Meridian Source - June 16, 2022 by Meridian Source

Thursday, June 16, 2022

VOLUME 4 I ISSUE 51

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

r u o y Hold ! s e s h or

Cyclists spin for breakfast TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

It was an action-packed weekend in and around the Border City, but one event that always lives up to its reputation is the Lea Park Rodeo, which took place this past Friday through Sunday. See Page 4 for more.

The ride may have taken place, but fundraising efforts aren’t slowing down one bit. The second instalment of the Bike For Breakfast fundraiser took place this past Sunday at Inland Steel Products, and as of press time, a total of $86,938 had been raised for area school breakfast programs. “I think this year was awesome. Last year was kind of lightning in a bottle and we nearly raised $300K. There wasn’t much going on last year so people had funds they had allocated for sponsorship, and people stepped up heavily last year,” said team member David Lopez, who took it upon himself to do some serious fundraising. “This year, with COVID being sort of put to the wayside and with all of the events taking place, we knew it was going to be a little more difficult to attain that same number, but we set a goal of $100K and I think we’re going to

Photo courtesy of Jessie Mann Photography

Source reporter Geoff Lee did his part last Sunday by riding 80 km in the second instalment of the Bike For Breakfast fundraiser for school breakfast programs. Lee raised $920 from three donors.

make it. We’re so close.” The organizations’s GoFundMe page is still live until September, giving the community a chance to help reach that goal. Last year’s inaugural event saw a group of riders pedalling to Tuffnell Sask. and back raising close to $300K, but as Lopez explained, the community wanted to play a more pivotal role this year. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Lloyd Honda driver’s ed promotes road safety

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Lloydminster Honda finance manager, Becky Bumbacco, is excited for new drivers to test out this weekend’s driver’s ed event at the local Honda dealership. TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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

With the goal of promoting road safety in our community, Lloydminster Honda is hosting a driver’s ed event with a focus on distracted and impaired driving. Class is officially in session starting at 4 p.m. tomorrow and will resume from 9 a.m. onwards on Saturday in the Lloyd Honda parking lot. “It’s called driver’s ed and we’re hosting it right here at the Lloydminster Honda lot, and our focus is on impaired and distracted driving,” said Becky Bombacho, finance manager, Lloydminster Honda. “We’re going to have a couple of tracks set up for young drivers or those who recently got their learner’s permit. “They can come in and

get a first-hand experience with the dangers surrounding distracted and impaired driving in hopes of making better choices behind the wheel and hopefully mitigating the life-altering events that can happen in our community.” Lloyd Honda will have three professional racing instructors onhand to help drivers navigate the two tracks they’ll have set up in their parking lot. One track will be devoted to distracted driving and the other, to impaired driving. For the impaired driving portion of the event, Bombacho explained participants will be using visual devices to simulate the effects of being impaired. “With the professional racing instructors coming in this

weekend, it’ll be very safe and very secure, but, they’ll basically put beer goggles on and drive a car,” she said. For the distracted driving portion of the event, Bombacho said she’s under the impression there will be things inside the car to cause unexpected distractions, such as a ringing cellphone or a GPS unit tone. “The usual things we deal with every day,” she said. “That’s not just young drivers, either, everybody could probably benefit from that, but our target demographic is the younger drivers in the community.” Bombacho has reached out to 28 schools within an hour of Lloydminster to let them know about the event as well as set up a bo o th a t th e L l o y d Comp’s recent car show. “I can’t guarantee it’ll be a brand new Honda, but we have lots of vehicles on our lot so we’ll pull a couple out for the day and they’ll be put through the courses,” she said. Bombacho gave credit to the communityminded team behind Lloyd Honda’s corporate office for putting on such an event. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Pedal power and community help fill the belly after that that I took it up.” Aside from the health benefits of pedalling 40 km, Govender knows just how far the funds will go. “This is a wonderful event, and to be able to provide breakfast at school for kids is just unbelievable. Our community comes through ever single time; you call on this community and they show up.” Lopez echoed Govender and couldn’t believe the community support. “The corporate sponsors were also amazing,” he said. “Inland Steel donated $25K, Wayside donated $5K, both credit unions stepped up and donated, and we’d like to thank our other major sponsors, First General, Boundary Ford and Reid and Wright Advertising. The Lloydminster and District Co-op and Sobeys were also our grocery sponsors. Thank you to everyone.” Spiro’s also donated $2,500 from their pizza campaign, which saw $5 from every pie sold going to the fundraiser. “We’re keeping the fundraising open through the rest of this school year as well as the summer,” said

Photo courtesy of Jessie Mann Photography FROM PAGE 1

“Last year when we rode to Tuffnell and back we had a lot of people saying they wanted to ride with us, so this year we figured we’d make it more community based and keep it close to the community,” said Lopez. “This allowed people to see us off as well as ride with us, but it also allowed everyone’s family to join and make a real day of it. “It was about getting the community more involved and making sure if you wanted to ride, you were able to ride.” This year’s ride saw a total of 30 cyclists from Lloydminster and surrounding area taking

part. One of Sunday’s riders was Source reporter Geoff Lee, who rode 80 km in 3:01:46 and raised a “whopping” $920 from three donors. “Well, I like cycling, but to do that and raise money for charity sounded pretty good to me,” he said. Lee was in utter shock when he received an $820 donation from the Russell family the night before the ride. “I guess I’ve done a lot of stories on kids brain cancer survivor and cyclist Jarrod Russell as well as his niece, Shelby Lane, who is a rower. They really appreciated that and recognized it was also

WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

Canadian Prairie Pickers are once again touring the area!

Paying Cash For Coin Collections, Silver & Gold Coins, Royal Can. Mint Sets. Also Buying Gold Jewelry

$ $

We purchase rolls, bags or boxes of silver coins

$ $

PAYING HIGHEST PRICES To arrange a free, discreet in-home visit

call Kellie at 1-778-257-9019 Bonded since 1967

for a good cause so they jumped in. I was just amazed. “I got choked up myself when I saw the email. I didn’t know how to respond at first, I was just overwhelmed by their generosity.” Another local cyclist who decided to ride for a worthy cause was Dr. Kevin Govender, who rode 40 km on Sunday. “Today was fantastic,” he said. “I started cycling about a year ago just after the first Bike For Breakfast. I was inspired by these guys and I thought cycling was something I could get into, so it was just

Lopez. “We’re donating funds at the beginning of the school year, so

Photo Enforcement Locations For

JUNE 16 - 29

WANTED

June 16

27 St. - ST. Joseph School

June 17

59 Ave. - 29 St.

June 18

62 Ave - 56 St.

June 19

31 St - Barr Colony School

June 20

65 Ave. - 35 St. - ST. Thomas School

June 21

52 St. - Husky Refinery

DEAD OR ALIVE

Canadian Prairie Pickers are once again touring the area!

June 22

Paying HWY 16 - 75 Ave.

June 23

12 St. - 59 Ave.

June 24 June 25 June 26

Cash For Coin Collections, Silver & Gold Coins, 31 St. - Bishop Lloyd School Royal Can. Mint Sets. 52 Ave. - Queen Elizabeth School Also Buying Gold Jewelry 27 St. - 52 Ave. Messum Park

$ $

June 28

rolls, bags or boxes of silver coins HWY 16 - 70 Ave.

June 29

52 Ave. - Barr Colony School

June 27

We School purchase 27 St. - ST. Joseph

$ $

PAYING HIGHEST PRICES

· Additional locations may be photo enforced on the above dates a · Photo enforcement To mayarrange not operate on all dates listed above

free, discreet in-home visit

call Kellie at 1-778-257-9019

lloydminster.ca/photoradar

Bonded since 1967

any funds we generate now until September is going to feed the kids.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Lea Park Rodeo celebrates 67 years ment of the three-day event. “It’s been 67 years total, and if we hadn’t cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, which we had no choice over, it would have been 68 years,” said Hozack, who’s been involved with the rodeo for 43 years.

“

TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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

For residents of the Marwayne community, the Lea Park Rodeo is more than a rodeo, it’s a homecoming; a homecoming that just celebrated 67 years of action-packed greatness

last weekend. Those were the words of Rick Hozack, longtime treasurer and facilitator of all events at the rodeo, who sat down with the Meridian Source on Saturday afternoon to talk about the history and excite-

For our area, it feels really good to put an event on where people can come and forget about their issues.

