Meridian Source - February 25, 2021

Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 35

SEE INSERTS FOR YOUR COPY OF TODAY’S WOMAN 2021

LYC knows Kindness Wins!

TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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Kindness Wins is a topical message and one the Lloydminster Youth Council (LYC) is passionate about and is hoping to spread to put an end to bullying.

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It has been a trying year and one that we never could have anticipated.

Feb. 24 is Pink Shirt Day, or Anti-Bullying Day as it’s also commonly known, and is a day when people wear a pink shirt to symbolize a stand against bullying. It originated right here in Canada, and is now celebrated on various dates around the world.

In 2012, the United Nations declared the official day to be May 4, but it is celebrated on the last Wednesday of February in here at home.

The LYC has been involved in a Paint the Town Positive cam-

paign for years and decided what better way to spread the Kindsness Wins message than by painting snow on the hill by the entrance of Bud Miller All Seasons Park with food colouring.

Each Council puts their stamp on the campaign and has done everything from arranging a senior’s play day in the Synergy Vault, games days at the senior centres, surprising a family in need with a dinner and presents, supporting the local SPCA, to dropping off thank yous and snacks to essential workers.

“It has been a trying year and one that we never could have anticipated,” said Jessie Mann, coordinator with the LYC. “People have so many new pressures and our hope is that everyone has a friendly reminder that kindness really does win and to reach out to those that may need us most.

“This year we are happy to be popping by senior homes with

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Members of the Lloydminster Youth Council spread their Kindness Wins message on Tuesday night using food colouring and snow on the hill by the main entrance to Bud Miller All Seasons Park.

signs and making our mark where we can to spread some cheer and hopefulness,” added Mann. “Many of our seniors have really been impacted over the last year and we want them to know we are still thinking of them and hoping to drop by as many centres as possible to wave, show and drop off signs and just

give them a reminder that these times are temporary!”

Rylee Huxter, a Grade 12 student at Lloydminster Comprehensive High School and second-year LYC member, had a great time painting the town positive on Tuesday and is looking forward to some of the exciting things coming up on the

LYC calendar.

“I think the biggest thing for us right now is being able to have inperson meetings again.

I think that’s a really good change because we’ve only been having zoom meetings and split up into smaller committees, so it’s harder to involve everyone.”

The LYC has a busy March ahead

with a mental health focused public service announcement coming out on March 12.

Viewers will follow three people on their personal journeys through anxiety and stress with sciencebased and tried and true tips on how to support us through everyday pressures.

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Painting the town positive!

LYC FROM PAGE 1

“This will be posted across our social media,” said Mann.

“Also, three of our LYC members will be presenting to City Council on March 15, with a Hoop Factory event for kids taking place on March 20, and a virtual Talent Show scheduled for March 27 that people do not want to miss.”

Cody Maz of Maz Entertainment and

Narra Studios will be helping the LYC highlight local youth talent.

This event will also be complete with judges and prizes.

In-person meetings are also something Mann is looking forward to for a number of reasons.

“Meeting as a group is important and something I know so many people miss,” she said.

“As great as “zoom-

ing” is, it just isn’t the same as working together in person as a team. With the weather changing and regulations slowly lifting we can meet outside and get creative indoors where we can social distance and tackle the organizing and hard work that will go into some of the activities/campaigns and projects we will be completing before June.”

Relief for working parents MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Alberta parents who use child care will receive $561 per child with the new Working Parents Benefit, a onetime payment to help parents with the cost of child care.

The Working Parents Benefit will see $108 million go to families that used child care – including licensed or unlicensed daycare, day homes, out-of-school care, or preschool – from April to December of 2020.

“Alberta’s government is focused on protecting lives and livelihoods and that means being there for working parents,”

said Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Children’s Services.

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Alberta’s government is focused on protecting lives and livelihoods and that means being there for working parents.

“Families are facing additional stress due to the pandemic and the uncertainty in the economy. We want to directly support these parents by alleviating the financial pressures they have

faced this past year.”

The Working Parents Benefit adds to the recently announced Critical Worker Benefit, a $1,200 payment to 330,000 front-line and essential workers, and the Enhanced COVID Business Benefit, a $10,000 support for businesses hit hardest by the pandemic.

“It’s great to see the government recognize the pressures that working parents are facing,” said Tiffany-Joy Robertson, working parent.

“As a single mother who has felt the stresses of work and child care this past year, this money is greatly appreciated.”

Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Mount Joy smashes turnout records

File Photo

Mount Joy Snow Resort ski patroller Dean Peters and a lift attendant help a skier access the T-bar on a busy opening day. The resort is experiencing record usage this season and envisions adding a chair lift and/or a Magic Carpet to increase lift capacity to meet the demand.

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Skier visits are soaring this season at Mount Joy Snow Resort, tying future growth to increasing lift capacity and possible land ownership.

Resort president, Chris Bogue, took to Zoom to tell the Rotary Club of Lloydminster it’s been an “absolute blockbuster” year at the hill.

“The amount of people we have out at the hill is record-setting,” he said.

In the past three years, he says they averaged 27 users per operating day with roughly eight season passes sold a year.

“This year, we have 225 daily users and we sold 175 season passes as well,” said Bogue.

“It’s absolutely an enormous growth.

Canada West Areas Association, the governing body, has told us Mount Joy is one of the, if not the highest growing hill this year.”

Bogue says COVID plays a part, but just as

a catalyst.

“If it wasn’t for the snowmaking efforts, the organization, the

dedication of our volunteers, I think we would have had another typical year,” he said.

COVID has kept the chalet closed with skiers using their vehicles to rest and enjoy tailgate lunches.

Bogue says the turnout could be way higher, but they don’t have the lift capacity or the volunteers to meet the current demand.

“We’ve put 2,100 different users through our door this season which is amazing,” said Bogue, citing a yearly average of 522 tickets sold in the past three years.

The resort also aims to limit lift-line waits to about five minutes to keep the user experience top-notch.

“It’s about putting smiles on faces and it’s

about user experience.

This is the year, if we offer good experiences,

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people will be back next year,” said Bogue.

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

Ski hill open to upgrading lifts

MOUNT JOY FROM PAGE 3

Board member Wa n d a Ha ns e n , w h o runs the rental shop, says they processed 200 people last weekend despite a COVID limit of five people in the building at one time, inlcuding volunteers.

She says they could put more people through, but they are maxed out with their equipment.

“We’re getting contacts from schools; they want to bring kids out for classes,” said Hansen.

“There is so much potential here and I am so proud to be part of this exponential year with so much going on because it’s, hopefully, in our eyes, only going to get better and better as it is.”

Bogue says the

resort will dump any cash they have this year into upgrades of infrastructure.”

The dream is to replace the rope tow with a Magic Carpet and/or the T-bar with a chairlift to increase capacity, while also maintaining that user experience.

Bogue says it would cost about $300,000 to install a carpet on

File Photo the bunny hill and increase the lift capacity up to 3,000 skiers an hour.

An affordable used chairlift could take more than 2,000 skiers to the summit per hour.

Bogue notes Mount Joy has the same skiable acreage as Table Mountain with just 15 metres less vertical height and an expanded snowmaking system in place.

Last summer, crews increased the number of water lines from three to seven and added two risers on the south side to wrap up the $45,000 Project Snow.

“This year, we’ve

put close to 20 million litres of water through our system,” said Bogue, with 2 million litres a year being the historical norm.

“Everything on the hill is covered by about 18 inches of snow with state-of-the-art snow cannons.”

He says not one run would be open if they didn’t make snow this year, with good spring skiing conditions to look forward to before closing.

“For summer operation, we are currently looking into opening up as a mountain bike park as well as walking and running trails,” said Bogue, who is

hoping to negotiate boundary lines with the landowner.

Bogue says there is a 7.5-kilometre scenic trail loop with 350m of total elevation for biking, walking and running.

“It’s just absolutely beautiful,” he said.

Mount Joy signed into another year of its lease with a long-term plan for the County of Vermilion River to buy the land.

