Meridian Source - October 15, 2020

Thursday, October 15, 2020

VOLUME 3 I ISSUE 16

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

ECO 9 students pass RCMP test TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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The Lloydminster RCMP recently put E.S. Laird Middle School’s ECO 9 students to the test through physical exercises and teambuilding activities.

Last Thursday, the school’s soccer field was lit up with highvis clothing and police vehicles and featured the same obstacle course run by RCMP hopefuls at DEPOT training in Regina.

“We’ve been working with our SRO’s (student resource officers) to do more things with the students,” said ECO 9 teacher Shaun Donald.

“We’ve been very lucky with all the work we do with the RCMP through ECO 9, and we’ve managed to have a couple of them work with us several times, and the kids are really getting to know the members.”

Students had the opportunity to sit in and tour a number of police vehicles and learn about the various features each vehicle has. Students toured

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

ECO 9 student, Macin Nixon, flies over the final obstacle of the RCMP P.A.R.E (Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation) course at E.S. Laird Middle School last Thursday afternoon.

the vehicles individually and each vehicle was sanitized after each tour.

“Today what we’ve done is have the RCMP come to the school with a number of different units and the students are able to look through each of the units,” said

Donald. “We also have one of their obstacle courses set up, and it’s the same challenge course that each member goes through while at Depot.”

The partnership between the Lloydminster RCMP and E.S. Laird’s ECO 9 program

not only allows students to get to know and feel more comfortable with the local RCMP members, but it also helps gets students learning outdoors, a key component in the program’s curriculum.

“Right now with all of the COVID regula-

tions, we feel lucky to be able to do these outdoor activities,” said Donald. “We’re hoping to get as many units out as we can, knowing the RCMP have their dayto-day duties they need to perform.”

ECO 9 student, Macin Nixon, has been enjoy-

ing getting to know the RCMP members and was excited to see how he would fare against their RCMP obstacle course.

“It’s fun having them around and they sometimes come with us on trips, like when our class met with the mayor, and we also got to see the canine unit train, which was awesome,” he said, while catching his breath after flying through the obstacle course.

The Lloydminster RCMP currently has one SRO in each of the Border City’s two school divisions, and this year, Const. Kyla Siddell is working with the LPSD. “Today is all about building relationships and building a good foundation,” said Siddell. “Making sure the kids are comfortable with police is very important. If they have an emergency or need help, we want to make sure they’re not afraid to call us, or come and talk to us.”

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Kiwanis picks $10,000 winner

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Vera Gallant, secretary of the Lloydminster Kiwanis Club, holds up the winning 50/50 ticket drawn on Oct. 9 at the Holiday Inn. The ticket was bought by Mike Fearey, a Husky Upgrader turnaround pipefitter from Red Deer who is $10,000 richer.

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Buying a few $5 draw tickets from Lloydminster Kiwanis Club member Michelle Jones turned into a lucky investment for Mike Fearey.

The Red Deer pipefitter is the $10,000 winner of the club’s 50/50 draw held at the local Holiday Inn on Oct. 9.

He didn’t pick up his phone when Kiwanis club secretary Vera Gallant called him seconds after volunteer Liam Grunow pulled lucky ticket number 3285 from the bin.

“Honestly, I’d seen the phone call and I was busy and I’m like ‘Lloydminster what the hell’. I don’t know anybody in Lloyd,” he said when the Meridian Source phoned him at his home.

“I didn’t even think

the draw was today and then I checked my voice mail and just about had a heart attack.”

His spending plans were still up in the air, but he touched on a couple of possibilities.

“I’ve been saying all week ‘if I win, which I’m probably not, I might throw it all into the truck or I might buy my buddy’s motorcycle’, so we’ll see,” said Fearey.

“If I just get a check for $65 million from the Lotto Max I’ll be set.”

The Kiwanis will put their $10,000 share toward the Santa Project, the Terrific Kids program and the music festival.

The club is currently selling tickets for the Festival of Lights in November.

The 50/50 raffle was a first for Kiwanis and a thrill for Gallant to announce who won

the other half of the $20,000 pot.

“Today is very exciting today for the Kiwanis Club because we going to make someone $10,000 richer.

They will have an awesome Thanksgiving weekend,” said Gallant.

“One of the members came up with this idea just because times are really tough, so to do any kind of fundraising it’s difficult. Everybody loves cash, so we decided to go with the 50/50.”

The club sold 4,000 tickets including several to Lloydminster Husky Upgrader turnaround workers like Fearey.

Fearey worked almost 30 nights straight with one day off before returning to Red Deer about two weeks ago.

While in Lloyd, he lived in his camper in a rented driveway space.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

FROM PAGE 1

Siddell noted the SRO program restarted at the beginning of September, as students got ready to return to the classroom.

“We are back in the schools, but with COVID, we have to be very aware of which schools we are going to,” she said. “For us, it’s all about knowing the students can reach out to us, but also having that support system is very important.

“It’s also really fun for us to show them what our vehicles and our aptitude test look like.”

MERIDIAN SOURCE

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Aalbers to serve second term as mayor TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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After serving the City of Lloydminster as mayor for the past four years, Gerald Aalbers will sit for a second term

after being the lone mayoral candidate in the upcoming election.

“It’s challenging.

It’s always challenging,” said Aalbers last week in regards to his experiences over the last four years.

“Each day here in this building, as the staff can tell

you, we never have two days that are the same.

I am excited, my family is excited, I’m energized and looking forward to four years as servicing as mayor for the City of Lloydminster.”

Going into his second term, Aalbers is looking forward to continuing work on various projects throughout the city, despite the many unknowns that could arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re going into uncharted territory, and we started that on about the 16th of March

in the city, and we’re going to continue to go down an uncharted

path,” said Aalbers.

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, October 15, 2020

LCSD confirms COVID cases, students’ safety remains first On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Lloydminster Catholic School Division released the following statement

regarding two positive cases of COVID19 in local schools.

“On Oct. 9, 2020, officials from the Sas-

katchewan Health Authority informed us of two positive COVID-19 cases within LCSD. The staff at Ecole St. Thomas and St. Mary’s Elementary School are each responding to a single case of COVID-19 with professionalism and the caring that our teachers show every day.

These cases remind

us that we all have a shared responsibility to decrease the risk of COVID-19 entering schools.

Students and families are reminded to be diligent in performing the daily health screening, stay home if you are ill, call HealthLine 811 if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, practice proper hand hygiene, main-

tain physical distancing as much as possible, wear a mask when appropriate, and do all we can to keep each other safe.

We want parents to know that we will be there today, and every day for their children.

We look forward to school resuming on Tuesday and we will keep parents from both schools informed over the weekend.

We are working with Public Health to inform parents and caregivers, and the SHA is conducting contact tracing.

To protect privacy of any individuals, we are not able to share or discuss any further details.”

- Nigel McCarthy, Director of Education, LCSD.

Aalbers excited for second term as mayor FROM PAGE 3

“As a community and as a council, we’ll be working with administration to tackle each and every individual challenge as it comes up. There’s no map and we’re going to set out a new map, and that’s making sure we engage with the community so they understand what we’re doing.

