Meridian Source - November 28, 2019

Thursday, November 28, 2019

VOLUME 2 I ISSUE 22

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

SEE PAGES 17-24 FOR our special black friday pullout section

Eye on the prize

Council approves 2020 Capital and Operating Budget Proposed 2.5 per cent tax hike TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Holy Rosary High School’s Jiro Importa keeps his eye on the prize as he makes his way to the top of the rope to ring the bell during the school’s Ninja Warrior competition on Tuesday afternoon.

With ano the r ne w y e ar o n th e h o r i z o n comes a fresh budget.

City council approved the 2020 Operating Budget with a total operating revenue of $47,614,792; an operating expendit u re of $84,813,361 resulting in taxation levy requirement of $37,207,940, excluding amortization, and the balanced 2020 Capital Budget of $31,009,025 during Monday’s meeting.

Council also directed administration to bring the 2020 Operating and the 2020 Capital Budget forward for review upon receipt of the final mill rate calculation, eligible grants and education requisitions from the provinces.

Operational highlights included, - a proposed 2.5 per cent increase to the municipal tax levy, - assessment

and taxation costs re d u c e d , a s 20 20 i s first full year of inhouse assessment.

- $1.2 million increase to reserves contribution for taxes to be less reliant on utility revenues.

- includes the new collective agreement for Fire Department and the current structure.

- transportation continuing with the enhanced road maintenance implemented in 2019.

- RCMP contract 2.4 per cent increase.

- with consideration to economic realities, administration worked diligently to keep costs at a minimum without reducing service levels.

- not included at this time is the unfunded amortization of $23 million for ease of identifying the balanced budget.

“It’s a lot for one year,” said Coun.

Jonathan Torresan.

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Starting the new year off with fresh numbers

FROM PAGE 1

“As far as the p rocess has gone, I think this budget has gotten a deeper level of scrutiny and more w ork g one into it than any I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in with the city,” added Torresan.

“We are doing a lot with that 2.5 per cent increase. You’re looking at inflation rates in the next year being in and around the 2 per cent national, and we’re talking about a 2.5 per cent increase when, with that, we are con-

tinuing to wean ourselves off of utility revenue, so in the future when we have our new water treatment, the funds remaining can be used to pay the longterm debt.”

Capital highlights included items such as the Airport Capital Assistance Program Grant totally $762,000 for a snowplow, grader and de-icing equipment, and $833,333 from the Federal Infrastructure Canada, New Building Canada Fund for the construction of the long-awaited waste-

water treatment plant.

“It’s a process we got through, and this being our third budget that we’ve approved, it’s one of those things we understand is a step in the process,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers.

“We’re going to do the budget, I know I’m going to hear from people about the budget, we’ll talk about the process, then we get to the mill rate.

“Without a budget, the city can’t move forward on Jan. 1.”

Aalbers also added t he bu d get will once

again be reviewed after a mill rate is calculated before final tax assessments are filed and mailed out to residents.

“I know administration took a long time on the cutting room floor before they brought this forward,” said Aalbers.

“Council feels this is has been the best budget put forward to this council for information, discussion.”

Aalbers also stated a tax increase is an unfortunate reality, but with no control of local economy, not much can

Council accepts proposed Fire Master Plan TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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The Lloydminster Fire Service (LFS) is taking steps to ensure better safety in the Border City.

Due to recent changes to the structure and composition of the LFS, administration recognized the need for a document that will help the future strategic and operational direction of the LFS. The Fire Master Plan (FMP) was accepted as the formal strategic planning document by members of city council at Monday’s meeting to better develop the LFS for years to come.

The FMP included th e C o mmuni t y Ri s k Assessment (CRA) which looks at community building stock, geographical, demographic, hazards, economic, response and

fire profiles to identify and prioritize risks in the community. The Fire Profile key findings between 2007 and 2016 found 22 per cent of fires were caused by mechanical/electrical failure/malfunction, 44 per cent of fires were caused by miscellaneous acts or omission, and 25 per cent of fires were classified as arson or “set fires.”

The FMP provided a total of 34 recommendations to be implemented over time with considerations given to budgetary impacts.

Some recommendations found in the FMP included a change in fire services philosophy from primarily a reactive response to the “5 Es;” Education, Economic Incentives, Enforcement, Engineering and Emergency response. The plan also

included the addition of a fourth paid-on-call (POC) firefighter to the duty crew. This addition will ensure the fire service meets the requirements set out in National Fire Protection Association standards to conduct extrication at fire scenes.

“There’s a history and tradition to fire services, and there’s been a dramatic shift in responsiveness,” said Coun.

Aaron Buckingham.

“You used to just respond to calls as they happen, and that’s what a fire department did, or does, but what it really is, is now moving to a prevention and education piece where you don’t have to respond at all and limit that number of things.”

Council also directed

Fire Chief Jordan Newton to bring back to council for their consideration a comprehensive implement at ion plan that takes into consideration ongoing budgetary considerations prior to the end of the first quarter of 2020.

“That’s a cultural shift for our own department and in essence, it’s going to increase the service, but hopefully you see less fire trucks driving around town with lights on going from call to call,” said Buckingham.

Mayor Gerald Aalbers echoed Buckingham’s remarks, adding how “There are some pretty big goals and I think they’re reasonable, but on the same token they’re not all going to happen immediately.”

be done.

“It’s challenging and this is a much bigger

picture, but at the end of the day it affects us locally,” he said.

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Thursday, November 28, 2019

Teen tests career paths in Ottawa GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Look for the FIVE GOLDEN RINGS & SIX GEESE A-LAYING in today’s paper for the 12 Days of Christmas Contest.

Teenager Madison Hoehn is still buzzing from her Encounters with Canada experience.

The Grade 12 Lloydminster Comprehensive High School st u d ent says what she learned during a recent trip to Ottawa confirmed her interest in pursuing a career with the RCMP. “I have an interest in becoming an RCMP officer. I really want to help people in the community and it just sounds like it’s exciting—like on the job you don’t stay in an office all day,” she said.

Hoehn took part in a themed First Responders week from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2. with roughly 90 youth from all over Canada with similar career interests.

“It was definitely really inspiring for all us kids to all have the same interests in becoming a first responder. That was definitely cool,”

said Hoehn last week with the trip still fresh on her mind.

She also has a strong related interest in nursing that she plans to pursue as well.

“I want to help people in times of need and I think it would be a good life experience before I enter the RCMP,” she said with graduation just months away.

Encounters with Canada provides students aged 14 to 17 years the opportunity to visit Ottawa to participate in themed weeks to discover Canada, and to explore various career pathways.

Participants in the First Responders week meet police officers, firefighters and paramedics, who advise them of the demands of a career as a first responder.

“We met with several RCMP officers and I was very interested in their careers,” said Hoehn.

Her group also met

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Lloyminster Comprehensive High School student Madison Hoehn recently returned from an Encounters with Canada careers pathway trip in Ottawa with others aged 14-17 having an interest in First Responder careers.

other first responders like Coast Guard personnel, war veterans and paramedics.

“There was also hands-on learning as we atte nde d a workshop with many different specialized police

forces; I got to wear a protective bomb suit, use public safety surveillance cameras and try on protective equipment used by first responders,” she said.

