Meridian Source - November 17 2022

U13 Blazers score Team of Year

Last year’s Lloydmin ster Female U13 Blazers have some celebrating to do after being named Hockey Alberta’s 202122 Team of the Year.

The unexpected news came to the surprise and delight of play ers and coaching staff last Thursday morning, leaving them shocked.

“I’m not sure how many hundreds of teams there are in the province, but for our girls’ team from this small community to be recognized for this accomplishment, I think is pretty special,” said Justin Tindall, who coached the team last season.

Each year, the Hockey Alberta awards program recognizes the hard work of groups and individuals in the game of hockey. Awards are given out for Volun teer of the Year, Coach of the Year, Player of the Year, Official of the Year, Team of the Year, and Minor Hockey Association of the Year.

The Blazers were the winners of the 2022 Chevro let Good Deeds

Cup in April for their plan to make the future Lloydminster Place event centre more accessible.

This is one of those things that will remind us of the team we had, the hard work they put in, and the fantastic thing they were able to do for the community.

The team also hosted a Try Para Hockey event to raise awareness about the sport and the importance of ensuring arenas across the prov ince are accessible for individuals with differ ent kinds of disabilities.

Winning the Chev rolet Good Deeds Cup, the Lloydminster Blaz ers were given the opportunity to donate $100,000 to a charity of their choice, Inclusion Lloydminster - a char ity that promotes and improves the quality of life for persons with dis abilities.

“When we started the

Good Deeds Cup pro cess we weren’t really sure what it would amount to, and the snowball effect was huge,” said Tindall.

“We saw how impor tant an evening with the sledge hockey event we hosted was. We saw the feedback online, we saw the support we were getting from fami lies across the country, and I think that really resonated.”

Speaking to the Good Deeds Cup experience, Tindall said it presented players with a unique opportunity to do some thing special for the community.

“This, of course, led to the $100,000 coming back into the commu nity for Lloydminster Place,” said Tindall.

“The girls might not still be playing on the same team as last year, but this is one of those things that will remind us of the team we had, the hard work they put in, and the fantastic thing they were able to do for the community, for sledge hockey groups across the country, and groups of all ages.”

Centre Ava Hufnagel is still soaking in last April’s excitement and

was left rather speech less when she found out her team had won the award.

“I was extremely sur prised,” said Hufnagel.

“I didn’t think all that hard work we did would come out to that. We did a lot of work, but we didn’t do it for the recognition.”

Hufnagel also explained how being a

part of this experience showed her the sky is the limit when it comes to girls’ hockey.

Forward Rose Tin dall explained the entire Good Deeds Cup experience is one she won’t soon forget and echoed Hufnagel in regards to the award being a surprise.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting it,” she said.

“But I was also very grateful and happy; it was pretty crazy.”

For Rose, the big gest takeaway from the entire experience was the importance of inclusivity.

“Never leaving peo ple out is so important,” she said. “When we got together as a team, we accomplished a lot, and I’ll never forget that.”

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

File Photo

After winning the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup in April, the Lloydminster U13 Blazers has been named Hockey Alberta’s Team of the Year.

Chase the Ace returns to Lloyd Ex

SOURCE STAFF

Back by popu lar demand, Chase the Ace returns to the Lloydminster Exhibi tion with the first draw being made on Nov. 23. The jackpot starts at $25,000 and draws will be made at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday’s in the Weir Vet Concourse. This will technically be the fourth time the Lloyd Ex has hosted a Chase the Ace draw, with the most recent three being very suc cessful.

“We lost money on the first one but the sec ond and third one defi nitely helped us,” said Chase the Ace board chair Ray Foy.

“Also, the fact we got down to seven cards for the last two draws is amazing and exciting.”

With the pandemic forcing most events to be cancelled or post

poned over the last few years, Foy explained the Lloyd Ex has been using the draw as a successful fundraiser.

“We’re an event centre, and 90 per cent of our events were cancelled for almost two years, so it’s made a huge difference for us,” he said.

Tickets are 1 for $10, 3 for $25, 8 for $50 or 20 for $100. Twenty per cent of the weekly sales is won every week, 30 per cent goes into the growing jackpot, and 50 per cent goes to the future growth of the Lloyd Ex. Tickets can be purchased one of three ways, with one differ ence on e-Transfer pur chases. E-Transfers can be sent to chasetheace@ lloydex.com with the password CTA2023.

*Cut off is draw day at noon*

“SLGA is not allow ing us to process our e-Transfers with

Autodeposit,” said Foy. “With that change and the use of a secu rity question, we now have to manually accept every e-Transfer. The question you set isn’t important, but the pass word remains the same. CTA2023.”

Foy also noted big changes are coming to the WLS Convention Centre with the installa tion of new flooring.

“That floor is heated and everything needs to come out and get replaced. The floor is so old we can’t even insure it anymore. Bex son Construction will be doing that work, as well as an interior facelift, which will begin in Jan uary,” said Foy.

Tickets can also be purchased at www.lloy dex.com/chase-theace, or in person at the Lloyd Ex office at 552149 Ave. Lottery licence #LR22-0089

MERIDIAN

Tawaw Outreach hits the street

of mental health and addictions in the com munity is “outstand ing,” noting roughly 85 per cent of clients the outreach services help identify as Indigenous.

Falcon says partner ing with Midwest might help Tawaw Outreach take off.

“It’s to secure fund ing, so hopefully in the future, we can refer peo ple to addiction services. We hope to have an Indigenous-based addic tion program,” she said.

Recently, she let one homeless couple sleep in her car for a few hours.

The problem on the street is compounded by the current lack of medical detox pro grams, including the Thorpe Recovery Cen tre, which has tempo rarily shut its program.

“We met with pub lic health yesterday to pick up supplies,” said Falcon.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

As the temperature plunges, community support worker Jes sica Falcon and her mom, Heather Ross, are raising the alarm bells over homelessness and addiction in Lloyd minster and the risk of overdose deaths.

“That’s where it gets scary because if some body’s using alone and out in minus 40-degree weather, they are going to overdose and pass away or they’re going to succumb to the weather,” said Falcon.

“We had five deaths in the community last year just from freezing alone.”

Falcon and her mom drive around town in their own car from about 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. at times to help keep their predominantlyIndigenous clients safe and healthy, but the problem is already beyond their scope and resources.

They reached out to the Midwest Indig enous Society, which hosted a joint news con ference last Wednesday to announce a project called Tawaw (or wel come in Cree) Outreach to raise awareness and funding support.

