Moose Jaw Express, July 17th, 2024

Lynbrook Golf Club announces its upcoming Par 3 fundraiser tournament

Fore! The Lynbrook Golf Club is inviting amateur golfers to join the Ace the Hole Challenge on Saturday, July 27, as the club tees off for the second year of its largest annual fundraising tournament.

The upcoming challenge includes a breakfast buffet and supper, is limited to 36 teams, and — aside from generous prizes available to be won — proceeds will be used in the ongoing upgrade planned for hole three at the course.

The tournament offers an exceptional opportunity for amateur golfers over the age of 18 to have a little fun. The tournament also provides an “opportunity for large cash prizes if they’re lucky enough to get a hole in one,” added Bev Arnold, the Lynbrook ladies’ club captain.

The Par 3 tournament is only entering its second year, but Arnold said the prizes have increased in value and this year’s tournament will include a golf-based horse race event.

The unique twist of the Par 3 tournament is that scoring will be slightly modified so that all 18 holes at the Lynbrook Golf Course become Par 3.

All holes in one — including holes one through 18 but excluding hole seven — will receive a prize of $6,000 up to $25,000, and players who come closest to the pin will receive $200 per hole. The prize values for a hole in one will be clearly posted as per the difficulty of the course and hole seven will make the only exception, with a prize package valued at around $2,500 available to be won.

The event will also include a 50/50 draw and a post-tournament horse race with 20 spots available.

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The horse race takes place by 20 golfers playing a round with the highest scoring player dropping out on each separate hole. Once the group is narrowed down to only one player, that player is declared the winner.

Supper will follow and is included in the ticket price. The meal includes roast beef on a bun with an assortment of salads. The earlier breakfast buffet isn’t included in the ticket price and is available for $10.99.

“It’s an opportunity to have some fun, meet some new people, and make friends,” Arnold said. Plus, she added, it’s a “great way to spend a Saturday (and) we’re supposed to have great weather.”

Each team will be organized as a four-person team scramble. There are currently 23 teams registered for the tournament and 13 spots now remain open.

To register for the upcoming tourna-

ment, contact the club’s Pro Shop or stop by in person.

The Lynbrook Golf Club is located at 1525 Fourth Avenue Northwest and the Pro Shop can be reached at 306-692-2838. For more information, visit LynbrookGolf.org or follow ‘Lynbrook Golf Club’ on Facebook.

Registration for the tournament is now open and will close on Saturday, July 20.

Following plans to revitalize Moose Jaw’s mall and with a food court now fully booked after more than a decade, the mall’s new owners are announcing a summer event lineup that includes a return of the once popular circus to the Town ‘N’ Country Mall.

The mall’s new owners also plan to fill six move-in ready retail spaces by the end of this year.

“Our marketing team has been working very diligently on bringing new events and promoting them – more than ever,” explained Jennilee Novak, the mall’s assistant property manager.

This list of upcoming summer events includes a Summer Slam family day on July 20, a water-themed circus on Aug. 8, an outdoor concert on Aug. 17, and an indoor car show featuring the Next Gen Car Club on Aug. 10 and 11 to close the club’s 2024 season.

On Jan. 12, the Town ‘N’ Country Mall was purchased from the Toronto-based real estate firm Salthill Capital by B.C.-based Pioneer Thinking Capital Corporation (PTCC). For a glimpse into the mall’s future, an analogue PTCC success story is the newly revitalized Victoria Square Mall in Regina.

Now that the mall’s food court is fully stocked for the first time in approximately 15 years, the next step is to establish the mall as an ideal event venue – including a return of the once popular yearly circus.

Novak remembers her daughter being around five

Town ‘N’ Country

A stroll through the Town ‘N’ Country Mall’s empty food court suggests that the mall’s best days are well behind it – but there’s a new development that may turn its fortunes around.

The Coral Kitchen and Vege World have confirmed their plans to set up business at the mall and both are expected to open their doors later this summer with a date to be determined. With David’s Diner now open for business, the mall’s dining area should have all three available spaces filled by the fall.

Jennilee Novak, the mall’s assistant property manager, said she’s happy with the new development.

“It’s kind of huge,” she said. “It has been almost 15 years since we’ve had a full food court (at the mall).”

The Town ‘N’ Country Mall has been a popular hangout spot with a heyday during the 80s and 90s. It continues to serve as Moose Jaw’s primary mall despite a recent trend toward plaza-type developments including the adjacent Civic Centre Plaza.

On Jan. 12, the mall’s ownership was transferred to the Pioneer Thinking Capital Corporation. The new owners have invested time and energy into planning the mall’s future and the now-stocked food court is one early result of this.

“It seems like whenever you talk to the tenants and the community, they’ve been asking for a full food court,” Novak said. “This has been a long time coming, and I think it’s a huge step in the right direction for the mall and its new owners.”

The food court once featured Calico Junction, Tim Horton’s, and an A&W franchise location. Until recently, the last business, Calico Junction, closed its doors on April 25, 2020.

To carry on the mall’s legacy, the Coral Kitchen will now feature Nigerian cuisine as a complement to the nearby Coral Ethnic Market, and Vegge World will fill local marketplace void by specializing in vegetarian cuisine.

To glimpse into the mall’s future, Novak said to look at some of the work already done by Pioneer Thinking Capital Corporation. The revitalized Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Regina is its latest successful undertaking.

“They took (Victoria Square) and they turned it around into a destination shopping centre,” she explained. “That’s kind of our goal here – to take (Moose Jaw’s

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years old when the last circus toured through Moose Jaw, and she’ll be 14 when she attends this year. Jordan Meyers, the mall’s new marketing manager, said this year’s show will come with a twist.

“From what I’ve seen at the (circus company’s) paranormal circus, and from what I’m hearing about this (water) show, it’s like no other circus that you’ve seen,” he

explained.

“One of the highlights of the water circus is they have actual water elements tied in with every act… (including) fountain art and water shows,” he added. “I was told there might be a high dive… but I’m excited (to find out).”

On July 20, Summer Slam will feature family-friendly activities that include axe throwing, mini bowling, and Running Wild Rescue will even bring in some puppies to interact with.

Meyers said this is just the beginning.

“That’s just the tip of the iceberg,” he stated confidently. “It’ll take a little time, but the Town ‘N’ Country Mall is going to be the place to be in Moose Jaw.”

This summer lineup will take place in tandem with a slow return of retailers to the mall.

“We’re trying to kick it up into high gear for some leasing opportunities,” Novak confirmed.

So far, she said there’s a new business setting up shop beside Dollarama and there’s another deal in the works –but further details remain confidential for now.

“When we bring in tenants, we want to have that local connection,” Novak explained.

“We’re not just focused solely on corporate this, corporate that; this is, ‘What else can we do with the mall?’ The sky’s the limit,” she said. “We want to make this the mall it used to be.”

The Town ‘N’ Country Mall is located at 1235 Main Street North and is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

To contact the mall’s administration, call 306-6931711. If you’re interested in acquiring a space at the mall, Novak can be reached at 306-693-3419.

mall), turn it around, and make it a destination again.

“Everybody likes food, and everybody likes variety in their food,” Novak said. “And that’s one of the most successful businesses in Moose Jaw. Because we have so many people coming through, everybody’s looking for food… I think we’re going to have great success with our new full food court.”

Even as shopping malls are on the decline nationally, Novak said she’s optimistic about the Town ‘N’ Country Mall’s future.

“(The Pioneer Thinking Capital Corporation want’s) to invest in the community’s future, and they really want to push the fact that we’re here,” Novak continued. “We’re offering space to the community, and we’re here for the community.

“Shopping centres aren’t what they used to be, but we’re trying to adapt and create an even better environment for the community,” she announced.

These plans include several events to be announced this summer, and the revived food court is only the first step.

The Town ‘N’ Country Mall is located at 1235 Main Street North and is open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from

The Town ‘N’ Country Mall has been under PTTC ownership since Jan. 12. Photo by: Aaron Walker The Town ‘N’ Country Mall’s food court is fully booked

the first

around 15 years. Photo by: Aaron Walker

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Guests and vendors share their experiences at this year’s Sidewalk Days event

Moose Jaw’s downtown was the scene of bustling activity, including the familiar sights, smells, and sounds of the yearly Sidewalk Days festival as thousands of visitors packed the streets from July 4 to 6.

The traditional festival helps showcase a few highlights of what Moose Jaw has to offer, including some of the best in local talent, cuisine, and small businesses of every description.

Treena Redman and her friend Caroline Nixon visited Sidewalk Days from Leader, Sask., and the ladies shared a few of their experiences while Redman was receiving a Henna tattoo. They said their hometown has a yearly analogue event but nothing to this scale.

“We’re loving it,” Redman said about Sidewalk Days. “I’ve been to a couple just for an afternoon, but never for the whole three days.”

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This all changed this year when the duo decided it would make an exceptional girl’s weekend event.

The ladies easily agreed on the best part of the outing, which Redman said was “the unique vendors… and (the) neat experience trying different things.”

Doug and Maxine Holoien came across the yearly street festival by chance after visiting Moose Jaw from Melfort, Sask. to attend the 60th anniversary celebration of a friend. They were also former Moose Jaw residents for 25 years and previously ran the Mulberry Estates for four of those years.

“It’s a nice event,” Doug said. “I remember when we lived here, we always looked forward to being (at Sidewalk Days) on the weekend.”

The couple agreed about a few of the major draws to the yearly festival.

“It’s just nice to be down in this atmosphere… There’s a lot of great events (going on as well),” he said.

Maxine added that she loves “to see all the people that are taking part in it and all the vendors,” and said it’s “awesome” to experience so much community spirit firsthand.

Presley Fredrickson works as a cashier with Cranberry Consignments, and this was her second year attending Sidewalk Days as a downtown vendor.

“I feel like it’s a little busier this year

just because I think there’s more vendors… compared to last year,” she said. “The volume of people I think is pretty much the same – just more spread out.”

This year saw 249 confirmed vendors, which Jacki L’Heureux-Mason with Tourism Moose Jaw said was well above the previous record of 210 vendors.

Fredrickson said the consignment shop has seen good business during Sidewalk Days, which she credited a few additional event-only discounts for and viewed this year’s street festival as a success.

Devin Milligan, the owner of Devos Dogs, and employee Avery Surtees were in attendance as one of several popular food vendors.

“(This year’s Sidewalk Days event) has been really good,” Milligan confirmed. “The weather’s been good, and the public has been great to support local businesses.”

Milligan said this summer marks his sixth year attending the festival and felt the event was “a little bit slower” this year than in his previous experience but said “it seems to be going very well” regardless.

An official count has not yet been verified, but the Sidewalk Days organizers are tentatively estimating attendance to be in the ballpark of 22,000 visitors.

CITY OF MOOSE JAW HAS SCHEDULED A PUBLIC MEETING FOR: Monday, July 29, 2024 Moose Jaw Events Centre, 2nd Floor 6:00 p.m.

At the July 8, 2024 meeting of City Council, the following motion was passed:

“THAT a public meeting be held with City Administration, City Police, City Council, MLA’s and the public to discuss shelters, addiction services and safety in the City of Moose Jaw.”

The purpose of the public meeting is to invite voters’ comments regarding shelters, addiction services, and safety in the City of Moose Jaw.

City of Moose Jaw voters wishing to have their voice heard during the upcoming meeting can register to speak by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at cclerk@moosejaw.ca or (306) 694-4426.

Maxine (left) and Doug (right) Holoien visited Moose Jaw’s Sidewalk Days from Melfort, Sask. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Presley Fredrickson works as a cashier with Cranberry Consignments and viewed this year’s festival was a success.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

Avery Surtees (left) and Devos Dogs owner Devin Milligan (right) served hungry guests during Sidewalk Days.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

JOAN RITCHIEMoose Jaw Express

EDITOR

Editor’s Note

I will unabashedly admit that I am a summer-lovin’ girl!

“I was made for sunny days.” –author unknown

What is it about summer that makes us feel so much more alive?

There’s something about going barefoot or in sandals that’s so liberating. The toes can breathe and kiss the dirt beneath its feet at the same time they reach upward toward the skies. I feel so violated when I again must squeeze those tender tootsies into a pair of shoes once the weather chills off.

“If you’re not barefoot, then you’re overdressed.” – author unknown

There’s something about paring down the layers to soak up the delicious sun licking the skin as it bathes us in its warm glow. Without the sun, life is a dreary gray-tinged world; nothing thrives.

“It was June, and the world smelled of roses. The sunshine was like powdered gold over the grassy hillside.” - Maud Hart Lovelace

There’s something about summer that makes hearts sing to the music. I am sure that almost everyone cranks up the volume in the summer when listening to their favourite tunes. Summer feeds my happy heart and there’s nothing better than listening to the oldies blaring. My memories fade back to when I was a kid when those songs filled my summer days with happy go-lucky lyrics.

Even now I recognize the oldies’ voices that set the soundtrack of my summers.

“Your voice was the soundtrack of my summer.” – author unknown

There’s something about summer to enjoy late evenings around a campfire with family and good friends. The burning embers in the fire seem to mesmerize us as we behold each other in glistening flickers of light.

“Oh, the summer night, has a smile of light, and she sits on a sapphire throne.” – Bryan Procter

We gaze upward and behold the majestic firmament above dancing with northern lights. We wish those summer nights would never end.

“The summer night is like a perfection of thought.” –Wallace Stevens

There’s something about summer and nothing better than a kiss in the evening moonlight to make the heart sing.

“Everything good, everything magical, happens between the months of June and August.” - Jenny Han

There’s something about summer food that pleases the palate in its simplicity. Good food is only a barbecue away!

There’s something about going out to the garden to pick fresh produce to grace a table with nature’s deliciousness.

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” – Audrey Hepburn

All I can say is…there’s just something about summer! “Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows.” – Helen Keller

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Send your letters to the editor to: joan@moosejawexpress.com

All columns, letters to the editor and editorials are solely the personal opinions of the writers themselves and not necessarily the opinions of The Moose Jaw Express. The contents of this publication are the property of the Moose Jaw Express. Reproduction of any of the contents of this publication, including, but without limiting the generality of the following: photographs, artwork and graphic designs, is strictly prohibited.

There shall be no reproduction without the express written consent of the publisher. All ads in the Moose Jaw Express are published in good faith without verification. The Moose Jaw Express reserves the right to refuse, classify, revise or censor any ads for any reason in its sole discretion. This paper may include inaccuracies or errors.

The Moose Jaw Express does not under any circumstances accept responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of any ads or messages in any of the publications editions. The Moose Jaw Express specifically disclaims all and any liability to advertisers and readers of any kind for loss or damage of any nature what-so-ever and however arising, whether due to inaccuracy, error, omission or any other cause.

All users are advised to check ad and message details carefully before entering into any agreement of any kind and before disclosing personal information. If in doubt, please take legal advice.

Phone: 306.694.1322 Fax: 888.241.5291 468 High St. W., Moose Jaw SK S6H 1T3 www.mjvexpress.com

Publisher: Robert Ritchie - rob@mjvexpress.com

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Thank you to all the contributing writers, without your time and support, the paper would not look the same. Send your stories, events and pictures to: joan@moosejawexpress.com

Editor: Joan Ritchie

Reporters: Aaron Walker Fox Klein April Meersman

Vanier grad earns one of six Conexus Credit Union youth leadership awards

To recognize the positive impact made by aspiring young leaders, the Conexus Credit Union has awarded six $4,000 Youth Leadership Awards to deserving high school graduates from across the province on July 9.

Jeniffer Gahaya graduated from Vanier Collegiate on June 26 and was selected from a pool of around 65 applicants.

“Conexus is interested in rewarding leadership at a young age because these young community leaders are a key ingredient in building a thriving Saskatchewan,” announced Celina Philpot, CEO of the Conexus Credit Union.

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Jeniffer Gahaya recently graduated from Vanier Collegiate and earned one of six Conexus Youth Leadership Awards this summer. Photo by: Submitted photo.

The Conexus Credit Union provides these awards to graduating high school students from across the province. Qualifying students will have made a positive impact in their community through leadership initiatives and volunteerism.

“I think what really impressed us with Jeniffer was… that sense of self-awareness and empathy that came through,” explained Peter Mayne, the Conexus Credit Union’s vice president of strategy.

When Gahaya and her family left the Democratic Republic of Congo for Moose Jaw they were strangers in a new home. In her application essay she wrote about the struggle to find a sense of belonging and said she found her place once she started getting involved in her school.

After studying English to help her father communicate better, she quickly added a volunteer role as an interpreter at the Church of God where she attends regular services.

“She sees that as an opportunity to help others feel welcomed and loved in a country they’re foreign to,” Mayne said. “She really stands out for her integrity, positivity, maturity, and sense of humility… (she is) one of those people who serves and helps others without needing to be the centre of attention.

“It was pretty easy for us to see that she was a deserv-

Regular Contributors: Jason Antonio Randy Palmer Joyce Walter Ron Walter John Kreutzwieser Patricia Hanbidge MLA North Tim McLeod Richard Dowson Nick Kossovan

ing winner,” he added.

Gahaya plans to attend the University of Lethbridge in the fall and then the University of Toronto to study law. She hopes to one day serve as a Justice with the Supreme Court of Canada.

One of Gahaya’s first Supreme Court goals came from a TED Talk where a Michigan student was able to have a bill approved granting students time off when they struggle with mental health.

“I would love to just have that approved for all the other students in Canada, so they can… understand that it’s okay to take a day off and take a break when they’re struggling,” she said.

Conexus is a Saskatchewan-based credit union committed to the financial well-being of its members. Conexus’ stated purpose is to champion every member’s success to create a thriving province and the member-owned cooperative has served the community for more than 80 years.

“I would just love to thank the Conexus Credit Union and every other organization that does scholarship programs (to help) young people understand that there’s help out there and that they can achieve their dreams,” Gahaya said appreciatively.

She also gave a special thanks to Christa Lapointe, who was her high school basketball coach and career councillor at Vanier.

“It really is inspiring to see people at such a young age developing leadership and volunteering skills that are so important to who we are as a province,” Mayne said.

“This province was built as was the credit union system –on the notion of people helping people.”

To learn more about the program and the six winners, visit Conexus.ca and search for “youth leadership awards.”

City reminding residents of new 30km/h speed limit in Safe Routes to School project update

Drivers will have to lay off the gas in school zones this summer as the City of Moose Jaw continues to move its speed limits from 40 down to 30 kilometres per hour to enhance residents’ safety – and to catch up with the rest of the province in the Safe Routes to School project.

At a July 11 press conference, representatives of SGI, the City of Moose Jaw, and the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) delivered a reminder for residents as the project officially reached its half-way mark.

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Effective Monday Sept. 2, at 11:59 p.m., the new speed limit of 30 km/h will be enforced at all marked school zones in Moose Jaw following a grace period now in effect. The date was chosen to coincide with the reopening of schools in the fall.

Meanwhile, the new speed limits will technically come into effect immediately after these signs are posted. Eight of the 11 school zones are now completed, and the city hopes to see all signage completed by early August.

The new time window is 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., contrasting with the previous range of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and some out of province municipalities that run until as late as 9 p.m. daily.

The Safe Routes to School project is part of the amended traffic bylaw adopted by the city during its June 24 council meeting. The purpose is “To improve safety within our school zones and to create uniformity with the provincial standard set by all other Saskatchewan municipalities…,” according to an official statement.

“We were told by SGI and by SUMA that we (Moose Jaw) were the last municipality in this province to move from 40 kilometres an hour to 30 kilometres an hour in school… and playground zones,” Mayor Clive Tolley

said in his address.

Mayor Tolley said he was reminded about the reason for the change on his way to attend the morning’s press conference.

“When I walked in here (the Kinsmen Sportsplex) this morning, I parked across the street, and I used the crosswalk. I had to avoid a vehicle that was going about 50 kilometres an hour in what is now a 40 zone…”

Tolley said statistics give firm evidence that there are less serious injuries caused during an accident at 30 km/h as compared to 40 km/h – and less accidents in general.

“It’s.. all about… protecting our children,” he said. “Anybody who’s out walking or enjoying the outdoors… would (also) appreciate traffic moving a little bit slower around schools and playgrounds.”

He also pointed to the city’s Get A Life campaign, which states that anyone can get to their in-town destination in five to 15 minutes.

To this end, Hayley Hart-Rushinko, the city’s acting manager of communications, said Coun. Logan timed his commute from Sunningdale to city hall and found the change added only nine seconds overall.

Bourassa reiterated that drivers who continue to follow the previous 40-kilometre rule in these zones will be given a warning until the grace period has concluded.

“People may get pulled over and be warned by police officers for speeds above 40 kilometres per hour in those zones,” he confirmed. “We know how hard it is to change habits. People have been driving down these roads at these speeds for years and years, and we know it’s going to take people time to adjust to that.”

To learn more about the Safe Routes to School project, visit MooseJaw.ca/Streets-Roads.

