The Advance | Vol 107 | Issue 2

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Monday, January 11, 2016

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KENNEDY ‘black cloud’ lifted over Swift Current

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

SWIFT CURRENT - The auditorium at the Living Sky Casino was packed Friday as hundreds came out to support former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy’s screening of his new documentary, Swift Current.

The documentary, which premiered in Toronto months ago, was screened for the first time in the southwest. Kennedy said that he felt the screening was bringing closure to the sexual abuse he was a victim of in the city.

“It’s a turning point, in I believe a long saga of a black cloud over Swift Current and that relationship between Sheldon and Swift Current,” Kennedy said.

In addition to the screening, Swift Current mayor Jerrod Schafer announced the official launch of the Safe Places Initiative; something Kennedy says he believes will be a great success for the city.

“I think they’re in a position to be leaders,” he said. “If anyone has the opportunity to turn something very negative into something very positive, it’s this city. I think people will pay attention because it’s Swift Current.”

The initiative, something that Schafer and council say has been in the works for months, will require a series of checks and a certification program before adults can

work with youth in Swift Current.

In addition to a mandatory criminal record check, applicants will have to complete a course on bullying, abuse, neglect and discrimination. The city has partnered with the Respect Group to make this a reality.

Recertification will be required after three years, and is mandatory for all volunteers, teachers, coaches and anyone who works one-on-one with children. City employees must also be certified.

“If you are not willing to be youth certified, you either have something to hide, or you’re not willing to make the investment in yourself, and if that’s the case then as a parent, I’m unwilling to hire you,” Schafer said.

The hope, he says, is to create a common database in order to increase cooperation between groups. Only one certification will be needed, even if the applicant works multiple jobs with children.

“We’ve got a lot of great national leaders, like Hockey Canada, who we’ve talked about a lot,” he said. “They offer training and screening, but there’s too many areas and communities that are slipping through the cracks.”

The program, Schafer says, has no official launch date; it will be enacted immediately.

“Any parent, when you look around and

see young kids and how innocent they are is motivated to take on that challenge.

Abuse is a really difficult subject to talk about, and that’s why so often we don’t,” he said.

While it may be a difficult topic to take on, Schafer says he is proud of the community for coming together to discuss such a sensitive topic.

“It’s been a really humbling week in our community with so many things going on in terms of tacking the issue and talking about it,” he said. “It’s really like the air has been let out of a balloon here, lots of healing in Swift Current.”

For a long time there was a fear that Sheldon was mad at our community, and I think he’s done a great job of addressing that. I think Sheldon’s concerns about not being believed is not just a Swift Current issue, it’s everywhere.”

Schafer says he believes the City is on the right track with the creation of the program and the openness to discuss it.

“Start the discussion, I think that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “For a long time we didn’t talk about it. We assumed, like parents and everyone else that there are checks and balances in place.”

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall also attended Friday’s screening. He says he believes the Safe Places Initiative can someday be expanded to a province-wide

program.

“As I said earlier this week in Regina, we need to look very carefully at it from a provincial perspective and find out how we can either encourage it, expand it across the province, or potentially attach it to those groups we fund,” Wall said.

“If we have a chance to take what Swift Current has lead in developing and crafting and take it to other parts of the province to make sure every child in Saskatchewan has a safe place to engage in sports and arts & culture, and play, then we have to do it,” he said.

Wall said the province plans to meet with the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre to see if they can do something similar in the way of starting a program with a focus on abuse and child victims.

“We know the issue very well in Swift Current and it’s hard not to be caught up in the courage of Sheldon, and his efforts in Calgary, what the Centre is doing there,” Wall said.

“This has now given the community a chance to talk about it, but more importantly lead on the issue,” he said. “Sheldon’s right, this is exactly the right place for initiatives like this to start. Swift Current is in the perfect place to lead in, and Saskatchewan as a province, we’re going to do our part.”

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

New MP, Doc’s daughter spread prairie roots before meeting Aldag. St. John enrolled at Waterloo University where she was on the Dean’s list. She graduated with an MD from Northern Ontario School of Medicine r. Elaine St. John of Minnedosa, Manitoba and Libin Thunder Bay. Daughters Hattie and Kalani were born eral MP John Aldag from Gull Lake, Saskatchewan as the couple juggled work, studies and family. first met when they were working at Riding Mountain “We traded diaper bags for backpacks,” St. John says, National Park. adding that the family travels light as they see world, including under sail and to exotic ports of call.

Now, a couple of decades later, St. John is a Hospitalist It’s a far cry from her initial experiences as a new treating inpatients at both Surrey and Langley BC hosdoctor. pitals. Her husband John Aldag was the Federal Liberal “I’m not a nervous flyer,” she says confidently, “But Party’s dark horse candidate who snatched away the going into those Sioux Lookout and Fort Hope First new Langley City-Cloverdale BC riding from Stephen Nations communities was an experience – sometimes Harper loyalist and one time Brian Mulroney staffer, the Bearskin Air pilot would just have a look at the landDean Drysdale. Aldag captured 47 per cent of the vote. ing strip and then zoom up and head right back ’cause It was while Aldag was working as Administrator of he didn’t think we could make it safely in the fog.”

Aldag, with an MBA from Royal Roads, has had several postings with Parks Canada. The family lived in Whitehorse, Lake Louise, Yoho, Waterloo and Langley while Aldag climbed the bureaucratic ladder to management.

But in the past decade, he became jaded by the Conservative policies that affected not only his job, but “the very fabric” of Canada under the Harper government.

“It was something I had to do … to be part of the fix, not just for my family, but for the surJohn Aldag makes it official at the swearing in ceremony for new Members of Parliament, November 17. vival of our country as Witnessing the event are his wife Elaine, daughters Hattie and Kalani, and son Kai. Photo by Christian Diotte strong, proud – and yes, sunny,” he says, noting that their daughter Hattie’s second name is Sunshine.

Fort Langley National Park that he decided to put on “’Sunny ways, my friends, sunny ways’… just like Justin hold his 32-year career with Parks Canada and seek and Sir Wilfrid predicted.” the Liberal nomination. For two years on unpaid leave, The kids have thrived, referring to their student-MothAldag became a familiar figure, striding through the er as mommsie dot com when St. John was taking class‘burbs of three separate cities that compose his riding – es.

They’re in French Immersion in Langley schools, with Langley Township, Langley City and Surrey’s Cloverdale. the girls involved in gymnastics. Hattie and Kalani pro“I will win this election on the doorsteps,” he told his vided the opener with a series of cartwheels when their riding executive, and added that he would run the riding Dad give his acceptance speech as the chosen Liberal perimeter as a warm up to the 35,000 doors he would candidate. At 14, Kai won a scholarship to Apple Inc., knock on before the October 19 election. prompting another family adventure to San Francisco.

St. John was fully on board with his decision since And while the couple thought it a treat for the kids Aldag had supported their family while she sought a to spend this Christmas in Hawaii, where they were career as a physician. With their son Kai at home, St. married, the youngsters demurred. So they’ll have a John resumed her studies that she had begun at McGill, Christmas tree and turkey at home with relatives from where she was on the debating team. But that was their Mom’s side, then head off for a brief vacation to

BY K A R E N K E R S E Y

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

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recharge their sunny ways.

As for the commute – Ottawa to Vancouver has a direct flight these days.

“It took John longer to commute from his job as Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Superintendent than it will take the Ottawa trip,” St. John says. Her Mom Val stills lives in Minnedosa, and is a retired doctor; her late father Don was a Federal Liberal and a lawyer in the farming community. Val jumps at the chance of escaping cold Manitoba winters to visit the family in Langley, and nurture the grandkids.

Aldag’s farm family supported him in his bid to become a Member of Parliament.

“Mom and Dad sold a cow and gave the campaign the

proceeds - within legal contribution limits, of course,” he said, flashing his winning smile.

“But prices are up since then … they could probably get more for one on today’s market.”

St. John says there exists an old picture of her fatherin-law Don Aldag sporting a Saskatchewan Roughriders signature watermelon helmet - cheering on his cousin.

“Number 44,” Aldag says proudly of Roger. Aldag. Even Regina MP and Liberal Cabinet Minister, Ralph Goodale made the connection to Saskatchewan’s Schenley award winning offensive lineman, when he came campaigning in White Rock.

And as for John Aldag, MP, it’s now game on. With Team Trudeau. On the Hill.

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rom photos on the cover of the National Post to video footage aired on TV in Canada, the United States and Switzerland, the 2016 Saskatchewanderer has an impressive resume. But Neil Fisher couldn’t be prouder to add “Saskatchewanderer” to his resume.

“I’m beyond excited!” Fisher said. “I’ve already done a fair bit of exploring here in Saskatchewan, but I still see it as an exotic, far-off land with countless wonders waiting to be discovered. A great Canadian, Chris Hadfield, said ‘Exploration stretches our understanding’ and I can’t wait to give the world a better understanding of what this amazing province is all about.”

Fisher has travelled along Canada’s west coast, through the Prairies, up in the Arctic and all the way to Australia capturing his experiences via photographs and video to share with the world through his blog and social media.

Fisher grew up in Coquitlam, BC and currently calls Saskatoon home. A coworker told Fisher that he would make a great Saskatchewanderer and that is what prompted him to apply. He realized that becoming the next Saskatchewanderer would allow him to make a living doing what he loves.

Before moving to Saskatchewan, Fisher worked as a marine mammal trainer at the Vancouver Aquarium and then as a videographer, telling the stories of the Vancouver Aquarium’s animals and the work of the aquarium and its people. Fisher’s photography has been featured on the covers of the National Post and The Vancouver Sun, he has had work published in National Geographic’s children’s magazine, NatGeo Explorer, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History used a photo of his in an exhibit focusing on bioluminescence. His video footage has been seen around the world and aired on major news networks, from CBC and Global in Canada, ABC and NBC in the United States, SF Television in Switzerland, and France5.

“The Saskatchewanderer program offers us an opportunity to showcase our diverse province to a large audience,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Mark Docherty said. “Neil has a unique background of work and travel, and he’s turning his passion into a career. We look forward to seeing his photography and videography talents highlight the many amazing people and places of Saskatchewan.”

“Neil has an exciting year ahead of him as the 2016 Saskatchewanderer,” Minister responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan Jeremy Harrison said. “He has an important role to play, promoting the province’s wealth of

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attractions and events, as well as the jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in tourism.”

CAA Saskatchewan has been a proud sponsor of the Saskatchewanderer program since its inception in 2011.

Throughout the year, Fisher will make stops at CAA Saskatchewan events and also at CAA Stores to meet members and visitors.

“As Saskatchewan’s automobile association of choice, we are pleased to be the exclusive sponsor of the 2016 Saskatchewanderer,” CAA Saskatchewan President and CEO Fred Titanich said. “We look forward to the continued partnership that showcases our province and our people via the Saskatchewanderer. By providing a sporty vehicle, a CAA Membership and gas vouchers, we know that Neil Fisher, the 2016 Saskatchewanderer will be safe and well-fuelled for his many road trips and adventures. As a CAA Member, Neil will certainly enjoy the many rewards of a CAA Membership.”

Planning for Neil’s 2016 expeditions is underway.

If you have a story idea that you’d like to share with him, connect with him on Facebook ( facebook.com/ skwanderer), Twitter (@skwanderer), or Instagram (@ saskatchewanderer).

To keep up with the latest blogs, follow him on YouTube (youtube.com/user/skwandererofficial), or visit the website (www.saskatchewanderer.ca).

Neil will be employed as the Saskatchewanderer until December 2016. The Saskatchewanderer program is supported by Tourism Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport, the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Agriculture with the mandate to promote the many ways that Saskatchewan is an amazing place to live, work and play.

To view Fisher’s Saskatchewanderer 2016 application video, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISifsFJsZY0.

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Report from the Legislature

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

ANDERSON & COMPANY BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS

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51 - 1st Ave. N.W., Box 610 Neil G. Gibbings pockets throughout the year. Indexation is part of an New Laws for Farmland Ownership Swift Current, SK. S9H 0M5 Morris A. Froslie array of measures aimed at keeping taxes low.

Amendments to The Saskatchewan Farm Security Phone 773-2891 Fax 778-3364 email: anderson.company@sasktel.net James M. Peltier Individual taxpayers now pay no Saskatchewan Act, clarifying who can and cannot own farmland in Erin A. Connick Gull Lake Office income tax on their first $19,220 of income while a Saskatchewan, took effect earlier this week.

2391 Proton Avenue Tyler McCuaig

By Jordan Parker As a result of the ongoing investigation against him, These are on top of the sexual assault, invitation to 672-4442 family of four pays no Saskatchewan income tax on Phone The legislation reflects the views of Saskatchewan Joel P. Friesen Hours: and sexual exOffice Chamberlin has seen additional charges, including sexual touching, sexual interference their first $49,800 of income. A family of four with residents, provides clarity around farmland owner5 p.m.

9 a.m.