Midwest is an arm of the Association of Metis, Non and Sta tus Indians Saskatche wan (AMNSIS) that will hopefully provide some initial funding accord ing to Chrystal Miller, director of Midwest.

“We’re hoping to get funding. We want to call the attention to all service providers for

homelessness and drug addiction,” said Miller.

“We want to have a meeting with all the powers that be, whether that be the mayor or chiefs or anybody that get any kind of funding for homelessness and drug addiction.”

Miller says the part nership wants to find ways to help one another “tackle this huge epi demic we’re having” in Lloydminster.

Falcon says the extent

She is also hoping to bring awareness and hopefully come up with a plan on how they can address things going forward.

“It’s such a big task and it’s not something that’s going to be fixed overnight,” she said.

“Now that the cold is here it’s starting to be quite concerning.”

Falcon says the men’s and women’s shelters are often full and it can be hard to secure imme diate temporary shelter from provincial agencies.

“We were made aware that detoxes are so lim ited that they are com ing up with plans where people are detoxing at home with a family member by their side.”

Falcon says to get into treatment you need to be clean for seven days.

“When you’re in active addiction, it’s hard to go two hours clean,” she said.

Falcon says she and Miller will typically pull up to a client and ask them if they would like a meal and hand out any donated winter clothing.

“Everything we get is by donation,” she said.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

BUSINESS SURVEY

November 2022

The City of Lloydminster’s Economic Development team is hosting their annual Business Survey. This survey will help identify the needs of current and future businesses, as well as provide guidance and direction for future economic growth. Feedback collected through this survey is confidential as the results will provide input to City Council and Administration as they create policy to support local businesses, grow a diverse local economy, stabilize our tax base, and create a strong and vibrant business community. The City has contracted Deloitte. to contact local business owners at random to complete a short telephone survey.

The survey and What We Heard Report will be available at yourvoicelloyd.ca/YCYB following the telephone survey completion.

They also provide Narcan kits to reverse an overdose of opioids and sexual health sup

plies to keep the home less safe and prevent infections.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

The Midwest Indigenous Society is partnering with an Indig enous street program to launch Tawaw Outreach, targeting homelessness and addiction. Midwest members from left, Scott Miller, Samantha Studer, director Crystal Miller, and local community support worker, Jessica Falcon, spoke to the media about the partnership project last Wednesday.

Gift Guide to cheer the needy

Guide 2022-2023.

Copies of the guide are available this week from the organiza tion’s Thrift Store and Reclaim used furniture store.

Additional copies will be distributed to local medical offices and other locations as well.

on how to support a local family or The Olive Tree itself this holiday season.

It includes suggested donation amounts for seasonal programs such as $100 for a Christmas hamper, and $50 for Coats For Kids.

coordinator Kimberly Steier.

This year they are aiming to provide for 1,000 kids.

“That’s kind of the goal to make a bigger difference every year,” said Steier.

tion that really makes a world of difference to so many people in our community. That helps me sleep at night for sure,” said Steier.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

The Christmas rush

is underway at The Olive Tree with the release of its new Gift

“I hope it will go over really well. A lot of times people want to give back to the com munity, but they’re not sure how to do that,” said Olive Tree’s exec utive director Becky Schille.

“This is our 10th guide gift guide; this is our idea of how to show people really small ways of how they give back.”

The Gift Guide includes suggestions

TAWAW FROM PAGE 3

“Right now it’s just me and my mom. My sister and brotherin-law are coming on board as liaison work ers. We need more,”

The guide also sug gests a $30 donation for the Gift of Christmas in partnership with Real Country 95.9 to provide local kids with a gift under the tree.

“We helped over 900 children through the Gift of Christmas pro gram last year. It makes a huge difference— those donations for kids particularly teenage boys—they are harder to find gifts for,” said OIive Tree marketing

said Falcon.

Miller says they are hoping AMNSIS can help fund a motorhome for Tawaw Outreach to be able to cook and serve hot meals.

The Thrift Store and the Reclaim store are accepting donated gifts for Christmas among other locations with all hands on deck for the busiest time of the year.

This year to date, The Olive Tree has distrib uted nearly $1 million worth of food to their food rescue partners and community groups.

Their goal is to feed and furnish families and build relationships.

“I think this is an incredible organiza

“They are doing their part, but we need to see other people trying to help us deliver this,” said Miller.

Midwest is also con tinuing a membership

This year’s guide fea tures a handy QR code to scan with a smart phone camera and QR reader.

“It takes you to our website which makes it really easy to donate,” explained Steier.

“So you can choose to either make a monthly, quarterly or annual donation or a donation in amounts specifically suggested in the guide.”

Steier says the QR code makes donating really convenient and eliminates filling out a form.

drive from Nov. 18-19 at their office so cli ents can register for a Christmas hamper and attend an upcoming Christmas party at their hall.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Kimberly Steier, marketing coordinator for The Olive Tree, left, and Becky Schille, the executive director, received the first copies of the new Gift Guide on Monday that takes the guess work out of making a difference in the community with a donation toward Christmas programs.

Camo day in crosshairs

Supplied Photo

Licensed hunters, anglers and trappers in Saskatchewan are easy targets of public appre ciation at this time of the year.

Lloydminster and District Fish and Game Association president Dwayne Davison and Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers showed their support by wear ing camouflage to cele brate Hunting Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day on Tuesday.

They each gave a shout-out to the province’s 270,000 license holders, which includes members of the local fish and game association.

“Locally, it’s a huge industry and there’s lots of hunters around here. The hunting community is very vast in this area,” said Davison.

Aalbers says the Lloydminster region offers excellent hunting and fishing opportuni ties for residents and regional visitors.

“They help create business opportuni ties for local guides and support sporting goods, hotels, restaurants and other service industries within our community,” he said in a statement.

“Hunting, fishing and other outdoor rec reation opportunities enrich the lives of many in our area.”

The sector generates over $650 million for the provincial economy each year, according to the Saskatchewan Wild life Federation (SWF).

and

wildlife resources through

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

the govern ment Fish and Wildlife Development Fund.

Mayor Gerald Aalbers, centre, donned his finest camouflage with Lloydminster and District Fish and Game Association presi dent Dwayne Davison, left, and director, Garry Cunningham, to celebrate Hunting Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day on Tuesday.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Lloydminster remembers them

TAYLOR WEAVER

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Lloydminster remem bered them.

Last Friday, and for the first time in a num ber of years, an in-per son Remembrance Day ceremony was held at Lloydminster Compre hensive High School to honour and com memorate those who served their coun try and acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve.