“This rodeo was on previously in the early ‘20s and ‘30s, but consecutively, it’s been 67 years.” After having to take 2020 off due to COVID restrictions, Hozack

said it felt great to get back at it last year as the rodeo holds a special place in the hearts of local residents. “The rodeo isn’t just about rodeo. This is a homecoming for the Marwayne community,” he said. “Elk Point comes, Cold Lake comes, the Meadow Lake community comes, Lloydminster comes, Vermilion comes. “For our area, it feels really good to put an

e v e nt o n w h e r e p e o ple can come and forget about their issues; just come and visit with your neighbour and enjoy it. It’s an affordable event, we don’t overcharge, so it’s gratifying that way.” Hozack is living proof of the impact this homecoming has on the community and the important aspect family plays in it. “The family aspect out here is huge,” he

said. “There are grandpas here who came when they were kids, and that’s me, I started coming here as a kid and now my family is carrying on that tradition. My kids and nephews are here, even my granddaughter is here. She started helping out here when she was 6 years old running score cards and now she’s 15 years old.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos

FROM PAGE 2

“We’re a small community compared to some of the others they operate out of such as Edmonton, Kelowna and Victoria, and they know that in a smaller community, it’s important to have a commu-

nity focus,” she said. “We just wanted to do our part. We’re selling cars, and we want to make sure people are operating them safely, especially younger folks who are just learning how to drive, we want to make sure

they’re equipped with the knowledge to get themselves home in one piece.” Driver’s ed is free of charge and will be run on a firstcome-first-serve basis, so anyone interested in participating is encouraged to come

down to the dealership at their convenience. “We’ll get them to sign up at the registration table and then work them into the next cycle through the two courses,” said Bombacho. “All you need to participate is

a valid driver’s license.” There is no end-time for the two days of drivers ed as that will all depend on how many new drivers register. “We’ll likely be going until 8-9 p.m., especially since we still have daylight that late.”

Asset Management

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Co-op invests $80k in Lloyd Ex park GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Get married outdoors at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds and let your kids free range on a nearby playground. Both activity amenities should be under construction in August thanks to $80,000 in funding from the Co-op Community Spaces program to create Co-op Celebration Park. “ We ’v e b e e n w a nt ing to do this project for years now—develop a nice outdoor wedding facility and also having the playground addition is massive for this area,” said Lloydminster Exhibition Association general manager, Jackie Tomayer. She accepted the cheque from Lloydminster and District Co-op CEO, Peter Brown, at the construction site between Nissan Place and the Stockade Convention Centre TuesLEA PARK FROM PAGE 4

“For my family and many other families in the area, this is the homecoming event. You come to it and you always plan ahead for it.” With all of the sights and sounds throughout the grounds of the Lea Park Rodeo, it’s easy to see why families and spectators continue to return year after year. “As far as rodeo, well, we love rodeo, or else we wouldn’t have been doing this for this long, and it feels really good to put on an event like

day morning for the project launch. “We are so fortunate and so grateful that the Co-op Community Spaces chose us at the Lloydminster Exhibition,” said Tomayer. Brown says the Community Spaces program is headed by a group across Western Canada that makes the selection for funding. “We’re just excited that we got selected in our community,” he said. Brown says the Lloyd Ex has a real need for a playground in this area. “We’re really excited to see how the wedding piece comes together. So it’s going to beautify this area,” he said. The park is touted as a multi-phase development that will include an outdoor gathering area with a threetier pergola (with an option for an outdoor stage platform), children’s playground, fire this,” said Hozack. “I was just told by someone, ‘When you come to Lea Park you feel like you’re at a pro event.’ Not all rodeos feel like a pro event.” Of course, no Lea Park Rodeo would be complete without a display from the Lea Park Rodeo Drill Team, a highly sought-after role for young female riders. “Riding on that team carries a lot of history,” said Hozack. “We have grandmas who have passed away but used to ride on the drill team, and now their ances-

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

A combined outdoor wedding and playground will be built in this area of the Lloydminster Ex, thanks to an $80,000 donation from the Co-op’s Community Spaces program. Lloydminster and District Co-op CEO, Peter Brown, presented the cheque to Lloyd Ex general manager Jackie Tomayer on Tuesday.

pit, walking path, and other features. Tomayer says the community needs these green spaces to come and have picnics and gatherings and family functions. She says people can have a wedding outside and then use their facility to host a reception inside, among many benefits. “I think people will be able to come and use our facilities and

the kids can have a good time while the parents are partaking in whatever they’re d oing, and ju st even for kids to come and play on the playground when there are no events going on will be big,” she said. Tomayer says the next step is to pick a builder and break ground after the Lloyd Ex Fair is over “and we’ve shaken off those cobwebs,” as she put it.

tors who are little kids in the community, they look to the day they can become a Lea Park rider, and it’s gratifying to see that. “In today’s world, they’re not sitting in front of a computer, they’re out riding a horse.” This year’s rodeo saw 435 contestants com3” wide version peting over the three

days at Lea Park, and on top of that, Hozack noted the economic impact is always huge. “It’s arguably around a couple million dollars,” he said. “To be able to host an event like this where everyone’s having a great time and we’re bringing some money into the community, it’s pretty cool.”

3.75” wide version

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Seniors AGM honours Bill Till

File Photo

The Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society honoured the legacy of former member Bill Till with a $500 donation to Border City Connects. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Bill Till was known as a mover and shaker on seniors’ healthcare issues in Lloydminster. His reputation for coming up with solutions prior to his passing last April was recognized during the annual general meeting of the Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society at the Legacy Centre on Monday. His wife, Gene, and daughters Barb Wiebe

and Margo Till-Rogers, were in attendance to participate in the tribute while his son Bruce sent an email thanking the group for honouring his dad. “Our condolences to you Gene, Barb and Margo and the rest of your family,” said Seniors Care Society president Graham Brown in his opening remarks. “Today, we are making a $500 contribution to Border City

Connects in the name of Bill Till. Bill was a contributing member to our group for many years and was still a board member at his passing.” He is best known for getting the ball rolling on improving paramedic service for both sides of our border city. “In the following years led by Bill, we were able to get paramedics and one set of protocols,” stated Brown. He noted WPD Ambulance was very appreciative of Till’s leadership on that issue and invited him to their Christmas party. “Bill’s counsel was always concise, clear and to the point. He was always looking for solutions,” noted Brown. Wiebe took a moment to thank the seniors’ group for encouraging her dad to be a part of the group,

which helped her to see her father in a different light. “I had the privilege of attending meetings with dad, and to me he was our dad, and then you came here and you realized how important he was to the people of this group and how important all of you were to him,” she said. “I left with a differe nt se nse of w ho my dad was and what he contributed to our community.” Brown fondly recalled Till was always lat e f or t he ir w e e kly meetings because he delivered Meals on Wheels, but he liked to be close to the front where he could hear. “So we always had a reserved chair for him at the front. Len Pryor was always late so we had him on the other side,” said Brown with a laugh. Till-Rogers took a moment to remind the AGM her dad was a

man of conviction and was not shy about sharing his opinion. She says in the seniors’ group, he found other people who wanted to be a part of a solution. The tribute was especially touching for Bill’s widow who added a few words of her own. “My husband is missed more than I can say. He was very dedicated to this group. He expressed his feelings very freely. There was never any doubt in what he was thinking and we miss him. Thank you,” she said. The AGM agenda also approved the nomination of Brown, Jon Erkelens and Leanne Sauer to three-year terms on the executive. Marianne Stenkey was nominated for a two-year term to replace Nolda Wood, who stepped down. The Seniors Care Society will break soon for a summer recess

and reconvene on Sept. 13 with an agreement by Saskatchewan Health Authority and Alberta Health Services to resume the Continuing Care Space Working Group. Both health services met with the Seniors Care Society in 2019 to identify the need for 60 long-term care spaces by 2025 and another 148 spaces by 2035 in Lloydminster. “We look forward to restarting this committee and working to expand the number of long-term spaces in Lloydminster,” said Brown. He notes there is also a need to get a dialysis unit to get built and to keep expanding mental health services. Brown adds the ambulance service is still in a state of flux while they are working on a contract issue with the local provider, but that needs to get sorted out as well.”

