Meridian Source - October 20, 2022

Lloydminster hospital now hiring

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is call ing for healthcare work ers with more than 175 new full-time open ings, including approx imately 10 positions to fill in the Lloydminster Hospital.

We have heard directly from frontline health care workers that more permanent full-time positions are integral to enhancing healthcare services across our province.

The employment campaign, in collabora tion between the Minis try of Health and SHA, is part of the Province’s commitment to creating more full-time positions in rural and northern communities across the province.

More than 125 new, full-time, frontline healthcare positions have been posted on the

HealthCareersInSask. ca website and 50 exist ing part-time positions have been upgraded to full-time.

The Lloydminster Hospital is looking for two full-time registered nurses and two parttime RNs.

There are also open ings for a full-time con tinuing care assistant at the hospital and for a manager of health information manage ment along with a fulltime medical lab tech nologist.

The hospital is also searching for a parttime clinical nurse edu cator and a casual unit clerk.

Lloydminster Home Care has an opening for a full-time volunteer coordinator.

Creating more fulltime positions and enhancing existing positions that are diffi cult to recruit in rural and northern commu nities is a key pillar of Saskatchewan’s Health Human Resources Action Plan.

SHA is actively recruiting nation ally and internation ally through multiple channels.

Many positions qual

ify for new incentives provided by the Prov ince as part of the Action Plan.

The goal of the plan is to recruit, train, incen tivize and retain more healthcare workers to strengthen the provin cial healthcare system.

The details were included in an Oct. 14 news release.

A new one-time incen tive of up to $50,000 is available to attract new employees to tar geted positions in rural and remote areas. The incentive packages will range from $30,000 to $50,000 depending on the position.

“We have heard directly from front line healthcare work ers that more perma nent full-time positions are integral to enhanc ing healthcare services across our province,” said Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Everett Hindley.

“By offering competi tive incentive packages and focusing on key retention practices, we will expand our health care workforce, stabi lize healthcare services across the province, and build a stronger healthcare system ready

to meet the needs of a growing province.”

The province also offers a suite of finan cial incentives includ ing loan forgiveness programs, bursaries and supports to those interested in a health care career in Sas katchewan, particularly in rural and northern communities.

The new and enhanced positions span 49 communities across the province, and include registered nurses, registered psy chiatric nurses, licensed practical nurses, con tinuing care aides, med ical radiation technol

ogists, medical labo ratory assistants, and combined lab and X-ray technicians.

“Bolstering our healthcare workforce through our aggres sive Health Human Resources Action Plan will serve to attract more health profession als to practice in com munities where they are most needed,” said Health Minister Paul Merriman.

“The creation of more permanent, full-time positions will lead to better retention of our healthcare workforce in these rural and north ern areas.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Photo

Community invited to Lloydminster Place info sessions

Residents and regional visitors have a chance to get another look at the progress of Lloydminster Place, the community’s proposed event centre, during an upcoming daytime information session.

The City of Lloyd minster is hosting the second information session at the Servus Sports Centre this week end, allowing attend ees to view the draft arena concept via vir tual tours, gain a deeper understanding of the facility amenities and proposed budget, while engaging with admin istrative subject-matter experts.

Lloydminster Place Information Sessions

- Saturday, Oct. 22, Servus Sports Centre, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

City administration recently presented an update to City Council, which provides updated draft floor plans for the event arena and com munity rink concourses, indoor amenities including retail sales and public restrooms and an updated exterior rendering.

Those who cannot attend either of the information sessions and are looking for more information are encouraged to visitLloy dminsterPlace.ca.

File Photo

Bell leaving post in good hands

ideal time for her to retire, and for the orga nization.

“It’s time for some body with a new vision and refreshed eye to look at this and work with the new board and the new strategic plan and move all the social housing needs forward,” she said.

“This joining of the two boards allows us to expand our administra tion.”

overcome.

“When I first joined Pioneer, it was the issue of not having enough units so that we could meet the needs of our citizens of the munici palities that oversee Pio neer,” she said.

That led to the first expansion at Pioneer Lodge.

some projects here I feel I can still add to,” she said.

“The seniors in our area will always be one of my passions.”

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Joy (Joyce) Bell will be leaving senior resi dents at Pioneer Lodge and House in good hands when her last day as facility administrator rolls around soon.

“It’s still a little up in the air, right now I’m thinking toward the end of November,” said Bell.

She actually handed in her resignation in March to leave at the end of June, however, as Bell told the Lloydmin ster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Soci ety last Tuesday, oppor tunity knocked to leave the organization in a strengthened position.

Bell says the board of Lloydminster Region Housing Group will now oversee all social hous ing in the Lloydminster Alberta region, includ ing the Pioneer facilities.

“For years, Pioneer has operated as a divi sion of Lloyd Region Housing Group. Now we’re going under neath their board,” she explained.

The plan for one board flowed from dis cussions Bell had with Lloydminster Hous ing Group CAO Deanna Stang-Livingston.

Bell says the advan tage of being under one board it is gives Lloyd a louder voice to deal with the provinces when it comes to social housing.

“Whether that be a rent subsidy program or right down to a des ignated supported living space, we’re now talking with numbers,” she said.

“It gives us a stronger foundation to be heard from.”

Michael Diachuk is

the current board chair of the Housing Group that has a new stra tegic plan and a mis sion to collaboratively increase access to safe, sustainable and inclu sive housing.

Interviews are now in progress to hire a new CEO for the Housing Group with Bell’s last day of work dependent on when the new exec utive comes on board, and if a transition period is required.

Bell notes this is an

The Housing Group is now headhunting for a controller and could also hire an operations manager.

“These positions are going to allow that CEO to really drive the future plans forward to be able to meet with ministers and to have the time to develop the plans, so we can meet the needs of our citizens,” said Bell.

She’s been at the helm of Pioneer for more than 16 years and says it has easily been the most ful filling job in her life with constant challenges to

Bell says they then ended up seeing seniors with designated support living needs being shipped out of our community.

“The board wanted that to stop,” she said.

That led to the addi tion of Pioneer House with recent plans for future expansion of the Lodge recently announced.

Bell says the last chal lenge continues to be COVID.

As for her retirement plans, Bell says aside from some golf and a couple of warm vaca tions, she won’t be too far away.

“There’s definitely

Meridian Source File Photo

Joy Bell, administrator of Pioneer Lodge and House, pictured giving a presentation in March at a Rotary Club of Lloydmin ster lunch, is retiring in a few weeks.

Rescue Squad Gala garners $345k for new gear

It was a sold-out night at the Lloyd Ex as the Lloydminster Rescue Squad (LRS) held its 7th Annual Sirens and Sapphires Gala, bringing in a newly-released total of $345,000 for the pur chase of a new Video Ray Defender.

The Defender is a remotely operated

underwater vehicle the rescue squad is hoping to have in time for boat ing season. This new tool will help the LRS immensely with under water search and recov ery efforts.

As usual, this year’s event, held earlier this month, included cock tails, dinner, a live and silent auction, as well as live entertainment.

As reported, Bound

ary Ford was the eve ning’s platinum spon sor, but they also stunned everyone in the room with a sur prise $100,000 dona tion through the Boundary Ford Gives Foundation.