SGI, the City of Moose Jaw, and the Moose Jaw Police Service remind residents of the new 30 km/h speed zones at the Kinsmen Sportsplex on July 11. Photo by: Aaron Walker

One resident is transforming a bad day and broken tree into a new wood carving

One Moose Jaw resident is making the most of a bad day this summer. After Janine Rivard returned home from an outof-town trip during a windy spell in June, she discovered one of her backyard trees had been heavily damaged. Although she couldn’t save the tree, she refused to let it ruin the day.

To turn the situation around and make proverbial lemonade out of the lemons she was handed, Rivard reached out on Facebook and met local artisan Dustin Stearns.

“We had to take (the tree) down, and I thought, ‘You know what? Let’s see if we can find a carver,’” Rivard explained. As of July 9th, Stearns’ masterpiece is around one third finished.

Stearns is the sculptor who carved the mid-flight Red Tail Hawk in front of the Moose Jaw Public Library back in 2021, and further examples of his work include tiki sculptures in Moose Jaw’s Wakamow Valley. He’s also available for hire on private projects such as this.

Rivard is retired and spends her free time quilting, sewing, and working on pottery. While away on a retreat learning about the ins-and-outs of dying fabric with botanical elements, Moose Jaw experienced a few days of intense wind in early June.

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Although most of her property wasn’t damaged in the wind, a prominent tree in her backyard was severely damaged and couldn’t be saved.

“When I got home, my husband said, ‘Gee, we have to do something about this tree,’” she recalled.

“You know, when you take a tree down it’s not the end of it,” she said. “You have to get the stump removed and all kinds of (hoopla) happens, so I just decided that I’d rather hire an artist to make

something beautiful out of it.”

The tree is now taking the shape of two separate hawks with their wings spread as though soaring through the yard.

To utilize the Y-shaped tree trunk, one hawk will be perched on each branch and the base will be stylized as Stearns sees fit.

“I was really impressed with Dustin (Stearns) choosing to do two hawks,” she added in a nod to her husband, “because… hawks mate for life.”

The Rivards, who have only been Moose Jaw residents for the past three years, said the support they’ve received from the community when reaching out for a local artisan was strongly positive.

“I’m very impressed with this young man,” Rivard said. “When we’re finished, we’re going to try and do a reveal party with cookies and lemonade.”

Due to a busy schedule, Stearns isn’t able to complete the carving in just a couple visits. The end date for the project will depend on his availability in the weeks to come.

Once completed, the Rivards will announce further details on the planned party for friends, family, and anyone else interested in making the most out of negative situations they may encounter in their own backyards.

To contact Stearns for custom work or for a free estimate, call or text 306-6306820.

Stearns chose the final shape based on his years of experience, and Rivard said she was pleased to learn that hawks are symbolic for good luck – which she now hopes to stock up on.

Rhonda Haukaas

Ross Lundgren

Dave Foley

Chris Hill

Rivard’s damaged tree before the wood carving work began. Photo by: Janine Rivard

Dustin Stearns (pictured) works on sculpting Rivard’s damaged tree on day two of the project. Photo by: Janine Rivard

From The Kitchen

By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

No matter the name, our berry is a tasty summer treat

That purple berry that once grew prolifically in pastures and along the side of grid roads is known in other parts of the continent by various names.

Those names include serviceberry, maycherry, juneberry, shadbush, shadblossom, pigeonberry, pembina plum, sugar pear, lance wood, bill berry, Canadian medlar and rocky mountain blueberry.

Back here at home we are content to talk about our love for saskatoon berries and seniors always have stories to tell about their exploits in the pastures where maybe they didn’t have the owner’s permission to fill their buckets with wild prairie saskatoons.

And of course there’s the stories from youngsters who claimed, “no I didn’t eat any berries” when the purple lips told a different story.

This week’s recipes using saskatoon berries come from the World of Baking Cookbook.

SASKATOON BERRY CHIFFON PIE

9 inch pie shell, baked

1 1/2 envelopes unflavoured gelatin

1/4 cup cold water

4 large eggs, separated

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. grated lemon rind

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 pints fresh saskatoon berries

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 cup heavy cream

Soften the gelatin in the cold water.

In a small saucepan, combine the egg yolks, lemon juice and rind and 1/2 cup of the sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and coats the back of a metal spoon.

Remove from heat and add the softened gelatin. Stir to blend and dissolve the gelatin.

Whirl the berries in a blender until pureed. This should make 1 cup of puree.

Stir into the gelatin mixture and mix gently but thoroughly. Chill until mixture just mounds slightly.

Beat the egg whites with the salt until soft peaks form.

Add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar gradually and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whip the cream.

Fold the egg whites into the gelatin mixture and then add the whipped cream.

Turn into the baked pie shell and chill until firm. If desired, top with whipped cream and ripe saskatoon berries.

Note: blueberries may be substituted for saskatoons.

• • •

SASKATOON LOAF

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 3/4 cups milk

2 large eggs

1 tsp. salt

5 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 tbsps. baking powder

2 cups fresh saskatoon berries

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Combine sugar, butter, milk and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed just until well blended.

Sift together the dry ingredients. Add the berries and pecans and carefully stir them through the dry ingredients.

Stir the berry mixture into the sugar and butter mixture just until the dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened.

Pour into two well-buttered loaf pans and let stand 15-20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake for 1 hour or until browned and done. Test centres with a toothpick to ensure loaves are cooked.

Note: blueberries may be substituted for saskatoons.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel. net

Mosaic’s Wakamow Valley food farm is looking for additional volunteers this summer

With the growing season now in full swing, organizers of the Mosaic Community Food Farm in Wakamow are extending an open invitation for green-thumbed volunteers to help maintain the garden this summer to ensure a bountiful harvest this fall.

Staff are available onsite Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and volunteers are welcome to stop by at any time during these hours.

“We’re asking the public if they’ve

Notice of Amalgamation

Partnering to Serve You Better

The Moose Jaw Co-op Board and Management would like to thank you for supporting your local Co-op. We are excited to provide you, our Members, the information you need to be informed about the proposed retail partnership between Grassroots Co-operative Limited and Moose Jaw Co-op. If You’re a Member, You’re an Owner In 2023, Grassroots Co-operative Limited and Moose Jaw Co-op together allocated $8.5 million in equity and cash-back to our Members. This partnership will allow us to build on our strong history of Member Equity and Cash-Back Programs for Members of both Co-ops.

MOOSE JAW CO-OP MEMBER MEETING

DATE: Wednesday, July 31, 2024

TIME: Registration 6:30 pm; Call to Order 7:00 pm

LOCATION: Grant Hall Hotel, 401 Main St N., Moose Jaw,

got some time on their hands to come in and lend a hand on the food farm,” announced Donna MacQuarrie-Bye, the Wakamow Valley Authority’s general manager.

The goal of the Mosaic Community Food Farm is to grow healthy, local food that will nourish the community who supports it. The crop selection considers local growing conditions, the length of the growing season, and gardeners utilize best practices to minimize pest and other issues.

The garden spans one acre and, with the assistance of an experienced farm co-ordinator, harvests approximately 4,000 pounds of vegetables each season for the Moose Jaw and District Food Bank, Hunger in Moose Jaw, Multicultural Council, and the Riverside Mission.

MacQuarrie-Bye said she’s looking for an assortment of roles including weeding, harvesting, watering, and more, and all volunteers will be organized by Allison Taylor, the food farm co-ordinator, and her assistant.

more hands are required to keep the food farm in peak shape.

The community garden is also announcing two open volunteering days this month, with one taking place July 17 and the other scheduled for July 31. During these days, anyone is welcome to drop by the food farm with no scheduling required and introduce themselves to Taylor.

The organization is currently looking for at least six additional helpers, and MacQuarrie-Bye said anywhere from eight to 12 people are typically available to help.

“There’s always enough work for everybody to do,” she said. “If we can get a handful of people, say six, that would be terrific.”

No experience or extensive background in agriculture is required to volunteer, and MacQuarrie-Bye said a few helpers with horticultural knowledge would be greatly appreciated as the food farm’s orchard “could use a little TLC”.

“(Volunteering with the Food Farm) gives an opportunity to connect with the environment, build new relationships, and give back to the community,” MacQuarrie-Bye added. The experience, she said, is naturally fulfilling for mind, body, and soul.

Volunteer opportunities are open for individuals, businesses, non-profit organizations, and school groups.

For more information or to volunteer, you can contact the Wakamow Valley Authority office at 306-692-2717 or by email at Wakamow.Events@sasktel.net. You can also visit the garden’s website at Wakamow.ca/Mosaic-Community-Food-Farm.

1. The By-laws of The Moose Jaw Co-operative Association Limited, based on the positive vote for the amalgamation, be and are hereby approved, confirmed and adopted.

2. The Amalgamation Agreement, effective the 2nd day of February, 2025 between Grassroots Co-operative Limited and The Moose Jaw Co-operative Association Limited and providing for the terms and conditions of their Amalgamation and their continuance as one Co-operative under The Co-operatives Act of the Province of Saskatchewan, be and is hereby approved, confirmed and adopted.

3. The Directors and Officers of The Moose Jaw Co-operative Association Limited, be and are hereby authorized and directed to do such acts and things and execute such documents as may be necessary and desirable to implement the said Amalgamation.

“It’s predominantly a lot of weeding,” MacQuarrie-Bye noted, further explaining that the garden spans a large area and

The Mosaic Community Food Farm is located in Wellesley Park just off Bank Street.

MOOSE JAW NORTH

CHEANTELLE FISHER

MOOSE JAW WAKAMOW

MELISSA PATTERSON

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

The Mosaic Community Food Farm is located in Wellesley Park just off Bank Street. Photo by: Aaron Walker

RICK MCKEOWN

With over 36 years of Experience in our Industry

Since 2008

With over 36 years of experience in our industry, Rick welcomes all past and future friends & clients to see him for all your promotional requirements!

RICK MCKEOWN

Cell: 306-631-1629

Email: Rick@saskpromo.com

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Contact Rick for all your Promotional • Print • Signage Needs 468 High Street West • 306-694-1322

• Under Armour

• Sun Ice

• Adidas

• Puma

Was this no-fly pair a sole mistake?

Heading for the shorts drawer, the examination revealed none of the other three boxers had a fly.

Now I am left with pulling my pants down, or cutting a hole for a fly, and hoping the fabric doesn’t deteriorate from successive washing

The whole shorts experience got me wondering when men started to wear under garments and why.

• North Face

• Callaway

• Cutter & Buck and more... Embellished in house

Brand name boxers missing access element TRADING THOUGHTS

snapped up.

The Adidas shorts were down the aisle and I looked the package over carefully. Seemed like a nice fit and another bargain.

CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lanyards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes,ToteBags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,Retractable Banners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys,Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroidery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars, VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs,CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lanyards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes, Bags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,RetractableBanners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys,Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroi dery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars,VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs,CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lan yards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes,ToteBags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,RetractableBanners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys, Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroidery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars,VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs, CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lanyards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes,ToteBags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,Retractable Banners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys,Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroidery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars, VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs,CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lanyards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes, ToteBags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,RetractableBanners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys,Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroi dery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars,VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs,CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lan yards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes,ToteBags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,RetractableBanners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys, Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroidery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars,VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs, CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lanyards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes,ToteBags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,Retractable Banners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys,Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroidery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars, VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs,CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lanyards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes, ToteBags,TableCloths,TradeshowTents,RetractableBanners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys,Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroi dery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars,VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,Mugs,CustomApparel,Pens,Signs,Banners,KeyTags,Lan yards,WaterBottles,FlashLights,CustomBoxes,ToteBags,Table

I bought them. Adidas is a well-known, highly rated quality brand name, even though it is best known for footwear.

Cloths,TradeshowTents,RetractableBanners,Hats,Notepads,FannyPacks,DogToys, Sunglasses,Magnets,HeatTransfers,Toques,Embroidery,Daytimers,Backpacks,GolfBalls,Calendars,VehicleDecalsandWraps,PromotionalItems,

The next day I decided to wear my new Adidas boxers.

In time, nature called and I headed for the bathroom. Fumbling around there was no fly in these boxers. Had I stupidly put them on backwards?

Nope. No fly on the back side.

The call of nature was getting more urgent, so I partially undressed to do the duty.

A little research came up with the following fun facts.

The purpose of men’s underwear is to prevent chafing from clothes and to prevent soiling of outer garments.

The global market for men’s underwear was $8 billion in 2014 and by 2020 had reached $12 billion with designs of new stylish skivvies.

The oldest known pair of men briefs dates back to 5,000 BC and was a leather-cloth loin guard wrapped around the waist. Presumably it protected sensitive parts of the body from thorns, bushes, poison ivy and insects.

The Egyptian pharaohs and their subjects wore briefs.

King Tutankhamun’s tomb had 145 pair. They were quality made with 200 threads compared with 50 threads for common folk.

In the Middle Ages, a calf length brief called a braie

was popular.

By

In the 1800s, makers designed underwear with buttons or flaps in front for easier access.

Realizing Adidas is a German company one wonders if the Germans are still in the Middle Ages shorts-wise. The jock strap was invented in 1874 to stop chafing when cycling.

And in the 1800s, professional boxers began wearing loose fitting longer legged shorts, giving today’s boxer shorts their name.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Ron Walter For Moose Jaw Express

Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners Notes

MJPS and RCMP to create task group to address serious crimes in region

Moose Jaw police have been providing information to their area RCMP counterparts for years, but a new working group will make it easier for them to address serious crimes jointly.

Discussions about forming a small joint task force began several months ago after Rhonda Blackmore, the commanding officer for F Division in Saskatchewan, contacted police Chief Rick Bourassa in Moose Jaw to gauge his interest.

The chief wholeheartedly endorsed the idea and — with other senior leadership — began working to support the formation of this group, which will attempt to address the issues of guns, gangs and drugs throughout the area.

“For us, this is (still) in its infancy. There has been a six-member RCMP team in the region working, and we

Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

have been working with them and providing information on serious crimes … ,” Bourassa said during the July 10 board of police commissioners’ meeting.

Police leadership is now attempting to identify two members who can join the RCMP officers while working with RCMP leadership to determine where this eight-person unit will be based. Bourassa thought basing the team at police headquarters made more sense since the building has more resources that would benefit the group.

“We expect our members to be joining in August,” he remarked.

This unit will be helpful since integrated police responses are valuable for solving crimes, while each party will bring knowledge and information about their areas that can be combined, the chief said. The police service

may benefit slightly more from the RCMP’s knowledge and information because it will help the agency handle serious crimes in the city.

“So the timing on this is really, really good,” he added.

The Moose Jaw Police Service has always had a great relationship with not just other police agencies in the province but also the RCMP, Bourassa said. Moreover, he works closely with Blackmore, while this joint task force is something that’s been needed for a while and is finally here.

“I wish it would have happened earlier, but I’m happy it’s happening now,” he continued. “And we’ll report back on how it’s going as we start to get moving … .

“It is going to be a very, very fruitful partnership.”

Moose Jaw businesses team up with police to address theft of shopping carts

The shopping cart has become a useful transportation method for low-income residents and would-be thieves, but police have begun working with retailers to ensure the four-wheelers can be easily retrieved.

Police have noticed an uptick in abandoned shopping carts throughout the community, whether on streets, in parks, the river or in alleys, Sgt. Ryan Lawrence said during the July 10 board of police commissioners’ meeting.

After recovering these push-trolleys, officers are finding stolen property like copper wire, alcohol, bike parts, bottles, knives, weapons and garbage.

Since shopping carts become stolen property after people remove them from a store’s property, the strategic services unit has created a new initiative to deter people from taking the merchandise carriers, Lawrence said.

Officers have spoken with all businesses that use shopping carts about the initiative and have convinced them to sign a document saying they do not lend or give out their carts for purposes other than shopping, he continued. This eliminates any excuses people may have about why they possess a cart away from the store.

“So it gives us the authority with the document to seize the shopping cart. And we have agreements with the store owners, where they’ll come and get them, or the

Crimes against people and property declined for a sixth straight month in June, and while police leadership isn’t calling this a trend, it is pleased that fewer crimes are happening.

The Moose Jaw Police Service presented the June crime statistics during the board of police commissioners’ recent July meeting, which showed that total crimes against the person had declined 7.5 per cent year over year and total crimes against property had dropped 24.6 per cent year over year.

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

Commissionaires if it’s after hours … ,” Lawrence said.

One business owner told police that people had taken nearly 60 shopping carts from his property, while replacing them is expensive since each costs $250 — or roughly $15,000 in total.

Besides recovering and returning this property to businesses, police can also prevent people from using the devices to transport stolen goods acquired through petty thefts, said Lawrence. Furthermore, recovering the carts enhances safety, as police have begun receiving reports of carts pushed into the middle of Thatcher Drive.

The sergeant added that people can use wagons to transport their property but cannot take businesses’ property to do the same.

Chief Rick Bourassa explained that the agency subscribes to the “broken windows theory,” which argues that visible signs of crime, anti-social behaviour and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.

“If we deal with those small little things, we can actually have a pretty good impact on crime reduction. If we don’t deal with the small things, they will grow up into big things,” he said, noting the elimination of graffiti also helps reduce crime.

Commissioner Clive Tolley recalled seeing some

Jason G. Antonio - Moose JawToday.com

“We’re not going to say trends because we always look at long-term; however, as the year proceeds, we’re continuing to see lower reported crimes than we saw last year … ,” said Chief Rick Bourassa.

The agency will have a better idea of long-term crime rates in Moose Jaw once Statistics Canada releases its annual crime severity index (CSI) data sometime in July, he continued. This will also allow Moose Jaw to compare itself to other jurisdictions in Canada.

Crimes against people

Year-to-date — Jan. 1 to June 30 — numbers for crimes against the person for 2024 versus 2023 show:

• Homicide: 0 / 0

• Attempted murder: 0 / 0

• Assaults (sexual, common, with weapons, aggravated, against police): 180 / 213

• Robbery: 7 / 7

• Total: 273 / 295

Of note, there have been four incidents of assaults against police YTD compared to 14 during the same period last year, a drop of 71.4 per cent, the data shows. This category — similar to most others — has declined since January.

“I’m pretty happy to see that (tracking down). I don’t like seeing that our members are assaulted. And often that’s spitting and things like that … ,” said Bourassa.

“I don’t know if that means anything long-term, but we’ll keep an eye on it,” he continued. “But it is good to know our members aren’t being placed in even more harm’s way than they should be by people who are combative.”

Crimes against property

Year-to-date numbers for crimes against property for 2024 versus 2023 show:

• Break-ins (business, residence, other): 119/ 141

• Motor vehicle thefts: 32 / 24

• Thefts over $5,000: 9 / 21

shopping carts at the new SARCAN Depot on Highland Road and thought they would become a more familiar sight, especially since the people who use them don’t return them to their rightful home.

Tolley added that it could be beneficial for the police to create a relationship with SARCAN to address this issue.

Some retailers send their employees with trucks to pick up the carts wherever they’ve been left, and while many are frustrated with the situation, they are pleased with the new initiative, said Lawrence.

Meanwhile, police have spoken with the Crown prosecutor about actions they can take against people in possession of carts, he continued. While warnings or charges can be warranted, the goal is to change people’s behaviour and stop them from taking the devices.

The public sometimes believes that police always lay charges for everything, but that’s incorrect since laying charges is one of the last things officers do, said Bourassa. Instead, the agency prefers — if possible — to give warnings or see people sent through alternative measures, which focuses more on restitution and changing behaviour.

“We just won’t want it to get unmanageable, so we’re trying to get it at the start here,” agreed Lawrence.

• Thefts under $5,000: 372/ 562

• Arson: 0 / 0

• Mischief/property damage under $5,000: 124/ 150

• Total: 859 / 1,139

Other violations

Other violations include:

• Impaired driving: 44 / 52

• Failing to comply with court orders: 437 / 180

• Threats: 7 / 26

• Domestic disputes: 33 / 32

• Provincial liquor infractions: 72 / 67

• Vehicle collisions over $1,000: 147 / 101

• Summary offence tickets: 1,069 / 1,075

• Drugs (cocaine, marijuana, meth, other): 17 / 21

The data also showed that year to date, Moose Jaw police received 10,029 calls for service compared to 9,684 during the same period in 2023, a jump of 3.6 per cent.

Crime is a small part of what the MJPS handles and investigates, while as the service calls show, the organization deals with more non-crime incidents, said Bourassa. The data shows that calls for service are tracking to be higher this year than at any time in the past.

“That is generally dealing with disruptions in the community, (of) people struggling to cope and us providing the assistance,” he continued. “Our police and crisis teams (PACT) work with other agencies. (It is) very, very fundamentally important that we deal with those situations, or they can become criminal situations.”

This decline in crime figures is significant, especially since that data shows a general drop during the past 20 years, the chief said. While there may be “little bumps and things,” numbers are down in Moose Jaw and across Canada.

