo-pitch.

“There’s an influx of summer students in Val Marie between 19 and 30, and they come and want to experience Val Marie.

We throw functions, they enjoy themselves and then the next group comes in having heard great things,” he said.

“When the young folks come to town, it’s buzzing around here. It’s a good feeling, knowing kids have respect for the area. This has breathed fresh air into the area.”

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

PHOTOS BY KATE WINQUIST

ILLEBRUN CHURCH HAS LONG, DEEP HISTORY

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

T

o the world outside Southwest Saskatchewan, Illerbrun, SK is only known online as an “unincorporated community”, but locals will know it for its rich history and massive church, which peaks over the prairie landscape between Shaunavon and Gull Lake.

The church was built in 1915, but hasn’t had regular mass since the mid 1980’s. Now, a handful of families live nearby to care for it and offer tours to people who stumble upon it during their commute.

For one resident, Ben Lewans, the church is much more than a marker of a community that used to thrive.

“I grew up close by here, and that was my parent’s church,” he said.

“My family were very strict Catholics, we went to church regularly until it closed, and right to this day I consider it holy ground.”

While the church is known as the Illerbrun Church, Lewans says that there was never a town or village around it.

“We called it Illerbrun District in the early days, because there were a lot of people with that last name there,” he said. “We actually had a post office there at one point, a couple miles from that church. It was called Illerburn Saskatchewan, and that’s how the church got its name.”

There never was a village there or anything, though, no town site. A couple miles away a person had a post office at his home, that was it.”

Although the town was only known for its church and post office, Lewans says the community thrived.

“There were a lot of Catholic people in the area, then, and in those days there wasn’t a community every 15 or 20 miles,” he said. “The distance between Shaunavon and Gull Lake is 50 kilometres now, and that was a long distance, so they built a church there and a barn for people to come in with horse and buggy.”

While Lewans says few live around it now, thanks to the accessibility of modern cars, there is still a strong interest to keep the church standing.

“There are a number of us who are really interned in keeping the place up as a heritage site. It’s actually registered with the Saskatchewan Heritage Association as a heritage site.

“We’ve kept it up as best we can. The inside has not deteriorated to speak of because we put a new roof on it. We just got the siding done this summer, so it’s in decent shape.”

Frances Voll is one of Lewan’s neighbours and fellow member of the unofficial ‘improve the church’ club. She says that they have worked hard over the past years to improve the church to its current state.

“We’re trying to raise some money here to fix the steeple and finish paying for the siding; we had a lot of work done over the summer. The steeple is the only thing left to fix,” she said.

“The repairs have been something that have happened for years. We’ve tried a number of fundraising tactics to raise money to get us this far, and now it’s almost done.”

Voll adds that while the church no longer holds regular masses, it is still available for special occasions, when people can rent it for ceremonies and weddings.

“We had a service this July to celebrate its 100th anniversary,” she said.

“There was also a wedding this summer, so it’s getting some use. It’s nice to see it being used after all the repairs we did.”

Voll says that for her, there will always be a deep connection to the church, and it will forever remain a spiritual location for her.

“I just love it. We see it right out our window, and I don’t know what it is about it, but there’s something special,” she said. “In November and February, the sun always sets right behind the church, and it always looks like there’s lights on in the church. It’s a very powerful feeling.”

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Swift Current Oratorio Choir wraps up 2015 with one last performance

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

T

he Swift Current Oratorio Choir will perform Monday evening in Shaunavon for their second Christmas concert of the season, and third big concert of the year.

Mark Anderson, who has been a member of the choir for eight years, says that for this holiday season, attendees are in for a treat.

“We have winter solstice themed songs, holiday songs, and of course some familiar and not-so-familiar Christmas music, as well. It runs the full gambit,” he said. “I really think people enjoy coming out and listening to winter music.”

This year’s concert is called Songs on a Winter Night, and features holiday themed progressions- but not all of them are Christmas-related.

“We don’t call it a full Christmas concert, more of a winter concert, because when you’re rehearsing at the start of November, it’s hard to stay enthusiastic about Christmas type music by the time Christmas rolls around,” he said.

“We work into the Christmas music as we get closer to the season so the choir can stay fresh, and the audiences really seem to appreciate it. It’s about four or five years that we moved to this format, and audiences have been really supportive of it.”

The choir only does three major concerts a year: two at Christmas to get everyone in the holiday mood, and the other at

spring. Out of the two Christmas concerts, one is in Swift Current, and the other is in Shaunavon, something Anderson says has helped grow the choir.

“We started in Shaunavon because there was a good number of us that started coming out of this corner,” he said. “At one point we had 8 or 9 members carpooling together to get to practice, so it seemed like an appropriate fit to add a second concert.”

It worked out really well for us, because everyone in Shaunavon has been really welcoming. People come from Frontier, Eastend, and other communities around to watch the performance.”

The choir celebrated their fortieth year anniversary in 2013. While they are only open to adult members, Anderson says the organization has a wide range of members, not only in age, but also geography.

“We’re not only from Swift Current, we have a number of members from east, west and south of Swift Current,” he said.

“If someone loves to sing, we tell them they’re welcome to join us. There are no auditions or anything, we’re all just there to enjoy singing.”