Every Ryan J. ploitation Plewis charges Cabri man Ryan Chamberlin was arrested againincome, two sexual assault charges, laid Monday against him in to late February. $50,000 annual and deducting $3,000anininvitation child to sexual ship and gives the Farm Land Security Board the tools Friday, March 20 and charged with additional crimes touching charge, and a count each of sexual interferHe appeared in Swift Current Provincial Court expenses, has now seen their provincial income it needs to enforce the rules.as more victims came forward in thecare case against him. ence, sexual exploitation and a corrupting children March 23, and was released on an undertaking before tax cut from about $2,300 in 2008 to zero in 2016. charge. a judge on conditions.

When income tax savings are combined with new The amendments include: Chamberlin, 39, was a hockey coach in several tax reduction programs that have been introduced • Making pension plans, administrators of pension southern Saskatchewan communities throughout his since 2008, a single person with $25,000 annual fund assets and larger trusts ineligible to buy adult life. income will benefit from $913 in lower provincial tax farmland; There is a publication ban in place to protect the in 2016 than in 2008. A family of four with $50,000 • Defining “having an interest in farmland” to identity of the victims, and Chamberlin’s next court ~ Brian ZinChuk ~ Lookingappearance for New Crop Red & 13 Green Lentils combined income will see tax savings of $2,977; and a include any type of interest or benefit (i.e. capital will be April at 9:30 a.m. with Act of God and Chickpeas of all grades.

The investigation is ongoing, and investigators infamily of four with $75,000 combined income will see appreciation), either directly or indirectly, that is Good bids available. vite people with additional information to come fortax savings of $2,709, when comparing 2016 to 2008. normally associated with ownership of the land; ward.

To book call Tempest and New Essential Services Legislation Now in • When financing a purchase of farmland, all 1-306-651-1688 or 1-306-880-3304.

Effect financing must be through a financial institution D. Wayne Elhard, MLA Amendments to essential service legislation (Part registered to do business in Canada, or a Canadian Cypress Hills Constituency VII of The Saskatchewan Employment Act) are now citizen.

Making your voice heard in Regina. in effect. The amendments ensure alternative meth• Non-Canadian citizens can still own up to 10 acres 401 Redcoat Drive ods are available settle workplace disputes. doesn’t long ago when I wrote a col- todevelopment of a greater nationalThey spirit rather than of farmland, and exemptionsIt can stillseem be that granted P.O. Box 308, Eastend, SK. S0N 0T0 about a remarkable series published since 2011 productive an emphasisand on “states’ rights,” which was one of Phone: 1-877-703-3374 foster on-going, effective relationfor economic developmentumn initiatives.

These rules cypresshills.mla@sasktel.net by will the New Times on the U.S. Civilbetween War. Now,workers the causes of the war. while protectships and employers were in place previously and notYork change. www.wayneelhard.ca it appears, that series will soon come to apublic. close.

It’s hard, in our current 21st century context, to ing the Called Disunion, the collection of pieces folbelieve that men would volunteer to fight, and in The new legislation addresses all concerns raised In addition, the Farm Land Security Board (FLSB) lowed the developments of the Civil War in somemany cases, die for the cause of “states’s rights.” In by the Supreme Court of Canada in its January 30, will receive new and expanded authority to enforce thing akin to real time, albeit 150 years later. As this context, those rights had a lot to do with slav2015 decision.

The ruling recognized essential serthe legislation. events unfolded throughout the course of the war, ery. But can you imagine anyone here today volunvices must be maintained while The amendments put into law the regulations historians and analysts discussed what impact they teering to stop respecting a bullet for workers’ provincial rights 690 in rights to take job action.

The amendments announced this past April. had.

Canada? Or even North Dakotacame rights across the from stakeholders working withabsurd. govThe Town of Gull Lake is accepting Disunion can be found at opinionator.blogs.ny49th? Thecollaboratively whole concept seems applications for student employment with the ernment.

Indexation Will Save Saskatchewan Taxpayers times.com.

I still try to wrap my head around the key issue Town Maintenance Department UR SOUTHWEST NEWSPAPER TUESDAY, 2015 created 5 of the Civil $8.1COMMUNITY Million This Year Together, legislation that How is fair I just realized that in a few weeks the MARCH 150th31,we anWar, slavery. is it and that not-so long R.M. OF WHITE for theVALLEY summer ofNo. 2015.49 niversary the Confederate at and Appo-does ago, was aexisting commonrights practice?

(In some parts In 2016, all Saskatchewan income taxofbrackets and surrender balanced not slavery diminish and Applicants must: will come up. It seems of the world, it stillofis).Saskatchewan. tax credit amounts will go upmattox 1.3 perCourt cent, House matching privileges of the working people • be self-motivating

By Jordan Parker a result of the ongoingremarkably investigation against him, that These are on top ofonly the sexual assault, invitation short, the war lasted four to Let’s consider some other what-ifs. the national rateAs of inflation.

This annual measure For more information on the changes, visit www.What if the Chamberlin has seen additional charges, including sexual touching, sexual interference and sexual ex• requireofminimal supervision The Rural Municipality White Valley No. 49 years.

Confederacy did win the war, not conquering the n Chamberlin was arrested again two sexual assault charges, invitationmoney to sexual inploitation against him in late February. helps Saskatchewan people keepanmore theircharges laid saskatchewan.ca.

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Would Obama be a slave today?

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mberlin faces further charges in sex crimes case

and charged with additional crimes me forward in the case against him.

touching charge, and a countPerhaps each of sexual He appeared Provincial itinterferseems so short due intoSwift theCurrent contrast withCourt ence, sexual exploitation and a corrupting children March 23, and was released on an undertaking before how long the United was deployed to charge. a judgeStates on conditions.

Chamberlin, 39, was hockey in several Afghanistan, the nation’s longest wara in its coach history, southern Saskatchewan communities throughout his and Iraq. Iraq is not as wrapped up as we thought adult life.

There is a publication ban inincluding place to protect the it was, as the U.S. and numerous allies, identity of the victims, and Chamberlin’s next court Canada, are getting pulled appearanceinto will bethe AprilSyria/Iraq 13 at 9:30 a.m. ISIS The investigation is ongoing, and investigators inconflict. vite people with additional information to come forI think that’s whatward. stands out the most for me,

m the Top of the Pile

NEW YEAR’S BABY

~ Brian ZinChuk ~

having lived during at time when the U.S., and by D. Wayne war Elhard, MLA extension, Canada, has been at continual since Cypress Hills Constituency 2001 (As we’ve withdrawn fromMaking Afghanistan, it your voice heard in Regina.

401 the Redcoatpeople Drive take long To development of a greater didn’t national spirit rather than to deploy to Iraw).

P.O. Box 308, Eastend, SK. S0N 0T0 an emphasis on “states’ rights,” was one 1-877-703-3374 of ourwhich time, thisof has become the newPhone: normal. cypresshills.mla@sasktel.net the causes of the war.

It wasn’t always like this.

In most cases wars www.wayneelhard.ca It’s hard, in our current 21st century context, to believe that men would volunteer to fight, and inshort and often brutal. One way or were relatively many cases, die for the cause of “states’s rights.” In person could expect an end at some this context, those rights another, had a lot to doawith slavery. But can you imagine anyone here today volunSUMMER STUDENT point, with someone “winning.”

That’s not someteering to stop a bullet for provincial rights in EMPLOYMENT Canada? Or even North thing Dakota rights we across are the seeing today.

Modern OPPORTUNITY war may be The Town of Gull Lake is accepting 49th? The whole concept seems absurd. “won” opening weeks, thenemployment drag onwith forapplicationsbut for student the I still try to wrap my head aroundin thethe key issue Town Maintenance Department of the Civil War, slavery. ever.

How is it that not-so long for the summer of 2015. ago, slavery was a common practice? (In some parts Applicants Indeed, today’s posting ponders themust: question of of the world, it still is).

• be self-motivating Let’s consider some other what-ifs. the What Confederacy if the whether could have won the war.

• require minimal supervision Confederacy did win the war, not conquering the have a valid driver’s licensesales The “what-ifs” cotton North, but successfully succeeding?

Would we stillrange from •increased Apply in writing stating experience to: have slavery today? Would it extend all the way to Town of Gull Lake before the blockade took hold to General Robert E. 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

uld Obama be a slave today?

m that long ago when I wrote a colmarkable series published since 2011 k Times on the U.S. Civil War. Now, series will soon come to a close. nion, the collection of pieces follopments of the Civil War in someeal time, albeit 150 years later. As d throughout the course of the war, nalysts discussed what impact they be found at opinionator.blogs.ny-

d that in a few weeks the 150th ane Confederate surrender at AppoHouse will come up. It seems ort, that the war only lasted four

ms so short due to the contrast with 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

GRADER OPERATOR

North, but successfully succeeding? Would we still Apply in writing stating experience to: positions of GRADER OPERATOR. have slavery today? Would it extend all the way to Town of Gull Lake California? If not, what would have caused These it to positions will commence approximately April 1, 150 under the direc2016. The successful applicantBox will work end? Would a Spartacus-like slave revolt have been 12-2eow Gull Lake, SK. tion of the RM Foreman, and Must beS0N able1A0 to work with inevitable? Would the North have taken another gulllaketown.admin@sasktel.net minimal supervision. shot at it, 10 to 20 years later? Would there have Applicants must hold a valid driver’s license and have a been a series of continental conflicts for decades?

If the U.S. had remained fractured into the vehicle 20th capable of towing the municipal trailer and hauling fuel, blades and other supplies, as required. Applicentury, what would the impacts have been globcants should have or be prepared to obtain Power ally? Would it have tipped the balance in the First Mobile Equipment (PME), WHMIS, TDG and Ground World War in favour of the Allies? Would it have Disturbance Courses; the municipality will absorb the MOVIE INFORMATION LINE • (306) 297-2241 • SHAUNAVON been the decisive player in the Second World War, “Movie at its Finest!” cost of obtaining any or all Presentation of these courses, as required. leading to its superpower status, or would it have Applications stating experience, expected salary and refbeen too concerned about a future conflict with its erences may be submitted to the Municipal Office by shows off its old-fashioned magic with this traditional tale, southern neighbour? Would a slave-nation like4:00 the pm on Disney January told 13th, by mail, Fax or Email in a 2016, new, re-visionary presentation. confederacy have looked kindly on Fascism? to: PerThurs., Fri., Sat., Mon., April 2, 3, 4, 6 - 7:30 PM Rated G haps it would have even allied with German and R. M. of White Valley No. 49 Italy?

Box 520, Eastend, Sask. SON OTO Phone: (306) 295-3553 And would there be a black president now? Or Fax: (306) 295-3571 would Barack Obama have belonged to some masbeginning April 17th Email: rm49@sasktel.net ter, with a whip in hand?

Council thanks all applicants interest,&however, Coming soon ... for Do their You Believe?

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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? what stands out the most for me, If the U.S. had remained fractured into the 20th uring at time when the U.S., and by century, what would the impacts have been globda, has been at continual war since ally? Would it have tipped the balance in the First e withdrawn from Afghanistan, it World War in favour of the Allies? Would it have MOVIE INFORMATION LINE • (306) 297-2241 • SHAUNAVON g to deploy to Iraw). To the people been the decisive player in the Second World War, “Movie Presentation at its Finest!” s has become the new normal. leading to its superpower status, or would it have ways like this. In most cases wars been too concerned about a future conflict with its Disney shows off its old-fashioned magic with this traditional tale, short and often brutal. One way or southern neighbour? Would a slave-nation like the told in a new, re-visionary presentation. on could expect an end at some confederacy have looked kindly on Fascism? PerThurs., Fri., Sat., Mon., April 2, 3, 4, 6 - 7:30 PM Rated G Mail this form with payment to Winquist Ventures Ltd. meone “winning.” That’s not somehaps it would have even allied with German and eeing today. Modern war may be Italy?

Box 628, Gull Lake, Sask. S0N 1A0 pening weeks, but then drag on forAnd would there be a black president now? Or Matthew Ruben Langton was born on January 3, 2016 at 1:44 pm to parents Matthew and Emma Langton. He was 7 lbs 4 ($23 off the cover price) would Barack Obama have belonged to some masbeginning April 17th Name: ____________________________________ y’s posting oz ponders the question ter, with a whip in hand?long. Dr. Kapusta and Dr. Nongauza were on duty for at birth andof measured 20.5” the delivery.

As the New Year’s Baby nfederacy could have won the war. soon ... Do You Believe? & Boy Choir 2016cotton little Matthew received Dr.News.

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| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

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Planning Ahead for Communities and Landscapes C O N T R I B U T E D BY T H E S O U T H O F T H E D I V I D E C O N S E R VAT I O N AC T I O N P R O G R A M I N C .

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

A

n upcoming workshop in Frontier, Saskatchewan will tackle the topic of community planning for local rural municipalities and their stakeholders. Organized by the South of the Divide Conservation Action Program Inc. (SODCAP), this free workshop will be held on January 20 and is open to everyone. People who live and work in the area, and share landscapes with producers, lease holders, industry as well as wildlife, are invited to join and learn about what an Official Community Plan may offer their rural communities.