What police are now seeing is that some economic crimes are migrating online and victimizing people in that way, whereas criminals used to steal cheques or raid cash registers, he added.

Moose Jaw Board of Police Commissioners Notes

Over 75% of residents satisfied with MJPS’s efforts, new survey shows

A new survey shows that over three-quarters of residents are satisfied with the level of service the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) provides, which is a slight decrease from a similar questionnaire in 2019.

The University of Regina’s Department of Justice Studies conducted a community perceptions survey last fall. Researchers contacted 327 residents and asked them more than 40 questions about the MJPS.

Based on the 2021 Statistics Canada census, that number represented about 10 percent of the population, and it was considered a suitable sample size that could be projected onto the general population.

Dr. Nicholas Jones presented the survey’s findings during the July 10 board of police commissioners’ meeting and pointed out that there was a “modest overall decrease” in the general perceptions of the MJPS, which was due to national and international events occurring around 2021.

Specifically, every major public institution — including police agencies — “took a real hit” in popularity beginning in 2020 because of situations like the coronavirus pandemic and the George Floyd incident. While public perceptions of police have rebounded in some locations, in others, the public ratings have not returned to pre-pandemic levels and may never do so, Jones said. The department would have conducted a new survey for the MJPS in 2021 but advised the agency that it wasn’t a good time to pursue it.

Jones added that “in hindsight, it was unfortunate” that the university didn’t conduct a survey then because while it would have shown a major decrease from 2019, there would have been a significant rebound two years later.

Survey results

The survey results showed:

• 72.4 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that officers are visible; that number was the same in 2019

• 79.4 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that that visibility remained constant from 2022 to 2023; the

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

response in 2019 was 81.5 per cent

• 77.7 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that the agency demonstrates professionalism; that number was 82.4 per cent in 2019

• 78 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that the MJPS has integrity and honesty; this number was 85.3 per cent in 2019

• 83.6 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that they had trust and confidence in calling 911; the response in 2019 was 87.8 per cent

• 71.8 per cent agreed or strongly agreed that officers understand the community’s issues; that number was 71.9 per cent in 2019

• 74.3 per cent said the overall quality of service the MJPS provided was very good or excellent, compared to 81.9 per cent in 2019.

• 76 per cent of respondents ranked their overall satisfaction with the MJPS as satisfied or very satisfied; that number was 81.3 per cent in 2019

Meanwhile, respondents’ top three policing priorities were reducing organized/gang-related crimes like drug trafficking, reducing property crime, and addressing impaired driving. In comparison, the second and third priorities were reversed in 2019.

Also, 66.3 per cent of people said they would pay an extra $2 per month in taxes to help the MJPS confront these challenges. This was slightly lower than in 2019.

Contact with police

Meanwhile, 38.9 per cent of residents had contact with police last year, compared to 43.5 per cent in 2019, the report showed. Of note, residents over 55 had more contact than younger people, while those who have lived here less than 30 years reported more contact with members.

Also, 54.8 per cent initiated contact with police last year compared to 60 per cent in 2019.

Victimization

The survey found that 73.7 per cent of respondents

— 241 people — had never been a victim in the past two years, while 16.2 per cent were victims and reported their situations to police while 7.3 per cent of victims never called police.

The main reasons people didn’t report were that they didn’t consider it important (34.3 per cent), lacked confidence in police (28.6 per cent), or thought the property had minor value (20 per cent).

Meanwhile, 56 per cent of people thought the police response was either very good or excellent, compared to 64.7 per cent five years ago.

Also, 32.8 per cent of respondents called 911 or police in 2023 — older adults called more than younger people — and 74.1 per cent reported positively that they received “sufficient information” from the agency. In comparison, in 2019, those numbers were 35.4 per cent and roughly 80 per cent.

Crime and fear

Residents’ perceptions of safety in their communities have decreased across Canada since 2019, especially after the lockdowns occurred, Jones said.

In Moose Jaw, 55.1 per cent of respondents said the community was safe or very safe, with 1.8 per cent saying it was very unsafe. In 2019, those numbers were 59.7 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively.

However, 46.3 per cent of people said crime had increased in their neighbourhood throughout 2023, which was a 4.2-per-cent increase over 2019. Also, 52.1 per cent said crime had stayed the same, compared to 54.3 per cent in 2019.

Nearly 70 per cent of respondents reported feeling reasonably safe or very safe walking along in their neighbourhoods at night, compared to 69.4 per cent in 2019. However, 6.8 per cent said they felt very unsafe, compared to 5.9 per cent five years ago.

Furthermore, 22.6 per cent said crime prevented them from doing things they liked to do, a jump of three per cent from 2019.

New radar trailer to give MJPS better data about problem traffic areas

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) has purchased a solar-powered traffic trailer, which will provide the agency with more information and data about traffic flows and motorists’ speeds in an area.

Chief Rick Bourassa explained during the July 10 board of police commissioners’ meeting that he and city manager Maryse Carmichael have been discussing traffic concerns because both organizations have received many complaints from people about specific locations throughout the community.

“We will be working with the city on identifying the locations that are getting the most complaints and then gather the data,” he said.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) funded the trailer, while the police service purchased the device because it wanted to identify locations where pedestrian corridors may be required or where it needs to focus more on monitoring speeds, the chief continued. However, the agency needs hard data before it can suggest changes to certain areas or make requests to provincial authorities.

SGI is prepared to fund further traffic safety enhancements if the police service can provide it with information.

“That, of course, is part of our community safety strategy as well because traffic safety is a critical part of community safety, and that’s where most people are at risk is driving on the roads,” Bourassa said, adding the

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agency had a similar trailer years ago, but it couldn’t provide data like this new one.

Anti-trespassing project

Sixty businesses have joined the police service’s Moose Jaw Trespass Prevention Program (MJTPP), although some participants are from outside the downtown trial area, said Sgt. Ryan Lawrence, the project lead. The agency plans to expand the program throughout the city because there has been a slowdown in the number of downtown businesses signing up.

The MJPS has created and distributed a poster about trespassing that gives homeowners and business owners information about how they can protect their properties, he continued. The agency made the document as simple as possible to understand while making as few changes as possible to what the law says about protecting property.

“It was received pretty well. What we’re going to do is send it again just as a reminder that we have this mechanism for the business community, but … homeowners already have this (protection) put in place without us having to have a special program … ,” Lawrence said.

The sergeant acknowledged that more labour and staff hours have gone into the MJTPP than originally expected, but that’s OK because officers have been able to meet with business owners and learn more about what’s happening there or in other locations.

“It’s information gathering as well as problem-solv-

ing, so it takes a little longer, but it’s good communication while we’re out there,” Lawrence added. “So yeah, it’s going well, and it will be interesting to see — once we open up to the city — how many of those (applications) start coming in.”

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

CITY HALL

COUNCIL NOTES

COUNCIL

Riverside Mission will leave Moose Jaw and withdraw all services if city council or the Good Neighbours Group attempts to delay the charity’s proposed construction project, its executive director says.

Joe Miller with Souls Harbour Rescue Mission (SHRM), which oversees Riverside Mission, was one of four people to speak during the July 8 council meeting about the location of the charity’s new home at 212 and 218 River Street West.

Miller defended the project, while the three others wanted it built somewhere else.

Riverside Mission

“What I want to share is not a threat, but a very high probability. At this point, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has invested over $500,000 into the new facility,” Miller said. “If the project is further delayed, there exists a strong possibility that we will withdraw services for the community.”

SHRM would cancel the project, while Riverside Mission would stop serving meals and offering shelter space, he continued. SHRM would demolish the more than 100-year-old Manitoba Street location, sell that land and the project’s proposed site to recoup costs, and move to a more welcoming community.

Miller addressed some “misinformation” about the project, even though the charity delivered flyers about it to every Moose Jaw household.

He explained that the original vision was to construct a new $7 million building with 30 housing units for addiction programming. However, that was a pre-pandemic cost, and that money isn’t available today.

“We have stripped the project down to the core of hu-

Riverside Mission could leave Moose Jaw if city delays building project, director says

Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

manitarian (efforts) of food, shelter (and) clothing. There will be no addiction component to this build,” he said.

The project will inject $4 million into the economy, local tradesmen will be given priority, a community artist will paint a mural, two full-time jobs will be created, and the venue will feed, shelter and clothe people, not just the homeless, but immigrants, the working poor and seniors, Miller said.

“To not proceed (with the project) sends an ominous message to not just Moose Jaw but other communities in Saskatchewan as well. Maybe even a message that says The Friendly City is so friendly,” he stated.

Council approved this project in December 2020, so this discussion against it should be over because costs will increase if delays happen, the executive director said.

Relocating the project is not an option either, considering the Mission has served the downtown for decades, Miller added. Those efforts have seen the Chamber of Commerce and police service recognize the charity with awards for being an outstanding community member.

Good Neighbours Group

Carolyn Ross with the Good Neighbours Group (GNG) summarized the four meetings held since last December that attempted to address downtown safety. However, one common theme was residents’ concerns “were falling on deaf ears.”

Ross questioned what the city had done since then to address safety, considering crime is rising, vandalism is frequent, and businesses require customers to ring a buzzer to enter.

The GNG heard many concerns while collecting signatures for a petition against the Riverside Mission location, she said. One family said it wanted to leave Moose Jaw because their home was adjacent to a drug den where a murder occurred.

town” should be a safe place.

She didn’t think pushing charities or social services agencies to the edge of town was right but thought keeping the shelter downtown was inappropriate. Instead, the Old Union Hospital site could work since it wasn’t near businesses and wouldn’t affect their ability to earn revenue.

“It should not be so close that people are afraid to come to our community,” she remarked.

Residents may not have complained about the project in 2020, but everyone was locked down and unaware that it was happening, LaFonte said. Moreover, society today is much different than four years ago, as human feces are found on the library steps, banks close their vestibules at night and businesses lock their doors during the day.

LaFonte agreed that the petition should have failed because it didn’t follow proper procedures and that council should ignore it, but “morally, hell no, you need to listen to the people who live here.”

Negative changes

Patty Yuzek has lived here for decades and has seen many changes, but recent changes are concerning and scary. She noted that there are more break-ins, thefts, stabbings, trails of blood on sidewalks and assaults with weapons — something she experienced downtown attempting to help a woman fleeing her partner.

“After surviving the (Stadacona Street) apartment for years, I thought things would get better (after it was shuttered). The first few months, I felt safer,” she continued. “It felt safer to walk in the neighbourhood. But that was short-lived.”

She was surprised and shocked when Willow Lodge opened on Ominica Street West since she and her neighbours were never notified about its opening. Meanwhile, she now wonders from where these addicts and less fortunate people come and why they’re choosing Moose Jaw.

Ross argued that if city officials believe providing shelter and sandwiches to people is the solution to the community’s problems, that plan should be revisited since more wraparound supports are needed.

She added that the city cannot ignore the fact that almost 2,000 residents signed a petition wanting the city to hold a public meeting, while those people deserve to have their voices heard.

Showing empathy

Resident Norma LaFonte said she engages with addicts and less fortunate people daily and believes their presence is bad for tourism because the “historic down-

“Every day, it seems to get worse. The citizens of Moose Jaw are frustrated and scared … ,” Yuzek said. “Friends say they won’t come back because they don’t feel safe walking downtown.

Yuzek added that council would likely take more seriously the concerns of residents in Sunningdale or VLA Gate if they complained about a homeless shelter in their area.

The Express will feature another article with council’s comments on this issue.

The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 22.

Petition asking council to hold public meeting to discuss Riverside Mission project location fails

Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

A petition asking city council to hold a public meeting to discuss the proposed Riverside Mission project and potentially find a different location for it has failed, the city clerk says.

On June 21, the city clerk’s department received a 200-page petition with 1,928 signatures from a group of residents requesting that the City of Moose Jaw hold a meeting about the proposed construction and future operations of a Souls Harbour Rescue Mission-operated venue at 212 and 218 River Street West.

Furthermore, the group wanted council to amend the zoning bylaw to rezone those two properties to a contract zoning district to support those lands’ development for commercial purposes and not use the lands as community service institutions or supportive housing.

The residents also wanted the city and council to collaborate with Souls Harbour to find an alternate location to construct its community service institution and supportive housing development.

Dawn Lugrin, assistant city clerk, explained during the July 8 regular council meeting that The Cities Act gives voters the authority to submit a petition for a public meeting and to compel council to hold one to discuss a city matter. Further, the Act says five percent of the city’s population must sign the petition to trigger the public meeting.

The Act also says that the city clerk is responsible for determining whether a petition is sufficient by vetting the submitted paperwork and excluding those petitioners who have not satisfied the formalities of the Act, she continued.

Once the city clerk has completed vetting the petition, he or she then determines whether it is sufficient by counting the petitioners who complied with the formalities.

The 2021 Statistics Canada census figures show that Moose Jaw’s population is 33,665, which means the petition would require the signatures of a minimum of 1,683 voters — the petition has 1,928, a council report said.

After reviewing the petition, the city clerk determined that 620 entries were non-compliant with the Act and were excluded from the overall count. Of those non-compliant entries:

• 600 had incomplete dates, no dates, or dates in the wrong year and in future months

• One entry had no witness

• Four people signed the petition twice and accounted for eight entries

• Five addresses were incomplete, incorrect or not within the City of Moose Jaw

• 10 entries had incomplete names that contained only a first or last name

A total of 1,308 entries on the petition remained after the city clerk removed the non-compliant entries, which means “the city clerk is required by the provision of the Act to find the petition INSUFFICIENT,” the report said.

The document added that, as per section 109(2) of the Act, the city clerk’s determination about sufficiency or insufficiency is final, while section 109(3) says the council is not required to take any notice of the petition.

Council voted unanimously to receive and file the report, but not before members engaged in a debate more than an hour long about whether to hold a public meeting and whether the project was viable. That debate also included presentations from four people, with three opposed to the project’s location and one representing the project.

The Express will have a more comprehensive story featuring those discussions.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MON, JULY 22. While a petition opposing the location of the Riverside Mission project may have failed, city council still wants to have a public discussion about community safety to help assuage residents’ concerns.

During its July 8 regular meeting, council unanimously voted to hold a meeting involving city administration, the police, local MLAs and residents to focus on homeless shelters, addictions and safety.

Council initially voted 6-1 against holding a public meeting to discuss the construction and future operations of the new Riverside Mission venue at 212 and 218 River Street West.

Mayor Clive Tolley — who introduced the motion — voted in favour because, even though the petition requesting a public meeting failed, he still thought the concerned residents should have their voices heard.

However, most council members thought it was inappropriate to hold a meeting that targeted the charity.

Tolley said he spent 20 years working for social services, and one thing the department did was accept people where they were in life, find out their needs, give them support, provide treatment and life skills, and help them become working, tax-paying citizens.

“That’s a big task. It requires treatment and not simply a bed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the mayor was concerned about how the new shelter/kitchen would affect the Events Centre, pointing out that the city spent $20 million in 2011 to construct that venue for events, sporting activities and tourism.

Further, the Multiplex’s construction was part of the

Despite petition’s defeat, council still wants public meeting to discuss community safety

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planned redevelopment of downtown and River Street, he continued. Development there should soon heat up with the construction of a new $45-million hotel, which should generate taxation and be a tourism magnet and kick-start that area’s growth.

“Let’s get people together (for a public meeting and) … come up with a plan so we can redevelop River Street and ensure we have the facilities for the unhoused,” Tolley added.

Coun. Dawn Luhning understood that few people wanted the new Riverside Mission building downtown but pointed out that the development fits within the city’s bylaws, which is why the council approved the project. Moreover, council is obligated to follow The Cities Act.

Meanwhile, the councillor said she didn’t have the expertise to determine the best location for a homeless shelter, addiction treatment or other venues to support residents “who are in a bad spot.”

“It is not our lane to be in. I understand that we have a responsibility to businesses downtown and citizens to try and make everything work and for things to be safe,” Luhning said, noting the police are also doing their best and work within the Criminal Code to handle problems.

Luhning thought Moose Jaw would be “in a worse spot” if council said Souls Harbour Rescue Mission (SHRM) was not welcome. She thought residents should be “careful what they wish for” because these charities serve the community well, and the situation could worsen if they leave.

“I’m not willing to throw a charity under the bus with

this kind of conversation,” she added.

Coun. Heather Eby agreed, saying while she understood people’s concerns about the project location, she thought it would still cause frustration no matter where it went.

She pointed out that the city doesn’t have the money to provide land, a building, start-up costs or operating costs to support a shelter/kitchen. So, if SHRM/Riverside Mission is willing to cover those costs but leaves, the city would be in a bigger financial hole if it stepped in.

“The Mission is part of the solution (to the community’s problems),” Eby said.

Meanwhile, she criticized the petition for demanding that council use the zoning bylaw to rezone the River Street lots, saying the city can’t just rezone properties it doesn’t own because people disapprove of businesses or projects. If that power existed, council could abuse that authority to keep certain businesses out of certain areas.

Andrew Svenson, the city solicitor, confirmed that the Planning and Development Act “is very clear” that the city and council are bound by the zoning bylaw, especially after council passes a bylaw.

People who attend the public meeting should arrive with solutions because these discussions need to be constructive and end with a plan, said Coun. Doug Blanc. He also wanted to see other levels of government attend, including MLAs, ministers, the MP, police and social services.

“Let’s work together and not just bang heads (in a confrontational manner),” he added.

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) finished 2023 with a deficit of $724,192, and after using its accumulated surplus to cover some portion, is asking city council to help with the rest.

Members of the police service spoke during the July 8 regular meeting and asked that councillors approve the transfer of $307,681 from the police service building renovation fund to the police service accumulated surplus account; council unanimously agreed.

The MJPS has $405,935 in its building renovation fund, which is sufficient to cover the shortfall, a council report said.

As the police service told the police board in March, the organization finished last year with an operating deficit of $724,192. The agency used $416,511 from its accumulated surplus to cover some of that outstanding amount, leaving a shortfall of $307,681.

At that meeting, police commissioners agreed to forward the MJPS’s request to council to redirect money from the agency’s capital budget to cover part of the deficit. However, the board held the financial request until after the city’s 2023 audit had been completed.

“The police service is seldom significantly under budget,” said the police board report — which, while labelled “public,” was never presented during the public

Jason

G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

meeting — contained within the council agenda package.

“However, during the budget development process, future collective bargaining estimates are included when collective agreements are about to expire or have expired.”

The police board report said that the main factors contributing to the overage last year were labour ($385,345) and employee benefits ($189,801), totalling $575,146.

Included were $370,000 in back pay after the finalization of a collective agreement with the police association and $307,000 in overtime costs. Also, the police service paid $85,000 more to Commissionaires, specifically, for additional management and transporting people in custody.

Meanwhile, the police service’s capital budget reserve has $470,139 for building renovations and an elevator replacement, the report said. Some renos are underway and are expected to cost $80,000, while other upgrades — like the elevator replacement — are currently unnecessary and can be deferred.

Therefore, the document added that removing $307,680.86 from the capital budget reserve to cover the 2023 operating overage and subtracting the $80,000 for the current renovations leaves $82,458.14 in the reserve.

Chief Rick Bourassa told council that, despite defer-

ring some work, it completed all the capital projects it intended last year. Also, it is now saving money for future initiatives, although it can “quite comfortably move that money” should a critical infrastructure issue arise.

“It’s good that the money is there (and) is somewhere to be found. But I’m always concerned when we take money from the reserve that’s meant for … capital upgrades because, at some point, it will become critical,” said Coun. Heather Eby. “And it will be far more expensive in five years to do something than … this year.

“So I’m not a big fan (of this approach), but grateful that we have this (account) to draw from … . Hopefully, budgeting will be more on track this coming year.”

The police service is now seeing whether the financial assumptions it made last year about revenues and expenses for this year are panning out, and the results show that costs have gone up more than expected, said Bourassa. There have also been unanticipated overtime costs, but those were due to officers participating in extensive investigations.

While the elevator’s life is concerning, it can still function for several more years without major upgrades, he added. The agency will also request funding for it in this year’s budget to ensure the project remains on track for replacement.

Heritage committee interested in promoting histories of Moose Jaw’s wartime houses

Moose Jaw is well-known for its historic murals and downtown buildings, but it also has hundreds of homes constructed during the World Wars that possess unique characteristics.

These wartime homes have caught the attention of the heritage advisory committee, which spoke about the structures during its recent meeting.

According to the meeting minutes — which council approved during its July 8 meeting — member Janie Fries has been researching the history of wartime houses and thought the committee could create an inventory of all such buildings in Moose Jaw. Further, in the fall, she could give a presentation at the library about this subject.

“The goal is to spread awareness of the history of wartime houses and encourage homeowners to take pride in the history of these homes,” the minutes said.

The committee also discussed the possibility of providing homeowners in wartime houses with brochures with information about how they can learn more about their home’s history.