He adds that while having a strong singing voice is what members of the choir are known best for, the most important thing new members face is learning how to blend in.

“The choir is filled with some extreme-

The Swift Current Oratorio Choir preformed in 2013 at their special 40th anniversary performance.

They have since gone on to preform in cities like New York. Photo by Colleen Roberts

ly talented singers, but what’s nice is that even though we have these powerful singers, everyone sings together so there aren’t voices that are heard above the rest of the choir,” he said. “Everyone melds with their section to keep the it very balanced.”

The choir practices once a week during the year, but sometimes more to gear up for big performances. While being a member can be a lot of work, Anderson says he loves what he does.

“I started singing in chorus when I was 6 or 7 years old, and sang in church choirs all the way up,” he said. “Choir is something that is easy to come back to.

You don’t have to worry about having an instrument, because your instrument is with you the whole time, your voice.”

What I really appreciate is the social aspect of it. We have a wonderful community of singers, and we all really enjoy making beautiful music. The camaraderie of the people we sing with makes it all worthwhile,” he said.

“It’s one night of the week where we sit down at choir practice, and whatever has been bothering you for the week or for the day disappears, because it’s easy to get lost in the music.” *Written Before Monday’s Performance

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15

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Rural Roots

BY C H R I S TA L E E F R O E S E

lcfroese@sasktel.net

I

Santa has been a busy fellow these past few days in the southwest. He made a special visit to Leader last week for the start of late night shopping in the community. Photo by Shelley Drever

DECEMBER 10th

Cowtown Christmas

t’s a poncho – a simple crochet blue poncho made to fit a little girl.

I remember making it about 10 years ago.

At the time, I was heavily into crocheting. Don’t ask me why – I didn’t have a good answer then and I certainly don’t have a good one now.

My son was about eight years old and he had permanently outgrown the need (and the want) to have ANYTHING made out of yarn (especially made by his mother)!

So, I began to crochet random items, knowing not whom my creations were for or where each project would end up.

I made a Navaho afghan for my in-laws and one for my grandmother.

Having grown tired of the afghan, I moved to toques and scarves and then graduated to kids ponchos.

I don’t know what possessed me to make ponchos, but I began knocking them out in every colour of the rainbow.

I gave one to a friend for her niece. I gave one to a co-worker for her granddaughter. And then, I gave one to a dear friend who had come over for coffee one day with her little girl.

The little girl was about four years old at the time and the minute she walked in, I knew which poncho would be perfect for her. I went to my closet and got the little blue one. With its rainbow tassels and purple edging, it looked spectacular with her dark hair.

Whenever I’d spot that four-year-old in town wearing her poncho, I’d smile.

Thinking to myself, ‘I’m just so glad I went with my gut and made that poncho. It’s like I was making it especially for her.’

That little girl grew. She grew and she grew and she grew. She’s now in Grade 9 and is my daughter’s favourite babysitter.

Her mom decided to give the poncho back to me.

I threw it in the back of a closet and didn’t really give it a second thought.

Last week, however, my darling little daughter was celebrating her fifth birthday. (This is the daughter we adopted from China – the daughter we thought we’d never, ever have, but by some universal miracle, she is now ours).

I told her she could go into her room and wear whatever she wanted. This is always a wild crapshoot, as she comes out with some pretty crazy outfits.

But on this special day (the day of her 5th birthday), she came out with star pants, a sparkly purple shirt and … a blue poncho with rainbow tassels.

She had somehow dug to the back of her closet and found the poncho I had made over a decade ago. My daughter celebrated the entire day wearing it.

I got tears in my eyes almost every time I saw her sporting that little blue poncho.

It’s just a poncho – a simple crochet poncho made to fit a little girl.

But it has come to mean the world to me. Not because of its colour, shape or size, but because of the two incredibly special little girls who have worn it.

Email Christalee Froese at Lcfroese@ sasktel.net or visit 21days2joy.wordpress.com for photos of Mei Chen’s journey home.

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| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Report from the Legislature D. Wayne Elhard, MLA Cypress Hills

Fall Legislative Session Focused on Keeping Saskatchewan Strong In a global market that is more complex and connected than any in history, the foundation of our economy is more important than ever. Fortunately, Saskatchewan has created one of the most diversified economies in Canada – able to take a punch on the commodity market and keep moving forward. This is a big change from a decade ago when a slowdown would drive people, jobs and investment out of the province.

The fall legislative session focused on keeping Saskatchewan strong and moving forward. The government is doing its part to keep the economy strong by continuing to invest in needed infrastructure. Since the session began, we have opened the new Dr. F. H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in Moose Jaw, new health facilities in Saskatoon, Biggar, Maple Creek, Kerrobert and Canora and a long-term care expansion in Tisdale.

We opened the new school in Hudson Bay, major additions at Holy Cross and George Vanier schools in Saskatoon, the expansion of the Queen Elizabeth Power Station in Saskatoon, a new Headstart on a Home housing project in Prince Albert, a new group home for persons with intellectual disabilities in Regina, the new Parkland Trades and Technologies Centre in Yorkton, and a number of completed highways projects including the Estevan Bypass.