Balancing sustainable land use practices is critical to the continued viability of the economy, the health of the land, and the wellbeing of all individuals in the South of the Divide. Shirley Bartz, a wildlife biologist with SODCAP, says an Official Community Plan can identify and protect future growth, land use and development in communities and rural municipalities.

“A community plan can be as specific or as generalized as the community likes,” says Bartz, who is organizing the event.

Planning ahead is key according to Dana Schmalz, the Director of Community Planning Services with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities.

Schmalz, who is scheduled to present at the event, says “Official Community Plans are an important planning tool that guides growth and development in a municipality.” Schmalz adds that groups of municipalities may also collaborate across a region to create a plan.

The plans include an environment sec-

tion, which is what Bartz hopes will be of value for the people and species who share common ground in the South of the Divide. “There are twenty-one federally listed species at risk in the South of the Divide and an estimated one million hectares of land critical to thirteen of these species. These species survive here because of the presence of native grassland and because many of the people living and working in the area implement land use practices that support these species’ breeding grounds, dens, nests and overwintering habitat,” explains Bartz.

While individual stewardship actions are important for ensuring species at risk survival, communities and groups that are part of the larger landscape, such as the South of the Divide, can outline practices that support wildlife as well. “Municipalities can adopt policies within an official community plan to protect special lands that have been identified as habitat protection,” Schmalz explains, adding that council may choose to guide development so that certain areas remain in their natural state. “Overall, it’s important to have planning documents in place to provide direction and a framework for decisions that will shape the future and character of the municipality or region,” says Schmalz.

The workshop will include presentations from Environment Canada, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, the Ministry of Government Relations, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, and others. For more information or to register, contact Shirley Bartz at (306) 450-1216 or email her at sbartz@hotmail.com.

Whitemud Hockey League

JANUARY SCHEDULE Schedule subject to change without notice

JANUARY 13 (Wednesday)

8:00 PM at Shaunavon Rink Complex

JANUARY 15 (Friday)

8:00 PM at Cabri Rink Complex

JANUARY 16 (Saturday)

7:30 PM at Gull Lake Rink Complex 8:00 PM at Cabri Rink Complex

JANUARY 22 (Friday)

8:00 PM at Leader Rink Complex

JANUARY 23 (Saturday)

8:00 PM at Frontier Rink Complex

JANUARY 24 (Sunday)

2:30 PM at Gull Lake Rink Complex

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

SWAC BASKETBALL SCHEDULE TUESDAY, JANUARY 12th

Senior Girls Maple Creek @ Shaunavon 6:30 PM Swift Current @ Frontier 5:30 PM Senior Boys Swift Current @ Shaunavon 5:00 PM Maple Creek @ Frontier 7:00 PM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14th

Junior Girls Waldeck @ Swift Current 5:30 PM Maple Creek @ Shaunavon 5:30 PM Gull Lake @ Wymark 5:00 PM Junior Boys Swift Current @ Waldeck Maple Creek @ Shaunavon 7:00 PM

5

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

Top trends look promising for Canadian agriculture in 2016 CONTRIBUTED

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

With the beginning of the new year, it’s time once again for Farm Credit Canada (FCC) agriculture economists to go out on a limb and provide their best insights on the five most significant trends that could impact the Canadian agriculture in 2016.

“As economists, we like to challenge ourselves by collecting and analyzing the data to provide the best forecasts for producers to help with their long-term planning and decision-making,” said J.P. Gervais, FCC’s chief agricultural economist. “This can be challenging in a vibrant and dynamic Canadian agriculture industry, where consumer demand and export opportunities can have as much impact on farming as the weather.”

Weather patterns could cause supply disruptions and opportunities There’s no question weather can create significant challenges or opportunities for Canadian agriculture.

Drought in Russia and the Ukraine, for example, could lower wheat production and have a positive impact on demand for Canadian wheat. El Nino – a phenomena where a large band of warm ocean water creates unusual weather conditions and disrupts growing seasons – is expected to lower palm production in Indonesia and Malaysia and chickpea production in India.

“Canadian pulses will be needed to shore up reduced supplies from India and low carry-over stocks. This will create strong demand and higher prices for Canadian pulse crops in 2016,” said Gervais, noting the United Nations coincidentally proclaimed 2016 as the International Year of Pulses.

“Our commodity outlooks rely heavily on what happens in other parts of the world, so it’s always good to keep an eye on weather systems that might disrupt or increase supplies of the same or alternative commodities,” he said.

Price-conscious consumers demand more food choice Consumers are demanding more food choice, but are they willing to pay for it?

That’s the question on the minds of many producers and food processors as they face growing pressure to meet complex and sometimes conflicting consumer demand. Consumer choice includes fresh or processed, healthy or indulgent, local or global – with affordability being a common thread.

“Canada has traditionally thrived producing safe, high-quality agriculture commodities, but producers are now facing the challenge of sorting through a number of mixed messages and changing food preferences,” Gervais said. “At the same time, producers face growing public concern about modern food production, while trying to produce food efficiently at a cost that consumers are willing to pay.”

Gervais said consumer demand for food diversity has created a trade deficit where imports of processed food exceed our exports (by $1.9 billion in 2010 to $3.5 billion in 2014). “As Canadian producers see more opportunities to grow a wider variety of food, we expect the trade deficit trend to slow and begin to shrink,” he said.

Economic stars continue to shine bright for agriculture Don’t let your guard down, but low interest rates and a weak dollar will continue to contribute to favourable economic conditions for Canadian agriculture in 2016, according to Gervais.

“Interest rates should remain very

low, perhaps with some slight upward pressure on fixed rates for three- and five-year mortgages,” Gervais said. “But the overall economic environment is expected to be favourable for farming operations, agribusinesses and food processors in 2016.”

Gervais said weak oil prices and a different outlook for interest rates between Canada and the United States will continue to put downward pressure on the Canadian dollar before it strengthens in the second half of the year.

Profits could be squeezed by growing supplies of some commodities Agriculture commodity prices are expected to see an overall decrease in 2016, as there is an oversupply of some commodities and growing supplies for others. The low Canadian dollar, however, will help support profit margins for grain and oilseed producers, which may help offset any price decrease, Gervais said.

Gervais predicts the livestock industry will see mixed results in 2016. Cattle prices are expected to retreat, resulting in tighter profit margins for feedlots. Cowcalf operations are expected to remain profitable, yet face tighter margins than in previous years. Hog operation profits are projected to stay in line with the five-year average, benefiting from strong pork demand from China. Profits in the dairy sector may be vulnerable due to dairy ingredient imports and continued low world dairy prices.

“Lower feed costs are expected to support overall margins in the livestock sector and demand for beef is expected to increase – both domestically and globally – which is good news for producers.”

Gervais said.

Canadian farm debt will continue to climb, but at a slower pace Strong farm receipts over the past five years have led to increased investment in Canadian agriculture and higher farmland values. This will level out and sales of new farm equipment will likely see little improvement following overall slow sales in 2015. As a result the growth in farm debt is expected to slow, according to Gervais.

“Producers are re-evaluating their earning potential based on weaker commodity prices and their investment in farmland,” he said. “A weak Canadian dollar also makes farm inputs more expensive, so producers are placing a priority on streamlining their operations.”

The good news is Canada’s net farm income has kept pace with farm debt over the past five years, which reflects a strong and vibrant agriculture industry,” Gervais said.

By sharing agriculture economic knowledge and forecasts, FCC provides solid insights and expertise to help those in the business of agriculture achieve their goals. For further agriculture economic insights and analysis, read the latest FCC Ag Economist blog post at www.fcc.ca/AgEconomist.

FCC is Canada’s leading agriculture lender, with a healthy loan portfolio of more than $27 billion. Our employees are dedicated to the future of Canadian agriculture and its role in feeding an ever-growing world. We provide flexible, competitively priced financing, management software, information and knowledge specifically designed for the agriculture and agri-food industry. Our profits are reinvested back into agriculture and the communities where our customers and employees live and work.

Visit fcc.ca or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and on Twitter @FCCagriculture.

6

THE ADVANCE

Commentary As U.S Election comes closer, grab your popcorn ideal to make America great again is what’s continuously rallying people to jump on the Trump-bandwagon.

In all honesty, though, we know in politics that a true leader must be willing to lead from the middle, not to alienate one side or the other, especially considering how much trouble the Republican Party is in… sounds just like Trump, am I right?

The GOP, much like our very own Conservative party, is split into factions (blame the fact that America only truly has a two-party system, I suppose) of those who are more hard rightwing than others, more libertarian than others, more centrist than others.

And I suppose, in a bit of a roundabout way, you can’t really blame those on the hard right for wanting Trump to be their leader.

They have long-since felt underrepresented, and a loud figurehead is, for them, the best way to be heard.

To give this a bit of a Canadian angle, my thought is that the fractures we see in the GOP will mock what has happened in the Canadian scene, but on a much larger scale.

For an example of this, look no further than our neighbours to the west, Alberta. When the headline came earlier this year that the province had elected an NDP government, the collective whiplash of Canadians saying ‘wait, what?!’ could be heard across the nation.

The Wild Rose Party and the PC party of Alberta split the vote so strongly amongst voters that an NDP government was elected.

Will we see the same thing happen with the Republican Party?

Right now, Trump is leading the polls for GOP, despite the controversy that comes with his name (and whenever he opens his mouth, but that’s a column for a different day). With the election still months away, we as Canadians can peer into the strange world of American politics from a distance, without being too concerned about the outcome. If there’s one thing for sure, though, it’s that interesting times are ahead.

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.

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

Physics of desk construction

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

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

n case you’ve missed it, and please, teach us your ways if you have, the U.S. presidential election has been in the news a lot lately.

Americans have a tendency to love their elections.

They’ve been talking, writing, viewing and reading anything remotely election-related practically since Obama entered office for his second term nearly four years ago.

Of course, as 2016 is the big year, election coverage has done nothing but speed up more. Remember when comedians like John Oliver made fun of Canada’s record-long 78-day election this October? Well, now we sure can understand why they thought 78 days was a laughably short period.

With the arrival of this election coverage, not only are there debates amongst candidates vying for a spot to run in the race, but also propaganda to give them a leg up. While it’s still early for the majority of candidates to release their unique ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ campaign, one politician has jumped ahead of the race. And yes, of course it’s Donald Trump.

In a new commercial released like a foxhound on the airwaves Monday, Donald Trump took the first shot.

Promising to call for a “temporary shutdown on Muslims entering the United States”, to “cut the head off ISIS” and, my favourite part, “take their oil”, Donald Trump is pandering in any way he can to the fear-mongering of the American right-wing.

Additionally, the commercial featured a Trump promise that a wall would be built between Mexico and the United States, paid for by Mexico, as if they didn’t have enough to deal with already. The corresponding footage showed nondescript people of colour surging against a large wall. The real cherry on top, though, was that the website PolitiFact found that the footage was actually taken in Morocco.

To me, all of this begs the question of where this is going. I know some of our more right-wing readers will say that Trump has some good ideas, and the

|

FROM THE TOP OF THE PILE

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

I

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net

E

ver have that moment when you’ve spent well over a week building a great big custom desk for your office, you are just about to start staining it, when you realize the laws of physics will not allow it to enter your office? As in two of the five components will not fit at all without major disassembly?

And you emptied a whole bottle of wood glue in the construction?

Darn physics.

So goes my Christmas holidays project, one that is over 23 years in the making. Back in Grade 12 I realized I needed a desk for university.

So I bought one, at an auction sale in downtown Yorkton. It was one of those steel type ones, possibly from the 60s or 70s, identical to my dad’s. I put my then brand-new 486DX computer on it, and I was set. That was until I realized that old style desks were about three inches higher than computer desks, and my arms immediately started cramping up.

Out came the hacksaw, and soon it was the proper height.

This desk has followed me to Saskatoon, Rosetown, North Battleford and Estevan. I spend most of my day at it, working from home.

But at 72x30 inches, it’s simply not large enough for my needs and my mammoth computer system. So a few years ago I hatched an idea. I would rebuilt it. I had the technology. I have the capability to make it into an oak desk. Better than before. Better, stronger, faster… oh, wait.

What I would do would involve facing the front of the desk with oak plywood and replacing the top with oak plywood, nicely stained and varnished.

I made the new top, but it would have to wait until the rest would be completed. In the meantime, I built a hutch over the original desk, out of oak plywood and a few solid oak pieces. This has been the home to my desktop computer, two uninterruptible power supplies, ten hard drives, a RAID, and scanner. The idea was to get these all at least four feet off the floor in case we ever had flooding in our basement.

It was all well and good until I found out my custom computer case, with feet removed, was still one-quarter inch too tall to fit in nicely. Grrrrr….

For seven years my office has had an eight-foot plastic table behind me which largely collects paper and junk. That would need to go. In its place, I would finish the original desk project, and make a U-shaped desk. In total I would gain about 24 feet of additional shelf and desk space, when done, but it would take almost every cubic inch of my small basement office to do so.