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Nelson Homes partners in Wellings project local,” he said. Wellings of Lloydminster is the largest NGL retirement project in Canada with a sodturning held in Red Deer the previous day. Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers thanked Wellings for selecting Lloydminster for the project. Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Nautical Lands Group (NLG) kicked off phase 1 development of their Wellings of Lloydminster retirement living project on June 9. At the podium is Clayton Butt, NLG’s superintendent of operations in Alberta, who has built a lot of projects in the city over the years and will hire local for Wellings. Other speakers pictured are Natalie Tommy, vice president of marketing for NLG and Mayor Gerald Aalbers. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. The construction of the new Wellings of Lloydminster retirement living community is underway with a commitment from developer Nautical Lands Group (NLG) to hire local. NLG representatives and City of Lloydminster officials held a groundbreaking ceremony last week at the Parkview Estates site at 3211 72 Ave. to launch phase 1. “Our goal is to hire local as much as possible, as long as we have enough labour to do,” said NLG’s vice-president of marketing, Natalie Tommy, with earth-moving equipment working in the background. The initial plans call for the development of 66 one and two-bedroom villas within 13 one-storey bungalows and an 8,000 sq. ft. clubhouse with Nelson Homes playing a major role. “We’re working with the Nautical group in regards to the supply of the framing materials for this project along with any other supporting materials that go along with it,” said Tim Rau. He’s the multi-family and commercial sales project manager for Nelson Homes, who will work with the general contractor NGL Construction. “It’s a very good opportunity and it’s been a great relation-

ship between us and Nautical. We’ve been working with the group for quite a while and now that the groundbreaking is happening, it’s pretty exciting,” said Rau. Tommy says NGL Construction will start pouring the foundation in the next month or two, with initial occupancy expected next spring. Nelson Homes will begin to manufacture panelized walls along with pre-cut and prebuilt roof trusses in the next couple of weeks. “By saving on what we’re doing for labour in our manufacturing facility it saves on time, too, and saves the developer and the framers the amount of labour they need onsite,” explained Rau. Clayton Butt, general superintendent of operatio n s fo r N LG C o n struction in Alberta, says they will keep all contracts local. “We’re hiring all trades local. We’ll be hiring local foremen supers and workers,” said Butt. “It will have a very big economic impact. It’s good for the town.” Butt has built a ton of projects in Lloydminster, including the strip mall at Hampton Square with KSB Construction along with Staples and a McDonald’s restaurant. “It’s good to get some infrastructure back in the town and promote projects such as this and keep it

“

We’ve been working with the group for quite a while and now that the groundbreaking is happening, it’s’ pretty exciting.

“Once complete, Wellings of Lloydminster villa and clubhouse will provide affordable housing for some of our community’s 7,000 residents ages 55 plus,” he said. The long-term plan will see 432 units over a four to five-year timeframe. Tommy says the 11-acre Lloydminster site is perfect for senior living. “We love the fact it is located in a residential area that is up and coming,” she said, noting seniors like to be able to walk but don’t want the traffic

around anymore. The Wellings concept provides complete independence, with a month-to-month leasing model, in a maintenance-free community without health care. “The majority of people don’t really need the health care provided, but what they could really use is socialization,” said Scott Broderick, NLG’s vice-president of sales and leasing. He says the clubhouse is kind of the centre of the action at Wellings and will include a fitness centre, games room, community kitchen and outdoor gathering spaces. “It opens up an option so people don’t wait too long to enjoy their retirement,” said Broderick. He says they will nail down the final lease rate closer to occupancy, hoping to price units between $1,500$2,200 a month. “That’s affordable and we want to keep it affordable,” said Broderick. Tommy notes they have already received several deposits from Lloydminster after launching their website. “People are already interested in it,” she said.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

City path stencils incite activities

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Six-year-old Summer tries out a new hopscotch stencil at Kinsmen park following the launch of this year’s Paint the Town Positive Pathway program this week. It’s a partnership with the Lloydminster Youth Council, the City and the Lloydminster and District Co-op. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. A fresh hopscotch stencil at the Kinsmen Participark is kidtested and approved. A little six-year-old girl named Summer gave it her endorsement following the official launch of this year’s Paint the Town Positive program, initiated by the Lloydminster Youth Council (LYC). “It’s a very fun thing. I really like doing it,” said Summer, who didn’t miss a step on the hopscotch pattern painted on the park pathway at 29 Street and 56 Avenue. The goal is to paint up to 50 creative stencils in neighbourhoods, parks, and pathways around Lloydminster over the course of the summer led by youth council volunteers. One of those is Gracie Lilienskold, who hopes to paint a few this summer for the enjoyment of people of all ages. “ I th i nk i t’s a si mple way for people to stay active. It doesn’t take much to do a little thing like hopscotch,” said the 14-year-old. “It’s a good way to involve all different

ages from little kids to adults in different community activities.” Lilienskold says it’s also a way for her to give back to the community and help promote physical activity within the community. The pathway stencil project is the result of a three-way partnership involving the LYC, the City of Lloydminster and the Lloydminster and District Co-op. Councillor Lorelee Marin, who is chair of the LYC, also gave her own hopscotch skills a test before explaining how the project came about. “The youth council, in 2017, decided they wanted to do something every year to paint the town positive,” said Marin. “We saw this happen in another community and thought that would be really great for our paint the town positive initiative for 2022.” Marin says it will encourage families, children, and senior citizens to enjoy activities like hopscotch, mirror me, and counti ng game s a nd e nj o y Lloydminster’s free spaces. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

HRHS students shine at Provincial/National Skills comp

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Brynt Belizar was thrilled to have recently won a gold medal at the Skills Canada provincial skills competition before winning bronze at the national competition. Belizar was also proud to say he brought HRHS its secondever medal from a national skills competition. TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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

Students from Holy Rosary High School (HRHS) recently put their skills to the test in the provincial and national Skills Canada competitions and walked away with some serious hardware. Grade 11 student Brynt Belizar took the gold in photography at the provincial level before winning a bronze

at the national level. This was the school’s second-ever medal from a national skills competition. “This was my first time competing at a skills contest and I was pretty nervous at first, but now that it’s over, I’m free of stress,” he said. “I’m pretty proud of the medals because it’s not something I really expected.” Belizar explained the first

thing he had to do was start planning for the competition. “The first idea I had was a total failure and I was stressing about it the entire time, but two days before the competition I came up with a different idea that actually worked well for me,” he said. “Instead of completely photoshopping out the background I added some floating objects and matched colour tones.” Belizar also noted he learned a few things about himself in the process. “I learned that I’m much more into photography than I thought I was, and I learned there is more to photography than basic adjustments on a computer.” Grade 10 students Shenel Morrisette and Madison Topel also had something to celebrate after winning a bronze in the provincial video production competition. This year’s video production competition prompt was “something is missing, why is it important,” something the pair quickly had ideas for. “We choose hope as our ‘thing,’ so in the video we have this glowing orb that

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Madison Topely and Shenel Morrisette hold up their hardware after winning a bronze medal at the Skills Canada Saskatchewan provincial skills competition.

represents hope,” said Morrisette. “Madison was the actress in the video and she had lost hope, so she goes around putting ‘missing’ posters for hope around the school.” “At the end of the video we talked about the importance of hope and how it keeps you going,” added Topel. “Hope is always just around the corner, that was the idea.” As was the case with Beli-

zar, this was the first time the two long-time friends have competed in a Skills Canada competition, but it won’t be the last time. “It’s a really good experience and I’m really interested in seeing other people’s videos and learning more about their process and how it works,” said Morrisette. “We’re also both a bit competitive, so this was definitely a great experience overall.”

PAGE 10 Thursday, June 16, 2022 MERIDIAN SOURCE

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. All material printed in the Meridian Source is copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. The Meridian Source reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertising or editorial material at its discretion. 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

Staff Writer Geoff Lee geoff@meridiansource.ca

Marketing Manager Deanna Wandler deanna@meridiansource.ca

Marketing Consultant Ashley Miazga ashley@meridiansource.ca

Viewpoint Leeway from Lloyd: Taxpayers deserve fuel rebate STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

Everywhere you go these days, people are talking about the everrising price of gas and questioning why? Why indeed, when there are no shortages of gas or lineups for it in Alberta, for example. However, every commodity issue boils down to basic supply and demand economics. Remember when prices dipped during the pandemic due to reduced demand? Oil is a global commodity and as such, its price is determined primarily by global supply and demand and demand is up globally even if it’s not up here in the west. The loss of Russian

oil due to EU sanctions affects prices around the globe no matter where it is used. As crude oil prices have soared, a lot of refineries are switching from making gasoline from oil to value-added diesel and jet fuel to maximize profit. In addition, producers like Cenovus are under pressure from the financial community to pay more dividends and do more share buybacks, instead of drilling for more oil. P r o d u c e r s a r e t a king advantage of high oil prices to reduce large debts too and fund mandated carbonreducing technology in partnership with industry and governments. Any thought of a federal windfall tax on oil profits is a bad idea since producers didn’t

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING admin@meridiansource.ca NEWSPAPER DELIVERY If you’ve missed a paper, to start or stop delivery, or for carrier applications, please call 306-825-5111 for information.