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Thursday, November 28, 2019

LCSD expanding minds of educators TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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Last Thursday it wasn’t just Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) students in the classroom.

The LCSD communications team, made up of four vice principals, a librarian and a secretary, welcomed Ricky Forbes and Travis Low, both partners and digital marketing consultants with Blue Moose Media, as they hosted a digital marketing seminar for today’s everchanging world.

Holy Rosary High School vice principal and communications team member, Jason Almond, explained one of his biggest takeaways from Thursday was the realization that social media doesn’t always reach the targeted audience, as well as how to be more efficient and tactical with the tool on the communications side of things.

“We talk about adaptation for students to meet their needs, but we as educators have to adapt to change not only with how the world is moving, but also how we see their needs changing and how communicating with students and parents has changed,” he said.

Forbes got into the world of digital marketing back in 2012 when he was trying to get his

storm-chasing show “Tornado Hunters” off the ground and on the air.

“Social media was still pretty new in 2012, but through lots of trial and error and research we eventually got a TV show out of it, so social media helped us get Tornado Hunters on Netflix, and we still use social media today to market that show and it’s been a large part of our success,” he said.

“That’s really where my love of social media grew.

“We’re talking about digital marketing with social media with the LCSD and the (seminar) is going to be geared towards the education system and what they’re doing.”

Forbes explained one of the main goals for Thursday’s seminar was to get LCSD staff using social media as effectively as possible with the time available.

“The LCSD goal is to be at the forefront of social media so they have a full grasp of what’s going on and where they can look to be going, as well as get the message out of the success of what’s happening at their schools,” he said.

“Social media is a side of the desk job and they’re not using it all the time, so how do they be the most effective 19115SS0

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Ricky Forbes of Blue Moose Media talks digital marketing to the LCSD communications team last Thursday afternoon.

with their time, scheduling posts, telling stories of the brand and about students? That’s what we’re talking about today.”

LCSD communications coordinator, Jessie Mann, who also attended the session, noted how communicating with families is a priority for LCSD as they want to digitally meet families where they are so they get reminders on day-today events throughout the division.

“At the end of the day it’s a division priority to share the successes of our staff, students and programs, and it’s also a priority for us to support families with dayto-day organizational things that come up,” she said.

Mann explained one of the reasons LCSD decided to really sink their teeth into social

media is in part because it’s a priority to reach their families, community, and community partners, and with the wor ld moving a million miles per minute in today’s society, it was a very viable tool.

The team will meet every couple of months to sit down and see how they can further their use of social media in an ever-changing society.

“Personal development (PD) is such an important part of LCSD in all aspects and communications is no different,” said Mann.

“PD happens throughout the year. People may think it only happens throughout the summer or when time off occurs, but PD happens throughout the year, and it’s important for us to stay ahead of the curve in terms of communications because things change so rapidly.”

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Tip off bringing communities together TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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It wasn’t as much about winning or losing as it was building bridges.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Lloydminster hosted their first Friendship Basketball Tournament at E.S. Laird Middle School last Friday night as they played host to the squad from Thunderchild First Nation.

The invitation for a friendly game of basketball was also sent out to cities like Edmonton and Saskatoon, and those games will be played at a later date.

“We over at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Lloydminster have started this basketball tournament, and this is the first game of our tournament,” said Mansoor Azeem, Imam, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, who jokingly noted he placed his bets on his team.

“We are having this game with the Thunderchild First Nation and they were very generous that they have come this far to play a game with us, and we’re very thankful of them for accepting our offer.”

Azeem explained Friday’s event was more than just basketball and how the big picture was all about growing community.

“We have been going to different first nations to share our culture, to learn about them, and to build a friendship with them, but when you have a sports environment you have to get to know each other, and afterwards you share culture and know about

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source what’s going on with others,” he said.

“It’s about building bridges and building relationships and having friendships with the First Nations as well as our community to share the knowledge, culture, and to receive cultural knowledge as well.”

Azeem also expressed excitement when asked if the invitation was positively accepted by Thunderchild First Nation.

“Angela, who is the youth coordinator for Thunderchild First Nation, she accepted the invitation and they have come very far to play with us. We are very excited to have them here in Lloydminster,” he said.

With this basketball tournament being another first for the local Ahmadiyya community, the plan is to continue to grow and build those relationships.

“This was the first one-on-one our community has had with other communities and the First Nation community, and this is the first game of many other games we’ll be playing with communities residing in Lloydminster as well as outside neighbouring communities.”

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Organ trot transplants itself GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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The Transplant Trot is undergoing a scheduling transplant in 2020 to shine a singular spotlight on tissue and organ donations.

The Lloydminster branch of the Canadian Transplant Association (CTRA) says their decision to move the trot from January to April 25, during National Organ and Tissue Donation Week, eliminates the need for two awareness events.

“We just thought rather than having two events so close to each other that we would try having it all in the one week,” said Donna Krilow-Lorenz, CTA regional co-ordinator.

“I think maybe by April people are tired of hearing about it and they don’t want to talk about organ donation anymore.”

Krilow-Lorenz also noted some people registered and wanted to attend in January, but because of bad weather couldn’t get here.

“Hopefully, it’s going to be a good move. People want to try something new and that was the consensus, so that’s what we’re going to try,” she said.

Holding the 5 kilometre trot in April could also tap into donor awareness from Green

Shirt Day that month in honour of the Logan Boulet Effect.

An organ donation of the Humboldt Broncos hockey player on April 7, 2018 saved six lives and inspired many Canadians to register as donors like he did before his life was cut short in the team’s bus crash.

“That will likely take place again early in April, so we will have one big punch of a month in April with Green Shirt Day, national organ awareness week and finish it off with the trot,” said Krilow-Lorenz.

The CTA’s decision to move the Trot to April comes on the heels of proposed Bill 205, the Human Tissue and Organ Donation (Presumed Consent) Amendment Act, in Alberta.

The Bill was introduced by Calgary-South East MLA Matt Jones in the legislature on Nov. 6 when it was given first reading.

“If introduced, this bill will change our under performing opt-in system into an opt-out, or presumed consent, system to match other leading jurisdictions around the world and, hopefully, help the 700 Albertans on the waiting list for an organ transplant,” said Jones.

He told the legislature just one organ and tis-

sue donor can save up to eight lives and make life better for up to 75 other people.

Alberta’s rate is 19 donors per million.

“We just had a planning session and we were talking about the proposed Bill in the Alberta legislature about Alberta becoming an opt-out province,” said Krilow-Lorenz.

“So anybody who passes away and has viable tissue and organs will automatically become a donor unless they opted out of the program.”

If the Bill becomes law, Alberta would follow Nova Scotia that became the first North American jurisdiction to pass a presumed consent law in April.

“Someone said that kind of takes care of our job and I said in a way it does for organ donation,” said Krilow-Lorenz.

“But don’t forget there is also living organ donations that we still need to talk about—stem cells, donating a kidney, donating part of a liver, those scenarios.”

She says there is still always going to be something to be talked about in the community, meaning people who are new recipients or thinking of being living donors have somebody to talk to at CTA. CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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“I think as a group the CTA, Canadian Blood Services, we are all working for the same thing, trying to ultimately save lives.