I pulled out my old university drafting kit and set to work, first measuring and mapping the office, then using cutouts of the various components, as planned, to see if they would work. All seemed fine, and as soon as we got home from Christmas visiting, I set to work.

Over the next week the kids rarely saw me without a layer of sawdust.

Spencer refused to hug me unless I was clean.

Just as I was applying the trim moulding, I realized I had an eight-

foot piece in my hand. I grabbed it and a framing square and did a dry run of moving all these components into the basement and then my office.

Turns out I can’t go straight from the garage to the basement. The eight-foot desk and hutch would not make the turn. So it will have to come in the front door.

I had thought I could turn these on their sides and then hook them around and through the door into the office, set them upright, and all would be well. That might have been the case if I had not spent the week reinforcing them like crazy because, without it, they were sagging under their own weight, without a load. So now I had two strong structures that would not fit around the corner into my office, even when I remove the trim moulding on the inside of the door jams.

Here’s where physics came into play. As far as I recall, you cannot have two distinct objects, made of typical matter, occupying the same place at the same time. Thus, the desk and doorframe could not both exist in that same place.

So two components, all screwed and glued, are coming apart. And when they are reassembled, in the office, it will take a reciprocating saw with a demolition blade to get them out.

Next week: What do you do with a 150 pound chair that cost $6000 but destroys every floor surface its on?

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

THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

Thank you, thank you, thank you

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

megan@gulllakeadvance.com

L

ast week I was on my way back to Saskatoon from my Christmas holidays in Cadillac. I’d packed up my freshly laundered clothes, my gifted bottles of wine and my new stuffed owl and hit the road back to the city. The car was so full that nary a space hadn’t been filled with some sort of student item – textbook, winter coat or otherwise.

This is a trip I rarely, to never, look forward to – it’s hard to go back to concrete and crowds when you’re used to grid roads and wide open spaces. This trip was also unusual for me, I was heading back to the city a whole 36 hours earlier than I needed to – I had decided I would grocery shop and embrace one more Netflix binge before classes resumed.

Normally if I had class at 10 a.m. I would leave Cadillac at 6:30 a.m., always waiting until the last possible moment to leave.

As fate would have it, the universe did not like this change of habit.

I had just reached Swift Current, on the stretch of road by the iPlex, when I heard the ‘bang’ and ‘smack smack smack’ of a flat tire. Upon pulling over I discovered my assumption was correct. My front tire on the passenger side was flat as a pancake.

Now, because I’m a stereotype, I instantly got on my cell phone to call my dad. Obviously I knew the donut had to be put on, but I wondered whether it was best to head back to Cadillac to get a new tire or keep slowly chugging to Saskatoon and find a tire the next day.

Dad, always the problem solver, said he’d find a solution if I swung back to Cadillac. At this time it was around 4:50 p.m. on a Sunday.

So I began my task.

I began unloading my trunk in an effort to reach the donut hiding at the bottom.

A backpack, a chest (yes, a chest), a suitcase and more soon found themselves

Last chance to enter the Hay Harvest Challenge

BY J O H N H AU E R , PAG

Regional Forage Specialist, Kindersley

D

on’t miss out on your chance to enter the Saskatchewan Hay Harvest Challenge. What is the Saskatchewan Hay Harvest Challenge? The Saskatchewan Hay Harvest Challenge provides producers with a pocket sized field book to record hay field conditions and harvest operations across their forage acres. Not only is the field book for record keeping, it is also full of forage production and harvest management information – great for a quick reference on often asked forage questions!

Once the hay or other feed is put up producers are encouraged to test their feed. In the back of the record book there is an entry form to complete and submit with your feed test analysis results.

This entry gives you a chance to win a thousand dollar voucher for instore merchandise purchased from any Saskatchewan Peavey Mart location or one of four two hundred and fifty dollar vouchers for feed testing analysis sponsored by Central Testing Laboratories. To be eligible for these prizes you must enter the Hay Harvest Challenge now.

Entry forms must be submitted to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Knowledge Center 45 Thatcher Drive East, Moose Jaw, SK,

by Friday January 15, 2016.

7

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

The draw for these prizes will be made during the Saskatchewan Beef Industry Conference on Jan 21, 2016. So don’t miss out, test your winter feed and get your Hay Harvest Challenge entry in today.

Now that you have tested your feed this information is very useful. Harvested feed quality can be very variable. Especially this past season with the short supply of hay many producers opted to make some of their annual crops into green-feed. Some of these green-feed crops were from non-traditional sources like canola and durum wheat. Although good feed, these crops have different nutrient and mineral levels compared to alfalfa grass hay. One must review these levels and design a feeding plan to ensure your livestock are getting a balanced ration. Thus feed testing can prevent over feeding, and more importantly, under feeding your cow herd. For help balancing your winter feed ration contact your local Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Regional Office.

For more information or to obtain a Hay Harvest Challenge field record book contact your local Regional Forage Specialist, or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

settled on the highway as I dug around to get my tire. As I did so I could see vehicles zip by here and there.

But it wasn’t more than seven minutes before someone stopped. He rolled down his window and asked if I needed any help – as independent as I like to portray I haven’t done anything except read books in four months so I’d take any physical help I could get.

He got out and immediately took control. Grabbing all the tools and heading for the side of my car to start working.

He asked me if I was heading back to school and I told him I was, he then explained that he also had two daughters at the University of Saskatchewan. After a few more questions, as he continued to skillfully save me from embarrassing myself trying to replace the tire, I discovered he knew a number of my uncles and even played hockey with my cousin; he even knew about the Lacelle New Years that had taken place a couple days earlier.

Not a shocking event in southwest Saskatchewan, to run into someone who knows your family, but it’s comforting every time it does.

His name was Keith Trudeau and he works at Standard Motors in Swift Cur-

rent – explaining why he so easily and quickly was able to change my tire. He offered to follow me part of the way back to Cadillac to make sure I got going safely, but I assured him I was fine.

I thanked Keith numerous times after he helped me, but I don’t think it really explained how grateful I was that he had stopped and helped me get back on the road.

He turned what could have been a frustrating, cold and irritating event into a renewal of the faith I have in the people of southwest Saskatchewan. It truly is a place where everyone knows each other and they’re all eager to help and support one another.

Yes, I probably would have been able to change the tire by myself, but the fact that he took time out of his day to get in the dirt and change a tire for me meant more than I could explain.

It’s a reassurance that there are more people looking out for you in this region of the province than you could ever imagine.

So thank you Mr. Trudeau for being a prime example of why I love returning to my southwest Saskatchewan roots.

POINT OF VIEW

Tales out of school

BY S H E R I M O N K

sherimonk@gmail.com

F

or some ridiculous reason, I decided it would be smart to go back to school to get my EMT. In Alberta, there are three levels of paramedicine, and I’m learning the second tier. My girlfriend (actually, my fiancée now!) is already an EMT and is in her second year to become a full paramedic.

Now, I do not use the word “ridiculous” lightly. Believe me, this half-year program isn’t cheap, and it’s incredibly condensed which means a ton of crazy extra work in addition to having to do all the writing that I do. Additionally, it includes a fairly long practicum without pay, and Alyssa has to complete four even longer practicums before the end of the year. Long story short, we’re going to be eating a lot of KD and baked beans… but I hope it’ll be worth it.

Almost five years ago, I lost everything when I had to walk away from my newspaper – including most of our valuables and even my kids’ bikes – and declare bankruptcy. It was awful and I still feel terrible for the unpaid debts. We were literally homeless for four months, and had to start over. Sometimes I still have nightmares about it, and it’s never a place I want to be, ever again. And with the economy taking such a dramatic downturn, I’m been getting progressively more apprehensive about my writing career. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have regular work, but I’m strictly a freelancer and contract writer, without the Employment Insurance benefits that come with an actual job… and that’s a scary place to be when you have two kids to feed.

So, I figure a back-up option in

the medical field isn’t the worst idea. After all, I have been a volunteer firefighter long enough to know that emergencies happen whether it’s a bull or bear market out there. Plus, I really like being able to help people – that is, after all, why I became a journalist in the first place.

But HOLY CRAP it has been a long time since I’ve been in school! A really, really LONG time. I graduated from journalism the same year that some of my classmates were BORN. The last time I went to college, the Internet wasn’t even commonly used yet – not even for porn.

The first day of class, I looked around me and thought, “What the hell am I doing here?!” and I am fairly certain many of my classmates thought the exactly the same thing. I mean, some of them are still teenagers, which blows my mind. However, it also gives me hope since I currently live with two teenagers who have yet to convince me they know how to properly sweep the floor, but apparently they will actually graduate and perhaps pursue post-secondary education. (I just hope they go for something higher paying than emergency services because I plan to live in a pretty badass, expensive nursing home).

There are 18 kids in our class, which is probably about the collective age of the group, if you removed me from it. I am not even kidding, these kids have probably never even seen the original Star Wars movies and thus, I have literally nothing in common with them. They’re a good bunch, but I feel every bit as out of place as I did the entire time I was growing up! And believe me, gym class doesn’t help. Yes – we actually have to do gym class. I really, truly and ardently believed that nightmare

was over in Grade 10, but I was so, so wrong.

Gym class was bad enough with my 15-year-old body in the change room. Now I have had children, and all the things seem to droop and sag and how I wish I had loved and appreciated my body when I was young instead of berating myself for not being perfect! And I have absolutely no doubt that my 69-year-old self will tell my current 39-year-old self the same thing in 30 years.

Why is it so hard just to love ourselves as we are? I wish I could go to college for THAT program instead.

If there’s one thing this gym class has taught me, it’s that I am so glad I work out and run.

I may not be the fastest or the strongest, but damn it, at least I am not lying in a puddle of my own sweat and urine on the gymnasium floor while I gasp and gape like a bloated goldfish some lithe cat has scooped out from the aquarium. But for the record, that’s pretty much how I feel while I play aggressive dodgeball with 10 young men that have muscles on their arms larger than the second child I gave birth to 13 years ago and the rest of the class are Lululemon dolls who probably run marathons just to show off their latest yoga pants.

I know it must sound like it’s an awful experience – but those are mostly just my insecurities talking. The people are actually very nice, and I’m learning new things, which my brain really needs to be happy. I know that the program I’m doing isn’t rocket science, but it sure feels like it. It took me a long time to learn that when I’m scared of something, that’s when I most need to do it.

I’m not always great at operating outside of my comfort zone, but I’ve never regretted trying. Well, not yet anyway.

8

THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

Volunteers Nasser Zanidean and Sara Kuntz brave the cold during last years’ Winterfest, while young and old enjoyed the hayrides.

ADVANCE FILE PHOTOS

As winter rolls in, so does Winterfest

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

W

ith the excitement from New Years’ celebrations over, the southwest looks forward to the next big event: Gull Lake’s Winterfest, taking place on Saturday, February 20.

This is the fourth year of the tradition, which mixes food, friends and family fun on some of the coldest days of the year. Committee member and Winterfest spokesperson Sara Kuntz says the idea behind a winter-focused celebration was no accident.

“It was kind of something that fell into our laps.

We wanted to have something that was special to Gull Lake, so we got together and picked a season, and decided winter was a little bit more slow outside of hockey, so it was a good way to maybe get people outside of their homes a little more,” she said.

“We wanted to offer something fun for families to do in the winter. All the activities are centred around family stuff.”

This year’s batch of activities will stay mostly the same as previous years, as the committee looks specifically to keep fan favourites. That doesn’t mean, she says, there won’t be a few new events to look forward to.

“We’ll have our pancake brunch and beef on a bun supper again this year, because they were really big draws last year. We’re also going to have “crashed ice” … we tried it last year, but wanted to expand on it a little more this year,” she said.

“This year it will be more of a competition on the crashed ice track. That said, any age will be welcome, as will any skill level,” she said. “It can take you 45 minutes to go through the course or 10 seconds, we don’t care.”

Additionally, the festival will feature a pie eating contest, a brownie bake-off, and fireworks at the end of the day, set to music sure to delight the crowd.

“Also new this year is our family scavenger hunt, which we’re hoping to get a lot of families out,” she said. “People don’t have to sign up ahead of time,

they’ll just show up at the time it starts and have the mad dash to go off and collect all the stuff,” Kuntz adds that the event will go forward no matter what the weather looks like or how frosty it may be outside.

“Last year was freezing and we still had people come out, so whether we have snow or not, the event will be a go,” she said. “People still had a ton of last year, so with a a warmer winter this year, it will be even better.”

Despite the colder weather previous years have seen, Kuntz says the festival is always a big hit.

“We had close to 150 people at breakfast, and 200 at supper, so throughout the day we probably had between 250 and 300 people, and we’re expecting pretty much the same this year,” she said. “We’re hoping to get more because the winter is warmer this year.”

We just want a lot of people to come out and have some fun, big smiles all over the place. We’d be really happy if people had a great time and enjoyed the winter activities.

While the event will be centred around Gull Lake, Kuntz says that everyone from the southwest or who passes through will be welcome.

“Anyone is welcome. Anyone from anywhere, any age. We want everyone to come on out,” she said. “The only things we need people to sign up for ahead of time are crashed ice so we know how many people we have, the pie eating contest and the brownie bake-off, so we know who will participate. Everything else, drop in.”