“It’s hard to get funding when we don’t own our land or the County doesn’t own the land. If we can go that route, it will just open up a lot of opportunities, “ said Bogue.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Prize-winning rink wife’s idea

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

The Woytiuk family is celebrating being the random-pick-winners of the Meridian Source backyard rink contest. Mike and wife Erinn pose with their daughter Karsyn on the 16 by 36 ft. sheet of ice. Their entry also won an impressive prize package to inspire their next rink.

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Erinn Keeley Woytiuk is the random pick winner of the Meridian Source backyard rink contest.

She is the family contact who sent in a photo of the 16 by 36 ft. rink her husband Mike made for their 10-year-old daughter Karsyn.

Erinn got the news their entry won two pro size hockey nets, two pizzas, a Lloydminster Bobcats swag package and a backyard photoshoot on Feb. 12.

“I was super surprised. There’s a lot of great rinks going around Lloydminster right now. I was thrilled we were the winners,” she said a few days after their

luck sunk in.

C an adian Tire, th e Bobcats and Videre Images joined Reid & Wright Advertising as event sponsors.

“We are looking forward to our backyard photoshoot and two new nets for our rink; it’s going to be awesome,” said Erinn.

Mike confirms none of this would have happened without his wife’s persuasion.

“It was her idea and she fo rc e d m e t o g e t out and build the rink and I’m sure glad I did it,” he said with a laugh.

He waited until the middle of December to start flooding and rode a comfortable spell of nice weather to get it ready in time for Christmas.

“Over the holidays

we were on the ice for 11 straight days. With the weather so nice over the holidays it was awesome to get out and use it,” said Mike.

“With the health measures and not being able to use a lot of the public rinks, the timing of it was perfect to have our own rink.”

Karsyn has been loving it to stay in shape as a hockey player with the U-11 Factory Sports Blazers, that are sidelined most of the season due to COVID. “It’s been pretty fun since we can’t use the

arenas; it’s been nice to get some practice out here. I’ve had a couple of friends come by and skate,” she said.

Since winning, the Woytiuks have been one-upping each other with ideas for next year to stay ahead of the competition.

“We always want to go bigger and better.

I am not sure my husband is agreeing with that, but I will draw up the blueprints for him,” joked Erinn.

She adds they don’t have the biggest backyard, but they’ve made the most out of it.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 25, 2021

YLL council joins call for action on Keystone XL MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Lloydminster City Council unanimously passed a motion to express the community’s concerns and those of Western Canadian oil producers after United States President Joe Biden passed an executive order on his first day in office to halt work on the Keystone XL pipeline.

On Jan. 20, the Canadian oil industry was dealt another blow when the U.S. Administration revoked the border-crossing permit for the 1,947-kilometre pipeline.

Beginning in Hardisty, Alta., and ending in Steel City, Nebraska, the route rep-

RINK FROM PAGE 5

“We’ve been over the fence a few times looking for pucks. Next year hopefully, we’ll have some backend boards,” said Erinn.

Mike is dreaming of rigging up a makeshift Zamboni next year after learning one of his coworkers at Agland has

resents a safe and environmentally responsible way to deliver crude oil from Western Canada to refineries in the U.S. Gulf Coast.

“Canadian oil producers are among the safest, most environmentally responsible employers across the globe, and it’s those employers who support thousands of residents in our villages, towns and cities,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers.

“For too long, Canada’s petroleum producers have been denied the opportunity to compete as Western Canadian oil remains landlocked, all while the country imports foreign oil.

the bragging rights to one.

“The competition to be the biggest and the best will lead to something like that,” he said with a grin.

“That’s top priority for next year— rigging up a homemade Zamboni.”

Mike was able to lean on the experience of his

“The decisions made by the United States government and the presumable lack of support from the federal government have greatly affected once-thriving local businesses. The companies who support our economic growth and prosperity have been forced to cut back or close altogether, impacting thousands of local families’ livelihoods.”

Standing alongside the City of Cold Lake and other Western Canadian communities, City Council says the City of Lloydminster will continue to advocate developing a pipeline connecting the nation’s coasts.

co-workers for advice on how to make a rink with 2 by 6 ft. boards as an outer frame.

He also adopted a suggestion to use a grain bag cover to contain the ice, and it works well with no cracking so far and co-operation from Mother Nature.

“Early after we put

File Photo Not only will this allow the country to be less dependent on foreign oil, but it will also aid in the restoration of a fair economic climate for Canadian producers.

“The Canadian oil industry demands action be taken

the water on and did the first initial flood, we had some nice weather,” said Mike.

“Obviously, over the last 10 days with the cold snap really settling in, we haven’t had to worry about losing the ice.”

Mike also hung up an overhead string of

by the federal government.

When the government allows producers to get their product to the global market, it will place thousands of people back in the workforce for and allow them to provide for their families.”

Christmas lights for nighttime skating to go with a rink-side fire pit and a bench that gets a thumbs up from Erinn.

“It’s easy to stick on your skates in the backyard and go for a rip for 15 minutes and go in when you get cold and have some hot chocolate. It’s been perfect,”

she said.

Erinn is also thrilled to see so many rinks in Lloydminster showcased for the online contest.

“I don’t know if it’s because of the great weather or because of COVID, but everybody seems to be active in their backyard and it’s awesome,” she said.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIAN SOURCE

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Rinse and repeat funder aids mental health GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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An application of hair conditioner or a scalp massage can work wonders for improving mental health.

Better U Salon made that point with its Quiet Night relaxation treatments the evening of Feb. 16.

The event left female clients feeling better while raising $1,000 for Project Sunrise mental health programs at Lloydminster Region Health Foundation through the sale of tickets and donations.

“I’ve always wanted to do this for people so they can de-stress,” said salon owner Whit-

ney Bota citing COVID fatigue as a reason for Quiet Night.

“I notice everywhere around town and our clients that come in our chair, they are tired and they’re exhausted and their mental health is out a spot.”

“They come to the salon and shut off their cellphones and just be quiet.”

Divine Healing Holistic Wellness Centre added to the ambience with massage therapist Louise Desnoyor creating soothing tunes for clients by tapping crystal singing bowls.

“Every living thing has a vibration to it, so with the bowls, they

work on that vibrational frequency which helps all t he cells in the body to help bring balance,” explained Desnoyer.

The lights were also dimmed during Quiet Night and there was little talking going on.

“It’s just a quiet night where they just get to close their eyes and they just get a moment of peace,” said Bota.

The event was also an opportunity for Bota to give back to the community by partnering with Project Sunrise.

“I’m huge about that because I was born and raised in Lloyd,” said Bota.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Whitney Bota, owner of Better U Salon, provides a scalp massage for client Sharon Coulson during a Quiet Night event to promote mental health and raise funds for Project Sunrise.

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

Sask pharmacists on board with immunization plan MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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On Monday, the Government of Saskatchewan announced Saskatchewan pharmacists are formally on board to play a key role in the delivery of the largest mass vaccination campaign in provincial history.

Pharmacists will be delivering COVID-19

QUIET NIGHT FROM PAGE 7

She reached out to volunteer Lorelee Marin with Project Sunrise knowing they were addressing COVID fatigue and mental health, especially for suicide prevention and things like that.

“I was thrilled that th e y w a n t e d t o raise awareness about the initiative and fund-

vaccine through community pharmacies in Phase 2 of the provincial immunization plan. The participation of Saskatchewan pharmacists will significantly increase public access to the vaccine, improving the rate of vaccination.

“We appreciate that Saskatchewan pharmacists are ready to

step up and deliver the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Health Minister Paul Merriman. “The Government of Saskatchewan is working hard to make sure COVID-19 vaccine is safely delivered into the arms of Saskatchewan residents through all possible avenues.”

Details of the plan for pharmacy deliv-

ery of the COVID-19 vaccine are currently under development, including which community pharmacies are participating.