At the same time, planning is continuing on the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert and work is underway on the new Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon, the new Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford, the Regina Bypass, 18 new schools and a number of other important projects all over Saskatchewan.

During the session, our government passed a number of pieces of legislation, including: •

A new essential services law to protect Saskatchewan people in the event of a public sector strike;

•

• • •

A new farmland ownership law to clearly define who can purchase farmland in Saskatchewan and prevent pension plans from buying farmland; A new conflict of interest law for municipalities; A new procurement law to ensure Saskatchewan taxpayers receive the best value for money when government contracts are awarded; and New legislation to give patients the option to pay for a private Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan in Saskatchewan.

During the fall sitting, our government also announced its intention to create 52 more private liquor stores in Saskatchewan while updating the liquor permitting and price system to put all retailers on a level playing field.

New Emergency Department Waits Target Announced The issues that affect emergency department waits are complex but our government has affirmed its commitment to significantly reduce wait times in hospital emergency departments, establishing a new target of a 60 per cent reduction in wait times by 2019.

Teams have been working together to identify the root causes of hospital overcrowding and develop and implement plans to improve access to care in pre-hospital primary care settings, services in hospital and services in the community after a patient leaves hospital.

The 2015-16 provincial budget provided $4.7 million to support the effort to reduce emergency department waits. Ongoing initiatives to lower emergency department waits include Connecting to Care (hotspotting), Police and Crisis Team (PACT) in Regina and Saskatoon, and Seniors House Calls.

This effort will involve co-ordination across the health system but I am confident we will be able to achieve this new, ambitious target.

United Way fundraising kickoff features Sheldon Kennedy

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

T

he United Way are set to kick off the year’s fundraising with their Empower Leaders breakfast, featuring guest speaker Sheldon Kennedy.

The 2016 United Way Kick Off Breakfast in January, held at the Living Sky Casino, focuses on programs to help the vulnerable.

“Normally, we have this breakfast in the fall, but we readjusted and changed it to go right at the start of the year. We are raising money for our programs,” said Stacey Schwartz, Executive Director of the United Way. Schwartz says the United Way’s themes were always on unity and collaboration, so this one wasn’t a stretch.

“It gives a better face to the vulnerable sectors. We often focus on the ones doing the work, but people in non-profits don’t do this for face recognition. They do it for others,” she said.

“This is about impacting people, and that’s at the heart of what we do. It’s the value that’s brought to the community.”

She was excited to have Kennedy come aboard.

“Having Sheldon be our keynote was perfect, because we want to give residents a way to give back and make changes in our community, much the way Sheldon has.”

Sheldon Kennedy was a WHL star with the Swift Current Broncos who went on to hockey fame in the NHL. He would later tell the world about the sexual abuse he endured from longtime Broncos coach Graham James, and has become a candid and positive influence for those going through sexual abuse-related issues, including trauma and addiction.

He currently has a documentary, titled Swift Current, about his life and efforts out. He is also the Lead Director at the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre and the Co-Founder of Respect Group Inc., which focuses on abuse, bullying and harassment

prevention education.

“He was high-risk and vulnerable, and had a past with sexual abuse. People helped him overcome barriers, and now he’s a leader nationally and internationally,” she said.

“The impact a community can have on individuals is strong, and vice versa. We need to empower people and break down barriers.

“The timing couldn’t have worked better. With his new documentary focused on hope, it’s amazing to have someone able to speak. It’s empowering to see the life he had and the way he decided to make a change.”

Over the last seven years, the United Way had been doing luncheons at the Living Sky Casino, but in 2012 they started breakfasts to switch things up.

“This is a way to highlight the work we did the past year, and we can celebrate our successes. We will give cheques for community funding for grant applied for in May and will announce our new goals,” she said.

She praised the Living Sky Casino, a huge help to the United Way for years.

“They have been a major supporter and sponsor since we did these luncheons, and they’ve always been good at sponsoring and giving awesome discounts,” she said.

“We partner with them on a lot of things, and they’ve been good to us. We want to just say thank you to them.”

As for tickets, Schwartz says they’re going fast.

“We have about 100 left, and if you want to come, you should buy right away. They’re selling quicker than we thought.”

The event is Friday, January 8 at 7 a.m. at the Living Sky Casino Sky Centre.

Early bird tickets are $375 for a corporate table of 10 and $40 for an individual. The deadline is December 18. For regular tickets, the table is $475, and the individual ones are $50. The deadline for those is December 31.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

artsVest™ to Continue Building Partnerships in Saskatchewan CONTRIBUTED

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

B

usiness for the Arts, Canada’s only national charitable organization of business members who support the arts, announced today the fifth cycle of its successful artsVest™ program in Saskatchewan.

The program will again be delivered with funding support from Canadian Heritage in partnership with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport with a provincial investment of $250,000.

The program continues to provide free sponsorship development training. New this cycle is the addition of mentorship training. artsVest™ is a Business for the Arts matching incentive and sponsorship training program designed to spark new business sponsorship of arts and culture.

Arts and culture organizations in Saskatchewan can apply for matching

incentive grants, which they will have six months to match with new sponsorships from local businesses.