Kuntz says that while everyone is welcome to attend, volunteers are always needed to make the day a success.

“We always need people to man the cookie decorating station, and maybe work the mini golf course, or sell 50/50 tickets … even if it’s just a small job, we need all the help we can get,” she said.

“We’ve been so lucky with getting groups to help out. We’ve been so lucky with getting volunteers; people come out of the woodwork and come together to contribute. It’s really incredible.”

Those interested in volunteering for Winterfest on February 20 can call Sara at (306) 672-4449.

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haunavon Arts Council has been hard at work to prepare for entertaining the southwest in 2016, with two big performances planned for February.

Linda Wanner, publicity committee for the Shaunavon Arts Council, says singer-songwriter Luke McMaster and the Globe Theatre have two large productions coming up in Shaunavon.

“Luke will be bringing some unique music to us. He has a couple of albums, and his show is built upon his take on soul and early Motown music, so we feel he’s very entertaining,” she said.

McMaster’s performance will be part of the Council’s Stars for Saskatchewan Series. While Wanner says the Council has 200 tickets available, 70 of those are already sold to season ticket holders.

“His performance is taking place in the Plaza Theatre, and it seats about 200 people,” she said. “We think we’ll have a full house, because he’s a pretty big name and very entertaining.”

The Stars for Saskatchewan Series brings in numerous musical guests over a wide variety of genres from across the province. While Wanner has only been with the Arts Council for two years, she says she can see the benefit of bringing in a wide variety of talent.

“We wanted to be able to expose people in this quadrant of the province to the arts, and get knowledge to them about what the arts is and what it can offer,” she said. “People always travel to these things, so getting to bring it to them is very beneficial.”

She adds that the process behind choosing different artists to come to Shaunavon is more involved than one may originally think.

“Typically, there’s a big showcase within the province, so our council will send a few members to go look at a bunch of different performers,” she said. “You’ll hear them do their acts, then the group will decide which ones are their favourites, which value it brings to the community, what

genre it is, what people in the area we represent are going to enjoy the most.”

From this year’s group, we had a group of five delegates go and take names for who they thought would be best, then they brought it back to the entire group to vote on and discuss who to bring in for the next year.”

While Stars for Saskatchewan has received an extremely positive response in the time she has been there, she says that the series isn’t the only thing the council brings in.

“We usually bring in four or five performances in for Stars, but we have other things on as well,” she said. On February 14, we’re having the Globe Theatre come in with their presentation on the music of Johnny Cash, called Ring of Fire.”

She says the council made the decision to bring in another Globe Theatre performance after last year’s success.

“We know we can have a maximum of 200 tickets for this, and we’re already 50% sold out, so it won’t be long now,” she said. “Last year we brought a similar show in with Patsy Cline that was extremely popular, so we feel the Johnny Cash performance will be a sell out also.”

What man wouldn’t want to take his wife to this, how easy is that to plan … or vice versa, we have women take their husbands, so the show is really for everyone.”

In addition to bringing in performances like Globe Theatre’s, Wanner adds that the arts council also is involved with the younger demographic.

“We also provide the high school with performances. We try and extend it into the school system so the kids can get additional experience into the arts,” she said. “Of course, we couldn’t do any of it without the support of our patrons, so we’d like to thank them for that.”

Tickets for all performances can be purchased by calling the Grand Coteau Cultural and Heritage Centre at 306-297-3882, or purchased at the door.

10

THE ADVANCE

Dorothea and Chad Feil first began their business, CD Quarter Horses, almost three years ago.

Their prized stud, Sugar Cat Man, was brought over from Germany. Photos by Beth Jarrell

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

This special infrared heat lamp, called a solarium, can be used for pain relief, reduce muscle tension and inflammation and warming up a horse pre-workout.

High risk, high reward for horse breeders

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

W

hen Dorothea and Chad Feil first began their business, CD Quarter Horses, almost three years ago, they had no idea it would lead to a state-of-theart horse breeding facility with a growing national name.

While both have a background in horseback riding, it came from very different places.

“I started roping when I was 15, and went from there,” Chad said. “My brother doesn’t do it at all. My parents did it a little bit, but my grandpa and uncle were the ones who were really into it. I tried it, liked it, and am lucky enough to still be doing it.”

For Dorothea, it was a different start altogether that propelled her into the world of horses.

“I started when I was around 6, riding dressage until I got Cat Man. Then after that, my focus shifted almost entirely to reigning.”

Sugar Cat Man, her prized, world championship winning 20-year-old stallion she brought to Canada from her home country of Germany.

“I started out by buying my own horse, then another, then I said ‘oh, I need my stud here,” she said. “After that, we started buying a couple of mares. I suppose our goal here is just to produce good horses. Especially for reigning, working cow horses, these are all the broodmares for these disciplines.”

We like to follow bloodlines as far back as we can. We do have a few horses with the major blood lines, connect with the major winning horses.”

They officially started under the name CD Quarter Horses in 2012. The shift towards a more formal business came when they began moving broodmares with a proven track record in from the United States, one of the largest suppliers of purebred Quarter Horses.

“It’s not all about bloodline, so we don’t like to focus on that too much,” she said. “There are really good horses out there without a long bloodline. It can depend on who starts them, who trains them, for whether or not they have a chance.”

“But they do get a lot of their attitude from the mare, because they grow up with it,” Chad added. “To me the problem is anyone can get a stud, but not a lot of emphasis is placed on finding a good mare. You give yourself better odds if you have quality on both sides.”

And they have that quality in Cat Man. While the couple is relatively new to the horse breeding world, they have recently begun the daunting process of putting Cat Man out for stud, something that can have unexpected complications.

“That’s one of the concerns we have, too, with our stud. You can get a really bad name if the stud is bred to a really broncy mare, and it can ruin the stud’s reputation. Breeders have become a lot more selective with the mares and clients they chose,” he said.

The Foundations of an Empire While the facility, located 10-odd kilometres north of Swift Current, is owned by the Feils, they don’t do the breeding themselves. Instead, they enacted a partnership with fellow horse breeder

Dannielle Knudsen.

Together, they traveled across the United States taking courses about the complexities and methods of horse breeding.

“This is only the second year we’ve done the breeding entirely ourselves,” Dorothea said. “I used to breed Cat Man in Germany, but we started doing it ourselves and getting involved in that when we realized how much goes into it.”

We started to get involved with the process more when we wanted to move outside of hand breeding and into AI (Artificial Insemination), because it’s easier on the stud as they get older.”

While some may think her background knowledge of horse breeding would carry over, she says that the more she learned, the more she realized how much there was to know.

“I had no idea it was going to be so involved. It’s a different science. The mare cycles for five days, and that’s when you breed, and if you miss that cycle, you’re in trouble. There is a shot you can give them to restart the cycle, but if you do it too often it messes up the mare,” she said.

Location, too, plays a large role in the success of the breeding industry.

Places with more daylight hours, such as the southern United States, have an advantage over the Canadian prairies.

Fortunately, the Feils have figured out a way around it- or so they hope.

“For our three mares, who I’m hoping to breed this spring, I’m spending time manipulating the light they get with artificial lights. Making them think there are longer days,” she said.

“We started this November 1, so the-

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oretically by February they should start cycling. You can’t force the first cycle of the mare; it has to be natural,” she said.

The earlier a mare begins the cycling period, the more advantage her foals could have on a large scale.

“There is a big advantage for babies born in January or February instead of June or July, which is why starting early is important,” she said. “Theoretically, it could give you a few more months of riding, especially in a competitive level for futurity.”

This is their first year of keeping mares under the artificial lights, which are fairly uncommon in Canada. Horses have an 11-month gestation period, the second longest in mammals behind only the elephant, and for some breeders, the cost of running lights doesn’t add up.

“It’s the same thing with kids born later in the year, in December,” Chad added. “They have a similar disadvantage because they’re so much younger than their classmates.”

After a mare is bred, there are a series of checks that take place over the time of her pregnancy, something the couple has solved by purchasing their own ultrasound.

“We have to a breech check and see if there are twins, which mostly don’t survive,” she said. “Other than that, there are vaccines we give our mares at five, seven and nine months to give the foal a little extra for the immune system.”

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hosts a multitude of equipment to pamper the pregnant mares, from a high intensity heat lamp called a solarium to a device called a TheraPlate, which uses a vibration to ease muscle pain.

“The dream right now is to have an indoor arena, keep it growing,” she said. “Get ourselves established and get our name out there. Obviously it takes time, and it can be a very slow process getting established.”

The most frustrating part for them is how long that process can take. Outside of the 11-month gestation period, a horse can’t truly be measured for success until they begin training, usually at an age of 2 or 3.

“We really won’t know how it works out for another couple years. It takes until the horses are around three before we can see how well they are going to do,” she said. “Until then we just breed more mares and hope it works out.

There is a lot of science related, so we have a good idea of how it’s going to go, but nothing is for sure.”

While it may sound like a hurry-up-and-wait situation, they say that the opposite is true, especially in the spring.

“March through until June or July is our busiest time, because it’s when the breeding takes place. Most people go on vacation then, but for us, we work almost flat out then,” he said.

“During that period, we check the mare everyday, sometimes twice a day to make sure everything is alright.”

An added complexity lies in the fact that Canada has a disadvantage to horse breeders, something the couple can begin capitalizing on with the value of the dollar being lower.

“Most of it goes to the States, because there’s a lot more people down there, so a lot more competitions. The dollar being low is actually good for us, because a lot of Americans are coming up to Canada to buy, which is good for us.”

Although they say they still have a lot to learn and the improvements to their facility is far from complete, they wouldn’t want to do anything else.

“It can be a lot of hard work, but we have plans for the future, and we love what we do,” she said.

|

11

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

“B” SIDE CHAMPS

The Advance | Sports

The Gull Lake/Ponteix Midgets won the “B” side final in the Swift Current Tournament on January 1-3. They won it in a shoot out to take the “B” side finals! Back Row: Omran Zanidean, Murray Radtke, Shayde Lee, Stetson Franklin, TJ Kendall, Tanner Kendall, Dustin Kendall, Anthony Lamarre, Rhys Bye, Nathan Barsness, Tyler Kendall Middle Row: Robert Lacher, Saeid Zanidean, Keegan Goffinet, Callen Boutin, Quentin Bucheler Front Row: Jesse Lamotte, Logan Larochelle Missing from picture: Parker Larochelle, Brylan Radtke, Drew Hilmoe and Eric Logan

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Beats

ART

THE ADVANCE

THE STRAY BIRDS Coming to the Lyric Theatre on Saturday, February 13 is the genre-melding acoustic trio, The Stray Birds, who have mastered the gorgeous sound of three-part harmonies. The band, who are all multi-instrumentalists and vocalists, is comprised of of Maya de Vitry, Oliver Craven, and Charlie Muench.

The Stray Birds have been flying high since the 2012 release of their critically acclaimed self-titled album. Two years, hundreds of gigs, and thousands of highway miles later, the trio prepares to make its Yep Roc Records debut. Known for their songwriting, instrumental virtuosity and gorgeous harmony singing, their most cohesive and ambitious album to date, Best Medicine, was released in October of 2014. And since, many of the songs on Best Medicine have been refined on stage during various tours and performances.

Hailing from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, all three members of The Stray Birds are classically trained musicians who’ve been making music of all kinds since childhood. As they came together, they would share their original songs with each other, play together at local open mic stages, and busking regularly at Lancaster’s Central Market.

After the success of their debut album, The Stray Birds earned performance slots at prestigious events like the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and legendary venues like Nashville’s famous bluegrass club, The Station Inn. Their steadily increasing popularity led to an appearance on Mountain Stage, where their spellbinding harmonies captivated audiences nationwide and helped to build a dedicated fan base in the UK. Don’t miss this acoustic trio on Saturday, February 13 at the Lyric Theatre.

MICHAEL KAESHAMMER Blenders is happy to announce the return of a Grand Piano Session at the Art Gallery of Swift Current. On Sunday, February 21, Michael Kaeshammer, a gifted singer-songwriter and an incendiary piano player will be here to play a set of original songs that are as playful as they are contagious.

Kaeshammer has an uncanny ability to create a sound that is uniquely his own by blending from his vast expertise of jazz, soul, pop, and R&B influences.

His shows are filled with joy and sharing. He is a showman who shares his experience as performer with his audience, the process of getting to where the performance is going, not just the end result of the music.

Michael Kaeshammer ensures that his shows involve full audience participation. He provides a party, constantly evolving and likely to explode in a wild flurry of joy that’s an undeniable as it is contagious. His performances are an invitation to join the party; he doesn’t play at you, he plays with you.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

Your guide to arts and culture across Southwest Saskatchewan

BLENDERS UPCOMING SEASON JP HOE On Saturday, January 23 the Lyric Theatre is happy to host the performance of folk/pop artist, JP Hoe. JP Hoe is a singer-songwriter who connects with fans of all music genres. Soaring melodies, sharp lyrics, and his rhythm driven songs create a unique yet idly familiar sound.

