Moose Jaw Express, January 15th, 2025

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Beloved Lion Dance returning to this year’s Chinese New Year banquet

Some people perceive the snake as a dangerous reptile to avoid, but it holds special importance in Chinese culture since it symbolizes wisdom and transformation and offers opportunities for growth and change.

The slithering snake is the sixth creature in the 12-animal Chinese zodiac cycle, and according to Chinese mythology, the order of the animals was decided by a great race that the Jade Emperor hosted. The snake, clever and strategic, coiled around the horse’s hoof and finished the race ahead of the horse and claimed sixth place.

Unlike the bold and outgoing dragon — its year was 2024 — the snake represents calmness and introspection. These traits are seen as essential for guiding one’s life with wisdom and grace.

Furthermore, snakes are known in the zodiac for their wisdom, intuition, and mystery. Naturally strategic, they are excellent problem-solvers and skilled communicators. To protect themselves from bad luck this year, those born in the Year of the Snake should wear red throughout 2025. Red underwear, socks, or accessories are thought to ward off misfortune.

Though this zodiac year may bring challenges, these obstacles often lead to greater wisdom and personal growth for snakes.

During the past century, the Year of the Snake was 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 and now 2025.

The Moose Jaw Chinese Community Network (MJCCN) is the original group that has supported this ethnic

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community for roughly 140 years. Its goal is to promote culture, assist newcomers with integration, help its members and provide social opportunities to unite young and old ethnic Chinese.

This year’s Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday, Jan. 28, but the network is holding its eight-course banquet on Monday, Jan. 27 at Jade Garden Restaurant. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., the program starts at 5:30 p.m., and dinner begins at 6 p.m. There will be prize draws, while MJCCN members will receive a red envelope with money.

Tickets are $50 and residents can purchase them from Jade Garden (306-694-5566), the Delight Café and Wok (306-692-1889) or by emailing moosejawchinese@gmail. com. The deadline to purchase is Monday, Jan. 20.

“I’m very excited (for the banquet),” Kelvin Hu, president of the MJCCN, said.

Carrying on this tradition is important because it allows the network to invite Chinese residents from around the community and gives older adults the opportunity to catch up with friends since some may not often see each other, he continued.

Meanwhile, the MJCCN has two new features for this year’s banquet: it is inviting a local musician to perform several songs and is bringing back the exciting Lion Dance. Hu noted that the Calgary-based consul general of the People’s Republic of China provided the network with two costumes last year.

“We have recruited two young people who will … be performing the Lion Dance as part of the celebration for us,

so that is another very exciting thing for me,” he said, noting that the previous costume was in bad shape and could no longer be used.

While the consul general provided two costumes, the network will use only one because Jade Garden is usually jam-packed with people and space is limited, Hu continued. Hu added that people like this banquet because of the authentic ethnic cuisine and the conversations they can have

with friends and strangers.

This year, the dishes include Foo Yong crab meat and fish maw soup, signature crispy fried chicken, honey-glazed roasted ribs, crispy roasted duck, cheese cream jumbo shrimp E-Fu noodles, sweet and sour pork belly, sautéed fish fillets with cashews and honey beans, braised bok choy with mushrooms, black truffle fried rice, homemade cheesecake and seasonal fresh fruit platter.

James Tian and Bowen Wang (not pictured) prepare to bring the Chinese lion to life as part of past New Year’s festivities. File photo

legacy behind

What legacy will you leave BEHIND?

Please include the Moose Jaw Health Foundation in your estate plan.

Wakamow’s ‘Valley of Lights’ show another glowing success in 2024

The Wakamow Valley Authority’s fourth annual Valley of Lights show in the Lorne Calvert Campground has concluded and organizers are now viewing it as another success.

The drive-through light show is one of the largest fundraising events for the Wakamow Valley Authority and ran on Thursdays to Saturdays from Dec. 5, 2024, until its conclusion on Dec. 31, 2024.

Valley of Lights ‘24 involved a single drive-through only loop where guests could drive around as many times as they wished for a suggested $10 donation. All proceeds helped support the upkeep and maintenance of the park’s 200 hectares (500 acres) of recreational and natural spaces.

This year’s Valley of Lights show was expanded with more than 100,000 LED lights illuminating the entire perimeter of the campground in a first. The drivethrough route was also simplified from the previous figure-eight loop, a move that made it easier to navigate the viewing area.

The latest show also incorporated a few festive additions including “Candy Cane Lane,” an illuminated row of candy canes that flanked both sides of the final stretch of road leading to the exit. In a recent press release, Donna McQuarrie-Bye, general manager of the Wakamow Valley Authority, said this addition quickly became “a favourite for many.”

One highlight of the month was the

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returning visit of the ever-mischievous evil elf, The Grinch, followed closely by festive appearances by the Moose Jaw Community Choir and Santa Claus himself.

The always-popular wagon rides provided by Prairie Percherons also returned as a standout attraction, with a cancellation on Dec. 7, 2024, due to freezing rain seeing no lull in its popularity. The horsedrawn wagon rides simply rescheduled for Dec. 19, 2024, and on Christmas Eve the tradition continued with a sold-out return

to mark the holidays.

“Our maintenance staff worked tirelessly for two months prior to ensure as many of the trees (as possible) were ready for opening day,” McQuarrie-Bye stated in a nod to those who helped make the event possible.

As well, A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s industrial arts students helped contribute to the light show by designing and building a few new displays including a collection of snowmen of varying heights. The class isn’t calling it quits, of course, and

students are already busy creating another display to be unveiled at the next light snow in December 2025.

The Wakamow Valley Authority wished to give a heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who made the show a success, including the Wakamow Events Committee, Santa Claus, the Moose Jaw Community Choir, and the AAA Moose Jaw Warriors. Their time and dedication were instrumental in creating a memorable experience this holiday season.

The authority also wished to thank its generous sponsors including the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club, Knight Ford, Collier Electric, Andy’s Transmission, Simpson Seeds, Burger Cabin, Diggings Enterprises, Duncan Roofing, South Hill Community Association, Heartland Financial, Ottawa Real Estate, BTN Accounting Professionals, Non-Profit Governance Solutions, and the New Southern Plains Metis Local No. 160.

“Thank you to the public who attended, (supported) this event, and (who) enjoyed sharing the spirit of Christmas during the holidays. See you in 2025,” McQuarrie-Bye concluded.

To learn more about the Wakamow Valley Authority visit Wakamow.ca or ‘Wakamow Valley Authority’ on Facebook.

The Lorne Calvert Campground is located at 300 River Drive across from the Wakamow Oval.

Food bank prepares to launch online shopping service with SaskGaming support

The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank announced a new expansion that will include the option to shop online and have food delivered right to your door starting later this month and made possible through a sponsorship with SaskGaming.

“SaskGaming and Casino Moose Jaw are proud to provide $25,000 in support of the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank’s delivery service program,” MLA Megan Patterson announced on Jan. 7.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to ensuring socially responsible gaming and the sector shares the benefits of gaming with Saskatchewan’s communities and non-profit organizations,” she said. “I’d like to commend Jason (Moore) and his staff, as well as the many volunteers, donors, and partners of the (food bank).”

The $25,000 is from SaskGaming’s annual sponsorship pool of $100,000, which is divided between Moose Jaw and Regina where two of its casinos are located. As Moose Jaw’s overall income contribution is around 20 per cent, that percentage represents the minimum amount to be reinvested back into the community.

“For 40 years, the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank has been driven by one mission: to end hunger in our community by making healthy, nutritious food available to those who struggle with food insecurity,” announced Jason Moore, executive director of the food bank.

Moose Jaw’s food bank serves over 1,500 clients each month and its services reach approximately one in 12 local

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households, many of whom have children. This accounts for around 800 households each month, a number that has doubled from the roughly 400 households served in 2022.

“The needs of the food bank’s clientele are diverse, and… (that) need is growing,” stated Blaine Pilatzke, president and CEO of SaskGaming. “Not everyone has mobility to visit this location in person, so when we learned of this opportunity to sponsor the delivery service program, we were eager to get on board.

“Sponsorship of the delivery service program demonstrates our commitment to

Moose Jaw, a community where we employ nearly 100 people and invest at least 20 per cent of our sponsorship dollars,” he added.

The food bank’s last major expansion took place on Oct. 28, 2024, with the introduction of “The Harvest Pantry,” its new client-choice shopping model allowing clients to select the items they’ll use instead of receiving a randomly assorted food hamper.

The Harvest Pantry was made possible through a three-year, $90,000 sponsorship agreement with the Moose Jaw Co-op — one partnership that highlights the reli-

ance of the non-profit on outside support.

Since 2019, Casino Moose Jaw has supported the food bank by providing nearly $70,000 in sponsorship funding — an amount that has now grown by an additional $25,000.

That support on behalf of SaskGaming isn’t going anywhere, Pilatzke confirmed. “Here in Moose Jaw, there is such a need in the community and we’re really pleased that we have this opportunity to assist,” he said.

Across the province, the gaming sector contributes more than $247 million (2023-2024) each year to over 300 communities. Casinos Moose Jaw and Regina are operated by SaskGaming, which is in turn owned by Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan.

Moore affirmed the role played by Casino Moose Jaw and said he was thrilled to learn of the new sponsorship agreement.

“Our mission to end hunger in our community greatly depends on the giving of time, money, and effort by compassionate, conscientious people and businesses like Casino Moose Jaw and its staff,” he said. “Your generosity is changing lives, and together we will end hunger.”

The new delivery program is set to come into effect in late January with a date to be announced.

The Moose Jaw & District Food Bank is located at 270 Fairford Street West and can be reached at 306-692-2911. For more information, visit MJFoodBank.org or ‘Moose Jaw and District Food Bank’ on Facebook.

The Wakamow Valley Authority’s annual “Valley of Lights” fundraiser returned for another successful year at the Lorne Calvert Campground in December 2024.

Photo by: Aaron Walker

Megan Patterson (left), the MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow, and Blaine Pilatzke, president and CEO of SaskGaming (centre), present a $25,000 donation to Jason Moore (right) representing the Moose Jaw & District Food Bank on the morning of Jan. 7. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Elton Rohn to headline health foundation’s next ‘Healthcare Rocks’ fundraiser

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from Elton John,” he recalled.

After speaking for a few months, McElree learned that Rohn’s mother was originally from Moose Jaw but he had never been to The Friendly City and freed some time in his busy schedule to visit.

“You know, people in Moose Jaw are connected in so many different ways,”

Proceeds will be directed to the Women’s Health Unit to purchase new isolettes for newborns, new cardiac monitors, and similar life-saving equipment.

“In the Women’s Health Unit, over 500 babies are born each and every single year,” he noted, giving a nod to the peren nial need for additional supports.

McElree wished to thank everyone who helped make the event possible, in

cluding presenting sponsor Cypress Paving.

“Healthcare Rocks was designed to be a world-class, affordable event in Moose Jaw, where people could just come and enjoy themselves for an evening (without breaking) the bank,” McElree said, adding that the purchase of each ticket “helps out so, so many people.”

Tickets are $50 each plus applicable

Brunch Menu

JOAN RITCHIEMoose Jaw Express EDITOR

Editor’s Note

Just perusing through this issue of the Express, I noticed there’s always something going on to entertain or keep one amused during the cold hard days of January.

If you have ever seen an impersonator, you will know that most of them are good at their gig like Elton Rohn who will be in Moose Jaw on March 15th to perform at the Healthcare Foundation fundraiser. If you haven’t already guessed, he impersonates Elton John. Tickets are really reasonably priced for this event and fundraiser so hoping to see you there.

And if you love music and can play an instrument, don’t hesitate to take your skills beyond your four walls at home and share your talent with others around. The adult concert band is looking for interested adults to join and strike up the band. If interested in joining, you can read all about it in this issue or email mjconcertband@ gmail.com

Talking about music, another hot topic of conversation is food. Who doesn’t love a good meal and at the same time the opportunity to support a local fundraiser for band and choral students. We need to invest in the youth of this generation so read all about the fundraiser at the Mad Greek on January 30th. Tickets are only $25 each. For tickets, email mjbandchoralboosters@gmail.com

One of my favourite events of the year, the Chinese New Year Celebration is taking place on January 28th at Jade Gardens. If you like to eat and enjoy ethnic delicacies then this is the place to secure your ticket to the Year of the Snake for the eight course banquet. Absolutely lip-smacking delicious! Tickets are $50 and residents can purchase them from Jade Garden (306-694-5566), the Delight Café and Wok (306692-1889) or by emailing moose-jawchinese@ gmail.com. The deadline to purchase is Monday, Jan. 20.

The 2025 Magic Variety Show premiere fundraiser for the MJ Professional Firefighter Association with proceeds going to it’s charity fund takes place on Tuesday, January 28th at the Mae Wilson theatre. This is family fun entertainment so load up the car with all the kids and go. Tickets are only $18 and family passes are available for $50 so it’s quality entertainment that won’t break the budget. Read all about it in the full article in this edition.

And we will conclude with this year’s ‘Name that Tune’ annual Optimist fundraiser that will be taking place at the Library theatre on Tuesday, January 21. The fundraiser is ear-marked for the youth in our community so join in the fun and get your tickets at $20 each. For more information or tickets contact Gayle Jones @306.694.4514. All this and much more in this edition of the Moose Jaw Express that is on the streets in Moose Jaw this week. Have a good one!

www.mjvexpress.com

Publisher: Robert Ritchie - rob@mjvexpress.com

Editor: Joan Ritchie -joan@moosejawexpress.com

Sales: Wanda Hallborg - mjexpress7@sasktel.net David Klatt - david@moosejawexpress.com Kevin Ogle - kevin@saskpromo.com

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 Regular Contributors:

Adult Concert Band looking for new members to join group

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For adults who played an instrument in school and want to do so again, the Moose Jaw Adult Concert Band is welcoming new members as it prepares to start its rehearsals.

The group launches its practices on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Vanier Collegiate band room and will rehearse weekly on Thursdays until May. The band’s wind-up concert will be on Friday, May 16, in the A.E. Peacock Centennial Auditorium.

The conductor is Daryl McKinnon, who taught at Central and Peacock for years before retiring to Regina but still drives to Moose Jaw for practices, said Kurt Gillett, the group’s administrator. What’s also cool is that many of the adult band participants are his former students.

“Some of us practice for fun, but most of us will be around for the concert as well … . It’s all adults who want to keep playing after school,” he continued. “Some of our members are younger and some of our members are quite a bit older. Some even haven’t played in years and want to pick it up again.”

Gillett plays the alto saxophone, an instrument he has played for 29 years since picking it up in 1996 when he was in Grade 7; he started with the clarinet in Grade 6. After graduating from university, he taught band at Vanier for years before moving to Regina to teach.

Besides Gillett, the group’s other administrator is Jim Mitchell, who teaches band to Catholic elementary students in Moose Jaw.

“We are (here) to have fun. If there is anybody out there who is missing playing an instrument and wants to be part of a band again, we … have a lot of fun in our rehearsals,” said Gillett. “We joke around and socialize a little bit as well.

“You don’t have to play in the (year-end) concert if that’s not your thing. Just come out and have fun.”

The band has an email list containing almost 80 individuals, while 30 to 50 members usually show up to

practice each year. Meanwhile, it is free to join.

The songs the band performs differ from year to year, as McKinnon is responsible for choosing the tunes that the musicians will play, Gillett continued. For example, he may choose songs from movies or musicals, or he may focus on all things — and people — that are Canadian. Meanwhile, the genres range from jazz to concert band and the songs can be old or new.

“There will always be something that you’ll like,” Gillett added.

More information can be found on the Facebook page, The Moose Jaw Adult Concert Band. The page has important updates and is an official channel to share news and keep in touch with friends and members.

Anyone needing an instrument can rent or purchase from John’s Music in Moose Jaw. People who have instruments and require supplies or maintenance items — such as reeds and oils — can purchase them there.

John’s Music is located at 37 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-692-0860.

To join the Moose Jaw Adult Concert Band or for more information, email mjaconcertband@gmail.com.

Upcoming Greek rib fundraiser to support band and choral students

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The Moose Jaw Band and Choral Boosters group was so pleased with a musical initiative for elementary students last year that it’s hosting the program again and adding an extra day.

The non-profit group — which launched in September 2023 — hosted an inaugural two-day professional development-type event last March that brought together the best musicians in grades 6 and 7, who gave a concert performance after having only a day and a half to rehearse.

Roughly 60 students from public and Catholic elementary schools joined forces to form a single concert band — similar to sports-related Selects teams.

“It’s sort of like an honour band that the directors can nominate students to participate in if they think that their leadership or ability … is a little bit higher (than other students) and could use the challenge,” said Kurt Gillett, the Boosters’ chairman.