“Saskatchewan has a vibrant arts, culture and heritage sector made up of talented and creative individuals and organizations committed to building strategic alliances with Saskatchewan businesses,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “With Saskatchewan’s renewed investment in artsVest™, these partnerships will continue to strengthen the provincial sectors, helping organizations realize their full potential while contributing to our growing economy and our enviable quality of life.”

“We are delighted to see Saskatchewan’s arts and culture community access the artsVest™ program for a fifth year,” Business for the Arts President and CEO Nichole Anderson said. “We are seeing arts leaders forge important and lasting

partnerships with the business community through the program, and are glad they will have more time to deepen relationships and form new partnerships. I look forward to seeing another year of impressive results.”

An example of a successful artsVest™ Saskatchewan partnership came from Friends of the Broadway Theatre in Saskatoon. Through a partnership with Affinity Credit Union and BullFrog Power, the historic theatre was able to install a solar-powered energy system on the roof, thereby building the reputation of all the corporate partners and the theatre in the community.

Saskatchewan was the first province to join with Business for the Arts to offer a provincial program.

The first four years of the program saw 160 arts organizations create a total of 743 partnerships between arts and

businesses province-wide, of which 438 are long-term and 475 were first-time partnerships. Matching funds of $1.36 million generated more than $4 million in private sector sponsorship and resulted in an influx of more than $5.3 million to the cultural economy.

Also operating in Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia, the goals of artsVest™ are to leverage public sector dollars to build partnerships with the arts community; stimulate new business investment in the arts; train arts and cultural organizations to approach the business sector with a partnership plan; and showcase what is possible when business invests in the arts.

Since the expansion of the program across Canada in 2011, a total of 1,913 partnerships have been created between arts and business, of which 1,181 are long term.

Climax Cardinals join SaskAlta

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

F

or the summer of 2016, baseball will gain an even larger presence in the southwest. On December 1, it was announced that the Climax Cardinals have been accepted into the Sask-Alta Baseball League.

The Cardinals disbanded after lack of interest two decades ago, but due to the hard work of Kelby Coburn and his brother Nick, the team is once again on track to play.

“In Climax, there was always baseball,” Coburn said. “Growing up, my dad had a team that had started in the ‘30’s, and one of the highlights was watching them play. Now that I’ve grown up and it’s gone, I want to bring that back so we can be that to the little kids around here.”

Growing up, it was so cool being young and being able to watch the Cardinals play baseball. It was almost like watching professionals, because we were just little kids, and thought they were all such amazing players.”

Coburn says getting the team together was something that has been in the works since his days of playing baseball in high school.

“My last year of playing midget ball, in grade 11, we played with guys from all over; Gull Lake, Shaunavon, even Cabri …We decided to get together recently and see if there was enough interest to pull a team together, and it ended up that there was, so that’s where we are.

“My brother (Nick) and I have done most of the grunt work behind this, gathering players from Eastend, Frontier, Climax, Val Marie and even Swift Current. “ Most players will range in age from 23 to 30 in age, with a couple players outside that spectrum. The Sask-Alta league has eight eams currently, but Coburn says there is the possibility of more in the months to come.

“We haven’t heard yet who’s all in for next season, but we might have a couple more teams coming in yet,” he said. “I know there were a couple

other places who have been trying to get in, so it could happen.”

A love of baseball has always had deep roots in Climax, something Coburn says he believes won’t be hard for the team to get back to.

“Climax is religious about their baseball team, and ever since I’ve started the word around town that we were getting them back together, everyone can’t stop talking about it.

“There are probably at least five people a week who ask me where the team is and how it’s coming along.

There is definitely a level of excitement here we haven’t seen in awhile.”

While running a baseball team can be costly, Coburn says he wants to prove to the public that the team is in it for the long haul.

“We have a ball diamond here, and we might have to do some fixing up on it a little bit, but nothing too drastic” he said. “We’re not going to ask the public for any funds, though. Our first year, what we’re trying to do is doing all the funding from within.

“We’re hoping to have all of our guys kick in some money to pay for jerseys and pay for gas .. Guys will take turns driving and we’rae going to pitch in time and money to get the field where we need it to be. I want to show everyone how committed we are to this before we ask people for funding, donations, that sort of thing.”

Regardless of how the league turns out, Coburn says he knows that there will be some serious competition in the months ahead, something he’s not backing down from.

“I would love to see our team last for as long as we possibly can. Our team is going to be a young team, and I know all of us will play until we can’t play anymore, so I’m hoping for the next few years we won’t have to worry about our team folding.

“We’re definitely excited and nervous at the same time. This is a pretty good league, and they have some serious baseball players in it. We’re going to step up our game and get back to where we were in high school.”

Deadline for rink affordability grants nears

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

T

he government wants to remind towns to get in their Rink Affordability Grant applications before the December 15 deadline this year.

“We’ve been offering these to community-based rinks and curling facilities since the fall of 2012,” said Darin Banadyga, Executive Director of Sport, Recreation and Stewardship with the Ministry.

“Government had heard from communities that they were facing issues with cost escalations with operating rinks.

In our 2011 platform, we stated we were looking at ways to assist with expenses.”