“We’ll continue to carry the message of what our commu-

nity needs, and what we believe they need, to the provincial governments and federal government and try and work with them to ensure we continue to build economic development,” said Aalbers.

“Economic development is huge. We need to address the challenges our city has and do what we can do, as well as informing our recommendations to two provincial govern-

ments, and the federal government, to enhance our community and bring every possible resource.”

Aalbers is looking forward to continuing working on projects including, but not limited to the new Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Lloydminster Library and the Lloydminster Cultural and Science Centre, with the possibility of a new multiplex in the future.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Virtual reality glove fits niche GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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The future really is in your hands.

That’s what business owner Brent Baier told the Rotary Club of Lloydminster during a recent presentation on the Peregrine Glove he invented with virtual reality (VR) applications.

Baier is the founder and Co-CEO of Iron Will Innovations who teamed up with his design engineer Slade Luchinski to show how their wearable technology glove can simulate real-life tasks.

The Lloydminster company is preparing to launch a new wireless Peregrine VR Glove to target the booming enterprise training market by mid-2021.

“I think it’s going to make us skyrocket,” said Baier, noting they took their existing glove off the market to focus on the development of the Peregrine VR Glove.

“I’m convinced that enterprise training in VR will be the standard way businesses train employees. It’s the superior way to train employees,” said Baier.

Luchinski wore a VR headset and the gloves to show how it works

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Entrepreneur Brent Baier, left, and design engineer, Slade Luchinski, demonstrated a training application for a virtual reality Peregrine glove developed in Lloydminster, to the Rotary Club of Lloydminster. Baier is the chief executive officer and founder of Iron Will Innovations Canada Ltd. based in the city.

for training automotive mechanics to assemble parts.

Touch sensing capabilities of the glove create controller inputs with a finger touch, coupled with easy to use software to control the virtual environment.

Baier says it’s the ability to use your hands in virtual reality that makes it extremely powerful when it comes to training.

“It’s also a need that is very clearly identified in the market from big businesses,” said Baier.

Applications for the

Peregrine VR Glove include manufacturing, retail, education and military and aerospace sectors with global sales of VR headsets expected to top $19.8 billion U.S. by 2026.

Baier has a diploma in computer systems technology from Lakeland College and began prototyping versions of his smart glove in his bedroom at Exhibition Apartments in his early 20s.

He launched the

business in 2010 with a glove for the video game market that simply detected touches.

He has gone on to raise nearly $5 million in private capital and sold more than 4,000 original Peregrine Gloves to customers in 33 countries.

He also moved production from China to Alberta and released an improved Peregrine ST glove in Q4 2017.

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

VR leaves lasting impression FROM PAGE 5

Baier says the natural reaction to reach out and touch stuff while wearing a VR headset has pivoted their development focus to virtual reality with a niche glove product for the training market.

“The big thing our product offers is touch sensing with the VR glove. We have a high level of precision and we’re very easy to use and we are also at a very competitive price,” said Baier.

“The way the product works, we are compatible with thousands of programs.”

The company is also looking at developing and selling some software content, a role well suited to Luchinski as a technology whiz kid.

The former Lloydminster Comprehensive High School st u d ent designs physical hardware and is an expert using VR and the Peregrine VR Glove.

“I am also working with some programmers to help make a better version of the software,” said Luchinski.

“I’ll also be designing pieces. We have a 3D printer at work so it’s super easy for me to make up a design.”

Luchinski pointed to a part on the mount for the Peregrine Glove that he designed.

He says his career started by taking all the math and science programs he could in high school, then he enrolled in mechanical engineering technologies at SAIT specializing in robotics.

“When I finished, I came back here and got a job over at Peregrine. They were looking for an engineer and it worked out,” he said, noting what he does makes for some interesting conversations.

“If I told my kid self what I’d be doing for a job nowadays, saying I’m a virtual reality design engineer – it’s a

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Lloydminster’s Slade Luchinski, a design engineer with Iron Wills Innovations Canada Ltd. developed the mount for this virtual-reality glove for the enterprise training market. He and company founder, Brent Baier, spoke about the business at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster.

bit of a mouth full, but it’s a cool title.”

Baier says he too couldn’t imagine growing up as a kid in Macklin and one day jetting to China and the Middle East and Europe and all

over the world with this idea.

Baier is a member of the Synergy Credit Union board of directors and lives in Lloydminster with his wife Cherene and their three children.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Henning iffy on forum format

NDP candidate Colleen Morrell Henning.

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Tonight’s virtual allcandidates forum could be the last big chance for Lloydminster NDP candidate Colleen Morrell Henning to influence voters before they go to the polls on Oct. 26.

However, she cautions the format could be a letdown with a limited online audience.

“There’s a little bit of uncertainty there, about how we would be able to reach people. I am grateful for any opportunity that I have to be

able to reach people with a message,” said Henning.

Henning expects there could strong mail-in balloting due to COVID-19 that might also take some of the steam away from the forum and the final days of campaigning.

“I think there will be more people voting by mail as well as voting earlier than usual,” said Henning.

She is up against MLA Colleen Young, Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan rep Steve Gessner and Saskatchewan Green Party’s Audra Kish for votes in the riding.

Henning has two main goals going into the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce’s moderated-forum, to be live-streamed from the Aspen Room in the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds from

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Henning teaches at Holy Rosary High School and says her first goal is to introduce herself so people get a good sense of who she is and why she would be a good candidate.

“It’s my deep connection to Lloydminster,

my particular skills that would make me a good MLA. “I have relevant education, relevant job experience and I’ve had leadership experience in the Lloydminster community and outside of the community,” she said.

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, October 15, 2020

CNG station a first for region

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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The County of Vermilion River Natural Gas Utility is set to open the first publiclyaccessible compressed natural gas (CNG) refuelling station in the Lloydminster region.

The $1.3 million CNG station, funded jointed by Natural Resources Canada and the County, is located at the County yard on Highway 897 near Kitscoty with easy vehicle turnaround access.

Louis Genest, director of the gas utility, expects the site will

be commissioned this week with the opening to follow a regulatory inspection.

“I can’t give you a hard date, but it should be the end of the month,” said Genest.

The biggest customer initially will be the County itself after converting a couple of its vehicles to natural gas as a pilot project in 2016.

Currently, they have eight and soon to be 11 vehicles running on natural gas or gasoline and a five-year plan to have 40 bi-fuel vehicles on the road.

Genest says the station makes sense for their fleet and any commercial revenue will be an added benefit.

“We don’t know what the commercial revenue of this is going to be yet, but it pays back on our own fleet,” he explained.

“On our own fleet, our current savings projection is about $600,000 over the next 20 years on the fuel cost.”

The price rate at the pumps, set last week by the County, is 60 cents a litre for customers who set up accounts

and 70 cents a litre of individual fills for people passing through the area.

“Ideally, we’re going to see some trucking outfits ‘buy on’ that are going between Saskatoon and Edmonton, because we’re the only point between the cities where you can fill up,” said Genest.

The project fits the unique position of the gas utility as both supplying and purchasing gas to/from oil and gas prod u cers in Cou nt y boundaries.

Their primary focus is to supply natural gas

Most of the construction of the CNG Station was done by County staff and local contractors headed by project manager Brandon Hames. Supplied Photo to homes and farms.