Veterans’ banners

City administration told committee members that city hall has sent all the banner proofs to the applicants to review and approve, while it has received all payments from applicants. Once the proofs are approved, the next step is to fabri-

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cate the banners, which will occur this summer.

The committee also discussed plans for the unveiling ceremony, which will occur on Friday, Nov. 1; members will confirm further details at their September meeting.

RCAF 100th anniversary

Members heard about some activities occurring to celebrate the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 100th anniversary:

• The Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow is running its “Fly the Flag” fundraiser and is planning to run it again in the fall

• Canadian Geographic Films created a documentary called “Wings of Honour: A Century of the Royal Canadian Air Force,” which celebrates the air force’s 100-year history. The Cultural Centre is considering hosting this film in September during other centennial commemoration events

• The public art committee and Tourism Moose Jaw are sponsoring an RCAF-themed public art project that they would add to the base of the Tutor Jet installation at the visitor centre, although they must still determine the specifics of the installation Heritage plaques

Local tech company memoryKPR assisted the committee in providing some Saskatchewan Polytechnic students with

heritage plaque media files so they could begin creating twominute-long videos that will be posted with the committee’s memoryKPR stories and shared with the public, the minutes said.

Members then discussed possibly installing a standalone post somewhere downtown that could host heritage plaques for sites/events with no specific or associated building. Also, administration gave the committee a virtual tour of the memoryKPR account and how to use it. Members agreed to work with it over the summer and continue researching and gathering information about heritage properties for the project.

Ghost murals

There are several “ghost murals” on the sides of many buildings, particularly downtown, which provide a fascinating glimpse into the community’s colourful past and advertise businesses and products from decades ago.

Nearly a decade ago, the murals committee repainted a ghost mural on the side of 23 Main Street (The Hive). While the committee wanted to repaint more, safety regulations prevented them from doing so.

During the heritage committee meeting, members discussed the possibility of renewing faded mural signs on heritage buildings and possibly presenting a proposal for consideration to the public art committee.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE

NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MON, JULY 22.

The City of Moose Jaw and WHL-champion Moose Jaw Warriors have signed a new advertising licensing agreement that will see the club pay the city 30-per-cent more revenues than before.

During its July 8 regular meeting, council voted unanimously to approve the agreement for the sale of advertising and sponsorship opportunities at all city venues, with the mayor and city clerk to sign the agreement on behalf of the municipality.

Furthermore, council established a parks and recreation advertising program capital reserve fund to store the advertising revenues for future capital improvements to indoor and outdoor recreation venues listed in the agreement.

The city first entered into an agreement with the WHL Warriors in 2012 for the sale of advertising at the Wally Boschuk, Bert Hunt and Kinsmen arenas based on a 50-per-cent revenue-sharing agreement of gross revenues, with the contract renewed in 2019 for another five years, a council report said.

The latest agreement expired on June 30, while the new five-year contract will run until 2029.

The previous agreement saw the Warriors take full responsibility for administrating the advertising program and providing quarterly sales updates to the city, with the club able to package community arena ads with its advertising sales at the Events Centre, the report continued.

City to receive 30% more revenue from new advertising contract with WHL Warriors

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

The team provided the city’s share before June 30, while the city deposited that amount into general revenues for the building in which the advertising was sold.

From 2019 to 2023, the city received $28,115 in revenues from the advertising program, with an annual average of $5,623.

The new agreement contains some significant changes, including:

• The Warriors will pay the city 80 per cent of gross revenues instead of 50 per cent

• Besides the three arenas, the Warriors can now sell advertising at 12 outdoor sports fields and the Kinsmen Sportsplex lobby but must work with the city to develop an annual advertising package; the city has the final say on what can and can’t be sold

• No advertising agreement can exceed three years unless the director of parks and recreation approves it to help reduce the city’s liability should it terminate the agreement

• Revenue will now go toward upgrading the venue from which the ad revenue was generated

• A committee will be established in 2025 to provide council with recommendations for capital improvements starting in 2026, while all capital expenses from the capital reserve fund would require council’s approval before beginning

• The city is now responsible for delivering all capital im-

provements funded through the fund

• Either party may terminate the agreement by providing 60 days written notice

The report also listed some “benefits” of the agreement, including:

• The Warriors can package community arena advertising with their ad sales at the Events Centre

• The club can “leverage” its message of “Community team for the community” to help promote season-ticket and game-ticket sales while encouraging more residents to attend the Events Centre regularly

• Businesses can reinvest in the community, knowing their investments are contributing to projects that will enhance recreation venues

• The city will have a funding source for rec venue capital upgrades, with revenue derived mostly from venue users

• The creation of opportunities for cross-promotion of the partnership and each party’s brands

This new agreement won’t affect this year’s operating budget but will affect the parks and recreation’s 2025 operating budget because the expected $8,500 in agreement revenue will go toward the reserve fund, the report said.

“With the expanded locations and increased revenue-share percentage to the city, it is expected that annual revenues to the city will increase significantly,” the document added.

City of Moose Jaw to use investment earnings to cover last year’s $1.4M deficit

The City of Moose Jaw ended 2023 with an operating deficit of more than $1.4 million and plans to use longterm investment earnings to cover over half that amount.

The overall deficit in the general revenue fund (operating fund) was $1,420,165, which flowed into the accumulated surplus fund and reduced the deficit by $178,488, a council report said.

This was the second straight year the city finished with a deficit, as it concluded 2022 with a shortfall of $1.486 million.

The Moose Jaw Police Service accounted for $307,681 of last year’s deficit but will cover the remaining amount by moving money between accounts.

Also, snow operations were over budget by $151,990, but city administration will take money from the snow removal reserve.

Removing these two expenses and the accumulated surplus money reduces the shortfall to $782,006, which administration says should be covered using earnings from the long-term investment portfolio.

“The rationale for recommending investment earnings is that (in) 2023 — and again in 2024 — the city’s investments have been returning more than the targeted level of returns and withdrawing this $782,006 will not have a negative impact on investments,” the report added.

During its July 8 regular meeting, city council unanimously approved the 2023 audited financial statements and agreed to cover the deficit by taking $178,488 from the accumulated surplus, $151,990 from the snow removal reserve and $782,006 from long-term investment earnings.

While the police service transferred $307,681 from one fund to another to cover its shortfall, it actually finished 2023 with a total deficit of $724,192 and used mon-

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ey from its accumulated surplus to cover $416,511.

Therefore, if the police service’s total deficit had been included in the municipality’s total deficit, the latter would have been $1,836,676, requiring an additional sixper-cent tax increase last year on top of the 4.5-per-cent tax increase.

Report highlights

Brian Acker, director of finance, highlighted some areas of the financial statements during the meeting.

The general revenue fund is the city’s operating fund and is the source of funding for core municipal services, he said. Last year, this fund had revenues of $57.8 million, of which $34.04 million came from municipal taxation, which accounted for almost 59 per cent of overall revenues.

The second-largest revenue stream was contributions, grants and subsidies at 19.3 per cent.

“We rely heavily on municipal taxation … and … are in a position where there’s a limit to how much additional tax revenue can be generated through municipal taxation,” Acker said.

“There needs to be identified some other funding sources. What those are, I’m not sure,” he continued. “But … simply increasing (municipal) tax revenues won’t always be the answer.”

In 2023, the general revenue fund had total expenses of $59.2 million, of which $23.5 million was for salaries for protective services representing 39.7 per cent of all expenses. The second-largest expense line was recreation and community services at 21.4 per cent.

Public works was the smallest expense category with $5.9 million or 10.8 per cent of all expenses, said Acker. This should encourage council to spend more money here to meet the community’s needs.

The report said that by Dec. 31, 2023, the city’s debt load was $64,074,118, down from $68,739,214 the year before. While the municipality expects its debt load to fall to $41,721,052 over the next five years, it will add $14.3 million this year to support the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant renewal project.

The city’s legislated debt limit is $95 million.

The long-term debt per capita ratio shows that Moose Jaw’s debt per person was $1,903.29 last year, a drop from $2,041.86 in 2022 and $1,742.08 in 2019, the report said.

The city’s reserves increased by $6.5 million to $114.58 million, although that account has not increased much during the past 10 years, said Acker. Further, residents have been pressuring council to use that money instead of increasing that fund, so something may have to change between contributions and spending.

The interest the city takes from the reserves represents about 20 percentage points of municipal taxation that it has not had to levy during the past few years, he continued. However, over time, inflation will eat away at that money’s purchasing power.

Overall, the City of Moose Jaw is in “good financial condition” and has a “strong financial position” to continue providing programs and services while funding future capital projects, Acker said.

However, council should understand that it cannot complete all projects simultaneously because of limited funding, he added. So, council must weigh what to pursue first; it may have to borrow money to fund capital projects like the Crescent View Lift Station, Fourth Avenue Bridge and a new outdoor pool or defer some for several years.

Council’s comments about the 2023 audited financial statement will be featured in a separate article.

Council officially approves Moose Jaw’s new transportation master plan

City council has approved the new transportation master plan, which now gives city hall a comprehensive plan to make future investments in infrastructure to address all modes of travel.

Council unanimously approved the new document during its July 8 regular meeting. The plan focuses on safety, operations, and system capacity and places Moose Jaw in a favourable position to pursue future capital funding opportunities through federal and provincial programs.

Coun. Doug Blanc liked the plan but wondered whether city administration would bring each project recommendation to council for adoption or whether all recommendations are now approved and would be completed in the coming months and years.

Bevan Harlton, director of operations, said approv-

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ing the new TMP does not automatically mean the city is facing budget commitments with the recommendations. Instead, the document informs everyone of the project possibilities and what could be pursued.

Harlton added that administration could present one or more recommendations during the 2025 budget discussions so that council can decide whether or when to start implementing these initiatives.

Coun. Kim Robinson pointed out that some people have concerns about building a roundabout at the intersection of Ninth Avenue Northeast and Thatcher Drive East, especially since it may be difficult for large semi-trailers to navigate. He wondered if a roundabout was even necessary.

All the plans’ recommendations require further dis-

cussion by council at budget time, Harlton reiterated. As for roundabouts, he wouldn’t put forward that idea without first consulting with the public and council.

“A roundabout is brilliant,” said Coun. Dawn Luhning, noting that Kitchener, Ont., has many roundabouts that “work so slick.”

“So I would be very interested in seeing that happen at that intersection (because) we (always) talk about how these studies are put on a shelf and gather dust,” she continued. “I think we should talk about that at budget time.”

Coun. Heather Eby agreed with the roundabout, recalling that when council approved the four-way stop for that intersection, people claimed it wouldn’t work and would be “the end of the world.” Yet, everything has turned out fine.

CITY HALL COUNCIL NOTES

THE NEXT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING IS MON, JULY 22.

The City of Moose Jaw has released its 2023 public accounts report listing the remuneration for all city employees and council members, with police and firefighters continuing to earn the most.

The report — presented during the July 8 regular council meeting and unanimously accepted — showed that council members’ remuneration and expenses last year were:

• Mayor Clive Tolley: $110,834.52 / $7,791.30

• Coun. Doug Blanc: $35,839.44 / $1,846.93

• Coun. Jamey Logan: $35,839.44 / $50

• Coun. Kim Robinson: $35,839.44 / $1,198.46

• Coun. Heather Eby: $35,813.38 / $0

• Coun. Dawn Luhning: $35,813.38 / $0

The total remuneration and expenses last year were $325,792.98 and $12,575.65, respectively, both of which increased from 2022 by $6,279.40 and $7,066.24, respectively.

Highest-paid city hall employees

Some of the highest-paid city hall employees last year were:

• Bevan Harlton, director of operations, $161,843.03

• Derek Blais, director of parks and recreation: $159,138.71

• Brian Acker, director of finance, $158,102.26

• Michelle Sanson, director of planning and development, $149,954.33

• Wade McKay, director of information technology, $149,921.95

Report shows highest-paid city employees per department for 2023

• TJ Karwandy, director of human resources, $144,344.61

• Andrew Svenson, city solicitor/director of legislative and enforcement services, $133,743.69

• Brenda Hendrickson, city treasurer (retired), $133,462.12

• Maryse Carmichael, city manager, $128,740.35

• Sandra Campbell, city comptroller, $123,216.02

• Jim Dixon, now-former manager of economic development, $121,076.43

• Staci Dobrescu, manager of public works, $119,806.73

• Ryan Nelson, assistant manager of IT, $117,754.62

• Cory Oakes, operations manager, $116,523.62

• Tracy Wittke, city clerk, $116,523.62

• James (Jim) Puffalt, former city manager, $104,462.17; he also had the highest expenses at $21,629.02

Highest-paid firefighters

Some of the highest-paid firefighters last year were:

• Rodney Montgomery, chief, $175,429.20

• Michael Russell, deputy chief, $155,615.18

• Christoper Luiten, senior captain, $144,645.71

• Curtis Beler, senior captain, $144,491.72

• Robert Halsall, senior captain, $142,907.62

• William Howes, senior captain, $142,621.60

• Jae Unser, shift captain, $135,445.56

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• Ryan Hopkinson, shift captain, $135,124.39

• Richelle Grocott, shift captain, $134,137.93

• Ian Clark, shift captain, $132,703.33

• Rodney Ansell, 16th year, $124,952.06

• Jeremy Sanderson, 16th year, $122,436.09

• Sterling Macdiarmid, 16th year, $121,523.92

• Matthew Crocker, 16th year, $119,576.48

• Craig Flanagan, 16th year, $118,599.40

Highest-paid police

Some of the highest-paid police last year were:

• Chief Richard (Rick) Bourassa, $201,833.21

• Deputy Chief Rick Johns, $184,208.37

• Staff Sgt. Chad Scheske, $171,835.64

• Staff Sgt. Taylor Elder, $170,639.34

• Supt. Richard McKenna, $170,473.38

• Supt. Taylor Mickleborough, $170,473.38

• Staff Sgt. Sheldon MacNaughton, $164,799.41

• Sgt. Myles Coghlin, $162,985.68

• Const. Kyle Cunningham, 10th year, $160,817.71

• Sgt. Kevin Adrian, $157,316.87

• Staff Sgt. Trisha Seman, $156,590.62

• Sgt. Randell Boechler, $156,274.10

• Sgt. Jason Watt, $155,518.04

• Const. Aaron Woods, 10th year, $154,301.24

• Const. Jim Biniaris, 10th year,

$153,895.30

Contractors’ expenses

Some of the highest-paid city contractors included:

• NIS Contractors Ltd.: $5,321,086.49

• Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation: $4,249,301.40

• SaskPower: $3,770,275.11

• Cypress Paving: $3,551,550.51

• Neptune Technology Group: $3,236,709.90

• Westridge Construction Ltd.: $2,390,894.21

• Ungar Construction Company Ltd.: $1,466,037.73

• Insituform Technologies Ltd.: $1,296,377.19

• Scott Land and Lease Ltd.: $1,242,809.52

• Palliser Regional Library: $1,242,018.16

• Finning (Canada): $1,197,636.49

• The Canada Life Assurance Company: $1,093,906.16

• Federated Co-operatives Ltd.: $1,055,743.56

• AECOM Canada Ltd.: $1,049,469.79

• Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency (SAMA): $668,664 Of note is that Neptune is helping install the “smart water meters,” while Scott Land and Lease Ltd. helped the city find land for the proposed landfill/solid waste management venue project. The total amount that city hall paid for all 144 contracting services last year was $61,184,578.66.

Future financial pressures will force council to focus more on core services

The 2023 audited financial statements have made it clear to city council that it must prioritize major capital projects in the future and focus more on providing core municipal services.

Council received the financial documents during its July 8 regular meeting and commented on the data in the reports.

The value of the city’s reserves — currently at $114 million — will diminish over time because of inflation if council doesn’t build up that account, said Coun. Heather Eby. She always thought that maintaining that fund would be sufficient, but that’s untrue and could affect future operating budgets because costs would have risen while contributions would remain flat.

Residents regularly tell council to spend that money now, but that would not be helpful, nor would it allow the city to grow that account, she continued. She hoped that councils decades in the future would still have access to the interest from the reserves; otherwise, “a big jump in taxation” would be required.

“It could be a very short-term gain for a long, long-term pain,” Eby remarked.

The Crescent View Lift Station, Fourth Avenue Bridge and a new outdoor pool are proposed major capital projects, and while all are important, the first initiative is the most imperative, she said. If the lift station fails, Moose Jaw is “really, really in trouble,” so the other two projects may have to be shelved for a while. Also, other levels of government must provide funding.

Eby added that without water and sewer services, no one would be living

there.

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawExpress

The city’s current debt limit is $95 million, so to increase that fund, it must apply to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board (SMB) and provide its financial data, said Brian Acker, finance director.

However, the board has an “elaborate formula” — it changes often — that dictates the maximum debt limit a municipality may have, he continued. Several years ago, the SMB denied a request from city hall to increase the debt limit to $110 million.

Using debt to finance projects is not the answer, though, as shown by how much debt Regina and Saskatoon have taken on, Acker added. Moose Jaw would require a debt limit of $500 million to be on par with those cities; servicing debt payments would become onerous and cost millions.

While Acker presented the 2023 audited financial statements as healthy, the main message from his report is that future councils will face continued financial pressures, said Coun. Dawn Luhning. Therefore, the city can no longer be “everything to everybody” as in the past.

“Some groups are going to be disappointed in future years if councils do dig in and say we need to start focusing (on) our lane, which is streets and roads, garbage (and) parks,” she added. “… if we continue to take on things that aren’t our priority or (in) our lane, we’re going to be stretched.”

Since Moose Jaw finished last year with an operating deficit of $1.4 million, Coun. Jamey Logan asked city manager Maryse Carmichael what she was doing

differently to prevent shortfalls from happening again.

Financial forecasting is an important tool in the corporate world, so most organizations have monthly financial reviews along with their annual analyses, Carmichael said. After she started last spring, she implemented monthly financial reviews and met with directors and staff to analyze how much departments had spent.

That monthly review will continue, while she has told directors to create monthly budget forecasts to accompany their 2025 budget requests.

Carmichael added that rigour and accountability are important, while staff are encouraged to consider those qualities when performing their daily duties, reviewing reports or analyzing data.

RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF PENSE NO. 160

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given, pursuant to The Planning and Development Act, 2007, that the Council of the Rural Municipality of Pense No. 160 intends to amend the Zoning Bylaw as follows:

Description

1. To amend Zoning Bylaw No. 02-2013, Section 7.1. Permitted Uses in the Agricultural Resource District, is amended by repealing and replacing subsection 7.1(i) with the following:

i) Oil, gas and CO2 wells, but excluding intensive oil, gas or CO2 processing development.

2. Section 7.6, Supplementary Development Standards for Agricultural Uses in the Agricultural Resource District, is amended by repealing and replacing subsection 7.6.5(f) with the following:

f) 1.0 kilometre from sour gas wells and 75 metres from other oil, gas or CO2 wells.

The intent of this amendment is to give the Council of the Rural Municipality of Pense No. 160 authority to include CO2 wells in the Agricultrural Resource District (AR).

Any interested person may inspect the bylaw at the R.M. O ce during normal business hours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday (excluding holidays). Copies of the bylaw are available at cost.

Council will be holding a public hearing on August 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers of the Rural Municipality of Pense No. 160 O ce at 324 Elder Street, Pense, S0G 3W0 to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed amendments. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing, or delivered to the undersigned prior to the hearing. The o ce email is rm160@sasktel.net.

Reflective Moments

By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

I have wonderful friends and family who do their best to spruce up my appearance, in this case via priceless pieces for my jewelry collection.

In a recent column I talked about my luck in finding a penny representing my birth year, a penny with a hole punched through it to allow a thin chain to be threaded into the hole for a necklace.

So far the penny remains in the pouch awaiting me being able to figure out where I might have put my collection of gold and silver chains. Perhaps in one of my four jewelry boxes, one of the boxes I’ve had since my 16th birthday. It has held up physically much better than its owner, but that’s a story for another time.

Soon after the penny column was published, I received some correspondence from a long-time friend — a letter not off a computer but a letter hand-written in blue

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Village of Tuxford intends to adopt a bylaw, under the Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw 02-2020 known as the Zoning Bylaw of the Village of Tuxford

The following changes to the Zoning Bylaw are proposed:

5.6.4 Accessory Uses

a) Any buildings, structures, or uses, which are accessory to the principal use of the site, but only after the principal use or discretionarv use has been established.

b) Two (2) detached sheds or accessory buildings greater than 9.5m2(102.27 f2), accessory to the principal dwelling unit on the site wil be allowed up to maximum site coverage and setback requirements with the exemption of Parcel A Block 7 Plan 75MJ07126.

5.6.6 Accessory Buildings

c) All accessory buildings shall not exceed 111.5m (1200 f2) or 75% in area of the principal building area, whichever is greater in area and shall not exceed 5.0 metres (16.41 ft) in height.

