Meridian Source - February 23, 2023

Winterfest spreads throughout Lloyd

A bit of cold weather didn’t stop hundreds of Lloydminster and area residents and their families from enjoying a day of fun-filled winter activities.

The City of Lloydminster was pleased to bring back a full-scale Winterfest on Family Day Monday as five City facilities hosted indoor and outdoor winterthemed events and activities.

The Servus Sports Centre, Lloydminster

Museum and Archives, Bud Miller All Seasons Park, Lloydminster Golf and Curling Centre and the Bioclean Aquatic Centre were packed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday. Indoor activities ranged from bouncy houses and art activities to trying a new winter sport such as curling or playing some shinny hockey.

Outdoor activities included snowshoeing, sledding, horse-drawn wagon rides and a skating party with a DJ on the pond at Bud Miller.

“We had a tremendous turnout today,” said Sandra Brown, recreation coordinator, City of Lloydminster. “Kids of all ages, adults and seniors have come out, and it’s been steady since 9:30 this morning.”

With events taking place at five City of Lloydminster facilities, Brown had her work cut out for her on Monday, but thanks to the support of local sponsors, everything went off without a hitch.

“This year’s present -

ing sponsor is L&A CPA LLP and they’ve been the sponsor of Winterfest for two years now,” said Brown.

“We also have roughly a dozen or so other sponsors lending us a hand, and without their support, there’s no way we could have done an event this big. With five facilities, that’s a lot of coordination.”

Brown also wanted to thank the countless volunteers from various local organizations and sports teams for making the day such a success.

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos

Indoor and outdoor Winterfest activities took over five City of Lloydminster facilities on Family Day Monday as members of the community embraced the cold and all things winter.

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

City opens skating trail in Parkview

The City of Lloydminster has opened a skateable ice path as part of a pilot project to create new outdoor winter recreation opportunities for local families.

The 750-metre frozen route is located in an open green space on 35 Street and 69 Ave., south of Holy Rosary High School in the

Parkview neighbourhood. The path is open to the public and will remain open as long as weather permits.

“After some time in building the ice surface, we’re excited to welcome the community in trying out this new winding and natural feeling skating trail,” said Jordan Newton, senior manager, parks and green spaces.

“This is a new feature and a bit of an experiment for the City, so we’re encouraging users to exercise due caution. The path is intended for slow, leisurely skating, and we encourage everyone to wear helmets.” Sticks and pucks are not permitted. There is no lighting at the site. Personal lighting is recommended for afterdark use.

Lloyd RCMP hosting town hall

Want to have your say regarding policing priorities for the City of Lloydminster? Have a question for a police officer? Now is your opportunity to discuss community matters with the Lloydminster RCMP in person.

The Lloydminster RCMP invites all community members to a town hall meeting on Wednesday, March 1,

from 7-9 p.m. at the OTS Room of the Servus Sports Centre, 5202 12 Street in Lloydminster.

During this informal event, S/Sgt. Brian Nicholl will seek input from residents on policing priorities for the next year, as well as discuss the process by which the Lloyd RCMP chooses these priorities.

The public is encouraged to bring forward any policing questions or concerns they may

have that are important to the safety of our community. There will be representatives present from various units within the Lloyd RCMP. Your feedback will assist the Lloydminster RCMP with ongoing planning of community policing priorities in the City of Lloydminster. The Lloydminster RCMP hopes to see you there to share ideas on how to keep our community safe.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

Supplied Photo

Battle of Badges supports community needs

been able to do this kind of socializing outside of our jobs because of COVID and stuff, so it’s fun to get out and relax, and we’re not responding as a group, this is a fun little game.”

Aside from the obvious fun, Johnson noted the importance of supporting the organizations being helped out on Saturday, particularly Project Sunrise.

After a four-year hiatus, the Todd Gustavson ‘Battle of the Badges’ Memorial Hockey Game returned to the Centennial Civic Centre on Saturday to benefit a few local non-profits as members of the Lloydminster RCMP faced off against the Lloydminster Fire Department (LFD).

The Battle of the Badges first took place seven years ago to honour the memory of longtime Lloydminster Fire Chief, Todd Gustavson, who passed away in April 2015 at 53. Gustavson was born and raised in the Border City and dedicated his life to the Lloydminster Fire Department from age 16 and served the community until his passing.

This year’s charity game was in support of The Olive Tree and Salvation Army food banks,

and monetary donations were being collected to support the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation’s (LRHF) mental health initiative, Project Sunrise.

The Lloydminster RCMP was supporting the Olive Tree and items in need included canned fruit, apple sauces, school snack packs, pasta sauce, pancake mix, syrup, jam, canned meat, nut-free granola bars and crackers.

The Lloydminster Fire Department was supporting the Salvation Army and items in need included canned meat, canned fruit, canned soup, instant oatmeal (individual packets), boxed potatoes and sidekicks.