“We are proud to join other health care professionals in providing safe, timely access to COVID-19 vaccinations for Saskatchewan residents,” Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan

Board Chair George Furneaux said.

The government has negotiated a tentative new pharmacy Proprietor Agreement with the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan on behalf of all Saskatchewan pharmacies. The Agreement establishes the fee for pharmacist delivery of COVID19 vaccines, along with

increases in prescription dispensing fees and influenza vaccine fees. It is for a one year term, beginning March 1, 2021.

For further information on the COVID19 vaccine delivery strategy and clinic announcements, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19-vaccine.

ing for it as well and to highlight the Lloydminster Mental Health Navigation Tool,” said Marin.

She and Bota posted a promotional video online talking about the tool booklet and website.

The tool launched in September 2019 to help people navigate the resources and sup-

ports available in the community for mental health and substance use issues.

Marin says mental health is more important then ever during COVID-19 with the added stress of the economic downturn, job losses and restrictions on business operations.

“The impact on peo-

ple’s mental being as well as an increase in substance abuse is a great concern,” said Marin.

Bota and her employees have felt the pressure from COVID as well on their wellbeing.

The salon opened as a new business in late January last year and was suddenly forced to close the doors from March to May during the first wave of pandemic restrictions.

“It’s been very stressful, but we’ve

been able to bounce back,” said Bota.

“This year has been fantastic. I find Lloyd; we’re in a special place.

We’re not quite all shut down.”

Bota says they are constantly cleaning and making sure it’s safe for their clients to come while keeping up with Saskatchewan guidelines.

Better U Salon offers everything from colours and haircuts to spa treatments with waxing and sugaring

and pedicures as well for men and women.

During Quiet Night, the focus was on conditioning treatments and scalp rejuvenation and scalp massage for the ladies.

“We’re believers that when you touch the head for a minimum of 10 minutes, it releases all stress to the hair,” said Bota.

“We are giving a deep conditioning treatment and letting them hear the sounds from Louise.”

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Saskatchewan COVID-19/variant case update MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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There were 549 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in Saskatchewan on Monday, bringing the total number of vaccines administered in the province to 62,342.

The 549 doses were administered in the Far North Central (11), Saskatoon (196), North East (11), North West (78), Central East (83), and Regina (170) zones.

An additional 21 doses were adminis tered in the Central East zone on Feb. 17 and an additional 52 doses were adminis tered in the South Central zone on Feb. 19.

Daily COVID-19 Statistics There are 122 new cases of COVID-19 to report in Saskatchewan on Feb. 23, bringing the provincial total to 27,923 cases.

Four Saskatchewan residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

Three deaths were reported in the 80+ age

group from the Regina (2) and Saskatoon (1) zones and one death in the 70-79 age group from the Regina zone.

The new cases are located in the Far North West (11), Far North Central (5), Far North East (16), North West (10), North Central (4), North East (2), Saskatoon (25), Central East (7), Regina (37), and South East (1) zones and four (4) cases have pending residence information.

Nine cases with pending residence information were assigned to the Far North central (1), Far North East (4), Far North West (1) and North West (3) zones.

Four Saskatchewan residents tested out of province were added to the Far North West (2), North Central (1) zones and one (1) is pending residence information.

There are a total of 26,017 recoveries and 1,530 cases are considered active.

One hundred and seventy-four (174) people are in hospital.

One hundred and fifty-eight (158) people are receiving inpatient care: Far North West (8), Far North Central (2), Far North East (2), North West (16), North Central (17), North East (2), Saskatoon (56), Central West (1), Central East (8), Regina (40), South Central (2) and South East (4).

Sixteen (16) people are in intensive care: North West (1), North Central (1), Saskatoon (8), and Regina (6).

B1.1.7 UK has been detected in two residents in the Regina zone. These individuals were tested at the end of January.

Based on the contact investigation to date, there is no link to travel at this time but public health’s investigation is on-going.

B1.351 SA (South Africa) has been detected in one resident in the North Central zone.

This individual was tested at the end of January. Public health’s investigation is on-going.

There is a presumptive case of B1.1.7 UK in one individual in the Saskatoon zone. The individual was transferred from out of province to Saskatoon for acute care.

Whole genome

sequencing will need to be completed to confirm the results. Public health’s contact investigation is on-going.

This brings the provincial total of confirmed variant of concern cases to seven: six

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B1.1.7 UK including one presumptive case, and one B1.351 SA. For more information on the current public health measures or to see the Public Health Order, visit www.saskatchewan. ca/covid19-measures.

PAGE 10 Thursday, February 25, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Viewpoint Kindness Wins, everywhere!

5921-50 Avenue, Lloydminster, SK S9V 2A4 Phone: 306-825-5111 Toll Free: 1-800-327-3899 Fax: 306-825-5147 meridiansource.ca Mail: Box 2454, Lloydminster, SK S9V 1W5 Hours: 8AM to 5PM Monday to Friday THE MERIDIAN SOURCE is published once a week, on Thursday.

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Columns and letters are the expressed view of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Meridian Source.

Editor Taylor Weaver taylor@meridiansource.ca

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Meridian Source Photo

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome letters to the editor. Letters should be 500 words or less. A name and daytime phone number is required for verification.

Priority will be given to letters exclusively written for the Meridian Source. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, spelling, grammar, punctuation and libel. Unsigned letters will not be published. Use of pseudonyms will only be allowed in special circumstances, at the discretion of the editor and the publisher, and only if the author’s identity is known to the editor. Publication of a letter does not imply endorsement by the Meridian Source. Send to taylor@meridiansource.ca

2017

Wednesday was definitely a bright one at the offices of the Meridian Source and Reid & Wright Advertising as our teams got in on the community spirit and helped raise Kindness Wins awareness. Pink Shirt Day, or Anti-Bullying Day, is a national campaign, held on Feb. 24, where people wear pink to symbolize a stand against bullying.

Leave it to Weaver

Giving truly is the greatest gift EDITOR Taylor Weaver

If you haven’t already been to Page 12 in this edition of the Meridian Source, read through and come back as this column will make much more sense.

Not too long ago, I was given a backpack by BPC Services Ltd. This backpack was filled with items such as a blanket, water, deodorant, snacks and more, but the backpack and its contents were not for me.

BPC put these backpacks together and delivered them to clients for the sole purpose of paying it forward and helping out the less fortunate in their greatest time of need ... and the timing couldn’t have been better seeing as how low temperatures got in recent weeks.

With this possible life-line in hand, I set out to find a suit-

able recipient.

I had a couple of worthy beneficiaries in mind, but as is the case with finding love, if you go out looking for it, you’re most likely not going to find it.

My mission to pay it forward brought me to Superstore.

After grabbing a few items for that night’s supper, I found myself walking out the door and the top of a man’s head caught my eye.

I loaded my groceries and went back to the store’s exit, backpack in hand.

I said to the man, who was sitting cross-legged on the cold ground, “I don’t have any money to give, but this bag has a blanket, some snacks, and other warm items, would you like it?”

The man looked up, and that’s when it hit me ... this man was likely younger than me, and clearly doesn’t have the easiest life.

His hands were almost locked

in place due to the cold, and without saying a word, he slowly nodded in recognition of my question and the bag was his.

But, one good deed deserves another, right? Sure, I’ve paid for someone’s coffee in the Tim’s drive-thru before, but this kind of giving left me feeling something magical.

That young man didn’t have to say a single thing to me; the look in his eyes said it all, and I think that’s why I had such an out-ofbody good-feeling moment after gifting him that bag.

It’s honestly a very hard feeling to put into words, but I would highly recommend the experience to anyone.

Paying it forward is needed now more than ever as people are going through tough times, some more than others. I think it’s really important for those that can give a little to do so, because you never know what someone is going through.

PAGE 11 Thursday, February 25, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Opinion

Leeway from Lloyd: Egads, lousy football names STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

Lame is the only word to describe the shortlist of seven candidates for the new name of the Edmonton Football Team, formerly the Eskimos.