The Winnipeg native is earnest, wry, ironic, funny and insightful. His material has a genuine homespun feel, filled with catchy hooks; it is very authentic, uncontrived and confessional. He’s played gigs all over the world, connecting with audiences via his soul-on-sleeve lyrics, but also his down-to-earth unpretentious charm.

The six-time, Western Canadian Music Award nominated artist, has a tremendous gift for writing songs. His big, bold, blue-sky voice is captivating and compliments his creative and emotional lyrics. In his album, Mannequin, the singer-songwriter has crafted the kind of compilation that, to borrow a Wilco lyric, tries to break your heart. It is a soaring collection of cinematic epics that can still fascinate you and tend to burn with an intimate intensity.

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

The Stray Birds play February 13th.

“For me the performance is as much about the energy coming off the stage as the energy coming from the audience. It’s about being myself, writing from the heart and showing my love for life. That’s what I want to convey. After the show, people ask me ‘do you really have that much fun?’

And I say ‘you don’t how the half of it. It’s even more exhilarating than it looks’.”

This upbeat and adrenaline-charged performance will be a must see in Swift Current! Be sure to join us at the Art

Michael Kaeshammer

Gallery of Swift Current, note that the performance will not be at the Lyric Theatre, on Sunday, February 21.

STIRCRAZY BLUES CONCERT Two amazing blues acts will be performing at the StirCrazy Blues Concert on Saturday, February 27. The concert will feature Tim Williams and Cécile Doo-Kingué, and will be at the Lyric Theatre. Williams, the 2012 Canadian Guitarist of the year, will capture you with his roots/blues melodies, while Doo-Kingué, an exceptional guitarist and singer-songwriter, will serenade you with her unique blend of blues and afro-roots.

Tim Williams is a Calgary born Blues musician who has travelled the world playing at blues festivals and con-

certs. His music style has been compared to that of Ry Cooder and David Lindley, while his songwriting has won praise from Willie Nelson. The guitarist has been nominated for a JUNO Award three times, has a string of Maple Blues Award nominations and five Betty Mitchell Awards.

When asked what the Blues mean to him, Williams has stated, “The blues makes you return to every memory of sadness and betrayal, of loneliness and joy, in order to invest yourself in the song. When you do that, it helps you conquer the bad memories and celebrate the good ones.”

For Cécile Doo-Kingué, music not only transcends language, but also transcends existence itself. The bilingual artist, based out of Montreal, writes blues-informed songs in both English and French, having spoken both languages while growing up. To her, writing and performing in both official languages demonstrates that music is universal.

Cécile’s bilingual lyrics plainly explore issues of racial and sexual oppression and other social ills. By decrying these injustices in the context of the blues, even topical “from the headlines” references are given a timeless feel, which reminds the listener that, unfortunately, these struggles are nothing new.

“I think that music and all arts really are a way for humans to tap into something beyond our rational mind, beyond our human existence. So there definitely is a spirituality just within art itself,” Doo-Kingué has said. “Music creates an invisible solidarity by everybody who appreciates the same types of music. So whether we realize it or not there is a communion that happens just through that exchange.”

Tim’s live solo shows are a trip down the river of North American music, blues, ragtime, old-time country with dashes of Mexican and Hawaiian influence, performed on a variety of string instruments. While the powerful, sexy and raw, Cécile Doo-Kingué’s lyrics and sound make for an enthralling and intimate relationship. This will surly be a concert you will not want to miss.

For more information about the show or the Blenders Music Series check out our website, www.blendersmusic.ca, or contact Shann Gowan at 306-778-2686, or srgowan@yourlink.ca.

SOUTHWEST BABIES OF 2015!

Show our readers your “pride and joy”.

will be publishing our annual BABY EDITION on

January 18, 2016.

For just

$30.00 per baby

(GST included)

we will print your baby’s picture.

Pictures may be emailed to sales@gulllakeadvance.com or send a clear photo (please, not a printer copy) to Box 628, Gull Lake, Sask. S0N 1A0

Please include the baby’s full name, parent’s name and the birth date of the baby ... also grandparents and siblings if you’d like.

Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope so we may return your photo.

All babies born from January 1 to December 31, 2015 are eligible.

Deadline for submissions is Thursday, January 14, 2016.

THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

A Fresh Start? Art Gallery of Swift

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FARMLEAD

BY B R E N N A N T U R N E R

b.turner@farmlead.com

M

arkets across the board started 2016 a little rough as fresh Chinese manufacturing data from December showed the 10th consecutive month of contraction. Weather in South America continues to improve as dry areas in the northern state of Mato Grosso have received beneficial rains over the past 10 days. Conversely, storms over the last 2 weeks of December in the U.S. Midwest tried to support grain prices, as sections of the Mississippi River were closed and standing water in winter wheat fields likely killed a few fields. However, we ultimately start 2016 fresh but with relatively the same fundamentals that we ended 2016 with: lots of supply.

Case in point, recent polls of analysts have pegged a moderate increase in oil prices in 2016 as production increase from the Middle East continue to push the market into an oversupply situation. Other bearish facts include the U.S. is now official exporting oil and the previously mentioned factor of China slowing down not helping the demand side of the equation, but Iran seemingly losing any friends in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia & Bahrain cutting of ties with them is helping give oil a bit of a premium all the sudden.

On the grain side of things, there’s a lot of questions that will need to be answered in terms of potential production in a few areas, including that of Argentina, where it’s been rumoured record wheat and corn output could be seen, and the Black Sea, where worries over the combination of fluctuating temperatures and snow cover of fall-seeded crops is on the minds/screens of many traders.

On that note, there are limited catalysts to really push commodity values higher in the near-term. That doesn’t mean there’s NO factors out there to watch out for, the most significant being a slowing El Nino effect on veggie oil production in Asia, Eastern European/Black Sea winter crop conditions, & soil moisture conditions in the southern half of North America being too wet and maybe a little to dry in the top half, western Canada included. Also playing into effect are currencies, a theme that would likely continue in this lower price environment.

While you and I can have differing opinions of when and where the markets are going in 2016, the certain fact is that we can expect to see more volatility with weather issues in 2016. That being said (and as we always do), managing risk and limiting exposure to moves against your operation should be a goal and a focus in 2016. Categorically, we still have a few years left in a downturn of the commodity cycle, specifically as it relates to ag prices and credit availability, and as a result, understanding where you sit in different price AND yield scenarios is crucial to your grain marketing plan. While the last half of this decade may not be like the 1980s when it comes to grain prices, there are still opportunities to be better. We’re starting 2016 fresh and every week our goal at FarmLead is to work with producers of every size to be better. Only 51 more weeks to go!

To growth,​Brennan Turner President, FarmLead.com Brennan Turner is originally from Foam Lake, SK, where his family started farming the land in the 1920s. After completing his degree in economics from Yale University and then playing some pro hockey, Mr. Turner spent some time working in finance before starting FarmLead.com, a risk-free, transparent online and now mobile grain marketplace (app available for iOS & Android). His weekly column is a summary of his free, daily market note, the FarmLead Breakfast Brief. He can be reached via email (b.turner@ farmlead.com) or phone (1-855-332-7653).

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Current opens sciencebased show

BY B E T H JA R R E L L

beth@gulllakeadvance.com

R

enowned Moose Jaw artist Diane Lara opened her new exhibit, Ensō, at the Art Gallery of Swift Current on Saturday.

This gallery is the artist’s first time showing in Swift Current, although she has shown galleries across the country and in the United States as well.

Many of her art galleries are science-inspired, dealing with complex issues such as genetics and diseases.

“I think the work of most artists is biographical, and that’s what I was doing, making art that was closest to me,” she said. “Life happens, and things happen in your life that, all of a sudden, people get sick. My grandmother in particular had dementia, and I started to do a lot of research into genetics.”

It’s not as if I know a lot about genetics or anything, I’ve just associated what I’ve read and researched into my own work. I would never say that I know very much about it at all, but it is something that I’m interested in personally, so that comes out in my work.”

While she doesn’t have any background in Science, Lara says everything she has learned about genetics has come from independent research. Enso, she says, is one of the results of long hours of genetic research.

“This project kind of revolved in genetics,” she said. “My work is always visually spoken of genetics and predisposition to disease. I’ve always used circles or spheres as symbols in my work, so this is no different.”

The only difference in this work is I’ve taken actual prints that I’ve made previously that dealt with genetics and Alzheimer’s, and put it into the shape of images of a circle.”

Lara, who has shown exhibits in Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Minnesota, says that Ensō in particular focuses on the art of circles for two different reasons; one science based, the other historical.

“To me, a gene has always been symbolized through a circle, it’s always taken that shape in my head. I’m not sure of the science of what a gene actually looks like, but that’s my interpretation of a gene,” she said.

“As a calligrapher as well, that’s where the inspiration behind this comes from. The Ensō is actually a Japanese circle. Buddhist Monks would make these circles as a meditation, so that interested me, too. All these elements kind of come together in this series of work.”

Lara said that she has been practicing the art of Ensō circles for years before deciding to make this unique exhibit.

“I used to do Ensō circles to practice my calligraphy, so part of my inspiration came from that, where the Zen Buddhists actually believe the circle holds great meaning and that each is different and unique like our fingerprints, or the fingerprint of an artist,” she said.

“Between that and the deconstructed paper of my old prints that I made to talk about Alzheimer’s and dementia and the predisposition to diseases in our bodies, it all came together in this work.”

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The process behind making each piece, Lara says, has been years in the making. Besides making the weaved paper each piece is presented on, each artwork goes through a strict process before being marked as complete.

“This weaved paper I’ve made I lay on my table in a circle, and make rubbings of it with vellum, then rub it with pastel that make these large circles that symbolize the genes in our bodies,” she said.

All pieces are brought out by tones of orange, each a different shade. The story behind the orange pigment in particular, Lara says, transcends multiple continents.

“This orange pigment was given to an artist by his mother after her trip to Roussillon, France, but he never used it, it just sat in his studio,” she said. He gave me the bag, which I used for this project, which I found fitting.”

Ensō V - Oil pastel and Roussillon red ochre pigment on vellum 35” x 23” (2014).

Lara says that while those who view her exhibit online or in paper can find meaning in the pieces, seeing the complete work in person more of a complete experience.

“You kind of have to be there to see the whole picture of it, to get the whole experience of it,” she said. “They move, subtly move with the air currents, which gives it another level of viewing.”

I hope people walk away with a really good feeling of calmness. For me, even, it’s a beautiful space to be in when the work is all up. It all hangs from the ceiling. I hope people walk away with more questions than answers, and maybe it will make them more curious.”

Ensō will be available for viewing at the Art Gallery of Swift Current from January 9 to February 28.

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THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Community Support Grant funding now available CONTRIBUTED

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

A

pplications are available starting January 4 through February 14 and may be picked up at Community Services desk located at City Hall. The application deadline for the 2016/2017 Community Support Grant is February 14 at 4:30 PM. Any non-profit group in Swift Current whose sole purpose is to provide sport, culture or recreational programs may be eligible for funding through this grant. If your community group administers a pro-

gram between April 1, 2016 and March 31, 2017, you could benefit from the Saskatchewan Lotteries Community Grant Program.

Close to seventy Swift Current community groups benefit each year from the Community Support Grant program. This Saskatchewan Lotteries funding allows these sport, culture and recreational groups to offer the residents of Swift Current affordable rates for a wide variety of activities.

Applications are now available and must be submitted by February 14th to be considered for this year’s funding.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

WANTED: Seasonal Equipment Operator The Rural Municipality of Lac Pelletier No. 107 requires an equipment operator for the 2016 season. Applicants must be able to operate a motor grader, scraper, truck, tractor and mower and carry out other duties as designated by the Council. A valid driver’s license is required.

Please apply in writing stating qualifications, experience, references, wages expected, availability and any other relevant particulars by February 4th , 2016 to:

R.M. of Lac Pelletier No. 107 Box 70, Neville, Sask., S0N 1T0 Fax: 306-627-3641 Email: rm107@sasktel.net

Phone: 306-627-3226

1-2c

MissingKoshman

SPIRITUAL GLEANINGS

Reconciliation … Toward a New Relationship

BY J OY S A S S E

www.canadianruralchurch.net

What does the Truth and Reconciliation Commission wish to accomplish?

Bile rose in her throat when anyone mentioned the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. My heart ached for my friend, for she, too, was one of the victims of those terrible times.

Not that she saw herself as a victim, for she was a teacher in an Indian School that had both residential and day-school students. As a teacher, she saw herself giving these children opportunity to improve themselves.

“Reconciliation!” she ranted. “What’s there to be reconciled about? And what are they intending to write into any new curriculum about all the stuff that happened them! Leave well enough alone.”

I revisited the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s website (www.trc.ca/websites/reconciliation ) to see how Justice Murray Sinclair defined “reconciliation”. That’s when I recognized how both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people were victimized by the Canadian Government (and its representatives). “For seven generations” Sinclair says “Aboriginal children were told their lives were not as good as the non-Aboriginals of this country.