“They’re going to learn a bit extra, and … (it) will help with all sorts of things in their program.”

Guest conductor Brent Pittman led the honour band sessions last year, while he also directed students during their concert. Moreover, several high school students also supported the younger musicians.

Gillett thought the two-day event was “a huge success,” while he thought the concert was great, considering students had so little time to practice.

This year’s professional development clinic runs from Thursday, March 13 to Saturday, March 15, with the public concert on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the A.E. Peacock Centennial Auditorium.

This year, students will begin learning on Thursday night instead of Friday morning like last year, due to the Boosters adding an extra clinic day because of how well the event went in 2024, Gillett said. So far, more than 50 elementary school band students have registered, although more are expected to join.

This year’s guest conductors are husband-and-wife duo Tom and Loren Hearn, who are retired music teachers from Melville. Both Hearns recently received an award from the Saskatchewan Music Educators Association.

Gillett noted that students will receive the music ahead of time but won’t have anyone teaching it to them until they arrive for the sessions. The Hearns will help the kids read the music Thursday night, while the youths will “really dig into everything” starting Friday morning, with high school students helping.

The Hearns will run through the concert music pro-

gram on Saturday morning and polish everything before the big event that afternoon.

“It’s a very intense amount of time they (the students) have to learn everything, but it’s also super fun,” said Gillett, noting the youths will also go bowling and socialize with their peers. “It’s like a team sport meets music.”

To support this event and other music initiatives throughout the year, the Boosters are holding a fundraiser at The Mad Greek on Thursday, Jan. 30, featuring boneless Greek ribs and Caesar salad, with meals available throughout the day to eat in or take out.

Tickets are $25 each, and all proceeds will support band and choir students across Moose Jaw, with a focus on the elementary school level. Last year’s fundraiser generated over $700.

For tickets, email mjbandchoralboosters@gmail. com.

Another short-term goal the Boosters have is to bring in a clinician to teach Grade 6 band students during three or four sessions and then combine all those youths into one group, Gillett said. The non-profit hopes to do this before the March clinic so the Hearns can lead those earlier sessions.

Meanwhile, the Boosters are also figuring out how they can support high school band students and the new White Heather Youth Pipe Band.

Anyone interested in joining the Boosters’ group in either an executive or volunteer capacity or just the email list can contact Gillett at mjbandchoralboosters@gmail. com.

A saxophone. Photo by Pexels.com

Director Brent Pittman offers some last-minute instructions to the junior select band before their big concert last March. Photo courtesy Facebook

Cara Ashworth

268 Mulberry Lane

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, S6J 1N1 (306) 693-4550

www.moosejawfuneralhome.com

Moose Jaw mayor discusses vision and priorities for city

James Murdock has been mayor for two months and has come to realize there are more moving parts that drive the City of Moose Jaw than he initially thought.

“I have the utmost respect for the people that make the city run and … so far, it’s been a gradual process for me to gain knowledge and experience,” he said during an interview about his new job and the year ahead, noting that it is an honour to serve.

“But (we) could be talking three years from now and I’ll still be gaining knowledge and experience. So, it’s (been) very interesting and rewarding (being mayor). I’m enjoying it.”

Seated at a round table in his office, with most of his walls still bare, Murdock said he had not yet toured any major city venues to understand how the municipality operates. However, he expected to start in February after the 2025 budget discussions concluded in January.

“I’m dedicated to getting out into the community and meeting (employees) because I’m a city employee. So I’ll be having interactions with them at all the different departments and buildings,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to doing that because I’m a people person, and I know a lot of them already because of my strong connection with the city.”

Many residents think city hall is where everything happens, but that isn’t true since there are other venues — such as the wastewater treatment plant and the public works complex — that the city op-

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erates daily, the mayor added. That is why he wants to visit and learn more about them.

One interesting facet of city operations that Murdock has discovered is the tight relationship between city council and city administration. While many people think most business happens during the twice-monthly council meetings, he noted that there are daily conversations between elected officials and directors about how to move the city forward.

“I really had no idea that it was that connected,” Murdock remarked.

Many residents are passionate about how the city operates, something the mayor noticed while door-knocking during the 2024 municipal election campaign. He thought their convictions were heartwarming and wanted — with their help — to reignite that community spirit.

“The city is everything to me,” he stated.

Murdock’s vision is to grow the economy and build on existing success stories, such as SaskPower’s new Great Plains Power Plant. Moreover, he hopes to see growth in the Agri-Food Industrial Park and the construction of more single- and multi-unit dwellings — especially in the Westheath subdivision.

Murdock declined to offer specifics about possible industrial park tenants or major economic development projects, although he said that council should discuss reducing the price for Westheath lots since no one purchased any during the public

draw last July.

Meanwhile, he wants to see “the jewel” of Main Street rejuvenated since that area generates millions of dollars through tourism, while he thought the expansion at 15 Wing Air Base and the upcoming World Men’s Curling Championship should be celebrated since they will put Moose Jaw in the national spotlight.

“We just need to promote the community to let people know what we can offer as … a welcoming, friendly community that you would be proud to call home,” Murdock added.

One of the mayor’s priorities is to enhance road repairs, especially with potholes, which he thought was possible after council purchased new paving equipment. He thought those new machines would allow city crews to repair infrastructure more quickly and make a noticeable difference.

Moose Jaw.”

The mayor acknowledged that the Ministry of Social Services must be included since it has the money for programs and housing. If council attempted to handle this issue, it would have to decide from where the money would come

Murdock thought the top issue facing Moose Jaw was homelessness and that more collaboration among charities, churches, and non-profit organizations — which are already “doing tremendous work” — was required to develop a viable solution.

“We know that time and time again, Moose Jaw continues to step up … on the volunteer side of things,” he remarked. “And I don’t think there’s a community that has a better spirit in doing that than

and what services to reduce.

As for the bare walls in his office, Murdock said he’s instructed the curator of the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery to decorate them — using a theme — with some of the 13,000 artworks from the vault. However, he’ll keep one corner of his office focused on Moose Jaw and the Snowbirds during photo opportunities for proclamations and presentations.

Justin Trudeau’s resignation offers ‘some relief’ to Canadians, Moose Jaw MP says

While the resignation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is good news, Moose Jaw’s MP says, the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) is now focused on the future and becoming the country’s governing party.

“I think there is some relief that he’s gone, but … our party is focused on the next election,” said Fraser Tolmie, member of Parliament for the Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan constituency.

“We’re going to be ready to campaign because this is a signal that even the Liberals didn’t want him as their leader and we don’t want him as our prime minister,” he continued. “We want Pierre Poilievre as our prime minister.”

Tolmie had hoped that Trudeau would also call an election when he announced his resignation on Jan. 6 and run on his record and defend the policies he’d implemented during the past nine years.

While “a great majority” of Liberal policies have put Canada “into a tailspin,” the Saskatchewan MP singled out the carbon tax as being one of the most devastating for almost everyone. It has been particularly bad for farmers and food-transporting truckers since they have had to pass on those extra costs to consumers.

Moreover, the Liberals have downloaded the carbon tax onto other groups like school divisions and hospitals and failed to provide rebates as promised, Tolmie continued. Meanwhile, municipalities have been forced to raise taxes because of the carbon tax, while this policy has

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boosted inflation and reduced Canadians’ purchasing power.

“Further, we’ve seen the devastating economic impacts of this government with food banks. Moose Jaw almost had a closure this (past) summer because of the lower donations because people have less to give,” he said. “And, the costs of food have gone up astronomically … .

“So, this government needs to go — it’s time for a new one,” the MP added. “We need to have an election, and the Conservative Party of Canada is ready to govern and bring some common sense back to this country.”

Tolmie believes it was Trudeau’s ego that prevented him from resigning months or years earlier, even though some of his activities and actions allegedly broke the law during his nine years in power.

While the Liberals are facing challenges because of Trudeau’s resignation, the Saskatchewan MP didn’t believe that it was his — or the Conservative’s — responsibility to extinguish that “dumpster fire.” Instead, the CPC is focused on putting the country back on track and ensuring people keep more of their paycheques, save money and pay their mortgages.

“Every single person that sits across the aisle from us has voted in favour of Trudeau’s policies. They are all to blame — even the NDP,” said Tolmie. “The NDP have propped up this government, have supported them (and) have had a devastating impact on the Canadian economy — the working class — so it’s time to have

an election and a better future for this country.”

Besides announcing his resignation, the prime minister also said that he was proroguing parliament until March — it should have resumed in late January — so

his party could find a new leader. Tolmie thought that this move bought the Liberals some time, but overall, didn’t think it mattered since the CPC was more focused on winning the upcoming election than who the new leader is.

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Mayor James Murdock poses for a photo in his new office at city hall. A framed tapestry from 2004 that celebrates Moose Jaw’s history hangs on the wall behind him in a corner that is dedicated to the city and the Snowbirds. Photo by Jason G. Antonio

AVE NE

From The Kitchen

By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Hearty stews add inner warmth to winter days

A cookbook, Stews and Soups, published in 1976, explains that “a stew or ragout as it is called in French, can be elegant or a simple family dish.”

Cookbook authors have other advice: “Gentle browning and slow cooking produce tender morsels of marvelously flavoured meat.”

This week’s recipes offer three ideas for preparing a heart-warming family dish or one elegant enough for a pot luck dinner.

•

HERBED STEW AND MUSHROOM DUMPLINGS

2 1/2 lbs. chuck roast

1/4 cup flour

2 tbsps. salad oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 cup hot water

4 cups tomato juice

2 tbsps. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. dried marjoram

3/4 tsp. dried thyme

3/4 tsp. dried rosemary

6 small onions, quartered

4 carrots, peeled and quartered

1-10 oz. package frozen peas salt and pepper to taste

Dumplings:

1 egg, beaten

2/3 can cream of mushroom soup

1 1/3 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

Cut meat into 1 inch cubes and coat with flour.

Notice to Creditors IN THE ESTATE OF MATTHEW KANIGAN, LATE OF MOOSE JAW, SASKATCHEWAN, DECEASED

All claims against the above estate verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the Public Guardian and Trustee of Saskatchewan before the 30 days after 15th day of January, 2025

PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE OF SASKATCHEWAN

#100-1871 Smith Street

REGINA SK S4P 4W4

ATTENTION: Breanne Johnson Trust Officer

Resort Village of South Lake 2025 Assessment Roll Notice

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Resort Village of South Lake for the year 2025 has been prepared and is open to inspection from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the following days: Monday to Wednesday, January 15 to March 19, 2025.

A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to le a notice of appeal, accompanied by a $200.00 appeal fee, which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with: The Assessor, Resort Village of South Lake, #6-1410 Caribou St. West, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7S9 on or before the 19th day of March 2025.

Dated this 15th day of January 2025.

Melinda Huebner

Assessor

Heat oil in a large kettle. Brown meat on all sides. Add garlic, water, tomato juice, sugar and herbs. Cover and simmer one hour or until meat is tender.

Add onions and carrots and cook 30 minutes longer. Add peas, salt and pepper. Cook five minutes. Reduce heat to low.

To make dumplings, mix the beaten egg with the soup. Add flour and baking powder. Mix together well.

Drop by tablespoon onto top of stew. Cover and cook 15 minutes. Do not lift lid until time is up. Remove dumplings. Dish stew into a large tureen and serve with dumplings.

Makes six generous servings.

• • •

ITALIAN STEW

1 lb. Italian sausages

1 lb. ground beef

2 tsps. Kitchen Bouquet

2-1 lb. cans stewed tomatoes

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

2-1 lb. cans whole potatoes, drained

1-10 oz. package frozen green beans

3 tbsps. flour

3 tbsps. water salt and pepper to taste parmesan cheese, optional, for garnish

Slice sausages into 1 inch thick chunks and brown in a deep dish electric frying pan.

Mix ground beef with Kitchen Bouquet and

shape into meatballs. Push sausage to one side of frying pan, then add meatballs and brown. Drain off all fat.

Mix sausage and ground beef then add tomatoes, potatoes, beans, seasoning and salt and pepper. Cover pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Blend flour with water and stir into stew. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until beans are tender.

Serve in individual bowls and garnish with cheese, if desired. Makes 4-6 servings.

• • • PORK RIBS AND SAUERKRAUT STEW

4 lbs. pork spareribs

salt and pepper to taste

1-27 oz. can sauerkraut, drained

2 unpeeled apples, sliced

2 tbsps. brown sugar

2 tsps. caraway seeds, optional

salt and pepper

Sprinkle ribs with salt and pepper. Brown in a large Dutch oven casserole. Remove ribs and set aside. Drain off fat.

Mix sauerkraut, apples, sugar and caraway seeds in the Dutch oven. Place ribs meat side up over the sauerkraut mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 300 degrees F for four hours or at 325 degrees F for two hours.

Makes 4 servings.

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel. net

Firefighters announce return of annual magic variety show supporting burn victims

The Moose Jaw Professional Firefighters Association IAFF Local 553 is making preparations for its premiere fundraising event this month with proceeds going to support its local charity fund.

The organization’s 2025 Magic Variety Show is scheduled to take place at the Mae Wilson Theatre starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28, and everyone’s welcome to attend.

“We have a couple returning magicians, (including)… Magic Ben, a Canada’s Got Talent finalist and he has lots of great magic for kids of all ages,” announced Cody Rosnes, chair of the Moose Jaw Fire Department’s returning charity fund.

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“It’s a really great family outing,” he said, adding that the magic show makes an ideal evening plan for children ages three or four just as well as for youths ages 13 or 14.

The 2025 Magic Variety Show will also showcase the comedic talent of award winning magicians Trevor and Lorena.

“Last year we had a hypnotist instead of Trevor and Lorena… but they’re back again (this year),” Rosnes said about the returning magicians. “They’ve been here before and they put on a really great show.”

The organization hosts several other fundraising events including a Halloween party held last October, but the Variety Magic Show continues to be its foremost annual fundraising event.

All proceeds from the show will be used to support the fire department’s charity fund.

“What our charity fund does is we donate to other local charitable causes throughout our community, and then we also make a fairly generous (annual) donation to the Provincial Burn Fund, and we work closely with (that organization),” Rosnes clarified.

Residents who purchase tickets may also opt to donate them back to the fire department. When this happens and enough donations have been received, Rosnes himself stops by any given local school or daycare and invites the class or intake to freely attend the show.

“We hope to see as many families as possible on Jan. 28, and I hear there could be a special appearance from Sparky,” Rosnes revealed in his closing remarks.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $18 per person and family passes are sold for $50 each. To purchase your tickets, simply call the Moose Jaw Fire Department at 306-6922792 and ask to speak with Cody Rosnes or call him directly at 306-684-3538.

To learn more about Magic Ben, visit MagicWithBen.com, and to learn more about Trevor and Lorena, visit TrevorAndLorenaShow.com.

For more information about the Saskatchewan Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics Burn Fund, visit SPFFPABurn.com.

The Mae Wilson Theatre is located at the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts & Culture at 217 Main Street North.

Help support youth food security at Optimist Club’s ‘Name That Tune’ fundraiser

The Friendly City Optimist Club’s annual “Name That Tune” fundraiser is returning for another evening of fun as contestants put their listening skills and musical memories to the test once more with proceeds primarily supporting Hunger in Moose Jaw.

This year’s musical fundraiser will take place at the Moose Jaw Public Library’s theatre starting at 7 p.m. and will run for around one hour and a half on Tuesday, Jan. 21.

“This is the third time we’ve done ‘Name That Tune,’ and we have six community-based teams that go head-to-head to name the tunes played by Greg Gower. He’s a member of our club (Friendly City Optimist Club) and he’s a good piano player,” announced Gayle Jones, an Optimist Club member and event organizer.

The Optimist Club’s fundraiser brings together six teams comprised of two individuals apiece, with each team made up of community members who’ll compete in a fun and fast-paced musical challenge.

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Contestants will put their musical knowledge to the test as they race to identify songs, artists, or the movies that made the tune famous given a piano excerpt played live by Gower.

The event will be emceed by Optimist Club member Glenn Hagel, and he’ll continue as the quizmaster throughout the evening.

The winning team will earn themselves bragging rights and an official “acknowledgement of success,” Jones said, although there will be no cash prize available to be won. The reason is simply because proceeds are earmarked for youth in

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Trustees with Holy Trinity Catholic School Division received a high-level summary of the organization’s major departmental activities in the 2023-24 year during their recent board meeting.

The Accountability Report contained information about facilities/buildings, faith, fiscal matters, human resources, student learning data, student services and transportation.