About 57 per cent of the County’s total gas volume in 2019 was local casing gas

(methane) gathered and utilized in their gas system.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Henning iffy on forum format cont.

FROM PAGE 7

Henning has volunteered in a variety of roles including as treasurer for the Lloydminster Social Action Coalition, the Lloydminster Fringe and a local church.

She was active in the Lloydminster Teachers’Association including stints as both the president and vicepresident.

Her second goal is to clear up some misconceptions people have about the NDP being anti-pipeline following outrage over nowdeleted 2018 Facebook comments Saskatchewan NDP candidate Meara Conway made slamming Alberta’s oil sands.

“We are not anti-oil or anti-pipeline,” said Henning offering a recent quote from NDP MLA Wotherspoon as policy proof.

“New Democrats

believe in putting our natural resources to work. We support pipelines as the safest way to get our product to market for a fairer price,” said Wotherspoon in a statement last week.

Henning says her party also wants to work with SaskPower to grow the geothermal energy sector.

“We want to diversification. We believe that’s good for our economy and for people in the Lloydminster area to have diversification,” she said.

Saskatchewan added 8,700 more jobs in September and has the lowest jobless rate in Canada at 6.8 per cent, according to the latest Stats Canada data.

Henning says the NDP will also ensure Saskatchewan companies and workers including those locally in Lloydminster are given priority for government-led

projects.

She says it’s not right that two U.S. companies are shortlisted to build the Moose Jaw power station with the winning bid note expected to be announced until after the election.

“That is a local issue because we want Saskatchewan companies and workers to get priority on those kinds of projects,” she said.

Henning says two other local issues she intends to bring up at the forum are education and healthcare in terms of some people thinking of the NDP as a policy party for the big cities like Saskatoon and Regina.

“In addition to things we want to do to improve healthcare and education in all of Saskatchewan, we have some specific rural initiatives both for healthcare and education,” said Henning.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Teepee teachings educate on virtues, history

ing the teepee teachings for Barr Colony School, and throughout the week we’ll be doing all the LPSD schools for Grade 9 and under, so we’re providing the lessons on the virtues for the teepee teachings as well as the les-

son with the lunar calendar, and how the teepee was utilized as a calendar as well,” said Clint Chocan, coordinator of learning and instruction at Lloydminster Public School Division.

“With the teepee,

there are 15 poles in use with the virtues that are shared. Everything from the first pole where we have obedience to respect, humility, faith, to happiness, love, all these other virtues that are connected to each pole are shared, as well as the teachings with the strength of the rope that brings the teepee poles together and the control flaps, and the canvas as well,” added Chocan. “All of these are teachings and lessons that are shared when we have teepee teachings.”

Chocan explained students were quite receptive to the presentation and touched on the importance of the teachings.

“It’s important because we need to learn of a people’s past

The gas station will be fed exclusively from casing gas.

As a fuel, natural gas produces 25 per cent less emissions than gasoline.

“I’ve been driving a natural gas vehicle for more than three years.

It’s like have a regular gas truck,” said Genest.

Genest says now that they have the station, the next task is to convince area companies with fleets to convert to natural gas.

“I’d like to see some natural gas school busses. We’ve had some conversations with oil companies with truck fleets, but nothing concrete yet,” he said.

The CNG station follows a study for the Alberta Climate Change Office in 2018 to help the gas utility identify energy savings and carbon reduction opportunities in its distribution system.

Genest says the gas utility has been ahead

of the curve with its excess gas capture at oil and gas sites for quite awhile and is pr ou d of t heir lat est green energy initiative.

“It’s always been kind of a goal that we’ve set for ourselves,” he said.

“We have the opportunity to do it, so why not take advantage of it especially on ones that you can either break even on cost, or reduce your costs—it’s a no brainer.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Clint Chocan (centre), coordinator of learning and instruction at Lloydminster Public School Division, led teepee teachings last Friday at Barr Colony School.

TAYLOR WEAVER

EDITOR

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Students at Barr Colony School took a trip into the past last week with teepee teachings and discussion of Indigenous worldview and perspective.

“Today we’re providFROM PAGE 8

“We do a lot of work collecting excess gas out in the oilfield.

We’re always looking for ways we can make use of this gas, so they don’t have to flare it off or vent it,” said Genest.

The estimated greenhouse gas reduction over 20 years on a fleet of 40 vehicles running on natural gas vs. gasoline is 12,900 metric tons.

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that was never shared in Canadian education, and when you don’t learn the past you don’t learn what was contributed by the Indigenous people of Canada,” said Chocan.

Amie Burrell, a Grade 4 teacher at Barr Colony, noted that 15 per cent of the school’s student population identifies as Indigenous.

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“The kids love this kind of stuff and think it’s super cool. They love learning all of this stuff and they’re just little sponges; they take it all in,” said Burrell.

“It’s very wellaccepted,” she said.

“They’re used to it now (as) it’s been happening for years, so it’s a normal part of school for them.”

PAGE 10 Thursday, October 15, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Viewpoint Leave it to Weaver

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

Marketing Manager Deanna Wandler deanna@meridiansource.ca

Marketing Consultant Catherine Kruining catherine@meridiansource.ca

Sha oobie, shattered ... some cookware that is EDITOR Taylor Weaver

As I’ve mentioned in past columns, I enjoy cooking ... quite a bit, actually.

So, last Wednesday night, it’s past my usual supper time, and I’m hungry. I open the oven and take out the Pyrex dish in which I’m cooking sausages. I carefully place the Pyrex down on my stove so I can flip the meat I’ve been cooking when …. boom! The Pyrex I’ve been using for years has failed me, and now sits in many, many pieces in my kitchen after exploding.

My initial reaction was one of surprise. I mean, that awful “pop” the exploding glass made really startled me. But then I took a breath, analyzed the situation and went for a broom to start cleaning.

Now, here’s where the story goes a bit south, perhaps. I live alone, no roommates or significant other, so most of the time there’s no one there to say,

“OK, Taylor, let’s think this through some more.”

I was still hungry and the sausages were already halfcooked. They may have been full of shrapnel, but after some examination, they appeared to be OK, with no obvious signs of glass visible.

So, what does a single guy w it h no one t o te l l h i m o t h erwise do? Well, he goes into the cabinet and pulls out a different Pyrex dish to keep on going.

Maybe the glass fragments had melted and fused the sausage together for a little bit of extra flavour? I’ll never know.

With a passion for creativity in the kitchen, since the beginning of this pandemic, I can probably count with one hand the number of times I’ve had takeout for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Yes, of course, I still get cravings for takeout, but I enjoy the challenge of “whipping something up” with ingredients I happen to have in my kitchen.

So, if you were in my shoes last Wednesday, broken glass

all over the floor and a growling tummy crying out for sustenance, what would you have done?

Am I a complete savage for continuing to cook my dinner, despite the fact there may have been little shards of glass hidden within?

The Pyrex may have shattered, but since I haven’t woken up with superpowers of any kind yet, I seem to be intact.

Through the reader’s lens

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

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

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, October 15, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Opinion

Leeway from Lloyd: Senior’s seasonal moments STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

People are twisted out of shape by a lot of things these days, from the wearing of masks during COVID19, to politics and racism and even sports.