Cenovus Energy also stepped up in a major way with a second $100,000 donation, leaving LRS chief, Norm Namur, speechless.

“I think our Galas keep getting better every year,” he said.

“We were so grateful for everyone who par ticipated, especially our sponsors, and Bound ary Ford and Cenovus for their donations of $100,000 each for our new underwater ROV project.”

Namur explained the squad is looking forward to obtaining this new equipment to enhance its search and rescue capabilities.

“With this piece of equipment, and the new technology it has, I think it’s going to give us an opportunity to participate in searches all across western Can ada,” he said.

Carly Pollard, mar keting manager at Boundary Ford and chair of the Bound ary Ford Gives Foun dation, was thrilled to

present the squad with a cheque for $100,000 and said it was a very special evening.

“We know the job the rescue squad does is not easy. It’s not something everyone can do, and we know the services they provide are not just for the community of Lloy dminster, it’s also for the surrounding area,” she said.

“The piece of equip ment they wanted to fundraise for is also special because there’s only going to be two in Canada. That’s pretty remarkable and it will allow them to expand their services further while also bringing clo sure to families looking for lost loved ones.”

Kent Miller, Ceno vus’s director of the Lloydminster Upgrader, stated “We support the Lloydminster Res cue Squad because we

believe in keeping the communities where we live and work safe and resilient.”

“The rescue squad, a non-profit organiza tion with dedicated vol unteers, has been pro viding emergency ser vices and technical res cue to the Lloydmin ster area since 1984. Our donation towards the purchase of a new remotely-operated underwater vehicle will help ensure the rescue squad has the equip ment it needs to safely respond in the event of an emergency.”

Namur also wanted to extend thanks to the evening’s gold sponsors, Fountain Tire, New Cart Contracting, Stingray, Meridian Source , and 106.1 The Goat.

“We simply cannot thank you enough for your sponsorship and support of the Gala.”

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Supplied Photo

Carly Pollard, marketing manager at Boundary Ford and chair of the Boundary Ford Gives Foun dation, was all smiles while posing for a photo with Lloydminster Rescue Squad deputy chief Ryan LeBlanc at the 7th Annual Sirens and Sapphires Gala.

National Coming Out Day celebrates acceptance, inclusion

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Understanding, inclu sion, acceptance and love were the words to live by last week during a National Coming Out Day celebration in Lloy dminster.

Last Tuesday, mem bers of the LGBTQ+ Society of Lloydmin ster welcomed the community to Grace United Church from 7-9 p.m. to participate in National Coming Out Day activities, lis ten to guest speakers, and go through a com ing-out experience in a safe space.

National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day observed on Oct. 11 to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgen der people in “coming out of the closet.”

“The main push for National Coming Out Day is centring around the idea that homopho bia thrives in silence,” said LGBTQ+ Society of Lloydminster chair, Jensen Brown.

“Unfortunately, when there are people who are scared to come out, that silence only deep ens. When you have people in your circle of love who are out of the closet or who may be thinking about coming out of the closet or are questioning their iden tities and their authen tic lives, then you start becoming better allies yourselves,” he said. “You start to actually watch what you say, you start empathizing a little more with what you might say and the intent in which it is said, that sort of thing.”

Brown also explained how National Com ing Out Day originally followed the pride marches in 1987 and officially started a year later.

“The day was origi nally intended to cel ebrate those who have already come out, but over the last few decades it’s also come to encompass peo ple who are out, peo

ple who are coming out and people who do not yet feel safe to come out,” he said. “It encompasses fam ilies that are work ing through a comingout process and try ing to find the best way to support their fam ily member, and it also supports the people that are questing their authenticity and start ing that journey them selves; to find out who they are and what is truth to them.”

Not only does Brown chair the LGBTQ+ society, but he is also a teacher at Winston Churchill School, a per former/board mem ber of the local Slay the Nite YLL drag nonprofit group, as well as the affirming support worker at Grace United Church. In his role at Grace United Church, Brown explained he helps ensure the affir mation team is walking the walk and talking the talk when it comes to inclusivity and being a safe place for every one, no matter how they identify or what religion they follow.

“This is a safe space where people can ask any question they like. For example, we’ve had questions such as ‘can I ask someone how they

identify,’ ‘how do I ask someone what kind of pronouns to use,’ ‘what does it mean to come out as A, B, C, D,’ ‘what does the acronym stand for,’ ‘are labels impor tant, don’t they hurt more than they help.’ These are questions a lot of people have, and sometimes they hold them in, and there’s that silence again,” he said.

“They hold these questions in because they’re afraid of get ting laughed at; they’re afraid of being offen sive. This can lead to bigger issues because people end up not get ting educated and can’t take steps along the journey of understand ing and inclusion and

acceptance and love. That’s what today is all about.”

For Brown, the hope is for participants to leave the event know ing he’s always there to answer any questions people may have.

“The ability to know there aren’t any dumb questions is so impor tant,” he said. “Peo ple are genuinely ask ing these questions for a reason, and that’s because their heart is opened but their tongue might still be closed off out of fear, or out of the unknown.”

The LGBTQ+ Soci ety of Lloydminster was formed in 2016 and the Border City’s first offi cial Pride Week took place in 2017.

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Jenson Brown, chair of the LGBTQ+ Society of Lloydminster, speaks during a National Coming Out Day event at Grace United Church last Tuesday evening.

Students tap into teepee teachings

up a pole and have her classmates watch the process.

“People are con necting with the First Nations people. It’s fun to do and interesting to learn about,” she said.

Emmy in Grade 6 also pitched in to help position a pole noting, “it was kind of heavy to move around because it was really big.”

Chocan says it’s a lot of fun for him and it physically helps him get in shape.

Stephanie Groat, the FNMI lead at Jack Kemp, was pleased to report Barr Colony School was raising a flag in addition to a tee pee that week.

The first mobile homes in Canada were teepees used by nomadic tribes like the Cree.

Students at elemen tary schools in the Lloydminster Public School Division (LPSD) rolled up their sleeves to help build and learn about portable teepees under the instruction of Clint Chocan.

He’s the FMNI (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) consultant for LPSD who brought a teepee kit to Jack Kemp Community School last Thursday to impart tee pee teachings to Grades 4-6 students studying the subject that week.

One of the main teachings is the differ ent virtues like happi ness, love and kinship that each of the teepee poles, and even some parts, represent.

When I was explaining the virtues connected to each pole, the students were actually following along and kept the order of each virtue.

“We have 13 poles in the inside and two poles on the outside holding the flaps. There are 15

poles and teachings,” explained Chocan.

He notes there are other teachings con nected with the rope in terms of leadership and even teachings in the pins that connect the canvass.

The lessons sunk in after students helped to position the poles in place while Chocan spoke.

“They actually have a hands-on experi ence and when I was explaining the virtues connected to each pole, the students were actu ally following along and kept the order of each virtue,” said Chocan.

An Indigenous Grade 6 student named Tiara was thrilled to help put

“We find value in having our Indigenous and non-indigenous students taking part in our Indigenous teach ings and culture so they can all walk their own path of truth and rec onciliation too,” she said.