The team’s board of directors whittled down a total of 14,833 fan submissions for a new name to Elks, Evergreens, Evergolds, Eclipse, Elkhounds, Eagles and Elements.

The list includes 2,047 unique name entries, so how did they come with seven dorky names?

It’s like out of 2,000 shades of crayons they picked the usual red, blue, green, brown, yellow, black and purple.

It’s time to revert back to the previous name as the Edmonton Eskimos and damn the torpedoes.

Better yet, please let the fans pick the name just as they did with the Toronto Raptors.

The naming criteria was to come up with a name starting with the letter E since they want to keep the double EE on their team logo to save money and hang on to some part of their DNA. An Elk in my mind is a member of a local service club, so that’s out.

Evergreens are trees and belong in the forest, so nix that one.

Evergolds sounds like a senior bowling league from the 1950s while Eclipse is a rare sight and you need to cover your eyes to see one, so

File Photo how does that work?

I have never seen an Elkhound and I don’t want to, so there. Eagles are already an NFL team and eagles that fly in the sky here are few and far between.

Give me a break. Ele-

ments remind me of the atomic table I couldn’t memorize in high school and once again, says nothing about a football team other than they play outdoors in the elements.

Edmonton’s sur-

vey asks fans to rate the seven candidates from first to worst. It says the group selecting the name will take the results into account.

The lame seven choices they came up with shows they won’t

take into account anything the fans want.

Please ditch the committee and let fans do the creative work.

My top choice for the naming of the Edmonton Football Team—the Egads!

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

BPC extends hand to cold and most vulnerable to keep in their cars and eventually give them out to someone in need,” she said.

“We also wanted to create awareness around the need our community has for these bags.”

“

Tricia Hunter and Brian Campbell from BPC Services Ltd. dropped backpacks off to Ryley Gilroyed (centre) at the Lloydminster Drop-In Centre just in time for the temperatures to really drop.

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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The weather may be a little more cooperative this week, but when the temperatures dipped to -50°C a couple of weeks

ago, BPC Services Ltd. was there to help, and the Lloydminster DropIn Centre was one of their first stops.

BPC put together backpacks to be gifted

to those in need. The packs including a blanket, two pairs of goodquality socks, a warm toque, warm and durable mitts, granola bars, Clif Bars, water bot-

tles, juice boxes, a toothbrush, deodorant, toothpaste and more.

“Christmas was coming around and it was our 10-year anniversary, and we wanted to focus on mental health and addiction going into the year for support,” said Tricia Hunter, business development and community relations for BPC Service Ltd. “All of the events we had planned of course didn’t happen, but we still wanted to do something to give back,” said Hunter.

“We got the backpacks because we thought that was the most important part of the gift,” said Hunter.

“It’s sturdy and high quality, and it’s essentially their home away from home and all of their possessions would be in the backpack.”

Hunter explained that once the backpacks were filled, BPC brought them to their customers and vendors so those clients could in-turn pay it forward.

“We wanted to give our clients these bags

It’s absolutely huge.

With COVID and the cold weather on the go, the fact the community remains strong and intact is very humbling.

Hunter and one of BPC’s owners, Martin Campbell, delivered roughly 30 bags to the Drop-In Centre two weeks ago right before the weather really got cold.

“We didn’t want bags to be lingering in the back seats of cars because people needed these bags now,” she said.

And Hunter was right, those bags were needed and greatly appreciated.

“It’s everything you could ever want to be a part of,” said Ryley Gilroyed, manager of the Drop-in Centre.

“It’s absolutely huge.

With COVID and the cold weather on the go, the fact the community remains strong and intact is very humbling.

People, as well as organizations, are going out of their way to make sure we not only have what we need, but also going above and beyond in providing those extra needs.”

Gilroyed also explained how the timing for the donation

couldn’t have been any better.

“It was impeccable timing. With our recent string of -40°C weather, and even below that, those bags came in handy, especially for our most vulnerable populations that don’t necessarily have access to shelter,” he said.

“We found this was an essential need for those people just trying to survive the cold.”

Gilroyed explained he and the staff at the drop-in centre want to make sure everyone has access to what they need, but also has equal opportunities to access those basicneed items.

“Things like the blankets and the food were perfect. But overall, we’re just making sure everybody is taken care of in that sense,” he said.

“They basically checked all of the boxes in terms of what was required.”

Whether the bags were delivered to the Drop-In Centre or given to someone on the street, Gilroyed said a real positive message from this campaign is that those in need aren’t been forgotten and left out in the cold.

“I think it’s absolutely necessary and also refreshing as well, and I think it’s about time the marginalized populations are acknowledged and their stories are told, and also, just that we as a society view them as human, and if we want to see personal growth in any capacity we have to start with that humanistic side,” he said.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Mexico in Lloyd cures cabin fever GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Mexico is closer to Lloydminster than you think.

Ontario native and country singer, Aiden McGill, just released a new song and video, “Our Own Mexico,” inspired by COVID travel restrictions.

His message to Lloydminster fans is, “I just hope they have a good grin on their faces.”

“When we did the YouTube video, we got over 4,500 hits in two weeks. For some reason, I have been getting e-mails from Canadians who are in Mexico,” said McGill last week.

“The ones in Canada just say they have a place in Mexico and are sad they can’t go right now.”

McGill is a frequent flyer to Mexico with a large group of friends and made the video to give listeners and himself the feeling of being there.

That’s also the goal of Lloydminster’s Mexican import, Ari Martinez.

Martinez is the owner of Tacos El Habanero Food Truck and the Mariachi Project, which is all about cheering Canadians with festive music.

He says his Mariachi band had three bookings for Valentine’s Day with more to come as a sure cure for cabin fever.

“The comments so far are that they feel exactly like they are in Mexico on the beach or in the bar or in the restaurant,” said Martinez.

“The feeling, in general, is that they are really happy to have access to a Mariachi band in Lloyd.”

He says his goal with Mariachi is to bring Mexico to Canada.

“We found it really interesting that people book us even during the COVID period,” he said.

“So I’m guessing the reason is they said they

were depressed and they want to chill out.”

Mexico is a top vacation spot for area residents who can get their fix experiencing McGill’s song on country music radio and social media platforms.

McGill basically made a homemade party video from his collection of Mexican vacation photos and videos, mixing in fresh footage of his Mexico-themed house and attire.

“So many people in my area say ‘hey, I’d heard your song. It made me smile,’” he said.

“There is so much depression in the past year, I just want people to smile.”

McGill wore a sombrero for the video and is itching to wear one for real in Mexico.

“As soon as it’s safe and we’re allowed to go, I’m jumping on a plane and going somewhere,” he said.

Martinez immigrated

to Canada from Mexico in 2008 and works full time at Kindersley Transport, with his taco truck and Mariachi band being part-time jobs.

“Actually, right now, we can’t consider it a job. All the money we are getting is just to pay pretty much what we pay for the project itself,” he explained.

He says if you have a wedding, you can book the truck and the Mariachi band to have food and music together.

He’ll be running the truck again this summer for take-out food and is holding auditions to replace a couple of members of the band.

“We are looking for more guitars, trumpets, violins and singers for sure,” he said, noting they rehearse outdoors for safe social distancing.

McGill co-wrote “Our Own Mexico” with Canadian Country Music Award-winning

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Supplied Photo

Lloydminster residents can get a feel for Mexico by booking Ari Martinez’s Mariachi Project band visiting his seasonal Tacos El Habanero Food Truck. They can also cure cabin fever by experiencing a new song and video “Our Own Mexico” released this month by country singer Aiden McGill. Several of his past songs have generated airplay in Lloydminster.

songwriter winner Tim Taylor and American Shawn Christian.

Neil Donell, the lead singer for the supergroup Chicago sings

harmony.

It was part of a 12-song project McGill started many years ago and is his fifth single.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Money Matters Synergy named Sask top employer for fourth year

I

n a year of uncertainty, it became even more important for employers to ensure a safe and flexible workplace was a priority.