INTENT:

The proposed amendments, permits the Village of Tuxford to manage the land uses within the municipal boundaries and amend zoning.

REASON:

The reason for the amendments of the Zoning Bylaw is for the changing needs of the community, and to be accountable to the residents of the community of Tuxford and surrounding area.

AFFECTED LAND:

The amendments will a ect all land within the boundaries of the Village of Tuxford.

PUBLIC INSPECTION:

Any person may inspect the bylaw at the Village O ce located at 5-1410 Caribou St W in Moose Jaw, SK, between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday.

PUBLIC HEARING:

Council wil hold a public hearing on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the Village O ce to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaws. Council will also consider written comments received at the hearing or delivered to the undersigned at the Village O ce before the hearing. Mailing address is 5-1410 Caribou St W Moose Jaw SK S6H 759.

Issued at City of Moose Jaw on July 17, 2024

Raena Wilk-Morhart, Administrator

ink inside a charming card with a smiling rabbit on the front. The envelope carried my name only, but the note was addressed to both of us in the house. Sharing is the way we run in this home.

Our friend Marg wrote: “Your column about finding your birth year penny was most interesting. When you mentioned making a hole in the coin it reminded me of a trinket someone gave me many years ago.

“It was a 10 cent coin with a hole in it. A safety pin was put through the hole so it could be pinned to your blouse or jacket.

“Someone would invariably ask about it and the reply is ‘that is my dime and pin!’

“So I am enclosing a do-it-yourself kit for you.”

A dime was taped to a piece of paper and a large safety pin was attached below the coin.

“As you wear your copper pendant, you can also wear your dime&pin to show folks you are affluent.”

We chuckled at the message and my new pieces of jewelry and appreciated once again the wit and wisdom of our friend.

But she wasn’t finished. “Take note this is a special

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

dime. It has an engraving of a golfer on the reverse . . . it says open championship of Canada.”

I will not be sharing that coin with any golfers of my acquaintance. I do hope to find someone who can put in a hole strategically to allow the pin to be threaded through.

In the meantime, I’ve been invited to snoop through my Sister’s jewelry drawer to check out her many necklaces to see if there’s a few I might like to add to my collection. Maybe I’ll find a nickel and a quarter, a 50-cent piece or a silver dollar in there to bolster my monetary collection.

By the time I add in some of my mother’s broaches and necklaces, I will need to invest in a whole new wardrobe to properly show off my “affluence.”

Thanks to friends and family for trying their best to ensure I have the proper adornments to go along with well-worn jeans and Alia T-shirts. And if I am ever forced to wear evening attire I know my new jewelry will be noticed and envied.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Cosmo Centre to host Puerto Vallarta’s

‘The Gecko Band’ during its Canadian tour

For those that love rock and roll through numerous decades, the Cosmo Centre invites you to attend an esteemed visit from Puerto Vallarta with an upcoming performance by The Gecko Band. Building on the success of last year’s record-breaking attendance during The Lovers’ tour, organizers at the Cosmo Centre promise yet another unforgettable evening of live musical entertainment.

The Gecko Band will perform live on Wednesday, July 24 from 7:30 until around 10:30 p.m. at the Cosmo Centre as part of its MexiCan 2024 Border Breakthrough Tour. The concert is open to everyone from age 19 to 90.

“When I asked them to come to Moose Jaw, they were very excited because they never knew why they (had) never played (here before),” explained Howard Peterman, a board member with the Cosmo Senior’s Centre.

The Gecko Band hails from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The band plays a mixture of old time rock and roll from the ‘70s through the ‘90s with the odd country or blues piece in the mix.

“From what I’ve seen, they put a lot of people on the dance floor, and I think people (here) will be quite happy with them,” Peterman said.

According to Peterman, the band ranks highly – his estimate was in the top one or two Puerto Vallarta-based bands based on his personal experience. If The Gecko’s aren’t in first place, Peterman added, then last year’s performer, The Lovers, would vie for the prestigious spot.

Despite never playing in Moose Jaw during their past tours, Peterman said The Gecko Band is looking forward to visiting and will join a list of previous Puerto Vallarta-based performers including The B34st and The Lovers, the latter of which performed at the Cosmo Centre in 2023.

Peterman and his wife first discovered The Gecko Band while touring in Puerto Vallarta as part of their annual winter migration. They noted that the band supports

the Saskatchewan Roughriders and have been known to dine with former Roughriders Roger Aldag and Bob Poley.

“We see these guys quite regularly down there,” he said. “They’re highly weighted. When they play in a venue, it’s usually full of people…”

Now that the band’s touring across North America, Peterman decided to reach out and the group – who has already performed in Saskatoon and Regina – agreed to his offer.

After the Cosmo Centre’s record turnout last year, Peterman hopes to see an even greater attendance this summer. All proceeds from the concert will help support the non-profit Cosmo Centre which hosts a wide variety of programs for residents of all ages.

Food, drinks, and refreshments will be provided on site by the centre’s own kitchen staff.

Peterman said the benefit of a Wednesday night concert is that most people shouldn’t be too busy with other plans, and he said guests can expect to be home at a decent time.

He also pointed out that the band’s lead singer can play every instrument in the band and tends to get a little creative with it.

“It’s pretty entertaining. I think everybody will have a good time.”

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Peterman asks that anyone wishing to pay at the door calls ahead to plan in advance. If you know any of the centre’s board members, you can also reach out to them as each member will be carrying additional tickets.

To pay by e-transfer or for more information, Peterman can be reached at 306-691-1001.

The Cosmo Senior Centre is located at 235 Third Avenue Northeast and can be reached at 306-692-6072.

VILLAGE OF TUXFORD PUBLIC NOTICE

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

The Gecko Band will perform live in Moose Jaw at the Cosmo Centre on July 24. Photo by: The Gecko Band/Facebook

By Patricia

tural therapists are professionals with specific education, training, and credentials in the use of horticulture for therapy and rehabilitation.

Horticultural Therapy – Part II

Horticulture therapy is a formal practice that promotes a natural sense of wellness. The focus is on goal centered activities with defined outcomes that encourage participants to engage in the natural world around us. Last week, horticulture therapy (HT) was the focus and this week, the share is going to be more about specific types of HT programs.

HT is becoming a more recognized treatment modality and HT programs should be designed with careful thought to ensure that the goals are being met. Horticulture therapy techniques help participants to learn new skills or regain abilities that have been lost due to injury or illness. HT can help to improve memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, language skill and socialization. It can aid in improving coordination, strengthen muscles, improve balance, endurance and independence. Horticul-

Any horticulture therapy program uses plants and the natural world to improve life socially, spiritually, physically and mentally. Programs have a specific purpose and will consist of a vocational, therapeutic or more clinical model or just focus on wellness. Vocational programs will aid in helping participants gain the skills to find work, while therapeutic or more clinical models will help to gain the best function after an illness or injury. The wellness model often has a big focus on socialization and developing an overall improvement to all facets of life. Therapeutic horticulture is an approach within HT that looks at promoting overall health and wellness.

In order to be an effective HT program, the sessions

should be facilitated by a trained HT professional, who will assess client needs, the setting and design a program that is gauged to meet specific needs or goals. The progress will be assessed using specific processes and procedures, documented and should evolve to meet the needs of the client at each and every stage.

HT sessions can meet a variety of goals and objectives and can involve the delivery of the program in a multitude of settings. Sometimes, the sessions may involve one client or may involve many depending on the needs and goals of each session. The most amazing part of HT is that not a lot of clinical equipment may be needed so programs can be offered with less cost and in simple surroundings. However, every session should always be planned appropriately to meet goals and allow assessment.

Being a part of nature even in small ways allows magical things to happen. The parallel process of human life and plant life is elemental and each has the ability to shape the other. For all of us, the inclusive nature of including plants, nature and the great outdoors whenever possible will improve the quality of life of one and all. For many years, I have shared, taught and lived with horticulture therapy and encourage you to consider including HT as an integral part of your life.

Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at www.orchidhort.com; by email at info@orchidhort.com; on facebook @orchidhort and on instagram at #orchidhort.

Tune into GROW Live on our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/orchidhort or check out the Youtube channel GROW https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCzkiUpkvyv2e2HCQlFl0JyQ?

Hanbidge For Moose Jaw Express

Runaway Train heading for community car show

With Moose Jaw’s pioneering history with the railroad, it is perhaps fitting that the band performing at a car show has a railroad connotation.

The band, Runaway Train, featuring well-known local musicians, will be featured in two shows on July 20 during the eighth Highway to Heroes Car Show being held on the Moose Jaw Exhibition Grounds. The car show is sponsored by Friends of the Forces Fellowship.

Three years ago Brian Tkachuk and Gregg Gower started playing as a duo and would sometimes ad lib after a song and continue playing at great length.

“We joked that we played like a runaway train and the name stuck,” says Tkachuk. He notes there is quite a popular song called Runaway Train, and other bands have also used the name.

The Moose Jaw version of Runaway Train has been together for about 18 months, with members working collaboratively to choose the music to be performed — what Tkachuk calls timeless rock and pop covers from the 1960s to the 2000s, with a sprinkle of country.

Car show visitors will be able to listen to four members of the group: Gregg Gower, David Banmann, Rod Johnston and Tkachuk. A fifth member, Shayna

For Moose Jaw Express

Overs is unable to be part of the car show concerts.

Gower, who plays keyboard, harp and contributes backup vocals, has been part of the local music sene for many years and played with the Bromantics before be-

coming a permanent member of Runaway Train.

Banmann is the percussionist and worked as a professional drummer on cruise ships out of Austrailia for seven years, playing backup for such singers as

Engelbert Humperdink and Tom Jones. He also toured for two years with Anne Murray.

Johnston is the newest member of the group as the vocalist who plays guitar and bass guitar. He played in the local rock group River Street before joining Class Action with Gower, Banmann and Tkachuk. Class Action was eventually blended into Runaway Train.

Tkachuk, lead guitarist and vocalist, has been part of the local music community for many years having played with the band Magic. He continues to perform with other local groups.

Earlier this year the group recorded several songs to be included on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/runawaytrain2024.

Car show concerts are scheduled for the outdoor stage from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Spectators are welcome to bring their lawn chairs.

Over the course of the year Runaway Train will play private parties, clubs, wedding dances, birthdays and anniversaries and other social events including fundraisers.

The band can be reached through Tkachuk at 1-306-313-5240.

All Vehicles of Interest Welcome

From left: Rod Johnston: lead singer, bass guitar, rhythm guitar; Shayna Overs: lead singer, keys, special effects; Gregg Gower: keys, backup vocals; David Banmann: drums, backup vocals; Brian Tkachuk: lead guitar, backup vocals. Submitted Photo

Moose Jaw 15U AAA Canucks pick

third-straight win in slugfest with Wolfpack

The Moose Jaw 15U AAA Canucks scored six runs in the final frame and followed up by shutting down Regina in the bottom of the inning to take a 15-14 victory in Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League action in Regina last Wednesday evening.

It looked as if it was going to be a bit of a cakewalk for the local squad in the early going, as Kaiden Gadd and Max Craig each hit solo home runs in the second inning and Ronan Tonge had a solo round tripper in the third as Moose Jaw built an 8-2 lead through their half of the fifth inning.

Things changed and then some in the bottom of the fifth, though, as Regina sent 14 batters to the plate and scored nine runs to take an 11-8 lead. The Canucks got one back in the sixth, but another three runs put Regina up 14-9 coming home, setting up the big comeback inning.

The big play of the final frame saw a Reid Weiss bunt lead to an error and three runs coming home, making it a one-run

bases with none out in the bottom of the seventh, but Schoenroth would get a pair of infield ground balls that resulted in runners being thrown out at the plate before finishing things off with ground out to second.

Luke Pratte had an outstanding game at the plate for the Canucks, going 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a pair of RBI. Tonge capped his night with a 2-for-4 outing that included a pair of runs and three RBI, while Weiss, Craig and Neal Kohl all crossed the plate twice.

gina with a 3-for-3 night that included a pair of doubles, three runs scored and five RBI. Rhett Amberson was nearly his equal, going 4-for-5 with a run and three RBI and a pair of doubles of his own.

Everett Irving started for Regina and allowed five runs on four hits over two innings, Amberson gave up six runs on five hits while striking out 10 over the next four, and Riley Medloski finished things off, allowing the final four runs on four hits in the final frame.

game at the time. A sacrifice fly by Dillon Flanagan would bring home Craig with the tying run, and Emery Schoenroth would drive home Flanagan home from second one batter later with the game-winning run.

The Wolfpack managed to load the

Drayson Silbernagel got the start on the mound and allowed a pair of runs, neither earned on four hits over three innings of work. Tonge took over in relief, allowing seven runs, six earned on four hits over 1 ⅓ before giving way to Zaid Guillaume, who gave up four runs on two hits in ⅔ of an inning. Schoenroth closed things out, allowing a run and four hits over the final two frames.

Brayden Carlson led the way for Re-

The Canucks are now winners of three straight and hold a 7-15 record in the SPBL 15U ranks and are in 10th place in the 13-team league.

Next action is Tuesday, July 16 when they travel to Regina to face the first-place White Sox. Next home action is Wednesday, July 17 when the Canucks host the Swift Current 57’s. Game time is 6 p.m. at Blackwell Diamond.

Former Moose Jaw Warriors forward Savoie traded to Oilers by Sabres

Top prospect centre going home to Edmonton in exchange for Ryan McLeod, Tyler Tullio Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

Matthew Savoie is heading home.

The Buffalo Sabres traded the St. Albert, Alta. product to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for forwards Ryan McLeod and Tyler Tullio.

Savoie, 20, was traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors at the Western Hockey League trade deadline last season and proved to be the final piece of the puzzle as the Warriors went on to win the Western Hockey League championship.

Savoie had started the 2023-24 season with the Buffalo Sabres out of training camp, but a lingering injury saw him assigned to the Rochester Americans not long after. He played six games in the AHL, scoring twice and finishing with five points.

Savoie was then returned to the WHL’s Wenatchee Wild in November, where he looked like he hadn’t missed a step with 11 goals and 24 points in 11 games.

The trade deadline deal saw Savoie continue his two-point-a-game pace with the Warriors, putting up 19 goals and 47 points in 23 games, followed by another 10 goals and 24 points in 19 games as the Warriors went on their championship playoff run.

Savoie was the Sabres’ first round selection, ninth overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

McLeod, 24, had 12 goals and 30 points for the Oilers last season. He then added four goals in 24 playoff games for Edmonton, who lost to the Florida Panthers in seven games in the Stanley Cup Final.

The 40th overall pick by the Oilers in the 2018 Draft, McLeod has 32 goals and 75 points in 219 NHL games, and seven goals and 13 points in 56 career playoff games. Tullio was selected in the fifth round, 126th overall,

in the 2020 Draft by Edmonton. The 22-year-old forward had nine goals and 21 points for Bakersfield of the AHL last season. He has yet to make his NHL debut. -- with files from NHL.com

Tonge (left) and Dillon Flanagan celebrate after Tonge’s third-inning home run against the Wolfpack on Wednesday night in Regina.

Matthew Savoie (centre) and the Moose Jaw Warriors celebrate a goal this past season.

Warriors defenceman Ziprick talks off-season, what’s ahead, and THAT golf shot during the Warriors Alumni Golf Tournament

Hole-in-one during tournament just another highlight in a string of many for 18-year-old defenceman as 2024-25 season nears

With all the winning and success the Moose Jaw Warriors and defenceman Aiden Ziprick have been a part of over the past year, it’s hard to imagine things could get even better.

But that was the case for the 18-yearold defenceman during the Warriors Alumni Golf Tournament recently held.

Ziprick knocked down a hole-in-one on the 175-yard sixth hole during the event, becoming the second player to record an ace in the education fund charity tournament.

“I thought it was short, actually, then I showed up to the hole and my two partners were screaming, so to see that was pretty special,” a beaming Ziprick told the Warriors’ Marc Smith on the course shortly after making the shot. “I couldn’t pick a better time to do it, we needed that one.”

Ziprick’s ace is the second in the last three years at the event, after former Warrior Tate Popple accomplished the feat during the 2022 event.

There wasn’t a whole lot of time between the end of the season for the 202324 Warriors and the Alumni Tournament, thanks of course to their Western Hockey League championship win and appearance in the Memorial Cup.

With barely a month off since their appearance at the national major junior hockey championship, the off-season has been short to this point, but the calendar is quickly turning over to the upcoming

campaign.

Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

“It’s definitely a short off-season, but it’s worth it,” Ziprick said prior to hitting the course on Friday morning. “Going all the way and winning a championship with these guys is something all of us will remember forever, so we’ve been enjoying this off-season a little bit and then it’s get ready to go.

“We’ve got a big one next year, a lot of guys won’t be back so other guys will have to step up and I think we’re all looking forward to it.”

As one might expect, it’ll be a different feel around the team when training camp opens at the beginning of September -- for 40 years, the Warriors had chased a WHL title, and now that they have the first in franchise history, firing up a potential repeat feels like a much different scenario.

“Obviously the goal every year is to win a championship, so we know we need to step up and push ourselves,” Ziprick said. “We know what it takes to be champions and with the guys coming back and especially the younger guys, we’ll have to show them what it takes to be a champion and that’s what we’re looking forward to doing.”

Ziprick himself can tell you all about coming up big in an important championship situation. Despite scoring only once in the regular season, he scored the game-winning goal in the final minutes of the Warriors’ Memorial Cup round robin

away from their first exhibition game on Sept. 6 against the Regina Pats in Estevan. That’s two months to completely flip the page and begin their defence of the Ed Chynoweth Cup.

“I don’t think anything changes when it comes to preparation or getting ready or anything like that,” Ziprick said. “A lot of guys are going to get new opportunities, we have to take advantage of that and carry one with what the top guys gave us last year. I think they brought a lot of leadership and kind of high-end characteristics that can be taken for granted sometimes. So it’s just come back, be ready to go and play as well as we can.”

game with the Drummondville Voltigeurs, sending Moose Jaw into the tournament semifinal.

It was a huge moment in a playoff run chock full of them, with Ziprick admitting that even now it’s hard to believe they pulled it off.

“It’s still hard to even think about,” he said with a huge grin. “The run we had and beating the teams we beat, I think it’s something a lot of people didn’t expect, but in our minds we always knew we could do it. But it’s still a surreal feeling, and it’s pretty special.”

Time marches on, though, and the Warriors are a little under two months

The fact Ziprick, many of his teammates and a host of past Warriors were in town for the weekend was for a good cause, as the event once against raised over $100,000 for the Warriors education fund.

“It’s really cool. This is my first time having a chance to play in it and experience it all, the event last night was pretty special and it just shows how dedicated the Moose Jaw community is to the team,” Zipriick said. “That’s what they did all year for us last year and it ultimately led to a championship, so it’s always great to have that kind of support.”

Be sure to keep an eye on Warriors social media and www.mjwarriors.ca for up-to-date info on the 2024-25 campaign.

Moose Jaw Motocross Club had 22 riders attend the 4th race of the season. The riders did terrific.

50cc 4-6 year olds

Kason Dessert #4: 8th first moto & 10th second moto – 9th overall

50cc 7-8 year olds

Seth Arrance #522: 6th first moto & 7th second moto - 7th overall

Kolby Dessert #7: 10th first moto & 9th second moto – 9th overall

Summer Olmstead #7X: 11th first moto & 11th second moto – 11th overall

50cc Open

Seth Arrance #522: 2nd first moto & 7th second moto – 4th overall

Kolby Dessert #7: 12th first moto & 13th

19th second moto – 19th overall

65cc 7-9 year olds

Boston Olmstead #12X: 5th first moto & 5th second moto – 5th overall

85cc 7-11 year olds

Boston Olmstead #12X: 8th first moto & 12th second moto – 10th overall

Welsey Arrance #13: 11th first moto & 10th second moto – 11th overall

85cc 12-16 year olds

Jack Janzen #18: 3rd first moto & 3rd second moto – 3rd overall

Supermini

Jack Janzen #18: 2nd first moto & 3rd second moto – 3rd overall

Samantha Janzen #181: 7th first moto & 7th second moto – 7th overall

Summer Olmstead #7X: 15th first moto &

Welsey Arrance #13: 11th first moto & 11th second moto – 11th overall

Ladies A

Samantha Janzen #181: 2nd first moto & 2nd second moto – 2nd overall

Ladies B

Brooke Pryor #167: 2nd first moto & 1st second moto – 1st overall

Beginner GP

Ryder Viczko #174: 2nd first moto & 4th second moto – 2nd overall

Carter Fortin #746: 6th first moto & 6th second moto – 6th overall

Cale Deschytza #53: 11th first moto & 2nd second moto – 7th overall

MX1 Junior (450)

Brady Pryor #167: 1st first moto & 1st second moto – 1st overall

MX2 Junior (250)

Brady Pryor #167: 1st first moto & 2nd second moto – 1st overall

Dylan Bandet #96: 13th first moto & 12th second moto – 13th overall

MX3 Junior (OPEN)

Brady Pryor #167: 1st first moto & 1st second moto – 1st overall

Jamie Dessert #181: 13th first moto & 13th second moto – 12th overall

Dylan Bandet #96: 14th first moto & 17th second moto – 17th overall

MX1 Intermediate (450)

Kayne Fisher #451: 1st first moto & 1st second moto – 1st overall

MX2 Intermediate (250)

Rylan Evans #237: 3rd first moto & 4th second moto – 4th overall

MX3 Intermediate (OPEN)

Kayne Fisher #451: 5th first moto & 3rd second moto – 4th overall

Rylan Evans #237: 4th first moto & 5th second moto – 5th overall

Vet 40+

Raymond Arrance #52: 2nd first moto & 1st second moto – 1st overall

Vet 50+

Dean Evans #37: 2nd first moto & 3rd second moto – 2nd overall

Denis Bandet #62: 7th first moto & 1st second moto – 3rd overall

Darcy Olmstead #73: 4th first moto & 7th second moto – 6th overall

Brian Deschytza #53: 6th first moto & 6th second moto – 7th overall

Vet Junior

Jamie Dessert #181: 3rd first moto & 3rd second moto – 3rd overall

Raymond Arrance #52: 5th first moto & 4th second moto – 4th overall

Dean Evans #37: 7th first moto & 5th second moto – 5th overall

Darcy Olmstead #73: 10th first moto & 10th second moto – 10th overall

Denis Bandet #62: 4th first moto & DNS second moto – 11th overall

Aiden Ziprick became the latest to hit a hole-in-one at the Moose Jaw Warriors Alumni Golf Tournament, acing the Par 3 sixth hole on Friday afternoon.