Groat says there’s about 40-60 students at Jack Kemp who selfdeclared as Indige nous, explaining these kinds of teepee lessons help them to under stand their culture too, if they’ve lost some knowledge of it.

Chocan adds there are some Indigenous students that have grown up in urban communities that have never had this experi ence before.

“There’s some recon nection and it pro vides them that cul tural identity they were missing,” he added.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Clint Chocan, FMNI consultant for LPSD, works with Isaac, a Grade 4 student at Jack Kemp Community School, to fasten canvass on a teepee. Students at six dif ferent elementary schools learned about teepee building last week.

GEOFF LEE WRITER

It’s business glam night in Lloydminster

GEOFF LEE WRITER

It’s red carpet night for the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce and its hundreds of members.

The business orga nization is counting down the hours to offi cially host its annual Excellence in Business Awards tonight at the WLS Convention Centre from 6 to 10 p.m.

The event also cele brates Small Business Week in Canada with 38 local businesses nominated for awards in more than a dozen categories.

“It’s probably the most nominees we’ve ever seen—and a new category that’s probably long overdue, Women in Business,” said Chamber president, Jody Herbus.

“It’s quite phenom enal to see how many businesses were nomi

nated, first of all, and in that category, to see how many women-led busi nesses are being recog nized in Lloydminster.”

The businesses up for that new award are Nouveau Laser & Aes thetic Centre, Lash Lounge – Kim Newsted, Brixton Shoes, Perfor mance Business Con sulting, To The Core Pilates & Nutrition, Brandi Hofer artist, Can-Do Auto & Lube.

Herbus spoke about the event in a lunch pre sentation to the Rotary Club of Lloydminster on Monday, urging Rotar ians to snap up some remaining seats.

The Chamber nor mally sells out at 250 people, but is taking a “more the merrier” marketing approach this year with the large capacity convention centre.

“It’s super nice to see some friendly faces

cheering you on,” pitched Herbus as a past business award recipient.

He was introduced at Rotary as the “mas ter of disaster,” being the owner of Bioclean Disaster Services and an accredited mas ter-certified fire and smoke, water and tex tile restorer.

Herbus will also emcee the business awards, and as Cham ber president, he gets to select and announce the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

He hinted he has something different in mind this year for that, but he and Cham ber executive direc tor, Teri-Lynn MacKie, were tight-lipped about details.

“We’ll have to leave it for Thursday night,” said MacKie, who expects a good turnout.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

“We are very excited to hold it and celebrate our local businesses,” she said.

Rotarians learned that 98.2 per cent of all businesses in Can ada have less than 100 employees with the Lloydminster Cham ber on par with 97.6 per cent of members having under 100 employees.

“So, small business is the backbone of our economy,” said Herbus.

He also noted Cham ber membership is at an all-time high which bodes well for the city’s economy.

“We’re just seeing phenomenal things,” said Herbus.

“We’ve gone through some tough economic times, but the way Lloy dminster citizens and businesses have been supporting each other and shopping local is just phenomenal.”

Herbus went on to say he’s never seen the chamber network across Canada stronger than it is now, including the local chapter with its pro-business advocacy.

He noted progress is

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Jody Herbus, president of the Lloydminster Chamber of Com merce, spoke to the Rotary Club of Lloydminster on Mon day about this year’s Business Excellence Awards being held Thursday night at the WLS Convention Centre.

being made on an issue to remove the bi-pro vincial trade barrier from the federal Safe Food for Canadians Act and Regulations that splits Lloydminster in half.

The Chamber recom mends all food busi nesses operating in the City of Lloydminster be considered as operating in one provincial juris diction or granted min isterial exemption from

inter-provincial licens ing requirements.

“The Chamber has been making really good headway having some conversations and some informal agreements that we can’t discuss right now,” said Herbus.

“We’ve actually got some informal agree ments to move forward —how we remove this barrier quicker rather than going through all the red tape.”

Thursday, October

2022

Viewpoint

Have your voice heard!

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We welcome letters to the editor. Letters should be 500 words or less. A name and daytime phone number is required for verification. Priority will be given to letters exclusively written for the Meridian Source. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, spelling, grammar, punctuation and libel. Unsigned letters will not be published. Use of pseudonyms will only be allowed in special circumstances, at the discretion of the editor and the publisher, and only if the author’s identity is known to the editor. Publication of a letter does not imply endorsement by the Meridian Source. Send to taylor@meridiansource.ca

Paul Richer, chair of the Lloydminster and District Health Advisory Council, is asking residents to sign and mail individual letters to Alberta and Saskatchewan Health Ministers, noted in this form let ter he provided.

Please email Richer (pricherucgplans@gmail.com) for your copies of the letter.

October 20, 2022

Hon. Everett Hindley Hon. Jason Copping

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Minister of Health- Alberta. Seniors and Rural and Remote Health. 423 Legislative Building, Rm. 208, Legislative Building, 2405 Legislative Drive, 10800- 97 Avenue, Regina, Sask. S4S OB3 Edmonton, AB. T5K 2B6 Minister.rrhe@gov.sk.ca Health.minister@gov.ab.ca

Dear Honourable Ministers;

RE: Formal Request to Commission Renewal of – 2013 Lloydminster Integrated Health Services and Facility Infrastructure Needs Assessment.

As a citizen of this Central Health Region and positioned between two Health Authorities, it has been brought to my attention several gaps in Health Services due to our location as compared to all other Cit ies our size in either Province.

The Lloydminster Region is deserving of investments by each Province to catch up with deficiencies and shortages because of our strategic central location to two major centers- Edmonton and Saskatoon.

In order for each Health Authority to plan properly, I ask that the 2013 Lloydminster Integrated Health Services and Facility Infrastructure Needs Assessment be replaced as soon as possible. Our planning doc uments require a higher frequency of updates due to our growth rates and the need for clearer under standing of this Regions’ data and infrastructure needs between your (our) two Health Jurisdictions.

Please identify your response to the Lloydminster & District Health Advisory Council and the Bi-Provin cial Health Services Committee so they may communicate your findings to the public in our area.

Respectfully Submitted, I await;

(YOUR NAME HERE)

Through the reader’s lens ...

Left: Mike From Canmore Submitted to the Meridian Source

Right: John Van Cleemput Submitted to the Meridian Source

Thank you, Mike and John, for sharing some more great photos with us! If you would like to see your photos in the paper, please email them to taylor@meridiansource.ca

Opinion

Leeway from Lloyd: Can the Leafs win the cup?

STAFF WRITER GEOFF LEE

The National Hockey League season is under way and with it the usual slew of pundits predicting which player will be the MVP and more importantly which team will win the Stan ley Cup.

When it comes to the cup, I have selective hearing and latched on to the Toronto Maple Leafs for another ride when one of the TSN panellists picked my guys.

The odds should get better every year, given the last time the team hoisted Stanley was 1967 when I was in Grade 13 in Ontario! This is the 55th season since they won!

To put time into per spective, 1967 was Can ada’s centennial year! That’s a ridiculously

long time for one of the top sports franchises in the world to come up with goose eggs.

Anyway, other socalled TSN experts picked the Calgary Flames, the Edmon ton Oilers, the Caro lina Hurricanes and the defending champions, the Colorado Avalanche.