The following year, this program was designed to give a $2,500 annual grant to help with rink and curling rink costs.

“It can help with expenses, bills and doing small repairs, if need be,” he said.

“It was such an important project, and after the first year, we got feedback about the impact this had.

“We know how curling and skating rinks can be the heartbeat of a town during the winter. It’s important to keep centres operating and thriving for all the programs happening inside.”

Banadyga says these grants can have large impacts in smaller locations.

“The rink is a central gathering point. Community activities so often go through there. Our criteria is is it must be an indoor rink, the ice can be natural or artificial, and it has to be owned, managed and operated by the municipality, a community group or First Nations community. The main exclusion is privately operated rinks running for profit,” he said “The applications have stayed so consistent. Communities stay in this program most times, and they see the value to this.”

The government is committing $1.7 million to the program this year, and hopes to continue in the future.

“The Community Rink Affordability Grant has financial impact beyond the $2,500 payment per ice surface,” said Parks, Culture and Sports Minister Mark Docherty in a press release.

“Many of the communities across the province use the funding to offset operational costs and are able to provide

free or reduced cost programming to the community’s citizens as a result. Other rinks have used funding toward energy-efficient investments which create utility savings in the future.”

Sara Kuntz, Recreation Director for the Town of Gull Lake, says they began getting the grant in 2013.

“We applied for both the skating rink and curling rink. People don’t realize the expenses we incur. Our bills at the rink are expensive and the curling rink costs money to maintain. We need our rinks, and any little bit helps,” she said.

“We use the money to help cover our operating expenses, bills and wages. It’s just about regular operating expenses.”

Kuntz says the rinks are huge for the town.

“Our rinks are insanely busy. We have a difficult time scheduling ice time and it’s a struggle to accommodate. People love using the rink and I don’t know where people would go without it. You can be active and social. It’s amazing for a town that size,” he said.

“It’s such an added bonus to receive this. We would have to jack fees up or increase booth prices without this.”

Korey Pinkerton, with Maple Creek’s recreation department, says the town is a member of the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, and got the information that way.

The SPRA administers and delivers the program.

“We got into it four years ago. I heard about this and had to jump on it. It helps pay bills. It’s such a good thing to have for the skating and curling rink,” he said.

“The arena is the hub of your social life in the winter. It’s such an important part of a town. If you lose the rink, you lose the town.”

Pinkerton says the money mostly goes to utilities in the facilities.

“Costs go up every year, and it would be nice if smaller places just got a break on utilities. But this works out,” he said.

“I don’t know how badly Maple Creek would be affected without this grant, but places like Consul and Fox Valley would have trouble making it up. I’m very glad the government has stepped it up.”

The register for the program, visit www.spra.sk.ca/crag.

18

ART

Beats

THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Your guide to arts and culture across Southwest Saskatchewan

Nancy Currie now offers a space in Swift Current for kids and adults alike to explore their creative sides.

Photo By Jordan Parker

Nancy Currie fosters Swift Current’s creative side

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

N

ancy Currie stands in her new shop, nestled in the basement of the Carmel Mall in Swift Current, the sounds of the zumba class at nearby Kiva pounding through the walls.

Currie just smiles. She loves seeing people explore their passions. With her new shop, Freestyle Art & Supplies, she’s doing exactly that.

Her clothes are multi-coloured, her hands contain little specks of paint, and she talks about her inspiration for the store that allows people to take recycled materials and turn them into something beautiful.

“I’m a big city girl. I’m from Vancouver, and there was this wonderful place on Main Street named Urban Source.

They basically were doing what I’m doing. It’s different, but it’s the same sort of idea.” she said.

“Things were getting expensive in Vancouver, and it was hard to live there and do fun stuff. I’m a creative type, so it was nice to be able to go there and buy things that I could be creative with.”

She said the premise is basic, but can yield amazing results.

“You collect recycled materials, all the discarded stuff from industry that just goes in the garbage. I say I’ll take it, and I make art with it. I show people they can do the same thing,” she said.

Success Acreage

“When we moved here, I didn’t know what to do with my nieces and nephews when they came to visit, and I thought it would be great for them to have something to do when they came here.”

She said the art gallery in Swift Current often has workshops and classes, but there isn’t as much for kids during the day.

“I knew, based on when I went to the place in Vancouver, that kids need a place where they can create,” she said.

“It’s not just about kids either. It’s about us -- the adults -- the big kids, and having the space to try and create.

“I’ll have these tables full of glue, tape, supplies and materials. People can come make art, bring their own stuff even, and stay for five bucks an hour to use my supplies, make a mess and create something. I’ll clean it up.”

Currie is happy to provide a place for people to make their visions a reality.

“It’s funny because there are so many possibilities for this place. I envisioned something bigger. Artists, real live working artists, can have a space to rent and use, which is hard sometimes to find. That’s my vision for this,” she said.

“Just today, being open for the first day, the few people who have come in are really grateful that this is here. It’s not that I’m surprised, but I’m really glad to hear that, because I would want

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something like this.”

Currie has been dealing with recycled material her entire life.

“I couldn’t believe what you can make out of stuff you normally toss out, I’m not the best recycler in the whole world, but it means something.