“It’s good to see this many people out today,” said Royal Canadian Legion #39 Lloydmin ster Padre Lyle Berg.

“We weren’t really sure what to expect this year because the cere monies have been vir tual for the past cou ple of years, but I think today’s ceremony was well represented by the community,” he said.

One of many Lloy dminster residents to attend last Friday’s cer emony was 95-year-old Jean Fells. Fells cur rently calls Lloydmin ster home after leaving England at 19.

Fells requested to lay a wreath on behalf of the Canadian War Brides, which she did not long after the photo to the right was taken.

The ceremony was also represented

“If you have a phone, you can do it right online,” she said.

There is even a QR code to become a program volunteer.

The Olive Tree is also facing a high demand for food donations for its com munity programs and for

Christmas hampers.

“The need for food has gone up significantly. Obviously just the price of food, utilities and fuel, and as those things go up, people are struggling to make ends meet. We are def initely starting to see a lot of new clients,” said Schille.

“We’re really short right

now on Kraft Dinner, canned vegetables, those kinds of things. We will post that list on social media for people to see if they want to buy some thing specific.”

Donations for hampers pay for typical non-perishable items along with a ham or a turkey, a box of oranges, a jug

of milk and Christmas treats.

The Gift Guide is also asking Santa and the community for donations towards a new food rescue truck and to pay down the mortgage, but for now, it’s all about gifting others.

“We’re just focussing on getting through the Christmas season and making sure all of

our clients and community members have their needs met,” said Schille who notes the community always comes through.

“Lloydminster is a very gen erous city, very communityminded. We’re very lucky to live in a city like this,” she said.

by local veterans, mem

bers of the Lloydmin ster RCMP, the Lloy dminster Fire Depart

ment, 186 Air Cadets Lloydminster Squadron, and more.

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photos

Seniors probe local home care

GEOFF LEE WRITER

The Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Soci ety tackled the issue of aging at home with a presentation by Sharon Jackson, manager of Primary Health Home Care, at Tuesday’s meeting.

“The demands are increasing,” said Jack son, who noted all six care aides now attend

to seniors each morn ing at Pioneer House, for example.

“With ageing in place there is more need for home care.”

That’s in sync with a new study on ageing in place released in Octo ber by the National Institute on Ageing based at Toronto Met ropolitan University.

FROM PAGE 5

These licence sales are the only additional contribution made to the fund and consti tute around $4.2 mil lion each year, which is often matched by local NGOs.

Each year at this time, SWF invites Saskatchewan resi dents, businesses, and schools to raise aware ness around these con tributions to fish, wild life, and habitat con servation by wearing camouflage clothing.

This is also the week that puts the spotlight on the personal benefits of hunting and fishing, for example.

“It’s an outdoor life style. It gets people outdoors and doing physical activity and that’s always good. Any kind of activity getting the kids involved is also really good,” said Davison.

He points to the Lloy dminster and Area Archers who are affili ated with the fish and game association as an activity that attracts youth.

“Their JOP pro gram, which is their kids’ youth program, is starting up in Decem ber and will run right through into April,” said Davison.

Local hunters are also stoked knowing the whitetail deer hunt starts Nov. 20 with a late-season elk draw to follow from Dec. 10-19 along with some break ing news from Davison to share.

“I am very happy to say we are doing our gun show on Jan. 21-22. We’re really looking for ward to that,” he said.

There will also be an annual association banquet on Feb. 18 at the WLS Convention Centre.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Graham Brown, president of the Lloydminster Concerned Citi zens for Seniors Care Society, holds a copy of a new aging in place study to discuss local home care service on Tuesday. On the right is Dr. Raff Sayeed.

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.

Viewpoint

Lloyd craft brewers in Alta now able to deliver directly to Sask retailers

The Saskatch ewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) will now allow Lloydmin ster’s Alberta-side craft liquor manufacturers to direct deliver products to Saskatchewan-side retail stores.

Editor Taylor Weaver taylor@meridiansource.ca

Staff Writer Geoff Lee geoff@meridiansource.ca

This Lloydminsterspecific exception to the SLGA’s standard pro cedure for craft liquor sales comes follow ing recent discussions between representa tives of the Lloydmin ster Chamber of Com merce, the City of Lloy dminster and the SLGA.

The talks focused on Lloydminster’s unique bi-provincial status and how the agencies might

collaborate to reduce unnecessary proce dures, expenses and delays for Lloydmin ster-based producers and retailers. Confirma tion of the SLGA deci sion was received by the City of Lloydminster and the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Oct. 17.

Mayor Gerald Aal bers says red-tape reduction continues to be an area of emphasis in his discussions with leaders from other lev els of government.

“This exception granted by SLGA repre sents an exciting break through in our ongoing work to reduce barri ers for small businesses

Letter to the editor ...

Marketing Manager Deanna Wandler deanna@meridiansource.ca

Marketing Consultant Ashley Miazga ashley@meridiansource.ca

Publisher: Reid Keebaugh

Production

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.

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

Are the UCP really fiscally responsible?

Alberta’s new Pre mier, Danielle Smith, recently announced that the road ahead is “going to be a bit bumpy.”

You mean to say it’s been smooth sailing until now?

Over the last three years, Albertan’s have watched their governing party disintegrate into a squabbling play-ground of spending and deci sion-making that regis ters as a national embar rassment. The ‘fiscally responsible’ UCP lost $8.1 billion on a gam ble the the Keystone pipeline would happen and spent $30 million of tax-payer’s money on a ‘war room’ created to refute (unsubstantiated) claims of undermining the oil industry.

operating in Lloydmin ster’s bi-provincial set ting,” said Aalbers.

“Part of our strategy to make Lloydminster an ever-more attrac tive target for business investment lies in mak ing things easier for local businesses from a bureaucracy perspective wherever we are able.”

Under this exception, the liquor retail store in Lloydminster must place an order through SLGA’s special order process.

SLGA will issue a purchase order to the Alberta craft alco hol producer located in Lloydminster and authorization to deliver the product named

in the purchase order directly to the Saskatch ewan retail store.

“Paperwork, proce dures, permits – these are the sort of things that should be mini mized where possible to ensure local propri etors can focus on grow ing and operating their businesses,” said TeriLynn MacKie, execu tive director of the Lloy dminster Chamber of Commerce.

“We appreciate the Government of Sas katchewan’s open ness to developing this made-for-Lloydminster solution to a problem that has long vexed our local craft liquor manu facturers and retailers.”

Manager: Amanda Richard

Leeway from Lloyd: What’s the deal with big deals?

STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

Remember when special days like Box ing Day were just a one-day sale before retailers extended it to Boxing Week and even a month into the new year?

The same thing has happened the past few years with Black Fri day, the day after U.S. Thanksgiving.

Somehow it’s morphed into Black November with end less days of bargains. The term Black Friday has just become a con ceptual synonym for a sale.

Welcome to Gray November every day of the month!

The change is prob ably good as most con sumers today want to

shop at different times without the crowds and while inventory is still available.

I remember lining up at 6 a.m. outside the former Future Shop store to snag a bargain on Boxing Day with dozens of others in the cold.

Nowadays more peo ple are comfortable buying sales items online. That was the safest choice during the pandemic.

Another trend in the past few years is seeing more retailers stocking their shelves with Christmasrelated products even before Thanksgiving or Remembrance Day.

Christmas creep has become a deal creep.

It won’t be long before we see the first back-to-school sales in February!

With the watering

down of these former one-day sales events into weeks of bargains, it’s hard to know if you really are getting a deal.

Soon some twisted marketing genius will come up a pay more day for those who want to flaunt their wealth!

More likely, someone

will copy the vehicle market with its seem ingly endless scarcity of inventory to drive up demand and price while blaming “supply chain issues” for the sticker shock.

Since there is no shortage of TVs or even new airplanes that use computer chips, it

makes you wonder why would there only be a shortage for the auto industry.

With so many tech workers getting laid off, maybe they could be retrained to crank out chips in their base ment.

Anyway, with the high cost of everything

these days more price drop days are welcome especially with the approach of Christmas.

Maybe the federal government could join in the fun and elim inate the sales tax on everything for an entire month.

We could call it Trudeau Days!

Lloyd RCMP remind drivers to prepare for winter road conditions

With winter officially here, the Lloydminster RCMP would like to take the time to remind drivers to prepare for upcoming winter driving.

As the temperatures drop and weather deteriorates, poor road conditions are all but certain to happen within the coming weeks.

There are several ways to prepare for the season and now is the time to do so.

Please check your vehicles tire condition and ensure you have appropriate all-season or winter tires rated for trav elling in snow, ice and slush.

Also, ensure your spare tire is in good condition and your vehicle has up to date main tenance to prevent unwanted break downs on our roads.

Furthermore, please ensure you have filled your wind shield washer fluid reservoir

with winter-rated fluid to ensure your visibility is the best it can be during storms.

It’s also important to ensure you take the time to clean your headlights and tail lamps.

Another good idea is to have a winter travel kit. Some items to think about pack ing in your vehicle are: water, blankets, a cell phone char ger, a shovel, flashlights, win

dow scrapers/brushes and booster cables.

Alberta often has temper atures dropping well below zero which can cause extreme strain on your battery.

In addition to equipment and safety, always plan your route and let friends or fam ily know your expected time of arrival.

If you are not familiar with your route, plan ahead

of time and have a map accessible. Consider loca tions to stop overnight at, should you encounter road closures or a vehicle break down, and always give your self extra time to arrive at your destination.

To check road conditions, go to 511.alberta.ca to get up to date information on Alberta Highways, or call your local RCMP.

FROM PAGE 10

They pushed through a new school curricu lum, despite the objec tions of 90 per cent of school boards, parents and teachers; tried to sell our parks and build

a coal mine in one of Alberta’s most pris tine wilderness areas, gutted post-secondary institutions (those that were not religious any way), and did this all while giving corpora

tions a tax break of 8 per cent instead of 12 per cent.

The UCP have tar geted doctors to the point that many have left the province, and continue to work very

hard to make our public health system private. Now, they are work ing to create a pro vincial police force, in spite of the fact 70 per cent of municipalities have voted against this.

The cost of having the RCMP is $500 mil lion a year, with federal subsidies of $170 mil lion. If Alberta decides to go it alone, the cost will sky-rocket to $735 million a year, with

$366 million just to start up.

Are the UCP fiscally responsible and doing the right thing? Think again Alberta.

- Jan Scott

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 Play school & Kindergym has opened up their regis tration for the fall 20222023 classes. They offer one day a week for three-year-olds and one or two days a week for four and five-year-olds. They have also quali fied for the Affordability Grant! For more infor mation please call Mrs. P at 780-872-9523.

Bingo at the Moose

The Moose Lodge,

located at 5213-57 Street, Lloydminster, hosts bingo nights every Monday and Wednes day. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. The Moose also hosts crib tournaments every second Sunday of the month. Start time is 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is $12.

Square Dancing Introduction

An intro to square dancing will be held at the Bioclean Aquatic Centre from 6:30

Passport to YLL

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

p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from Oct. 5 to May 31, 2023. Walk to the beat of music by following simple instructions from the caller. The first evening is free! Visit us online at squaredancelloyd.ca for details.

Light the Lights

Big Brothers Big Sis ters Lloydminster is encouraging residents to help ignite a little spark this holiday sea son with its Light the Lights campaign. From

Nov. 16 to Dec. 23, BBBS will be bright ening up its office, and you can help. BBBS will be putting up strings of lights and donations are being accepted to get your name put on a strand of lights. Once a strand is full of names, the strand will be plugged in to light the lights. Donations can be made for yourself, as a family, as a gift for someone, in memory of someone, sponsor a strand as a business, get the kids involved ... the possibilities to make a difference are endless! Call 306-825-5757 for more details. Donations of $20 or more are eligi ble for a tax receipt.

Spades Tourney

The Legacy Centre is hosting a Spades tour nament on Nov. 17. Play begins at 10 a.m. and costs $10/person. Lunch is available for $12. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more information.

Legacy Christmas Trip

Sign up now! The Legacy Centre is host ing its “3-day Christ mas trip” from Nov. 18-20 this year. The trip includes two din ner threatre produc tions (Rosebud & Stage West), the Spruce meadows International Christmas Market, 3-day transportation by bus, two nights hotel accommodations and two breakfasts, plus a group supper. A $200/ person deposit must be made to get your name on the list. Call the Leg acy office at 780-875-

4584 for more details.

JAMBOREE

There will be a jam boree on Nov. 20 in the Islay Community Hall. Admission is $10, participants are free. Everyone welcome and lunch will be served. For more info, call Dixie at 780-744-2204. Funds raised support mainte nance of the hall.

Cribbage Tournament

A cribbage tourna manet is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion #183 in French man Butte on Nov. 20 at 11 a.m. Butte time, 10 a.m. Lloyd time. Regis tration is $10, lunch is $10. Lunch is beef stew, buns, dessert, prize money is determined by percentage of crowd. Everyone is welcome.