“It’s good to be back, especially playing alongside our fire team, and regional partners are coming to help us out, too,” said the LFD’s Curtis Johnson. “We haven’t

“The Lloydminster Fire Department is playing for the Salvation Army for our food donations as well as funding for Project Sunrise,” he said. “We’re doing a big push in our fire department when it comes to mental health, and Project Sunrise is an awesome program the LRHF brought in. That ties in with everything we’re doing in our department, as well as the bigger issues out there in the world today.”

Johnson also noted Saturday’s crowd made the game that much

more exciting.

“The crowds today are awesome,” he said.

“When we put this all together we weren’t sure what the crowds would be like. Constable (Kelsey) Davidge from the Lloyd RCMP put in a lot of work to make this game a reality, but it also wouldn’t have been made possible without the support of the community and our families.

“We’re super proud and super happy with how everything went today.”

As a student resource officer and RCMP member in our community, Const. Davidge knows the immeasurable importance of non-profits such as the ones being supported on Saturday.

“All of these agencies in Lloydminster, we all need to support each other, so us hosting this event and working with all of those community partners is really the goal for us tonight,” she said. “We’re very happy

with the turnout and we’d like to thank everybody who came out to this event to show their

community support, as well as showing support to our first responders.

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Mayor Gerald Aalbers helps LFD firefighter Maverick Hann and Const. Grant Kirzinger of the Lloydminster RCMP with the ceremonial puck drop on Saturday evening.

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Taylor Weaver Photo

Kicksleds a hit at Rendell Carnaval

“Very very fun,” is how a first-time-sledder named Alora in Grade 4 described her turn with it.

thing if we could come out” said Welch.

“Everybody really likes it.”

A Grade 5 student named Bauer liked the sledding, too, but admitted his favourite activity of the day was curling since his grandparents were

helping out.

The youngster could also recite some knowledge about the authentic Carnaval noting it’s hosted in Quebec and there’s lots of things you can do there.

His favourite French Carnaval activity was savouring la tire.

C’est la vie. That’s what kids at Rendell Park School are saying during this week’s break about their winter Carnaval held on Friday to celebrate French culture.

Carnaval is modelled after the Quebec winter Carnaval with some French words thrown into the mix of activities for students to learn.

“It’s to bring the culture into the classroom so they can hear a little bit of French-speaking and play some of the games they have in the Quebec Carnaval,” said K-3 French teacher Erin Stark.

The fun kicked off with an opening ceremony in the gym where students sang the popular song Frère Jacque with beloved Carnaval mascot Bonhomme on hand.

Stark was one of the many organizers of the event and was eager to translate any of the Carnaval terminologies.

“They have la tire which is maple syrup on a stick rolled in snow, chocolat chaud (hot chocolate) and que de castor (beaver tails) explained Stark with the Carnaval underway.

The popular new activity was kicksledding for one or two people.

“I was pushing most of the time, but riding was really, really fun,” she said.

Some of the sleds and instruction were provided by volunteers like Jim Mcardle and Dave Welch, who were having a blast with the kids.

“I just started this kicksledding a couple of weeks ago and my daughter works here at the school. She was saying it would be a good

“We’re happy to be able to put this event on, and we’d like to thank the City of Lloydminster, the Centennial Civic Centre, as well as the Bobcats for helping us out with this.”

Stephanie Munro, LRHF CEO, said her heart was full as she was extremely grateful for the continued support the foundation receives from the community.

“Because of you, our loyal community and donors, we are able to provide necessary enhancements when needed to a vast array of areas, including acute

care, community programming, long-term care and mental health resources,” she said.

“We will continue to raise awareness and advocate for each of you so that Lloydminster and the region may have the most accessible healthcare available. Healthcare is something we will all need at some point in our lives, for many at an unexpected time, and we appreciate healthcare remains topof-mind for so many and commit to continue making the most efficient use of our donor’s dollars.”

BOTB FROM PAGE 3

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Kicksledding was a popular new activity for Rendell Park Elementary School students during the school’s winter Carnaval on Friday to celebrate French culture.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

It’s to bring the culture into the classroom so they can hear a little bit of French-speaking and play some of the games they have in the Quebec Carnaval.

St. Joe’s celebrates 40 years of educating

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

It was cause for celebration as St. Joseph Elementary School celebrated 40 years of Catholic education in Lloydminster with a winter carnival and a visit from the school’s opening principal last Thursday.

St. Joe’s first opened in 1982 under the direction of long-time Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) educator Dale Howland.

Howland served as principal for 19 years before being asked to open St. Mary’s Elementary School in 2001. In 2008, Howland was asked to open a career centre at Holy Rosary High School and retired this past June.

After 44 years as an educator, 40 of which with the LCSD, Howland was beaming as he returned to his old post to visit staff and students with the school’s current principal, Nicole Blais.

“It brought back such memories,” said Howland on Thursday.

“I was very privileged to have spent 19 years here as their principal. We opened the doors with Kindergarten to Grade 6 and had 78 students at the time, it was very small, and there wasn’t even a road in front of the school.

“Coming back here and seeing some of the old pictures and meeting some of my fellow teachers has been amazing,” he added.

“Also, four of the students I taught when I was principal here are now teachers here at St. Joe’s, which is just amazing.”