I too have been shouting at clouds as a senior over these matters, but it’s the little things that can absorb you the most.

Lately, for me, it’s the tiny fruit flies that get into my line of vision watching TV or using the computer.

Yes, I eat a lot of bananas, so that’s where some of these interlopers are sourced from. Others are making their way in through cracks in the window screens.

Fruit flies get to me at work too, so I have resolved to put

all my peels into a plastic bag to prevent another annoying flyby. Defence is the best offence.

“

I too have been shouting at clouds as a senior over these matters, but it’s the little things that can absorb you the most.

I zapped a few of these flies with my bare hands recently and went into fistpump mode to celebrate the kills. It almost made me want to post my score on social media, but I held back out of fear others with a similar hobby would think I was bragging.

My fruit fly-swatting reflexes are second to

none at this time of the year, but they will wane along with the fruit fly season.

I credit honing my skills while attempting to shoo away virtual flies that I thought were real for several weeks after “corrective” laser surgery on my eyes.

I’d be cycling merrily down the highway or trolling online and out of the blue, it looked like a tiny little bug or two would pop into my field of vision.

It was really disturbing, but luckily, these “floaters” as eye surgery debris is called are now few and far between and no longer mimic tiny flies.

My only problem now is driving at night with streaks of light and st ar bu r st s f r om oncoming vehicle headlights and over-

201036G0 201036G1 201036G2 201036G3

head streetlights, but that’s another issue.

For now, I’ll stay vigilant for fruit flies and keep forever young with quick catlike hand-grabs to capture and squeeze the living daylights out of these pests.

I won’t rest until they are all dead and then I can go back to raging about COVID, politics, racism and sports —the important stuff!

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Premier Moe pops into Border City

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was greeted by Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young and her granddaughter Hazel at Young’s election camp during a campaign stop in Lloydminster on Oct. 8. Moe spoke broadly on a number of election issues. He touched on bi-provincial healthcare, investments in rural broadband services and emission reduction technology development in the oil and gas sector in Lloydminster. He didn’t announce any new platform policies as he did earlier in the day during his travels.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

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Lloyd Votes: 18 candidates vying for council seats MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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In two weeks’ time, Lloydminster’s eligible voters will begin the democratic process of electing the city’s next municipal governing body and entrusting others with the direction of the community’s public and Catholic school boards.

Doug Rodwell, the Returning Officer overseeing the Lloydminster civic election on Nov. 9, is giving notice for advance polls and election-day polling stations.

“In pursuant to Section 77 of the local government’s Elections Act 2015, I can now advise you that the 24/ hour period for candidate reconsideration is closed, and I’m pleased to provide the names of candidates running in the 2020 Lloydminster municipal and school board elections,” said Rodwell.

To alleviate congestion at polling stations, this year’s election accommodates seven days of advance polls beginning Saturday, Oct. 24.

“We’re confident the safety and risk-mitiga-

File Photo tion measures in place will ease anyone who is worried about voting in person,” said Rodwell.

“We’ll continue to monitor the pandemic and will adjust safety measures as required to meet the guidelines laid out by the Saskatchewan government.”

Advance polls will open at City Hall on Oct. 24 and continue until Nov. 4 on specific dates. Advance polls will be open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on specific dates.

“On election day, there will be three main physical polling stations, including two at the Servus Sports Centre and one at the Lloydminster Ex in the Wild Rose Room, and a drive-thru poll,” said Rodwell, adding the drive-thru poll-

ing station will be at Bud Miller All Season’s Park.

“For those electors that aren’t going to be in the community at the time the election occurs, we will have mail-in ballots.”

Rodwell also noted electors unable to make it to polling stations are able to cast their vote with a mail-in ballot.

Applications for mailin ballots are currently available.

Voter turnout in the last municipal election came in just shy of 30 per cent, and Rodwell explained the City is hoping to have a strong turnout in this year’s election as residents become more engaged and take the opportunity to learn more about the candidates, while also exercising their right to vote.

COUNCILLOR candidate(s) (6 seats available) Arif, Aftab Balenga, Charles Barrett, Sandy Buckingham, Aaron Carnell, Chris Davidson, Shawn Diachuk, Michael Dunn, Darrell Fagnan, Glenn Greening, Rhiannon King, Bill Marin, Lorelee Patel, Satish Ross, Cheryl Segberg, Dean Torresan, Jonathan Weinrauch, Sheldon Whiting, Jason

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Last call for turkey supper

GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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Second helpings of Thanksgiving turkey will be available this Sunday during the first-ever Lloydminster drive-thru Fall Supper.

Volunteers from the Lloydminster Exhibition Association will cook and serve individually-packaged meals to drivers from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tickets are $15 per person and must be purchased in advance at the Lloyd Ex or online at the lloydexh. com website.

A portion of the proceeds will go to support

The Olive Tree and the Lloydminster Salvation Army food bank.

The event is the brainchild of the Lloydminster and District Co-op to answer a call from the c ommunit y for a fall supper, with partnership support from Synergy Credit Union and Lloyd Ex. Lloyd Co-op’s marketing and communications manager, Kristine Knourek, says it all came together with the Co-op and Synergy being membership organizations that support communities, and the Lloyd Ex as the logical host.

“Our impetus behind creating this was to bring something for our community members to enjoy and try to celebrate the harvest season,” said Knourek.

“We have heard it’s been a successful season and it also gives a reason for a safe gathering in ways we are allowed to during COVID-19.”

Each drive-thru meal will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, glazed carrots, mixed spring salad, a dinner bun and homemade pumpkin pie or homemade apple pie.

File Photo

Lloydminster RCMP conducts warrant initiative MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Between Tuesday, Oct. 6 and Friday, Oct. 9, the Lloydminster RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, along with Lloyd-

minster RCMP General Investigation Section, Police Dog Services, and Eastern Alberta District Crime Reduction Unit (EADCRU) took part in a planned warrant ini-

tiative to target offenders within the City of Lloydminster.

During the four-day initiative, Lloydminster RCMP arrested 32 people, while executing 57

outstanding warrants.

RCMP also recovered several stolen vehicles, and laid charges with vehicle seizures for offences including operating a motor vehicle while suspended and impaired driving.

During this initiative, RCMP laid new, additional charges on several individuals as a result of their arrest on warrants.

Shane Donnelly, 42, of Lloydminster, has been charged with: - Resist arrest - Possession of a

weapon for dangerous purpose - Trafficking in property obtained by crime under $5000 - Operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited - Fail to comply with a release order condition x 4 Ashley Cadrain, 38, of Lloydminster, has been charged with: - Resist arrest - Fail to comply with a release order condition x 2 -Shania Heathen, 19, of Lloydminster, has been charged with:

- Obstructing a peace officer - Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 - Fail to comply with a probation order x 2 “The Lloydminster and EAD Crime Reduction Units will continue to target and identify offenders within our community as part of our ongoing crime reduction strategy within the City of Lloydminster”, said Inspector Lee Brachmann, Officer in Charge, Lloydminster RCMP.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Rogers 5G comes to Lloyd

File Photo GEOFF LEE

WRITER

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

Lloydminster residents and businesses can now access 5G network service in a new rollout by Rogers Communications to 34 towns and cities in Alberta.