Cribbage Doubles Tourney

The Legacy Centre is hosting a Cribbage dou bles tournament on Nov. 24. Play begins at 10 a.m. and costs $10/per son. Lunch is available for $12. Everyone wel come! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more information.

Jamboree/Dance

The Legacy Cen tre is hosting a jambo ree/dance on Nov. 25. Doors open and dancin’ at 5 p.m., supper will be served at 6 p.m., then the jam begins. All interested musicians should call Bonnie at 780-808-4034, all other inquiries call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584.

PBR Winter Classic

The PBR Winter

Classic is coming to the Lloyd Exhibition on Nov. 26. Watch the toughest cowboys take on the rankest bulls in the PBR.

St. Anthony’s CWL Christmas Market

St. Anthony’s CWL is hosting a Christ mas market on Satur day, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2704 – 56 Ave. There is so much to enjoy – Christ mas bake sale, mini home-based trade fair, Christmas decorations re-sale, religious books and cards sale, raf fles, and above all, a delicious noon lunch. Bring your friends, neighbours, and fam ily members! Come for the fellowship and pick up a few great gifts for Christmas.

Christmas Cribbage Tourney

The Christmas Crib bage Tournament at Hillmond Hall is being held on Nov. 27 starting at 11 a.m. A Christmas meal will be served at noon. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is $12. Come join for some fes tive fun!

Diabetes Education Classes

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is hosting diabetes edu cational classes start ing Dec. 13 from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. with Ses sion 1: “An Introduc tion to the Basics.” Classes are being held in Conference Room #2 at the Prairie North Health Centre, Suite 115, 4910 – 50 Street. To register please call 306-820-4887.

Something for everyone at Collector Con

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Whether you were looking to buy, sell, or trade, there was some thing for everyone at Babs Gaming and Sports Cards first-ever Collector Con.

Held last Saturday and Sunday at the Lloyd Ex, Collector Con was

modelled after largerscale Comic Con events and featured a cosplay contest, a fun zone with bouncy houses, mod ern arcade games and an oversized Operation game, sponsored by J&R Automotive, Super Smash Bros and Fort nite tournaments, and much more.

“The weekend was all about getting people out and making them aware there’s this type of com munity in Lloyd,” said Babs’ co-owner Andrew Ross, who’s called Lloy dminster home for the past 15 years. “We also like to keep things local.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Owners of Babs Gaming and Sports Cards, Mitch Lapensee and Andrew Ross, had a great weekend at the Lloyd Ex as Babs hosted its first-ever Collector Con.

Rotary invited to Philippines funder

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Sydney Palmer is inviting Rotary Club of Lloydminster members to a Canadian-themed fundraising party in the Philippines in 2024 to kickstart another school-building project.

Palmer made the pitch to the club at the Lloydminster Com munity Youth Cen tre on Monday after he attended the opening of the Rotary Canlaon Mountain School in the Philippines on Oct. 20.

“We’re going to go ahead with a ‘Canadian taste’ fundraiser dinner in the Philippines,” said Palmer.

“We’re going to try to bring some Canadian auctioneers and ringmen to the Philippines

and we’re hoping some of our Rotary Club can come to it.”

He says one of the things they will be auc tioning is a dinner for four at his condo in San Juan City with the coun try’s minister of educa tion as a special guest.

Palmer is president of CLS Consulting Ltd., which recruits work ers for Canada from an office in the Philippines where he was president of the Metro Venezuela Rotary Club that got the Canlaon school project off the ground.

He wanted to thank the Lloydminster club for contributing $10,000 to the moun tain school and show them how their dona tion was spent.

“We put together a presentation of the building and the con struction of it and that’s what we’re going to show today,” said Palmer.

The school is located in the mountains in a province called Negros, where there are no roads within four kilo metres of the school.

“Some of these kids have never been to school so they are pretty excited about the school,” said Palmer who hoped they would

attract 80 students.

He says there were 120 children enrolled at the opening and was thinking they should have made it bigger.

“The supervisor came up to me and she was in tears and said ‘Sydney, I don’t know what we’re going to do with all the space,’” said Palmer.

He says some chil dren over there are used to sitting on the floor, but Rotary donated desks and “the whole bit” as he put it.

“We bought back packs for all the chil dren and they just thought it was Christ mas. It was totally unbelievable,” said Palmer.

Incredibly the school was built at a cost of about $US60,000 including the Lloyd minster donation that was matched by Alberta Rotary and the Rotary Foundation Canada.

They get the children’s parents to do the work.

“We hire an engi neer and a cook. If you come to work we feed you. That way there is more personal involve ment in the building of your school,” explained Palmer.

He says his Philip pines Rotary Club has built about 10 schools

and tries to build a new school every second year.

He says because funds are getting harder to secure, he was made chair of a new fundrais ing idea to invite Rotar ians from Lloydminster and other Canadians to come to the Philippines for a project auction party.

“We’ve got some big items donated already. We’re planning on 500 people to be at the event,” said Palmer, who noted it will take place in February 2024.

“We’re going to be another school in the northern Philippines.”

Palmer says he is looking for ideas on what to donate includ ing some things Cana dian like cowboy hats and boots.

He is also hoping the Lloydminster club can donate to the school project as well via a dedicated school fund.

Palmer also reported his New Life Opportu nities Placement Agency in San Juan bought over 600 Filipino workers for Western Canada in his last two hiring trips.

“We’re picking up orders now in Quebec and Ontario—Saskatch ewan is the biggest by far,” said Palmer.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Sydney Palmer explained how a $10,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Lloydminster went toward the construction of a new rural school in the Philippines during a presentation on Monday at the Lloydminster Community Youth Centre.

Home care a hot topic for area seniors

Seniors Care Soci ety president, Graham Brown, held up a copy of the study that is on point with plans by Alberta and Saskatch ewan health authori ties to make aging in place a major support strategy.

The study estimates between 11 and 30 per cent of Canadians admitted long-term care could have poten tially remained at home if home care supports were available.

Jackson noted some of the top barriers are bathtubs and stairs for safety, cramped bed rooms to assist clients and carpets that inter fere with wheelchair mobility.

Some services also cost money such as

giving baths, helping seniors to get dressed and out of bed, and pre paring meals.

“We need to work on that because we want to have an expansion of home care and look after more people at home,” said Brown, who was pleased with what he heard.