Facilities/buildings

Holy Trinity manages 11 buildings with a combined floor space of 28,622 square metres (308,092 square feet), equal to 3.5 Canadian Football League fields with end zones included, CFO Curt Van Parys said while presenting his report. Furthermore, the division spent an average of $3 million to maintain those venues, which range in age from 11 years to 67 years — the average age is 54 years.

“That’s a lot of floor space that we do look after,” he remarked.

It will still be challenging to maintain that aging infrastructure even with a new school opening this fall, although the division’s financial situation should improve once Our Lady of Hope is open and the $7 million École St. Margaret renovation is completed, Van Parys added.

Meanwhile, the division spent $676,933 on utilities in 2023-24, compared to previous years of $684,521, $594,104 and $530,696, the report said. Furthermore, the organization spent roughly $2.7 million on operational and renovation initiatives compared to previous years of $2.8 million, $3.3 million, and $3.1 million.

Faith

All elementary schools received Bibles and had Bible blessing ceremonies in 2023-24, while many students were excited to receive complete books that included the Old and New Testaments, the report said.

Furthermore, division chaplain Lisa Busta met twice with Grade 4 students at St. Michael School to teach them how to use their Bibles, the report continued. She chal-

the community.

“The (purpose of) our club is to help youth in the city, and so this is one of (the ways that we are) helping youth…,” Jones explained, noting that the Friendly City Optimist Club is a youth-focused organization.

Even without a cash prize up for grabs, everyone will walk away a winner knowing that the proceeds will support Moose Jaw’s younger residents. The club’s focus will switch from supporting the Optimist Park ball diamonds in 2024 to a focus on food security for youth in Moose Jaw this year.

The six teams will include representatives from the Holy Trinity Catholic School Board, Prairie South School Board, Hunger in Moose Jaw, the Moose Jaw Centre for Arts and Culture, Rotary Club of Moose Jaw Wakamow, and Dr. Michael Prestie with the Hillcrest Dental Clinic.

“There’ll be a little bit of music trivia, the songs, and… it’s quite a fun night,”

lenged them to learn all 39 books of the Old Testament in order in two weeks, and after returning, she discovered that they knew all the books in sequence — mostly memorized — with correct pronunciation.

Meanwhile, Busta helped create ministry teams at all schools, with 54 students at St. Agnes signing up to be faith leaders in their school.

Ward Strueby, director of education, told trustees that Busta attempts to visit every school in the fall so that winter weather doesn’t delay trips. Moreover, he appreciated that she was full-time instead of being half-time as a chaplain and half-time as a teacher.

The report also noted that Busta, Strueby and trustees attend parish council meetings throughout the division, which creates bonds between churches and school communities and leads to common outreach projects.

Human resources

Recruiting and retaining staff is important, so during the 2023-24 year, Holy Trinity held multiple professional development (PD) sessions for employees and supported teachers pursuing higher education, the report said.

Furthermore, the division increased its efforts to support employees’ wellness by focusing on mental health and stress management.

“As you know, with an increase in enrolment that we’ve seen, our needs in each school have increased immensely as well,” said Dave DePape, HR supervisor. “And finding those specialized people to support those kiddos … is increasingly more difficult.”

Therefore, the division wants to “grow (its) own people” to fill those roles, which is why administration spent considerable time on PD, he continued.

DePape added that recruitment is the biggest challenge Holy Trinity faces, especially for specialized positions or in rural places like Shaunavon.

Learning data

By March 2024, 50.6 per cent of Grade 1 students

Jones added. “The audience would just come in and cheer on their team, so… it’s (also) a fun night for the people who are (watching from) the audience.”

Audience members are also welcome to play along — granted they remain silent, she noted.

All residents are welcome to join in the festivities with tickets selling for $20 each. For more information and to purchase your tickets, call Gayle Jones at 306-693-4514.

If any tickets remain at the time of the event, Jones said these can be purchased at the door. Tickets are expected to sell fast, however, so be sure to get yours well in advance.

This year’s Name That Tune fundraiser is co-sponsored by the Moose Jaw Co-op and the Moose Jaw Express.

The Moose Jaw Public Library is situated at 461 Langdon Crescent and the theatre is located onsite.

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC SCHOOL DIVISION

were at grade level for reading, 63.2 per cent of Grade 2s were at grade level and 64.1 per cent of Grade 3s were at grade level, the report showed.

In comparison, in fall 2023, those numbers were, respectively, 30.5 per cent, 53.8 per cent and 58.1 per cent.

Furthermore, by February 2024, 97.2 per cent of Grade 2s, 91.1 per cent of Grade 3s, 81.5 per cent of Grade 4s, 72.9 per cent of Grade 5s, 65.8 per cent of Grade 6s, 52 per cent of Grade 7s and 63.8 per cent of Grade 8s were at grade level in math.

Mark Selinger, supervisor of learning and technology, said it was exciting to see growth in reading and math levels from the fall to the spring, with reading and math interventionists supporting students with those needs.

Transportation

Holy Trinity transported roughly 1,200 students during 2023-24 using its fleet and those of other school divisions, while 88.2 per cent of its buses — with an average age of 7.6 years — were at capacity and the average ride time on Moose Jaw routes was 28 minutes, the report said.

Furthermore, bus routing software has reduced the daily kilometres that vehicles travel by 32.5 per cent even though buses have transported seven-per-cent more students over the past three years.

Meanwhile, buses travelled roughly 100,000 kilometres last year, the equivalent of driving across Canada 20 times, the report added. However, all that travel means the division must replace its vehicles within the next few years.

By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Rural retail chain belongs on watch list BIZWORLD

Urban American shoppers have department stores like Walmart and Target to satisfy their needs.

Rural America has a retailer called Tractor Supply with the goal to sell everything needed by acreage owners, farmers, ranchers and country folk.

The stores handle everything from feed and garden tractors to hardware. Example: a friend lost a piece of a die cast model tractor. Tractor Supply had the part.

The company is one of the largest sellers of garden tractors and related equipment in the U.S.A.

The Red Deer-based Peavey Mart chain is the closest thing to a Tractor Supply in Canada but is smaller in scope of inventory.

Tennessee-based Tractor Supply started in 1940 with one store in Minot, North Dakota and has expanded to 2,370 stores in 49 states plus 106 Petsense stores

in 23 states.

Expansion has taken place by new stores and acquisition of smaller chains.

The company plans to have 3,200 Tractor Supply stores by 2029.

Two in-store expansion projects involve doubling the number of stores with garden centres to 1,000 from 550 and renovation of all stores by 2029, with about half completed.

Management has increased sales per square foot from $271 five years ago to $382 with a goal of $460 by 2029.

Tractor Supply has also expanded more into the lucrative pet food business with acquisition of Alivet, a pet care chain.

The Tractor Supply shares split five for one in December and haven’t done that well since, settling at a recent $51.62US, down from the year high of $62.57.

When shares split some investors

often sell off and take profits. The main driver of the recent share price decline has been lacklustre results in 2024.

The first quarter was excellent with a 3.5 per cent increase in same store sales. Quarters two and three were disappointing with decreased same store sales of .5 per cent and .2 per cent.

The company maintained the outlook for $3.30 earnings per share for the year but investors, accustomed to steady growth, did some bailing out.

Dividends have grown annually with yield at 1.7 per cent. Debt is not that high with $21.7 billion and $9.7 billion assets.

The stock price, trading at 25.8 times earnings, seems a tad rich, especially when price charts indicate potential stock for further decline.

Those same charts show investors are accumulating shares at these price levels.

Yours Truly has watched the shares’

spectacular rise for 10 years while awaiting a buying opportunity. The shares are up 187 per cent in the last five years.

An investor with a huge appetite for risk might want to buy now and hold for the long term.

This is one of those stocks that always seems high priced as investors put a premium on quality of management and growth prospects.

A more conservative investor might wait for further retracing of the price from the current level.

Tractor Supply definitely belongs on the watchlist.

CAUTION: Remember when investing, consult your adviser and do your homework before buying any security. Bizworld does not recommend investments.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Moose Jaw’s longest-running gaming expo returning with fun-filled weekend

Brock Nancarrow has been participating in the Moose Jaw Gamers Association’s annual gaming expo (GAX) for many years and has watched the event expand from a church basement to an entire building.

“It’s (GAX) pretty exciting. I started going because my stepdad let me know about it. And I started attending back when we were at St. Joseph’s Church in the basement when it was mostly just the LAN (a collection of computers) side of things,” the association president said.

“And then it’s been fun watching it grow into what it is now, where we have more of the board games and all of that as well.”

The association (MJGA) last held GAX in St. Joe’s basement around 2018 before moving to the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre — now the Centre for Arts and Culture — and taking over the building’s three floors.

Nancarrow thought it was a “neat experience” to watch the event evolve from just computer gaming to other electronic and non-electronic gaming and to grow in location size — GAX started in one person’s basement with a few friends — and participant numbers. He noted that the association has come to understand better what the community wants, which has shaped what it offers for activities.

For example, when GAX — one of the longest-running events in Saskatchewan — returned in 2022 after a pandemic-forced hiatus, the executive realized that while people had been playing games online, what they really

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wanted was to sit with people and play games, have fun and interact, he continued.

“And that quickly became our staple now. But we have noticed we’re starting to get a little more of the LAN-side back,” Nancarrow added.

Nancarrow, who has been MJGA president for three years and on the executive for almost five years, said Moose Jaw’s gaming community is great, while he enjoys knowing that the expo’s proceeds go to a worthy charity.

Meanwhile, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) has become his favourite game to play at GAX — he’s played it personally for eight years — because of the creativity involved with crafting characters and storylines.

Nancarrow enjoys helping organize GAX since it’s fun to watch everything come together like a puzzle. With a chuckle, he added that the challenges include acquiring

sponsors and finding people who can be dungeon masters (DMs) to lead the D&D games.

This year’s GAX occurs from Friday, Feb. 7 to Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Centre for Arts and Culture at 217 Main Street North. The doors open Friday at 5 p.m. and close at midnight, open at 9 a.m. on Saturday and run until midnight and open at 9 a.m. on Sunday and run until 5 p.m.

The ever-popular pizza party occurs on Saturday around suppertime, with participants’ admission fees granting them access to the mouth-watering meal.

Furthermore, there will be LAN (computer-connected) games, board games, console games, Dungeons and Dragons (D&D), Flames of War, Pokemon, Battletech, Magic the Gathering, Super Smash Bros., and more.

This year, for the first time since 2019, the gaming expo will host a Settlers of Catan national qualifier. The tournament runs on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the winner participating in the Catan Canadian National Championship.

Another new feature is that GAX is introducing a family rate of $50, while a single admission is $25. People can pre-register online at www.mjga.ca/gax or pay at the door.

Every year, the association makes a large donation to a community organization. Last year, the group donated to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation, but this year, as of press time, the executive had not yet announced which charity or non-profit it was supporting.

Robbie Burns Night to honour Scotland’s beloved bard on Jan. 25

The spirit of Scotland’s beloved bard will take centre stage at Bobby’s Place Olde World Tavern as Moose Jaw raises a glass to Robbie Burns on his traditionally celebrated night starting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25. The evening will include two sittings, with the first running from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m., and a second from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Children are welcome to stay in the building until 8 p.m.

The evening’s meal will include roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and, of course, haggis, which will be made on site for the second consecutive year.

The Moose Jaw-based band Desperate for Haggis will play from 6 to 8 p.m. followed by West of Mabou featuring fiddler Scott Benson who’ll perform live from 9 p.m. until closing.

“I think nowadays it’s mostly just a time for fun and fellowship,” said Michelle Carline, the band director for the White Heather Youth Pipe Band that will perform during the event.

“(Robbie Burns Night) helps brighten up a dark winter’s night and (offers) a step back to our Scottish roots, (all while we) celebrate Scotland and one of Scotland’s greatest poets.”

Burns’ legacy has been celebrated in Scotland since his death in 1796. Ever since, Scots the world over have retained that tradition. In Moose Jaw, the tradition goes back to the early 1900s with the first known celebration taking place in the year 1908.

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Robbie Burns was a cultural icon whose work captured the spirit of social change during 18th century Europe. Known for his wit, satire, and advocacy, Burns gained a wide following as he travelled across Scotland and used his poetry to critique the aristocracy, champion human rights, and support the abolition of slavery.

His famous poem “A Man’s A Man for A’ That” celebrates the universal brotherhood of mankind and, although his life was short-lived, his memory is honoured around the world each January as thousands honour his enduring influence on Scottish culture and global social ideals.

“So, with a Robbie Burns Night, there’s always the

piping in of the haggis, and then there’s an address to the haggis which almost no one understands because it’s (in a) really old language and is very Scottish,” Carline said.

Her husband, Andrew Gallagher, is usually the one to address the haggis but he’ll be replaced this year by fellow pipe-band instructor Angus McIntosh as he’ll be out of town.

Wayne Mitchell, commonly known as “the cowboy poet,” will deliver the toast to the lassies with Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Megan Patterson giving the reply. Patterson’s role was a natural choice as she has two sons in the White Heather band and is no stranger to public speaking.

Lastly, Don Mitchell — who plays in Desperate for Haggis — will deliver a toast to the bard.

In an aside, if you’re interested in learning to play the bagpipes, the White Heather Youth Pipe Band is looking to grow its ranks. Practices are held on Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Pathways School located at 109 Ominica Street West and you can apply by stopping by during any practice night or by speaking with Carline on Jan. 25.

Tickets for the Robbie Burns Night are selling for $35 apiece and can be purchased by calling Bobby’s Place at 306-692-3058 or by stopping by in person. The event will be first come, first served — unless you call ahead to reserve a table with at least four guests.

Bobby’s Place Olde World Tavern is located at 63 High Street East. For current updates visit ‘Bobby’s Place Olde World Tavern’ on Facebook.

This year’s Robbie Burns Night will be held at Bobby’s Place, located at 63 High Street East. Photo by: Aaron Walker

A ‘tail’ of Christmas hope: Benny the dog finds a loving home after roadside rescue

One small, lucky dog may be able to claim a genuine Christmas miracle this winter and his story also shines light on the valuable work done each and every day by the staff at the Moose Jaw Humane Society (MJHS).

Benny’s adventure began when he was discovered in the ditch near the intersection of Highway 1 and 32 Avenue West on Dec. 26, 2024.

“He was actually found on Boxing Day… in the ditch,” confirmed Dana Haukaas, the shelter’s executive director. “It’s always sad when dogs are found and no owner comes forward for them, but Boxing Day is an extra sad day to find yourself without a family. He did not have a good Christmas, apparently.”

Benny’s story was not entirely negative, however. A mere 12 days after he was brought to the shelter — which Haukaas confirmed was a quicker than average turnaround time — the tiny, adorable part Shih Tzu Terrier was adopted and found a new home with a loving family from Regina.

The likely reason for this fast turnaround, Haukaas noted, is because smaller dogs are more likely to get adopted as more residents have the option to bring a small pet into their home or apartment.

At first, Benny was timid and wary, but he quickly warmed up to the shelter’s staff who helped build up his confidence by letting him spend time in the office.

“No owner ever came forward for him,” she said. “So, after the (mandatory) five-day hold, we put him up for adoption and boy, was he popular. He received so many fantastic applications that we had a hard time narrowing it down to just one.”

His new family was chosen because they were partially retired and without children and Benny was most

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

from and where it was headed.

likely to thrive in a quieter environment.

If you encounter an animal in a similar situation, Haukaas offered a few important tips.

“If you can keep them contained, that would be awesome,” she began. “Give us a call. If you can’t contain them, or if you’re not comfortable holding on to them, just keep an eye on them…” because they’re likely to keep roaming about.

Once the crew arrives, another benefit of remaining on site is the ability to confirm where the animal came

Haukaas reaffirmed that you can call the MJHS any time day or night by calling 306-692-1517, the same number used during regular operating hours. In the case of the family who discovered Benny, they were unaware that you can reach the shelter after hours and held onto him overnight — but this is not necessary.

What’s upcoming at the shelter

For the remainder of January, the MJHS is focusing on its on-site and satellite bookstores. Even before any marketing campaign had been launched, Haukaas said they’ve been “very busy” in the first two weeks of 2025.

The shelter’s satellite bookstores can be found at the Starlight Handmade Market at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall, The Wandering Market at 461 Athabasca Street East, Tourism Moose Jaw’s information centre, Spike Dog & Cat Grooming at 817 High Street West, and The Morningsides Café at the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa. As well, the main bookstore is located at the shelter itself.

The shelter’s recycling program is “going gangbusters,” Haukaas said, and will continue into 2025.

In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, the MJHS will resume its annual “Spay or Neuter Your Ex” fundraiser with more details to follow.