Our message seems to be heard,” said Krilow-Lorenz.

The host family for

Thursday, November 28, 2019

the 2020 Trot will be Larry and Leanne Sauer from Lloydminster, along with Leanne’s sister Elaine and her brother inlaw George Pelletier from Langham, Saskatchewan.

Leanne donated a kidney 18 years ago to her sister, while Larry

is a cornea transplant recipient.

The Trot will again take place on the indoor walking track at the Servus Sports Centre on April 25 from 9 a.m. to noon.

Registration will soon open on the Running Room website.

Polar splash for cash on Santa day GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Jump into a tank of cold water and emerge with an even cooler $10,000 cash prize.

That’s one of the incentives organizers of this year’s Polar Bear Splash are dangling to residents and businesses to participate in the fundraiser.

“We’ve asked people to raise $500. We’ve given them a bit of a road map online on how to collect $500 in a week,” said Border City Connects Society director and event lead Glenn Fagnan.

“If the participants are successful in raising $500 or more, they have an opportunity to win $10,000 cash.”

Fagnan says the pool jumpers will find out how to win the loot as the fun unfolds.

The third annual splash is billed as a community splash open to all citizens and businesses with the goal of having 100 people take the splash.

“We’re just getting going. It’s kind of a giddy-up go mode,” said Fagnan earlier this week.

“The good news is we’re seasoned vets— this is our third one.

File Photo We want to get everything done online but we will have registration for people who are last minute.”

The Polar Splash will be held in conjunction with “Here Comes Santa Claus” day on Dec. 7 at the former downtown Synergy Credit Union parking lot at 50 Street and 49 Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m “I think it’s a win-win.

The Here Comes Santa Claus, they do a great job,” said Fagnan.

He says the pool is set up where Lloydminster fire fighters are cooking hot dogs and serving hot chocolate, compliments of Synergy.

“It gives them something to watch while they are there—it’s a little added feature and I do believe we compliment each other,” said Fagnan.

The top fundraiser in the splash will be presented with the Lloydminster Co-op Cup and

enjoy a multi-course dinner for eight next spring at an undisclosed location.

The winner of the best costume award will get to take four guests to that same mystery dinner party —a fabulous steak barbecue last year at the home of a committee member.

The non-profit hopes to raise $50,000 from the splash to offset operating costs of its fleet of four Care-A-Vans and four para-transit busses for Border City Express service.

“It’s going for our dayto-day operations,” said Fagnan.

The Care-A-Vans take people to non emergency medical appointments to places such as Saskatoon and Edmonton while Express busses transport community members with mobility and other challenges in and around city limits.

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Thursday, November 28, 2019

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PAGE 10 Thursday, November 28, 2019 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Viewpoint

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

Sports Editor Jamie Harkins sports@meridiansource.ca

Leave it to Weaver Honestly, what is going to kill us next?

EDITOR Taylor Weaver

Marketing Manager Deanna Wandler deanna@meridiansource.ca

Marketing Consultant Catherine Kruining catherine@meridiansource.ca

Marketing Consultant Ashley Miazga ashley@meridiansource.ca Publisher Reid Keebaugh Production Manager Amanda Richard 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.

2017

OK, so the title of this writing may lead you to believe I was going to start doing a written stand-up set revolving around how everything we eat, touch, smell, look at, etc. has the potential to kill us, or at least make us sick.

No, no, no, that is not the case at all. Rather, I’d like to voice my opinion on one of the still-prettynew trends ... vaping.

Quit while you’re ahead and never look back.

I knew that vaping was “invented” as a means to quit smoking. That much was simple, but I wanted to dig a little deeper.

What did I find? Vaping was invented by Chinese chemist Hon Lik, which he first patented in 2003.

Lik was smoking two packs of cigarettes per day while working at the Liaoning Provincial Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine. After many attempts to quit cold turkey, using various meth-

ods, he just couldn’t kick the habit.

After eight months of testing by the Pharmaceutical Authority in Liaoning and the Chinese military’s medical institute, his vaping product became available for sale.

Now, I personally know quite a few people who have used vaping to successfully quit smoking cigarettes, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.

There is also that little fact that the medical community openly admits there are still far too many unknowns about the effects of vaping.

There have been countless national news stories about young adults ending up in the hospital from the effects of vaping in the United States and Canada.

A 17-year-old boy from London, Ont., recently spent 47 days in hospital due to a lung disease, with doctors saying his condition resembled the sort of damage usually seen in factory workers forced to breathe in toxic chemicals often found in products such as microwave popcorn, which are safe to ingest but not to inhale.

The boy also narrowly averted a double-lung transplant.

In the words of London physician Dr. Simon Landman, “We don’t want to see anybody sick, but it’s quite eye-opening when it’s very young people who have been previously healthy.”

Well said, doctor. Well said.

Yes, people use e-cigarettes to quit smoking, but a concern I have is the fact teens are starting to vape, well, just because they can.

Maybe because their friends are vaping or because that’s what the “cool kids” are doing?

Cigarettes aren’t new and people know they’re dangerous, but the liquid used in e-cigarettes is still very new, and it’s hard to argue people aren’t getting sick from regular use.

As a former smoker, I have tried vaping, and although it does give you that kick of nicotine you’d expect from a cigarette, a couple of drags off of the colourful, glowing toy-like mechanism and my body just wasn’t feeling normal. Needless to say, I can see how long-term use could have an effect.

Talk to your kids about the dangers of vaping. It could save their life.

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

PAGE 11 Thursday, November 28, 2019 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Opinion

Leeway from Lloyd: NHL mudslingers unload STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

There seems to be a lot of mudslinging going around the National Hockey League lately.

The verbal tirades picked up pace since the recent firing of Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock.

Almost immediately, former player Mike Commodore lit up social media celebrating Babcock’s demise and continuing a long-time Babcock-Commodore personality feud dating back years.

Commodore didn’t hold back his personal criticism, but he certainly didn’t make himself look good in the process either—name calling never does.

Then, former Leafs defenseman Mark Fraser got into the act

and backed Commodore’s aggressive analysis of Babcock with some Twitter criticisms of his own.

Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner also spoke with TSN this week to comment about a report that Babcock asked him during his rookie year to rate his teammates from hardest to least hardest working and went on to share Marner’s opinions with the players.

Personally, I think it was a bad call for TSN to put Marner on the spot and take the incident public given he’s an active player.

A lot of people are forgetting the old saying—if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

That might exclude former NHL player Akim Aliu, however, who said this week that current Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters shouted a few racial slurs at him in a minor league locker room

about 10 years ago.

The Nigerian-born Aliu said Peters made the remarks in the AHL’s Rockford Ice Hogs dressing room before a morning skate during the 2009-10 season.

His story was backed up by other players, so this is not going to end well.

No one can blame him for bringing it up now, remembering the ordeal of a player like Sheldon Kennedy after he went public as a victim of sexual abuse by his former Swift Current Broncos coach Graham James.

Maybe this stuff will prompt Hockey Night in Canada to launch a Psychologist’s Corner to replace Coach’s Corner. Can you imagine Dr. Phil and Ron MacLean.

They do a blow-by-blow account of who said what about whom and when and wrap everything up and blame Cherry!