Top: Mike From Canmore Submitted to the Meridian Source Thanks, Mike, for sharing another stunning photo from Canmore with us!

Right: John Van Cleemput Submitted to the Meridian Source Thanks, John, for sending us a photo of this cheeky guy in the park! 2017

viable either for most commuters, especially where public transit doesn’t exist. A better solution is for the Alberta government to give all taxpayers and businesses a monthly rebate cheque since they too are raking in royalty dollars despite temporarily cutting fuel taxes. The feds could also help bail out Canadians by reducing their level of taxation on fuel until prices drop again. We are in an economic pandemic. Our hands are out.

Through the reader’s lens

Publisher: Reid Keebaugh Production Manager: Amanda Richard

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

get any bailout dollars when oil prices were in the toilet and it steps on provincial jurisdiction. The government, however, needs to step i n to h e l p th e e nti r e economy and do away with the carbon tax once and for all. It’s adding a needless extra cost to the price of gas. Motorists can do their part by driving more fuel-efficient vehicles including electric vehicles. Paying more at the pumps, however, makes it hard to pay for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Driving less is not

If you would like to see your photos printed in the Meridian Source, please email them to taylor@meridiansource.ca

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Gold Horse Casino/Border Tribal Council presents NACC

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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

The Lloyd Ex was oozing excitement last Tuesday afternoon as the Gold Horse Casino and Border Tribal Council announced they will be this year’s North American Chuckwagon Championship (NACC)

PATH PAINT FROM PAGE 8

“Hopefully people will venture out of their neighbourhood and explore some other pathways across the city and enjoy a little bit of fun activity while they’re out,” she added. The project is sponsored by the Co-op to the delight of CEO, Peter Brown, who attended the launch.

title sponsor. Last year’s inaugural NACC saw drivers from the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) and World Professional Chuckwagon Association (WPCA) battling it out at Halstead Downs. The CPCA’s Logan

Gorst won last year’s event, and Gorst will be returning this year to defend his title. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Gold Horse Casino & Border Tribal Council as the title sponsors to the second North American Chuckwagon Championships,” said NACC marketing manager Kim Car e y . “ We valu e all our sponsors and can’t wait to welcome them to Halstead Downs for some great racing, there is nothing more exciting than the sound of the

“We’re just a partner in a monetary fashion and just help support this project so we can get some of these stencils out in the beautiful parks we have in the city,” said Brown. “Hopefully it encourages some exploration and people start sourcing out some other parks and checking them out.” A free map featuring

the stencilled pathways and neighbourhoods can be picked up at any Co-op gas bar or at the Co-op Marketplace and will be available later this month. In the meantime, a call for volunteers is open and citizens can register to paint a stencil by emailing info@yllMyHome.com for the registration link.

horn, pounding hooves and screaming fans.” The NACC will run

July 8-16 with races running every night at 6:30 p.m. July 13–16

will see the NACC run in collaboration with the Lloyd Ex Fair.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

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.

Playschool Pre-registration Southridge Playschool & Kindergym has opened up their registration for the fall 2022-2023 classes. They offer one day a week for three-yearolds and one or two

Passport to YLL

Thursday, June 16, 2022

days a week for four and five-year-olds. They have also qualified for the Affordability Grant! For more information please call Mrs. Pat 780-872-9523. Bingo at the Moose The Moose Lodge,

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

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

22063DS0

month. Start time is 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is $12. Bring Your Own Vinyl Nights Have some old records lying around? The 4th Meridian Brewing Company, located at Unit 6 2626 50 Ave., is hosting Bring Your Own Vinyl nights every Tuesday during regular business hours, 4-9 p.m. Open Mic at 4th Meridian The 4th Meridian Brewing Company, located at Unit 6 2626 50 Ave., hosts weekly open mic nights on Wednesdays starting at 7 p.m. Come out and share your talent with the community! Seniors Food For Thought Breakfast The City of Lloydminster invites residents to gather to eat breakfast and listen to a listen to an inspiring and educational lineup of speakers. From 9-10 a.m. breakfast will be served with speakers to follow starting at 10 a.m. The morning will wrap at 12 p.m. Breakfast is provided by Synergy Credit Union. Presenters include The Nest Project Healthy Mind presentation, Synergy Credit Union - Fraud Prevention, The Lloydminster Interval Home Society – ‘It’s Not Right’ presentation, and Richelle Connaghan - Public Guardian. Drivers Education with Lloyd Honda Lloydminster Honda

invites you to our first annual Drivers Education Event. Join us at Lloydminster Honda (1904 50 Ave. in Lloydminster) for a spin on Driver’s Ed! We will have real-life tracks set up to demonstrate some of the aspects of driving in a fun, interactive, and safe way, with a team of professional racing instructors to guide participants through the tracks. With any questions contact Becky Bumbacco at 780-8758355. Spades Tourney The Legacy Centre is hosting a Spades tournament on June 16. Cost to play is $10 and begins at 10 a.m. Lunch is available for $12. Everyone welcome! For more info contact Legacy office at 780-875-4584. Jamboree/Dance The Legacy Centre is hosting a jamboree/dance on June 17. Admission is $15/person at the door. Doors open and dancin’ at 5 p.m. and supper’s at 6 p.m., then the jam begins! All interested musicians can call Bonnie at 780-808-4034. All members and guests welcome! Call the Legacy office for more info at 780-875-4584. RCMP Musical Ride The Lloyd Ex is proud to present the RCMP Musical Ride on June 18 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and June 19 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $6 for kids and are available at the Ex or Cliff Rose for Clothes.

Senior Citizens Society AGM The Legacy Centre will be hosting the annual general meeting of the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society on June 20 at 10:30 a.m. i n th e mai n h al l . Al l members are encouraged to attend. For more info contact the Legacy office at 780875-4584. Criggage Doublers Tourney The Legacy Centre is hosting a criggabe doubles tournament on June 23. Cost to play is $10 and begins at 10 a.m. Lunch is available for $12. Everyone welcome! For more info contact Legacy office at 780-875-4584. Celebrate Helena Pike’s 95th birthday The public is welcome to join Helena Pike as she celebrates her 95th birthday! Helena’s party will be held on June 25 from 2-4 p.m. at the Pine Island Suites, 102 5th Ave., Maidstone, Sask. No gifts, please. Fort Pitt Fall Supper The Fort Pitt Fall Supper is being held on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. More details to follow closer to the event. Hillmond Hall Turkey Supper The Hillmond Hall is pleased to annouce they have selected a date for their annual Turkey Supper. The supper will be held on Oct. 2. Details to follow closer to the event.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Chamber hosts grand-opening BBQ GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. It was worth the wait. The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening of its new office on June 9 with a community fundraising barbecue for Big Brothers Big Sisters. The event was held under sunny skies nearly a year after taking possession, to the delight of Serena Sjodin, the chamber’s executive director. “It’s fantastic to have our office again so we can help to serve our members and community,” said Sjodin. The delayed opening was due to COVID restrictions and the time needed to finish the interior of the office at Unit 2 1808 50 Ave. “We were waiting for nice weather. We wanted to have a community BBQ and we wanted to do it in the summer,” explained Sjodin.