Synergy Credit Union committed to those goals through several different measures while maintaining the strong service standards that its members have come to expect.

Because of those and more, Synergy has been named one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers for 2021.

“We asked for a lot from our employees as the COVID-19 pandemic became an obstacle for many of our members’ financial wellbeing,” said Synergy CEO Glenn Stang.

“And they came through in a major way, keeping our service at pre-COVID levels while taking on new tasks that may not have been in their job role previously.”

Synergy’s commitment to workplace culture shone through during the past year.

Investments in technology allowed staff members to continue meeting with members virtually, which helped reduce contact and helped maintain health.

Safety measures like hand sanitizer and physical distancing were put into place early in the pandemic. Many staff members were given the option to work from home on a full- or parttime basis to reduce the

number of people who entered branches.

And it was not just the physical health that was a priority.

Early in the pand e mic , Sy ne r g y g ave each employee a personal day every two weeks to help them recharge and spend time looking after their mental wellbeing.

It is the fourthstraight year that Synergy has been named one of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers, a special designation that recognizes provincial employers who lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.

Employers are compared to other organizations in their field to determine which offer

File Photo the most progressive and forward-thinking programs. The annual competition is open to any employer with its head office in Saskatchewan; employers of any size may apply, whether private or public sec-

tor “We recognize that being able to attract and retain top talent doesn’t happen by accident,” said Stang.

“The culture that we have built here and the commitment to working with our staff on initia-

tives that impact them are integral to having a happy and productive workplace. Our Executive Team and Board of Directors are very proud of the work our team does, a team that continues to raise the bar.”

Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIAN SOURCE

15

Money Matters Financial fraudsters on rise during pandemic A

s the COVID-19 pandemic continues, fraudsters are taking advantage of people by preying on fears and using misinformation.

In fact, one in three Ca n a di a ns i n d i c a t e d they have been targeted by attempts to obtain their financial information through phishing or hacking, according to data from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

Some common scams can include phone calls, emails and texts that ask for personal or financial information, such as your name, address, birth date, social insurance number or banking information. If you receive unsolicited or suspi-

cious emails or text messages from a financial institution, don’t click on the links or attachments.

Fraudsters who gain access to your accounts can steal your money, apply for a personal loan, order a credit card or even apply for a mortgage in your name.

It’s important to know that your financial institution will never ask for personal information, login credentials or account information by email or text message. Remember: If you didn’t initiate the contact with a financial institution, you don’t know who you’re dealing with.

If you’re suspicious of information you receive electronically related

to your banking activities, contact your bank directly before taking any action. Here are some tips to help you keep your information safe: - Never give out your personal or financial information by email or text.

- When banking online, enter your bank’s website in your browser yourself.

- Beware of questionable offers related to financial relief measures or quick fixes. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

If you think you’ve been scammed, become a victim of identity theft, or you’ve accidentally given your information to a scammer, you should:

File Photo - change all your passwords immediately, including those for your online or mobile banking and email accounts; - ask your financial institution to place a fraud alert on the account; - regularly review your bank account or credit card statements to make sure there is no suspicious activity; - order a free credit report and carefully

check for anything unusual; - In addition to the above, if you’re a victim of fraud, it’s important to: - contact your financial institution immediately; - report the incident to your local police; - contact Canada’s two credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion, and ask them to place fraud alert on

your credit report file; - contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or visit their website and complete the online report.

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada provides unbiased and fact-based information you can count on. You can learn more about how to protect yourself from unauthorized transactions at canada.ca/money.

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Save the date: Sask Parks campsite reservations set for April MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Reservations for the 2021 camping season at Saskatchewan’s Provincial Parks are set to begin April 12 for seasonal campsites and on April 14-23 for nightly and group campsites.

“With the recent cold snap across the province, many folks are anticipating summer and this year’s camping season,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said.

“Our provincial parks provide many options for safe and local summer vacations, with so much to see and do. Sask Parks staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors and their families back to the parks for another memorable year.”

In early 2020, Sask Parks launched a competitive process for a vendor that could provide an enhanced reservation and camp-

File Photo ground management system.

Aspira was selected as the vendor and comes with more than 30 years of experience providing reservation platforms for government park agencies across North America.

Prior to reservations opening, customers should plan to create a new account once the site is available in April. Online tutorials will be offered to help guide users through this process.

Customers will also want to note that reservations will begin at 7 a.m. each day - there is no longer a need to log on at 6:40 a.m. in order to be placed in the queue. The complete reservation schedule is as follows: - April 12 - Seasonal campsites for all parks offering seasonal camping - April 14 - Pike Lake, The Battlefords, Narrow Hills, Blackstrap - April 16 - Bronson

Forest, Meadow Lake, Makwa Lake, Lac La Ronge - April 19 - Saskatchewan Landing, Douglas, Danielson - April 20 - Buffalo Pound, Rowan’s Ravine, Echo Valley, Crooked Lake - April 21 - Cypress Hills - April 22 - Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Greenwater Lake - April 23 - Candle Lake, Great Blue Heron, Moose Mountain Fee changes for 2021

include a $1 increase in nightly electric sites, now $33 a night, and a $1 increase in full-service nightly sites, now $43 a night.

The new full-service seasonal sites offered at Greenwater Lake and Meadow Lake provincial parks are $3,400. All other fees remain the same from 2020.

For information related to this year’s campsite reservations, visit www.saskparks.com.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

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MARIACHI FROM PAGE 13

“The words were a little bit different; we’ve just kind of tweaked it to fit for COVID,” he explained.

His brother calls it “Trop Rock” with its shades of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville.

Ironically, international Margarita Day was marked on Feb. 22 to celebrate the famous Mexican drink.

Martinez says you won’t find that Mexican lifestyle in Lloydminster with its small population of immigrants.

“When we want to do something about Mexico, the meeting point is Vermilion. That’s where the majority of Mexicans are,” he said.

He jokes it’s hard to find a native Canadian there.

He says a big group of immigrants came to Vermilion in 2012 to work in the oilpatch and the influx isn’t letting up.

“You have towns around Lloyd which have lots of Mexicans. Here in Lloyd, we are not many,” said Martinez.

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Alberta RCMP talk of dangers of human trafficking MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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On Feb. 22, in recognition of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, the Alberta RCMP is working to educate Albertans on the dangers of human trafficking and exploitation – serious crimes that occur across Canada, including in our own province, everyday.

Under the Canadian

Criminal Code, human trafficking involves the recruitment, transportation or harbouring of persons, or the control of their movements, for exploitation. Individuals are most commonly trafficked for the purpose of forced labour or sexual exploitation.

The Alberta RCMP hopes to provide Albertans with a better awareness and understanding of this serious

crime type – the more you know about human trafficking, the easier it is to detect and prevent. · Traffickers coerce victims in many different ways such as pretending to be potential partners or friends, reaching out via social media, listing ads for work opportunities, using threats, kidnapping, and more (The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, 2020).

· Perpetrators often use threats, emotional and physical abuse, and isolation to control victims (The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking, 2020).

These forms of abuse make it difficult for victims to report their traffickers, as they fear the risk of repercussions. · As of 2018, 97 per cent of trafficking victims in Canada were female and 73 per cent were 24-years-old or younger (Statistics Canada, 2020).

Individuals at greater risk of being trafficked in Canada include Indigenous females, new immigrants, LGBTQ2 persons, those with disabilities, at-risk youths or kids in the child welfare system, and individuals who are socially or economically vulnerable (Government of Canada, 2020).

“Trafficking is an extremely lucrative crime, netting billions of dollars for traffick-

File Photo ers worldwide,” said Const. Kristin Appleton, Alberta RCMP Missing Persons Unit.

“This is because victims can be continuously sold time and time again unlike illicit drugs or other illegal contraband.”

For more information on human trafficking, Albertans can visit www.notinmycity.ca. #NotInMyCity offers an online course that teaches Canadians more about this crime type and actions they can take against

it. Additional resources can be found through The Action Coalition on Human Trafficking (ACT) Alberta and the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE).