The Leafs are in a tough division, but if they get by their divi sion for a change who knows, they could win it all. My fingers and toes are crossed.

So many things have to go right including star players not getting injured, and having a goalie that can stand on his head along with some luck.

As for the Oilers, I am going with Calgary to knock them out of con tention but not advanc ing much further.

The Avalanche won’t repeat simply because winning is tough and

they don’t have the same roster this year.

My realistic pick is the Canes who defeat the Leafs and go on to win the cup. I hop ing by saying that I am using reverse psychol ogy and the whole thing flip-flops with the Leafs going the distance.

I don’t need to see any more highlights from 1967 from Maple Leaf Gardens.

What I am looking for is a video of the Stan ley Cup down Yonge St. with yours truly wav ing from the sidewalk. Given the high cost of airfare, I might have to Photoshop myself into the scene if it happens for real.

While I wait, maybe Netflix or Crave will come up with some alternative reality show where the Leafs won the cup for 55 seasons in a row.

Popcorn is ready for binging.

Educating youth on teepee traditions

File Photo

Geoff Lee Meridian Source

Clint Chocan, FMNI (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) consultant for LPSD teaches students at Jack Kemp Community School how to build a teepee and what the 13 main poles mean to Indigenous people. The exercise took place at six different elementary schools last week.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

The Meridian Source Calendar of Events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.

Playschool Pre-registration

Southridge Play school & Kindergym has opened up their registration for the fall 2022-2023 classes. They offer one day a week for three-yearolds and one or two days a week for four and five-year-olds. They have also quali fied for the Affordabil ity Grant! For more information please call Mrs. P at 780-8729523.

Bring Your Own Vinyl Nights

Have some old records lying around? The 4th Meridian Brewing Company, located at Unit 6 2626 50 Ave., is hosting

Bring Your Own Vinyl nights every Tuesday during regular busi ness hours, 4-9 p.m.

Bingo at the Moose

The Moose Lodge, located at 5213-57 Street, Lloydminster, hosts bingo nights every Monday and

Passport to YLL

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

Wednesday. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. The Moose also hosts crib tournaments every second Sunday of the month. Start time is 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is $12.

Square Dancing Introduction

An intro to square dancing will be held at the Bioclean Aquatic Centre from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays from Oct. 5 to May

31, 2023. Walk to the beat of music by fol lowing simple intruc tions from the caller. The first evening is free! Visit us online at squaredancelloyd.ca for details.

North Bend Musical Jamboree

The North Bend Musical Jamboree is held every second Sun day of each month from 1-4 p.m. Dancers and musicians are welcome. Go North of Hwy 3 on RR3262 for 4km. Cof fee and treats available.

Diabetes Education Saskatchewan Health Authority is hosting diabetes edu cation classes at Prai rie North Health Cen tre conference room # 2 on Oct. 20 from 12:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. To register, call 306820-4887.

Spades Tournament

The Legacy Centre is hosting a Spades tour nament on Oct. 20. Play begins at 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is available for $12. Everyone wel comes! Contact the Legacy office at 780875-4584 for more details.

Jamboree/Dance

The Legacy Cen tre is hosting a jam boree/dance on Oct. 21. Doors open and dancin’ at 5 p.m., sup per will be served at 6 p.m. then the jam begins. All interested musicians are asked to call Bonnie at 780808-4034, for all other inquiries, call the Leg acy office at 780-8754584. Admission is

$15/person at the door. All members and guests welcome.

Family Dessert Bingo

The Lloydminster Girl Guides are hosting a family dessert bingo night at the Moose Lodge, 5213 57 St. Lloydminster, on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. The event will include a silent auction, concession, raffles, a 50/50 draw, and bingo games win desserts! The event is also acting as a fund raiser to help the local non-profit take roughly 30 youth on a trip in the summer of 2023.

Cribbage Tournament

The Moose Lodge in Lloydminster will be hosting a cribbage tournament on Sun day, Oct. 23. Regis tration is from 9-9:45 a.m. and play starts at 10 a.m. Enter as a team or as a single player. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is avail able for $14. 12 games guaranteed.

Marwayne Fall Supper

This year’s annual Marwayne Fall Supper is being held on Oct. 23 and will include a ham and turkey sup per. More details to follow.

Cribbage Doubles Tourney

The Legacy Centre is hosting a cribbage doubles tournament on Oct. 27. Play begins at 10 a.m. The cost to play is $10 and lunch is available for $12. Everyone welcomes! Contact the Legacy

office at 780-875-4584 for more details.

Kitscoty Fall Supper

Kitscoty Community United Church Fall Supper is being held on Nov. 6 at the Kitscoty Hall from 4:30-7 p.m. Come out and enjoy a turkey supper. Adults$17, 6-12 years- $8, under 6- free.

Legacy Christmas Trip

Sign up now! The Legacy Centre is host ing its “3-day Christ mas trip” from Nov. 18-20 this year. The trip includes two din ner threatre produc tions (Rosebud & Stage West), the Spruce meadows Interna tional Christmas Mar ket, 3-day transporta tion by bus, two nights hotel accomodations and two breakfasts, plus a group supper. A $200/person deposit must be made to get your name on the list. Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.

Christmas Cribbage Tourney

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

If you have some thing you’d like to see in our community cal endar, please email the listing to taylor@ meridiansource.ca with Passport to YLL in the subject line.

Lancers game for school sports

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Some players on the Lancers boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams at Bishop Lloyd Middle School are heading to the city championships this Saturday know ing winning isn’t every thing.

That point was voiced during some interviews with players during this year’s Saskatchewan School Sport Week in advance of the playoffs to be held at College Park School on Oct. 22.

For players like Daryl Levitsky on the girls’ team, school sports mean the world.

“You go out there, have fun, leave it on the court. It’s a great way to have fun, communicate, meet new people get out of your shell a little,” she said in the school gym.

Levitsky is also hop ing the Lancers can do well against teams from the public and Catho lic school divisions and Onion Lake First Nation

having won the districts last year.

“I’m getting really hyped. It’s going to be a good, good team, good sportsmanship. It’s going to be a great way to end the volleyball season,” said Levitsky.

“I’d say we got a good chance, probably three and a half out of four. I think we can do it,” she said.

Jory Wagner on the boys’ team is also opti mistic about going into the city championships.

“We’ve got a really good chance of win ning,” said Wagner.

He also plays badmin ton and for him, school sports are a great way to interact with friends and improve your game skills and social skills.

“It’s a great way to meet other people,” he said, noting he also gets to travel with the volley ball team.

“It’s fun meeting other teams.”

Phys-ed teacher and volleyball coach Brad Holfeld also chimed

in about the value of school sports with vol leyball, cross county running in full swing and basketball to start in November.

Holfeld thinks school sports are a huge part of the learning experi ence for his Grades 7-9 students.

“It gets them active and helps them to stay within the school and gives them something to strive for and not just being an academic stu dent,” he said.

“It keeps their brains focused on different tasks at hand.”

His aim in the gym is to teach kids the basics and also learn about winning and losing with the school’s A volleyball team being more com petitive than the B.

“It’s about being a teammate and learning the processes of sports,” he said.

He says sports aren’t necessarily just about participation.