The official opening was also a sigh of relief after their former location in the Community Services Building was demolished during COVID and staff worked from home. “It is really great to be back in our office to have our staff working together collaborating and being able to serve our members and our community and have an opportunity for people to drop in and speak to us in person,” said Sjodin. Despite the challenges over the past couple of years, the chamber has managed to grow its membership to 507 as of the grand opening. “It’s one of our alltime highs. We’re still pushing that growth to try to help new businesses. It’s really good to see,” said chamber president, Jody Herbus. “Actually, during COVID, all the people at the chamber worked

really hard as some members had to leave as bu sinesses closed their doors and cancelled memberships. They kept on looking for new members. They kept reaching out and finding new members.” The grand opening was held one hour after the official groundbreaking for the first phase of development of the Wellings of Lloydminster retirement community at the west end of the city. Herbus says projects like that, and the ongoing expansion and relocation of Canadian Tire, are exciting to see happen for local businesses. “It’s almost like a breath of fresh air,” said Herbus. “As you walk down the street, you see more and more vehicles, you see more people out shopping. They are looking for opportunities.” Herbus says a lot of home-based businesses

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Jody Herbus, president of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce, was thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of their new office with a fundraising BBQ for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster.

that started during the pandemic are also looking for storefront locations and might hire some employees to get their name out. Herbus says conve-

nience and price led them to lease their new location. “We don’t always get lots of visitors. We get a lot more phone calls than physical vis-

itors, so a combination of the convenience and the prices as well,” explained Herbus. “We are very grateful for the landlords offering us a good deal.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Kenny vs. Spenny Live coming to The Vic

TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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

It’ll be a war of attrition on Aug. 21 when Kenny vs. Spenny brings their live event to the Vic Juba Community Theatre. Kenny vs. Spenny was a Canadian TV show that aired from 2002 until 2010. If you’ve never seen the show, the premise revolves around two lifelong friends, Kenny

Hotz and Spencer Rice, A.K.A. Spenny, competing against each other in various competitions. At the end of each episode, it’s bragging rights for the winner and humiliation for the loser. Despite the fact Hotz and Rice never thought the show would get picked up, it didn’t take long to become a Canadian cult classic. Since the show

wrapped in 2010, the guys have been actively touring over the last eight years. Clearly, the show has stood the test of time as shows continue to sell out. “It baffles me why people like it so much, but they do, which is great,” said Rice. “They should come out to the show if they just want to have a crazy night of fun, laughter, and a bit of shock. “I think what we do is very unique. Obviously, I’m biased, but I’m a comedy geek and know the landscape out there. I don’t know of anything that is close to what we do, and the fact we were on television gives us a leg-up.” So, what should Border City residents expect to see on stage at the Vic Juba in August? “I wouldn’t exactly call it stand-up, it’s more of a war of attrition that people seem to get behind. It’s

funny, and at times, shocking, and it’s real. That’s the amazing thing, it’s not really much of an act anymore, it’s just me being me and him being him,” said Rice. “People expect us to compete when we do the live show, and we don’t do that. It’s part stand-up, it’s part Jackass, it’s part war. It’s a battle between two best friends.” If you’ve seen the show, you know Hotz poetically plays the role of the antagonist with Rice being the butt of almost every joke. Although this doesn’t look like the most appealing role to play on national television, Rice made it his own and embraced it. “I think the audience is usually behind Kenny more than me, which is something I’ve grown used to, so he does his pee-pee, poopoo humour and they love it, and I castigate

the audience for liking that kind of thing, and liking him. Somehow, through all of the turmoil and vitriol, it’s funny,” he said. “It’s a weird thing for me because Kenny is a narcissist and he loves the attention and affection. I have a bit of a different story with the audience because so many of them are Kenny fans … I always hear ‘pay Wolfish,’ ‘Spenny sucks,’ and all that crap, but it’s fine and it really fuels my comedy, so it’s a mixed nut for me. At the end of the day, we do the shows and we get a lot of love, directly and indirectly. We absolutely love touring, and at this point, there’s no reason to do it other than for our love for it.” The Meridian Source was originally told Kenny was unavailable for comment on the upcoming show due to being “at a cabin and out of cell reception,”

but this apparently, was not the case, and Rice took the opportunity to get the verbal fists flying before the plane even left the tarmac. “Kenny thinks he’s a huge star and he has a massive ego and he sees doing these little promotions as beneath him, even though he’s happy to take the money when we do the shows, so I get stuck doing it,” said Rice. “That’s the truth of it, and that’s part of what I’m going to talk about when we’re on stage in Lloydminster, is what a weasel rat the guy is … people buy his bullshit, it’s incredible to me, and I’m there to expose it … and therein lies the dysfunction of our show.” Kenny vs. Spenny takes the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on Aug. 21 for an 8 p.m. show. For more information and tickets visit the theatre’s website or Facebook page.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Graduation memories

Photo courtesy of Helen Toews

PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

When kids graduate from the school where I work, I always feel sad, especially those who also ride my school bus. Small country schools engen-

der close relationships. This June, Molly, and Paisley will be leaving. They will be sorely missed. Of course, not all bus rides make memories, but they’re often interesting. This past week alone, I was treated to a few. Monday, I saw a Baltimore oriole as

I stopped in Molly’s farmyard. I brought the flaming orange bird to her and her sister’s attention. “Yeah, whatever,” Molly said offhandedly, stomping up the bus steps without sparing the bird a glance. “We have about six of them.” Clearly, this was old and rather dull news. The next sighting was a bunch of baby bush bunnies that hop crazily about this family’s lawn each morn. Sitting still as statues until the last moment, they then leap into action, zigzagging wildly in front of the bus. So cute. “Who cares,” said Molly dismissively as I made this observation. “There’s too many of ‘em.” Her remarks were a bit deflating, but I still smiled at two more rabbits crouching in the bush. That afternoon,

when I braked for the fifth pair of geese that waddled down the road in f ront of u s, Molly barked from the back of the bus. “You should just hit them if they’re too stupid to move!” She glowered at the foolish fowl. That’s Molly. She sounds hard-hearted, but she isn’t at all. She just enjoys the shock her words create. If I actually took a run at a few innocent geese (which I wouldn’t), she’d be the first to scream at me to stop. She does speak her mind, though. When I wore a long coat of a rather wild pattern, Molly observed dryly it looked like grandma’s couch was driving the bus. When I wore green, she asked where I’d put my pot of gold, and a red outfit was neatly described as resembling a tomato.

These remarks are delivered with a broad grin and not a speck of malice. She likes to get a rise out of me. For example, one day, I noticed she had flopped onto the bus floor as we rattled down a country road. “Get up, Molly,” I called. “No,” came the muffled response. “Do I have to come back there?” I mock threatened. “It won’t help.” I saw two mischievous eyes peer at me over the seat. “You’re nothin’ but a spindly ole gramma.” “What?” I hollered in disbelief, pulling up to a house. “Did you actually say that to me?” I stopped, applied the brake, and rose to march down the aisle. Shrieks of merriment erupted as delighted children bounced in their seats, waiting for the hammer to fall.

“I knew she was gonna do that,” said a happy voice as I passed. I loomed over Molly, and she scrambled up laughing. Molly’s also sweet. You should know during COVID restrictions when I made weekly homework drops, I’d see a beautifully coloured message taped to this family’s door. The notes were funny and kind, made by both girls who would wave from their window. Then, when Molly began raising ducks, she proudly asked me to peruse her prized fowl, and I enjoyed a lovely farmyard tour. Times like those mean so much. I appreciate the bonds formed over the nine years children spend with me, and I care about each one of them. But I’m sure gonna miss Molly.

lf signage needs, “FORE”all of your“Hgoole in One” we are your

Let the team at

look after you this golf season!

• Tournament Signage • Sponsor Banners (Indoor & Outdoor) • Ground Flags • Presentation Cheques • Hole Sponsor Signs • Cart Wraps Give our trusted team of experts a call today! 306-825-5111

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Last week in the field: Sask Crop Report MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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

Over the past week, producers across the Saskatchewan grain belt took advantage of dry weather that allowed for substantial progress with their seeding operations. Ninety-one per cent of the 2022 crop has been seeded to date across all regions of the province, up from 76 per cent last week and just behind the five-year average (2017-21) of 97 per cent. While seeding is being reported as 91 per cent complete across the province, it is important to note that there are many acres in east Saskatchewan that may not be seeded this year due to excess moisture and standing water. Some fields in the southwest and west central are being reseeded due to poor emergence and heavy insect damage.

The southwest and west-central are virtually complete with 99 per cent of their crop now seeded, 97 per cent in the northwest, 92 per cent in the northeast, 86 per cent in the southeast and 77 per cent in the east-central. It was a relatively dry week for most of the province, however, the southwest finally received some rain showers that were greatly appreciated and will hopefully improve their crop and pasture conditions. The Consul area received the most rain with 58 mm, the Maple Creek area 20 mm and the Shaunavon and Admiral areas 16 mm. More rain is desperately needed in the westcentral and southwest regions. Producers in these regions are becoming anxious about how much longer their crops can survive without moisture.