As the City of Lloydminster grew, so did the LCSD, and St. Joe’s went from a population of 78 students to its current 287.

Currently in her first year as principal at St. Joe’s, Blais thought a winter carnival was a great way to celebrate the milestone.

“This is our 40th anniversary, so we wanted to celebrate with something the kids could be interactive with and have fun, so

we decided to do a winter carnival,” she said.

“The kids get to move throughout the stations, will get a cookie and hot chocolate inside, they have bannock around the fire as well as some street hockey, sledding, and Indigenous games to keep them busy.”

Blais also noted the students were really looking forward to the day’s celebration, which began with a prayer chain.

“We had a prayer chain this morning with father Arun Rodriquez and we prayed together as a group, but this afternoon is all about fun,” she said.

“They’re super excited

to be outside. The weather is beautiful, it couldn’t have been a better day for this, so they’re excited to share in the festivities.”

For Blais, it was also nice to have former St. Joe’s staff visiting throughout the day.

“It’s great to have Dale here today, and we have multiple principals come from the past and it’s great to have them all together,” she said.

“It’s neat for him to share stories with us about how it’s changed and grown over the 40 years, as well as how much our community has grown.”

For Howland, the stroll down memory

lane was one he won’t soon forget.

“I’ve been very blessed to have spent 40 years working with the LCSD,” he said. “I look back and it’s just wonderful. I look back with great and special memories. I’ve met a lot of great people, met a lot of great parents, school board members, and central office personnel … I have nothing but positive things to say about the LCSD, but also, the LPSD is also a great school division in itself.

“We are truly blessed in Lloydminster to have two outstanding school divisions with great personnel, great teachers, and great students.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source St. Joseph Elementary School principal Nicole Blais (left) was all smiles last week as the school celebrated 40 years of educating with a winter carnival and a visit from Dale Howland, who opened the school as principal and spent 19 years in the role.

Kind words matter at Barr Colony

If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

That adage describes the gist of a Kind Words Matter project Barr Colony School students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 6 will carry into March.

“We got a Kindness Wins grant and we’re going to be focusing on Kind Words Matter,”

said vice-principal Pam Mather.

Beyond Borders Circle of Change provides a $200 grant to both school divisions from proceeds from the sale of Kindness Wins merchandise at Lloydminster and District Co-op locations for projects that benefit the community.

“Our focus for our students will be sharing kind words with oth -

ers,” explained Mather.

The project kicked off on Pink Shirt Day celebrated at Saskatchewan schools on Feb. 15 to encourage everyone to stand up for kindness, inclusion and respect and put an end to bullying.

“You just kind of have to say nice things, give compliments and stuff like that,” said Grade 5 student Noelle Jepson.

She practices that by

saying things to others at school like “I like your shirt” and “You’re really kind,” and “You’re sweet.”

Jepson says it’s also pretty heartwarming to be on the receiving end of complimentary comments.

The emphasis of Kind Words Matters though will be class projects with older students working with the pre-k youngsters to help them make and design cards bearing kind words to give to others.

Other classes will be sharing things like kind words on sticky notes and decorating the hallways with kindness posters and the like.

“Classes will pair up with either other classes or some of our neighbours in our community to share kindness,” said Mathers with the recipients to be left up to students to decide.

Some classes are also pairing up with community partners to spread even more kind words.

“We talk about kind words mattering because we try using kinds words to ourselves as well as being kind and gentle with other people,” stressed Mather.

She says kindness does have an impact on students.

“Talking about kindness and kind words and that kind words matter is important for kids especially nowadays when they have social media,” she said.

Mather notes not all the words they read on social media are polite or kind.

“If we can use kind words to lift up others around us it makes our classrooms, our school and our community a better place,” she said. Using kind words is top of mind for Grade 6 student Jazmyn Fair.

“It can actually make you feel pretty good about yourself too because you are making someone else feel happy,” she said.

She also tries to practise what she preaches.

“I try to say hi to lots of people in the hallway and ask people how their day was,” she said.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Geoff Lee Photo

Local model makes Fashion Week debut

When trying to make it big in the world of professional modelling, putting yourself out there is where it all begins.

That was a big takeaway for 20-year-old Border City-based model Maiah Wiens, who recently returned from New York City to make her Fashion Week debut from Feb. 10-13. Wiens, also known as Maiah Rose on her Facebook business

page, has lived in Lloydminster since she was eight and spent several years as a performance assistant and instructor at Fame Dance Studios.

As she got older, Wiens took a greater interest in modelling, with her recent trip to walk in New York Fashion Week being a step in that direction.

“Fashion Week was awesome and it’s something I’ve wanted for a really long time and it was amazing to see all of the designers. There were designers from all over the world, including Tokyo, which is where some of the designers I walked for were from,” she said.

“It was really nice to see people come from all over the world that all love the same thing, which is fashion. Being at such a big event, it was awesome to see the passion there.”

Wiens has modelled in Canada before, but the scale at which it’s done in New York City

was eye-opening to her.

“In Canada, I would say there are some shows that are pretty well done, but it’s definitely a whole other level in New York,” she said. “Especially the people that come to watch and participate, I feel they’re much more passionate, and I feel there’s much more passion for fashion in New York.