My grandparents see things and use them for something weird, so it’s in me,” she said.

“An example of this is toilet paper rolls. They would use them to wrap up cords and keep them in their closet, and that was just normal. That’s just what they did. Just to see that kind of things happen throughout my life, stuff never got chucked out They’d reuse it and reuse it.

“This might be a little more difficult here, compared to what’s available in Vancouver, but there is a lot of stuff that people are giving me, which is really incredible.”

Workshops will also be a part of the store. Regina-based graphic designer and artist Megan Currie, a Swift Current native, presented her workshop “Painting your spirit animal” over the weekend.

Eastend’s Trea Jensen has workshops Dec 12 and 13 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

It will teach people how to make wire sculptures.

“Trea is a friend of mind, and she’s an amazing artist, so I had an in. I could get her to come. As it turns out, she’d

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love to come more often, and I haven’t had time to talk to other artists, but I’m hoping other artists will love to do the same and get their names out there,” said Currie.

“Hopefully people will be surprised with how many artists we have here.

For me, when you’re in that space for creativity, there’s so much of who you really are, and your heart is really there and we’re full of possibility, and when we get to that space, everything can change. We become peaceful, more understanding and compassionate when we are participating in creativity.

“My job here is to go through everything I have and give my example of what something can be used for, then that’ll get their brain going and they can see where something can go.

Everyone sees something from a different perspective.”

Currie is pretty free about what people can do and create in her shop, but she knows what she isn’t keen on.

“I don’t really want any rules. There are some, with the bag sizes and prices, and the rule is to use the workshop, you have to pay for it. Little kids need to be with their parents because there are sharp things, but other than safety there are no rules,” she said.

“I’d love it if little kids taught other kids, teach them their favourite craft and how to do it. Anything can happen here.”

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19

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Hazlet School fundraising on track

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

T Courtney Stavinga is the new Community Access Program Coordinator for the Hazlet Library. She is pictured here with her 8-month-old daughter. Photo By Beth Jarrell

Hazlet library announces new program

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

T

he Hazlet Library announced November 30 that Courtney Stavinga will take over the role of Community Access Program coordinator, a role crucial for helping citizens engage with their community.

“It’s going to help the community out quite a bit, we hope,” she said. “We’re going to promote things that are happening around the community, but also offer a lot of classes.”

Stavinga says that the library will be offering classes and programs to all ages of members, with most targeted toward learning new skills.

“We’ll be offering adult education classes, such as anything that has to do with technology like iPhones and iPads,” she said. “Last year they held different cooking classes for new types of food, and also exercise classes and yoga… really, whatever there’s an interest in we try and fill in the gaps.”

Stavinga says she is taking over the position not only to help around her community, but also to meet new people herself.

“I thought it would be a lot of fun to do, plus I’m staying at home right now with my daughter, so it’s also something to get me out of the house,” she said. “I was looking for ways to get involved with the community, and this came up.”

Stavinga moved from Cambridge, Ontario two years ago to the community, and says it can be difficult getting to know people without programs like the ones

she will be planning to make available to the public.

“I have family out here, so I’d been out here to visit a few times,” she said.

“I always loved it out here, so I got the opportunity because a job opened up here, and I couldn’t say no. Programs like this are so important to both newcomers and others to get involved.”

While her daughter is still young, Stavinga believes her new position with the Community Access Program will assist her in spending more time with her, something some parents don’t always have.

“My daughter just turned eight months old, so it’s so nice having a job where I get to see her all day long,” she said. “She is the busiest little girl ever, already crawling, I love her.”

Not a lot of people have that opportunity, so it’s really special. I don’t think I’ll be able to do anything without her.”

Overall, Stavinga says she hopes the new program will help foster a sense of community for Hazlet and bring fresh ideas to the public.

“I think these programs are great because they get so many people involved,” she said. “It also allows us to promote other things, like we’re going to be promoting the library here in Hazlet a lot, and bring a lot more people here.

“Getting people involved with each other and allow them to make friends and foster that sense of community, which can be more difficult in the winter. Our community is pretty close already, but there’s always room for improvement and expansion.”

Whitemud Hockey League

DECEMBER SCHEDULE

DECEMBER 8, 2015 (Tuesday) 8:00 PM at Gull Lake Rink Complex

DECEMBER 11, 2015 (Friday) 8:00 PM at Frontier Rink Complex 8:00 PM at Leader Rink Complex 8:30 PM at Consul Rink Complex

DECEMBER 12, 2015 (Saturday) 8:00 PM at Leader Rink Complex

DECEMBER 18, 2015 (Friday) 8:00 PM at Cabri Rink Complex 8:00 PM at Shaunavon Rink Complex 8:30 PM at Consul Rink Complex

DECEMBER 19, 2015 (Saturday) 8:00 PM at Frontier Rink Complex 8:00 PM at Leader Rink Complex

DECEMBER 20, 2015 (Sunday) 2:30 PM at Gull Lake Rink Complex

DECEMBER 23, 2015 (Wednesday) 8:00 PM at Shaunavon Rink Complex

DECEMBER 30, 2015 (Wednesday) 8:00 PM at Cabri Rink Complex

he Hazlet School is gearing up for another track-and-field fundraiser, meant to help them with modifying and repairing the old track.