If you suspect human trafficking activity, or are a victim, please call 2-1-1 or contact your local law enforcement. Human trafficking can also be reported through the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline or by calling the RCMP Human Trafficking National Coordination Centre at 1-855-850-4640.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

He’s choking, he’s choking!

PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

This week, the staff at our school took the Red Cross first-aid and CPR training course taught by my friend Kim Lines.

She’s a dandy instructor and really knows her stuff. We all left the better for learning these life-saving techniques. They’re skills everyone should have.

As the day waxed on, people shared their own experiences and we heard a few hairraising tales of burns, breaks and obstructed airways; in particular, times when kids were choking. I had a couple too.

Several years ago, I paid a visit to a lady with three children.

We sat sipping tea in her kitchen while the older kids played and the youngest, around 18 months old, sat in

his high-chair.

All was well until she f l ip p e d him a b o ile d wiener to gnaw on.

I’m talking about a whole honkin’ wiener tossed onto his tray with a wet, wobbly thud!

It was not chopped into tiny bits to ensure an easy passage down his esophagus, nor was the child watched to see how he would make out with the mushy, throatclogging meal.

In fact, as I recall, the woman walked away, leaving me with this tiny toddler who sat methodically mangling his limp lunch.

Naturally, the next sounds to be heard were those of noisy gagging followed closely by chubby arms raised in distress (his and mine).

I scrambled from my chair and leapt to his side, but his mother called calmly from the hallway.

“Just leave him alone.

He’ll be fine,” she said.

Thankfully, he was, and presently he managed to work the whole business down his gullet. I, however, was not fine. I shook with fear.

My own children had every morsel of their dinners cut to a fine shred and were told to chew long and carefully.

Each mouthful they took was observed at close range.

As you can imagine, this attention was a trifle unnerving, and once they turned 25, was no longer appreciated, but I TRIED. Of course, one cannot be present for every

foolish morsel their children choose to ingest.

For instance, I had no idea what was happening on the day that five-year-old Aliyah reclined on the grass in our backyard stuffing a toadstool into her mouth, or that Justin would try to swallow the equivalent of a side of beef at his uncle’s dinner table.

However, they both lived.

I wasn’t so sure about that same child on my next visit to visit that woman though.

This time she tossed

MERIDIAN SOURCE

a plum onto the kid’s plate. I watched in horrible fascination as the little fellow chawed his way down to the stone and then popped that in too.

“Hey!” I hollered, lunging to my feet once more. “He’s just eaten the pit!”

She yawned, and almost leisurely stood as the child began the familiar refrain of retching that I assume was a regular occurrence at their table.

Moving to his side without haste, she dragged him from the chair and suspended

19

him upside-down in mid-air.

She delivered two brisk raps to his heaving back, the stone flew from his mouth and she placed him back in the chair to continue with his fruit, unperturbed.

What would Kim have done in that situation I wonder? Probably handled it better than me.

I c o u l d n’t ta k e th e stress, and never went back.

To contact Helen or to order her books go to myprairiewool.com or write Box 55 Marshall, SK. S0M1R0

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, February 25, 2021

A little history on league sports WHISPERS OF THE PAST SANDRA L. BROWN

A variety of winter sports were offered in Lloydminster besides hockey, ice skating and curling.

According to the book 75 Years of Sport and Culture, broomball began in the mid1930s. “They were just pick-up teams from among a group of people and the game was played solely to break the monotony of the tough and dreary 30s.”

Playing their games in the old arena, a league of four teams formed in 1950.

Each appointed team Captain had a variety of responsibilities including manager, coach and ice fees collector.

There were no rules for playing the game

and players attempted to outplay each other.

It appears the ‘anything goes’ style of play applied.

This unorganized league played for five years despite the many bumps, bruises and broken bones.

With a renewed interest in 1960, exhibition games were played against teams from surrounding towns.

The ongoing reckless method of playing without any rules or regulations was rather hazardous for players.

S o m e p lay e rs w e r e said to have added nails to their boots or steel plates in their brooms.

A number of players also froze their brooms solid just to have an extra edge in strengthening their game action.

21012bs1

This sport must have inflicted a variety of injuries over the years.

Once the Archie Miller Arena opened, broomball continued in popularity from 19661978 as ice was now more available.

With the formation of an actual Broomball League, rules and regulations were finally established.

Spectators also enjoyed this recreational entertainment.

The executive led by Rev. David Hawkins devised a list of regulations for players to abide by.

Games included three 15-minute periods with no intermission and seven players on the ice rather than the traditional six.

Players could only play for one team. Each team was to supply their own regulation

File Photo brooms and balls.

Teams were required to collect a $3 donation which would go towards a season-end trophy.

The League trophy winner would be determined by the team with the most points. Each winning team earned two points and one point for a tie game.

At the end of the season, if teams were tied with the same number of points, a sudden death game was played

to determine the league winner.

A sport I had the brief misfortune of trying out for as a teenager was girls’ field hockey.

This was a standard sport during school physed classes and we had a lot of fun playing outdoors on the field.

So, I naturally thought it would be a great idea to join a ladies’ league team.

The group of us trying out went through drills

and showed our skills during scrimmage games.

Now while all of this was taking place, I listened in undisguised shock to the stories from the returning players of how some had received broken bones while getting ‘accidentally’ hit by the stick.

Afterwards, I bravely walked off the field with all my bones intact in search of a much safer sport.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIAN SOURCE

There when you need them MIDWEST MINUTE VERN McCLELLAND

There are times in life, no matter how independent we like to think ourselves, when we can use a helping hand.

Support may come from a friend, family member, neighbour, or simply a kindhearted stranger.

Over the years I have been blessed with a great support network who have never failed to be there when needed.

The week my father passed was in the middle of a busy time of year real estate-wise.

No matter how old your parent is, or how old you are, this time in life can hit you like a ton of bricks.

My business partner simply told me to take care of the family while he stepped in and looked after every-

thing else.

Thanks, Mike!

My son’s modular home burnt to the ground early one frigid January morning from what was established later as caused by an electrical short in the wall below the main panel.

He and the faithful red heeler w ho w akened him, barely got out alive. Everything else went up in flames.

The out-of-province owners of a vacant hunting lodge located nearby offered him rent-free accommodation for as long as he needed it.

Years ago, we were vacationing with our two young children in the foothills south of Calgary when we blew a tire on a rough backcountry gravel road.

I had somehow forgotten to throw in a spare when loading the camper onto the truck.

It wasn’t that long

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File Photo before an older couple came along and stopped to see if we needed assistance.

Fortunately, their spare fit our truck so once it was in place, we followed them back to the small lake where they were camped for the week.

My family stayed with them while I went 60 miles to the clos-

est tire store, had a new tire mounted on our rim, then returned with theirs.

We then had a beer to celebrate a new friendship before going on our way.

Public health measures to stem the pandemic have isolated so many people.

It has been an exceedingly difficult time

for single and ageing adults, not to mention children without sisters or brothers to play with.

Add frigid winter weather, and the days can get unbearably long.

So, if you have the opportunity, please reach out and make a difference in somebody’s life today.

You never know when

you will need someone to have your back.

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.

PAGE 22 Thursday, February 25, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Sports

Bobcats granted approval to resume play JAMIE HARKINS

WRITER

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The Lloydminster Bobcats are ready to drop the puck.

The Bobcats will return to on-ice action early next month thanks to a recent Alberta Government decision allowing the AJHL to resume play under the protocols of strict COVID precaution guidelines.

The AJHL paused the 2020-21 season in mid-November following COVID outbreaks among at least four teams including the Canmore Eagles which saw 16 of their players and staff test positive for the virus between Nov. 19 and 27.

Nigel Dube, head coach and general manager of the Bobcats, confirmed the team will compete in

a 24-game season as part of a three-team cohort with matches played exclusively from Fridays to Sundays between the start of March and end of May.