Dry weather allowed for many fields in the east to dry out enough to allow seeding and producers are hopeful that weather will continue to be favourable enough for them to go back out and seed low areas before the seeding window closes. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as six per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 24 per cent short and 14 per cent very short. Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 57 per cent adequate, 27 per cent short and 13 per cent very short. Dry conditions in the west are severely deteriorating crops in those regions and moisture is needed soon for both crop and pasture land. Forty-five per cent of the fall cereal crops are reported as being in t he joint ing st age and 19 per cent are in the short blade stage,

while 49 per cent of the spring cereals are emerging and 20 per cent are tillering. Thirty-eight per cent of the canola is emerging and 15 per cent is in the seedling stage, along with nine per cent of flax being in the seedling stage. Forty-nine per cent of pulse crops are emerging and 29 per cent are in the vegetative stage.

File Photo The majority of crop damage this week was due to strong winds, frost, drought, insects (including flea beetles, grasshoppers and cutworms); some farmers are reseeding due to

flea beetle and cutworm damage. Farmers have been busy spraying for weed and insect control, picking rocks, rolling lentil and moving cattle to pasture.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Sask to advance ag investment/export opportunities in U.S. MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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

Saskatchewan Min-

ister of Agriculture David Marit will travel to Denver, Colorado

and Minneapolis, Minnesota to promote Saskatchewan as a reliable

supplier of high-quality agricultural products, advance investment and collaborative opportunities in the province’s value-added sector and further develop relationships with stakeholders. The delegation leaves for the five-day trade mission on June 12. The mission will focus on canola, wheat, oats, malting barley, pulses and cattle, and highlight Saskatchewan’s research and innovation capabilities. The mission will also expand and strengthen Saskatchewan’s research and investment ties with the United States through meetings with industry, academia and government. “The United States is Saskatchewan’s top agri-food export market and it makes sense to work together on matters of mutual interest for our agriculture and f ood ind u st ries, including sustainability and the Canada-United

File Photo States-Mexico-Agreement,” said Marit. “This mission will allow us to meet with a number of our longstanding American partners and help us to showcase the worldleading agricultural practices used here in Saskatchewan that support our shared goals of meeting the challenge of global food security. We are committed to enhancing our existing relationships and forging new ones with our American stakeholders.” Marit will speak at the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention in Colorado Springs on June 14. In 2021, the United

States was Saskatchewan’s top market for live cattle, with $152 million in exports. The United States and Saskatchewan, and Canada as a whole, have a strong trading relationship. Canada exported $46 billion worth of agri-food products to the country in 2021, accounting for 18 per cent of the United States’ agri-food imports. Saskatchewan agrifood exports to the United States were valued at more than $4.3 billion in 2021, with sights continuing to be focused on increasing that number to meet our targets outlined in the Growth Plan.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

PAGE 22 Thursday, June 16, 2022 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Sports

Rebel wins three golds at Lloyd meet

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Lloydminster Rebels Swim Club member Jaiva Bajema made a big splash winning three gold medals in individual events at the Battle of the Border invitational meet at the Lloydminster BioClean Aquatic Centre on Saturday. About 45 Rebels took part with many of them on the podium. GEOFF LEE

WRITER

.................................. Jaiva Bajema takes to swimming like a duck to water. The local teen has only been a member of the Lloydminster Rebels Swim Club for about a month and just

won three golds at the Battle of the Border swim meet at the BioClean Aquatic Centre on Saturday. The Grade 11 Holy Rosary High School student revealed her secret sauce after winning the 100m fly,

100m breaststroke and 100m freestyle. “I did synchronized swimming and I would always see them practising and I wanted to try it out, so then I tried it out,” she said. “I was not expecting this.” Bajema was with the Stingrays synchronized swim team for more than 10 years and says swimming is way different. “It’s really cool though,” she added. Falon Willis, vicepresident of the Rebels and the meet manager, says it’s really cool to see what kids like Bajema can do. “It’s a really good example of how aquatic sports can support each other,” she said. “We have the poten-

tial for a really big aquatics program in our city when our clubs all work together.” Bajema will suit up with the Rebels at another competition this weekend, setting her sights on the regionals in August to qualify for provincials. The Lloyd meet attracted about 120 swimmers from age 7 to 17 from the Edmonton area, Wainwright, Provost, Vermilion, Fort Saskat chewan, Camrose and Wetaskiwin. “There’s that apprehension with COVID ending about doing events, so this is one of the first. It’s a pretty good turnout,” said Rebels coach Cory Totman at the pool. He brought about 45 Rebels to the meet. “They’ve done well.

We’ve had a couple of swimmers that have won first so far. We’re looking to get a number of medals today.” Willis says it’s really exciting to have a lot of clubs participating. “We have lots of brand new swimmers who maybe joined that season when COVID started, so we have a lot of kids who have never got to compete in a meet before. So it’s a really fun time to have everyone together in the pool,” she said. Totman credits the stellar performance of a swimmer like Bajema to her just being a naturally talented athlete. “ T h at ’s a l l t h e r e i s to it. She’s a naturally good swimmer and she’s an easy-to-

coach kid, which is really nice as well,” said Totman. “I couldn’t be prouder. I think she’ll go quite far in swimming if she sticks with it.” For her part, Bajema says Totman is very motivating and it pushes her to work hard. “I really enjoy it. He’s a really good coach. He really helps me with my technique. He really knows what he’s talking about,” she said. “Of course, I have lots of ways to improve, that’s why I keep going to practice.” The swimmers and Totman also gave a shout-out to all the parents who were on hand to volunteer at the meet.

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Rowers stroke to gold in Regina GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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

Supplied Photo

Lloydminster rower Shelby Lane, front, teamed up with Megan Kish from the Saskatoon Rowing Club to win gold in the women’s doubles A-Final at the Western Canada Sprints Regatta in Regina this past weekend.

The Lloydminster Rowing Club created a wake at the Western Canada Sprints Regatta in Regina on the road to the Canada Summer Games. Games qualifiers, Elijah Lopez and his brot her Jonah along with Liam Gilby and Shelby Lane medaled at Wascana Lake on Saturday while newcomer, Billie Long rowed three times to personal bests. “Everyone showed very well in this event. We had excellent conditions. It was a clear day with very little wind so great water conditions,” said club president, Michelle Lopez. Her oldest son, Elijah, teamed up with Connor Dodds from the Regina Rowing Club to win gold in the men’s double-A Final. Elijah also finished third in the B Final in men’s singles.

A gold medal also went t o Shelby Lane who paired with Megan Kish from the Saskatoon Rowing Club in the A Final women’s doubles. A Lane member crew boat also placed third in the A-Final. A composite crew of Elijah, Jonah, Liam Gilby and Dodds finished second in A Final of the men’s quad. Gilby and Jonah placed second in the B Final in men’s doubles. “Billie Long had a great weekend of racing,” said Lopez. She had a PB in her the single, double and quad competitions There were four teams from Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon and Lloydminster competing in 1,000m races. Lopez said the strong showing of Lloydminster rowers will set them up for 2,000m races at the Alberta Open in Calgary July 2-3. “A lot of it is gaining

racing experience and having the opportunity to race after two years of not racing,” she said. The team is building momentum for the Games in Niagara ON Aug 6-21 with the rowing venue in St. Catherines. The club trains at Killarney Lake where windy conditions can give local rowers a competitive edge on

choppy waters. “Whenever we go to events we, have that experience of being in rough water,” said Lopez although it was calm in Regina. “There are some clubs that row on rivers; they never have the water conditions that we have here. Definitely, experience in rough water can be an asset on race day.”

PAGE 24 Thursday, June 16, 2022 MERIDIAN SOURCE

HOME FOR SALE

Real Estate Get ready, go! MIDWEST MINUTE VERN McCLELLAND

Located in Maidstone, SK

NEW PRICE! $105,000 • Two bedroom / one bathroom • New flooring throughout • New siding, insulation & windows • New dryer/washer & stove • Large yard with mature flower beds

• Two storage sheds • Quiet town with many amenities • House is located walking distance to Main Street, restaurants and other businesses.