Geoff Lee Meridian Source Bishop Lloyd Lancers boys and girls volleyball teams are gearing up for city-wide champion ships this Saturday at College Park School following Saskatchewan School Sports Week. From left: players Jory Wagner, Konlon Topp, coach Brad Holfeld, Daryl Levitsky and Lindsay Randall.

MLA Young takes students to school

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

What is the role of

an MLA? How do pro vincial politics work? What role does an MLA

play at the federal level? What is your favourite part of your job? Those were some of the ques tions answered by Lloy dminster MLA Colleen Young during a recent talk with the Eco9 class at E.S. Laird Middle School.

Designed as a yearlong ‘learn-by-doing’ program with a big focus on outdoor edu cation, Eco9 students get the credits they need to graduate while taking a more handson approach in the classroom.

With that in mind, teachers Shaun Don ald and Erin Claxton thought students could learn a thing or two about the Canadian gov ernment from Young, who spoke about how she got into politics, her role in politics, and the important role leader ship plays in politics.

“I’m here today to visit with the Eco9 class at E.S. Laird Middle School and we’re going

to have a chat about some of the things they’re learning about government,” said Young. “I’ll share with them my experiences, how I got elected, what government does, those kinds of things.

“I’m hoping we can have a great interactive conversation and I’m hoping they can share with me the things they’ve learned.”

Young noted the class was also recently vis ited by Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty and had a great chat with him.

Another important point Young wanted to drive home to students was the fact no mat ter the level, leadership plays a pivotal role in politics.

“I’m hoping to inspire them to know that no matter where they are in their lives, they can be leaders, even if it’s in a minor way. I just want them to know we’re all

FROM PAGE 13

“I enjoy watching the kids succeed and when they learn new skills and see the look on their faces when they’ve finally done it or when you win that championship and the time you’ve put in is a rewarding factor,” said Holfeld.

The Grade 9 athletes can also participate at the provincials in events like county country and track and field.

When he was a schoolboy, Holfeld played volleyball, bas ketball, badminton and

leaders in some way,” she said. “There might even be some future politicians in the room.

“Leadership is when people take an interest in politics. Most people don’t, and most young people don’t, so if they have an interest in it and want to step up and be leaders in their communities in the future, I’m here to help support them in that.”

For teachers like Donald, having guest speakers, including local politicians com ing into the classroom, provides students with a learning experience they normally wouldn’t

some track.

These days, aside from teaching and coaching school sports, he also refs local hockey games.

His passion for sports is shared by studentathlete Konlon Topp.

“I love volleyball. It’s been my main sport for a couple of years now,” he said.

“It’s been really com petitive and it’s been really fun and I’m enjoying the school season a lot.”

Topp also thinks the boys’ Lancers have a good shot to claim the

get in a regular class room setting.

“We do this every year, but this is our first time having an MLA here,” he said. “We usually go talk to the director of the school division and the mayor of the city, and have been doing that for six years, and this year we decided to invite our MLA.

“So far this year we’ve already talked to the director of the school division as well as the mayor, and we’re hop ing to attend a meet ing of city council in the future.”

CONTINUED

championships.

“We have a very good team this year, lots of talent,” he said.

This year Lindsay Randall is playing girls’ volleyball after play ing basketball and bad minton a year ago, and she loves all the school sports.

“It means a lot to me. It’s really good for social interaction with other friends, espe cially Grade 7 and 8s,” said Randall.

“It’s really nice to get out and get active and meet other people from other schools as well.”

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Mother Teresa students enjoy self-prepped meal

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

It was all-hands-ondeck at Mother Teresa Early Childhood Learn ing Centre as Grade 1 students helped prepare a Thanksgiving feast prior to the long week end.

They’ve been a part of the whole process, which is really awesome because they get that handson learning experience.

The feast was enjoyed on Oct. 7 and students had a hand in the pro cess right from the getgo.

“On Wednesday they helped us make buns, they made placemats, they came in with some parent volunteers and were peeling and cutting carrots and potatoes,” said Madisyn Schille, a Grade 1 student teacher

FROM PAGE 14

Prior to the presen tation, Eco9 student Ciara Harrison said she couldn’t wait to meet MLA Young and learn more about her as a person.

“It’s interesting to learn how everything, including government, works,” she said. “I’m hoping to learn a lit tle bit more about Col leen’s job. I think she’s been doing a good job for Lloyd.”

from the U of S.

“They helped today with the cooking through stirring and putting stuff in the pots, and they came in and set their placements.”

“They’ve been a part of the whole process, which is really awe some because they get that hands-on learning experience.”

Schille went on to explain students talked about eating turkey all week prior to the feast, but they were also excited about being able to help prepare the meal.

“They’re getting those hands-on skills and they’re also getting set up for the future,” she said.

“They’re counting carrots and potatoes, so there’s still those academics involved with it, but they get to develop those social and emotions pieces of school, which are also important.”

The students’ home made placemats included what each child was thankful for

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source Grade 1 students Marc and Harrison ham it up at Mother Teresa Early Childhood Learning Centre on Oct. 7 prior to enjoying a Thanksgiving feast at the school. The holiday feast was extra special as students helped prepare everything.

that year, and some of the answers left Schille pleasently surprised.

Grade 1 student Marc said he was thankful for God because “He’s so important, and if you’re in Heaven, you can enjoy having joy there.”

His classmate Harri son said he was thankful for his school “because it’s important to learn stuff, and learn all about God, and Daryn said she was thankful for her cat.

“Some of their responses were really

awesome; they’re thankful for their fam ily and friends, so they really understand the idea of Thanksgiv ing. Lots of them were thankful for school and their teachers, and I think it’s awesome

they’re communicating that in their writing.”

All supplies were donated by students’ families, and parent volunteers were also invited to feast to help out with the rest of the prep work.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Donald is hoping students walked away from the experience with a better under standing of the role of an MLA and how gov ernment works.

“I hope they get an idea of what the Gov ernment of Saskatch ewan does and how they might be able to get involved if there’s something they’re not enjoying, find frustrat ing, or don’t under stand.”

Kids to giggle with The Wiggles

GEOFF LEE WRITER

Lloydminster preschoolers and their parents, get ready to Wiggle and giggle.

The popular Wiggles children’s entertain ment group from Aus tralia is performing at Vic Juba Community Theatre on Oct. 20 for one night only start ing at 6:30 p.m. dur ing their Canadian Big Show Tour.

The Wiggles are excited to introduce the new Yellow Wiggle, Tsehay Hawkins.

Hawkins replaces Emma Watkins, who retired last year and is both the youngest (16 years old) and first black Wiggle in the group’s 30-year history.

Hawkins will be joined by Caterina Wig gle and John Wiggle, from the Fruit Salad

Lloydminster.

“We’re so excited to be coming back to per form in Canada! The Wiggles Big Show is so much fun, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it,” said Blue Wiggle found ing member, Anthony Field.

“You’ll hear all the classic songs you love plus new ones like ‘Hey Tsehay!’”

Canadian fans will also get to see Lachy (Purple Wiggle) and Simon (Red Wiggle) singing and dancing their way into Lloyd minster with all their Wiggly Friends.