As of Jan. 10, the shelter has 10 dogs with eight available for adoption and 47 cats with 29 seeking out a forever home.

The Moose Jaw Humane Society is located at 1755 Stadacona Street West and can be reached at 306-6921517. For more information visit MJHS.ca or follow ‘Moose Jaw Humane Society’ on Facebook.

City now accepting nominations for municipal heritage awards

The City of Moose Jaw has begun accepting nominations for the 2024 Municipal Heritage Awards, a program where the city’s heritage advisory committee recognizes individuals and business owners in six categories. Beginning Monday, Jan. 13 and running until Friday, Feb. 14 at 5 p.m., the committee will accept nominations in the categories of:

• Stewardship: Long-term care of a heritage property, including protecting, maintaining and/or stabilizing the existing materials, form and integrity of a heritage place while protecting its heritage value

• Restoration: Accurately revealing, recovering or representing the state of a historic place as it appeared at a particular period in its history while protecting its heritage value

• Adaptive Reuse: Making possible the continuing or compatible contemporary use of a historic place, through repair, alterations, and/or additions while

By MooseJawToday.com staff

protecting its heritage value

• Advocacy/Heritage Education: Recognizes the efforts of individuals or groups that are advocating heritage or promoting the conservation of a heritage site or are increasing public awareness of heritage issues

• Sympathetic New Construction: Recognizes new designs that respect the heritage character of an associated property, its immediate context, or its neighbourhood.

This takes into consideration the compatibility of the new buildings or additions with the heritage character of the streetscape, setting or neighbourhood in terms of architectural design, scale, form, materials and minimal intervention

Heritage Tradespeople/craftspeople: Recognizes the

skills of an individual or team in trades and craft professions relative to a heritage conservation project

While there are six categories, the committee pointed out that there may not be a winner in every category depending on how many nominations are received.

Nomination forms can be found on the City of Moose Jaw’s website at moosejaw.ca/boards-committees-commissions/heritage-advisory-committee, or they can be picked up from and dropped off at the city clerk’s office on the second floor of city hall.

The city will also accept nominations via an email that contains all the required information from the nomination form. Such nominations may be sent to cclerk@ moosejaw.ca.

The heritage committee will present the awards in March during a city council meeting.

NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT ROLL RESORT VILLAGE OF SUN VALLEY

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Resort Village of Sun Valley for the year 2025 has been prepared and is open to inspection from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, except holidays beginning January 17, 2025 until March 20, 2025.

A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required. Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment appeal is required to le a notice of appeal, accompanied by a $50.00 appeal fee, which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with: The Assessor, Resort Village of Sun Valley, #7 – 1410 Caribou St. West, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 7S9 on or before the 20th day of March 2025.

Dated this 15th day of January 2025. Melinda Huebner, Assessor

Benny (pictured) was discovered in a ditch along Highway 1 west of Moose Jaw on Boxing Day and his sad ‘tail’ quickly transformed into a canine Christmas miracle thanks to the Moose Jaw Humane Society.

Photo by: Moose Jaw Humane Society

Year-end police statistics for 2024 show there were declines in crimes against people and property compared to 2023, although service calls increased and exceeded 20,000 for the first time.

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) presented the December 2024 crime statistics during the January Board of Police Commissioners’ meeting, along with an updated report for November that corrected inaccuracies in that report.

Crimes against people

The data for crimes against people in 2024 showed there were 568 total incidents compared to 600 episodes the year before, resulting in a decrease of 5.3 per cent. The only category that increased was sexual assaults, with 62 reported incidents last year versus 46 in 2023, an increase of 34.8 per cent.

Total data for 2024 versus 2023 showed:

• Homicide: 0 / 0

• Attempted murder: 2 / 0

• Assaults (sexual, common, with a weapon, aggravated, against police): 363 / 422

• Robbery: 10 / 10

Crimes against property

The data for crimes against property in 2024 showed there were 1,736 total incidents compared to 2,263 episodes the year before, resulting in a decrease of 23.3 per cent, the report said.

Total data for 2024 versus 2023 showed:

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• Break-ins (business, residence, other): 192 / 254

• Motor vehicle theft: 52 / 55

• Theft over $5,000: 18 / 40

• Theft under $5,000: 812 / 1,074

• Arson: 1 / 3

• Mischief under $5,000: 254 / 370 Other incidents

Data for other incidents last year versus 2023 showed:

• Impaired driving: 91 / 106

• Failing to comply with court orders: 845 / 467

• Threats: 24 / 55

• Domestic disputes: 50 /66

• Provincial liquor infractions: 144 / 160

• Vehicle accidents over $1,000: 281 / 216

• Drugs (cocaine, marijuana, meth, other): 7 / 9

Also, the police had 20,519 calls for service last year compared to 19,813 in 2023, an overall increase of 3.6 per cent.

Board discussion

“I am cautiously optimistic that this is a good news story (with the year-end data),” Deputy Chief Rick Johns said during the meeting. “Of course, these statistics will be gone over with a fine-tooth comb, and we will be auditing those prior to sending them to Stats Canada.”

The increase in service calls is because officers responded to more episodes of “social-disorder issues” than crime during their daily activities, the acting police chief added. However, what’s positive is the MJPS has

the highest clearance rate in Saskatchewan for resolving issues.

Asked why crimes against people and property had declined and whether poor weather — such as winter — kept criminals home, Johns replied that once the agency had audited the data, its analysts would comprehensively investigate to understand better the reasons.

The deputy chief noted that the MJPS has given its members more resources to target troublesome areas like the downtown, with programs such as the anti-trespassing initiative, the shopping-car recovery program, increased beat patrols, a more visible presence and the criminal investigation section targeting identified criminal trends.

“It’s multifaceted as to why those decreases are occurring. It’s probably not just one thing we can put our finger on,” said Johns. “And that will take some further research.”

Johns acknowledged that, historically, winter weather contributed to decreases in crime and increases in vehicle collisions. Meanwhile, other issues also arise during major cold spells, such as homeless people using the police station to stay warm.

The deputy chief added that the recent Christmas vehicle checkstops resulted in officers charging very few motorists with impaired or distracted driving, while — thanks to SGI — members distributed Tim Hortons gift cards to people driving safely.

Judge urges police board to keep the MJPS accountable

A new group of police commissioners was sworn in during the board’s January meeting, with three city council members and one citizen being the new faces around the table.

The board held the swearing-in ceremony in the Moose Jaw Police Service’s classroom on Jan. 8, with Judge David Chow officiating and leading each member through his or her oath of office.

For 2025, the Board of Police Commissioners is comprised of Mayor James Murdock, councillors Patrick Boyle and Jamey Logan, new citizen Don Hand and returning citizen Kelly Baxter.

Logan took his oath of office virtually the day before because he was out of the country.

Before administering the oaths, Judge Chow offered his perspective about the role and importance of the board based on his experiences as a lifelong Moose Javian and as a lawyer who adjudicated police discipline hearings for decades.

“You have been chosen by your peers and by your

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civic leaders to serve on what is without a doubt a high-profile and prestigious board (that is) available to the public and elected members,” he said.

The board has a responsibility to oversee the Moose Jaw Police Service’s budget, which represents roughly 25 per cent of the City of Moose Jaw’s total budget, which is a significant amount that residents pay as taxpayers, the judge continued. Furthermore, the police are responsible for the community’s collective and individual safety, including suppressing the drug trade, impaired driving and violence.

“In order for the police to effectively do (that), their honesty, their integrity and (their) fiscal efficiency must be scrutinized,” Judge Chow remarked.

Beyond section 44 of The Police Act, the average citizen has no practical way to hold the police service accountable, and while citizens can lodge complaints against specific officers for unacceptable behaviour, they have very little recourse otherwise, he said.

That is where the police board comes in, as it can

hold the police service accountable through the development and approval of policies and procedures, while commissioners have the power — and the duty — to oversee and scrutinize the culture within the agency, the judge continued.

Moreover, the board can impose checks and balances on the police service’s spending and ensure a healthy work environment exists for all officers.

Judge Chow noted that sections of The Police Act and The Public Inquiries Act grant the board some authority that, while not unlimited, is expansive.

“I encourage you to not delay in exercising that authority when appropriate to do so,” he added. “You are the body that the public looks to for protection when they feel — when members themselves feel — the policing body has lost its direction.”

After the swearing-in ceremony concluded, the board elected Murdock as chairman and Logan as vice-chairman.

New ICE Unit officers investigating nearly 20 files of child abuse

Constables Alanna Coghill and Kalie Siedlitz have been investigating online child sexual exploitation cases for only eight months but have nearly 20 active files open, with more coming in regularly.

“I just started in the unit in June … and it’s been an eye-opener,” Coghill said during a recent presentation to the Board of Police Commissioners about the Moose Jaw Police Service’s (MJPS) internet child exploitation (ICE) unit.

The duo has 16 active cases involving child sexual exploitation materials, while investigations into just one case usually take 113 to 160 days to conclude, she continued.

One reason is that they must travel to Regina to review every picture on a device — one recently seized device has 500,000 images — which usually takes hours and days to finish.

In 2024, the MJPS’s ICE Unit handled 29 files, which resulted in the execution of three search warrants at residences, the identification of five victims and charges laid against two people, Coghill’s presentation showed.

Meanwhile, in Saskatchewan, the number of ICE files has been increasing during the past seven years:

• 2017: 307

• 2018: 357

• 2019: 528

• 2020: 737

• 2021: 853

• 2022: 931

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• 2023: 1,029

From these files, provincial police executed 217 search warrants and/or issued production orders to internet service providers for information, charged 58 people, and gave 41 presentations to various groups.

There was a big jump in provincial ICE files during the coronavirus pandemic and it just hasn’t stopped since then, said Coghill. The people who engage in this activity “are very tech savvy,” but it only takes one slip-up for police to jump on their trail.

For example, the MJPS’s ICE team recently investigated a man at 15 Wing Air Base who used a virtual private network (VPN) on his computer to hide his location and to suggest he was in Vancouver. However, his actual location — Moose Jaw — became known when his VPN was turned off for two minutes before coming back on.

While investigating the man, Coghill received five more files that included the suspect’s actual name, the aliases he was using and different birth dates, all coming from his actual internet protocol (IP) address.

“So now I had to start a whole other investigation on that IP address … ,” she said, noting that she also had to send more production orders to the internet service provider to hand over information about the man.

What the investigators have learned, though, is that service providers like Shaw and SaskTel want 30 days before they will give anything.

Meanwhile, during the 15 Wing investigation, officers were unable to determine on-site whether the ac-

cused had child sexual exploitation materials on his devices while he refused to give his smartphone password. So, the unit seized everything and took them to Regina for further review before eventually laying charges.

“… obviously we are looking at children who don’t have a voice most of the time in any of what’s going on, and that’s who we’re trying to protect,” Coghill continued. “(But) it doesn’t matter what type of investigation it is; those providers are not just going to provide you with information. They’re only going to do it if the court says they have to.

“So it unfortunately prolongs our investigations, and it quite often is the most extensive part … which is usually the most frustrating.”

The hurdles the ICE unit faces include limited time to investigate files, limited access to specialized software, staying current with modern investigative techniques and suspects moving to other jurisdictions, said Coghill. Ongoing training usually involves talking with peers, while advanced training requires the software.

Some solutions to these issues include hiring a fulltime ICE unit investigator and joining the provincial team, she added.

Deputy Chief Rick Johns told the board that this unit’s work — looking at graphic images — takes a heavy mental toll on officers, which is why new members usually join every couple of years. Meanwhile, the agency is providing psychological help to those officers who request it.

Reflective Moments

By Joyce Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

Secret about expiry date revealed on back of credit card

Once again I have been reminded of the financial rule in the household where I grew up: “If you don’t have the cash in your pocket or bank account, then you can’t afford it.”

I often wondered why I heard this rule over and over and it sometimes rankled that my monthly stipend of $18 a month could not be topped up by an IOU or cash advancement. It should be noted here that $18 was my monthly value as a child as determined by the federal government of the day. The cheque came in my Mother’s name and she kindly turned over that amount in cash as my allowance or living wage for the next 30-31 days. February was a windfall month because it only normally held 28 days.

When I left home to live in my own apartment, that $18 disappeared and I was forced to exist on my wage of 56 years ago which when mentioned nowadays draws exclamations of alarm, or outright guffaws of laughter.

This thing called a credit card did not come into my life until Housemate and I came close to running out of cash on a Waterton holiday. Our bank manager led us through the application process.

I was petrified of using it frivolously and seldom brought it out of its holder before a discussion of our finances with Housemate, who appeared to know too much for my own good about thrifty spending.

And so the years passed and each month religiously, the full amount on the card’s monthly bill was paid in full — to avoid interest charges and to keep grumpy creditors from sending henchmen after us for our arrears.

But gradually, those credit cards, both his and mine, became the means by which we conducted much of our financial business. Paying by cheque became a thing of the past, with some cashiers looking at the piece of paper as though it might explode.

And so, our dependence on our credit cards increased and when the recent expiry date loomed closer, we began looking in the mail for replacement cards. Then came the postal strike. When it ended, and Christmas came and went with no new cards coming in plain wrappers, I began to panic.

How, oh how, would we manage? I even jokingly asked friends and family if we might borrow their extra cards. They mostly ignored us, no doubt thinking we

were pulling their legs.

Calls to the credit card company were futile, with recorded messages not coming close to alleviating our concern. And human spokespeople were of no comfort at all.

On a grocery shopping excursion, we found ourselves adding up the amounts after each item and then conferring on how much cash we were carrying — just like the old days!

Finally I decided enough was enough and I called the credit card company again, prepared to vent my unhappiness with its customer service.

After pushing several numbers for particular services in the only language I understand, a friendly lady came on and listened patiently to my tale of woe and unhappiness.

In a calm voice, and speaking slowly so even the dumbest person on the line would understand, she explained that our credit cards were valid until the end of January even though the expiry date said 1/25. The “1” meaning the whole month of January and not the first day.

“Are you sure?” I inquired dumbly. “Yes, Mrs. Walter, I’m sure.”

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

“Hot dog,” I thought to myself. All this worry for nothing, and I still have a few days to buy some items that have struck my fancy, but the cash in my pocket wasn’t sufficient.

I have to admit that I read for myself the tiny print on the back of the card and then googled the topic to learn the credit card lady had not led me astray.

How come I didn’t know that information years ago when the cards first came into the house? Why didn’t the health plan person explain that so I would not have spent $46 and change to courier documents about changing the payment method. And did friends and family not know about the truth behind expiry dates? Hmmmm.

Now I know if strangers bang aggressively on the door, they aren’t there to break a leg over an unpaid bill. They are likely at the doorstep to exchange church-going information. I wonder if they know the credit card secret?

Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

MOOSE JAW BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS NOTES

The Moose Jaw Police Service’s tactical response team (TRT) typically responds to about four situations annually, but those incidents are usually “highly volatile and potentially dangerous,” the agency says.

TRT members use various tools to handle situations, such as ballistics shields, bean bag-loaded shotguns, 40-millimetre chemical grenade launchers, semi-automatic carbine rifles and body armour.

All these fancy — and potentially lethal — tools were on display during the Board of Police Commissioners’ January meeting as TRT members Chad Scheske and Taylor Elder discussed the unit’s abilities.

Staff Sgt. Scheske has been with the unit since 2021, while Staff Sgt. Elder was one of the first two officers selected in 2019 to help build the unit.

Small but mighty

The TRT is comprised of eight members, which is small and requires the officers to commit to situations because most must be on scene to pull off operations safely, said Scheske.

Some high-risk situations are pre-planned, such as carrying out warrants for drugs, weapons or gang issues, while other operations “happen on the fly,” where armed individuals barricade themselves in a vehicle or home, he continued. The unplanned scenarios require the team to surround the home or vehicle and then complete the operation without being injured or injuring anyone.

TRT members train monthly because they have additional responsibilities being with the team and must be familiar with the weapons, said Elder. Furthermore, the unit spends two weeks a year training with the RCMP and Regina Police Service.

“We are a small team, so when we need to be (used), a lot of times we’re relying on Regina and the RCMP to come down and help us. They have an armoured vehicle, which we don’t have … ,” he continued.

Tools of the trade

One tool the TRT does have — and that the MJPS never had before — is a ballistics shield, which protects members as they approach a scene, a house, an individual or a vehicle, and can deflect a rifle round, said Elder. Moreover, members have a ballistic helmet, which — while not as strong as the shield — still prevents serious injuries.

Furthermore, the unit has “less lethal options” it can

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use during situations, such as a 12-gauge shotgun that fires bean bags.

The goal of using less lethal impact munitions is to “hopefully incapacitate (individuals without) causing any sort of grave bodily harm,” said Scheske. The impact rounds (bean bags) are designed to be fired at large muscles like the back or thighs, but not the head or groin.