The expanded service, announced on Oct. 13, supports customers in these loca-

tions on Rogers Infinite and Rogers for Business Shared Unlimited Data plans with access to the very best in wireless technology.

“We’re excited to roll out 5G to more communities large and small so that customers in Alberta can use the latest 5G devices to their full potential,” said Brent Johnston, presi-

dent, wireless, Rogers Communications.

Rogers 5G, powered

by Ericsson, is Alberta’s largest 5G network.

More than two million Canadians are now on 5G-ready Rogers Infinite unlimited data plans, representing the most customers of any wireless provider in Canada with no overage fees.

MERIDIAN SOURCE

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Back in the Dark Ages PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

Buying a new appliance is an important investment. Especially since there’s never been as many choices as there are today.

When I was a kid, back in the Dark Ages, we scrubbed clothes on a rock by the creek and stored our food in a subterranean pit—well, that’s a gross exaggeration, but appliances then were a sure lot simpler than they are today.

As an example, I must tell you that as I stood in a friend’s kitchen several months ago, admiring her new refrigerator and listening to all its capabilities, I realized with unhappy surprise that this glorified icebox was smarter than me.

An eight-inch touchscreen displayed the current temperature

File Photo and knew the upcoming forecast.

The family’s favourite music echoed off the walls from its powerful sound system.

She showed me a view of their front step where we saw her daughter petting the dog before my friend called the girl inside, all accomplished from the fridge door.

She showed me pictures from the family’s photo album, not stuck on with a bunch of haphazard magnets like I have, but by using smart-screen technology.

She flicked through a few TV shows, remotely looked in on the baby, and checked for emails – all from her flippin’ fridge.

I asked why their sofa hadn’t been hauled in front of this sturdy kitchen appliance, so the family could gather round the LED glow of the ice dispenser to spend quality time at the obvious centre of their home, the refrigerator.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

Thursday, October 15, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

How will the pandemic affect your retirement MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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A few short months ago, a global pandemic was seen by many as a theoretical risk.

Today it is causing disruptions in economies and stock markets around the world.

While the potential for a global pandemic has always existed, the necessary lockdowns to protect public health and the resulting economic impact of COVID-19 is not something many could have predicted.

And, while many of us are naturally concerned about the impact of the pandemic on our own lives, one

thing we don’t have to worry about is the effect on our national p e n s io n , t h e C an ad a Pension Plan.

The people at the CPP Investments, which is responsible for investing the money in the CPP fund, spend a lot of time thinking about risks that could affect the security of yo ur p ensio n fund – including unforeseen events that may spring up.

They have weathered crises before and know that higher levels of market volatility make it even more important to stay focused on the long term.

For example, during

the global financial crisis in 2008, the fund lost 18.8 per cent in value in a single year.

But just six years later, its investments gained 18.3 per cent in one year alone.

Over the past two decades, the fund has grown from $36.9 billion to $409.6 billion, and the Office of the Chief Actuary of Canada says it continues to be sustainable for 75 years.

And, this year, even with a particularly volatile 90 days leading up to the organization’s financial year-end, it still managed to deliver a positive return for the fiscal year and earned

Back in the Dark Ages cont.

FROM PAGE 18

Looking at me with stiff disapproval for my mocking tone, she continued to say that since it was hooked up to Wi-Fi, she could tell it to look up recipes, create her weekly shopping list or, in fact, ask it any question she liked and receive an immediate reply.

I mean, I’ve stood at my fridge door talking to myself, most often to question why I was standing there at all, but I sure as heck didn’t expect an answer, immediate or otherwise.

My fridge doesn’t dabble in television programming or offer traffic updates. It just keeps stuff cold.

Next, I sat with my

friend Esther who complained bitterly about her shiny new washing machine.

“Naturally the old one quit while I was doing a load of towels,” she griped.

“Had to wring every one out by hand, but still, I didn’t want something with all these stupid buttons.

I don’t need to know how much my clothes weigh, start it remotely while I’m at the grocery store, or create a four-digit PIN to use it—I just want to wash a few clothes. Is that too much to ask?”

I nodded sympathetically, but secretly wished I had the machine.

My washer doesn’t know when to quit.

A while back something went wrong with the shutoff valve and the water never stops flowing.

If I don’t manually turn off the tap at the correct moment in time, I need hip waders to get across the kitchen to reach it.

It takes a lot of liquid to float an oven I can assure you, but I’ve watched it happen.

Many times I’ve sat bolt upright at 2 a.m., my heart racing as I try to remember if I turned the blasted water off.

This sort of thing takes years off your life.

So, do your research, choose an appliance and enjoy all of the modern conveniences folks. I’ll stay back here in the Dark Ages.

$12.1 billion in investment income after costs.

More importantly, the Fund’s 10-year

net annualized rate of return remained strong at 9.9 per cent.

That’s why you can rest assured that this

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pension will be there for you when you retire – whether that’s tomorrow or 25, 50 or 75 years from now.

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MERIDIAN SOURCE

WHISPERS OF THE PAST SANDRA L. BROWN

As part of their military training, basketball was initially played

Thursday, October 15, 2020

Nothing but net!

in Lloydminster’s Drill Hall.

Basketball was mostly played on outdoor courts during the summer of the 1920s.

Once gymnasi-

ums were built in the schools the sport was moved indoors and was quickly on its way to become a significant sport in and around Lloydminster.

By 1927 local communities, including the Lloydminster High School had girls’ teams who often played during the numerous town picnics. Uniforms were

nothing at all like they are now.

Heavy blue serge bloomers which reached below the knee, a white blouse with a tie and of course black stockings were worn to complete the uniform. Just typing this description makes me wonder how warm these uniforms actually were.

Some bold players daringly rolled their stockings below the knee.

An absolutely shocking move to have done during these conservative times!

In the summer of 1931, a game between two Edmonton teams (Grads and Graduates) played against each other in front of the Grandstand at the Exhibition Grounds.

The Grads coached

by J. Percy Page won and upheld the Canadian Championship from 1922 through 1940.

They were also the “undisputed Champions of the World” with a loss of 20 games out of 522 played.

It’s interesting to learn of these girls playing in Lloydmin-

ster at a time when bask e t ba l l w a sn’t r e al l y more than just a casual sport.

It surely caught the attention of folks as there was standing room only at this game despite the very long delay in its start.

Apparently, there had been quite a rainy spell that further worsened the driving condition on the prairie roads.

The team took more than seven hours by car to make it through from Edmonton.

Their reputation of course was based on pure athletic skill on the court.

Just as in hockey when local players learn from the best and strive to be more like their sports heroes, I believe these girls inspired local players to improve their game.

Leaving the black stockings far behind, ladies’ basketball grew during the late 1950s alongside the men’s teams.

By the late 1960s, the “Town and Country” League informally developed.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

Thursday, October 15, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

We all make choices MIDWEST MINUTE VERN McCLELLAND

I was sitting at the kitchen table of someone I had known all my life but had not actually seen for several years.

We were discussing the potential sale of her home, when out of the blue she asked “I know you spend a lot of time working in your family’s livestock business, how can I be sure it won’t distract you from selling my house?”