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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.

EVERY MONDAY — SQUARE DANCING The Lloydminster Chain and Circle Dance Club is hosting square dancing every Monday except on long weekends. The dancing will happen from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Legacy Centre at 510146 St. Please use the back or west door. For singles and couples, this is an inexpensive and fun activity in a cooperative, brain active and mildly aerobic environment.

Your first evening is free and no experience is necessary. Call Kendall at 306825-3770 or email Esther at moment101@hotmail.com for more info.

EVERY TUESDAY — VOLLEYBALL Drop in volleyball from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Takes place at the Servus Sports Centre and everyone is welcome, noncompetitive and no experience is necessary. Come for fun and exercise and meet some great people.

EVERY FOURTH TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH There is a Parkinson disease support group every fourth Tuesday of the month at Southridge Community Church from 2-4 p.m. put on by the Parkinson Association of Alberta.

EVERY TUESDAY — ADAPTED YOGA From 10 – 11 a.m. at the Community Service Centre. For more information please contact Ann-Dee at 780-871-0513.

EVERY TUESDAY & SATURDAY — FARMER’S MARKET Downtown Farmer’s Market at the Fred North Community Centre (5002 - 51 Avenue, Lloydminster) from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Tues) 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Sat) We’re

Passport to YLL

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on Facebook.

EVERY THURSDAY AND SATURDAY – FARMER’S MARKET The Border City Farmer’s Market takes place every Thursday 12-6 p.m and every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Servus Sports Centre (5202-12 st.). There is no market on Dec. 7 EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY – LABIS WALKING PROGRAM Brain injury survivors are invited to join the Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society (LABIS) Walking Program on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Servus Sports Centre. It is free of charge. For more info please call 306-825-7212.

EVERY SECOND SUNDAY – NORTH BEND HALL MUSIC JAM A North Bend Hall Music Jam is held every second Sunday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. All ages and levels of performers are welcome.

Enjoy dancing on our historic wooden dance floor.

Directions to North Bend Hall are: From Alcurve - 17 kms east on Highway 3 to RR 3262, north four kms. From the Deer Creek Bridge - eight kms west on Highway 3 to RR 3262, north four kms.

PRE-SCHOOL REGISTRATION The Border City Aboriginal Head Start program is accepting First Nations, Metis and Inuit children between the ages of three and four years to attend classes four days a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We offer a structured play themed day full of fun and adventure. Come in for an application at Bay 3, 5009-48 Ave. Or call 306-825-5255 for

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

more information.

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH CRIB TOURNAMENT Royal Canadian Legion #39 (4505- 49 Avenue, Lloydminster) is hosting a Crib Tourney every first Sunday of the month. Registration 9:30am, starts at 10 a.m.

Doubles. $10/person. Lunch available. For more info call 306-825-2521 TUESDAYS FROM OCTOBER-MAY Get your exercise no matter the weather and enjoy all the amenities the Lloyd Mall has to offer with Free Mall Walking. All fitness levels welcome. Saskatchewan Health Authority staff and the Lloydminster Primary Care Network’s Exercise Specialist will be in attendance to provide support to walkers. Call or email Heather at 780-8740490/heatherm@lloydpcn. ca for more information or to register.

NOV. 28 – FESTIVAL OF TREES – ONCE UPON A TREE Cookies and Carols event at the Lakeland College Cafeteria on Sat. Nov. 23 from 1 -3 p.m. Enjoy local entertainment, refreshments and cookies while viewing trees beautifully decorated to fit our theme: Once Upon a Tree. A silver collection will be taken.

Thursday Nov. 28 Festival of Trees – Once Upon A Tree, 6 p.m. Doors Open, 7 p.m., Full course Dinner, 8 p.m. Live Auction of Trees. Tickets $65 Available at the Lloydminster Cultural and Science Centre and festivaloftreeslloydminster.eventbrite.ca. Proceeds donated to the Richard Larsen Barr Colony Foundation.

NOV. 30 – HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR There will be a Holiday Craft Fair at the Alcurve Hall on Nov. 30 from 10 a.m. to

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Bordertown Harley Owners Group (HOG) chapter donated $1,000 to the Lloydminster Public School Division Breakfast programs through their annual toy run. The cheque was presented Saturday.

4 p.m. Lunch available, pics with Santa and admission is free. North of Lloydminster, 26 kms on Hwy 17.

DEC. 1 – LITE UP MARWAYNE Lite Up Marwayne on Dec. 1 from 4-7 p.m. with free hotdogs, hot cocoa, and organges. There will also be sleigh rides thanks to Ted Etherington. Hockey nets and sticks will be available for a little shinny, and if we can make it happen, we will try to create a small skating rink. The fire pits will be burning but make sure to dress warm! The seniors centre will be open so you have a place to warm up.Best of all, Santa will be arriving around 6 p.m. Mark your calendars and come out and joing the fun.

DEC. 1 – HOLIDAY SALE the Lloydminster Potters Guild Annual Handmade for the Holidays Sale is Sunday, Dec. 1 from 1:30-5 p.m. at the Lloydminster Cultural & Science Centre Studio Two (ol d Saskat c h e w a n T o u r ism Building). Shop locally handcrafted pottery, meet the artisans and enjoy some refreshments while browsing

our pottery. Studio One will be open for you to visit guild members while they work.

DEC. 1 – KIWANIS PARK LIGHTING CEREMONY Kiwanis Club of Lloydminster has transformed Kiwanis Park into a Winter Wonderland! Join us for the official lighting ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 1, from 3:304:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Park, 56A Street and 51 Ave. Enjoy hotdogs, refreshments and cookies with our special guests, Mayor Gerald Aalbers and Santa Claus!

SAVE THE DATE The Lloydminster Branch of the Canadian Transplant Association has moved their annual Transplant Trot from January to Saturday April 25, 2020 to coincide with National Organ & Tissue Donation Awareness Week.

The event will again take place on the indoor walking track at the Servus Sports Center 9 a.m. to noon.

Please save the date! Registration will soon open on the Running Room website and please watch for our posters around the City in the New Year!

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Career exploration for local student FROM PAGE 4

The First Responders program was billed as a week to explore action-filled careers, challenging those who are afraid of nothing.

At the end of the week, participants better understand how to handle emergency situations and received certification from HeartSafe in CPR and defibrillation or Safetalk, a suicide prevention program.

She says she came away stoked learning the RCMP help people and that it’s not a 9 to 5 job.

“They can go all across Canada and I guess there’s different opportunities that come with a career in the RCMP,” she said.

Hoehn says it helps her to lean toward

a career in policing knowing School Resource Officer Const. Kyla Siddell is based at her school.

“It helps because last year they put on a youth academy for youth to come and train,” said Hoehn.

Hoehn got a real taste of police work during the Lloydminster RCMP Youth Academy minipolice course, held at Lloyd Comp back in February.

That experience led her to apply to Encounters Canada in September and she was accepted as the only student from Lloydminster in the First Responders week, one of 14 theme weeks held during the school year.

The trip was free except for the accommodation at the Terry Fox Centre, which

served as the base for many side trips during the week.

“We went to Parliament Hill, we toured the Senate, we went to the Diefenbunker and then we also saw war memorials and we went on a bus tour of Ottawa,” said Hoehn.