Message or call Brenna at (306) 893-7603

I am sure, like many of you, spring is when your activity goes into overdrive. The only question is how long will it be before one can pause and enjoy the greening of the landscape, new life emerging around us (mosquitoes not included), and decent temperatures? Demands for your attention in the spring go up by a factor of five it seems, but this year, people seem more impatient than in the past. It could be a trend, stress over increasing interest rates, or simply rebellious aftermath coming out of society’s

COVID restrictions. After close to two decades in the business, and literally thousands of transactions, I wonder why the rush? There is an old story in cowboy country about two bulls standing on top of a hill, one old and one young, looking down at a field of cows. (I have softened the language for a general audience). The young bull says to his senior companion “let’s run down there and meet one or two!” The old bull responds, “let’s walk down and say hello to them all!” We had a mature couple looking to downsize from their present country home to a more accessible, agingfriendly one in town. Rather than look at all

prospective properties which may have met their needs, they chose the first one viewed. It may have been the best one in the final analysis, but how will they ever know if one of the other four may have been even more suitable? We often see this behaviour repeated by first-time home buyers. Too often they can’t articulate what their primary housing needs are, just that it must fit into an approved mortgage level. Excitement at making a purchase sometimes overrules common sense. Part of the problem is these clients, at both ends of the spectrum, have not worked with a professional Realtor before.

Therefore, they think we are only there to “sell” them, not assist them. Good Realtors want their buyer clients to make the best decision, not the quickest. They ask questions, even uncomfortable ones, to separate needs from wants, and to gain a full understanding of what will work best. And to be frank, he or she may not be the Realtor representing a particular property. Personally, I consider attending the first three or four houses with a buyer an “education tour” for both of us. It is a chance to learn from each other, get focused, sharpen the search criteria, and use our time going forward effectively. CONTINUED ON PAGE 25

PAGE 25 Thursday, June 16, 2022 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Careers

More people working in Sask than ever before MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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

This week, job numbers released by Statistics Canada for May 2022 show Saskatchewan added 19,800 jobs, an increase of 3.5 per cent, compared to May 2021. All of the growth FROM PAGE 24

Sometimes, the right property is simply not available initially, but if the Realtor is doing their job and sees one coming on the system and knows it will be a candidate for you, then pay attention, please. The best relationship is built on trust.

was in full-time jobs. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.8 per cent in May. It was down from 6.1 per cent a year ago, down from 5.5 per cent a month ago, and below the national average of 5.1 per cent. 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.

“The province’s economy is on the right track with significant job gains and a low unemployment rate,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our government will continue to provide a competitive environment to accelerate our economic growth in communities across the province.”

A number of all-time employment records were hit in May, including overall employment (587,000), female employment (272,300), off-reserve Indigenous employment (65,800), and off-reserve Indigenous full-time employment (54,100). Major year-over-year gains were reported for accommodation and

food services up 6,400 jobs, construction up 5,400 jobs, healthcare and social assistance up 4,700 jobs. Over the same period, the private sector was up 8,100 jobs (+2.5 per cent), female employment increased by 9,000 jobs (+3.4 per cent), and youth (aged 15-24) employment was up by 4,700 jobs (+5.9 per cent). In May, Saskatch-

ewan’s seasonally adjusted employment of 578,100 exceeded its pre-COVID February 2020 employment level of 574,100. A recent report from the Conference Board of Canada projects that Saskatchewan’s economy will lead the country with real GDP growth of 7.9 per cent in 2022, well above the national average of 4.0 per cent.

PAGE 26 Thursday, June 16, 2022 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridansource.ca

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Three weekly newspapers for sale in east central Saskatchewan. Call 306-272-7796 for more information or e-mail bob. johnson@sasktel. net. Open to offers. FEED AND SEED CERTIFIED SEED: Very Early Yellow Pea, Forage Peas. Polish Canola, Spring Triticale. Also, Wheat, Oats & Barley. Contact Mastin Seeds at 403-556-2609. mastinseeds.com AGPRO SEEDS: BUYING HEATED, DAMAGED CANOLA. On farm pickup, prompt payment! TOP PRICES PAID IN SASK. Phone: 306-873-3006 or Visit AGPRO website for bids: agproseeds.com FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942. HEALTH

AUTOS

Classifieds SERVICES

HEALTH

FEED AND SEED

CRIMINAL RECORD? GET YOUR MESSAGE GET UP TO $50,000 WE BUY Why suffer employDAMAGED GRAIN SEEN ACROSS Alberta. from the Government ment/licensing loss? HEATED... LIGHT The Blanket Classifieds of Canada. Do you or BUGS... TOUGH or Value Ads reach over Travel/business opporsomeone you know MIXED GRAIN tunities? Be embar600,000 Alberta readhave any of these SPRING THRASHED rassed? Think: Criminal ers weekly. Two options WHEAT... OATS conditions: ADHD, Pardon. US entry PEAS... BARLEY starting at $269 or Anxiety, Arthritis, waiver. Record purge. CANOLA... FLAX $995 to get your mesFile destruction. Free Asthma, Cancer, COPD, “ON FARM PICKUP” sage out! Business consultation. 1-800WESTCAN FEED Depression, Diabetes, changes, hiring, items 347-2540. www. & GRAIN Difficulty Walking, 1-877-250-5252 accesslegalmjf.com. for sale, cancellations, Fibromyalgia, Irritable tenders, etc. People Bowels, Overweight, GET BACK ON TRACK! are increasingly stayTrouble Dressing... Bad credit? Bills? ing home and rely on and Hundreds more. Unemployed? Need their local newspapers ALL Ages & Medical Money? We Lend! If for information. KEEP Conditions qualify. you own your own people in the loop with CALL THE BENEFITS home you qualify. our 90 Weekly ComPROGRAM 1-800-211Pioneer Acceptance munity Newspapers. 3550 or send a text Corp. Member BBB. Call THIS NEWSPAPER message with Name 1-877-987-1420. now or email classifieds@awna.com for www.pioneerwest.com. and Mailing Address to ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: 403-980-3605 for your Buying Oats, Barley, details. 1-800-282PRIVATE MORTGAGE FREE benefits package. Wheat, Canola, Peas, 6903, 780-434-8746 Screenings, Mixed X225. www.awna.com. LENDER. All real estate HIP/KNEE REPLACEGrains. Dry, Wet, types considered. No Heated, or Spring MENT. Other medical credit checks done. CAREER TRAINING Thresh. Prompt Payconditions causing Deal direct with lender ment. In House Trucks, BLANKET THE PROVTROUBLE WALKING and get quick approval. In House Excreta INCE with a classified or DRESSING? The Toll free 1-866-405Cleaning. Vac Rental. ad. Only $269 (based Disability Tax Credit 1228; www.firstand1-888-483-8789. on 25 words or less). secondmortgages.ca. allows for $3,000 Reach almost 90 yearly tax credit and FOR RENT weekly newspapers. AUCTIONS $30,000 lump sum Call NOW for details. refund. Take advantage 1-800-282-6903 Ext AUCTIONS are our busiof this offer. Apply 225; www.awna.com. ness! Contact Copeland NOW; quickest refund Auctions Ltd. located in Nationwide: Expert COMING EVENTS Lloydminster, AB for all your auction needs. Call help. 1-844-453-5372. FIREARMS WANTED Russ 780-870-1181 or v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e : LIVESTOCK FOR SALE FOR AUGUST 2022 www.copelandauctions.co LIVE & ONLINE AUCREGISTERED YEARTION: Rifles, Shotguns, m LING SIMMENTAL Handguns, Militaria. BULLS. Fullblood Auction or Purchase: PRIVATE CARE Fleckvieh, Horned & Collections, Estates, InPolled, A1 Bloodlines, dividual items. Contact Performance EPD’s. Paul, Switzer’s Auction: Very Quiet. SimmToll-Free 1-800-694eron Ranch. Martin 2609, sales@switzer780-913-7963. www. sauction.com or www. switzersauction.com. simmeronranch.ca.

WANTED

SERVICES

NUMISMATIST PURCHASING COIN COLLECTIONS & ACCUMULATIONS! Royal Canadian Mint, Canada & World Collections Wanted. Also buying 9999 bullion, old money, jewelry, nuggets, sterling, gold, silver, coins, bars, monster boxes+++ESTATES WELCOMED! Todd 250-864-3521. WANTED: Old advertising dealership signs, gas pumps, globes, pop machines, light ups. White Rose, Red Indian, Buffalo, North Star, Case Eagles, etc. Collector paying TOP PRICES. 306-221-5908.