Their languages and cultures and were irrelevant … their people and their ancestors were heathens and pagans … uncivilized … they needed to give up that way of life and come to a different way of living…” Furthermore, white children were taught the same thing.

Very few questioned that anything was wrong with that way of thinking.

Through story-telling, the photos and the research, the extent of wrong-doing by the Federal

Government in its attempt to dispose of Canada’s First Nations becomes more apparent.

What is needed is reconciliation, a healing transformation, a revitalizing of relationship between the Aboriginals and the Canadian society. It will take time, but through education so we can get to know who these peoples really are, in our schools and in our communities, we can move beyond the ignorance, the fear and the racism to develop a deeper respect for each other.

Historical Notes from the Canadian Prairies: Starvation and terrible suffering of the prairie Aboriginal and Métis People follow the destroying of the buffalo herds. To find more information about Lakota Chief Sitting Bull’s exile (as an example) see “Walsh: a play by Sharon Pollock” (published 1973) and “A Geography of Blood” by Candace Savage (published 2012).

In 1886 Fr. Lacombe took Blackfoot Chief Crowfoot and two other chiefs to Ottawa, via train, to meet with Government officials. On the final night of the visit Crowfoot was presented with a stack of rifles and ammunition by Government Officials. He astounded his hearers by rejecting them with a magnificent gesture as he said “I do not want these guns you would give me. I did not come here to make war – nor to defend myself, because I am with friends here. I have not even a small knife to defend myself … Keep the guns; we have many guns in our country!” When Fr. Lacombe translated the Chief ’s words into French “his apparent hurt at the gift and the sincerity of his avowal of friendship struck to the hearts of the impressionable audience … they were seized with the strength of his personality.” Fr. Lacombe: the Black-Robe Voyageur by Katherine Hughes (published in 1911)

INVITATION TO TENDER GRAVEL HAULING

The RM of Val Marie No. 17 invites quotes for gravel Loading & Hauling for 2016 year.

Please include: • haul rate ($/yd/mile), • loading rate, • minimum haul distance; • and any surcharges or mobilization charges; • Certificate of Insurance, Commercial General Liability $5,000,000; • Equipment Listing.

Conditions: • Hauling must be completed before July 31, 2016; • WCB Clearance to accompanying all invoices.

Obituaries

Submit tenders to: RM of Val Marie No. 17 Box 59, Val Marie, SK S0N 2T0 Phone: 306-298-2009 Fax: 306-298-2224 E-mail: rm17@sasktel.net

Kris Bernadette Bang

DEADLINE: TENDERS MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE February 9, 2016 @ 12:00 P.M.

K

All tenders will be considered, but not necessarily accepted.

ris Bernadette Bang, of Gull Lake, SK peacefully passed away January 4th, 2016 at Swift Current Hospital at the young age of 51.

Kris is survived by her partner Kevin Irwin, sister Shari Nickel (Ken), brother Kory Logan (Arlene), son Joey Bang (Crystal and Kaelyn), daughter Richelle Bang (Devin and Donovan), a very loved granddaughter Nikita, daughter Kelly Bang (Jerrold), niece Melissa Logan and nephews Rory Nickel (Courtney, Keegan and Khloe), Ryan Nickel (Ashley), Tyler Logan, Tyson Logan and Scott Logan.

Kris was pre-deceased by brother Tony Logan, parents Lillian and Carmen Logan.

Kris was a facetious woman, who seaked all things fun! She had an eye for adventure. In her younger years she enjoyed the farm with her kids, and as the kids got older other numerous outdoor activities were enjoyed. Kris was a social butterfly and a total free spirit!

She had a courageous drive, and fought against all obstacles that came her way.

Kris had an open heart and was very special to all people whose life she was involved in. She was feisty and stubborn but above all things she was life, and she lived hers to the fullest.

“It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in yours years.”

PRODUCTION AND DRILLING EQUIPMENT RENTALS Low Profile Tank Slip Type Elevators

Flare Tanks Light Towers

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riderenergy@sasktel.net • Fax: 306-672-4082

Call 24 Hours 1-888-71-RIDER (7-4337)

THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

Creative Saskatchewan Now Accepting Applications for Intake Grant Programs CONTRIBUTED

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

T

hree times each year, Creative Saskatchewan opens a three-week window to accept applications to its slate of “defined intake” grant programs. The first intake of 2016 opens today and applications will be accepted until January 22. Creative producers working in any of Creative Saskatchewan’s partner industries - music, screen based media, visual arts & fine craft, book publishing, live performing arts, and digital media - are encouraged to apply.

Creative Saskatchewan’s “defined intake” grants, now accepting applications include: Creative Industries Production Grant: This grant supports individuals and businesses as they produce and refine their creative products to ensure improved market readiness. Last year, for example, grant funds went to a millinery that developed and acquired felt specific to a new collection, to several book publishers who produced many of Saskatchewan’s best selling books, and to a theatre producer who created a play scheduled for an overseas festival premiere.

Market & Export Development Grant: This grant supports individuals, industry associations, and business as they work to export and market their creative products. Last year, for example, grant funds went to several musicians who made videos and created websites, to film

producers who screened films in cities across North America, and to an industry association to create a “pop up” art gallery in Arizona.

Business Capacity Grant and Research Grant: These grants are available to creative producers who intend to, amongst other things, enhance a skill set, increase industry capacity and job growth, improve workforce readiness, or conduct market analyses. Last year, for example, grant funds went to a TV production company to create a training program to improve HD mobile truck production skills, to a variety of companies to purchase and receive training on new business management software, and to an industry association to survey the current state of an emerging creative industry in Saskatchewan.

Successful applicants during this intake period will be informed on February 19. They will then have until February 29 to return signed acceptance papers to Creative Saskatchewan in order to receive funding before March 8. If signed acceptance papers are returned after February 29, funding cannot be delivered until after April 4 due to the spring election.

Since inception, Creative Saskatchewan has invested more than $12.5 million in creative producers. For more information on all of Creative Saskatchewan’s grants, and to apply, visit creativesask.ca For more information on all of Creative Saskatchewan’s grants, and to apply, visit www.creativesask.ca

Call for Nominations for the Board of Directors The Innovation Credit Union Corporate Governance/People Committee of the Board is seeking eligible members who may be interested in running for vacant positions on our Board of Directors. The Board meets on a regular basis to set future direction, establish policy and review operations.

The committee encourages those interested in serving on the Board to visit our website at www.innovationcu.ca to review the Director Profile to understand the roles and responsibilities and to access the Nomination/Candidate application. The information is also available at any of our advice centres.

Nominations for the Board of Directors of Innovation Credit Union for District 1 defined as North Battleford, Battleford, Meadow Lake, Buffalo Narrows, Cut Knife, Glaslyn, Hafford, Leoville, Medstead, Meota, Shell Lake, Wilkie, and the business area and District 2 defined as Swift Current, Gravelbourg, Cabri, Eastend, Frontier, Gull Lake, Hodgeville, Lancer, Mankota, Ponteix and the business area will be accepted until 4:00 pm on Friday, January 29, 2016.

Return completed nomination form to: Innovation Credit Union Box 638 North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 2Y7 Attention: Gwen Humphrey, Committee Chairperson or email: laurie.carriere@innovationcu.ca

866.446.7001 / innovationcu.ca

Rural Roots

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

lcfroese@sasktel.net

E

very year I do it.

I select my top five people from the previous 12 months.

Sometimes I throw in a famous name here or there (like the year Barack Obama made the cut). But mostly, they’re just ordinary, amazingly kind and giving folks who live amongst us.

5 – Tara-Leigh Brown-Heslip – I don’t know EXACTLY what it is about this economic development dynamo from Indian Head that has earned her a spot on my list (because there are so many things), but I just love her.

I love the way she moved to a new town, jumped into rural life and was able to rally people in a way that was subtle but stunningly successful. She became the program coordinator for Indian Head’s Main Street Revitalization program and from there she has just set her region on fire. If you ever see something hosted at Indian Head’s refurbished Grand Theatre, chances are Tara will be there and will have had some part in making it happen. Thank you Tara for your infectious community spirit which is humble and understated (as you are), but oh so effective and appreciated (as you are too).

4 – Kym van Staveren – I met this remarkable Griffin, Sask. mother of four while writing a story about international adoptions from the Ukraine.

Kym and her husband Marcel hosted two young orphanage girls from the Ukraine for a summer program in 2014. After falling in love with the girls and having to send them back to their orphanage, the van Staverens decided do the unthinkable and go to the Ukraine to adopt the girls.

It was a heroic act filled with many obstacles and tense moments. But after six weeks, Kym brought her girls home and they joined her two sons to become a loving family of six. Thank you Kym for your incredible act of courage, kindness and love.

3 – Anne Lamott – Okay, here’s one of the famous ones whom I’ve never actually met. She’s a writer from San Francisco and while the two of us probably have very little in common in terms of actual lifestyles, we do have

15

‘words’ which are enough to bond me to her like she is a sister. Anne (whom I’m on a first-name basis with, of course) speaks with such honesty that I sometimes laugh until I cry. Here’s one example, from her latest book Small Victories, that absolutely cracked me up this past Christmas reading season.

It’s about skiing with her teenage son: “Nowadays, he instantly disappears with the hordes of snowboarders. I believe he is somewhat embarrassed to be seen with me: once, standing next to him and his friend at the bottom of a hill, I fell over for no reason. And in fact, the very first time we went skiing together, I skied in a strangely slow, inexorable path for a hundred feet or so, straight into a huge net at the bottom of the slope, erected to protect the small Ski Bear children from being crushed. Then I got tangled up in it, like a fish.”

I could see Anne tied up there in the net, her skis sticking out in directions she could not control, and I laughed so hard I cried. I’ve been caught in that very same net myself. Thank you Anne for the gift of being able to laugh at ourselves.

2 - Crystal Dusyk – This young lady recently started a pharmacy and gift store from scratch in my small town and she is a business force to be reckoned with. But it’s not that, it’s that she spent hours and hours over the Christmas holidays working to provide five local families with the groceries and gifts they’d need to make this Christmas season complete. Thank you Crystal for your business acumen, but mostly, thank you for your generosity.

1 – Wendy Weichel & the Grade 7 Class at Montmartre School – This group worked together to raise over 450 pounds of food for local families.

Often we recognize kids this age for the number of goals they’ve scored, or the grades they’ve gotten (high or low), or the mischief they’ve caused. I’d like to recognize teacher Wendy Weichel and every single one of the Grade 7s for thinking of others.

Who’s on your ‘Five greatest people of 2015 list’? Let them know!

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

Lowest Unemployment Rate in Canada CONTRIBUTED

editor@gulllakeadvance.com

I

n December 2015, Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate was 5.5 per cent (seasonally adjusted), the lowest rate among provinces and well below the national average of 7.1 per cent.

Saskatchewan has maintained the lowest unemployment rate in Canada for 26 of the last 27 months.

“Despite the economic challenges caused by low oil prices, Saskatchewan had the lowest average unemployment rate in the country in 2015,” Immigration, Jobs, Skills and Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Having the lowest unemployment rate in the country and the creation of full-time jobs is proof that our economy remains resilient.”

December 2015 highlights include:

• There were 570,900 people employed. Full-time employment increased by 1,500 and part-time decreased by 2,500.

• Regina’s employment was up 1,700 (+1.2 per cent), and Saskatoon’s employment was up 300 (0.2 per cent) compared to December 2014.

• Major year-over-year gains were reported for health care and social assistance up 4,300; information, culture and recreation up 3,500; trade up 1,800.

2015 year-end highlights include: • Record number of people employed in 2015 (573,700).

• Lowest annual unemployment rate in Canada at 5.0 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in 2015, compared to 6.9 per cent nationally.

• • Private sector jobs up by 5,300 (1.6 per cent).

16

THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

YOUR SOUTHWEST CLASSIFIEDS & SERVICE DIRECTORY Proudly sponsored by Your FAMILY Ford Dealer ... Cypress Motors Ltd.

SWIFT CURRENT 1-888-875-8188 MAPLE CREEK 1-877-662-2617 OR GO TO WWW.CYPRESSMOTORS.COM CARD OF THANKS The Gull Lake Special Care Home Auxiliary Ladies would like to send out a huge thank you for everyone’s support in making this years Pie & Coffee Social such a success. With it being such a nice day we had a great attendance and great ticket sales. This years winners are as follows: Quilt - Marie Hanson, Christmas Centrepiece Laurie Lloyd, $75 AG gift certificates - Bob Francis & Julie Collier.

COMING EVENTS Piapot Lion’s 17th annual Antiques & Collectibles Show & Sale, Saturday, January 30, 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday, January 31, 10 am - 3 pm. Call 306558-4802 for more information. 2-3c FOR RENT Large 1 bedroom house, 2 bedroom house and 3 bedroom house for rent in Shaunavon.

Non-smoking only. Call 306-691-2665. tn GULL LAKE HOUSING (Price & Kings Manor) has suites for rent. All one bedroom. No smoking. No pets. Regular housing $860/month.