“We had a good dis cussion. I am satisfied with the responses, but Sharon can only do so much and we do need to lobby for more peo ple, more assessors, and more home care,” said Brown.

He said they wanted to get a feel for how it was working in the community and identify some of the concerns and some of the things the senior groups can help with.

Residents can learn more about home care and other available health services in Lloy dminster by attending the Community Health Assessment Day at the Prairie North Plaza on Nov. 29 from 1-3 p.m.

“It’s to bring all the healthcare services closer to the people. It’s open for everyone,” Primary Health Care development consul tant, Dowsan Antonio told the meeting.

The event will pro mote services, booked appointments for all kinds of medical needs, along with representa tives on hand from the Saskatchewan Health Authority to discuss programming.

The Primary Health Care team also invites everyone to meet their

community health partners.

“Our main goal in the future is to have a onestop shop with as many healthcare services as possible under one roof,” said Antonio.

“Right now, we just have a number of SHA partners around, but hopefully in the future, we’ll have our phar macist there, a social

worker there and a nurse practitioner there.”

He says they are highly encouraging those professionals to provide those services at Prairie North as soon as possible.

Antonio says the assessment day will be held every second month in the new year.

Brown says he plans

to attend after letting on he wasn’t aware all those services were available under one roof.

“I wasn’t so it was good to hear that,” said Brown.

“It’s very important, the more people that turn out and partici pate the more accurate information you are going to get.”

Collector Con curates to card and gaming community

FROM PAGE 14

Babs has been open in the Border City for roughly a year and a half and is owned by Ross and his busi ness partner, Mitch Lapensee.

Since they opened, business has been strong enough for Ross and Lapensee to intro duce a customer loyalty program.

“As a video game collectible store and hockey card store, there’s lots of call for it here,” said Ross.

“People used to have to drive to Edmonton, but now they don’t have to; we also really push shopping local.”

Ross explained the idea to host a comic con-style event in Lloyd came after attending a show in Edmonton.

“They had a cosplay contest and a bunch of collectables, just as we did, and we thought we’d try to bring that here and put on a show,” he said.

“We’ve seen lots of people come through and heard lots of feed back. The kids had a great time and our cosplay contest had 10 entrees on Sunday, which wasn’t huge, but still lots of fun.

“It’s tough to say, but we probably had 800 people come through

the doors throughout the two days.”

The two-day event also featured hockey/ trading card vendors, Adventurvers Games out of Lloydminster, as well as the Alberta and Saskatchewan Ghost busters. The Alberta Ghostbusters is a soci ety with a charitable purpose that fund raises through cosplay events. The organiza tion is composed of vol unteers, prop builders, collectors and fans.

“The Ghostbusters

came and brought a ton of props, took lots of pictures, and everything they raised went to the

Alberta Stollery Chil dren’s Foundation.”

For those who missed out on the

fun, Ross assured the Source “We’re defi nitely doing this again next year.”

File Photo

Missing and presumed lost

Ever had household items go strangely missing from your home?

I’m not talking about socks, the last Oreo, or a book you lent to Aunt Fiona. That sort of stuff always disappears, and we understand it.

Well, maybe none of us really gets the sock thing. Socks that go into the washer/dryer and are hence forth never seen again defy explanation. No. I’m talking about things like casserole dishes, expensive sheets, and tablecloths.

Stuff that has no business getting up and shuffling out the door to go goodness know where.

The common denomina tor, at least in my case, is children, with a possible dog thrown in for good measure, but you can tell me yours later.

There’ve been countless incidents, but one of the first was when my children were young, and I couldn’t find the set of quality sheets I’d bought for the guestroom bed. I looked everywhere.

Naturally, I lined my kids up against a wall and interro gated them closely.

“You must have seen them?” I probed. “They’re new. I washed the bloody things yesterday and hung them on the line to dry.”

The children shook their heads, gazing at me with wide, blameless eyes that reflected their innate moral ity and goodness.

Their faces wore the pained expression of decent people falsely accused of a heinous crime.

Nearby, the dog sat in a similar state of grovelling innocence.

“You mean those green ones?” Rebecca burst out. I rounded on her. The kid knew something. But before I could pry it forth, her eyes slid toward Chris, the insti gator, and parrot-like she responded. “Nope, haven’t seen ‘em.”

Those kids are now in their 30s and still haven’t broken their vow of silence.

Then there was my best casserole, a small serv ing bowl, and two spring form pans, to name only a few others. I find it hard to believe a heavy, red casserole dish would exit the premises

on its own steam and make its way, unaccompanied, to seek the bright lights of the city.

However, that was the very story I was given by those same children when I ques tioned them yet again.

The serving bowl turned up at dad’s, somehow. He had the grace to look a little abashed when I caught him early one morning, spooning a helping of hot cereal into its depths.

“You won’t take it though, right Helen,” he said in a wheedling tone. “It makes a dandy porridge bowl.”

I sighed. No, of course, I wouldn’t take it.

Recently, I was asked to make a dessert baked in a springform pan. I searched high and low for it. Nothing.

From past experience,

I texted my son, the same Chris who led the green sheet brigade back in 1997, and asked him if he’d seen them.

While he initially denied responsibility, lo and behold, he sheepishly showed up at my door with two, along with a saucepan and several din ner plates, all thrown in for good luck. What a guy!

He claims I gave him the dishes to carry food home, but he did lead several fam ily revolts in his glory days, and I’m not sure he can be entirely trusted.

In any case, I got them back and will guard them jealously from this point on. However, the mystery of the missing sheets and my best casserole remains unsolved until this day. Could you tell a similar tale?

Reclaiming a past not to be taken

minster Times 1955 edi tion is a 1907 feature titled, Eventful Career of Rev. J. Matheson. It highlights this man’s

influential life and pro vides a glimpse into the early settlement of the West.

Born near Fort Garry,

Rev. John Matheson eventually served as an Anglican missionary at Onion Lake.

He was the grandson of two of the original Selkirk settlers, John Pritchard and Angus Matheson brought over by Lord Selkirk in 1811. Working as a buffalo hunter, scout for the mounted police, a guide for government parties, miner and prospector; Matheson knew every area of land between the Great Lakes and the Pacific Ocean.

He rode with Gabriel Dumont and other Sas katchewan buffalo hunters on the Plains.

The tide of immigra tion had barely begun in the West. Edmonton was merely a collection of log shanties where the fur company did their business.

More than 400 rid ers left Edmonton with Matheson taking part in this great hunt for the first time. The group came across a herd of approximately 10,000 buffalo.