LAND FOR SALE BEST HUNTING IN SASKATCHEWAN right by Sask River. Excellent fishing and very high Deer population. Thick pine & poplar bluffs, close to water coulee. Old yard site with old power and water. Revenue on crop and hayland. East of Prince Albert. $248,000. Call Doug 306-716-2671.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 1A TRUCK DRIVERS WANTED: Winch trucks & trailers; dump trucks & pups/ quad wagons. Hauling heavy equipment, gravel, & camp shacks. 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

MISCELLANEOUS

Thursday, 16, 2022 MERIDIAN SOURCE 3.75”June wide version

BEAUTIFUL SPRUCE TREES

AGRICULTURE

4-6 feet, $50 each $19/tree Install Fee

(includes • Hole Drilled • Bark Mulch • Enzyme Injection • Staking)

Integrity Post Frame Buildings

25 tree minimum order Delivery fee $125-$175/order Quality guaranteed

SINCE 2008

Built with Concrete Posts Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and More

403-820-0961

sales@ Integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com

NOTICE

GARAGE SALE Horizon Village 4201 - 56 Ave COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE June 17th 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm June 18th 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

Got A NEWS SCOOP? Send it our way! taylor@meridiansource.ca

Local Business Directory Laura Jacques-Gilmour

MERIDIAN SOURCE

SHARON THOMSON (WATSON) June 22, 1951October 25, 2020

It is with the greatest of sadness we announce the passing of Sharon Thomson. It is hard to believe it has been a year and a half since heaven gained this true angel. Sharon passed October 25, 2020, In St Albert, Alberta at the age of 69 years with family by her side. Sharon was born on June 22, 1951, in Lloydminster SK, and spent the first 18 years of her life in Neilburg, on the farm, with her parents and three brothers. She loved helping her mom do all things around the house. She had a great passion for cooking and cleaning that was learnt at a young age, and of course was able to pass on to her own two daughters. When Sharon turned 18 she packed up and headed west, where she would meet her husband Jack. Jack and Sharon were married for 46 years, and shared a love for traveling, NASCAR racing, curling, country dancing, and camping. They had many great years in Quesnel B.C, Grande Prairie Ab, and finally in St Albert, Ab, where they had moved to be closer to their youngest grandsons. To say she gave her all to the people she loved, and everything she did, would only touch the surface to speak on the person Sharon was. She had energy for days, and that energy was always spent on her family, friends, and health. She was a very devoted wife, mother, and grandmother - family was everything to her. From the hours she spent in the

Thursday, June 16, 2022

rinks watching her grandsons play hockey, or at the hill watching skiing, to the summers she spent in their beautiful motorhome with Jack and often the grandkids. To her cooking the most beautiful meals, never ever missing a birthday celebration with a home made cake. She showed her love every single day. Sharon took her health very seriously, be it at SunCapsule in Grande Prairie, or ServusPlace in St Albert, she was there walking & working out everyday, and made some lifelong friends along the way. Sharon is so deeply missed by her children: Rollie Thomson (Shelley), Marlee Thomson McAdie (Shawn), and Jacqie Wheeler (Ryan), her grandchildren: Colton, Kaiden, and McKenna Thomson, Dylan Thomson-Smith and Mason Smith, & Grady and Brexton Wheeler; As well as her brothers Lloyd Watson (Carol) Neilburg, & Barry Watson (Cori) Calgary nieces & nephew, her cousins; Marlene Neil (Dennis Demeria) and friends. Sharon was predeceased by her mother and father Joe and Agnes Watson, and her younger brother Keith Watson. The girls, would like to extend their deep gratitude and thanks to Dr. Guhle, who not only cared for their Grandmother Agnes in her final days, but now also his unbelievable care for their mother. A joint Celebration of Life for Sharon, along with her husband Jack, will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 1:00pm, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grande Prairie (10404 102 St.). Lunch and refreshments to follow. Of course, there will also be an evening gathering to share a happy hour “toddy” drink in Sharon and Jack’s memory at the Crown & Anchor Pub, at 7:00pm. Photos, memories, and condolences and be shared with the family through email jacqiewheeler@hotmail.com, or on the Facebook memorial page “In loving memory of Jack & Sharon Thomson”.

Advertise your classified in this space.

Call 306-825-5111

“Media engagement (ie how captivating the content & ads are) is highest for print newspapers.” newspaperscanada.ca

Thursday, June 16, 2022

ROBERT (BOB) GALLANT JUNE 21, 2017 Beautiful memories Are wonderful things, They last till the longest day, They never wear out, They never get lost, And can never be given away. To some you may be forgotten, To others a part of the past. But to us who loved and lost you, Your memory will always last. Love, Vera and Family

Church Directory

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, June 16, 2022

To the STARS in our life... our FATHERS!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

ACREAGES

LAKE HOMES

NEW PRICE

20004 TWP RD 502

FOWLER LAKE

BRIGHTSAND LAKE

NEW LISTINGS 100 OTTER PLACE, MOWERY BEACH

• Four season beautifully crafted cabin in Mowery Beach at Brightsand Lake! • 3 bed, built-ins, covered deck, huge 22'x34' garage, 2 sheds and a gorgeous landscaped yard makes this cabin home! AB $1,250,000 MLS A1213176

530,000 MLS A1157222

493084 TWP RD 25

AB $799,000 MLS A1215623

419,000 MLS A1213161

CONDOS

MURPHY LAKE

170,000 MLS 1213158

• Unique bi-level floor plan in a fantastic neighbourhood. 4 bed, 2 full baths, open concept living / dining / kitchen. • Fully fenced yard with 2 tier deck and storage shed.

62,000

MLS A1227412

#304A 6608 - 42 STREET

• Make your new home in La Tierra! This two bedroom 3rd floor condo includes all appliances. • Condo fees include heat, water, common area and outdoor maintenance! Shopping close by!

124,500

MLS 1132580

MAKE YOUR MOVE TO LLOYDMINSTER

294,500

395,000 MLS A1143839

BRIGHTSAND LAKE SUNNY ACRES

MLS A1226375

2606 - 45 AVENUE

TURTLE LAKE

310,000

399,900 MLS A1209124

MAKWA LAKE

NE PT 14-54-20 W3RD

SK $395,000 MLS A1164892

PENDING

EVERGREEN PLACE

MLS A1227328

4716 - 39 STREET

• Check out this affordable 2 bed, 1 bath bungalow with a large backyard. • Close to schools and across from a park! A starter or revenue potential for a handy person!

109,900

SK AB $359,900 MLS A1170052

469,900 MLS A1175224

AB $224,500 MLS A1150665

360,000 MLS A1188127

AB $335,000 MLS A1213465

289,900 MLS 1224645

AB $289,800 MLS A1171991

MAPLES II

AB $224,400 MLS A1175434

RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES ALBERTA

AB $468,000 MLS A1210860

MERIDIAN

GRANDVIEW

MLS A1226719

3315 - 51 Ave 2917 - 51 Ave. 5675 - 43 St. 2917 - 51 Ave. 3009 - 57A Ave. 3007 - 57A Ave. 2917 - 51 Ave. 2917 - 51 Ave. 5661 - 43 St. 6608 - 42 St. 4729 - 18 St. 2903A 51 Ave 2902 - 55 Ave. 5913 - 41 St. 5907 - 41 St. 4801 - 47 Ave. 4008 - 41 Ave. 3709 - 42 Ave.

1 Bed, 1 Bath 1 Bed, 1 Bath 1 Bed, 1 Bath 2 Bed, 1 Bath 1 Bed, 1 Bath 1 Bed, 1 Bath 2 Bed, 1 Bath 2 Bed, 1 Bath 3 Bed, 2 Bath 2 Bed, 2 Bath 4 Bed, 3 Bath 5 Bed, 2 Bath 5 Bed, 2 Bath 4 Bed, 3 Bath 5 Bed, 5 Bath

$600 $650 $700 $800 $800 $800 $850 $900 $1000 $1100 $1450 $1600 $1600 $1800 $1800

SASKATCHEWAN 4 Bed, 3 Bath 3 Bed, 2 Bath 4 Bed, 3 Bath

$1200 $1250 $1900

JULY 1 READY! READY! READY! READY! READY! READY! READY! READY! READY! JULY 1 JULY 1 READY! READY! READY! READY! READY! JULY 1

APPLY ONLINE TODAY SK $209,900 MLS A1172502

276,500 MLS A1152553

AB $249,900 MLS A1225481

coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

Brad Gilbert Jennifer Gilbert Broker/Owner Associate Broker

Rick Schesnuk Caleb McLean Realtor® Associate Broker

Each office is independently owned & operated.

3812 - 51 Avenue, Lloydminster, AB T9V 3M7 Sandy Hardy Realtor®

Judy Bexson Realtor®

www.coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

780-875-3343

facebook.com/coldwellbankercitysiderealty

instagram.com/coldwellbankercitysiderealty