(l-r) Seth Arrance (522) and Raymond Arrance. Photo credit Jamie Olmstead

Miller Express drop two of three against Medicine Hat in weekend WCBL series

Moose Jaw falls 10-9 Friday, win 14-11 Saturday, drop 10-5 decision Sundy as up-and-down campaign continues Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw Miller Express against the Medicine Hat Mavericks this past weekend

blew a huge lead in the opener Friday and dropped a 10-9 decision, rallied for a 14-11 win on Saturday and saw another early lead get away on Sunday as they fell 10-5.

Scores from earlier in the week saw the Express lose 6-3 to the Red Sox in Regina and 4-2 at home to the Weyburn Beavers.

As a result, Moose Jaw is now 21-18 on the Western Canadian Baseball League season and sit 5 ½ games back of the Red Sox for first place in the East Division and three games back of the Mavericks for second place.

Medicine Hat 10, Moose Jaw 5

Despite building an early 4-0 lead, the Express would give up three runs in the third, fourth and sixth innings, eventually dropping a 10-5 decision in the final game of the three-game set.

Things looked good for Moose Jaw early, as a pair of runs in the first and two more in the third gave the Express a 4-0 lead. After Medicine Hat went ahead 6-4 in the fourth, the Express got one back in the sixth, but the Mavericks’ next threerun inning made it a 9-5 contest. They’d tack on another in the eighth to finish off scoring.

Declan O’Hare got the start for Moose Jaw and was bit by an untimely error in the third inning, eventually leaving the game having given up five runs, only two

Six

earned, on four hits in 3 ⅔ innings. Cameron Dunn then allowed four runs on four hits over the next 1 ⅔, and Julian Gonzalez finished things off, allowing a run on three hits over the final 2 ⅔.

Austin Gurney continued to swing a hot bat, going 3-for-5 with a double and run scored, while Darren Hagen was 2-for4 with a pair of two-baggers and two runs scored. Nathan Houston was 2-for-5 with two RBI; Nate Mensik went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Moose Jaw 14, Medicine Hat 11

The Miller Express overcame a 6-0 first-inning deficit and later rallied with six runs over the final two innings to take a 14-11 victory over Medicine Hat on Saturday night.

As well as things turned out, it was a tough start for the local squad, as Medicine Hat batted through their order in the first inning to build their 6-0 edge. The Express started their first comeback with three runs in the third to trail 8-3 before adding four more in the fourth and another in the fifth to tie the game 8-8.

The Mavericks regained the lead with three in the seventh before Moose Jaw put everything together in the final two innings, scoring three in the eighth to tie and another three in the ninth to secure the 14-11 win.

Austin Gurney had another stellar night at the plate for the Express, going 4-for-6 with a pair of runs scored, giving him nine hits in his last 12 at bats. Thomas Soto went 2-for-5 and scored four runs,

members

Miller Express third baseman Nathan Houston dives back to third base to tag out Weyburn’s Brayden Mayencourt on a throw from Joe Osborn.

while Darren Hagan was 4-for-6 with a double, three runs scored and three RBI. Bobby Pokorney also had a solid night at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two runs and an RBI.

It was a tough start on the Moose Jaw mound for Ethan Merk, as he gave up the eight early runs on 10 hits through three innings. Jacob Quiles and Jaden Canelli got the Express through the next three innings unscathed before Medicine Hat struck for three runs on two hits off Jacob Castaneda.

The back end of the Miller Express bullpen stood fast from there, though, as Takeo Cookson held the Mavericks scoreless in the eighth to earn the win and Westin Walls bounced back from giving up the lead the previous night to earn the save in the ninth.

Medicine Hat 10, Moose Jaw 9

The Express built a 9-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth against the

of Miller Express named to WCBL East Division All-Star team

Pitchers Vasquez, Cookson, infielders Soto, Houston, Gurney, outfielder Mensik all set to take action in event on July 20 in Okotoks Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw Miller Express saw six players from the local squad named to the Western Canadian Baseball League AllStar team last Thursday afternoon.

Pitchers Matt Vasquez and Takeo Cookson joined infielders Thomas Soto, Nathan Houston and Austin Gurney along with outfielder Nate Mensik in being named to the event, which will take place Saturday, July 20 at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks.

Vasquez has once again emerged as one of the team’s top hurlers, having pitched 37 ⅓ innings with a 4.58 earned run average and 1.38 walks and hits per

inning pitched to go along with a teambest 30 strikeouts. Vasquez has a 4-2 record through 10 appearances, six of those starts.

Cookson has become one of Moose Jaw’s top relievers in his first season with the team, putting together a 2.76 ERA and 1.31 ERA over 13 innings in the first half of the season. The Regina product’s three saves are tied for tops on the team.

Mensik cracks the All Star line-up for the third straight season after being named to the team outright as a rookie in 2022 and as a late replacement in 2023.

The Doane University senior is hitting

.285 with six home runs, 11 doubles and 26 runs batted in through 33 games.

Gurney makes his second All Star appearance after also making the trip last summer. A third-year veteran out of Pikeville University in Kentucky, Gurney is hitting .310 with a team-best nine home runs and 42 RBI. His .971 on base plus slugging percentage is also tops on the team.

After seeing limited action last season, Houston has been a key offensive sparkplug since the beginning of the campaign and makes his first All Star appearance. The Arizona Western College fresh-

Mavericks, only to see the home team rally with two runs that inning, four more in the seventh and another three in the eighth for a 10-9 victory.

Things looked great for the Express early, as they took a 3-1 lead into the sixth before sending 12 batters to the plate and putting up six runs for their substantial lead.

Moose Jaw starter Adam Christopher had held Medicine Hat in check until the bottom of the sixth, holding the Mavericks to only two hits in his second start of the season for Moose Jaw. After scoring their pair that inning, Medicine Hat would get four runs on four hits and an error in the seventh, leaving Christopher with seven runs allowed on eight hits through 6 ⅔ innings.

Jacob Castaneda then finished off the seventh before giving way to Westin Walls with a 9-7 lead. The stand-out reliever would give up runs for only the second time this season, as the Mavericks strung together three straight hits and took advantage of an untimely error to take the lead.

Austin Gurney had a spectacular night at the plate for Moose Jaw, going 5-for-6 with two doubles, two runs scored and a pair of RBI. Nathan Houston was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs, while Garrett Dennis and Marcerio Allen were each 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Miller Express are back in action on Tuesday when the Regina Red Sox are in town. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Ross Wells Park.

man leads the team with a .378 average and 42 hits, a home run and 23 RBI. Soto slotted into the lead-off slot in the Miller Express batting order early in the season and has proven to be exceptionally productive. The Tyler Jr. College sophomore is hitting .303 with a teambest 39 runs scored, nine doubles and three triples. Soto has also shown a keen eye at the plate with 22 walks, most on the Express.

You can check out the entire All Star team list for both the East and West Divisions at www.wcblbaseball.com.

All Star graphic

Moose Jaw Ice go undefeated to claim Softball Sask U13 A provincial championship

Impressive showing sees local team now off to Western Canadian championship in Brandon first weekend of August Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

After a season filled with success, the Moose Jaw U13 A Ice have claimed the biggest prize in the province.

The Ice went undefeated throughout

the weekend at the Softball Sask championship in Regina, eventually defeating the Saskatoon Hustlers 12-8 in the gold medal final to claim the provincial championship.

The Moose Jaw U13 A Ice -- here after winning the Prince Albert Shaye Amundson Tournament -- won the Softball Sask provincial championship in Regina on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, the Ice will be the top seed from Saskatchewan when the Western Canadian championships take place in Brandon during the Aug. 1 weekend.

The Ice didn’t leave much to chance throughout the tournament, either, posting dominant win after dominant win.

It all started on Friday afternoon, as Moose Jaw opened their round robin with a 17-6 win over the Regina Lazers. Their first game Saturday wasn’t much different, as they pounded out a 13-3 victory over the Prince Albert Aces. The Ice then booked their spot in the championship round with an-

other mercy-rule win, this time 13-3 over the Saskatoon Raiders.

Things didn’t change much on Sunday morning in their quarterfinal, as the Ice rolled to a 14-5 win over the Melfort Spirit, guaranteeing themselves at least a medal game and a shot at a Western Canadian berth.

They’d lock down that top three finish with another lopsided rout, getting past the Twin City Angels 12-3 in five innings.

Riley Ziffle led the way for Moose Jaw at the plate in the semifinal, going 2-for-3 with a double, home run, run scored and no less than six runs batted in.

Evelyn Stokes was 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Chloe Beliveau was 1-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Ziffle started on in the circle and allowed three runs on four hits over three innings, Lily Kwasnicki finished things off with two innings of scoreless work.

Things were relatively close in the

final against the Hustlers, as Moose Jaw took a 4-3 lead out of the first and were only up 9-6 through three. The Ice would tack on two more runs in the fifth, though, and their 12th run in the sixth made things all but academic. Saskatoon got two back in the bottom of the sixth, but would get no closer.

Stokes put together a 4-for-4 game that included a pair of doubles, three runs scored and a pair of RBI to lead Moose Jaw in the gold medal game. Atlee Feiffer also had a perfect game at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two runs and an RBI, while Ava Waldenberger-Evans knocked in three runs.

Ziffle pitched three innings and gave up five runs on seven hits, while Kwasnicki tossed four and allowed three runs while striking out 11.

The Ice will now have a couple of weeks off to prepare to face the best in the west from Aug. 1-4 in Brandon.

Moose Jaw U19 A Ice reach provincial final, advance to Canadian championship

Ice also go unbeaten in U15 B provincials to claim gold medal in Saskatoon Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw Ice are off to the Softball Canada U19 Women’s Championship.

The Ice won the right games at the right time during Softball Sask provincial tournament in Saskatoon over the weekend, reaching the gold medal game and as a result posting a top-three finish in the event.

Thanks to that showing, they’ll be one of three teams from the province taking part in Canadians from July 31 to Aug. 4 in Saskatoon.

It was an up and down weekend for the local crew, as they dropped their first two games at the four-team tournament, falling 12-1 to the Saskatoon Prairie Dog Selects on Friday night and losing 2-0 to the Saskatoon Wolverine Selects on Saturday morning.

That set the stage for a must-win

Ava Unser allowed a single run on four hits over five innings and Katie Newberry finished things off with two scoreless innings of work as Moose Jaw took a 5-1 win.

Aubrey Clarke and Jamison Langlois each went 3-for-4 at the plate in the semifinal victory.

That sent the Ice into the gold medal game against the Prairie Dog Selects, where things didn’t go quite as well, with Moose Jaw taking an 11-4 loss.

The Ice will now be the second-seed from Saskatchewan when Canadians begin in two weeks time.

***

The Moose Jaw Ice put together a perfect weekend at the U15 B Softball Sask championship in Saskatoon, and as a result they’re now provincial champions.

The Moose Jaw U19 A Ice reached the gold medal game at the Softball Sask provincial championship in Saskatoon and will advance to the Canadian championship in Saskatoon.

Finishing first in their pool sent the Ice into the tournament quarterfinal Sunday morning, where they’d continue their

At the U17 B provincial championship in Regina, the Ice went 3-1 in their round robin before falling in the quarterfinal.

Moose Jaw won their opener 12-1 over the Regina Saints before falling 10-3 to the East Central Wolverines. Things went far better in their next two outings, a 15-2 win over the Saskatoon Selects Cougars and 15-3 win over the Prince Albert Aces to advance to the playoff round.

The Ice then faced the Swift Current Sonic in their first playoff game and dropped an 11-1 decision.

****

At the U13 B provincial championship in Estevan, the Ice went unbeaten through four round robin games but fell in extra innings in their first playoff contest.

Moose Jaw utterly dominated the

Kinsmen Flying Fins turn in incredible performance at ManSask swimming championship

Moose Jaw athletes bring home 19 medals from elite multi-province competition in Regina Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

The Moose Jaw Kinsmen Flying Fins at the ManSask Summer Swimming Championship

annual event features the top swimmers from both provinces -- every competitor must have at least one ‘AA’ level time -- along with a handful of other clubs from throughout Western Canada. That makes for some elite racing, with medals hard to come by at the best of times.

So how did the Flying Fins do during the July 4-7 weekend in Regina?

No less than 19 medals, including 12 gold, leading to both the Saskatchewan Small Club and Overall Small Club titles for the local crew, easily one of their top finishes in recent memory.

“It was definitely one for the books,” said Fins coach Strasser Sankar. “It was in Regina, when usually we have to head to Saskatoon or Winnipeg, so this was kind of home turf for us and it was great to have that happen here since we could send so many swimmers. That was huge for morale with them cheering each other on as well as competing.”

Moose Jaw sent 11 swimmers to the meet this time around, when in past recent competitions fewer than a half dozen made the trip. That led to plenty of points being put on the board throughout the weekend, an absolutely commanding win in the Small Club division and impressive

The Moose Jaw Kinsmen Flying Fins with the Man/Sask Championship

Saskatchewan Small Club and Overall Small Club trophies. Pictured are Mateah Purdy, Cole Hrechka, coach Strasser Sankar and Leo Zheng.

sixth place finish overall.

“We hadn’t won the Small Club overall title in five, six years, so that was huge, especially after we got back into a build phase after 2020,” Sankar said. “To get back up to that point was huge for us. Last year we finished 22nd out of 24 clubs, so this was a huge jump.”

Leading the way in spectacular fashion was Leo Zheng. The record-setting S6 category para-swimmer won no less than seven gold medals, continuing what has been a dominant run in recent years.

It all led to Zheng winning the Philip Clark Award as the meet’s top male para performer.

“He swam really well, and that was great to see, especially to win seven races

and end up with the overall award,” Sankar said.

The 17-year-old picked up his medals in the 50m freestyle (37.70 seconds), 100m free (1:24.20), 400m free (6:29.37), 100m backstroke (1:33.96), 100m breaststroke (2:05.13), 50m butterfly (1:03.99, personal best) and 200m individual medley (3:56.84).

After a slew of near misses in recent ManSask meets, Mateah Purdy finally broke through with three gold medals and four in total. It was a heartening showing for the 17-year-old as she nears the end of her Fins career.

“She’s had a lot of fourth place finishes over the years at Man/Sask, but this year she got through in amazing fashion with two gold and a relay gold,” Sankar said. “It was really exciting to see her do so well, especially since next year is her final year before she heads off to college. It’s great she’s starting to peak now, since that will open a lot of opportunities for her.”

Purdy won gold in the 100m breast (1:18.66) and 200m breast (2:52.08) in addition to a first-place finish with the Team Sask relay foursome. Purdy also won bronze in the 50m breast (36.00).

Cole Hrechka had himself a meet to remember as well, bringing home seven medals -- two gold, four silver and a

bronze. The 14-year-old’s gold medals came in the 50m breast (33.66) and with the Team Sask relay, while his silvers were in the 50m back (33.16), 100m back (1:13.17), 200m breast (2:47.18), 200m IM (2:47.93) and his bronze in the 50m fly (31.95).

Makaya Arnott was unable to reach the top of the podium, but had a special moment of her own nonetheless -- she touched the wall in 32.32 seconds in the 50m backstroke final, giving the 17-yearold a Western Canadian championship standard time and a bronze medal.

Every Fins swimmer who took part in the event had at least a top-12 finish.

Molly Mack reached seven main finals and was fourth in the 100m free and 200m free, just missing a medal. Caleb DeLong (200m fly) and Emily Lin (100m back) each had fifth place finishes, while Libby Hunt was sixth in the 200m breast.

Adam Lazurko cracked the top eight in three races, finishing sixth in the the 100m fly to go along with seventh in both the 50m and 100m back. Rylan Montgomery was seventh in the 200m breast, and Rowan Gray took 12th place in the 200m free.

For up-to-date results on the Kinsmen Flying Fins, be sure to follow their social media pages and check out their website at bit.ly/3W5lIVz.

Kayak 4 Kidsport raises close to $13,000 for local sports charity

Record number of teams in Corporate Challenge helps boost KidSport Moose Jaw coffers during fun event in Wakamow Valley Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

It wouldn’t immediately come to mind that firefighting is a good base for becoming a winning canoe racer, but the last two editions of Kayak 4 KidSport in seem to have proven that true.

For the second straight year a team from the Moose Jaw Fire Department took first place in the annual Corporate Challenge at the event, with the Firefighters 2 team of Rob Halsall and Rod Ansell crossing the line first in the championship race on Saturday afternoon on the Moose Jaw River in Wakamow Valley.

It was the second straight win for Halsall, who joined up with Josh Striha to win the race in 2023.

“As far as supporting KidSport, we’ve done it for a couple of years, and the Fire Department likes to support things like this, (helping out kids). And winning back to back, well, we trained for this all year…” Halsall said before breaking into a laugh with Ansell.

The top three finishers in the Kayak 4 Kidsport Corporate Challenge were the Sandbox Mutual Insurance team of Tessa Silversides and Trent Beatty (third place), Firefighters 2 team of Rob Halsall and Rod Ansell (first place) and Dan and Ethan Whitbread (second place).

“As a firefighter we’re always staying in shape and working out, so that helps with things like this,” Ansell added as an explanation. “We’re on the boat quite a bit during the year, but the biggest part is just staying in shape.”

The Corporate Challenge saw the highest number of entries yet, with a total of 27 teams of two taking part in the races. Paddlers raced through five preliminary heats before all the heat winners gathered for the championship race.

All told, KidSport Moose Jaw chair John Eberl expects between $12,000 and $13,000 to flow into KidSport coffers be cause of Kayak 4 Kidsport as the event continues to grow and thrive.

“We scrimped and scraped to get a lit tle over $5,000 the first year in 2019, and each year afterwards it’s just continued to build,” Eberl said. “It’s all because of the good will of the community and the fun people have when they’re out there.”

The Moose Jaw Firefighters Association present a cheque for $500 to KidSport Moose Jaw chair John Eberl.

al sport and sometimes folks don’t get a chance to do this because of the cost. So this gives them a chance to try it out and have some fun.”

Participants were also treated to a free barbecue lunch thanks to Co-Op and the

brought people in, so thanks to them,” Eberl said. “The Co-Op provides sponsorship and the food, and the Elks help out with everything, so it’s a good gig.”

For more on KidSport Moose Jaw and their mission of helping every youngster have a chance to get into sports, visit their website at kidsportcanada.ca/saskatchewan/moose-jaw/.

While the Corporate Challenge is the highlight of the event, prior to the races families could pay $10 and receive a mini kayaking or canoe lesson before heading out on the water for a paddle around the river.

“People love to get on the water, and that’s part of it,” Eberl said. “We wanted to do something different from a tradition

The Moose Jaw Firefighters 2 team of Rob Halsall (back) and Rod Ansell in action during the final race.

Action from the Kayak 4 Kidsport Corporate Challenge races on Saturday afternoon.