They’re selling 50/50 tickets this time, with a guaranteed grand prize of $10,000 in play.

Organizer Fiona Bos says the fundraiser is crucial for the school, which has a track that is long past its’ expiration date.

“We have our current running track, which is a dirt one. It pitches to the west,” said Bos with a laugh. “It’s just not even level. Kids are competing with stones and gopher holes. We say it’s character building, and when they get to the city it will be great.

“It’s time to upgrade and give the kids a nice, safe surface to use here in Hazlet.”

The kids are also becoming interested in other things that the school is having issues offering.

“We don’t have a designated area for javelin. In the last few years, a lot have kids have taken an interest in it,” she said.

“Right now we’re using part of the baseball diamond. We are raising money to level out that track with a shale surface and get a javelin area.”

The last few years has really shown the school there is a need for improvements.

Fiona Bos says the Hazlet track-and-field fundraiser will help to upgrade the facilities and get people active. Photo By Jordan Parker

SPIRITUAL GLEANINGS

Mary and Elizabeth

Shaunavon at Gull Lake Greyhounds

BY J OY S A S S E

Maple Creek Hawks at Frontier Flyers Gull Lake Greyhounds at Leader Flyers Cabri Bulldogs at Consul Rockets Cabri Bulldogs at Leader Flyers Gull Lake Greyhounds at Cabri Bulldogs Leader Flyers at Shaunavon Badgers Maple Creek Hawks at Consul Rockets Consul Rockets at Frontier Flyers Cabri Bulldogs at Leader Flyers Maple Creek at Gull Lake Greyhounds Gull Lake at Shaunavon Badgers Shaunavon Badgers at Cabri Bulldogs

“It’s got to that pointed where we plodded along, and we see this is the time to upgrade to safer and better things,” she said.

“We’re a small, rural community. We are limited in some regards as to the extracurriculars we can offer, whether it’s an issue with coaches, staffing or facilities. Track is a huge draw for kids, so we need to provide it.”

It could also be a huge benefit for the community to get this all renovated.

“It can draw community and exercise groups in. We did a fundraiser for playground equipment a few years back, and we made sure there were things for high school students and adults to use. We hope this new track can help,” she said.

“We just want people and kids to be healthy. That’s a big part of this. Sometimes in the prairies you’re limited in activities in the winter. But when it’s nice, we all want to be outside. A good facility can encourage people to be more active.”

The 50/50 cash raffle will see 200 tickets sold at $10 each, with a draw in January.

“We did this a number of years ago with the playground and were very successful. Hazlet is a small community, and it’s amazing to see the community support these kinds of things.”

Contact Hazlet School at 306-6782133 for ticket information.

www.canadianruralchurch.net

M

ary, the young peasant girl, found herself pregnant and scared. Luke tells her story leading up to the Christmas event.

This was supposed to be a blessed occurrence, he tells us, but Mary was confused and alone. She thought of Elizabeth, an older relative known for her wisdom.

Imagine the scene. Elizabeth opened her door and her arms to hug the young visitor. Instinctively she felt both pain and joy. “You are blessed among woman” she whispered in Mary’s ear by way of validation – and that validation helped lift the burden from Mary’s shoulders.

Within a few moments the story was told, so far as Mary understood it.

What a relief to feel the encouragement and to have one who would help her understand what has happening.

In due course Mary was able to express her gratitude to Elizabeth by

singing “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God ... for God has looked upon the low estate of this handmaiden ... for God who is mighty has done great things for me.”

When Mary realized that Elizabeth also was pregnant, she stayed with her.

Her youthful, infectious spirit must have been a blessing to the older woman. As they tended the home-making chores and marketing together, we can imagine them sharing details about their developing pregnancies. Laughter and tears and questions about what their children would become made the days pass quickly. Both were trying to grapple with how the hand-of-God changed their lives.

Eventually it was time for Mary to return to face her confused yet devoted fiancé. Elizabeth made suggestions how Mary might encourage him and love him through the bad times they had yet to face.

Out of the rich sharing of sisterhood both women found enough strength to nurture a new generation.

20

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Western Canadian Volleyball Championships a success for host Great Plains T H E A D VA N C E S TA F F

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

T

he Great Plains College SunDogs welcomed more than 200 student-athletes and coaches at the Western Canadian College Open Volleyball Championships in Swift Current on November 27 and 28, 2015.

“Westerns went really well, the competition between the interprovincial teams was well matched and there were many close scores throughout the weekend,” said Mona Paterson, Great Plains College SunDogs athletics and recreation coordinator.

“We are grateful for the number of fans who showed up to support the teams,” she added. “It was a great experience for the SunDogs to host the Western Championship. If given the opportunity, we would certainly host it again.

Now, it is time to look forward to the basketball season and hosting the Provincial Championship in the spring.”

Teams from Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan were represented at the Western Championship. Competitive men’s and women’s teams included: Assiniboia Community College Cougars; Canadian Mennonite University Blazers; Great Plains College SunDogs; Millar College of the Bible Edge; Prairie Bible Institute Pilots; Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon Amaruks; and Université de Saint–Boniface Les Roug-

es.