Similarly, the tactical team has a 40-millimetre launcher that can fire chemical munitions — such as gas or smoke canisters — into rooms, while it also has long metal poles that can deposit such munitions through windows to force out people, he continued.

“It’s much safer for us if they come out to us as opposed to us going in to get them,” Scheske added.

Another weapon the unit has is a 30-round, 5.56-mm semi-automatic carbine from manufacturer Colt Canada, with some rifles having magnifier scopes and red dot optics for aiming out to 300 metres, said Scheske.

The Canadian Army provided the MJPS with its first batch of carbines — decommissioned rifles from the 1980s — in 2012, which forced the policing agency to adjust them from full-auto to semi-auto firing, he added. However, it became expensive to continually adjust the carbines, so the agency bought new ones several years ago.

Slowly but surely

While TV shows suggest SWAT and tactical teams move quickly to clear rooms, the reality is they move slowly and methodically to remain safe before actually entering a space, said Elder. The unit will launch or deploy gas first and let it sit there while wearing gas masks so members aren’t affected.

“Gone are the days (where) we jump into a room (or) rush into a room and try and surprise them with this. That doesn’t work out very well,” he stated.

This slow approach may mean the unit is at a scene for seven hours negotiating with people before doing anything, while members must acquire authorization from a senior officer first before attending to an incident, Elder added.

Working relationships

Another tool the TRT has is a used ambulance that the team converted into an armoured vehicle — but without armour — to store gear and transport members, laughed Scheske. However, it does have a new coat of paint thanks

to students from A.E. Peacock Collegiate.

TRT officers wear protective gear and carry large weapons when responding to a situation, so it’s tough to cram into a small patrol vehicle, said Elder. So, the former ambulance gives them space and lets them bring other groups like the K-9 unit.

Meanwhile, the MJPS has a good relationship with Regina and knows that the agency would bring its armoured vehicle here if necessary, he added.

“I think a big part of our success and our abilities is the relationship we have with Regina and the RCMP … ,” said Scheske. “The good thing is they certainly have no issues with us coming out and training with them or coming and helping us in any kind of situation.”

Warriors drop pair of close games to Regina, Lethbridge in weekend action

Moose Jaw falls 5-4 in overtime to Regina, drop hard-fought contest 4-2 to Lethbridge

The Moose Jaw Warriors once again found themselves within striking distance of their opponents in Western Hockey League action this past weekend, but the win column continues to be elusive.

The Warriors took the ice in a pair of games at the Moose Jaw Events Centre Friday and Saturday, falling 5-4 in overtime to the Regina Pats and dropping a 4-2 decision to the Lethbridge Hurricanes one night later.

Moose Jaw fell to 10-25-4-2 and remain in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, two points back of Regina.

Regina 5, Moose Jaw 4 (OT)

The Warriors couldn’t have asked for a better start on Friday night, as Landen McFadden, Aiden Ziprick and Pavel McKenzie all scored in the first 13 minutes of the game to give Moose Jaw a 3-0 lead.

Regina began to gain momentum as the period ran down, though, and completely turned the tide in the second period.

This time, it was the Pats’ turn to go on an offensive run, as Cohen Klassen, Cameron Kuzma and Julien Maze all scored by the 14:23 mark to tie the game at three after 20 minutes.

It didn’t take long for Regina to take their first lead of the game in the third, as Keets Fawcett scored only 49 seconds in

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for the 4-3 edge.

There things remained until Ethan Semeniuk tied the game on the power play with 4:57 remaining, eventually sending the game into overtime.

There, Regina’s Zach Pantelakis would jam the puck through Warriors goaltender Matthew Hutchison 50 seconds into the extra frame to give his team the victory.

Hutchison finished with 26 saves in

the game, while Ewan Huet had 22 stops for Regina.

Lethbridge 4, Warriors 2

The contest marked the return of former Warriors Brayden Yager, Jackson Unger and Voytech Port after trades to Lethbridge earlier this season, though Yager wasn’t in the line-up as he takes a break after captaining Canada at the World Juniors and Unger backed up starting goaltender Koen Cleaver.

Semeniuk opened scoring 4:38 into the game with a shorthanded marker, but the lead wouldn’t last the period as Shane Smith scored with 1:08 remaining to send the teams into the break all tied up.

Two goals less than three minutes apart late in the second would give the Hurricanes the lead, as Smith scored his second of the game with 5:26 to play and Logan Wormald made it 3-1 with 2:42 remaining.

Aiden Ziprick would get one back for Moose Jaw as time ran down in the period, finding the back of the net with 38 second remaining. The goal gives 19-year-old defenceman four goals and 20 points in Moose Jaw’s last 13 games.

There things stood until the final seconds of the third, when Jordan Gustafson scored an empty netter to make it 4-2.

Josh Banini took the loss in net but still had an impressive outing while facing 45 shots, including a cross-crease stop in the second period that was named the WHL Save of the Night. Cleaver faced 22 shots, the same number Banini faced in the second period alone.

The Warriors will now have a week off before hosting the Portland Winterhawks on Friday and the Edmonton Oil Kings on Saturday. Both game times are 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors split weekend set with Wildcats in Warman

Warriors take 4-3 victory Saturday, drop 6-2 decision Sunday, remain in first place in SMAAAHL

It’s something that hasn’t been said often about the Moose Jaw WINMAR Warriors as of late, but this past weekend saw the local squad go through a bit of the good and a bit of the bad.

The Warriors took a 4-3 victory over the Warman Wildcats in Warman on Saturday before dropping a 6-2 decision in the rematch Sunday.

The loss was the first for Moose Jaw in nine games, a span running back to the beginning of December. The Warriors are now 23-5-2 and hold a four-point lead over the Regina Pat Canadians for first place in the 12-team loop, though Regina has two games in hand.

Warman are now 17-10-0 and sit in sixth place, four points back of Tisdale. Moose Jaw 4, Warman 3

The Warriors got off to a good start,

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taking a 3-1 lead out of the first period, but Warman would chip their way back into the game to make things interesting late.

Moose Jaw’s Brennan Brown, Noah Thul and Carson Deichert all scored in a six-minute span in the opening frame, with Declan Borthwick getting one back for Warman as the Warriors took their two-goal lead.

Nash Curniski replied for the Wildcats with the lone goal of the second period, Keaton Lesperance would make it a 4-2 contest early in the third.

Dylan Danyluk pulled Warman to within one with 2:23 to play, but that would be as close as they’d get as the Warriors held on for the win.

Lesperance finished with three points, while Tyler Hudec and Ryan Gibbs had a pair of assists each.

Luke McKechnie turned aside 37 shots to earn the victory, Seth Gutenberg had 22 stops for Warman.

Warman 6, Moose Jaw 2

After a close first period, Warman blew things open with three unanswered goals and would go on to their comfortable victory.

Gibbs got things started for Moose Jaw only 59 seconds into the contest, but Broden Wotherspoon replied for the Wildcats before the period was out.

The second frame was all Warman, as Dade Wotherspoon, Hudson Brehaut and Trey Markus scored to give their crew a 4-1 lead through two.

Gibbs scored his league-leading 26th goal of the season midway through the third, and the Warriors veteran has now moved within two points of Regi-

na’s Maddox Schultz for the SMAAAHL scoring lead with 53 points. Keirin Osberg is fourth in scoring with 17 goals and 44 points, while Deichert sits fifth with 15 goals and 42 points.

Dade Wotherspoon and Ty Dauvin had Warman’s other goals in the third. Wildcats goaltender Corben Schnurr had a relatively quiet afternoon, facing only 17 shots, while Kaleb Page had 23 saves for the Warriors.

The WINMAR Warriors are back in action on Thursday when they visit the Regina Pat Canadians. Game time is 8 p.m. from the Co-Operators Arena. Warman returns to the ice on Wednesday when they host the Saskatoon Blazers, with puck drop at 8 p.m. at the Home Centre Communiplex.

Warriors forward Ethan Semeniuk leads the flyby after scoring the opening goal of the game on Saturday against Lethbridge.

With the Western Hockey League trade deadline taking place January 9th, Moose Jaw Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger made a pair of deals a few days prior.

The team saw one of the key members of their run to the WHL Championship last season joining the Prince Albert Raiders, with overage forward Rilen Kovacevic heading north in exchange for 20-year-old forward Krzysztof Macias, 17-year-old forward Luke Moroz and a fourth-round pick in 2027.

“Adding Luke gives us more skill in our 2007 age group as we continue to build for the future. He is a great playmaker with good hockey sense,” Ripplinger said. “Krzysztof gives us skill and a good work ethic. He should add scoring to our lineup and keep us competitive.”

Moroz, 5-foot-9 and 152 pounds, is from Grand Coulee and in 34 games this season has four goals and 15 points. He was selected by the Raiders in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft. Playing with the Balgonie Prairie Storm in the South Sask U15 AA League in 2021-22 , he had 47 goals and 108 points in only 27 games. The following season as a rookie for the Regina Pat Canadian, Moroz had 16 goals and 47 points in 40 games.

Macias, 5-foot-11 and 196 pounds,

has played at a point-a-game pace for the Raiders this season with eight goals and 22 points in 22 games this season. In 87 career regular-season games, he has 30 goals and 69 points.

Macias was selected by the Raiders in the first round, 15th overall, in the 2023 CHL Import Draft. He played for Poland at the 2024 World Championship and had two goals in seven games.

“Rilen is a hard player to replace,” Ripplinger said. “He was a big part of our championship team last year and was a good leader for our young group this year. We wish nothing but success for him in

the future.”

Kovacevic was acquired by the Warriors last season from the Edmonton Oil Kings. In 33 games this year, he has 21 goals and 40 points. After putting up five goals and 20 points in 34 games in the regular season last year, Kovacevic had four goals and 15 points in 20 games in the post-season, helping the Warriors to their first Western Hockey League Championship.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Warriors exchanged goaltenders with the Vancouver Giants, sending 19-year-old goaltender Brady Smith west for 18-year-old goal-

tender Matthew Hutchison, a fourth round pick in 2025 and a seven round pick in 2028.

“Acquiring Matthew gave us a chance to add a quality goaltender with WHL experience and we were also able to add a couple more draft picks,” Ripplinger said, referring to the continuing effort to restock picks after depleting their selections in the build to the WHL Championship last season.

“Matthew has a lot of upside, and we are hoping he can give us some stability in our net and keep competing with Josh (Banini),” he added.

Hutchison, 6-foot-3 and 189 pounds, has played in 22 games this season with the Giants and has a record of 10-8-1, 3.92 goals against average and a .875 save percentage.

Hutchison was selected in the third round, 50th overall, in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft. In 43 career games in the WHL, he has a record of 14-22-2 with a 4.49 GAA and .872 SP. In 2022-2023, he played 22 games with Oceanside (VJHL), posting a record of 19-1-1-1 with a 1.82 GAA and a .933 SP.

All three new Warriors were able to catch up with the team prior to their game in Lethbridge and were in the line-up against the Hurricanes.

-- with files from James Gallo

Moose Jaw Warriors trade Schuurman to Seattle as Prospects Draft rebuild nears completion

The Moose Jaw Warriors continued their effort to rebuild their stock of draft picks after their Western Hockey League Championship run last season, trading one of the key members of their victory on the eve of the WHL trade deadline.

The Warriors sent overage forward Brayden Schuurman to the Seattle Thunderbirds in exchange for 2008-born forward Cooper Ernewein, a fourth-round draft pick in 2024 and third round pick in 2028.

The trade almost completely restocks the Warriors draft picks traded away in the lead-up to their winning the Ed Chynoweth Cup last spring, as general manager Jason Ripplinger was able to swing a host of deals over the last couple months to get future Prospects Draft selections in order. Schuurman joined the Warriors in a

ber and went on to put up 20 goals and 47 points in 62 games. He saved his best for the playoffs, though, and especially the

4 as the Warriors swept the Portland Winterhawks.

He’d finish the post-season with seven goals and nine points in 20 games.

The trade brings Schuurman -- who recently returned from injury and has five goals and 14 points in 13 games this season -- closer to his home in Abbotsford, B.C.

Ernewein, a 6-foot-0, 170-pound forward, hails from Saskatoon and was selected by Seattle in the eighth round, 175th overall in the 2023 Prospects Draft.

championship final as he scored the overtime winner in Game 3 and the game-winning and WHL title-winning goal in Game

He went on to join the Saskatoon Blazers of the Sask Male AAA Hockey League last season and had four goals and 12 points in 43 games as the Blazers won the SMAAAHL title. This season, Ernewein has 13 goals and 26 points in 24 games and is currently third in team scoring for the fifth-place Blazers.

The Moose Jaw Warriors traded overage forward Rilen Kovacevic to Prince Albert for Krzysztof Macias and Luke Moroz on Tuesday.

Moose Jaw Warriors forward Brayden Schuurman celebrates a goal during the WHL playoffs last season. Nick Pettigrew

Share your team’s news, pictures and results with us! email: editor@mjvexpress.com accessories on sale now!

Moose Jaw Warriors swing three way deal, adding Swift Current’s Johnston and two WHL Draft picks

Moose Jaw Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger has been busy over the last few months restocking the Western Hockey League team’s Prospects Draft list, and that continued with a second deal on Thursday prior to the WHL trade deadline.

The Warriors swung a three-way deal with the Swift Current Broncos and Red Deer Rebels, with the defending WHL champions adding overage defenceman Eric Johnston from the Broncos as well as a sixth-round draft pick in 2026 and fourth round pick in 2027 from the Rebels in exchange for overage defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk.

Dowhaniuk joins Red Deer, who also added forward Ty Coupland and a fourth round pick from Swift Current. The Broncos receive overage defenceman Hunter Mayo and 2006-born forward Trae Wilke from the Rebels

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Johnston, a 6-foot-0, 190-pound defenceman, has four goals and 13 points in 37 games this season. The former captain of the Prince Albert Raiders put up five goals and 22 points last season before be-

Academy go

ing traded to Swift Current this past July. Dowhaniuk was released by the

Prince George Cougars at the start of the season before signing on with the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. The Warriors picked up Dowhaniuk on Nov. 15, and the Star City product had a goal and four points with Moose Jaw in 18 games.

He is committed to the NCAA’s University of Alaska-Fairbanks for the 202526 season.

The WHL trade deadline is set for 7 p.m. Moose Jaw time on Thursday.

The Warriors now have picks in every round of the 2025 Prospects Draft except the eighth, including two picks in the third round, four in the fourth and two more in the seventh, with a total of 16 overall.

Moose Jaw is still missing first and second round picks in 2026 and a first round pick in 2027 but have two firstround selections in 2028 and six picks in the first three rounds.

The Warriors have traded nine players this season and recouped 19 draft picks since November.

undefeated on way to win in

Lorne Molleken U17 Prep Prairie Classic

Prairie Hockey Academy were once again the hosts with the most during the Lorne Molleken Elite U17 Prep Prairie Classic in Caronport this past weekend.

And this time, they got the job done in the most dramatic of fashions.

The Cougars put together an undefeated run all the way to the championship game on Sunday afternoon, where they’d score late to tie the game against Edmonton-based South Side Athletic Club before winning it all with 0.4 seconds remaining in the second overtime.

The 5-4 victory gave PHA their third straight Molleken Classic title and was naturally as exciting a win as there can be.

“We’re just so proud of the boys, and really, they just kept believing all weekend,” said Cougars head coach Rob Holoien. “To start 2025, we just started talking about the legacy that they’re going to leave here when they move on next year and really about the PHA brand. They just played for each other all weekend and it really had nothing to do with us coaches, our leadership group was in there and kept these guys going all the time. They’re turning into a team, and we’re really excited for the second half as coaches.”

Things couldn’t have gone much better for PHA in the lead-up to the final. They opened the tournament with a 6-0 win over Pillot Mound on Thursday at the Barkman Arena before taking a 5-3 win over the Calgary Royals and downing the Leduc Oil Kings 3-1 on Friday to finish 3-0 in their round robin pool.

The semifinal against Edmonton’s Canadian Athletic Club was more of the same, as Kade Kahovec had a hat trick and Hunter Toth picked up their other mark-

er in a 4-1 win. Karter Hilbig stopped 32 shots to send PHA to the title game. There, Carter Muench opened scoring for SSAC, but Jamie Kirwan and Hogan Hickman replied before the period was out for a 2-1 lead.

Seamus Dillon made it 3-1 early in the second, but David Kuzik got one back for Edmonton before the period was out, and Muench and Charlie Leclaire scored in the third to make it 4-3 Bulldogs with 2:59 to play. Game over, right? Not so fast.