“

Just with the timing of the year and moving into the spring, obviously time is of the essence.

It’s crucial to get back playing right away.

He also said it has not yet been settled which teams will comprise their cohort or whether playoffs will follow the shortened spring campaign.

“It’ll be a few practices and then we’re

File Photo right into games,” said Dube, noting players will start returning to Lloydminster for training camp early next week after completing a seven-day isolation period and recording two negative COVID tests.

“It’s going to happen quickly with taking a couple of months off to having a few skates and then getting right back into it. Just with the timing of the year and moving into the spring, obviously, time is of the essence.

It’s crucial to get back playing right away.”

Fans will not be allowed into the arenas during games, but the contests will be broadcast on Hockey TV. And, the teams that choose to return, Canmore opted out on Monday, must all undergo weekly PCR testing during the season.

Dube said the cost of testing will come out of each team’s pocket, which is already facing a shortage of funds due to the season pause and inability to sell tickets in the fanfriendly league.

However, he said the new Jackpot for Junior

Hockey online 50/50 draw launched by the WHL and AJHL with proceeds spread among Alberta’s five major junior and 15 junior A clubs should help offset lost revenues.

The Bobcats roster will see some changes in this restart, noted Dube, considering they’re resuming play at a time when the season would normally be coming to a close.

He added some guys who were here from September to November have other commitments, so fans can expect a few announce-

ments in the near future about new players coming to town.

“We’ve got an opportunity to bring in some of our players who we were looking to bring in next year,” said Dube.

“They’ll get their feet wet and get the experiences of playing junior hockey and living in Lloydminster. It’s an exciting time. There are a lot of things (out there) where it’s next week, next week and optimism dries up.

But, this is something we can look forward to.”

Thursday, February 25, 2021

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Once a Sen, always a Sen SPORTS EDITOR JAMIE HARKINS

You may recall about four years ago in this space there appeared a question about Joe Nieuwendyk’s jersey.

The Calgary Flames legend had been sporting a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater during an alumni game and I couldn’t think of any other inquiry than why.

Well, seeing longtime Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara skate in Washington Capitals garb is once again rattling my senses.

Certain hockey players just don’t look right wearing another team’s jersey.

Martin Brodeur in a St. Louis Blues sweater, Daniel Alfredsson donning the red and white colours of the Detroit Red Wings and anyone who wasn’t drafted by the Florida Panthers

suiting up in their gear seems wrong.

I’m not saying trading places doesn’t work for everyone.

Ray Bourque hoisting a Stanley Cup as a member of the Colorado Avalanche is a case in point.

It’s just when a guy is with one team for so many years and enjoyed success there then it just feels odd seeing them move on for the final season or two of their careers.

For instance, when people think of Gordie Howe they’re probably not picturing him moving the puck up ice for the Hartford Whalers.

I know there are valid reasons for each move.

Some teams want to see what their young guys can do, so a veteran is traded or not re-signed.

Marc-Andre Fleury falls into this category.

Maybe, like Bourque, they’ve enjo yed p ersonal success, but are

still lacking a Cup. Here, a team with no hope of a long playoff run should respect the wishes of their ageing star and ship him to a contender.

And, then there are the guys who have slowed down enough that they should hang up the skates but still refuse.

Jaromir Jagr rushing down the wing for the Flames is the first player who comes to mind in this regard.

This works for all sports so don’t single out hockey.

Geroy Simon enjoyed a one-and-done with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Dave Stieb played four games for the Chicago White Sox before returning to the Toronto Blue Jays after a five-year retirement and Vince Carter clung to life as a member of the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks,

23

File Photo Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks the past 11 winters.

However, the thing that rattles me is when a player who has given everything for a team and wants to remain even during a rebuild is let go.

The ‘we want to give our younger players a chance to show what they’ve got’ excuse is u su ally u sed here as

it was with Chara, but really can’t there be a way to include both.

I’m an Ottawa guy, so my thoughts always go back to the Senators.

Longtime Sens enforcer Chris Neil decided to retire in 2017 instead of signing with another team following the reported “mutual decision” made by him and the club about his ice time moving forward.

I get that his spot was needed for a younger player and his role had generally been eliminated around the league, but forcing someone who could still contribute to leave or retire is a tough play.

Nothing against any of the guys mentioned before, but you have to respect Neil’s choice to hang up the skates instead of putting on a different sweater.

PAGE 24 Thursday, February 25, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Agriculture

Feds and Sask enhance 2021 crop insurance MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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On Tuesday, Federal Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood Marie-Claude Bibeau and Saskatchewan Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer announced enhancements to the 2021 Crop Insurance Program.

This year, crop insurance coverage will reach a record level due to higher commodity prices and increased yield coverage.

“Farmers across Saskatchewan continue to step up despite all the challenges thrown their way during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bibeau said.

“These improvements to the Crop Insurance Program give Saskatchewan farmers more coverage they can count on. We will continue working with our provincial counterparts to ensure farmers have the risk manage-

ment tools to help their stability and growth.”

“F o r o ver 60 y ear s, t he Crop Insurance Program has supported Saskatchewan producers with reliable coverage and excep tional customer service,” said Harpauer.

“We are committed to providing producers with the insurance programs they need and the enhancements announced today build upon the current suite of programs.”

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) continues to provide high coverage as we enter a new growing season.

Coverage will reach a record level of $273 per acre due to higher commodity prices and increased yield coverage, up from $224 in 2020.

This represents a 22 per cent increase in coverage.

The average premium cost

per dollar of coverage continues to decline.

There was a 42 per cent reduction in average premium cost per dollar of coverage over the last 10 years.

This includes a 20 per cent reduction directly resulting from the strong financial position of the program.

However, due to the increased coverage for 2021, the average premium for producers will be higher than in 2020. The average premium per acre will be $8.59, up from $7.40.

Establishment benefit values are reviewed annually.

This year, the establishment benefit values for canola, lentils, chickpeas and corn have increased. Canola is now $70 per acre.

Large Green lentils are $50 per acre and Red lentils are $30 per acre.

Large Kabuli chickpeas are $65 per acre and Small Kabuli chickpeas are $45 per

acre. Corn is $95 per acre.

New in 2021, producers growing tame hay will have additional options when insuring their hay acres.

Crop Insurance customers now have the choice to insure their tame hay acres under the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program (FRIP) or the Multi-Peril Crop Insurance Program. Coverage options can be customized for each farming operation.

Under FRIP, payments will be calculated based on rainfall levels, instead of overall yields.

“Saskatchewan cattle producers face a lot of risks. It is good to see the programs they can access through SCIC continue to evolve,” said Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association chair Arnold Balicki.

“Adding tame hay to the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program and extending the calf coverage deadline and

hours of operation for Livestock Price Insurance are all positive. I encourage cattle producers to look into SCIC’s programs as there were many improvements in recent years.”

Forage producers will also see an increase in Native Forage Establishment Benefit coverage.

The Native Forage Establishment Benefit provides coverage on newly seeded native forage acres. The coverage is increasing from $75 to $200.

Other Forage Establishment Benefit prices seeing an increase includes tame hay to $90 per acre and sweetclover to $65 per acre.

Forage producers are encouraged to review available coverage options through SCIC’s Forage Option and Weather-Based Programs.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

Thursday, February 25, 2021

INSURANCE FROM PAGE 24

SCIC has been working with the Saskatchewan Vegetable Growers’ Association to develop programming for the growing commercial vegetable sector in Saskatchewan.

The impact of a crop failure on vegetable operations could be significant as a relatively small number

of acres has extremely high value.

New for 2021, the Commercial Vegetable Program is a pilot program that will provide stand-alone coverage for damage to cabbage and pumpkin crops.

A minimum of eight acres is required to participate in the Program. SCIC will continue to explore insurance coverage options

for the Commercial Vegetable Program.

Saskatchewan has also become a significant producer of chickpeas.