Fair question. One that comes at me at least a dozen times per year. People want to know they have the right person on their side. Someone who is focused on getting the job done.

I have always said real estate is how I make my living, but it is not my life.

FROM PAGE 20

Men’s basketball may have begun in the Drill Hall with its low ceilings but they also played many out-oftown exhibition games against neighbouring teams.

The sport really took off once a gymnasium was built at Neville Goss School.

In due course, a four-

The career I had before this one was as a management consultant. It required me to be where my clients were, which meant numerous locations across Canada.

I averaged 150 nights per year away from home. For someone who loves his family and wants to play a meaningful role in their lives, it was simply too much time away.

Don’t get me wrong; I loved my work. I got to meet so many interesting people, learn from them, and watch their organizations succeed.

But it was time to make a change.

Real estate may be a seven-day-per-week profession, but it was one which afforded me the ability to be home every night.

The brokerage I joined, the same one I work at now, was

staffed by some of the top performing Realtors in the region.

It provided me the opportunity to observe and learn.

I decided there were two factors which would be critical to my success – consistency and teamwork.

I took the best practices from each agent and merged them into my own system. It is one we still use today.

Then I recruited the best teammates I could find. Some went on to other careers, however one is now the managing broker of our office; the other has been quietly coordinating our group’s administration for years.

Yes, I do spend time working on projects for the farm. I also serve on a provincial board.

It is my way of giving back to an industry which has been good to

team league expanded into six teams during the late 1950s. For unknown reasons, interest began declining except for those playing in the schools.

Various leagues followed throughout Lloydminster’s history.

It seems like only yesterday, my sons and I shot hoops together in the backyard.

Each of us took turns standing on the sweet spot (aka that line in the bare dirt) as the grass had long since worn away.

We didn’t always find nothing but net; rather each of us strived to shoot the ball gracefully through the worn net, waiting for that distinctive swish sound.

my family and me.

I look around and see many people doing the same balancing act.

I particularly admire the working mothers, especially single parents; their time allocation must be incredibly challenging.

So, the answer my friend, is “what you see, is what you get”. I don’t hide my activity

from my clients, rather I believe the integration of the different aspects of my life makes for a more rounded perspective and hopefully, this will be enough to meet your needs!

Vern McClelland is an associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster and an active partner in his family’s livestock operation.

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File Photo Comments on this article are welcome either by emailing vernmcclelland@remax.net or calling 306-821-0611.

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Premier meets with Keystone XL workers MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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More than 1,500 Albertans are back to work and more than $250 million has been injected into the local economy as Keystone XL construction ramps up.

S in c e c o n struc tion began in July, the town of Oyen has doubled in population as workers in numerous trades have strung more than 90 kilometres of pipe along the Keystone XL right-of-way.

Workers are getting steady paycheques and spending them in local businesses, boosting revenues in hotels, restaurants and retail stores.

This means thousands more service

NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT OF POLL The Rural Municipality of Frenchman Butte No. 501 Municipal Elections 2020.

Whereas the following candidates were nominated for the following offices: Candidate Office Leonard Larre Councillor Division No. One Gay Noeth Councillor Division No. Five and, whereas there was only one candidate for each office, I hereby give notice that no voting for these offices will take place on November 9, 2020.

Dated this 9th day of October, 2020.

Allison Roschker, Returning Officer

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File Photo workers are benefiting indirectly from the project and will continue to as spending ramps up over the two-year construction period.

Premier Jason Kenney spent Oct. 8 along the right-of-way, meeting workers and com-

munity leaders.

“The construction of Keystone XL is all about jobs, the economy and pipelines,” said Kenney.

“It was great for me to see first-hand hundreds of Albertans working hard on KXL, thanks to Alberta’s

investment that finally got construction underway. Pipelines are critical to our recovery from the global recession, and KXL shows our determination to fight for and build our economy’s future.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

Thursday, October 15, 2020

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Emergency flu recovery tips

File Photo MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Flu season is upon us, and for the one billion influenza cases FROM PAGE 22

Project proponent TC Energy estimates that apart from the company and its prime contractors, project construction activities are curre ntl y b e i n g s up ported by about 30 Alberta-based subcontractors, including local and Indigenous-owned businesses.

In fact, employment income during construction in Canada is an estimated $1.6 billion over two years.

“It’s an exciting time fo r th e sp e c i a l a r e a s and the communities along the path of the KXL pipeline,” said Jordon Christianson, chair, Special Areas Board.

“With the initiation of construction this summer, there has

that happen each year, the road to recovery can be a tough one.

While most cases last seven to 10 days, the flu

can last up to two full weeks.

Jacklyn Villeneuve, registered dietitian, and Jennifer Kutten,

been a much-appreciated boom in our local economy. TC Energy, Michels, and many other subcontractors have arrived and have demonstrated exceptional professionalism and respect in our communities and are truly a welcomed addition to our area. It is amazing to finally see this long overdue project move forward.”

Overall, Keystone XL will support 17,000 Canadian and 42,000 American workers and bring up to 830,000 barrels of oil to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

After more than a decade of stringent environment reviews and cooperation with landowners, this work is occurring as a direct

result of the Alberta government’s $1.5-billion equity investment in the project in 2020.

Albert a’s Recovery Plan is a bold, ambitious long-term strategy to build, diversify, and create tens of thousands of jobs now.

By building schools, roads and other core infrastructure we are benefiting our communities.

By diversifying our economy and attracting investment with Canada’s most competitive tax environment, we are putting Alberta on a path for a generation of growth.

Alberta came together to save lives by flattening the curve and now we must do the same to save livelihoods, grow and thrive.

pharmacist at Loblaws share their tips for recovering from the flu.

Stay home and stay well rested The flu takes a lot out of us and getting plenty of rest will help with recovery. “If you are feeling any symptoms, it’s very important that you stay home,” explains Kutten.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

PUBLIC NOTICE Public Notice is hereby given that pursuant to section 55 of the Planning and Development Act, 2007 that the RM of Frenchman Butte No. 501 has received an application for subdivision which includes the alteration of (1) existing parcel that consists of proposed Parcel A – Residential within the SW ¼ Section 22-53-25-W3M as shown in “Schedule A”. This is currently a discretionary use in the A-Agriculture District – Section 6.0 of Bylaw No. 2015-12, known as the RM of Frenchman Butte Zoning Bylaw.

Schedule A

Council will consider this application at the regular scheduled Council meeting via electronic means on October 28, 2020 at 2:15 p.m. in the RM of Frenchman Butte office. Issued by the R.M. of Frenchman Butte No. 501 this 9th day of October, 2020. For more information, please contact Allison Roschker, Chief Administrative Officer at 306-344-2034.

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Accessing mental health support during a pandemic F

ewer Canadians rate their mental health as good in 2020. But only a third of those seeking help were successful in finding support, according to a recent survey by RBC Insurance.

Among those who sought help, a lack of money was the most common barrier, followed by not knowing where to go. Younger people between the ages of 18 to 34 and those earning less than $40,000 annually were the most likely to seek, but not find, help.