“They’re a great hockey team but our guys got off to a good lead,” Holoien said. “We were ready to play even if we were a little nervous in the first, but once we settled in, the guys just kept going. They stuck to the game plan and they really believed the whole time, even when we were down by one with a couple minutes to go.”

Dane Chalupa was the first PHA hero, tying the game with 1:26 to play when a shot from the point by Ethan Unger went off him in front and found the back of the net.

The first overtime solved nothing,

and it looked like the second wouldn’t either, until Bryden Wagner got possession of the puck in the dying seconds.

“Just a great individual effort where he picks up a loose puck, and gets going up ice with good speed, it’s a one-on-one, and he shoots it low blocker far side, and wins it for us,” Holoien said.

The goal came with 0.4 seconds remaining and, as one might expect, touched off a raucous celebration.

Drake Mooney turned aside 46 shots to earn the win in goal, while PHA had 43 shots on SSAC’s Ashley Ammann.

Now, the attention turns to the remainder of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League season. PHA holds a 10-14-0-1 record and are in ninth place in the U17 Prep team standings and listed as 13th by MyHockeyRankings. That means they’ll have some work to do to get into the top tier of CSSHL Western Championships, but Holoien is confident the tournament win will be a jumping off point.

“We’re in a playoff race here and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “I think we’ve seen what we’re going to see down the stretch and this team just keeps believing, so I imagine we’re going to get there right on time… We’re just so proud of them, they’re setting themselves up for success in the second half.”

The PHA U17 Cougars didn’t have as much luck in their Molleken Classic draw, going 0-3 in the round robin before falling 4-1 to Pilot Mound in their consolation game.

Be sure to keep an eye on www.prairiehockey.ca for updates on all their teams as the CSSHL season continues.

The Moose Jaw Warriors swung a three-way trade to land former Prince Albert Raiders captain Eric Johnson last Thursday.

The Prairie Hockey Academy U17 Prep team went unbeaten to win the Lorne Molleken Prairie Classic on the weekend.

Moose Jaw Warriors GM Jason Ripplinger looks back on trade deadline and what was accomplished

Warriors recoup host of draft picks lost in lead-up to WHL Championship win last season as future once again looks bright Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

Moose Jaw Warriors general manager Jason Ripplinger was a busy guy in the leadup to the Western Hockey League trade deadline on Thursday afternoon.

While the team had managed to recoup a large portion of their Prospects Draft picks in the lead-up to the last few weeks before the Jan. 9 deadline, what happened once the World Juniors trade freeze ended changed things entirely -both from a team personnel perspective and draft perspective.

Almost every high-profile remaining Warriors asset was dealt including:

-- Team caaptain Brayden Yager and goaltender Jackson Unger going to the Lethbridge Hurricanes for defenceman Colt Carter, goaltender Brady Smith, forward Landen Ward and six draft picks.

-- Assistant captain Rilen Kovacevic going to Prince Albert for forward Luke Moroz, forward Krzysztof Macias and a draft pick

-- Smith going to Vancouver for goaltender Matthew Hutchison and two draft picks

-- Assistant captain Brayden Schuurman going to Seattle for forward Cooper Ernewein and two draft picks

-- Overage defenceman Keaton Dowhaniuk going to Red Deer in a three-way trade that brought defenceman Eric Johnston to the Warriors from Swift Current in addition to two draft picks from Red Deer.

In the end, from Nov. 15 to the trade

Kovacevic was involved in one of the deals Moose Jaw made in the leadup to the trade deadline.

deadline, the Warriors would complete eight deals that sent nine players to other teams while bringing back 10 new players and -- most importantly -- restocking no less than 19 draft picks from 2025 through 2028.

As impressive a haul as one could hope for, especially in a single season after winning the WHL Championship.

“After last year’s trade deadline and doing what we did, we knew that we had to restock the cupboards and make some hard decisions come this year to recoup some picks and hopefully get some prospects,” Ripplinger said. “We filled the

Former Warriors Mateychuk, Savoie named to American Hockey League All-Star Game

Key members of Moose Jaw’s WHL Championship run continue success at pro level Randy Palmer - MooseJawToday.com

Fans of the Moose Jaw Warriors can tell you all about how good defenceman Denton Mateychuk and forward Matthew Savoie are as hockey players, and now the American Hockey League can do the same.

Both Mateychuk and Savoie were named to the AHL All-Star Game on Wednesday, as both players continued their stellar showings in their first season of professional hockey.

Mateychuk, 20, captained the Warriors to the WHL title last season while emerging as one of the top defencemen in team history, and that success has carried over to the next level.

The reigning WHL Defenceman of the Year has nine goals and 25 points in 27 games this season and made his NHL debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Dec. 23, playing seven games before being returned to Cleveland. Mateychuk picked up his first NHL point on Dec. 31, drawing an assist in a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Savoie, who turned 21 on Jan. 1, joined the Warriors in a trade deadline deal with Wenatchee last season and went on to become a crucial member of the stretch run and playoffs as Moose Jaw won their first-ever WHL Championship.

The Edmonton Oilers prospect has spent the first half of the season with the Bakersfield Condors, where he has nine goals and 24 points in 29 games and is second in team scoring.

The AHL All-Star Game will take place Feb. 2-3 in Palm Desert, Cal., and for regular updates on Mateychuk and Savoie, keep an eye on www.theahl.com.

cupboards and we got some prospects, so I think we did a good job getting all our assets back.”

In most cases, such a rebuild would take at least a couple seasons. But the Warriors were blessed with a lot of returning talent from the championship run, and that winning pedigree helped when it came to making deals. Still, to get so much done in a single trade cycle was an accomplishment.

“I wouldn’t say it was by design, but it was something that I challenged myself to do,” Ripplinger said. “I didn’t want to leave the team in a situation as a manager, whether you get opportunities to go take on another job somewhere or move on, there was no way I was going to leave Moose Jaw empty-handed.”

After heading into the campaign with only a handful of top draft picks over the next four seasons, the Warriors now have picks in every round of the 2025 Prospects Draft except the eighth, including two picks in the third round, four in the fourth and two more in the seventh, with a total of 16 overall.

Moose Jaw is still missing first and second round picks in 2026 and a first round pick in 2027 but have two firstround selections in 2028 and six picks in the first three rounds.

That’s a satisfactory situation for Ripplinger, even with the hole at the top two years from now.

“Yeah, I’m not too worried about that,” he said. “We’ve banked so many

picks that it becomes monopoly money where you can start spreading the wealth a little bit. And if we have to add some players, we’ve always got the sweeteners now. So the organization’s healthy in that department.”

Beyond the picks, the Warriors also landed some solid young talent that will have a chance to develop over the next couple seasons, meaning another potential run may not be too far in the future.

“We’re going to have a young team next year, but we’ll have a lot of 18-yearolds,” Ripplinger said. “And if they all take the right step and move forward and become good players and better players,when they’re 19, maybe have a chance to take another run at this.”

Ripplinger also kept an eye on what the contenders were doing -- especially Lethbridge, Calgary and Medicine Hat in the Centrall Division, with each team making multiple deals to take a shot at the 2025 title -- and had a few memories of what his crew went through in the lead-up to last season’s deadline.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Ripplinger said. “Even if we didn’t win, I still would have done what we did. But we’re fortunate to have everything go right for us last year.”

The Warriors return to action on Friday night when the Regina Pats are in town. Puck drop is 7 p.m. at the Moose Jaw Events Centre.

Warriors forward and assistant captain Rilen

Former Warriors captain Denton Mateychuk was named an American Hockey League All Star on Wednesday. Cleveland Monsters

Sask. Selects host “Battle On the Prairies” football tournament at Yara Centre

Residents who stopped by the Yara Centre found the venue packed last weekend as the Saskatchewan Selects Football club and close to 1,000 athletes took over to host the “Battle On the Prairies” football tournament from Jan. 9 to 12.

The tournament was the fourth of its kind and featured 16 teams — including the hosting Moose Jaw-based Sask. Selects — and athletes attending from as far away as Boston and California, with teams from Texas and Mexico joining for the first time this year. Around 300 of those athletes were from Saskatchewan.

“Man, it’s crazy. We have goal line cameras, and this year, for the first time, we have cameras everywhere. This is like a CFL-level production,” announced Zeljko Stefanovic, the managing director of the Select Football program in Saskatchewan.

The Moose Jaw-based tournament doesn’t mark the end of the club’s season, however. In February, around 65 teams will meet in Florida to play one final tournament during the North American Youth Football Championships.

“(The tournament here in Moose Jaw) is kind of like a mid-season tune up for Florida,” Stefanovic said. “We practice all winter and the icing on the cake… is the trip to Florida.”

The Sask. Selects Football club is based out of the Yara Centre and brings together athletes from 60 Saskatchewan communities to practice every other weekend. Originally founded in 2016, Selects quickly grew from around 10 teams to its current total of 24 from all over North America.

The club began practicing for the 2024-2025 season in late October 2024,

‘One

With the kind of season former Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Trevor Reid had in 2024, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before bigger opportunities came calling.

And sure enough, that’s exactly what happened this off-season.

The Roughriders nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie worked out for the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals and drew enough interest that he asked for his release from the Roughriders to pursue NFL opportunities.

That request was granted, and it may not be long before Reid ends up plying his trade with the big boys down south.

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

made one trip to Vegas for a tournament, and will continue until the season concludes in February.

The recent tournament brought nonstop action with 11-man football matches in back-to-back games in a fast-paced, modified format. To accommodate the large number of teams and limited ceiling height, some of the rules had to be adjusted.

One major change is the removal of kicking — so there were no kickoffs, punts or field goals. Instead, play started directly with offence versus defence. In essence, it’s football without the kicking game, but with all the intensity and structure of a traditional match.

“We don’t have the height here, right, so we can’t kick,” Stefanovic said. “So, we’ve just taken it right out and made

house rules for converts and kicking. So, if you want to punt inside of your own 50, we’ll just move the ball up 30 yards and then your defence comes up and their offense comes up.”

Aside from the absence of kicking and a time adjustment — each game ran for about 75 minutes — all other rules follow National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) standards.

“It’s quick, and there’s a lot of scoring,” Stefanovic added. “It’s very fast paced (and) you’ve got to make quick decisions because the clock is running. And I tell you, the vibe in here is crazy — music blasting, videos going, fans everywhere. They’re right up against the sides. It’s awesome.”

The club offers young athletes an excellent opportunity to get scouted with several already moving ahead in their careers after playing with the Selects.

“Last weekend we had a kid that plays on the B.C. Lions who was here at our practice (and was) one of our former players. They’re scattered all over the CFL,” Stefanovic said.

Many former Sask. Selects athletes have advanced to impressive levels in their football careers, including 31 former Select players on the U of R Rams football team, 17 former Select players on the U of S Huskies team, and “a ton” playing with the U of A Bears.

To learn more about the Saskatchewan Selects Football club, visit SelectsFootball.com.

The tournament has been filmed by IKS Live, a division of the IKS Media Group of Companies based out of Regina, Sask. For more information and to watch the tournament online visit IKSLive.ca.

Losing a player of that calibre and with so much future potential is always tough for a Canadian Football League team, but Roughriders head coach Corey Mace is proud to see Reid get a shot at the next level.

“[Trevor is] a young man, 24 years old, but athletically he’s one of the biggest freaks I’ve ever seen,” Mace said in a conversation with the CKRM Sportscage crew earlier this week. “So I’m not shocked that he’s going to get this opportunity. You’re elated for those guys and at the potential of being able to carve out a career for themselves, still playing the game that they love.”

The fact remains that the economics are far too lucrative for a player to even consider turning down an NFL opportunity. Should he succeed at cracking an NFL lineup, Reid will make at least $795,000 next season, more than double what the top offensive linemen in the CFL receive. And that will turn into millions should he become an impact player.

in Saskatchewan. Michael Scraper

Hence, the decision is almost always an easy one.

“I know that he really enjoyed his time here, but [look at] what potentially this could bring for him and his family moving forward,” Mace said. “If it’s something that works out for him down there you’re happy for those guys from that standpoint.”

This won’t be Reid’s first go-around with the NFL, as he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023 after a stellar career at the University of Louisville. After rookie camp with the Eagles, Reid took part in training camp with the Atlanta Falcons before eventually joining the Roughriders.

Despite NFL tryouts leading to CFL

teams often losing hyper-elite players, Mace would have no problem with more players from Saskatchewan getting another crack at the four-down game.

“You kind of wish that opportunity is there for everybody and there’s so many guys that you wish could have certain opportunities,” Mace said. “But they’re going to pick who they who they want.”

With Reid moving on, the Roughriders will keep their focus on who will be back next season and getting ready for what is hoped to be a banner campaign.

“The guys that are here, they know what it’s all about, specifically in this building,” Mace said. “And I know guys are itching to get back here. So we wish him nothing but the absolute best. I know all these guys will be watching anyway, cheering for him.”

A look inside the Yara Centre during the “Battle On the Prairies” football tournament on the afternoon of Jan. 11. Photo by: Aaron Walker

Roughriders head coach Corey Mace is proud of Trevor Reid for landing an NFL opportunity after his rookie season

Cyclones Post Easy Win

It was a tough evening for the Vanier Vikings senior boys basketball team as they found themselves up against the juggernaut Central Cyclones last Tuesday evening, Jan. 7th.

A juggernaut that took the lead early and never looked back as the Cyclones defeated the Vikings 12344.

The Cyclones came out hard as a major part of their game plan Central Cyclones head coach Barry Seaborn said.

“I was just happy with our guys who just came out and played hard. We talked about it in the break no more coming out and not playing hard. So I think they came out and played hard which is good and that set the tone for the rest of the night,” Seaborn said.

The tone which saw the Cyclones score early and then continue to apply the pressure for a full 40 minutes.

The Christmas break was highly productive for the Cyclones.

“We had some really good practices over the break. We have got some fire in our belly now and we really needed that fire,” he said.

The Cyclones took advantage of their large lead to give players, who may not receive lots of playing time, the opportunity to play and develop.

Seaborn said he was happy with how the back end of the roster handled the opportunity to play.

“I thought they played really well they handled themselves good so they just have got to learn some of the little things. I’ve coached some of the kids for three years (so the newer players) just need to learn the little things like getting your hands in the face of a shooter. The little things like closing out properly and talking and stuff like that,” he said.

Photos and Stories by Robert Thomas

The evening may have been a good one for the Cyclones but for the home Vanier Vikings it was a tough evening.

There was some good news for the struggling Vikings and that out of 13 players on their bench nine suited up.

Additionally two more players were unavailable as they were on other commitments but the injury plagued Vikings now have 11 players on the roster up considerably from the eight available prior to the Christmas break.

The Cyclones are the reigning 4A provincial champions and are expected to be shoe ins by many for another Hoopla run this year.

The Cyclones move to a 3 - 1 record and the Vikings move to a 0 - 4 record.

https://www.mjindependent.com/sports/2025/1/8/cyclones-post-easy-win

Female Cyclones Power Out A Win

A larger than usual crowd was out Tuesday evening to watch the undefeated Central Cyclones senior girls basketball team (2 - 0) defeat the Vanier Spirits (1 - 1) 67 - 55 in city league action.

Returning from the Christmas break both teams were close to full rosters in a battle which saw the Spirits hang in tough against the league leading Cyclones.

In the key battle for rebounds the Spirits managed to out jump and out muscle the larger Cyclones team on the backboards.

The Spirits in the second quarter- assisted by two field goals - even for a time held a six point lead over the Cyclones.

The score at the end of the First Quarter was Vanier 17 and Central 16.

The score at Half Time was Vanier 26 and Central 32.

The score at the end of the Third Quarter was Vanier 41 and Central 50.

The Final Score was Vanier 55 and Central 67.

“It was a solid win for us. We are happy with how we played. We’re definitely happy with a win,” Central Cyclones head coach Tanya McLean said in the post game interview.

Defensively McLean said the Cyclones “struggled with a little bit of” the execution part of their defence. It was something the Spirits took advantage of as they won key battles for offensive rebounds.

Photos and Story by Robert Thomas

The Spirits showed patience around the opponents basket managing to make two key field goals giving them the largest lead over the Cyclones in the second quarter.

Tuesday’s game saw the Cyclones have a full roster with ten players on the bench.

A full ten player roster was something McLean was happy about.

The win puts the Cyclones with a (3 - 0) first place tie with the Swift Current Ardens (3 - 0) who defeated the visiting Peacock Toilers in a high scoring affair 96 - 42 in Swift Current on Tuesday evening.

Despite the loss Vanier Spirits head coach Alisha Amey said the game was what the Spirits had predicted.