SCIC is updating the base grade for largeseeded Kabuli chickpeas to reflect current production and marketing patterns. This increases the insured price and the quality coverage.

“Saskatchewan Pulse Growers welcomes this change to the Kabuli chickpea base grade calculation, as it better reflects the larger sizes grown by Saskatchewan producers,” said Saskatchewan Pulse Growers board chair Shaun Dyrland.

“This change should increase coverage levels for most of the 300 chickpea producers in

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the province.”

SCIC encourages producers to review their business risk management plans regularly.

SCIC has 21 local customer service offices across the province with knowledgeable staff available to discuss the insurance options best suited for each farming operation.

25

March 31 is the deadline to select insured crops and coverage levels or make additional changes to Crop Insurance contracts.

Producers need to al so ap p l y , re instate or cancel by this date.

For more information about the 2021 insurance options, call 1-888-935-0000 or visit www.scic.ca.

21024AF1

PAGE 26 Thursday, February 25, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Careers

Sask announces $15M for VIDO-InterVac Pandemic Research

File Photo MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

..................................

The Government of Saskatchewan is committing $15 million of new funding to further support important pandemic research by the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) at the University of Saskatchewan.

“COVID-19 has demonstrated the importance of Canada being a leader in research, development and production of new vaccines,” said Premier

Scott Moe. “The place that should happen is right here in Saskatchewan, at VIDO-Int e r Vac in Saskatoon. VIDO has made world-first breakthroughs and achieved significant momentum in vaccine and disease research, most recently with COVID-19 vaccine development, and this new facility will strengthen their position as Canada’s Centre for Pandemic Research.”

The $15 million provincial funding commitment is contingent on the Government of Canada committing and flowing funds to the project, which has already received committed funding committed by the City of Saskatoon and significant contributions from several private donors.

“This support from the Government of Saskatchewan is critical in strengthening VIDO’s position as a National Centre focused on pan-

demic research and preparedness,” said VIDO Director Dr. Volker Gerdts.

“The investment will help ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to protect Canadians from future emerging infectious diseases.”

Premier Moe has formally written to the federal government to support VIDO-InterVac’s request for $45 million in federal government support and ongoing operating funding for this project.

The provincial commitment will support VIDO’s Centre for Pandemic Research, which will include an upgrade to Level 4 containment facilities.

Containment Level 4 laboratories provide the capability to work safely with the most serious and deadly human and animal diseases.

Currently, the only level 4 facility in Canada is the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.

VIDO was originally designed and built to accommodate the possible future enhancement to Level 4 con-

tainment capability.

This includes 2000 square feet of existing lab space that can be readily upgraded to meet Level 4 containment requirements.

The Centre will also provide critical animal housing for multiple species and significantly reduce the time required to advance vaccine development to human clinical trials.

In addition, this Centre for Pandemic Research gives VIDO the capacity to develop the workforce and train the talent needed for a resilient vaccine and therapeutic ecosystem in Canada.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Government of Saskatchewan has provided VIDO-InterVac with additional funding of $4.2 million to support the development of a COVID-19 vaccine and construct a new small-scale manufacturing facility to be completed later this year.

This funding is in addition to annual operations funding of $3.8 million in 201920 and $4.1 million in 2020-21.

PAGE 27 Thursday, February 25, 2021 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridiansource.ca

AUCTIONS

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Classifieds AGRICULTURE

SERVICES

AUCTIONS are our business! Contact Copeland Auctions Ltd. located in Lloydminster, AB for all your auction needs. Call Russ 780-870-1181 or visit our website: www.copelandauctions.co m

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Heavy Duty Mechanics required: Late model, clean CAT, JD equip; winch, dump, gravel trucks, and trailers. Both camp and shop locations; R & B provided Wage negotiable.

Clean drivers abstract a must.

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction Box 100, Arborfield, Sk. S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

BECOME DEBT FREE • Reduce your debts up to 80% • Keep your Car, Home & RRSPs • Stop Harassing Creditor CALLS immediately • Get the largest debt reduction that is fair • Consumer Proposal, Bankruptcy & Budgeting • Free Consultations • Here to Serve YOU!

306.830.5449 | beth@credit720.ca In Loving Memory of Our Dear Mother and Grandmother

EDNA WHITEHEAD

JUNE 4, 1913 - FEBRUARY 21, 2013 My love is like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June My love is like a melody So sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thee my bonnie lass So deep in love am I And I would love thee still my dear Through all the seas gone dry.

Though all the seas gone dry my dear And the rocks melt with the sun I would love thee still my dear Though the sands of time may run.

So fare thee well my bonnie lass And fare thee well awhile.

And I would come to you again.

Though we were ten thousand miles.

Advertise your services in our Business Directory!

Call our sales team today!

Though we were ten thousand miles my dear Though we were ten thousand miles I would come to you again Though we were ten thousand miles.

Remembered daily and sadly missed by.

Beverley, Christian, Cheryl & Amberley Elizabeth, Ian, Julian, Kari, Hudson & Ebba

306.825.5111

DALE FRANCIS LORENZ

Forever loved and sadly missed

Although you’re gone forever And you’re physically not here Your influence still guides me And I can feel you near

Think of you always, more so today For all your hardwork and all that you’ve done We appreciate it and thank you dearly This coming from your wife, daughter and son

Sadness sets in still And your hand I cannot touch So many memories Of the man I loved so much

Sometimes I hear your words Whispering in my ear Helping me with decisions Moving forward with no fear

Together always: Evelyn Niki (Matt) Ella, Avery Daylon

SEPTEMBER 11, 1961 - MARCH 1, 2008

Thursday, February 25, 2021

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Obituaries & Memoriams

Call to place your Memoriam or Obituary. 306-825-5111

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

Church Directory

Celebrations Contact us today to place your announcement in next week’s issue Box ad......... $14.50 (Column Inch Rate) Obituaries.... 20¢ per word plus $15 to include photo $2.50 e-edition charge per issue

LIFE’S

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CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE YOUR ANNOUNCEMENT IN NEXT WEEK’S ISSUE AT (306) 825-5111.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

February 18 Answers

ACROSS 1. Huck’s friend 4. Farce 8. Manhandle 12. Climbing plant 13. Skirt length 14. Unit of land 15. Breeze maker 16. Gambler’s concern 17. Zest 18. Narrow bottle 20. Prepared a golf ball 22. Organ levers 25. Breakfast item 28. Recipe instruction 31. Wool producers 32. Damage 33. Vinegary

34. Plump 35. Opera star 36. This woman 37. Superman, e.g.

38. Received an “A” on 39. Long, skinny fish 40. Make beloved 42. Inlets 44. Mom’s brother 48. Float 50. Steel source 53. Place 54. Banish 55. Air shaft 56. Enjoyed a meal 57. Swimsuit tops 58. Preholiday nights 59. Join together

February 18 Answers

DOWN 1. Spat 2. Track shape 3. Talking bird 4. Fire sign 5. Secreted 6. Also 7. Christmas decoration 8. Spouse 9. Scholastic 10. Coffee vessel 11. Knee’s locale 19. Zoomed 21. Racetrack feature 23. Wary of attack 24. Prize 26. Bestowed 27. Alum

28. Diamond feature 29. Feel great pity 30. Polish sausage 35. Fix socks 37. Exclamation 41. Fathers’ sisters 43. Liberal ____ 45. Talon 46. Behind time 47. Viewed 48. Shed tears noisily 49. “____ Town” 51. Gun in neutral 52. Single

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS Introduce your new addition here in next week’s issue for FREE! Come in and fill out a form or email admin@meridiansource.ca Deadline is Tuesday at noon for the Thursday edition.

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Thursday, February 25, 2021

HOME

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EXCELLENCE NEW LISTINGS

MAKE YOUR COUNTRY DREAM A REALITY!

PT-SW-30-50-26 W3RD

• Welcome home to this luxury barndominium on 10 fenced & treed acres.

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coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

Jennifer Gilbert Associate Broker

Rick Schesnuk Realtor®

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