About 1,500 were shot, which would pro vide a supply of meat for the upcoming sea son. The hides were sold to the Hudson Bay Company for between four to seven shillings; some brought as much

as 10 shillings. The meat was cut into strips, dried for food and made into pemmican, which was an important food staple.

The journey back to Fort Garry to sell the hides and pemmican involved more than 1,000 carts in the 800mile trek.

Meat was also obtained throughout their journey. The buf falo hunters camped outside the settle ment for a few days. Horse races were held for entertainment and many enjoyed what the town had to offer.

Matheson was the first man to obtain a government mail con tract in northwest Can ada from Fort Garry to Fort Pelly.

He had the reputa tion of being one of the best mushers in the West. The trek itself was 400 miles with mail for the police, Hudson’s Bay men and Canadian Pacific Railway survey ors. His only compan ions during this long journey were a team of three dogs.

His journey on the trail often brought him past Indigenous encampments where he got food for himself and his dogs. Fish was easily caught in the lakes. He

dug a hole in the snow, lined it with brush or grass and covered it with blankets to make himself a bed when night came. His ‘staff of life’ was pemmican, although a few luxu ries such as flour, tea and sugar were brought along in small quanti ties. Making bannock over an open campfire provided variety to his diet.

Eventually, he was converted in New West minster and preached his first sermon. He then dedicated his life as a Christian mission ary amongst the Indig enous Peoples.

Following the teach ings of the Bible, Matheson changed his life’s direction and opened up a Residential School in Onion Lake circa 1893. The chap ter of Canadian his tory, which followed, is now transformed into reclaiming the past so the lives and experi ences of these Indige nous children are not forgotten.

Reprinted in a Lloyd

PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

WHISPERS OF THE PAST SANDRA L. BROWN

File Photo

Bobcats battle through first frame of season

EDITOR

Just over one-third of the way through the 2022-23 regular season, the Lloydminster Junior A Bobcats (9-9-1-1) have really been making November count with some big wins.

The ‘Cats started the month on the road with a game in Whitecourt on Nov. 4 where they beat the Wolverines (126-2-1) 3-2 in regulation.

The ‘Cats then trav elled to Drayton Valley on Nov. 5 where they shut out the Thunder (6-15-0-1) 5-0.

Friday, Nov. 11 not only saw Remembrance Day ceremonies in the Border City, but it also saw the Okotoks Oilers (14-7-1-2) come to town when the ‘Cats served up a 3-2 loss in front of 815 hometown fans.

A consistent pow erhouse in the AJHL

south, the Oilers are currently ranked second in the division.

The Civic Centre had another impres sive turnout on Nov. 13 when the Drumheller Dragons (10-9-1-2) came to town for a Sun day matinee game.

The Bobcats opened the scoring on Sunday with an unassisted goal from Jayven Leslie early in the first period. The Dragons answered the goal 13 seconds later with a goal by Noah Danielson.

Dragons forward Vann Yuhas got one past ‘Cats netminder Freddie Halyk at 6:26 in the second before Jor dan Borysiuk would tie it up for the Bobcats two and a half minutes later.

The Dragons would take a 3-2 lead going into the third, but it wasn’t over yet.

At 9:40 in the final frame, Bobcats forward Connor Burke snuck a beauty past Dragons’ netminder Liam Cho quette tying the game 3-3.

Five minutes of threeon-three overtime were played without any change to the score board before the game went to a shootout.

Going into the shoot out, Brock Krulicki started things off for the Bobcats and snuck one past Choquette.

The Dragons, how ever, would better the ‘Cats with goals from Kai Matthew and Yuhas winning the shootout 2-1.

The ‘Cats returned to the Civic on Tuesday night to host the White court Wolverines. Lloyd was first to get on the board at the 10:37 mark in the first.

TAYLOR WEAVER

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

A strong head on her shoulders

JAMIE HARKINS SPECIAL TO THE SOURCE

You can’t judge a book by its cover.

If someone were to study Lakeland College King’s Energy Group Rustlers women’s hockey player Paris Appel’s on-ice career, they’d conclude the rookie left wing is a hard-nosed grinder unafraid of the opposition and unconcerned about crossing the line.

However, as all good scouts know, it takes an office conversation to gain the full story.

for a career as a physician. Before sitting down for this interview, she had spent the day job shadowing in the maternity ward at Lloyd minster Hospital.

Hockey is going to help me become a better person, but it’s not going to take me anywhere career-wise. So, that’s why school comes first.

skating for the Rustlers.

“Hockey is going to help me become a better person, but it’s not going to take me anywhere career-wise. So, that’s why school comes first.”

A penalty minute leader growing up, Appel has been asked to tone things down by the Rustlers coaching staff.

She hasn’t been told to change her style and hold back physically, but to stay away from committing any stick infractions or retalia tion penalties.

always been Appel’s bread and butter. A bigger body without any signs of fear, she gravitated toward play ing that game as a young child never looking back.

Appel noted that doesn’t represent a contradiction with her off-ice pursuit of helping and healing people because the objective was never to hurt someone dur ing a game. She said the goal is simply to motivate her teammates and improve the squad’s chances of com ing out on top.

Supplied Photo

When Lakeland College King’s Energy Group Rustlers women’s hockey player Paris Appel isn’t crunching opponents against the boards, she can be found buried deep in a nursing textbook.

Appel, 18, excels aca demically working toward a bachelor of science-nurs ing degree at Lakeland Col lege with a long-term goal of moving on to medical school

“My future depends on school,” said Appel, who plans on completing the entire four-year nursing degree program now offered at Lakeland College while

“So far I’ve been pretty good at it,” she said. “But, it all depends on how hotheaded the situation is, what the game is like and the score.”

Playing physically has

“I like to be a physical presence,” said Appel. “I want people to know I’m there and to dominate phys ically. If there is a scrum in the corners I want to be there and I want to be get ting the puck out.”

Upcoming Lakeland College Rustlers schedule at a glance

Rustlers Women’s Volleyball

The Lakeland Col lege Rustlers women’s volleyball team is light

ing up the ACAC and is currently ranked first in the north division with a perfect 8-0 record. The women host the Red

Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens at 6 p.m. on Sat urday at the Lakeland Gym before hosting the University of AlbertaAugustana Vikings on Nov. 25.

Rustlers Men’s Volleyball

The Rustlers men’s volleyball team is cur rently sitting in fourth in the ACAC north with a 3-5 record. The men

BOBCATS FROM PAGE 19

The Wolverines were quick to answer with goals from Dylan Les lie and Tanner Komzak, giving them a 2-1 lead going into the first

host the Red Deer Poly technic Kings at 8 p.m. on Saturday before the Vikings come to town next Friday.