The familiar crew includes Captain Feath ersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octo pus and their newest Wiggly Friend; Shirley Shawn the Unicorn.

tures a variety of dance styles and per formances, and we’re bringing all our Wiggly friends too,” said Field.

“Children will see and hear drums, key boards, banjos, guitars, bagpipes and lots of singing. We hope to see you there.”

Tickets are $45 and are available via the Vic Juba Community The atre Box Office.

In 2021, The Wig gles dubbed the world’s most popular children’s entertainment group, celebrated 30 years of educating, entertain ing and enriching the lives of millions of preschoolers (and their parents) all over the globe.

Today, generations of fans who grew up watching share their love of The Wiggles with their own children.

Citizen science invites owl spotters

Researchers note owls are extremely sen sitive to disturbance, so take great care when looking for them and

try to keep as much distance as possible between you and the owl.

There are some excel

lent guidelines online to reduce your impact on birds.

The project will run through 2023.

Eagle eyes wanted for spotting owls. Saskatchewan resi dents are invited to use a form provided by the University of Regina to report their sighting of a great horned owl.

It’s called citizen sci ence, deployed by the U of R and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (RSM), which are con tinuing their research on these owls.

“We have had more than 500 responses and reports of owls in 298 townships across the province,” said RSM curator of vertebrate zoology Ryan Fisher

“These reports come from as far north as Prince Albert, to as far south as the U.S. bor der, and sites along the Alberta and Manitoba borders. Many of these owl reports are in farm yards and in cities.”

Based on the pub lic reports, Fisher said they are looking to fill in gaps in western Sas katchewan - between the Great Sand Hills and North Battleford - and areas northeast

and south of Regina. One component of the research is also focused on owls in southwestern Saskatchewan.

These reports come from as far north as Prince Albert, to as far south as the U.S. border, and sites along the Alberta and Manitoba borders. Many of these owl reports are in farmyards and in cities.

“In this area, we caught and attached transmitters to 10 owls,” Fisher said.

“These transmit ters are essentially like having the owls carry around cell phones so we can track their move ments 24 hours a dayseven days a week.”

Contrary to what they thought, the owls are spending a lot of time on the ground, but also making use of human structures like power poles and old buildings

for their nightly hunt ing activities.

They also found these owls ranging as far as three kilometres from their nest to hunt.

Great horned owls are one of the most common owls in Sas katchewan.

Historically, these birds were limited to treed valleys and small aspen forests in the agricultural region of the province.

“Our research is focused on under standing where owls have recently expanded their range in the agri cultural region of the province and what fea tures of the landscape have allowed them to be so successful,” explained Fisher.

The citizen science element is having peo ple share and contrib ute to data monitoring and collection.

Basically, if you see a great horned owl, they want to know.

This research will be continuing for another year and the team wel comes people to keep participating in the owl study.

Nominations open for 2022 Sask volunteer medal

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

The deadline for nom inations for the 2022 Saskatchewan Volun teer Medal has been extended to Nov. 19.

“Outstanding volun teers are a trademark of our province,” Lieu tenant Governor Russ Mirasty said. “I encour age everyone to nomi nate an exceptional vol

unteer for the Saskatch ewan Volunteer Medal. Please help us recog nize the generosity and positive impact of the individuals who devote their time to improving the lives of others in our province.”

The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal was established in 1995 as a means to formally rec ognize the selfless devo

tion of the province’s volunteers, and as a way to encourage vol unteerism by present ing role models to Sas katchewan citizens.

To nominate an out standing volunteer, or to learn more, visit www.saskatchewan.ca/ government/heritagehonours-and-awards/ saskatchewan-volun teer-medal.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

It’s all in our perspective

Unused or unwanted chains,

Pre-1968 silver coins, rolls, bags

GOLD GOLD SILVER SILVER

boxes, Royal Can. Mint sets, silver bars.

Autumn has always been my favourite sea son. I love the rich pal ette of colours, the crisp freshness of the air, the clamour of geese honking their way over the hori zon, and the mellow glow of sunrise. Oddly enough, this special time of year also makes me think fondly of manure.

PAYING HIGHEST PRICES

For those of you who’ve read my col umns in the past, you might know why I say that. For others, I’ll sound like a complete nut. I don’t blame you, but allow me to explain.

For many years I worked as a truck driver. I hauled a bit of crude oil, some con tainers filled with goods bound for CN Rail, and a whole bunch of cow manure when I worked for Bull dog Corral Cleaning.

For me, fall was the best time to be out in a stubble field with a load of muck.

There was always something new to see. Perhaps it was a bald eagle posing at the tip of a tree or a ragged line of geese against a golden sky.

Maybe it was the gentle eyes of whitetail deer staring at me before leaping into the shelter of a bush. There were always sights to enjoy.

Sure, the smell wasn’t so hot, but I’m a rancher’s daugh ter. It was no big deal. Sometimes it was even a bonus. When I’d pop into the grocery store after work to pick up

milk, people would fall over themselves to show me respect (or revulsion).

I’d sweep down an aisle with my cart, and folks would rear back in alarm as I passed, leap ing from my path to allow me safe passage through the area. And I was always urged to take a spot first in line.

It was a bit like being royalty—well, kind of— in a revolting sort of way.

Thinking back to those days makes me happy. Sure every day wasn’t filled with the fun and frivolity of playing in cow dung. It was bloody hard work.

By November, snow was on the ground, and frost was in the air.

The twine used to hold bales of cow feed secure, would get wrapped around the “beater” at the back of the truck and freeze solid.

Slashing it off with a banana knife at the end of the day in warm weather was bad enough, but when wads of it were frozen in place with manure—it was absolutely horrible.

Then, my boss

insisted that the trucks be kept clean. That’s all well and good, but using a high-pressure hose to blast several pounds of manure off a truck box, ain’t no pic nic, people.

Liquefied muck would plaster my glasses and run down my face and neck.

My hair would become a sodden, drip ping mass, and I’d be drenched, head to toe. It was ghastly. I can’t say I did it without loud and bitter com plaints, but I did it.

However, as I rattled down a country road today and watched the first rays of dawn light ing up the prairie land scape, I wasn’t think ing about the unpleas ant aspects of my pre vious job.

Instead, I remem bered rolling across a pasture in my truck and watching the sunrise glimmer ing through a bluff of golden poplar.

Granted, I might have been viewing it through a wall of flying cow manure, but what of it?

It’s all in our per spective.

PRAIRIE WOOL HELEN ROW TOEWS

Another chapter in Fort Pitt’s history

WHISPERS OF THE PAST SANDRA L. BROWN

With the signing of Treaty 6 at Fort Pitt, the Indigenous bands were made many promises by the Canadian gov ernment and its author ities. In return, they were to relinquish their rights to approximately 121,000 square miles of land.

These promises included an annual payment of $5 per per son, land reserves of up to one square mile for each family of five, assorted agricultural tools, and some live stock and medicine for each band on the reserve.

In the event of famine or pestilence, the gov ernment would provide aid and food rations.

During these pro ceedings, Big Bear remained skeptical as their present mode of nomadic living was being severely compro

mised and many things were being left unsaid by the government.

He did not trust their words and felt they were dishonest.

Various independent bands admired him for not signing, however, the numbers of the buf falo were dwindling by the 1870s.