“It was exactly what I expected. Tough game, physical, lots of good plays. Just a fun competitive game,” Amey said.

Despite the loss the Spirits were in the running for the majority of the game.

January has full four weeks of high school league basketball and tournaments Amey said the Spirits are going to take advantage of.

“I’m looking forward to us continuing to grow as a team and find out who we are as a team. So just figuring out what we can do offensively, individually and as a team. Defensively what kind of energy do we have and just figuring that out in the long run.”

Both the Spirits and Cyclones had a full weekend as they travelled to Yorkton last Friday for a senior girls tournament.

https://www.mjindependent.com/sports/2025/1/7/m1iwxojwfafugfm4tejpyfj9h8tkfv

Daily Sudoku

Sudoku #5 - Challenging

3 5 6 4 7 1 8 1 7 7 3 5 8 9 3 8 4 9 2 5 1 6 8 2 7 2 1 3

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.

Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.

ANYONE, ARTILLERY, BENT, CARE, CEASE,BCRIME CYMBAL, DISTRICT, DREAM, DWARF, EMPTY, EVERY EXPOSE, JUDGE, LIEN, LIMIT, LOCAL, MAJOR MONEY, NOVELS, NURTURE, PEDESTRIAN, PERSIST, PLANETS, POWER, PRETTY, RISE, RIVALS, RURAL, SAIL SOLVE, STRATEGY, SYSTEMS, TILT, TOTAL, TRANSPORT, VIOLENCE

ACROSS

1. One and only

5. Breezy

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.

10. Self-satisfied

14. Arab ruler

15. Love intensely

16. Tropical root

17. Resisting authority

19. Freshwater mussel

20. How old you are

21. Beside

22. Long stories

23. Ceremonial peace pipe

25. Pertaining to cod

27. Physically sound

28. Sporting dogs

31. Chocolate

34. Savory

35. Faucet

36. “Oh dear!”

37. Twice twenty

38. Arouse

39. Mister

40. Forests

41. Divinity

42. Hurries

44. Band performance

45. Value

46. Mammals like camels

50. Earth tone

52. Monastery head

54. Paintings

55. Verse

56. Fear of heights

58. Fertilizer component

59. Ending in a piercing point

60. Frolic

61. Peddle

62. Trifling

63. Anagram of “Sent”

DOWN

1. Glacial ice formation

2. Alpha’s opposite 3. Besmirch

4. Before, in poetry

5. Billfold

6. Blockhead

7. Midday

8. Pharmacists

9. “I agree” 10. Foolish

11. Arge pasta tubes

12. Acid related to gout

13. Sticky substances/td>

18. Female demon

22. Countercurrent

24. Unidentified flying objects

26. Pretentious

28. Poets

29. Person’s manner of walking

30. Agile

31. Money

32. Mishmash

33. Gymnastic feat

34. Odontalgia

37. 12 inches

38. Bristle/td>

40. Had on

41. Profundity

43. Ball

44. Unkempt

46. Cut short

47. Line

48. Anagram of “Naira”

49. Doesn’t go

50. Creative work

51. The central part

53. Spoiled child

56. Viper

57. Choose

Moose Jaw Truck Shop

205 WANTED

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) Ice fishing partner wanted. Please call 306692-0800.

I pay cash for unwanted firearms, ammunition, and other firearm related items. Also free pick up of unwanted yard, garden, and acreage equipment, chainsaws, atv’s, snowmobiles, etc.. Call of text 306-641-4447.

Looking for outdoor TV antenna, 5’ x 6’. Please call 306-693-4704.

Looking To Rent - Garage/warehouse/ or unused semi-trailer unit. Prefer downtown area. Will consider other options. Can be reached at 306-684-1084.

210 SERVICES

Moving jobs done reasonably: appliances, furniture, dump runs. Call to do it all. $45.00 a load. 306-630-2268

Need work done? Contact Bill at 306-630-2268 . Interior/exterior, renovations, formwork, framing, finishing, tiling, painting and all construc-

tion, roofing/siding- no job too big or small. Reasonable rates, 30 years experience. Cleaner with 20 years experience, professional and bondable, please call Rebecca at 306-9900387

Junk to the dump in and around Moose Jaw, $60 and up. Will pick up, move, haul, and deliver any appliances, tvs, furniture, or anything large in and around Moose Jaw, $45 and up. 45-gallon plastic barrels, great for rainwater, $20 each. 1000 Litre plastic totes - $60. Dry cut up firewood 10 - 14” lengths - Split wood - $50/ row, Not Split - $35/row, one row across truck box. 306-681-8749

135 TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

6 metal poles 14’ x 3” heavy wall steel only $100. each, it’s a steal of a deal. Call 306-6941322.

Money has been a popular idea. The idea of money is “malleable” in the sense that it can be most any item that people place value in. Value is based upon perception, belief and trust that an item will retain its utility and function. Items used as money have a lifespan according to circumstances. A typical textbook discussion focuses on three uses of money 1) a medium of exchange 2) store of value and 3) unit of account. Current convention in Canada revolves around the premise that citizens and businesses are required to earn money while banks are allowed to create money.

Central Banks like the Bank of Canada (BOC) are responsible for providing financial and banking service oversight for their national government, implementing national government monetary policy and issuing currency. The majority of what is considered money in Canada is created by commercial banks (TD, BMO, RBC etc.) issuing loans (debt) to customers secured by collateral.

The whole monetary system is underpinned by trust. Deposit insurance exists for bank customers. There are no guarantees when it comes to nations defaulting. Individuals are left on their own to manage that risk.

The United States has defaulted multiple times in the past. In 1971 it suspended the convertibility of US dollars to gold. Thus ending the 1944 Bretton Woods international banking agreement. If the dominant reserve currency could no

160 MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE - Sunset Cemetery Last Supper Cremation Plot #212. Asking $1600, open to reasonable offers. Please call 306-693-2003. 190 PETS

Weimaraner puppies for sale. Call 306-6414315. 165 HOUSEHOLD

For sale: double mattress and box spring, $75 OBO, please call 306-631-6928.

OPINION/COMMENTARY

Money Believe it or Not

longer be exchanged for gold, what would the international community trust? A Petro Dollar System story. The story usually starts no later than the early 1970’s. It includes themes about official and/or secret agreements, US military and industrial strength, oil exporting countries (usually Saudi Arabia) and trust in rules based institutions.

It must be noted that oil and fossil fuels function to propel industrial economies and dollars merely serve as a unit of account. What would happen if industrial economies slowed down or stagnated due to resource constraints? What if the perceived value of savings declined due to inflation? What if people/businesses questioned the value of their time and effort in terms of their ability to earn created money and what it could be exchanged for? What if a group of nations like the BRICS arose that envision a multipolar world rather than a US dominated world? If the Petro Dollar System story was no longer trusted, what might be offered as an item to be believed in as money? Perhaps a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).

The BOC has over 130 research papers related to the CBDC topic. Just prior to Covid lockdowns on February 25, 2020 the BOC released “Contingency planning for a central bank digital currency”. The following are quotes from the document.

The BOC currently has no plans to launch a CBDC. Rather the Bank will build the capacity to issue a general pur-

pose, cash-like CBDC should the need to implement one arise...The Bank will consider launching a CBDC if certain scenarios materialize or appear as if they are likely to....: the use of bank notes were to continue to decline to a point where Canadians no longer had the option of using them for a wide range of transactions: or one or more alternative digital currencies –likely issued by private sector entities where to become widely used as an alternative to the Canadian dollar as a method of payment, store of value and unit of account....A decision to launch a CBDC would require the full support and approval of the Government of Canada and acceptance by the Canadian public.

October 2024 BOC research “The Consumer Value Proposition for a Hypothetical Digital Dollar” indicates that the conditions have not materialized to launch a CBDC based on the first scenario.

What about crypto currencies like bitcoin for the second scenario?

Crypto currencies are digital assets secured by cryptography (hidden/secret codes). Recently there has been more attention on crypto assets like bitcoin. The finite limited edition bitcoin units fluctuate in value and recently surpassed $100,000 US. President elect Trump and company are reportedly interested in using bitcoin as a reserve asset. Russia and China are rumoured to be considering the use of bitcoin. The thought of being used as a re-

serve asset seems to raise the once penny priced units to extraordinary values with limited energy concerns.

Will bitcoin trigger sufficient conditions for launching a CBDC?

Will the public accept a CBDC because finite digitally hidden/secret codes are a perceived store of value by some influential authority?

Considering inflation in recent years will the public trust institutions like BOC to preserve the value of a CBDC?

Based on the most recent five years would you trust the government of Canada to look after your best interest in regards to a CBDC?

Money is an idea that relies upon trust, belief and common perceptions to be valued. Such trust, beliefs and common perceptions have a history of working until they don’t. There is an idiom “not for love or money” implying that something will not happen under any circumstances. Expecting money to hold its value beyond a limited lifespan would require a very impressive idea that seems as yet to be hidden or kept secret. Consider if money was based on the idea of “unconditional love”, how long would it last? Now, if one possessed the time and energy how might you create it?

Richard Marleau Ponteix Saskatchewan

Building permits down one-third in 2024

Building permit values in Moose Jaw declined 37 per cent in 2024 from 2023 figures.

Value of permits last year was $30.56 million —a steep decline from $82.4 million in 2023. Much of the 2023 permit values involved construction of the SPC co-generation plant on the city’s southeast side.

Housing generated almost half of 2024 construction value with 34 structures and 61 units worth $14.3 million. In 2023 builders put up 14 structures with 15 units worth $4.96 million.

December permits of $1.98 million were higher than 2023’s $1.7 million.

Largest permit in December 2024 was $750,000 for a house in Iron Bridges followed by $311,000 for renovations to the Provincial Building at 110 Ominica Street West. Parts of the building have been vacant for years.

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH

277 Iroquois St W Moose Jaw, SK

Next Service: Jan 19th, 2025 10:30am

Rev. Walter Engel

Julia Annie Helen Kevol (Glats) passed away on December 24, 2024, at the age of 90. She was born in January of 1934 and lived in Valor, Sk and attended Jackson and Highland Vallery schools in the Valor Districts.

By Ron Walter - For Moose Jaw Express

New Fifth Ave. N.E. apartments - Ron Walter Photo

In November major permits were $193,000 for a manufacturing plant at 2125 Ominica Street West; $33,000 for retail space at 361 Main Street North in the old Sears mall; and $600,000 for a retail complex at 369B Thatcher Drive West on the south side.

The $1.7 million

October permits were led by $230,000 for a retail outlet in the Civic Centre Plaza; $200,000 improvements to a restaurant at 345 Main Street North; $175,000 for an office building at 145 Main Street North; and $170,000 for expansion at Western Dodge.

Major permits in August were $450,000 for alterations to an office building at 54 Ominica Street West and $300,000 for an addition to a commercial structure in the 300 block of Ominica Street West.

July was a slow month with $494,00 in permits. The largest was $175,000 for an addition to a King Crescent house.

By the end of June construction values reached nearly $18 million with $1.175 million for an industrial building for Simpson Seeds at 1559 North Service Road.

Permits were also issued for $380,000 to alter an office building at 807 Thatcher Drive East; $53,000 for an indoor recreation building at 1559 Main Street North; and $15,000 for a prefab building at the Crushed Can, 82 Manitoba Street West.

Construction in May involved a 27 unit building at 285 Fifth Avenue Northeast valued at $4.75 million; $1.26 million for a retail complex at 1935 Stadacona Street West; and $55,000 for Super Store at 30 Thatcher Drive East.

In February major permits were $80,000 for alterations to the Rexall Drug outlet on Main Street and $784,000 for two dwellings, one in the northwest and one in a trailer court.

Major permits in January included $160,000 renovations to the Canadian Brewhouse at 1251 Main North; $75,000 work to the new Wendy’s on Thatcher Drive East; and $20,000 to Starbucks at 251 Main St. North.

A $15,000 permit was issued for work on an indoor recreational building at 754 Fairford Street West.

Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

Obituaries / Memorials

Julia attended High School at Convent Mathiew School in Lafleche, SK and then Regina College. In 1951, her parents moved to Moose Jaw. They lived in Boharm, SK for a year then established a home in Moose Jaw. She attended Moose Jaw Business College and began her employment with National Light and Power in 1952. Julie retired as senior clerk from Sask Power Corp with 35 years’ service in 1987.

She then worked as a tax preparer for Liberty Tax and as a lay leader and facilitator for Saskatchewan Consumer Affairs, Minto Family Life Education Centre and the New Beginnings Team with the R. C. Archdioceses of Regina.

Julie was active in the community serving on the Board for the Family Life Centre and the United Way. She was a member of the Catholic Women’s League and the Moose Jaw & District Seniors Association. Music, family and friends were an important part of her life. She sang in the Church Choir and the Golden Voices Choir.

She enjoyed visiting her cousins in Minneapolis and Mesa as well as her trips to Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand and especially the trip to Ukraine in 1992 where she visited her mother’s homeland and met her Ukraine cousins.

Predeceased by her parents Pearl and Thomas Glats; stepmother Pat Glats; ex-husband Victor Kevol; stepbrothers Bill Zaparinuk and Dr. John Zapariunk. She is survived by stepsister Kay Hunchuk; cousins Emily Diaczyszyn, Marg Diaczyszyn, Jim Wychor, and cousins in the Ukraine as well as several nieces and nephews.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Memorial donations may be made to Moose Jaw Family Services, Heart and Stroke Foundation or Arthritis Society.

A Celebration of Julia’s life will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 11:00 am at Church of our Lady, 566 Vaughan St., Moose Jaw. Father Nestor will preside. Interment will take place at Rosedale Cemetery.

In living memory of Julia, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Ltd. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries). Dayna Chamberlain - Funeral Director

passed away on January 2, 2025. She was born December 25, 1940, to Cecil and Vivian Walker of Moose Jaw.

Marj was raised in Moose Jaw and married John Anderson right out of high school. The couple adopted their only child in 1973. Marj and John separated in 1981 and Marj developed a relationship with Dennis (Tim) Neff.

Marj enjoyed bowling, dancing, reading, camping, needlepoint and was a proficient homemaker. Later in life, she put her administrative talents to work at Moose Jaw Ford and Bader Law Firm as a receptionist.

Marj spent the past 10 years of her life with cognitive decline as she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She passed away at Providence Place while under excellent care.

Marj was pre-deceased by her parents, Cecil and Vivian Walker; brother Norman Walker; husband, John Anderson (separated 1981) and great granddaughter Hannah Lynne Anderson.

Marj is survived by her best friend and sister Phyllis Carnduff (niece Vicki, nephew Dean); sister-in-law Adi Walker (nephew’s Mark and Chris); son Bill Anderson (Rhea Lynne); grandchildren Elizabeth, Thomas (Jessica), Liam (Madison), Maclaire; great grandchildren Lochlan, Karter; Huck and Leny; special friend Tim Neff and his family, Noreen (Steve), Wanda, Tammy, Kelly (Collette); grandchildren Kyle, Tara (Chance), Josh. Special mention to Tammy as she was Marj’s goddaughter, Tara who had a special place in Marj’s heart, and good friend Judy Davis. A memorial tea will be held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 1:30 at W. J. Jones & Son Reception Centre, 474 Hochelaga St W. Marj was laid to rest next to her parents at Rosedale Cemetery in a private ceremony.

For those so wishing memorial donations may be the Alzheimer Society, 2550 12th Avenue, Regina Saskatchewan S4P 3X1.

KATHLEEN MARY ELLEN CHURCH (NÉE: HEAPE)

It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to the dearest, sweetest, love of my life and best friend, Kathy who passed away on Thursday, November 28th, 2024. Kathy is survived by her husband of 53 years, Al. She was predeceased by her parents, Sam and Olive Heape; Al’s parents, Howard and Helen Church; sister, Meg (Richard) Baker. Kathy is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Carol (Tom – deceased), Evelyn (Dave – deceased), and Linda (Wayne – deceased); Al’s family: brother, Kelly (Sue); sisters, Fern Cameron (Leo – deceased) and Darlene Haney (Bob – deceased); as well as by many nieces and nephews that Kathy was very proud of and dearly loved every one of you.

A Memorial Tea in Kathy’s Honour was held on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Pastor Marvin Seaborg officiated and interment has taken place in Rosedale Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Kathy’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Andrew Pratt, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com

Julia Annie Helen Kevol (Glats)

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.

Grudge

A sense of betrayal often leads to people holding a grudge against the one who has deceived them. I was recently reading a book on the life of the ancient Roman senator and famous orator Cicero. He often spoke against Julius Caesar’s appointment as dictator by the Senate of Rome, however, he was not directly involved in the assassination plot against Caesar. Brutus, who was involved in the assassination, was the recipient of a grudge held by Mark Anthony and Octavian (later Ceasar Augustus) against him for over 2 years until they defeated him in battle and Brutus committed suicide. Octavian also held a grudge against Cicero while seeming to be his friend. The grudge played out in 43 BC when Octavian authorized the killing of Cicero.