“There’s a larger community in New York and people are willing to invest in these kinds of shows.”

For Wiens, the sky is the limit when it comes to modelling, and she reiterated the importance of applying yourself and putting yourself out there.

“I guess I already knew, but this really solidified it, for me, I learned exposure goes a long way,” she said.

“Putting yourself out there is always what you need to be doing, especially for this particular career I’m going for.

“I was published on Elle Italia’s website as well as Harper’s Bazaar, which is crazy, but it really showed me, to be able to get those things, I need to work hard. Hard work pays off.”

Growing up as a dancer and model, Wiens also took the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere at much as possible while in New York.

“I did also get a chance to sit in the audience and watch some shows as well, which is something I really, really enjoy, especially as a dancer and model growing up,” she said. “I love to see production and how designers will put on a show and present themselves … that was something I really enjoyed.”

Supplied Photos

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

New to Canada? Doing your taxes could put money into your pocket

As a newcomer to Canada, there’s a lot to figure out and get used to.

Doing your taxes is an important step. It gets

you access to benefit and credit payments to help make rent, pay for childcare or have a little extra for activities.

For instance, if you are single, you could be

eligible for up to $467 a year through a quarterly payment called the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit. If you have a family, you could be eli-

gible for more.

Depending on your immigration status, and if you have children, you may be eligible for the monthly Canada child benefit.

This may entitle you to receive up to $6,997 a year for each child under six and up to $5,903 a year for each child aged six to 17.

You could also get support if you have a disability or support a family member with a disability.

Here’s what you need to know to get the money:

- As a newcomer to Canada, you will need to apply for a social insurance number (SIN) with Service Canada.

- Apply for benefits and credits as soon

as you get your social insurance number.

- You can apply to get the Canada child benefit, the GST/HST credit, and any related federal, provincial and territorial programs.

- You may also be eligible to apply for the one-time top-up to the Canada housing benefit, or the new Canada dental benefit if you have children under age 12.

To continue to receive benefits and credits, you and your spouse or common-law partner need to do your taxes every year, even if you have little or no income. The deadline is April 30. Because April 30 is a Sunday this year, you’ll have until May 1. Doing your taxes will also allow you to claim a refund or let you know if you have to pay tax.

Yoga is kids’ stuff at Barr Colony

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Some eager pre-kindergarten students at Barr Colony School have mastered the frog pose in a simplified version of yoga.

Instruction was provided by Shauna Weinkauf who runs Gemini Soul Wellness. She kid-tested basic poses with her own triplet sons, who she says can be quite chaotic.

“At home, we do these exercises quite often and they want to share them with their friends,” said Weinkauf with yoga mats set up in the school’s gym last Wednesday.

“Sometimes they will do it on their own when they need to calm themselves down if they’re feeling really anxious.”

Her boys just happen to be taught by Meagan Smith, who invited Weinkauf to work her calming magic on her pre-k class.

“The purpose is to

move our bodies in new ways, have fun and keep active,” explained Smith.

I focus on healing and energy work connecting people with their body and their soul, so things like Reiki, meditation and coming to schools and doing yoga like this.

“Most of the kids have never done yoga, so it’s fun for everybody.”

Weinkauf says yoga gets the kids interactive and moving their bodies in different ways they don’t normally move.

“It kind of connects them with different feelings and doing some different breath -

ing things to help regulate their emotions, so if they get anxious, they can use these fun tools to calm down their bodies,’ she said.

“It helps the kids, it helps the teachers it helps the parents, it helps everybody.”

Smith says this was the first time for yoga lessons at Barr, but it likely won’t be the last as she is thinking of introducing it to other classes and staff, too.

She says yoga is great for all ages from three years-old up to 90-years-old.

“It’s something focusing on your body and having words associated with movements and having breathing strategies,” said Smith.

“It’s something that’s really helpful for kids in the classroom, so it’s great.”

Yoga is one of the wellness services Weinkauf provides for women at her Gemini studio space at Oceanic Hair Design downtown.

“I focus on healing and energy work connecting people with their body and their

soul, so things like Reiki, meditation and coming to schools and doing yoga like this,”

she said.

“So, all sorts of energetic, soul, body and mind wellness.”

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Shauna Weinkauf, owner of Gemini Soul Wellness, teaches Pre-Kindergarten kids at Barr Colony School some fun yoga poses last Wednesday.

Thursday, February 23, 2023

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Viewpoint

Leeway from Lloyd: Quick fix comes in TV meds

smile as their kids look on.

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I almost wish I had diabetes, sciatica or even arthritis, based on the evidence of transformative “cures” on TV medication commercials. I do have a sore foot, though.

Inevitably, the opening scenes feature an inflicted person usually grimacing just sitting down or holding one part of their body that supposedly hurts with exaggerated mannerisms.

Then after one tablet or treatment, they are captured on video skydiving, mountain climbing, snorkelling or running a marathon with a

I don’t know about you, but I ran six marathons and I wasn’t smiling until it was over. I would like to know if anyone with these actual ailments depicted by ad characters ever did any of those activities before they were diagnosed. If not, it’s highly unlikely they can morph into a superhuman by taking their meds.