Their means of sur vival were in jeopardy and buffalo hunters had to search farther out on the plains.

They used every part of the buffalo and left nothing to waste whereas sadly, many of the settlers hunted the herds merely for sport.

Despite the agreedupon famine aid, star vation hit hard. The government took advantage of this situ ation by luring more bands onto the reserves with offers of food.

Big Bear finally signed an adhesion (sacred agreement) to Treaty 6 in 1882 at Fort Walsh and returned to the Fort Pitt area in

1883. According to the Fort Pitt Historic Park booklet, the govern ment’s Indian Depart ment as it was called during this time in his tory, issued a drastic policy as an incentive to bring all the bands onto the reserves.

This policy basi cally stated if you don’t choose a reserve, food rations would be with held. Sadly, this had far-reaching conse quences as starvation increased.

Francis Dickens was commissioned to the North West Mounted Police in 1874. He was the son of Charles Dick ens, who was a famous English writer well known for his popu lar novella A Christmas Carol.

Inspector Francis had a reputation of encour aging hostility of the Indigenous towards the police which fur ther created the per fect storm in an already smouldering situation.

Mounting resentment

and frustration grew; Big Bear continued to unite the Plains tribes.

It is believed during this time they also had the support of Louis Riel who was a Metis leader at Duck Lake.

Complaints were pub licly voiced in 1884 at Fort Carleton against the government. Amaz ingly, despite every thing they had expe

rienced to this point, Big Bear did not advo cate for a violent upris ing but rather peace and working together on the land.

Other young men in his band including his war chief, Wandering Spirit grew restless and no longer wanted to negotiate.

It would have been heartbreaking to lose

your land and nomadic way of life.

Seeing the diminish ing buffalo herds, being scorned by new settlers and hearing question able promises for sur vival would have been devastating.

The resulting chap ter of the 1885 upris ings which followed is an interesting story.

Part 2 of 3.

File Photo

Local students receive conservation scholarships

Photo Courtesy of Bill Armstrong

Three area youth are each $1,000 richer as they were recently selected to receive the Lloydmin ster and District Fish and Game Association sponsored Conservation Scholarships. The scholar ship is set up to assist students who graduate in the membership area and go on to post-sec ondary education to prepare for careers in the environmental science field.

Pictured here are Kadyn Dudding of LCHS who is enrolled in general environmental sciences, Lakeland College, Vermilion campus, Landen Gallon of Maidstone who is enrolled in Environ mental sciences – wildlife and fisheries, Lakeland College, Vermilion campus, Ethan Warawa of Dewberry/Maidstone who is enrolled in a bachelor of science – biological science major at the University of Lethbridge, as well as scholarship chair Bill Armstrong.

It’s waste reduction week in Sask

Western Inc. )

Waste Reduction Week (Oct. 17-23) is a great time to think about the amount and type of waste you produce.

On average, only half of the material in gar bage bins belongs there. The rest can be diverted into other programs, such as recycling and composting.

“Saskatchewan offers one of the most robust suites of recycling pro grams in Canada,” said Environment Minister Dana Skoropad.

“We have made great progress on reducing our waste as a prov ince, and when waste is managed responsibly, it helps maintain the health and safety of our province.”

Residents of Sas katchewan have access to many recycling ser vices, including:

- Beverage containers (SARCAN)

- Agricultural plastics (CleanFarms)

- Household batteries (Call2Recycle, drop-off also available at SAR CAN depots)

- Electronics (Elec tronic Product Recy cling Association (EPRA))

- Household hazard ous waste (Product Care Association of Canada)

- Household paint and empty paint con tainers (Product Care, drop-off also available at SARCAN depots)

- Printed paper and packaging (MultiMaterial Stewardship

- Scrap tires (Tire Stewardship of Sas katchewan)

- Used oil and anti freeze (Saskatche wan Association for Resource Recovery Cor poration)

In addition to recy cling, there are small steps you can take to make a big difference, including starting a gar den compost to keep food waste out of land fills, donating items that you no longer need or reducing the amount of single-use items you purchase.

“The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Coun cil is pleased that the province has recog nized Waste Reduction Week,” Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Coun cil Executive Director Joanne Fedyk said. “We encourage everyone to use this week to focus on reducing waste, and to consider new ways to consume less in our homes, our work places and our commu nities. There are many resources, including our Waste Reduction Hub, to gather ideas from.”

Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan: The Next Decade of Growth 2020-30 envisions 1.4 million people living in the province by 2030. With this goal in mind, we need a strategic approach to manage our solid waste to ensure our landfills are not overwhelmed and the environment remains healthy and resilient.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

Sports

Never back down from a challenge

JAMIE HARKINS SPECIAL TO THE SOURCE

The Collins Cana dian English Diction ary defines resilience as recovering quickly from a shock.

There isn’t really a pinpoint of what we need to do individually. It’s how we should all do this season and collectively building up to that.

It is a word on the lips of all the Lakeland College King’s Energy Group Rustlers wom en’s hockey players as they enter their inau gural Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season.

Rustlers first-year centre Hailey Carothers is testament to how far

resilience can take you.

Carothers, 18, rose from playing midget B hockey for her home town Lac La Biche Clip pers two winters ago to placing second in goals scored for the Fort Saskatchewan Fury of the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHL) last year.

She rode that suc cess to a coveted spot on the Rustlers roster and placement in Uni versity Transfer stud ies at Lakeland College this fall.

“Our first game against them, (Rus tlers head coach Mor gan Mann) called out my name during warm ups,” said Caroth ers, about her initial recruitment to postsecondary sport.

“I went over to their bench and he said ‘how would you like to play college hockey.’ I said ‘I’ll think about it’ and went back to warm up.”

That initial call led to after-game meet ings between Mann and

Carothers whenever the clubs would meet and, finally, a commitment to play following the Rustlers defeat of the Fury in the first round of the AJFHL playoffs this past spring.

Carothers noted it was embracing the chal lenge of playing junior hockey that most likely contributed to her suc

cess. She said coming in from a disrupted sea son at midget B due to Covid restrictions and the eventual folding of her Lac La Biche team sparked a drive to keep playing and excel when ever given the chance.

“I just get tunnel vision,” she said about her view when on the ice. “I don’t even

remember half the time. I just play in the moment.”

A set line or wings haven’t material ized for the pivot dur ing preseason action. But, that seems to suit the shooter just fine as she carries the coach’s expectations into their first ACAC regular sea son contest against

the Red Deer College Queens at the Russ Robertson Arena this Friday evening.

“He just wants to see us all succeed,” said Carothers. “There isn’t really a pinpoint of what we need to do individu ally. It’s how we should all do this season and collectively building up to that.”

Local sports to cheer for this weekend ...

Lloydminster Bobcats

The Lloydmin ster Bobcats host the Brooks Bandits on Oct. 22 at the Centennial Civic Centre at 7 p.m. The ‘Cats then host the Blackfalds Bulldogs on Oct. 23 at 2:30 p.m.

Lakeland Rustlers Volleyball

The Lakeland Col lege women’s volley ball team hosts the NAIT Ooks at the Lake land Gym on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. before the men play at 8 p.m.