Assiniboine Community College Cougars won gold, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Saskatoon Amaruks took home silver and Canadian Mennonite University Blazers won the bronze in the women’s competition.

For the men, the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers placed first, Millar College of the Bible Edge took second place and Prairie Bible Institute Pilots placed third.

Prior to the Saturday night round robin match between Great Plains College and Assiniboine Community College, David Keast, Great Plains College president and CEO, and Mark Frison, Assiniboine Community College president, exchanged college clothing in an expression of friendly competition.

The SunDogs men beat the Cougars and the Cougars women beat the SunDogs and the presidents enjoyed an amiable tie.

“It was great to have Mark Frison here this year at Westerns to support his college, but it was also meaningful for us to have him visit Great Plains College and the SunDogs during our tenth year,” said Patterson.

Frison was the president of Great Plains College during the formative years of the SunDogs athletics program, which has gained both strength and momentum throughout the past decade.

Prior to the Saturday night round robin match between Great Plains College and Assiniboine Community College, David Keast, Great Plains College president and CEO, and Mark Frison, Assiniboine Community College president, exchanged college clothing in an expression of friendly competition.

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23

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2015

Referee In Chief’s letter sparks discussions

BY J O R DA N PA R K E R

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

W

hen Kent Stenson decided to write a Letter To the Editor last week, he was just trying to shed some light on a common issue.

He never expected discussions about the fair treatment of referees during hockey games to be so widespread.

“My responsibility is to train and mentor young officials, but above all my responsibility is to protect and defend them,” he stated in his letter.

Stenson, the Referee in Chief for Gull Lake referees, was prompted to write his letter to the communities after an incident on November 22.

During an Atom game where Swift Current was the other team, Gull Lake referees were verbally abused and sworn at by a parent in the stands. Though the person was ejected, Stenson felt some other action needed to be taken.

“In talking with the referees, it was something I decided to do. This has been the fourth time this has happened, and I thought I’d try to get it out there so people can discuss it and all the effects this has. We could minimize future chances of this happening.”

The attendee from that night was escorted out of the Gull Lake Rink by the caretaker and the board has barred him until he meets specific conditions.

Though this came from a negative incident, Stenson has been pleased with the reaction to his letter.

“Most of it is positive, which is good. People are talking and people are being better behaved.

Gull Lake is holding themselves accountable too, because they don’t want bad attention,” he said.

“These kids need to me on the ice so they can learn, improve and gain confidence. With young kids, if you yell, they just freeze up and want the game to be over. It doesn’t make them respond in a better way.”

There are some guidelines in place to prevent abuse of refs, but things aren’t nearly as strict as they should be in some cases.

“I guess if swearing is involved, refs are instructed to ask the person to leave the building. There is little tolerance for swearing, but there is more tolerance than there should be for yelling.”

In the end, fans don’t really have any say in how the game ends up.

“For fans it can be hard. I ask the coaches to call refs over and discuss plays or issues in positive, constructive manners,” said Stenson.

“For fans, they can’t get that, no matter how much they yell. They can contact me though, and

I respond to complaints and positive feedback. I can deal with our refs one-on-one.”

He says things have improved from a decade ago, though.

“There is more respect and understanding for referee issues. Many kids want to do it, but a lot of people won’t accept the type of issues you sometimes have to deal with,” he said.

“The numbers are going down every year across the whole province. Referee numbers decrease, and some kids don’t want to do this because of all the stress.

“I had an adult in his 30’s start reffing, and he couldn’t believe young kids deal with some of this stuff.”

Stenson said we have to remember referees are just human.

“It’s guaranteed there will never be a perfect game.

Mistakes are made and things aren’t seen. To try to minimize the effects or make that acceptable to kids is big.

“They need to get out there and gain confidence.

It’s tough for a young kid to blow the whistle and call a penalty. We need to get kids willing to call the tough things, and have them be confident, so there are no issues.

“The letter wasn’t meant to focus on the past. I just want to make things better for the future. We need to move forward.”

Kent Stenson meets with linesmen Ian Mittleholtz and Dayne Stenson prior to a game between the Southwest Cyclones and Moose Jaw. Photo by Kate Winquist

Bronco Alumni Sheldon Kennedy to be honoured with WHL 50th season award CONTRIBUTED

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

S

wift Current Bronco alumnus Sheldon Kennedy will be honoured with a WHL 50th season achievement award.

Kennedy will be honoured by the Broncos for his on ice achievements in the Western Hockey League including two 50

goal seasons. Kennedy was also a co-captain of the Swift Current Broncos 1989 Memorial Cup winning team.

He is also receiving this award for efforts advocating for victims of child abuse through his work with the Sheldon Kennedy Advocacy Centre.

Sheldon Kennedy has also been awarded the Order of Canada for

exceptional contribution to Canada and humanity.

The WHL 50th season achievement award will be given to Kennedy prior to the Broncos home game on January 10th. That game will start at 2pm and will be televised on Sportsnet as part of the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour stop in Swift Current that weekend.

s for

Join u

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Have supper at one of our fine restaurants and stay for shopping & fun activities. Santa arrives at 7 p.m.

24

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