“Admitting to a mental illness can already be a challenge for many people, so finding access to support should not add difficulty or delays,” says Maria Winslow, senior director of life and health at RBC Insurance.

“With the long wait times and complexity of provincial systems, not to mention the high expense of out-ofpocket care, it’s important to be familiar with employer benefits and/ or personal disability coverage for mental health.”

When it comes to managing mental health and accessing care, consider the following: Hospital or crisis centre If you don’t have private coverage to pay for treatment, government-funded assistance is usually available through hospital psychiatry departments for a severe mental health crisis.

Community organizations and associations Having help navigating a complex system makes a huge differ-

ence. Reach out to local community organizations or associations such as the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) for free community resources.

Get familiar with coverage It’s important to familiarize yourself with workplace benefits and personal disability coverage before potential problems arise.

Look for programs that can help provide faster access to an appropriate psychologist, in some cases without the need to make a claim.

FROM PAGE 23

tant proteins around your body. We’re also losing a lot of them in the form of mucous or sweat when we have the flu. “While there are no har d and f ast rules, do your best to get plenty of liquids, whether they come in the form of tea, soup or plain old water,” recommends Villeneuve.

Cancel your caffeine and alcohol consumption Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics that

may work against your efforts to stay hydrated. “Skipping that glass of beer or wine with dinner may help you stay better hydrated,” advises Kutten.

Consume foods with the right vitamins and minerals It takes a lot of work for our bodies to fight the flu, so getting the vitamins and minerals we need is important both to strengthen our immune systems and

recover from illnesses.

“Vitamin C, zinc and vitamin A contribute to a good immune system and overall health, so foods that contain them are a g o o d p l a c e t o st a r t ,” said Villeneuve.

“Staying home and resting have the added benefit of curbing the spread of illness.”

Drink plenty of fluids Fluids fuel your immune system by helping move impor-

Avoid the flu altogether The flu shot is still your best way to avoid the illness, so stop in at your closest Loblaws and get vaccinated today.

PAGE 25 Thursday, October 15, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Sports

Lancers return to volleyball a smash hit by the COVID pandemic step onto the court for grades 7, 8 and 9 tryouts this week.

“

My goal is basically to get in as much volleyball as we can and play with as much people as we can.

The Lancers are counting double the number of interested participants this fall compared to previous years highlighted by approximately 80 girls vying for a spot on one of the three gradelevel squads as opposed to the maybe 40 that seemed interested 12 months ago.

The Bishop Lloyd Middle School Lancers started volleyball tryouts this week.

JAMIE HARKINS

WRITER

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

It appears volleyball

might be just what the doctor ordered.

The Bishop Lloyd

Middle School Lancers are seeing a surge in kids looking to gain

Supplied Photo a bit of exercise, interact with friends and fill extra downtime caused

Jaylee Rose, who is hoping to play power for the Grade 9 Lancers girls team this season, said facing COVID precaution restrictions including limited locker room access before and after practices as well as new rules intended to keep athletes spaced apart didn’t sway her desire of coming back.

The third-year Lancers veteran said the sport has always been close to her heart and she’s optimistic that games will follow in short order.

“My goal is basically to get in as much volleyball as we can and play with as much people as we can,” said Rose. “I know a lot of people want to play.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

The worst president America has ever had SPORTS EDITOR JAMIE HARKINS

Keeping a focus on sports isn’t that easy to do considering America’s big day has almost arrived.

There were four members working as part of the Estevan Mercury’s editorial staff when the Donald first vied for and won the U.S. presidency.

The editor and I had a difficult time coming to terms with his “rigged” announcements and harassing campaign-style, an editor for our sister publication as a true conservative stood up for the hopeful dictator and the young news reporter withheld his opinion or lack thereof while chasing invisible beings around the office playing Pokemon Go. After the Donald won, the editor told me it’s likely the new president would last two years before getting

FROM PAGE 25

Tyler Comeau, coach of the Grade 7 and 9 Lancers girls volleyball teams, said they’re scheduling separate gym days for each grade this week in order to adhere to Saskatchewan Health Authority guidelines that ask for 30 or less athletes competing in a space at one time.

bored with the job and moving on.

I gave him eight reasoning that if the W. can get reelected, then anyone can.

I hope I’m wrong.

Please prove me wrong America.

With that stated, or written if you will, I must ever so slightly turn my attention to the sports world. And what a strange world it is.

During the past seven months, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Lakers have won championships while playing in a bubble, Major League Baseball somehow has made it to the Conference championships with the hated Houston Astros being one of the four teams remaining and the CFL bumbled its way to a lost season.

I’m not sure if anyone wants to revisit March 12, 2020, when this current reality began, but there’s a baseball game on Youtube that is not as

historic as the coming U.S. presidential election, is still pretty incredible.

It’s a spring training game played in Florida between the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburg Pirates.

This is your spoiler alert.

The on-field action, all three hours and 20 minutes of it, contains a few highlights including Nate Pearson so badly overpowering a hitter that the bat flies from his hands on a swing, Vlad Guerrero Jr. crushing an offering high and in over the centre-field fence and Bo Bichette launching a ball past the right-field stands.

But, the real interesting parts come in from the broadcaster’s booth.

The NBA announced a pause to their season due to COVID-19 on March 11, but other North American sports leagues hadn’t issued a statement by the Jays versus Pirates 1 p.m. local start time.

The MLB came out with their decision, including an advisory that players should self-isolate, around the fourth inning.

It’s a Pirates feed and I have to commend broadcasters John Wehner and Joe Block along with special colour commentator Steven Brault for holding onto their wits and keeping the proceedings civil.

Watching and hearing these guys manage the uncertainty of sports while continuing to call a game amid the growing realization

that a pandemic was bearing down is mesmerizing.

At about 3 p.m. with th e game in th e se venth inning, MLB re l e a se s a state me nt that all spring-training play will cease in an hour and the regular season would be pushed back at least two weeks.

The announcement floors Wehner and he hardly speaks a word for the remainder of the broadcast.

With a camera focused on the ballpark clock, it finally hits 4 p.m. yet the play

continues on to the last out.

Pirates second baseman Cole Tucker hits a home run about a minute after the action was supposed to stop, but it wouldn’t be enough as the Jays pick up a win.

I’ve watched a few important games and events throughout my 40-plus years and think this meaningless Jays spring training contest is one of them.

I have my fingers crossed that the next must-see moment turns out the right way on Nov. 3.

Let’s go Joe Biden.

He said 50 kids from different local institutions can participate in a mini-league during the season, but the plan, for now, is to keep everything in-school while watching the progression of COVID play out.

“We wouldn’t even be able to run a league within our own school,” said Comeau.

“So, in order to open up opportunities we have to look at splitting boys and girls and we have to look at potentially running a co-ed system. There are so many kids who are interested in playing a sport right now. We have to find a way to get every kid playing. If that means not involv-

ing other schools at this time, well it’s more important that the kids just play.”

Brock Canfield, who helped lead the Lancers to a district gold medal last season, said it’s a miracle they’re able to step back onto a volleyball court this fall.

The Lancers Grade 9 boys power said they

don’t have very many vets returning to the team, so he’s glad to be out helping others get better at the game.

“A return to sport is really beneficial to mental health,” added Comeau.