Hoehn ended the week with a certificate in Safetalk.

With the trip over, she says her next step i s to r e se a r c h R CMP careers a little more closely while taking steps to pursue her interest in nursing.

She is thinking of studying nursing at a college in Lethbridge or Kelowna upon graduation.

“After I become a registered nurse I’d like to apply to become an RCMP officer,” she said.

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Cancer fight resonates with seniors GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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After a game of pool, it was time for Jarrod Russell to share his cancerfighting story with his senior pals at Hearthstone Place Assisted Living Residence.

The 43-year-old childhood brain cancer survivor lives at Hearthstone, where he has become a source of inspiration as an active champion of kids’ cancer.

“He is our everyday superhero,” said Shannon Oman, life enrichment manager at Dr. Hemstock Place, where Russell and his sister Lana Lane spoke last Wednesday.

Russell is the top fundraiser in Canada in the Great Cycle Challenge the past four Junes, raking in more than $112,000 for SickKids Foundation riding his recumbent bike around town for pledges.

“I think Jarrod has done a remarkable job on his challenges. I’m grateful that he’s part of our home for sure,” said Oman.

“We’re looking forward to his presentation today—him and his sister on his cancer journey.”

Russell said his plan for the presentation was to talk about who had cancer in their family and show a video clip of his rides over the years.

“It’s just supporting the awareness of cancer,” he said, wearing his superhero chal-

lenge jersey with the slogan “cancer sux” on the front.

It was designed by kids with cancer and goes to top fundraisers like Russell.

His life story with cancer battles started at the age of four when he had multiple surgeries and follow up treatments for a malignant brain tumour.

The treatments left Russell with epilepsy and partial paralysis on his right side leading to the limited movement of his arm, fingers and leg.

He also has speech and processing delays from the cancer treatments but he’s empowered to make a difference for children fighting the battle he once fought and won.

Russell let everyone know he is training to ride in his fifth challenge for kids with cancer in 2020.

“I have an inside bike trainer that I hook up to my regular bike and after supper I go do some laps and I play pool with the seniors,” he said.

“I am going to have a fun run on May 31 to kick off my Great Cycle Challenge then after that, my ride starts on June 1.”

One of his elder fans at Hearthstone, Kenneth “Joe” Belyea, announced he has set up a donation box for Russell’s next ride in the cafeteria.

“His ride is in June,

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Lana Lane teamed up with her cancer-fighting brother Jarrod Russell to present his story to residents of Hearthstone Place where he lives. Russell wore his Great Cycle Challenge jersey to the presentation At Dr. Hemstock Residence last Wednesday.

but between now and then he’s always collected donations,” said Belyea.

“Everybody here is very proud of him. I watch him play pool a lot. He’s a pretty awesome pool player.”

Lane thinks it’s great that residents like Belyea came out to learn more about who her brother is, what he does and what his cause is.

“He’s really grown to love the residents here, so for them to come and listen to his story and know a little more about him is a great thing,” said Lane.

“It’s an opportunity for him to network with the old residents here; he plays pool with them, he plays cards with them and he gets out and plays games with them. It’s a great intergenerational thing for all involved.”

Russell says many of the seniors are catching on to what he does.

“I have my bike outside. I have been riding my bike in the hallways already. It’s good,” he said.

Oman says Ru ssell is an inspiration for everyone at the residence with his cycling challenge to fight kids’ cancer.

“We look forward to seeing him. He tells us what’s going on during the day, has he been out to the school, has he been out with his fitness instructor. Every day, he does something good for himself and for us,” she said.

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rivers in Saskatchewan who make the unsafe decision to drive

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while distracted will soon be paying more for a ticket, with escalating fines for repeat offences

within a 12-month period. Changes take effect Feb. 1, 2020.

Driver distraction or

Church Directory

inattention is one of the top causes of collisions, injuries and fatalities on Saskatchewan roads. In 2018, it was a factor in more than 6,000 collisions, 774 injuries and 22 deaths.

Currently, a distracted driving ticket costs the recipient $280 plus four demerits, with vehicle seizures for repeat offenders. Starting Feb. 1, 2020, the

cost of a ticket will more than double, and the cost of subsequent tickets will escalate.

Here are the consequences distracted drivers can expect: - First offence $580 ticket plus four demerits.

- Second offence within a year of being convicted of the first $1,400 ticket, plus an additional four demer-

its, plus an immediate, seven-day vehicle seizure. Vehicle owners are responsible for the towing and impound fees (cost varies according to mileage, but expect to pay approximately $400 at least).

- Third offence within a year of conviction of the first - $2,100 ticket, plus four more demerits and another seven-day vehicle seizure.

FROM PAGE 8

with the balance to be raised by a Wheels on the Road initiative. “ We ’r e g o i n g t o b e approaching some businesses to get corporate donations to get that last $20,000,” he said, noting it will be an informal campaign.

“It’s more of a tap on the shoulder so to speak to see if they can help us out with this last bit.”

Fagnan says everyone has been very generous helping to get the splash underway so it doesn’t cost a lot to put the event on.

“We’ve got the tank donated by Hobblestone and we’re having Beach-

comber out there once again. That was a big hit last year—so out of the cold water and into the hot tub for a few minutes,” said Fagnan.

“We’ve got the same arrangement we had the first year with the changing facility across the alley at the World Financial Group office.”

Last year’s splash was moved at the last minute to the Servus Sports Centre for Family Day, but it got axed due to cold temperature before being held during the Battle of the Bad ge s h o c ke y game at the Centennial Civic Centre.

“It would be so nice to get 100 people— to get $50,000 would have a real impact on costs for the rest of the year,” said Fagnan.

“It just takes a lot of pressure off a nonprofit charity, that in my mind, we do really help those individuals facing challenges.”

The bus count includes a new Made In Canada bus on order and due to be put into service sometime in January.

Fagnan says they have raised $85,000 of the $105,000 cost so far for the new unit

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Temporary freeze on new photo radar equipment MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Alberta government will put a temporary freeze on new photo radar devices as it consults with municipalities and police on the future of photo radar.

Effective Dec. 1, municipalities and police agencies will not be able to install new or upgraded photo radar devices or deploy existing photo radar equipment to new locations.

The freeze will be in place while government works to refine rules for photo radar site selection, operational restrictions and data collection.

“Our goal is to ensure photo radar is used for safety, not to generate backdoor tax revenue.

Albertans are skeptical about the impact photo radar has on safety and

we do not have useful data to analyze so we can make a decision,” said Minister of Transportation Ric McIver.

“Alberta has three times as many photo radar units per capita as British Columbia but our roads are not meaningfully safer.

A temporary freeze means municipalities and police cannot purchase or install new and costly equipment while we work with them to build better oversight and reporting on the effectiveness of photo radar.”

An independent, third-party review of photo radar completed in September 2018 found that data is limited and inconsistent.

The review indicated better data collection and reporting requirements are needed to ensure photo radar

is used to maximize safety, not revenue.

The review also found that photo radar operations in Alberta showed only a marginal contribution to traffic safety, despite Alberta having the highest number of photo radar devices per capita compared to other provinces.

“Traffic tickets should help increase public safety and not be used to generate revenue,” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.