Sudoku #5 - Challenging

ANTICIPATE, ARRAY, BASEMENT, BROWN, CURVE, EVERY, EXPERIENCE, FAVORITE, FREE, FRESH, GEESE, GUESS, HEART, HONEY, MIGHT, MISERY, NEVER, PERSONALITY, PEWS, QUAVER, RALLY, RESCUE, RIGHT, SCARY, SHARE, SLIDE, SNACK STAND. SURVIVE, SWEET, TASTE, THERE, TOTS, TRACK, TRUST, WAVE Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck. © 2024 KrazyDad.com

ACROSS 1. Limbs 5. Specified days of the month

European mountains

Dwarf buffalo 15. Lacquer ingredient

Type of knife

Small business owner

In place of

Mayday

Wading bird

Birth-related

Polished

Angered

Commercials

Having slats

Devoid

Not cloudy

Estimated time of arrival

Sticky substances

Thin person

Donkey sound

Superior limb

Danger

Guest inviters

Expatriated

45. Overweight

Barrage

Dictatorial

Innocent

3 in Roman numerals

A Great Lake

She wore a glass slipper

Play parts

Go inside

Fortune teller

Negative responses

Cast out

Countercurrent DOWN

Oversight

Enlist

Long-necked migratory bird

Drain

Condescends

Ready for anything

French for “Head”

Excited

Mister

Remove by evaporation

Lingerers

Request

Essence 18. Prepared

Ocean force

Handguns

Step 28. Sensational 29. French for “State” 30. 24 hour periods

31. Mild expletive

32. Extra

33. Pretentiousness

34. Showing a movie 37. Adjusts 38. Doofus

40. Quarry 41. Home run (baseball) 43. Preoccupy 44. Clandestine

Waits

Was laid up

Angered

A personal journal

Initial wager

Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Crops across the province are in good condition despite a week of hot dry weather and some localized flooding

Rainfall was less and variable for the week ended July 8, according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture weekly crop report.

Hot weather posed a risk of aborting flowers and reduced yields in many canola crops. Forty per cent of oilseeds were behind normal and risked lower yields from the heat.

Thirty-four per cent of spring wheat is behind normal stages of growth. Most other crops are about 25 per cent behind normal.

Almost one-fifth of the hay crop has been cut with six per cent baled. Quality is rated 30 per cent excellent, 59

Moose Jaw Truck Shop

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Looking to buy Canadian (1967 and prior) and American (1964 and prior) silver/ coinage. Can contact with other interesting finds. Contact Robert @ RK Coin, 306-631-8399.

Seeking Born Again Christian Business partner with potential ownership in Second Hand and Flea- Market business. Male, Female or Family must be interested in Salvation, Healing and Deliverance Outreach Ministry . Serious enquiries only please. 306-684-1084, 5 pm- 8pm ONLY (because of scam calls).

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Mortlach’s Bohemian Market to

After months of hard work and preparation, Mortlach residents Terry Bittles and Mike Beaudoin are pleased to announce the grand opening of Mortlach’s new Bohemian Market with more than a dozen vendors already confirming their attendance.

The Mortlach Bohemian Market will open its doors on Saturday, July 20 for a two-day event at the village entrance off Highway 1 and runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on each respective date.

The market is part of the Meet Me in Mortlach initiative, where the two residents hope to transform Mortlach into southern Saskatchewan’s must-see destination. Once established, the venue is intended to run from April to September each year.

Beaudoin said he and Bittles were hoping to open the market at least a month earlier, but the delay — which has now entered peak tourist season — has been caused by a drawn-out licensing requirement from the provincial government.

The biggest setback from the process has been the delayed potential to revive the small Saskatchewan village, and investors, vendors, and around six locals who are depending on the market for summer employment have all been left waiting.

hold two-day grand opening event July 20

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

“We’ve been called the new Dog River and stuff like that… it could be another big tourist attraction, but it’s hard to do it if we can’t open,” he noted.

Regardless, Beaudoin said the venue is already gaining traction — so much so that he spends most of his time at the site of the future marketplace and receives a steady stream of curious visitors. These visitors have ranged from Ontario vacationers all the way to members of Don Cherry’s podcast team.

“I’ve shown more people my artwork in the last few weeks than I have in the last three or four years,” he said.

To accommodate these guests, Beaudoin has washrooms, changing stations, and canopy buildings in place which have shaded people of every walk from highway work crews to cyclists.

Darren Jones, sculptor of the Don Cherry wood carving which has received national attention, will be returning for the grand opening to work on another creation before heading back to work. There’s no telling what he plans to make but guests are invited to watch as the project unfolds during the weekend.

Beaudoin said he’s also in talks with a potential investor from the area who always dreamt of setting up a space adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway, and – if all

Optimist Scholarships – 2024

Submitted by Lynann

Pethick

and Benjamin King (Central Collegiate). Congratulations to both and best wishes n

goes to plan – they’ll set up a live concert sometime in late July and again in September.

The marketplace itself is designed to help support local vendors of all descriptions, and Beaudoin’s inspiration is backed by the same sense of small-town hospitality that defines Saskatchewan’s rural communities.

To help spread awareness and build

traction, each of these vendors can set up completely free of charge for the month of July. After that they’ll have a simple fee to carry them over the summer season and the permanent venue will provide a solution for anyone experiencing downtime between events.

“There’s always days in between where they’re not making money, (and now) they can just set up here and still (make a living),” he said. “And plus, we have major events ourselves, so it’s as no-brainer.

“We’ve got all these vendors that are sitting at home right now that could be parked here… until there’s another event.”

For more information about the marketplace or to apply as a vendor, call 306355-2221 or email MJTEventsInMortlach@gmail.com.

The Mortlach Bohemian Market is set up at the main approach to Mortlach, located 30 minutes west of Moose Jaw along the Trans-Canada Highway.

Friendly City Optimist Club presented their “Friend of Youth” Scholarships to Kate Waldenberger (Vanier Collegiate)

Pictured: (l-r) Gayle Jones (committee member); Kate Waldenberger (recipient); Bill Heath (club president); Benjamin King (recipient); Lynann Pethick (committee chair). Submitted by Lynann Pethick

Obituaries / Memorials

PISIO

PISIO, Pete

Peter Pisio aged 89 years of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, passed away on Sunday, December 10th, 2023. Pete was born on March 29th, 1934, in Fosston, SK to Michael and Maria (née: Kudlacz) Pisio. In 1954 Pete married Stella and together they raised two children in Moose Jaw. Pete started his employment at CPR in Moose Jaw in 1956 and then CGTX (now GATX) on November 12th, 1957. He retired from CGTX on November 30th, 1994. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael, and Maria (née: Kudlacz) Pisio. Pete is survived by his children, Barry Pisio and Barb (Richard) Kuntz; grandchildren: Ryan (Kelli nee: Hagman) Ripley, Devin (Sarah nee: Brabant) Ripley, Jinelle (Jesse) Chesney, Dylan Pisio (Samantha), Tyson Pisio, and Kylin Pisio; great-grandchildren: Peyton and Brady Ripley, Greyson and Ryleigh Ripley, and Jaydon and Jessa Chesney; his remaining brothers: Andy (Olga), Nick (Virgina), and Steve (Fern); sisters-in-law: Mary (Terry) McDonnell, Vicki (Garnet) Linton, Liz Seeling, and Dianne Pisio; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations in Pete’s name to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation, 55 Diefenbaker Dr, Moose Jaw, Sk. S6J 0C2

PISIO, Stella

Stella Pisio (nee: Roll), aged 90 years, of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan passed away on Monday, May 27th, 2024. Stella was born in Kelvington, Sk on May 3, 1934. In 1954 Stella married Pete Pisio and together they raised two children in Moose Jaw. Stella is predeceased by her husband Peter Pisio on December 10, 2023, her parents John and Anna (née: Wrona) Roll, Infant brother (Peter Roll) and her in-laws Michael and Mary Pisio. Stella is survived by her son Barry Pisio, daughter Barb (Richard) Kuntz, Grandchildren; Ryan (Kelli nee: Hagman) Ripley, Devin (Sarah nee: Brabant) Ripley, Jinelle (Jesse) Chesney, Dylan Pisio (Samantha), Tyson Pisio and Kylin Pisio, Great Grandchildren; Peyton and Brady Ripley, Greyson and Ryleigh Ripley and Jaydon and Jessa Chesney. Sisters: Mary (Terry) McDonnell, Vicki (Garnet) Linton, Liz Seeling, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations in Stella’s name may be made to Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, 200-4545 Parliament Ave, Regina Sk S4W 0G3.

A celebration of both Stella’s and Pete’s lives will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2024, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Moose Jaw Funeral Home.

Please include the Moose Jaw Health Foundation in your estate plan to help your community for generations to come.

Rev. Dr. John Kreutzwieser is a retired pastor from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Moose Jaw, SK. He graduated with a doctorate degree in 2006 from the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Florida.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

Crucible

Our granddaughter went through her first graduation this summer. Granted, it was just preschool in preparation for kindergarten, but for her the year was a crucible, and graduation was an accomplishment. It was stressful at times for her during the year.

A crucible is a situation in which concentrated forces interact to cause or influence change or development. It is most frequently used in the expression, “His character was formed in the crucible of war.” For Lily, her first experience in any structured education system certainly developed her character by forces interacting to influence change. She is growing up so fast.

Crucible entered the English language in the 1400s to designate a vessel capable of enduring high temperatures used for melting and calcining a substance. (Calcining is to heat something to a high temperature but without fusing in order to drive off volatile matter or to effect oxidation or pulverization) Heat-resistant material, such as porcelain, was used for metallurgy, glass melting, and gemstone purification in the Middle Ages.

Some might think that the Latin cruc (or crux), meaning stake, scaffold, or cross used in executions, should be related to crucible. However, unlike the word crucial (important, significant), it is not linked. Crucible comes from the Latin crucibulum, a noun for an earthen pot used to melt metals. Given the resemblance between cruc and crucible people started using crucible to mean a severe trial, which is similar with one meaning of cross.

Athletes from around the world are getting ready to face the crucible of the Paris Olympics in a few weeks.

Synonyms for crucible can be cross, fire, gauntlet, ordeal, and trial.

Cross can mean an affliction that tries one’s virtue, steadfastness, or patience. We all have our crosses to bear at times.

Fire can refer to severe trial or ordeal. She proved herself in the fire of battle.

Gauntlet can imply a severe test. He ran the gauntlet of criticism and censure at the work interview. Gauntlet originally meant a double file of men facing each other and armed with clubs or other weapons with which to strike at an individual who is made to run between them. That certainly is a severe test.

Ordeal implies a severe experience. Being trapped in the elevator was a harrowing ordeal for the shoppers. Similar to gauntlet, ordeal originally referred to a primitive means used to determine guilt or innocence by submitting the accused to dangerous or painful tests believed to be under supernatural control. She was sentenced to ordeal by water, and then fire.

Trial can mean a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation. In its broadest terms, trial is a source of vexation or annoyance to someone. He experienced many trials on his journey to climb Mt. Everest.

In medical terminology, the crucible of the liver is used for the depression separating the two lower lobes from the lobus caudatus

Recalling the fire and heat required to transform some solids into liquids, crucible is most familiar as a situation in which great changes take place. So, I am wondering if the year of preschool was a crucible, what will elementary school be like?

Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage. John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to wordwisdom2021@gmail.com . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.

Straker’s songs celebrate rural Saskatchewan

You can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy.

That sums up much of Jeffery Straker’s music and songs and his passion for small town and rural Saskatchewan.

He lived under the bright lights of the big city and chose to come back to his home province as depicted in his song One Foot on Main Street.

His performance of that song teared up some of the 90 people attending his concert July 7 at the Sukanen Ship Museum grain elevator.

The passion for Saskatchewan and rural lifestyle also comes through in his storytelling between songs.

Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

The 1913 tin-sided grain elevator, moved here from Mawer, was but one of seven places with grain elevators he selected to perform concerts.

The elevator concerts salute what he calls Prairie Skyscrapers and an “unusual way’’ to announce his new album Big Sky Country.

Straker said he loves the old grain elevators that are slowly disappearing with less than 200 left, down from thousands in earlier days.

His song, More Than Two-By-Fours and Timbers,

highlights the elevators.

The Prairie Skyscraper concert tour included Elbow, Riverhurst, Southey, Hepburn, Horizon, Gravelbourg, which has the oldest restored elevator on its original site, and Moose Jaw.

The Horizon show, done in conjunction with the Ogema tourist train, was held in the elevator, thanks to a rainstorm.

With everyone on the weigh scale, he weighed the audience — 5,5000 pounds for 68 people. He is booked again for Horizon in 2025.

Straker chose elevator sites he had seen. He likes the Sukanen Pioneer Village and enjoyed seeing that the Prime Minister John Diefenbaker homestead shack is here, moved from Regina.

“It was in Wascana. I always wondered where it went.’’

Since the tour was announced “more elevators have surfaced” and he plans more elevator concerts.

One concert will be in August at the gateway to Grasslands National Park, the Val Marie elevator, which has been restored to a community events centre.

Hopefully he will be back at Sukanen next year.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Honoured to serve you.

Going ABOVE and BEYOND expectations is what sets us apart

Sid Huntley Funeral Assistant

Jeffery Straker performs at Sukanen Village Museum elevator, accompanied by guitarist Bryn Besse. Photo by Ron Walter

Festival of Words announces upcoming program schedule for

Established in 1996, the Saskatchewan Festival of Words is a registered non-profit hosting an annual literary festival on the third weekend in July. Each festival includes more than 60 events over four consecutive days to showcase literary talent from across Canada in Moose Jaw’s historic downtown.

This year’s festival will run from July 18 to 21 starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 18. Thursday, July 18

9 a.m. – Outlining Novels: Will run for three hours in the Moose Jaw Public Library’s Herb Taylor Room where Premee Mohamed will discuss tips on how to plan your novels. Tickets are $35 and registration is required.

9 a.m. – Reading for Writers Workshop: The workshop will run for three hours in the Cultural Centre’s North Studio. Led by Johnny D. Trinh, the workshop helps writers of all genres improve their public reading and performance skills. Participants are asked to bring a two-minute piece to read aloud. Tickets are $35 and registration is required.

9 a.m. – Kids Ink: Bardic Inspiration: Is an RPG (Role Playing Game)-inspired workshop led by Victoria Koops that will run for two hours in the library’s South Room. The event helps teens develop their storytelling skills and registration is required for the free event.

10 a.m. – Storytime for Little Ones: Will run for one hour on the front lawn of the Moose Jaw Public Library. The event is led by Candace Savage and is free to attend.

1 p.m. – Thematic Approach to Sci-Fi: A three-hour discussion on developing plot concepts for your own scifi writing will be led by Robert Sawyer in the library’s South Room. Tickets are $35 and registration is required.

1 p.m. – Great Big Book Club: A three-hour discussion of the book Moon of the Turning Leaves will take place at the library’s Herb Taylor Room moderated by Jael Richardson and featuring author Waubgeshig Rice. The event is sold out.

6 p.m. – Café Daughter: A one hour and 45-minute presentation will be held at the Mae Wilson Theatre featuring Yvette Wong who shares the story of her struggles as a half-Chinese, half-Cree woman in the ‘60s. Tickets are $13 and the event is covered in the Full Pass.

8:30 p.m. – READception: Will run for one hour at the Mae Wilson Theatre including mini readings from authors Vivian Darroch-Lozowski, Katherena Vermette, Zalika Reid-Benta, Timothy Taylor, and Holly Hogan. Tickets are $25 and the event is included in the Full Pass.

9:30 p.m. – SWG Reception: A one-hour event will be held at the lobby of the Cultural Centre for the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild (SWG) Reception. Appetizers are provided by the SWG and attendance is free.

Friday, July 19

4 p.m. – Let’s Get Political: A one-hour discussion will cover the topic of books that become political. The event will be moderated by Jael Richardson and features David A. Robertson, Katherena Vermette, and S. Bear Bergman. Tickets are $17 and the event is covered in the Full Pass and Friday Pass.

6 p.m. – Trivia Night: Will be held at Bobby’s Place featuring literary-based trivia questions and the $35 ticket includes Bobby’s renowned fish and chips. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

8 p.m. – Spoken Word Showcase: Will run for an hour and a half at the Mae Wilson Theatre hosted by Cat Abenstein and featuring Shayna Stock, Johnny D. Trinh, and Abdulsalam Abo Al Shamat. Entry is by donation. Reading sessions: All reading sessions are $10 per session (unless otherwise stated) and each session runs for 50 minutes. For a full list, visit FestivalOfWords.com/ Schedule.

Saturday, July 20

July 18 – 21

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

The annual Saskatchewan Festival of Words is scheduled to take place July 18 - 21. Photo by: Saskatchewan Festival of Words

4 p.m. – Interview with Robert J. Sawyer: Will run for one hour at the Mae Wilson Theatre. The interview will take place as a discussion with the acclaimed sci-fi writer about his works and will be moderated by Ed Willett. Tickets are $17 and the event is covered with the Full Pass and Saturday Pass.

5 p.m. – Book launch: The Penumbra Press will be launching a new book which will be announced at the event and attendance is free.

8 p.m. – An Evening with Brent Butt: Will be held for two hours at the Mae Wilson Theatre including live comedy and an interview about his new thriller, “Huge.” Tickets are $60 and the event is covered with the Full Pass

and Saturday Pass.

Reading sessions: All reading sessions are $10 per session (unless otherwise stated) and each session runs for 50 minutes. For a full list, visit FestivalOfWords.com/ Schedule.

Sunday, July 21

9 a.m. – Breakfast: The day’s events will take place at the Moose Jaw Events Centre and all features are sold out. Breakfast will run for one hour.

10 a.m. – Climate Protection on Home Soil: A 50-minute presentation on protecting natural grasslands will be moderated by Candace Savage and led by a panel including Lorne Scott, Andrea Olive, Premee Mohamed, and Ian Hnatowich. This event is sold out.

11:10 a.m. – Fantastical Writings: A 50-minute panel discussion on all things fantasy will be moderated by Jael Richardson and led by Zalika Reid-Benta, Jes Battis, and Victoria Koops. This event is sold out.

To register and purchase your tickets, visit FestivalOfWords.com/Schedule or the Cultural Centre’s box office at Tickets.MooseJawCulture.ca

You can download a full schedule at FestivalOfWords. com/Schedule.

For more information about this year’s event, visit FestivalOfWords.com.

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH

Eyebrow fair keeps on operating

Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

The 28th edition of the annual Eyebrow Fair is in the books.

How this village of 118 puts together a one-day fair featuring multiple events is a mystery to many observers.

Wanda White, one of the small core of key volunteers explained how it’s done.

“We really appreciate our volunteers and sponsors. Without them we couldn’t do this.”

The village and district support the fair by volunteering, sponsoring and attending the free fair.

Events run the gamut from the horse show in the arena, many tables of home-baking and craft en-

tries to a four-team slo-pitch tournament, a pancake breakfast, parade, supper, cabaret and fireworks.

This year’s horse show drew about 30 horse and rider entries.

Organizers noted two other horse shows in the region attracted riders who would have come to Eyebrow.

The horse show had a large number of new classes geared to youngsters.

Bouncy castles were supplemented by a candy in the hay hunt for kids.

Detour Country from Regina entertained at the cabaret after the chicken dinner.

The pie booth was busy selling slices of homemade pie.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

The

views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.

“That will never be me” Unforeseen Homelessness

By Maxton Eckstein Square One Community Inc. Coordinator

Homelessness is often something that can seem very distant from our own lives. Perhaps we imagine the transition to houselessness like a long ladder with many rungs, each step towards finding ourselves on the streets linked with poor choices, lack of effort or the use of an addictive substance. It is easy to think that you would see the warnings signs coming,

picturing ourselves at the top of the ladder with lots of room for error before we ended up houseless. For most of us, the idea seems inconceivable, or as I frequently hear: “That will never be me”.

The reality is somewhat starker. For a great portion of people who have ended up homeless, the transition was both sudden and unpredictable. Once someone finds themself on the street, without the luxury of clean clothes, steady meals, access to a shower, transportation and a place to get good rest, taking steps to improve your own situation becomes daunting at best, and impossible at worst.

I once worked with a woman who was happily housed with her children. She suffered from a permanent disability which prevented her working, and while life was sometimes tough, it was stable. That changed one night when her rental house caught fire and burned to the ground. While she was able to stay in a hotel for a few days with some emergency resources, she did not have the money to come up with rent and deposit on a new unit and the waitlist for disability housing

was over a year long. With the shelters at capacity and without a support network, she ended up sleeping in an abandoned garage. She lost custody of her children during this time, and along with it the hope of the future she had always imagined. She never dreamed she would have ended up homeless.

A man I once worked with had it all: a great job, a home, and a family. After an unexpected, sudden separation with his spouse, he found himself without anywhere to stay. Due to the unforeseen breakup, his resources were tied up, and he was unable to secure himself a temporary place. He ended up staying in a shelter when there was space, and outside when there was not. His attendance and appearance at work immediately suffered. He lost his job. This began several years of homelessness for this man, something he never imagined he would experience.