Rustlers Women’s Hockey

The Rustlers women’s hockey team (1-1-1) has a busy weekend ahead of them as they travel to Red Deer tomorrow night to face off against the Queens. The Rus

tlers will return to the Russ Robertson Arena on Saturday as they host the Queens. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. The Rus tlers are on the road next weekend as they play back-to-back games against the Olds College Broncos.

Rustlers Women’s Basketball

The Rustlers women’s basketball team (2-4) is

on the road this week end as they play the Broncos on Friday and the RDP Queens on Sat urday.

Rustlers Men’s Basketball

The Rustlers men’s basketball team (3-3) is also travelling this week end and playing in Olds on Friday before they face Red Deer on Satur day.

intermission.

‘Cats forward Brock Krulicki would even the score 3:11 into the sec ond before Whitecourt’s Aiden Long made it a 3-2 game minutes

later. Bobcats shooter Jack Parker would once again tie the game in the latter half of the sec ond frame.

Overtime was look ing fairly promising

throughout the first half of the third period until Whitecourt’s Kaiden Wiltsie made it a 4-3 game on the powerplay.

The Bobcats are in Spruce Grove to play the Saints tomorrow night before return ing to the Civic Centre to host Drayton Valley for a 2:30 p.m. matinee game on Sunday.

The ‘Cats finish out November on the road with back-to-back games in Grande Prai rie before travelling to Whitecourt.

The ‘Cats return home to host the Sher wood Park Crusaders on Dec. 2 before driving to Bonnyville on Sunday to play the Pontiacs.

Careers

Whose best interest is being served?

MIDWEST MINUTE VERN McCLELLAND

Harry asked me to come to meet with him about selling his house in a perimeter commu nity of Lloydminster.

After I toured the property, we sat down over a cup of coffee and discussed comparable sales, timing, and all the usual questions.

Then he shared his reasons for selling.

“First of all, I don’t want to shovel snow or look after this large yard anymore. Frankly, Vern, I have been a wid ower for eight years now, and I am lonely.”

“Small towns are not places where you can easily meet someone my age with similar inter ests, so I have decided to move to a condo in the city, join a club or two, and see what happens.”

“My kids and grand children all have their own lives, and even though we are in the same community, I hardly see them. I figure it would just be as easy, maybe even easier, for them to come to visit in me my new home, after all they are all up in the city regularly.”

So, I introduced him to my business partner, Mike, as he has exten sive experience in help ing mature adults find the right environment to move to.

They met the follow ing week to tour some of the different types of condos currently avail able within his budget.

Then all went quiet. Our team is not one to push ourselves on peo ple, although we won dered what was holding Harry back as he had seemed quite prepared, even excited, to make the transition.

Meanwhile, his granddaughter called and asked to look at the townhouse recently listed.

She had graduated from university the year prior, found a well-pay ing job in the same city grandpa planned to move to and was tired of commuting from mom and dad’s country home.

Besides, she told me candidly on the phone, it was time to cut the strings and as a bonus, had a good friend who would share expenses with her.

Mom came along with the daughter and her prospective roommate

to the showing.

Nothing unusual with that, almost every firsttime home buyer seeks the advice of their par ents and the support of their friends.

This mother, how ever, could not find much good to say about the property even though in my opinion it was reasonably priced, well-maintained, and in a safe neighbourhood.

If it was my daugh ter, I would have com plimented her on the choice. The two young ladies thought it met their needs quite well.

Then it hit me. I bet mom didn’t want either her father or daughter to move as it would be “empty nest” syndrome times two.

They would be explor ing new lives, while she was left with just her husband, a lifelong farmer dedicated to his craft, and the dog.

Not too long ago, I read the divorce rate in marriages between 25 and 35 years in length is up considerably.

Apparently, these husbands and wives

find they have little in common with each other once the children move out.

I hope this is not the case here, as we could end up looking for another house for this family as well.

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

MERIDIAN

306-825-5111

admin@meridiansource.ca

HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-453-5372.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE ESTATE OF: CHARLES KENNETH WHITROW

late of Lashburn, Saskatchewan, deceased.

All claims against the above estate duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 17th day of December, 2022.

ROD WHITROW PO Box 278 Lashburn, SK/AB S0M 1H0

LIVESTOCK EQUIPMENT

GET YOUR MESSAGE

SEEN ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta read ers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $995 to get your message out! Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna.com for details. 1-800-2826903, 780-434-8746 X225. www.awna.com.

BLANKET THE PROV INCE with a classified ad. Only $269 (based on 25 words or less). Reach almost 90 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-282-6903 Ext 225; www.awna.com.

LOOKING FOR A REWARDING CAREER?

Massage Therapy offers many options. Study full time or in a distance format. Contact the Alberta Institute of Massage for details at www.albertainstituteofmassage.com; phone 403.346.1018.

CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss? Travel/business opportunities? Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800347-2540. www. accesslegalmjf.com.

GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit? Bills? Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com.

WARM UP and HEAD WEST THIS WINTER: Osoyoos BC is a haven for snowbirds looking to experience mild winter weather and an abundance of activities! Hotel suites start at just $425/week with more savings for monthly stays. Learn more at www.osoyoossnowbirds.com, or request digital information on wintering in Osoyoos by emailing: visit@ destinationosoyoos. com or by calling the Osoyoos Visitor Centre at 1-888-OSOYOOS (1-888-676-9667). WANTED

FARMLAND WANTED

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS

Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

FARMLAND AND PASTURE LAND BY SASKATCHEWAN RIVER. 160 acres. Best hunting in Saskatchewan. Excellent fishing. Thick pine & poplar bluffs, by water coulee. Old yard site with power and water. Revenue Potential. East of Prince Albert, SK. $248,000. Call Doug 306-716-2671.

3 QUARTERS OF CROPLAND South of Weyburn, SK. Distressed sale. Priced below market at 1.27 x assessment, with a 4% return with lease. $594,800.00. Call Doug at 306-716-2671.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

AGRICULTURE

HEAVY

*K’AWAT’SI CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IS NOW HIRING* - Red Seal Carpenters ($39.00-$43.00/ hr plus relocation bonus) – Third and fourth-year apprentices ($31-$38/hr plus relocation bonus). If you are interested in this great career opportunity, please send your resume at hrcoordinator@kedc.ca or call us at 250-2304264 for questions. Buying: fababeans, &

ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh. Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789.

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

Obituaries & Memoriams