Senior housing has different rates. Call 306672-8058. tn ROYAL LePAGE FORMULA 1 has rental apartments available in Gull Lake. For further details go to www.swiftcurrentsask.ca, call 306773-7527 or email f1@ swiftcurrentsask.ca. We are also on kijiji tn LOST Men’s tan-coloured insulated gloves. Left hand has one finger covered in grey duct tape. Contact Zene Downey 306672-4277.

REAL ESTATE PROPERTY FOR SALE in Gull Lake. 2 - 50’ Lots.

Older house that needs work. South facing. Very nice location. Suitable site for building, rental property or new home.

Will take offers. Estate sale. 306-672-3809 or 306-421-3329. 2-4p SERVICES Twisted Wind RV & Mini Storage. Units are 10’ x 15’ and rent $80/month or $840/year plus GST. Call 306-297-9382 and ask for Megan. tn

Main lines Secondary lines Toilets Urinals SEWER-DRAIN Tubs SERVICE Sinks Floor Drains Showers Office: 306-750-1983 Roof Vents Commercial & Residential Sewer Camera City & Rural Service

Southwest Waste Management Authority

invites applications for a full time and or part time Waste Management Technician at the regional landfill.

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Must have a valid driver’s licence and be able to work rotational weekends. For more info call 306-297-4020.

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The Rural Municipality of White Valley No. 49 invites applications for the Full Time Seasonal positions of UTILITY OPERATOR.

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Applicants must hold a valid driver’s license and have a vehicle capable of towing the municipal trailer and hauling supplies, as required. Applicants must possess or be prepared to obtain Power Mobile Equipment (PME), WHMIS, TDG and Ground Disturbance and the Industrial Vegetation Courses; the RM will absorb the cost of obtaining any or all of these courses, as required.

Applications stating experience, expected salary and references may be submitted to the Municipal Office by 4:00 pm on January 13th, 2016, by mail, Fax or Email to: R. M. of White Valley No. 49 Box 520, Eastend, Sask. SON OTO Phone: (306) 295-3553 Fax: (306) 295-3571 Email: rm49@sasktel.net

Council thanks all applicants for their interest, however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

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ORDER

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18

THE ADVANCE

| YOUR SOUTHWEST COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

|

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

Anna Caton

Our People | Our Heritage

1889 - 1986 A Formal portrait of Caswell children posed with their mother. Kathleen is to the left of the photo, Emma in the centre, Stephen to the right with Anna standing behind her mother. Stephen also came to Robsart (after WW1) where he lived until his death in 1925, following surgery due to a war related issue. Kathleen (nicknamed Uken), who had shares in the Bull/Caswell venture until the agreement was dissolved, also settled in Robsart where she was postmistress for a time.

She married David Fidlar and the couple eventually moved to Regina where they raised their family. Photographer unknown, photo courtesy of Jay and Maureen Anderson.

BY D O N N Y W H I T E

donnywhite@sasktel.net

A

nna Caton died April 26, 1986 in Maple Creek leaving behind a legacy of memories that span almost a century. The story of her life reads like a novel – one filled with adversity, adventure and triumph. She once commented in an audio recording, “I was before my time really” - an understatement at best. The following is but a glimpse into the life of this intriguing woman, who really was “before her time” and how she became part of our southwest heritage.

Born May 17, 1889 to Emma Talbot and Stephen Caswell of Qu’Appelle Northwest Territories, Anna Sarah was the oldest of six children, three of whom survived to adulthood. Descended from distinguished ancestors on both sides of her family, Anna’s early childhood was rather idyllic. Her father was a well-known and successful businessman - her mother was described as sparkling, refreshing and full of fun. Anna’s maternal grandmother Anna Talbot, widowed in 1889 with six young daughters still at home, lived next to the Caswells. Grandfather James Caswell also lived in Qu’Appelle and eventually joined the household. This extended family provided additional support and entertainment to young Anna and her siblings, Stephen Jr., and Kathleen in their formative years.

Tragedy struck the Caswell household when Anna’s father, Stephen contracted tuberculosis. Anna’s mother, Emma nursed her husband through the various stages of the disease until his death on September 25, 1902. This was a huge blow to Emma and her three children, but surrounded by extended family they persevered. Anna’s life changed with the death of her father. She was sent east to Oshawa to attend a private girl’s school – a custom not uncommon for families of substance. To leave the comfort of a large doting family and travel half-way across the country to a new school must have been daunting. We know little of her time in the east, other than she excelled at her studies winning the Governor General’s medal in mathematics.

A second blow came to the Caswell children in 1907 when Anna’s mother re-married to Archbishop Malcom Taylor MacAdam Harding. The carefree life her mother created for the children, especially following the death of their father changed – they now had to share their beloved mother. Their step-father, raised in Victorian England and

Bill and Anna Caton in later years – note the cigarette in Anna’s hand. Anna’s smoking became part of her persona as she smoked incessantly throughout her adult life - almost every grandchild has a story in this regard, often combined with her bridge playing. Photographer unknown, photo courtesy of Jay and Maureen Anderson.

a leader in the Anglican Church, followed the protocols and behaviours required of a man of his position – his step-children resented him. Anna now eighteen felt her mother had “very foolishly married” and left home to spend time with relatives in California. Here she studied music (piano) and art eventually returning to Regina where she continued her studies in music under Eva Faire in Regina.

Anna once stated her father had “made a lot of money” and he left it to his three children – this provided options not readily available to most women of her time. In 1913 Anna’s music teacher announced she was going to Germany to further her music studies and suggested Anna join her in this regard. Never comfortable with her step-father or “Old Bish” as she called him and

until his brother Joe in Maple Creek could send him money for the fare to Canada. The two brothers homesteaded south of Maple Creek, eventually purchasing the former Myles Bolton Ranch from Thomas Drury in 1913. This adventuresome young man appealed to Anna’s bohemian spirit and the couple were married January 11, 1916.

Following their marriage, Anna & Harold took up ranching south of Robsart on the Foxtail Springs Ranch. Anna designed a large two-story frame house that could be seen for miles. Harold managed the two ranches (Bolton & Foxtail) while his brother Joe found employment in Maple Creek. In June 1917, Anna returned to her mother’s home in Regina where she gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth Anne. Anna’s step- sisters were excited whenever she or Kathleen

Anna (third from the left behind the dessert tray) at a tea party in Winnipeg – notice the formal table setting, tea pouring, dessert tray laden with dainties and the ladies doing needlework & socializing. Photographer unknown, photo courtesy of Jim Saville via Jay & Maureen Anderson.

being financially secure, Anna seized upon the opportunity. The two women lived in Berlin for over a year. Between studies, they attended the opera, concerts and travelled the countryside – spending Easter in Rome.

Anna studied music, art (both ancient & contemporary) and history. However by early summer 1914, war was looming and their German landlady suggested they leave for Canada.

Returning home just prior to war, Anna discovered her sister Kathleen was not well, the family feared she suffered from the same disease that took her father. Anna suggested taking Kathleen to visit their youngest aunt, Edna Talbot who was teaching at a school south of Maple Creek (Cypress School). It was during this visit she met Harold Bull, a young Englishman who had come to Maple Creek in the late 1890s, after he had skipped ship in San Francisco and hid in a brothel

came to have their babies. “They would arrive, stay for a day or two and then go to the Cottage Hospital to have their babies.” A cousin Phyllis Miller stated in a memoir that Anna “was a pretty woman even during her pregnancy, gay and lively like her mother”.

Within a year tragedy again strikes when Harold Bull, on a cattle trip to Chicago in 1918 contracted the Spanish Influenza and dies. Anna returned to Regina and Qu’Appelle - her cousin Phyllis commented she was “a good musician, she contributed to our children’s Christmas fun and merriment, bearing her own heaviness of heart”. Following Harold’s death, a partnership was forged between Anna, her sister Kathleen and Joe Bull to operate the two ranches.

However, on November 9, 1919 Anna married well-known cowboy and neighbour of the Bulls, William Caton. The Caswell/ Bull partnership was dissolved with Anna

COPYRIGHT © DONNY WHITE 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

retaining the south ranch and Joe Bull the north - a short time later Caton’s purchase the Bolton Ranch, again operating the two places as one. The couple move to the north ranch around 1921 with their new daughter Margaret Kathleen, who was born on the Foxtail Ranch in July of 1920.

For almost 30 years Bill and Anna operated the ranch and although experiencing some difficulties during the thirties they endured and expanded to include the Bacon Ranch in 1947 and the formation of the Caton Cattle Company. A son John (Jack) William was born in 1922 in Robsart and a daughter Ann Talbot (Saville) in Regina in 1923. Sadly, in 1936, their daughter Margaret (Peggy) died from rheumatic fever.

Undaunted, Anna turned her attention to designing a new house on the north ranch - in 1938 the large home on the Foxtail Ranch was dismantled and the lumber used in the new one. In December 1938 Anna’s mother passed away from a lingering illness – another blow for Anna. During these difficult years Anna continued to pursue her love of music through teaching music, producing musicals in nearby Robsart and playing in orchestras – sometimes if a piano were lacking, they transported Anna’s to the dance venue.

In 1948 Caton’s retired from the ranch and moved to Maple Creek. An obsessive bridge player, a voracious reader and an incessant smoker, Anna was now in her element and immersed herself in the community. The Caton’s purchased a cottage in Cypress Hills Park in 1953 where Anna spent the summers. Here she received many of her family and friends and taught most of her grandchildren to play bridge – a lasting legacy with many of them. Before William’s death in 1961, the couple embarked on a world cruise – the last major adventure of Anna’s life. She made her home on the ranch with daughter Ann and family from 1976 to 1984, when she moved to the Lodge in Maple Creek where she passed away on April 26, 1986. In later years when asked about her early life, she remarked, “I don’t think I was afraid of anything quite truthfully” – a lasting epitaph for this amazing lady.

I would like to thank Jim Saville, Bill Caton and most of all the Anderson families for the information/assistance with this article – in particular, Maureen Anderson, whose experience, interest and passion for the family’s genealogy made the difference.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

BRONCOBITS The Advance | Sports

assists in 39 games this season. Leth played 159 games as a Bronco scoring 15 goals and adding 15 assists and 127 penalty minutes.

Sahvan Khaira is a 17 year old defenseman from Surrey, BC. In 77 games over 2 seasons, Khaira has 1 goal, 7 assists and 72 penlaty minutes. Khaira is 6’3.5 and 218 pounds. Khaira was selected in the 9th round of the 2013 WHL bantam draft.

percentage and a 3.12 goals against average. This year Bow has appeared in 30 games, with a 3.09 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.

Last year, Bow broke Bronco records for single season saves with 1,925 and single season shut outs with 7.

20 year old Calgary native Jamal Watson comes to Swift Current after stints in Lethbridge and Seattle. Watson has 6 goals, 8 assists and 25 penalty minutes in 29 games this season

THANK YOU SHELDON There are three Broncos who fans recognize on a first name basis.

Joe, Tiger … and Sheldon.

This past Sunday, Sheldon Kennedy was honoured with a WHL 50th Season Achievement award prior to the face-off vs The Moose Jaw Warriors.

The first 1000 fans in attendance got brand new Bronco rally towels.

The game was televised on Rogers Sportsnet as part of Hometown Hockey which was held in Swift Current this weekend.

Kennedy was in town to speak at The United Way’s Fundraising Breakfast, and to host a special screening of the documentary Swift Current. Sheldon was also launching the new Safe Places Program in Swift Current and Youth Ceritifcation Intiative.

BRONCOS TRADE LETH TO SEATTLE

The Swift Current Broncos have traded 19 year old forward Cavin Leth to the Seattle Thunderbirds. Swift Current receives 17 year old defenseman Sahvan Khaira.

Leth was acquired by Swift Current in the 2nd round of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. The 6’ 180 pound native of Taber, Alberta has 6 goals and 7

LANDON BOW TRADED TO SEATTLE

The Swift Current Broncos have completed another trade with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Landon Bow is heading to The Emerald City in exchange for 20 year old forward Jamal Watson, 18 year old goaltender Taz Burman and a conditional 2nd round WHL Bantam Draft pick.

Bow has played 137 games as a Bronco over 4 seasons sporting a .908 save

with the T-Birds. In his career he has 75 goals, 87 assists and 194 penalty minutes in 299 games.

1997 born goalie Taz Burman has appeared in 16 games for Seattle this year. He has a .877 save percentage and a 3.20 goals against average. Coincidentally, Seattle acquired Burman in an off-season deal with Red Deer for current Bronco Lane Pederson.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2016

Skate With the BRONCOS

Tuesday, January 19th, 2016 at the Gull Lake Recreation Complex

featuring

• Broncos Practice from 4-5 PM • Family Skate with the Team 5-6 PM • Supper served by the Gull Lake School from 5:30-7:00 PM There will also be a raffle for a signed Broncos’ jersey!

All proceeds from the meal and jersey will be going to the Gull Lake School track-and-field fundraiser.

This event is proudly sponsored

by Winquist Ventures Ltd.