Another single man I knew worked as an independent contractor in the trades and had always worked hard. He rented an apartment in town he would stay at when he wasn’t in the field. One day, pains in

his chest escalated into a heart attack. Although he survived, his health deteriorated leaving him unable to work. After missing a few pay cheques, he couldn’t afford his rent. Now on social assistance, there was very little suitable housing for him in town. He moved, alone, to a city he could afford to rent in. having no connections, he ended up tangled with the wrong crowd. He was quickly evicted due to his guest’s misbehavior. He remained homeless for many years. He never thought it would be him.

The reality is, many of us are one paycheck away, one fire away, one divorce away, or one diagnosis away from potentially facing homelessness ourselves. Those experiencing homelessness are not a separate category of people. They are our parents, our siblings, our children, our childhood friends. Many of them would have said: “that will never be me”. The silver lining in all this, is if it’s one rung down into homelessness, as a city we can support people climbing one rung up. Our collective collaboration, cooperation and compassion can and will change lives.

Upcoming Events in Moose Jaw

If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at: joan@ moosejawexpress.com

Women “Fore” Women Golf Tournament will be held on August 10 at Hilcrest Golf Club. Register your 2-person teams at the Hillcrest Golf Course, Moose Jaw or call 306 6931921. Payment due upon registration Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling - The sport for ages 6-106. Often referred to as curling on grass. Regular scheduled play on Mon thru Thurs @ 6:30 pm. On Extremely hot days the time will be later. Tuesday and Thursday @9:30am (The Coffee League). Other days and times can be scheduled. Website is moosejawlawnbowling.com; Text 306690-8739 for more info.

The Moose Jaw Stamp Club will not be meeting over the summer. The next meeting will be in September.

New Youth Pipe Band in Moose Jaw “The White Heather” for youth aged 8 to 12. Further information may be obtained by contacting Michelle Carline at mcarline@hotmail.com Scottish Country Dance Classes for all ages on Thursdays at 7pm at 510 Main St. N (T. Eaton Bldg). No partner required. Call Val @306.630.5790.

Nature Moose Jaw will hold their meetings on a once-a-month basis to take place on the third Friday of each month. Church of Our Lady Bingo takes place at the Church of Our Lady Community Centre, 566 Vaughan Street on Tuesday evenings. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m. Are you struggling with addictions? Do you know someone who is? Or do you want to learn more about overcoming addiction to help others? Pastor Cory Havanka and his wife Brenda will be offering an in-person, small-group, course that will explore how to overcome addiction that is based on Biblical foundations. For questions - Call or text Cory at 306-684-1464 or email firmfoundationministries.inc@gmail.com Firm Foundation Ministries provides other services as well:-Bible study - Monday evenings at 630 p.m/Prayer meetings - Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m/Pastoral counselling. Check Facebook or Instagram for updates on services, events, bible study notes and words from the Lord. Nar-Anon Meetings every Monday 7—8pm (Moose Jaw Nar-Anon Family Group) is a twelve-step program for relatives and friends affected by someone else’s drug use and is in-person at Moose Jaw Alliance Church, 14 Neslia Place. Come in Main Doors – Meeting Rm 103. Your anonymity and what you say at meetings will be carefully guarded. Toastmasters is an internationally recognized education program providing experiential communication and leadership training. For better listening, thinking & speaking skills Toastmasters myriad of programs can be utilized to facilitate your goals. Moose Jaw has 2 clubs. Summer programing will be: BIG COUNTRY club will meet on zoom Aug 14, In person July 24, Aug. 7 & 28. TAP club meets each Tuesday @7pm on Zoom. Contact 306-630-7015 or email lorna.e.arnold@gmail.com for more info

TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group meets every Wednesday evening at the Alliance Church, 14 Neslia Place. (Corner of Thatcher Drive W. & 9th Ave.W.) Please enter through the west-facing door, turn right and go to end of the hallway by the library, to room 105. Weigh-in takes place from 6:30-7:00 pm. Meeting to follow. TOPS can help you reach your weight loss goal by providing you with tools, information and support to be successful. The group shares friendship, weight loss tips and offers encouragement to one another. New members are very welcome. Scale weighs up to 500 lbs.

Wednesday Night Ladies Business League (9 Hole) at Lynbrook Golf Course at (306) 692-2838 for more information or if interested in joining. Hours of play have to cross over

within time frame of 4-6pm. Registration fee:

$25.00 (cash or cheque) to be paid at Pro Shop; Sign-up sheet on bulletin board by Ladies bathroom. Aug 14 – Fun Night Tournament- 5:30 pmShotgun (sign up sheet will be posted prior week) Sept 11 – Year End Tournament – 5:00pmShotgun (sign up sheet will be posted prior week)

Sept 18 – Year End Banquet (cocktails 6:00 pm- supper 6:30 pm)

Moose Jaw Public Library (MJPL), 461 Langdon Cres. Phone 306.692.2787. Visit their website at https://www.moosejawlibrary.ca or visit ASK@MOOSEJAWLIBRARY. CA

Some library programs require registration by calling 306-692-8210 or emailing nsetter@ moosejawlibrary.ca FESTIVAL OF WORDS UPCOMING EVENTS

2024 Festival of Words will take place July 18 – 21, and the 28th iteration of the annual event. Distinguished authors Sid Marty, a Canadian author, poet/musician, and freelance writer; Waubgeshig Rice, an Anishinaabe author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation on Georgian Bay; and, Victoria Koop, a Saskatchewan-based writer with a proud love of all things geeky are all confirmed to attend. For more information contact operations co-ordinator Amanda Farnel at Amanda@FestivalOfWords.com or visit FestivalOfWords.com.

SPECIAL PROGRAMMING:

EMMA. Monday, July 22/Time: 6:00 pm/ Location: MJPL Theatre/Ages: Adults/Drop-in program

MJPL BOOK CLUB Tuesday, July 30/Time: 7:00 pm/Location: South Meeting Room/ Ages: Adults Drop-in program/Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen JANE AUSTEN TALK Guest Speaker: Dr. Alexis McQuigge - University of Regina Sessional Lecturer/Date: Monday, July 29 at 7:00 pm/Location: MJPL Theatre/Free Admission

TEDDY BEAR PICNIC Saturday, July

27/Time: 10:30 am/Location: Children’s Room/Ages: Ages 2 and up/Registration required/*Teddy’s can participate in the sleepover even if the program is full.

PRIDE + PREJUDICE + ZOMBIES Saturday, July 27/Time: 2:30 pm/Location: MJPL Theatre/Ages: All ages/Drop-in program/*This movie is rated 14A - under 14 must be accompanied by an adult

ADULT PROGRAMMING:

TECH TIME Available by appointment/Time: Open hours/Location: Main Library/Ages: Adults By appointment only - please call the Library at 306-692-2787 to schedule an appointment.

MAGIC THE GATHERING Saturdays, July 27/Time: 2:00 pm/Location: Reading Room Ages: Ages 13 and up/Drop-in program

MJPL DOCUMENTARY NIGHT Thursday, July 25/Time: 6:00 pm/Location: MJPL

Theatre Ages: Adults/Movie: Minding the Gap/Drop-in program HOOPLA BOOK CLUB July 1 to August 31/ Check out hoopla’s spotlight title for July & August Grey Dog by Elliott Gish. This title is available in eBook and audiobook formats. DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH ON KANOPY

Kanopy has curated a collection of thoughtful documentaries and narrative films featuring those living with disabilities. You can access the collection for free with your Library card.

SUMMER READING CLUB FOR ADULTS 18 AND UP Read books…Audiobooks count too! Earn ballots towards weekly $10 gift card prizes for every book read (maximum 1 book/ballot per day). Earn an additional ballot for the weekly draw by completing a brief book review for our wall! Each ballot will also earn participants a chance to win the grand prize draw (valued at approx. $150). You can pick up your book review forms at the Library or download and print at home.

TEEN PROGRAMMING:

TEEN D&D: CAMP GOODBERRY Tue/Thu in July & August/Time: 6:30 pm/Location: MJPL Archives/Ages: 12 to 16/Registration required TEEN ARTS & CRAFTS/Wednesday, July 17/

Time: 6:30 pm/Location: Herb Taylor Room/ Ages: Ages 12-19/Snacks provided/Drop-in program

TEEN ANIME+ CLUB Wednesday, July 24/ Time: 6:30 pm/Location: MJPL Theatre/ Ages: Ages 12-19/Snacks provided/Drop-in program/Featuring: Why Raeliana Ended Up at the Duke’s Mansion DIGITAL D&D Fridays/Time: 4:00 to 6:00 pm/ Location: MJPL Youth/Discord Channel/Ages: 16 to 25. Registration required/Email youth@ mjlibrary.ca to inquire.

TABLETOP TUESDAYS Tuesdays, July 23/ Time: 6:30 pm/Location: Herb Taylor Room/ Ages: All ages/Snacks provided/Drop-in program SUMMER READING CLUB FOR YOUTH AGES 12-19. Pick up your Summer Reading Club brochure at the Circulation desk in the Library. Participate in challenges, track your reading, attend Teen programs at the Library, and more. Receive scratch tickets for your participation and win prizes!

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING :

L’HEURE DU CONTE (FRENCH STORYTIME) Lundi, 29 juillet ; 10h30 à la chambre des enfants pour les 0-5 ans et leurs soignants. All levels of French language are welcome.

BABY STORYTIME! Tues, until Aug 27/Time: 10:30 am/Location: Children’s rogram Room/ Ages: 0 to 2 and their caring adults! Drop-in Program STORYTIME IN THE PARK! Weds until Aug 28/Time: 10:30 am/Location: Children’s Program Room/Ages: 2 to 5 and their caring adults! Drop-in Program LEGO WEEKENDS: SUMMER EDITION! Fri, Sat & Sun in July/Time: Open hours/Location: Children’s Department/Ages: 4 and up/This is a self-guided activity TAKE ‘N’ MAKE KITS Available Thursday, July 25/Time: Open hours/Location: Children’s Circulation Desk/Ages: 4 to 12/Craft: Pool Noodle Monsters/This is a self-guided activity MAKER SATURDAYS Saturdays, July 20/ Time: 1:30 to 3:00 pm/Location: July 6 - Herb Taylor Room and July 20 - Children’s Room/ Ages: 8 to 12/Registration required SK SCIENCE CENTRE AT MJPL Monday, July 29/1:00 pm - Fly Me to the Moon/2:00 pm - Disaster-Defying Architects/3:00 pmBackyard Biodiversity/ Location: Herb Taylor room/Ages: 6 to 13. Registration required – registration opened on July 2 for all three programs. Separate registrations required for each program.

SUMMER READING CLUB FOR CHILDREN 0-12. Visit the Library to register at the Circulation desk. Use your clock bookmarks to track the number of minutes you spend reading or listening to stories over the summer! You can pick up your instructions and bookmarks at the Library or download them and print at home from the website. You can pick up your brochure and reading logs at the Library or download the brochure and print it at home.

The Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 59 Moose Jaw, 268 High St W Moose Jaw Contact: 306-692-5453

Facebook @ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGIONBranch 59 Moose Jaw Instagram: @Royalcanadianlegion59

SUMMER HOURS: Mon - 11am-9pm; Tues - 11am-5pm; Wed&Thurs - 11am-5pm; Fri11am-8pm & Sat - 11am-6pm

BINGO – Monday @ 6pm

CRIBBAGE –Tuesday @ 1:30 pm - Please sign-in by 1pm MEAT DRAW & CHASE THE ACE - Saturday @ 3pm - Everyone welcome Legion Money Raffle Draw – Final Draw Dec 21 @1:30pm 3 Early Bird Draws Oct 5 @1:30pm for $1000each. 200 tickets available @$20each. 19+ to purchase tickets. Total retail prize $23,000. Tickets available at Legion. Call office at 306.692.5453 or 306.693.9688 to pay Visa or Mastercard. Moose Jaw and District Seniors: For more information Call: 306-694-4223 or Email: Email: mjsenior@shaw.ca . The centre is now open Mon-Thurs 8am – 8pm. Fitness Level & Indoor Walking Track open

M-T and Friday’s 8am-8pm/ Lounge – Friday’s from 8am-4pm. Wood working area – Mon- Fri 8am – 4pm/ Timothy Eaton Cafe open Mon-Fri, 8am –4pm. Timothy Eaton Cafe open Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cinnamon Buns on Thursday’s. Tuesday is pie day. Everyone is welcomed. Billiards daily 8a.m. – 4p.m.; Monday & Thursday evenings 4:30 – 8 p.m. Pickle Ball – Monday & Thursday mornings @ 10 a.m/Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday afternoons @ 1 p.m./Monday & Thursday evenings @ 7 p.m./ Wednesday pickleball @ 5pm Cancelled for the summer months Fitness- Chair/Low Impact Fitness Mondays 11:30 & Thursdays @ 1:00 p.m. Cribbage – Wednesdays @ 1 p.m.; Whist –Tuesday @ 1pm; Hand & Foot Card Game for Beginners – Thursday @9:30 am.; Mah Jong – Wednesday @1 p.m. Beginners is Monday @1pm; 500 Cards – Thursdays @ 1 p.m.; Spades – Tuesday and Fridays 1pm Full Body work out – Monday’s 10am & Wednesday 9:30am Scrabble – Monday’s at 1pm Line Dancing – Tuesdays @ 10 a.m. Intro to Line Dancing – Wednesday’s @ 11am Art & Crafts – Monday, Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 1 p.m. Floor Shuffleboard – Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 1 p.m. Paper Tole – Tuesdays @ 1 p.m. Nickle Bingo – Fridays @ 1 p.m.; New to the Centre is BINGO every Monday at 1:30pm Quilting – Every Friday 9am to 4pm Lounge – Friday’s from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jam Sessions – Friday’s 9 a.m. Teaxas Hold’em - Thursday @ 6:30pm Floor Curling – Wednesday and Fridays @1pm Cosmo Senior Citizens’ Centre Weekly Activities – 235 3rd Ave. N.E. Phone 306.692.6072 or email cosmo@sasktel.net Check them out on Facebook. Monday: 9:30am-Pickleball/1pm-Floor Shuffleboard/7pm-Camera Club – only on the 2nd Monday of the month

Tuesday: 9:30am-Jam Session/1pmPickleball/7pm-Friendship Bridge/7pmBeginners Only Pickleball

Wednesday: 8:30am-TOPS/8:30amPickleball/1pm-Floor Shuffleboard Thursday: 10am-Line Dance/1pm-Pickleball Friday: 9:00am-Beginner Pickleball/1pmRegular Pickleball

July 18th Cosmo Barbeque Fundraiser from 5-6pm. Hamburgers, hotdogs, beans, salad, coffee & tea. Cost $15. Moose Jaw ANAVETS: Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans Unit #252 – 279 High St. W, Moose Jaw. 306.692.4412 or anaf252@ sasktel.net

Every Wednesday – open 12-6 pm: Smear Every Thursday – open 12-7 pm: Regular Crib (ends June 13th) and Smear Every Friday – open 1-10 pm, 7 pm: Darts and Pool Every Saturday – open 1-7 pm: Meat Draw starts at 4:30 pm. 10 meat draws, 4 free draws, gift card and 50/50. Everyone welcome. FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES #3395 EVERY THURSDAY: Ladies Auxiliary “Meat Draw”

Public library announces program options and events for Jane Austen month this July

The Moose Jaw Public Library is announcing its program lineup and the theme for July is Jane Austen based on Pride and Prejudice, the book club’s reading selection for the month.

Movie club

The library’s movie club meets twice monthly to watch a film and engage in short discussion starting at 6 p.m. in the library’s theatre.

Emma: is an “infectiously charming” modern version of the Jane Austen classic telling the story of Emma Woodhouse, a smug and conceited community matchmaker. Show date: Monday, July 22.

The library’s Documentary Night showcases documentary films that rarely hit theatres and takes place on the last Thursday of each month starting at 6 p.m. in the library’s theatre.

Minding the Gap: is a “stunningly human documentary” by acclaimed director Bing Liu who examines the relationship between himself and two friends growing up in the skateboarder community of Rockford, Il. Show date: Thursday, July 25.

A few movie matinees will be shown for audiences of all ages in the library’s theatre starting at 2:30 p.m. Admittance is free and everyone’s welcome.

Bride & Prejudice: Saturday, July 13 (rated G).

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Saturday, July 27 (rated 14A).

Clueless: Wednesday, July 31 (rated PG).

Maker nights

Maker nights provide an evening dedicated to learning and creating with

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

others. Register by calling 306-692-8210.

The program runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room for ages 13 and up.

Maker Saturdays: children ages eight to 12 will build and code a LEGO robot in the LEGO Spike Prime program on Saturday, July 20 from 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Children’s programming

LEGO Weekends: are open to children ages four and up during the library’s regular business hours on Saturdays and Sundays. In this self-guided activity in the Children’s Department, children can have fun building wild LEGO creations that they’re invited to put on display.

Children’s Storytime programs run on separate days in the Children’s Program Room starting at 10:30 a.m. Here, young readers can enjoy a short story, rhymes, and songs as caregivers learn ways to improve early childhood literacy.

Summer Baby Storytime: Tuesday, July 16, 23, and 30.

Storytime in the Park: Wednesdays until Aug. 28 in front of the library starting at 10:30 a.m.

Baby, Preschool, and Daycare Storytime: will resume in the fall.

Teddy Bear Picnic & Sleepover is a stand-alone program for children ages two and up to bring their favourite stuffy and join Miss A for a teddy bear picnic. Registration is required.

Teddy Bear Picnic & Sleepover: Saturday, July 27 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Eric Paetkau, also known as “Mr. Eric,” will be holding an interactive performance with music and story sharing at the library’s

Congratulations to Adrian Kleinsasser for winning the Moose Jaw Express colouring contest

For Moose Jaw Express

Moose Jaw Express held a colouring contest during the last two week of June for children in elementary school. There were 30 submissions by kids who did a great job colouring and it was such a pleasure to see everyone’s work. Congratulations to the winner of the contest iAdrian Kleinsasser who received a prize basket of Tristan’s Treat products and a gift certificate to shop for more treats.

Performing Arts Theatre this summer. Mr. Eric was formerly a professional orchestra conductor with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and will be combining original songs and silly tales from his children’s book, The Big Book of Stuff Mr. Eric: will perform on Saturday, July 13 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Youth programming

The library’s Teen Anime+ Club meets every fourth Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 to watch anime, read manga, draw, chat, and eat Asian snacks. Anyone ages 12 –19 is welcome to attend in the library’s theatre and yes – cosplay is welcome.

Next Anime+ meeting: Wednesday, July 24.

The Teen Arts & Crafts program takes place once a month for youth ages 12 to 19 and runs 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room. The program features art, crafts, snacks, and the chance to meet new friends.

Silhouette Art: Wednesday, July 17. Tabletop Tuesdays feature tabletop games and is open for participants of all ages. The program takes place from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the Herb Taylor Room.

Next Tabletop meetings: Tuesday, July 9 and 23.

Saskatchewan Science Centre workshops

On the afternoon of Monday, July 29, the Saskatchewan Science Centre will be holding free workshops from 1 to 4 p.m. at the library. Each workshop is one hour long and is intended for children ages six to 13. Advanced registration is required for each separate intake.

Fly Me to the Moon

Disaster-Defying Architects

Backyard Biodiversity

Jane Austen month

To end the library’s Jane Austen month, guest speaker Dr. Alexis McQuigge who specializes in Jane Austen at the University of Regina will be delivering a guest lecture with an opportunity for guests to have their questions answered.

Dr. Alexis McQuigge: will visit on

Monday, July 27 starting at 7 p.m. at the library.

Regular events

The Moose Jaw Chess Club provides biweekly chess games every second Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the South Meeting Room.

Upcoming chess games: Sunday, July 21.

Magic the Gathering is held on Saturdays at 2 p.m. in the Reading Room. No registration is required, and all experience levels are welcome.

Magic the Gathering: Saturday, July 13, and 27. There is no match on July 20.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is played through a current nine-week mini campaign from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Archives Room and players ages 12 to 16 across all experience levels are invited.

Camp Goodberry D&D: Group A (Tuesdays) will meet on July 16, 23, and 30. Group B (Thursdays) will meet on July 11, 18, 25, and Aug. 1. New digital D&D: will take place Fridays on the youth Discord channel from 4 to 6 p.m.

Tech Time: classes provide one-on-one instruction for modern-day electronic devices and are available by calling the library.

French-language programs

The library is now offering L’heure du conte, a French-language program for children ages five and under with their caregivers. The program is held in the Children’s Room starting at 10:30 a.m. L’heure du conte: Monday, July 15 and 29.

The Summer Reading Club has resumed, and prizes will be awarded at the end of the season for three age categories: 0 to 12, 12 to 19, and adults (18 and up).

The Moose Jaw Public Library is located at 461 Langdon Crescent and can be reached online at MooseJawLibrary.ca, by calling 306-692-2787, or by emailing Ask@ MJLibrary.ca