The hilarious part of these commercials is all the wacky names for these prescriptions that creative types come up with it to peddle this stuff.

The list includes a few of my pretend meds

Letter to the editor ...

Arecent Canadian Press article reports the Alberta Government is contemplating tax breaks for oil and gas companies to encourage the clean-up of wells that are not producing.

The game is given away in the opening sentence where it points out that well clean-up is a legal obligation of the companies, which they took on when they were granted their lease.

We should not be surprised

to take including Coronal, Prevlix, Kolaxen and Garbarsia and off you go. Whee! Look at you going running on the beach, flying a kite with your grandkids. If only life were that miraculous.

The other comedic thing is the disclaimer list of possible side effects from the medications. Of course, all those could be fixed by taking additional medications, including my pretend Brain-fizz and Ezedozit twice a day before meals!

If all of these drugs worked as advertised, we’d all be on them so we could champion our own fields. Maybe I could win the Tour de

the UCP is giving public dollars to oil companies at a time when, financially, they are doing very well. After all, this is not a government that serves Albertans –it sees that its mission is to serve oil companies. So the government will take public dollars and put them in the pockets of millionaires, many of whom don’t even reside in Alberta. A recent CBC news article pointed out that although profits in oil and gas are at record levels, reinvest-

France at age 73 with some legal hemorrhoid meds called Asteroids. I am looking into it as we speak.

The attraction of these solutions to our physical woes is the quick fix. Remember the old Alka-Seltzer advertising jingle, “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is”. That’s what everyone is looking for instead of taking responsibility for their overall health by exercising and eating well.

As long as humans continue wolfing down gobs of fat and burning the candle at both ends, we will reach for fast relief. Pass the Asteroids, please!

ment in Alberta has fallen off dramatically. This means any money going to relieve companies of their legal responsibilities to clean up well sites will simply be pocketed.

Where will the money come from that we will give to these carpetbaggers? It will be taken from programs like education, social services, or other government departments that serve the needs of Albertans.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Cenovus Energy names next leader

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Cenovus Energy will be under new leadership at the end of April with the rollout of an executive succession plan.

Jonathan McKenzie, the current executive vice-president and chief operating officer, will take over the role of president and chief executive officer from Alex Pourbaix, who will shift to the role of executive chair.

The change in positions will take effect following Cenovus’ annual general meeting on April 26.

Pourbaix announced the plan along with the reporting of the company’s 2022 year-end and fourth-quarter results during a conference call on Feb. 16.

“This is something that I’ve been working with the board on for quite some time, ensuring a robust plan for executive succession, including developing strong internal candidates (and it) has been a key focus of mine and the rest of the Cenovus board,” said Pourbaix who has led the company since 2017.

He says his shift to the executive chair is due to spending an increasing amount of time on external issues, including partnering with governments to help Canada meet its climate goals while advocating for the industry.

Specifically, he says he has been consumed by the industry’s Pathways Alliance project to capture and store carbon emissions along with Cenovus’ GHG reduction plan.

“I am a very meaningful part of Pathways discussions with the various levels of government in this country about that,” said Pourbaix during question period.

“And I’ve actually been very, very lucky to have a leadership team like I have that they’ve been able to pick up the slack while I spend an increasing amount of time on that issue.”

McKenzie noted he doesn’t envision any major shift in the company’s direction when he becomes the top executive.

He told a caller he and Pourbaix have worked very

closely together over the last five years.

“What I’ve really focused on is running the day-today of the company, where Alex has been more overly focused, particularly over the last period of time, with this involvement in Pathways,” said McKenzie.

He says they have their fingerprints all over the corporate strategy supported by the full leadership team with not much change expected.

“I think it’s – is going to be very similar to what you’ve seen before as we kind of continue on the trajectory that we’ve been on for the last five years,” said McKenzie.

McKenzie was a former chief financial officer for Husky Energy who joined Cenovus in 2018 and was integral in the strategic merger of the two companies in a deal that closed on Jan. 1, 2021.

Pourbaix is just past the halfway of his five to sevenyear-old leadership term, but he thinks McKenzie has earned the right to have a shot at leading Cenovus before he times out.

“I don’t think it would be fair to the shareholders because I think they’re all going to be great beneficiaries of his leadership over the coming years,” said Pourbaix.

“So at the end of the day, I think what’s best for the company and what’s best for the shareholders needs to take a little bit of precedence over what might be best for me.”

File

Photo

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.

Square Dancing Introduction

NEW LOCATION!

Intro to square dancing will be held on Wednesday nights from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at City Church, 511549 Street. Walk to the beat of music by following simple instructions from the caller. Come alone or bring a friend. Wear whatever is comfortable. First evening is FREE!

Bingo at the Moose

The Moose Lodge, located at 5213-57 Street, Lloydminster,

hosts bingo nights every Monday and Wednesday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. The Moose also hosts crib tournaments every second Sunday of the month. Start time is 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is $12.