Lloydminster Bandits

The Lloydminster Jr. B Bandits host the Wainwright Bisons at the Centennial Civic Centre on Oct. 21 for a 7:30 p.m. game. They then host the Killam Wheat Kings on Oct. 29.

Inland Steel Bobcats

The Lloydmin ster Inland Steel U18 AAA Bobcats host the Edmonton Jr. Oilers Orange at the Centen nial Civic Centre on Oct. 22 for a 3:45 p.m. game.

Jamie Harkins Photo

Rookie centre Hailey Carothers will add a scorer’s touch to the Lakeland College King’s Energy Group Rustlers women’s hockey team this season.

Provinces oppose federal use of police resources

province, we don’t sup port those that impact law-abiding hunters, sport shooters, ranch ers, farmers and Indig enous people who use firearms for lawful and good reasons,” said

Christine Tell, Minister of Corrections, Polic ing and Public Safety for Saskatchewan, and Bronwyn Eyre, Min ister of Justice and Attorney General for Saskatchewan.

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

Alberta, Saskatche wan, Manitoba and New Brunswick called on the federal government to halt plans to use scarce RCMP and munici pal police resources to confiscate more than 100,000 legally acquired firearms from Canadians. The Prairie provinces had already written to their RCMP divisions indicating that provincial funding should not be used for this purpose.

The four provinces also called on the fed eral government to ensure that no funding for the Guns and Gang Violence Action Fund or other public safety initiatives be diverted to the federal firearms confiscation program. Instead, funding should be used to fight the criminal misuse of fire arms by tackling bor der integrity, smuggling and trafficking.

“Two years ago, the federal government said that using police resources would be ‘expensive and inef

ficient.’ Now the fed eral government has resorted to using police resources to seize fire arms from Canadians,” said Minister of Justice and Solicitor General for Alberta Tyler Shan dro. “Make no mistake, the federal firearms confiscation program will cost us billions and will not improve pub lic safety. Alberta’s gov ernment is not legally obligated to provide resources and will not do so.”

The provinces also called on the fed eral government to direct all communica tions related to the fed eral firearms confisca tion program through appropriate channels –provincial and territo rial ministers responsi ble for Justice and Pub lic Safety.

“While we fully sup port crime initiatives that focus on the issues related to the crimi nal use of illegal fire arms, preventing and combating gang vio lence and addressing the issue of illegal or smuggled guns in our

Church Directory

Careers

Construction investment up 87.1 per cent in Sask

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

On Monday, Statis

tics Canada released August 2022 invest ment in building con

struction numbers, showing Saskatch ewan with a signifi cant increase of 87.1 per cent compared to August 2021, ranking first among the prov inces in terms of per centage change.

The value of building

construction invest ment in August 2022 was $491 million.

In August 2022, Sas katchewan also ranked first among the prov inces in investment in non-residential con struction, at $111.4 million, up 34.3 per

cent compared to August 2021.

Month-over-month, Saskatchewan also saw a jump of 4.6 per cent compared to July 2022.

“Today’s strong Sta tistics Canada num bers are just another sign that our economy continues to grow,” said Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison.

“Our government is committed to growth that works for every one, and these num bers are further proof that we remain one of the best places in Can ada for businesses and workers.”

In the first eight months of 2022, investment in nonresidential construc tion was up by 31.2 per cent, compared to the same period in 2021,

placing Saskatchewan third among the prov inces in terms of per centage change.

Saskatchewan has seen strong growth in recent months in several key economic sectors.

In August 2022, the value of whole sale trade jumped by 73.7 per cent compared to August 2021 while manufacturing sales rose 28.9 per cent dur ing the same period.

Merchandise exports also increased by 54.7 per cent in August 2022 compared to August 2021, ranking first among the prov inces, and in Septem ber 2022, the prov ince’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1 per cent, the lowest among prov inces, and well below the national average of 5.2 per cent (season ally adjusted).

MERIDIAN SOURCE 306-825-5111 admin@meridiansource.ca

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HEALTH

COMING EVENTS

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

AGRICULTURE

Classifieds

MISCELLANEOUS

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FARM MACHINERY

ROCKY MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT HIRING: AG Equipment Techs, Heavy Equipment Techs - Journeyman, Apprentices, and CVIP/ Truck Techs. View Open Roles www. rockymtn.com/careers. Relocation and Signing Bonus Offered.

SERVICES

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

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca

LAND FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE BY TENDER

In Ogema, SK Lot 7, Block 16A, Plan FM3411. 303 Taylor Street Ogema, SK Tender close October 28, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

Highest, or any tender, will not necessarily be accepted

CRIMINAL RECORD?

Why suffer employ ment/licensing loss? Travel/business oppor tunities? Be embar rassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800347-2540. www. accesslegalmjf.com.

More Information Please Contact Town of Ogema 204 Main Street Ogema, Sask Phone: (306) 459-9000 Email: admin@ogema.ca

LAND FOR SALE

FARMLAND WANTED

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS

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

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

FOR SALE

AUCTIONS

FALL EQUIPMENT CONSIGNMENT ONLINE TIMED AUCTION, Black falds, Alberta. October 20-26 2022. Selling CARS, TRUCKS, RV’s, EQUIPMENT TRAILERS, SAWMILL, LUMBER, FARM EQUIPMENT, LESLIE SAYLER ESTATE (Inc. large quantity of Musical Instruments), TMG Industrial Equip ment, Collection of GScale Trains and Acces. & MORE. See www. montgomeryauctions. com; 1-800-371-6963.

FARM AUCTION for D&H Irwin. 3 Quarters Land including Home Quarter. EquipmentCase IH Tractor & Combine, Bobcat, Trail ers & more! Bidding closes October 30. Grasswoodauctions.com

FEED AND SEED

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

WANTED

WANTED SASQUATCH

SKULL - Also purchas ing SILVER & GOLD coins, bars, jewelry, scrap, nuggets, ster ling, 999+ BULLION, maple leafs, bulk silver, pre-1969 coins. Coin collector BUYING ENTIRE COIN COLLEC TIONS, old $ & Royal Canadian Mint coins. TODD 250-864-3521.

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS REQUIRED:

motor scrapers,

rock trucks. Lots of work all season.

Camp job; R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d.

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

GET BACK ON TRACK!

Bad credit? Bills?

Unemployed? Need Money? We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify.

Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420. www.pioneerwest.com.

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

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

WHITE SPRUCE TREES: 5’ average $50. Installation ONLY $19. Includes: hole augered, Wurzel Dip enzyme injection, bark mulch application, staking. Minimum order 20. One-time fuel charge: $125175. Crystal Springs. 403-820-0961. Quality guaranteed.

Got

WE BUY DAMAGED GRAIN HEATED... LIGHT BUGS... TOUGH MIXED GRAIN SPRING THRASHED WHEAT... OATS PEAS... BARLEY CANOLA... FLAX “ON FARM PICKUP” WESTCAN FEED & GRAIN 1-877-250-5252

Send

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

AGPRO SEEDS: BUYING HEATED, DAMAGED CANOLA. On farm pickup, prompt payment! TOP PRICES PAID IN SASK. Phone: 306-873-3006 or Visit AGPRO website for bids: agproseeds.com

taylor@meridiansource.ca

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- Thomas Bailey Aldrich

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