“We are conducting this review because Albertans need to have confidence that photo radar is an effective way to keep people safe. I look forward to working with the minister of transportation to understand the value of photo radar and see if it’s worth preserving.”

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Sports

Rustlers find confidence in their game JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Lakeland College Rustlers women’s volleyball team is learning what it takes to win.

The Rustlers (7-3) beat the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 at the Lakeland College gym on Friday night. The victory marked the squad’s fifth straight following a 1-3 start to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season.

Austin Dyer, head coach of the Rustlers, said they simply weren’t playing good volleyball earlier in the year due, in large part, to the style of training being put forth day in and day out.

He said the group expected to continue the run enjoyed during previous seasons, but with personnel turnover and younger players getting an expanded role, the team needed to come back to the basic steps that create success.

“After a couple of weeks of not performing well, and me giving our team the gears a little bit, the players all got together as a group and discussed how they want things to go, what our training should look like and what we needed to do,” said Dyer.

“Since then we’ve started training at a higher level and our compete level during games has been much better.

To be honest, I think it’s the work ethic and attitude that needed to change a little bit and we’ve seen that change.”

Dyer noted they’re starting first-year eligible players Jenay Varga and Jana Laing

at outside hitter and setter, respectively.

He said both struggled for times at the start, but have since gotten more comfortable with the game.

“When you have two girls who have never started before in the two most important positions, for the most part, there are going to be some ups and downs,” he said. “We’re going to have to see growth in them as we go, but we’re also going to have to put up with some setbacks.”

Rustlers middle blocker and sole fifth-year Avery Maginel said the opening weekends of the season were pretty eye-opening with coming to understand they didn’t have the same team as last year.

She said they’ve since turned the focus toward their side making sure the systems are being run and improvement is being shown each game.

“There was a question of who was going to step up and who was going to be in that leadership core,” said Maginel. “So, after losing a lot of our fifth-years, the first couple of game we were ‘ok, who are we going to set to in a tight situation, who do we want to give the ball to.’ That was a little bit of a struggle for us at first, but I think we’re more confident in everyone now. And, we’re more confident in ourselves.”

Dyer added they played well in the three-set win against the Thunder (2-8), but there still were areas that got exposed.

He said it’s another build-

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Rustlers outside hitter Jenay Varga serves the ball during the team’s first set against the Thunder.

ing block they’ll use to find ways to stop the bad stretches and improve on the things they’re doing well.

“At the beginning of the year our team sets goals for

what we want to accomplish and one of our core goals was to finish top-two in the North,” said Dyer.

“After our 1-3 start, it was looking like that goal might

be out the window, but we’ve got ourselves back in contention. We’re in second place right now, so I’m definitely not going to complain where we’re at.”

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Blazers get the word out on Game Plan JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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The Lloydminster peewee Gear Energy Blazers are hoping a few good deeds go a long way.

The Blazers are supporting Project Sunrise and its new mental health initiative “Game Plan – Sports Edition” this season.

Game Plan is a comprehensive mental health program that is designed to help athl e tes , co ac h e s , s t aff, parents and billets learn about mental illness and substance abuse, build skills toward enhancing their mental well-being and stress management, recognize the warning signs along with the support needed for people who are experiencing a mental health or substance abuse problem and know where to go for acquisition of these resources.

Shayden Swiftwolfe, a left wing for the Blazers, noted they’ve

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

The Lloydminster Gear Energy peewee Blazers, with back row from left, Zayden Chambers, Zander Chambers, Mason Lavoie, Spencer Winkler, Shayden Swiftwolfe, Noah Schmidt, Carson Lider, Kaden Penner, Khylar Phosavanh; front row, Jude Foulds, Aaron Rousson, Skyler Budzey-Jeffery, Karstin Greenaway, Austin Peters and Hunter Jacques, missing is Addison Greenaway, are attempting win the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup.

undertaken this task in an attempt to inspire other sports teams to understand and participate in good mental health practices.

Blazers forward Carson Lider added their team has signed up for a free Game Plan session with Project Sunrise coach Reid Coleman and they’re challenging all of Lloydminster, Kitscoty, Lashburn and Onion Lake’s peewee teams to do the same.

The boys started their advertising blitz for the program on Saturday travelling to sports venues across the Border City to put up Game Plan posters.

The mental health initiative is geared toward every athlete no matter their age or sport making a final stop at Lakeland College to hang posters on billboards throughout the school known for its basketball, volleyball and soccer prowess a fitting

end to their day of good deeds.

“We want to tell the community about this to give back what they’ve given us,” said Blazers centre Aaron Rousson. “Next week, we’re going to be painting windows.”

The Blazers are supporting Game Plan as part of their goal of winning $100,000 for the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation through the Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup. The annual Hockey Canada and Chevrolet project tasks young people to be their best by transforming the positive values learned through hockey into good deeds within the community.

“My team was involved in it last year too,” said Spencer Winkler, a Blazers pivot.

“I helped at Sobeys.

I got to do tips, ring a bell and bag people’s food. We were collecting for the food bank in Lloyd.”

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Bobcats get teddy bears flying in comeback win against Storm JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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A strengthened defence corps has led the Lloydminster Bobcats into the win column.

“They moved bodies right in front,” said Bobcats goaltender Garrett Larsen. “They got out of my way when I said to. They were just so good with

their sticks blocking off passes through the middle. They just did their job defensively.

They made a lot of big blocks at the end of the third period and that was really huge. That really helped us a lot.

I think that’s what won us the game.”

The Bobcats (4-193) battled back from an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Grande Prairie Storm 3-2 in overtime at the Centennial Civic Centre on Saturday night. The boys fell 4-1 to the Storm (9-152) the night before, but that didn’t get them down during the Teddy Bear Toss game.

Following strikes by Jackson Wozniak and William Schimek, Bobcats centre Ty Mosimann got the furry friends flying by backhanding a Kaeden Lane rebound into the open cage at the 11:15 mark of the first period.

Mosimann assisted on the tying goal a little less than 20 minutes later firing a pass into traffic for a Mack Stewart deflection.

The goal was the Bobcats first with the man advantage, but they enjoyed opportunities throughout. The hometown team took only four penalties to the Storm’s eight.

“For our guys to be d isciplined , it st art s with our leaders,” said Bobcats head coach and general manager Nigel Dube. “Over the last few games here, they’re the ones leading the way. Early in the year we were taking penalties where we were chasing, hooking and grabbing to keep up to plays. Now, we’re in the right spots as well as going to the net knowing the timing of the game.”

The Storm enjoyed a glorious chance to

Jamie Harkins Meridian Source

Bobcats forwards Chance Adrian and Chad MacLean gather a few of the teddy bears that flew onto the ice following Ty Mosimann’s first period goal.

regain the lead on a penalty shot late in the second period. Wozniak came in slow down the right side, crossed the crease and deked to his forehand only to find Larsen’s pad.

“We honestly do a lot of breakaways in practice,” said Larsen, an 18-year-old tender out of Waukesha, Wis. “We play a game at the end where it’s a shot and a breakaway, so luckily enough I was prepared.

I read the player pretty well. He didn’t do much to make it a threat. He just came in calm and I

made the stop.”