Cribbage DOUBLES

Tourney

The Legacy Centre is hosting a Cribbage doubles tournament on Feb. 23. Play begins at 10 a.m. and the cost is $10/person. Lunch is also available for $12/

To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 306-825-5147

person. Everyone welcome. Contact the Legacy office at 780-8754584 for more info.

Facilitator Training

The Walking Through Grief Society is hosting facilitator training for those interested in a volunteer experience with the society. Training will allow facilitating groups, children’s groups and other special groups and will be held on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in Vermilion. Refreshments, lunch and the training are free. To register or

for more information contact Shirley at 780871-1750. Deadline to register is Feb. 20.

Cribbage DOUBLES Tourney

The Dewberry Senior Center is hosting a Doubles Cribbage Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 25. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with play starting at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $25 per person, which includes a roast beef noon meal.

Métis Cultural Celebration

The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan

Lloydminster Métis Local #18 is hosting a Métis cultural celebration on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 1-6 p.m. at the Centennial Civic Centre.

Lloydminster Métis Local #18 AGM

The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan

Lloydminster Métis

Local #18 is hosting its annual general meeting on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Centennial Civic Centre, Lloydminster, Sask. A meal and enter -

LETTER FROM PAGE 10

This government has supervised the decline in education funding from the level where our investment in education was the highest in the country to the level where it is the lowest.

Our medical system is struggling because this government has

tainment will follow the meeting.

Pancake Breakfast

The Legacy Centre is hosting a pancake breakfast on Feb. 26 from 9-11:30 a.m. Cost is $12/person at the door. ($6/12 and under). Everyone welcome! Contact the Legacy office at 780875-4584 for more info.

Cribbage Tourney

There will be a cribbage tournament at the Hillmond Hall on Feb. 26. Start time is 11 a.m. (Lloydminster time), and lunch will be served at noon. Every -

failed to adequately fund it to keep staffing at levels that allow the system to operate smoothly.

Since the health system is staff–dependent, it will be years before we can hire and train sufficient staff to overcome the deficits incurred by underfunding.

one welcome!

Passport to YLL Church Directory

World Day of Prayer Service

St. John’s Anglican Church, located at 4709 49 Ave, is hosting a World Day of Prayer service on March 3 at 11:30 a.m. Everyone welcome.

Job Fair

The Lloydminster and Region Job Fair is taking place at the Gold Horse Casino on March 8 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All employers wishing to host a table can register by calling 780-875-9013 or email tinisha@lloydminsterchamber.com

But this government wants to take that money out of Health and other departments to give to oil and gas company executives and investors. Even when those companies are experiencing record profits.

- Bernie M. Huedepohl

Meridian Source Photo Every year, the team at the Meridian Source and Reid & Wright Advertising do our part and support anti-bullying efforts through Pink Shirt Day, and we are proud to do so!

Ring those TeleMiracle phones!

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

Last week, Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission Don McMorris and the Kinsmen, Kinettes and Kin Clubs of Saskatchewan, announced TeleMiracle Week begins Sunday, Feb. 19 and culminates Saturday, Feb. 25 when the 47th edition of the telethon gets underway.

“Thanks to the good will and generosity of our province’s people, TeleMiracle is one of the many annual Saskatchewan events that brings everyone together for a greater purpose,” said McMorris.

“I encourage everyone to support this wonderful fundraiser by tuning into watch the telethon and let your family, friends and neighbours know to ‘ring those phones’ to donate to a great cause for Saskatchewan residents.”

The fundraiser starts at 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 25 with the Countdown to TeleMiracle streamed live on the website www.telemiracle.com.

At 9 p.m. that same day, the live television broadcast begins on CTV throughout Saskatchewan and Lloydminster and continues until 5 p.m. on Feb. 26.

Viewers should also keep an eye out for members of the Lloydminster Kinsmen Club as they will be presenting their cheque from proceeds generated through their steak night fundraiser, held on Feb. 4.

“TeleMiracle has been rooted in Saskatchewan for 47 years,” said TeleMiracle 47 Chair Scott Lamb.

“We are proud to

carry on this tradition that helps so many people all across this province, year after year.”

The Kinsmen Foundation provides specialized mobility and medical equipment to people and organizations throughout the province, as well as travel assistance for residents in need of vital medical treatment outside their home community.

Beside calling in pledges during the telethon broadcast, donations can also be made anytime online at www.telemiracle. com

We live in an era where we expect everything to happen at a lightning pace. People want to scale mountains, explore the universe and the ocean, drive the fastest, most powerful vehicle, and choose the quickest grocery line—just once.

Slow down and buy a map

and taking directions from an irritating satellite navigation system, you might get a super view of one sight over and over again.

With navigational assistance, we went across the Jacques Cartier Bridge five times. Each time trying to get somewhere else. (This is where the advice on buying a paper map comes into play.)

We read books and watch movies and television programs filled with speed, adventure, and thrills.

I mean, did James Bond ever drive a Volkswagen? Or take the long way home? No. He sped along in a high-tech car with all the gadgets, accomplished his death-defying mission in an hour and a half, and ended by quaffing martinis in

a ritzy bar, all without mussing his hair.