“It’s important that kids are still active. It’s just finding a way to do it safely. I truly do

believe that it is important kids are getting back to sports. You can see it in their spirits.

As soon as we started talking about volleyball happening in our school their faces lightened up. They started to talk about it. They’re getting their friends to come. It’s just a good atmosphere.”

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PAGE 27 Thursday, October 15, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Agriculture

Last week in the field

File Photo MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Harvest continued to progress throughout the province this week, with 96 per cent of the crop now combined.

This is up from 89 per cent last week and remains well ahead of the five-year (20152019) average of 76 per cent for this time of year.

An additional three per cent of the crop is swathed or ready to straight-cut.

While there was limited rainfall this week, cool and damp conditions along with scattered rain-delayed harvest in parts of the central and northern regions.

Harvest is most advanced in the southwest region where combining is virtually complete with 99 per cent of the crop in the bin.

The southeast and west-central regions both have 98 per cent combined.

The northeast region has 93 per cent combined, the east-central region has 92 per cent and the northwest 91 per cent.

Ninety-nine per cent of chickpeas and barley, 97 per cent of spring wheat, 95 per cent of oats, 92 per cent of canola, 86 per cent of flax and 81 per cent of soybeans have been combined.

Estimated average

crop yields at this time are 46 bushels per acre for hard red spring wheat, 38 bushels per acre for durum, 66 bushels per acre for barley, 36 bushels per acre for canola, 39 bushels per acre for field peas and 1,487 pounds per acre for lentils.

The yields are around average and are relatively similar to estimates reported in early September.

There were some reports of yield loss caused by lack of moisture and high temperatures earlier in the summer.

Spring wheat grades are estimated as 64 per cent 1 CW, 29 per cent 2 CW, six per cent 3 CW

and one per cent CW feed at this time.

There was very little rainfall received throughout the province

this week.

The Kelvington area received the highest amount this week with seven mm.

The St. Walburg area has received the most precipitation in the province since April 1 with 486 mm.

Most of the province reported a shortage of topsoil moisture again this week, with a slight reduction in moisture conditions.

Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 31 per cent adequate, 41 per cent short and 28 per cent very short.

Hay and pasture land topsoil moisture is rated as 22 per cent adequate, 36 per cent short and 42 per cent very short.

Once combining is

complete, high amounts of rain are needed throughout most of the province to replenish subsoil and topsoil moisture for next year.

Most of the crop damage this past week continued to be caused by wind blowing swaths around, waterfowl and wildlife.

Farmers reported symptoms in harvested crops caused by earlier dry conditions, frost and hail, with some of the later maturing crops being in fields that were previously affected by hailstorms.

Farmers are busy combining, spraying, applying fertilizer, hauling bales, cleaning corrals and moving cattle home.

PAGE 28 Thursday, October 15, 2020 MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridansource.ca

NOTICES

SERVICES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE ESTATE OF

LESLIE MICHAEL OSWELL late of Greenstreet, Saskatchewan, Deceased, who died on May 2, 2020.

All claims against the estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before November 5, 2020.

REVERING LAW OFFICE Barristers & Solicitors 5018 - 50 Avenue Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 0W7 Attention: AJ Mokelky

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

Classifieds FEED AND SEED

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BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT FORM

Please print all information neatly.

E: admin@meridiansource.ca F: 306.825.5147 5921-50 Ave., Lloydminster, SK

(Mother’s Name)

(Father’s Name)

WANTED would like to announce the arrival of their (Son/Daughter)

(Baby’s Name)

Contact: Phone:

AGRICULTURE

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Heavy Duty Mechanics, Heavy Equipment Operators and 1A Drivers required:

FOR RENT INDEPENDENT ADULT LIVING apartments in Martensville, SK. Spend your retirement years in a community close to family/friends in the Saskatoon area that has large city services with small town safety and charm.

More info @ www. chateauvilla.ca http:// www.chateauvilla.ca, 306-281-4475 or chateauvilla@sasktel.net.

ADVERTISE THE BIRTH OF YOUR NEW BABY IN THE MERIDIAN SOURCE.

Born on:

LloydMall 780.875.0203 GARAGE SALE

FOR SALE

Integrity Post Frame Buildings SINCE 2008

Built with Concrete Posts Barns, Shops, Riding Arenas, Machine Sheds and More sales@ Integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www. integritybuilt.com

Late model, clean CAT, JD equip: winch, dump, gravel trucks and trailers. Both camp and shop locations; R & B provided.

Wage negotiable.

Clean drivers abstract a must.

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

(Month)

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Church Directory

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Local Business Directory Lloydminster’s Leading Waste & Recycling Hauler • Garbage & Recycling Services • Paper Shredding • Temporary Fencing • Portable Toilet & Septic Services

Service by Quik Pick Waste Disposal

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Thursday, October 15, 2020

Obituaries & Memoriams

o ... l f o o g t e l e w le, i l y b e l

i L “ ve.” but never of lo

~

unknown

Call to place your Memoriam or Obituary.

306-825-5111

Thursday, October 15, 2020

SUDOKU

CROSSWORD

October 8 Answers

ACROSS 1. Part of a play 4. Punching tools 8. Casino numbers 12. Timid 13. Dude 14. Courage 15. Burst 16. Struggle successfully 17. Volcano flow 18. Vowed 20. Margin 22. Horrify 25. Lit 28. Talking birds 33. Dove’s cries 34. Wheel track 36. Car

MERIDIAN SOURCE

October 8 Answers

37. Mountain call 39. Educated 41. To the rear of a ship 43. Hurled 47. The British ____ 51. Stack 52. Mournful word 55. In the past 56. Prod 57. Hurry 58. Criminal gang 59. Looked at 60. Soap-making substances 61. Stubborn animal DOWN 1. Deadly serpents

2. Hearty food 3. Mistake in print 4. Consent to 5. Reporter’s query 6. Once around the track 7. Hex 8. Eye 9. Tied contest 10. Opera star 11. Command to a dog 19. Rear 21. Tall tree 23. Miles ____ hour 24. ____ education 25. Slippery 26. Muck 27. Motion of assent 29. Adventure stories

30. Sort of sister 31. Wolfed down 32. Grass-covered ground 35. Crossed letter 38. In-____ (relative) 40. Gets up 42. Tangle 43. In this way 44. Present!

45. Tantrum 46. Unbarred 48. Tibetan holy man 49. Personality parts 50. Cries 53. Set down 54. Highest card

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

Share your jubilations, love and best wishes in the Meridian Source newspaper.

Call 306-825-5111 To celebrate the happenings in your life.

31

32

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Thursday, October 15, 2020

HOME

AWESOMENESS

NEW LISTINGS

INGENUITY

EXCELLENCE COUNTRY LIVING

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MLS A1006192

DEWBERRY LOTS

• Centrally located multi-family property. Two duplex units & a non-conforming mother in law suite.

• Large fully fenced corner lot with off street parking.

Brad Gilbert Broker/Owner

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4707-46 Ave

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coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

Jennifer Gilbert Associate Broker

Rick Schesnuk Realtor®

Caleb McLean Realtor®

Each office is independently owned & operated.

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

Judy Bexson Realtor®

www.coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

780-875-3343

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