Both defences held strong in the third leading to three-on-three overtime. Bobcats right wing Chance Adrian ended the game on a blast from the right side that found the far low corner.

“Do not count us out,” said Larsen, who made 29 stops for his first AJHL win. “Every night we come out, work our tails off and it doesn’t matter what happened the game before. We’re always ready for a new game and a new start.”

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Lending a hand to support Team Canada West JAMIE HARKINS WRITER

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Shooting a photo of Lloydminster Bobcats athletic therapist and equipment manager Hailee Dayman proved to be a bit tougher than expected.

We decided to take it in front of the Bobcats dressing room door following the team’s 3-2 overtime win against the Grande Prairie Storm. However, the players had other ideas walking into the shot, asking to be included or simply trying to sneak off without wearing the ice pack she just said they needed.

Such is the life of a junior hockey trainer.

Dayman is a member of the family who, just like the players, is embracing this opportunity while also looking toward making the next step.

She’ll get that chance in a few weeks joining Team Canada West as a member of their support staff at the World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek, B.C., from Dec. 7 to 15. It will mark Dayman’s third straight year joining Team CanadaWest following work as a guest equipment manager at tryouts two years ago and time spent as the team’s athletic therapist last fall.

“Just like any hockey player, I want to move up,” said Dayman, who hails from Estevan, Sask. “Hockey Canada is the next step for me and being involved in the actual Hockey Can-

ada national program is kind of cool. Yes, it’s Team East and Team West, but you’re still Team Canada. It’s nice to be a part of that.”

Hailee Dayman

Dayman joined the Bobcats this spring after two years with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Virden Oil Capitals.

Her duties include, but are not limited to, preinjury maintenance tasks along with developing exercise programs, first responder calls on the ice if a player goes down during a game and rehab work pre and post-surgery as well as for any common bumps and bruises.

“I played sports all my life and when I was playing university hockey I got injured and went to our team’s athletic therapist,” she said. “She told me what she did, how she did it and I jumped on the bandwagon right away.

I thought it was very interesting to see how she was able to help me and I wanted to do that with other athletes. I always wanted to be in the medical field within the kinesiology realm.”

Bobcats head coach

and general manager Nigel Dube noted he met Dayman last year at the Team Canada West tryouts. Being from the nearby town of Lampman, he knew Dayman’s family and the strong work ethic they employ making the decision easy to bring her to the Border City.

“She’s our athletic therapist, but she goes above and beyond with what she brings to our organization every day,” said Dube.

“The big part too is she always works with a smile on her face. She makes the atmosphere in our office a lot better. Then there’s the care she gives our guys.

She’s like the mama bear of the boys.”

Dayman was forced into action during a late September game versus the Drumheller

Dragons when Tyler Schendel suffered a frightful injury.

She immediately took charge of the situation assessing the care needed, calling in the other athletic therapists for assistance and remaining with the player as a familiar face when the paramedics arrived.

Crediting the great help provided by the Dragons’ Rebecca Kuresh, Drayton Valley Thunder’s Alisha Ushko and Canmore Eagles’ Megan Hansen once her fist went in the air, Dayman noted the call to action ran smoothly.

She added the great thing about working in junior hockey is knowing the other team’s athletic therapists are well trained and always ready to jump in.

“She handled it from

Xtract Cleaning Services Blazers win gold The Lloydminster atom female Xtract Cleaning Services Blazers, with Annika Aggarwal, Brittney Basset, Alexander Firus, Autumn Gray, Bree Harbin, Darby Husch, Maya Jessome, Alexis Lefebvre, Esme Loney, Jayce Miazga, Grace Pawliuk, Kate Peregrym, Katie Smith, Dalyn Steinhauer, Sophie Srilchuk, Taydra Wolfe and coaches Brent Loney, Mike Strilchuk, Jeff Steinhauer and Justin Aggerwall, won gold at the Irma Atom Female Tournament this past weekend. The Blazers went 3-0 in the tournament.

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getting others involved t o cal l i ng th e ambu lance to making sure Tyler was fine when he was in the hospital,” said Dube.

“We’re fortunate to have her and we want

to have her for a long time. But, there is no doubt, just like we want to move players on, there is going to be a day that we’ll be moving Hailee on to the next level.”

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Stingrays bring home awards

Haley Wickham-Cross, left, and Cadence Bacon received the Saskatchewan Artistic Swimming provincial stream athlete of the year and recreation athlete of the year awards, respectively, during a Border City Stingrays banquet on Saturday evening.

Left - The Border City Stingrays hosted the Marnie Eistetter Figure Meet at the BioClean Aquatic Centre on Saturday. Stingrays athletes, from left, Holly Kelly captured second place in novice, Jayla Wandler took third in ages 13-15, Jaiva Bajema won gold in ages 13-15, Kaylin Wills placed second in 8U, Alexis Grillandini brought home fifth in ages 13-15 and Cadence Bacon came in first in novice. The club also recorded five other top 10 finishes.

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Agriculture The Story of Canadian Durum across the Atlantic Ocean JAKE LEGUEE

SPECIAL TO THE MERIDIAN SOURCE

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Have you ever heard of new crop missions?

Probably not. Most farmers I’ve talked to over the past couple of months have never heard of them.

But they are a critical component of our sales process to our overseas buyers, and this year, I have the privilege of being the farmer on the durum trip.

Every year, a few teams of people from the Canadian wheat value chain head off to numerous export markets, such as Latin America, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, parts of Asia, and, for my trip, some of our major durum markets in Southern Europe and North Africa.

The trips are organized

by Cereals Canada, the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) and the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC).

As a producer on the board for the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, I have the honour of being the farmer in the group. There will be an exporter with us as well. This diverse group will be able to present key information to our buyers on the 2019 crop.

I’m sure some of you are wondering – what’s the benefit of a costly trip like this? To me, the benefits are clear.

Think about your relationship with your crop input retailer; do you just see them once a year when you buy products from them?

Or do they grow a relationship with you over the years, trying to show you why you should do business with them? If they don’t, the only tool they have to earn your business is price.

In a world where wheat is grown almost anywhere, most of it much closer to market than we are in Canada, price is simply not a factor we can compete on.

What sets us apart in Canada is the quality of the product we produce, the incredible advances we have made over the last couple decades in improving sustainability, and the lengths we go to ensure our customers are satisfied with our products.

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Promoting Canadian industry abroad FROM PAGE 31

When we meet with our buyers, they’re eager to hear the presentation given by the farmer; they are incredibly interested in how we grow our crops, how we manage our risks, and the generational legacy we build in our businesses.

Indeed, the producer presentation is a critical aspect of these missions.

We have some important issues to try and resolve. Italy has been an unwilling buyer of Canadian

durum, driven by frustrating country of origin labelling laws and a campaign against Canadian durum, created by a farm group called Coldiretti.

Unlike 2018, we don’t have a massive crop of largely #1 and #2 durum.

We have a mix of all grades this year, which may create some interesting opportunities.

Speaking directly to our buyers will help us understand what those are.

Something that many of us don’t often

take the time to ponder is that what we do as farmers matters to consumers.

They are interested in how we make our cropping decisions, how we manage difficult harvest weather (case in point 2019), how we make pesticide application decisions, and, perhaps most importantly in today’s environment, how we maximize sustainability.