People are constantly on the move. Streams of traffic congest the roads, flights are taken worldwide each day, and, if we can’t travel physically, we travel via the Internet, where we expect prompt Wi-Fi access.

Sometimes we miss out on the sights when we go so fast. Although, if you’re like Esther and me, driving in Montreal

That same navigation told us confidently that, to reach a bistro we fancied on the beautiful Ile d’Orléans near Quebec City, we had to turn right and drive five kilometres down a deserted country road.

“Your destination is on the left,” Google Lady announced in her smarmy, robotic voice. We gazed at rolling farmland as far as the eye could see.

“Is she crazy?” Esther spluttered as I pulled into a muddy approach surrounded by corn.

“You have arrived,” the voice assured her.

We also relied on Google Lady when winding our way through the busy streets of both aforementioned cities. Periodically she would blurt out random information.

“In 400 metres, drive straight.” Well, what the heck. I was driving straight and had voiced no immediate plans to turn. I guess I might have glanced to the right for a moment. Did that count? Did she suppose she could read my mind?

Then, at several critical intersections, where it would have been nice to know which way to bloody go, she lapsed into a stony silence.

All that aside, sometimes it’s nice to slow down and smell the roses, as they say. I know I’ve been as guilty as anyone in my thirst for haste. (You can’t get a nickname like Wheels

without it.) My first taste of speed was on the back of a horse and then, when a little older, while driving dad’s old blue half-ton up the Far Town hills to pick Saskatoon berries.

In fairness, dad started it. Our family would sit with pails of berries on our laps as he shifted gears and accelerated hard to give us a good start at the top. Then, he’d throw it in neutral, and we’d coast, exhilarating in the freedom of a good, steep hill.

Yes, we’re obsessed with doing things quickly these days, but perhaps it’s worth buying a map and meandering a bit. Although, to be honest, Esther and I enjoyed laughing at Google lady’s expense, and we’ll never forget the Jacques Cartier Bridge.

Find Helen and her latest books at helentoews.com

23024mm0

PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

Lloyd-area curlers sweep into Brier

Latos on Team Yukon are over the moon at their shot to hoist the Tim Hortons Tankard in London Ont. March 3-12.

The local guys will be cheered on by a large loud and proud cheering section of fans from the region in the wake of their Brier qualification.

“It’s definitely exciting,” said Latos, who curled for Yukon at last year’s national championship.

Lloydminster and area curling will have a high profile during this year’s Brier with three homegrown players

in the 18-team curling championship.

Mike Armstrong with Team Saskatchewan, Glenn Venance with Team Wild Card No. 3 from Alberta and Evan

“If you asked me three years ago if I’d be curling in the Brier, let alone two, I would have called you crazy.”

Latos works as a civil engineer for a company in Saska -

toon and hooked up with the Thomas Scoffin rink in Whitehorse

last year while working there. This year, he’s an import lead based in Saskatoon.

His mom Olesia in Lloyd is already packing her bags for London.

“We’re very happy for him and to have this experience on the big stage and competing with some of the best curlers in the world,” she said.

Win or lose, Latos plans to come back to Lloyd to curl in the 54th Lloydminster Oil and Gas Open Bonspiel March 16-19 with his dad Jeff.

The 28-year-old grew up in Lloydminster and went through the junior curling program.

“We won the Alberta high school provincials in 2012. That’s what set my path forward in

curling,” he said.

Lloydminster will also be on the mind of 33-year-old Mike Armstrong at the Brier with his Team Knapp rink from Regina.

“I’m always so proud to represent Lloydminster and put them on the map. It was a great place to grow up and a great curling community,” said Armstrong.

“When I think about Lloyd and my start in curling, my parents definitely come to mind. They were the ones who got me started.”

Armstrong also gives a shout-out to a former coach, Ralph Cormack in Lloyd.

“He was integral in the Lloyd curling community for a long time,” he said.

Supplied Photo

Evan Latos, who grew up curling in Lloydminster, will represent Yukon in this year’s Brier for the second year in a row with the Thomas Scoffin rink from Whitehorse.

Supplied Photo Glenn Venance, who got his start curling at the Kitscoty Curling Club, will be in the Brier as a member of Wild Card Team No. 3 of three Alberta teams in the upcoming event in London Ont.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Supplied Photo

Mike Armstrong, second from right, will play second for the Team Saskatchewan rink of Kelly Knapp at this year’s Brier. Armstrong also represented Saskatchewan in the 2012 Brier on the Scott Manners rink from Lloydminster.

Local curlers ready for Brier

Today, Armstrong works as a vice-principal at Indian Head High School and helps teach a curling program to students.

We are going there with the mindset that we’d love to win the Brier, but we’re just approaching it day by day and game by game and shot by shot. We’re not looking too far ahead.

“I love being able to give back to a sport that has given me so much,” he said.

This will also be Armstrong’s second Brier having played for Saskatchewan on the rink of Scott Manners from Lloydminster in 2012.

“I am pretty fortunate to be able to go back again, We’re pumped,” he said.

“We are going there with the mindset that we’d love to win the Brier, but we’re just approaching it day by day and game by game and shot by shot. We’re not looking too far ahead.”

His dad Mike in Manitou Beach says, “it’s super” for Lloydminster curlers that three players from the Lloyd are in the Brier.

Mike and his wife watched their son who plays second on Team Knapp, win the provincials in Estevan this month and they plan to take some family members with them to London.

Deb Venance is also taking a huge entourage to London to cheer on her son Glenn who started curling at the age of four at the threesheet Kitscoty Curling Club.

The 26-year-old lead is still pinching himself, having just received an email from Curling Can-

ada saying they are the third wild card team in the Brier based on their results from the World Curling Tour.

“It’s pretty surreal, to be honest with you,” said Venance who curls with the Team Karsten Sturmay rink in St. Albert.

“It’s definitely been a dream of mine for a long time. It’s been a long road and a lot of hours to get here.”

His Wild Card Team is one of the three Alberta teams in the Brier with Brendan Bottcher’s rink from Calgary as Wild Card Team No. 1 and Kevin Koe’s Team Alberta rink in a potential Battle of Alberta.

“To have three from the same province just goes to show how hard our province is to get out of,” said Venance.

He also thinks it’s also cool to have three curlers from the Lloydminster region in the Brier.

“I think it’s pretty cool for everyone around Lloyd. I am obviously super proud to be from Kitscoty and represent that part of the world,” said Venance.

Kitscoty Curling Club put up a note on Facebook to spread the word.

“Congratulations Glenn Venance and team Sturmay for making it into the 2023 Tim Hortons Brier as a Wildcard!!! Good luck and put Kitscoty on the map,” it read.

Venance is an assistant superintendent at Quarry Golf Course in Edmonton and says there are so many people to thank for his success, starting with his wife Jessica who he calls a rock star.

Next he thanks his parents.

“They got me into the game. They taught me at a very young age how important a good work ethic was” he said.

“After that countless coaches and volunteers and everybody that’s kind of chipped in.”

The benefits of living with purpose

business partner of 18 years plus colleagues within, even outside, our brokerage.

As I advance in years, my view of life has also been subtly changing.

Aging brings challenges, physical for sure, but also to our emotional well-being.

Health permitting, I don’t plan on retiring any time soon, but in the days/months/years

I have left have decided to focus more on work which appeals to me.

This entails sharing or transferring responsibilities for other aspects of my professional practice with my

Squeeze

In other words, letting go. Something very hard to do when you have a self-directed personality!

My goal is to put myself in a position to be able to concentrate energy on client engagements so I believe I can provide the most value.

This was not an overnight decision. In fact, I discussed it at length these past couple of years with several friends from different walks of life whose opinions I greatly value

and who have gone down this path in their own careers.

They were able to lay out lessons from personal experience; plus offer guidance, cautions, and most of all, encouragement.

Each of them has invited me to keep checking back with them on what I am experiencing as they know I may need some help to navigate the course. Imagine getting life coaching at 67!

When I think about though, I realize 50 years of working in various careers has set the stage for this adventure.

So much of what I do in real estate, having represented close to 4,000 properties to date, is to help people develop a transition plan for their stage in life; everything from single-family homes, fish camps, apartment buildings, retail stores, lake cabins, acreages, farms, and even a house built with straw.

Often the most challenging is working with retiring farmers and business owners. They have spent a lifetime building a successful enterprise, often taking leadership over from another family member, and making it even stronger.

Our heritage deserves to be honoured but it should never keep us from making the right decision going forward.

Too many entrepre -

neurs identify with the “title above the door” and don’t have an alternative objective in life defined.

It is heartwarming to see someone shift gears post-work by pursuing their passion or making new commitments using a skillset developed over a lifetime.

It can be woodworking, pottery, or simply volunteering where needed.

Don’t let life hold you

back. Yes, you and I may stumble or take a wrong turn or two, but at least we are striding with purpose toward the future, not letting it pass us by.

Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster and an active partner in his family’s livestock operation. Comments on this article are welcome either by emailing vernmcclelland@remax.net or calling 306-821-0611.

File Photo

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Online features make SAID applications simple, quick

The Ministry of Social Services is offering a new online application for the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability (SAID) program, making it easier and more accessible for residents to apply.

“The new clientfriendly online application process is simple, convenient and accessible,” said

Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky.

“SAID applicants will no longer need to visit a Social Services office in person to begin the process, enabling the ministry to process applications and connect clients to their benefits and services more quickly.”

Online applications can be submitted 24 hours per day, seven days per week, at a

time that is best for the applicant.

The online system also gives new clients access to an online dashboard where they can easily upload documents or update their personal infor -

mation. They can also sign up to receive text message alerts from the ministry regarding their file.

The new SAID online application process also supports the intent of

new accessibility legislation (introduced in November 2022) to prevent and remove accessibility barriers for persons with disabilities.

Clients who apply online will no longer

be required to travel to their local Social Services office for in-person meetings, which reduces transportation and mobility barriers for those who need assistance or live in remote areas.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111

admin@meridansource.ca

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