The fact that we try to improve our soils with the goal to pass our farms down to our children is a for-

File Photo eign concept for many parts of the world, and it is something to be celebrated.

I’ll be speaking about all of these topi c s and mo re w h e n I travel across the ocean in a little less than a month. I’ll be away for nearly two weeks, which is a long time to be away from my young children; but when I think about their future, and how

we will continue to drive success in growing Canadian wheat and durum, the choice is easy.

This isn’t just about our crop in 2019 and servicing our customers for today; it’s about building the future for Canadian agriculture and ensuring our product has a market, now and in the future.

I’m excited for the remarkable privilege of

representing Canadian durum producers.

Jake Leguee is a Board Member of the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, and a Saskatchewan Producer who is participating in the 2019 New Crop Missions. Jake will be travelling to Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, and Italy in December 2019 to promote Canadian Durum Wheat.

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Careers Investing in skills training for young people

File Photo MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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The Saskatchewan government is investing in skills training for young people facing barriers to employment.

With a provincial investment of $135,000, the Regina Rainbow Youth Centre will continue to a d mi ni s t e r t h e R o ad to Employment (RTE) program.

“

The Government of Saskatchewan values partnerships with organizations like the Rainbow Youth Centre that provide programs and services to help Saskatchewan young people gain life and employability skills.

The RTE program provides youth aged 18-25 years of age with personal, academic and employment training to reduce barriers to gaining employment.

This 47-week program cycle will provide 20 youth opportunities to identify and address personal obstacles, gain practical life skills and provide links to employment.

Each individual participating in the program is provided with Provincial Training Allowance to support their income during the duration of the program.

“The Government of Saskatchewan values partnerships with organizations like the Rainbow Youth Centre that provide programs and services to help Saskatche wan young people gain life and employability skills,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said.

“Helping individuals in our communities receive training for valuable skills is a priority for our government and will help provide our youth with the opportunity to succeed.”

“Rainbow Youth Centre is proud to assist youth in Regina,” Rainbow Youth Centre Executive Director Shelly Christian said.

“We are grateful for the funding from the Government of Saskatchewan for the Road to Employment Program and look forward to serving youth in the community for many years to come.”

The Regina Rainbow Youth Centre has delivered the RTE program in partnership with the provincial government for 22 years.

PAGE 35 Thursday, November 28, 2019 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridiansource.ca

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HOROSCOPES CAPRICORN

December 22 – January 19 Friends are an important part of your life, and it’s time to clean up your social circle. You may also develop friendships with colleagues after certain events.

AQUARIUS

January 20 – February 18 It’s normal to let loose after a brilliant accomplishment or finishing a long-term project. You won’t have to wait too long before being asked to celebrate with friends and colleagues.

PISCES

February 19 – March 20 You’ll have a great time and procrastination will dominate everything. It’s necessary to relax from time to time. Fortunately, you’ll work hard later on in order to avoid any type of delay.

ARIES

March 21– April 19 If your family is spread out across the country, you’ll start to plan a tour in order to visit everyone over the holidays. If not, you’ll take a trip with those closest to you.

TAURUS

April 20 – May 20 You’ll master the art of speaking and negotiation. At work, you’ll succeed in reaching an agreement, notably for financing a particular project. You’ll do everything in your power to please a maximum number of people.

GEMINI

May 21 – June 21 You’ll have a great success at work, especially if you’re in sales. You’ll build your customer base to the point that management will have no choice but to promote you. You’ll also be very skilled at dealing with small details.

CANCER

June 22 – July 22 At work, it’s important that you present yourself impeccably in order to be a success.

A sense of levity will also be appreciated by your bosses. In your love life, passion will give way to a more serious commitment.

LEO July 23 – August 22 There may be some minor family conflicts to resolve. Don’t hesitate to speak candidly, because silence carries the risk of causing turmoil. You might bring your work home some evenings.

VIRGO

August 23 – September 22 You certainly won’t keep your thoughts to yourself and there will be somebody to debate with in all circumstances. At work, you’ll expand your clientele and make some new friends.

LIBRA

September 23 – October 22 Check the pockets of your winter coat to find some money forgotten there last year. In your love life, you must communicate openly, if only to get the affection you desire.

SCORPIO

October 23 – November 21 You’ll be very dynamic this week and start to organize the different activities you’ll participate in during the coming weeks. You’ll be generous and present at all of your holiday celebrations this year.

SAGITTARIUS

They say that speech is silver but silence is golden. You’ll benefit from an extraordinary source of inspiration. The comfort of your home will allow you to create a work of art or to open yourself to a spiritual practice.

November 21 Answers

Janel Powell & Troy Preston Kaybrie Brenda Preston

born November 6, 2019 in Lloydminster

November 21 Answers

November 22 – December 21

SUDOKU

are proud to announce the arrival of their daughter

CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. ____ roe 5. Bugle song 9. Mariner’s yes 12. Mountain cat 13. Heroic story 14. Busy buzzer 15. Like some cheese 16. Colleague 17. Building shape 18. Upper House 20. In a funny way 22. Secondhand 25. Jittery 29. Mound’s peak 33. Basis 34. Thanksgiving vegetable

35. Sightsee 36. Ivy, e.g.

38. Run-down 39. Thoroughfare 41. Responded to an alarm, maybe 44. Antenna 49. “Gunga _____” 50. Stick 53. Loafing 54. Devoid of water 55. Skin coloration 56. Animal skin 57. Male or female 58. Cravings 59. Declares

DOWN 1. Health spots 2. Gigantic 3. Blessing ender 4. Baby’s father 5. Tent of skins 6. Imitate 7. Bakery order 8. Dead Sea find 9. Under the covers 10. Yowl 11. Slippery 19. Test 21. “___ Dawn” (Reddy song) 23. Pass around 24. Look through crosshairs 25. Curve 26. Neither’s conjunction

27. Boot tip 28. Porterhouse, e.g.

30. Small fry 31. Umpire’s cry 32. Use a lever 34. Thus far 37. Gorgeous 38. Bread or whiskey 40. Furies 41. Finds a total 42. Telephone line 43. Black stone 45. Rends 46. Thought 47. Friend 48. Allows 51. Great distress 52. Lodge

Laura & Craig Blythe

Meridian Source’s Birth Announcements

Anna Lucia Marie Blythe

If you wish to have your baby’s birth announcement published in our Thursday edition of the Meridian Source FREE OF CHARGE, please come in and fill out a form or email admin@meridiansource.ca Deadline is Tuesday at noon for the Thursday edition.

are proud to announce the arrival of their daughter

born November 14, 2019 in Lloydminster

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Thursday, November 28, 2019

Make Your Move!

NEW LISTINGS

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CITY SIDE REALTY

780.875.3343

Jennifer Gilbert Pattie Todd Associate Broker Associate Broker Brad Gilbert Broker/Owner

Jackie Gartner Associate Broker

Sandy Hardy Realtor

®

3812 - 51 Avenue, Lloydminster, AB T9V 3M7 www.lloydminsterrealestate.ca www.coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com www.facebook.com/coldwellbankercitysiderealty

Real Estate, Rentals & Property Management

Rick Schesnuk Realtor

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