A grudge is defined as a feeling of deep-seated resentment or ill will. Grudges can be held for years. Many relationships in friendships and families have been

destroyed because of a grudge. Sometimes if only the parties would air the grudge openly and honestly it may be dissipated and the relationship restored.

In the 1200s the English language borrowed the Anglo-French verb grucher and morphed it into a noun meaning grumbling or complaining (spelled either grucchen or grudgen). The term grouch is thought to be a descendant. Eventually the English spelling became grudge. Virginia Woolf (1882-1941) penned, “if you come to grudge even the sun for shining … fruit does not ripen.”

Grudge began to be used as a verb in the 14th century, meaning to be unwilling to admit or allow reluctantly or resentfully. He grudges the time spent commuting to work each day after the company ordered all office workers to work on site again.

Grudging has been used to describe someone who is reluctant, or something done sparingly. She has been a grudging supporter of the team ever since they traded away the star player. The public has given grudging respect to the Prime Minister over the past few years. She was a grudging supporter of the reform movement. After graduation the students had a grudging admiration for the college professor.

Malice, malevolence, ill will, spite, malignity, spleen, and grudge all imply a desire to see another experience pain, injury, or distress.

Malice suggests a deep-seated, often unexplainable, desire to see another suffer. It is often used with a negative, as malice is considered an evil and immoral craving. They felt no malice towards their former enemies.

Malevolence implies a bitter persistent hatred that is likely to be expressed in malicious actions. For some reason serial killers usually have a mind and heart consumed with malevolence.

Ill will means a feeling of dislike of limited duration. Ill will is often triggered by a careless remark.

Spite suggests petty feelings of envy and resentment that are often expressed in small harassments. At the Christmas party Jim was the butt of many jokes which engendered spite within him, so back at work he hurled daily niggling insults at every opportunity and the workplace became very tense.

Malignity indicates deep hurtful passion and relentlessness. The grumpy old man down the street had a life consumed by motiveless malignity.

Spleen implies the wrathful release of latent nastiness or persistent vindictiveness. At the coffee shop every morning he vented his spleen against politicians of every stripe.

Grudge means a harbored feeling of resentment or animosity. After the divorce she embraced a grudge against her husband for his actions during their marriage. In these early days of 2025 consider airing with your friends, family, or acquaintances any grudges you may have held in the past. Lasting relationships are important for mental wellbeing and sometimes can be salvaged by talking about any reasons for the grudges. Plus, grudges can eat you up inside if left simmering for a long time. A happy life is precious.

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.

Mulberry Estates invites the public to attend its monthly Social Series program

A local retirement home continues to host an exciting social program to keep its residents engaged, active, and learning, though many Moose Javians may still be unaware of the rotating monthly program that they’re also invited to attend.

Atria Mulberry Estates’ latest Social Series event, “Journey to the Blue Zones,” took place on Jan. 9, and will be followed by the next upcoming event called “Spas and Sips” on the week of Feb. 10, with a time and date yet to be confirmed.

“These programs are just something a little bit extra that we do for the residents every month,” explained Tricia Oblander, the marketing manager at Mulberry Estates.

“It’s also something that we like to invite people from all over Moose Jaw and (the surrounding) area to experience,” she said. “Every month we do something a little bit different… Sometimes it’s a learning thing, and sometimes it’s a cultural thing. It really just varies.”

Oblander said guests are always welcome to attend and these events usually include refreshments and food prepared by the home’s onsite chef, Andii.

“Then, we cater the food and drinks to each specific event as well,” she added. These culinary themes have ranged from tropical destinations to Mexican cuisine to superfoods.

The program has been running for at least three years and Oblander is now hoping to see it grow. For example, the latest intake saw around 25 to 30 senior residents participate but only three outside guests were in attendance.

To look at what the Social Series program entails, the recent “Journey to The Blue Zone” event is a great place to start.

“So, there’s a Netflix series called ‘The Blue Zone,’ and it’s about how to live longer and what people do from different areas of the world that actually helps them live longer,” Oblander said. “It was good and it was informational. I actually encourage people to check (it out) because it gives you some good ideas.”

Although the culinary inspiration for the event wasn’t directly borrowed from the docuseries, a theme of herbal, natural, and superfoods was chosen. This included a freshly made “Mediterranean bowl,” as well as ginger lemonade and an herbal iced tea with peaches that

Oblander said came with subtle hints of peppermint.

“We watched a little bit of that and we also had a speed friending (event),” she added.

During the home’s speed friending segment, guests and residents were invited to sit at the table and ask one another brief questions and got to know each other a bit better.

Three questions that stood out were, “What is a gift you will never forget,” “If you had to eat only one vegetable for the rest of our life, what vegetable would you choose,” and “What was the worst fashion trend that you ever participated in?”

Social Series events are always open to the public and participation is a great way to connect with Moose Jaw’s older residents.

“We’re looking for more people all the time,” Oblander confirmed. “We just encourage people, if they do want to attend, to give me a call and make sure we have space available for them because space is limited.”

If you would like to participate in upcoming events, simply call 306-694-5020 and ask to speak with Tricia Oblander. The program is open to guests of all ages.

Mulberry Estates is also inviting the public to attend its upcoming standalone culinary event, “A Taste of Atria,” that’s set to take place on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the home.

Atria Mulberry Estates is located at 220 Mulberry Lane and prides itself on providing exceptional care for adults over the age of 55. For more information visit AtriaRetirement.ca.

Rev. Dr. John Kreutzwieser is a retired pastor from Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Moose Jaw, SK. He graduated

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Two Atria Mulberry Estates residents celebrate New Year’s Day on Jan. 1, 2025. Tricia Oblander, the home’s marketing manger, is hoping to see more outside guests participate in the monthly Social Series program this year. Photo by: Atria Mulberry Estates/ Facebook

Big Brothers Big Sisters thanks those who helped ‘Light a Little Sparkle’ for youth

December sparkled a little brighter than usual thanks to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Moose Jaw paper lightbulb campaign that supported its mentorship program helping children and youth illuminate the path to a brighter future.

The organization’s third annual campaign, “Light a Little Sparkle,” ran for five weeks from Dec. 1, 2024, until its conclusion on Jan. 4.

Although this year’s total is still being tallied, the organization is estimating something in the ballpark of $1,500 “to ignite the power and potential of young people in our community,” shared Amy Mohr, the organization’s director of development and communications.

“(The campaign) certainly went well,” she said. “We had two matching sponsors from Moose Jaw Ford and MNP Moose Jaw that matched donations from the public for the month of December.”

As well, she said two local businesses — CIBC and Cranberry Consignment — assisted by selling lightbulb donation cards at their retail locations, and additional bulbs were sold during a Jan. 3 Moose Jaw Warriors hockey game.

“That was a unique thing, and we’re really grateful for them to give us some

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Big Brothers Big Sisters Moose Jaw concluded its “Light a Little Sparkle” fundraising campaign earlier this month featuring $2 paper lightbulb donation cards. Photo by: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Moose Jaw

space there,” Mohr said about the two businesses and the Warrior’s hockey club.

Proceeds from the Light a Little Sparkle campaign will go toward Big Brother Big Sister’s mentorship program benefiting Moose Jaw’s younger residents.

“Proceeds from any of the fundraising efforts that we do in Moose Jaw support the children and youth who are facing adversities in our community, and (we) match them with a safe, screened, and positive role model,” Mohr said.

The benefits of having a positive mentor and role model are significant, she

said, and the impact is felt by the entire community.

“You know, it takes a village, if you will, to support the most vulnerable in our community. That’s what we are here to do — (and we do this through) matching those kids with life-changing mentors.”

Mentors volunteer a couple hours each week to spend time with a child or youth, and they’ll share some fun social activities together. This can range from skating, cooking, or playing video games to building a snowman together.

“Whatever activities they both individually like to do, they would do that together and through that, (build a) friendship and a (mutually supportive) relationship,” Mohr said.

When children and youth are matched with a mentor, their social and emotional competence increases, as well as their mental health and well-being, educational engagement, and employment readiness, she explained.

“It’s a really great feeling to know that you’re making a big difference in the life of the child.”

The benefits of mentorship also extend to the mentors themselves.

“(Mentorship also) looks really good

on a resume,” Mohr added. “It helps you with soft skills; it helps you understand people from different backgrounds, different circumstances, and just increases your knowledge of the world and how it works.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters wished to thank this year’s sponsors, those businesses who helped promote and sell lightbulbs, and everyone who supported the cause.

“We’re grateful for everybody that purchased a lightbulb, those who sold the lightbulbs for us, and yeah, we’re just really grateful for your support,” Mohr concluded.

If you would like to become a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Moose Jaw, the organization is always welcoming new applications. Once a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check have been submitted, the organization is able to provide all necessary training.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Moose Jaw is also currently hiring a program co-ordinator to help plan and promote local events.

To learn more visit BBBSMJ.ca, call 306-513-8925, or visit ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters of Moose Jaw’ on Facebook.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN MOOSE JAW

If you would like your notice or event added to this list, contact us at: joan@moosejawexpress.com

Superannuated Teachers of Sask. Moose Jaw Branch LUNCHEON will be held on Wednesday, January 15 at the Masonic Temple Hall located at 1755 Main St. NEW LUNCHEON FORMAT: 10:30 –11:00 Coffee Chat -circulate and connect with past colleagues/11:00 – 11:30 Speaker - Mary Lee Booth: SQUARE ONE/11:40 – 12:30 Roast Beef Dinner, Caterer: Charlotte’s 12:35 -1:15/Meeting, for those of you who wish to stay. Cost: $15 per STS member and spouse. $25 for non-members. Please RSVP to Rosalie by Jan.12 @ 306-691-0696, or email stsmoosejaw@gmail.com, or click on the link in your latest STSMJ Newsletter. (If you haven’t received your newsletter please check your junk/spam mail or, follow the directions on www. stsmoosejaw.com. Future Meetings: Wed. March 19, 2025/Wed. May 21, 2025

The Moose Jaw Art Guild will meet on Thursday, January 16, 3:00 pm at the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery. For information call 306-631-3148 or 306-692-6667.

“The Friendly City Optimist Club presents the 3rd Annual Name That Tune event on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. Place: Moose Jaw Library Theatre. Time: 7:00 pm. Cost: $20. Come and have fun while watching 6 local organizations vie to see who can identify the tunes played. All proceeds will go to supporting youth food security in the city.”

Square One Community Fundraiser will be held on January 30th at the Crushed Can. Dinner from 4:306:30pm – ribs/baked potato/salad. Tickets $25pp. Advance Tickets required. Please contact Square One Community for additional information.

Lawn Bowling is a sport for all levels of ability. During winter, Moose Jaw Lawn Bowling club invites everyone to try it on the turf at Yara Centre now at @10amInstruction & play (at your pace) will be available Tues & Thurs mornings@ 10am. For more info phone or text 306-630-8160 or visit www.moosejawlawnbowling.com

Moose Jaw Parkinsons Support Group meet at 1:30 p.m. on the last Monday of the following months: January, February, March, April and May. No meeting in December. Call or text 306 756 2819.

The Prairie Hearts Quilters Guild is held every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 7 pm at St Andrews Church until May. Learning, comradery, fun challenges, quilting and Community Projects. 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

The Moose Jaw Stamp Club will resume meeting on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. The first meeting will be at 6:30pm, in Lindale School staff room, 1322 11th Avenue NW (north entrance). Phone 306-693-5705 for information.

Moose Jaw Town N Country Square Dance Assoc. Winter 2024 Program on Monday nights from 7-9pm at St. Mary’s School, 720 – 5th Ave. SW. Dance in a square with family and friends. For information contact Valerie Wright at 306.691.0579. Beginners, singles or doubles welcome! 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 oncea-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 organization provides communication and leadership skill training that fosters confidence building, personal and professional development in a supportive environment. Moose Jaw is home to 2 clubs: TAP and Big Country. TAP meets on line on Tuesdays@7. TAP club is transitioning to a resource for building environmental awareness.

BIG COUNTRY meets Wednesdays@7 at Saskpolytech & on zoom(hybrid). For information text 306-690-8739

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Weight Loss Support Group Meets at the Cosmo Senior Citizen’s Centre, 235 – 3rd Ave. N.E. The group meets every Wednesday morning. Weigh ins are 8-8:45 am. Meeting to follow. . scale weighs up to 350 pounds. Join for friendship and support on your weight loss journey. For more information go to www.tops.org 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

CHILDREN’S PRGRAMMING:

L’HEURE DU CONTE (FRENCH STORYTIME) samedi 18 janvier 10h30 à la chambre des enfants pour les 0-5 ans et leurs soignants All levels of French language are welcome.

BABY STORYTIME Tuesdays 10:30 am in Children’s Program Room Ages: 0 to 2 and their caring adults! Drop-in Program.

PRESCHOOL STORYTIME Wednesdays 10:30 am in Children’s Program Room Ages 2 to 5 and their caring adults! Drop-in Program.

DAYCARE STORYTIME Thursdays 0:30 am in Children’s Program Room Ages: 2 to 5 and their caring daycare providers! Drop-in Program.

LEGO WEEKENDS! Every Saturday and Sunday Open hours in Children’s Department Ages: 4 to 12 self-guided activity.

MAKER SATURDAYS Saturday January 18 @2pm in Herb Taylor Room Ages: 8 to 12 Registration required. Jan 18 - Scratch Coding

WINTER SENSORY BOTTLES Saturday, January 11

@10:30 am in Children’s Program Room Ages: 2 and up. Registration required.

FAMILY LITERACY DAY Saturday, January 25 @9:3012pm in Reading Room Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to join us. Drop-in program.

*Sponsor - MJ Literacy Network*

CSA TOOLKITS & ACTIVITIES Available in the Digital

Library Check out toolkits and curriculumlinked learning activities for youth and educators like OBJECTIVE: Moon. Learn about the moon from an Indigenous perspective, command a rover in a simulated environment and more! YOUTH PROGRAMMING:

DIGITAL D&D Fridays Time: 4-6pm at MJPL Youth Dis-

cord Channel Ages 16-25 Registration required Email youth@mjlibrary.ca to inquire.4

Bath Bomb Making for Teens Wednesday, January 29 6:30- 8:30pm Ages 12 to 19. Registration Required. For more information call the Library at 306-692-2787 or email youth@mjlibrary.ca

HOOPLA Retro Crush BingePass - Relive the golden age of anime with the RetroCrush BingePass on hoopla digital. Whether you’re nostalgic for Astro Boy or seeking out Martian Successor Nadesico, stream your favorites and discover something new!

TEEN ARTS & CRAFTS Wednesday, January 15 @6:30pm in Herb Taylor Room Ages: 12-19 Drop-in program Project: Cross-Stitch TEEN ANIME+ CLUB Wednesday, January 22 @6:30pm in MJPL Theatre Ages: Ages 12-19 Drop-in program Show: Wistoria: Wand and Sword MOVIE MATINEE Saturday, January 25 @2:30pm in MJPL Theatre Ages: All ages Drop In Program Movie: The Mummy (1999) (PG 13)

ADULT PRORAMMING:

MJPL MOVIE CLUB Monday, January 20 @6pm in MJPL Theatre Ages: Adults Drop-in program Movie: 8 1/2

DOCUMENTARY NIGHT Thursday, January 30 @6pm in MJPL Theatre Ages: Adults Drop-in program Movie: Moonage Daydream 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, January 18 & 25 @2pm in Reading Room Ages: Ages 13 and up. Drop-in program MJ CHESS CLUB AT MJPL Sunday, January 19 @14pm in Reading Room Ages: All ages welcome Drop-in program GET INSPIRED WITH KANOPY Films for New Year’s Resolutions! Explore inspiring documentaries and instructional videos on Kanopy that will ignite your passion and elevate your spirits as we head into 2025! Access this collection with your library card today. The Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 59 Moose Jaw, 268 High St W Moose Jaw Contact: 306-692-5453

Facebook @ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION-Branch 59 Moose Jaw

Instagram: @Royalcanadianlegion59

BINGO – Monday @ 6pm

CRIBBAGE –Tuesday @ 1:30 pm - Please sign-in by 1pm

MEAT DRAW & CHASE THE ACE - Saturday @ 3pm -

Everyone welcome 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-Thurs 8am-8pm and on Fri 8am-4pm

Wood working area – 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 @ 9a.m/

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/1pm-Pickleball/7pmFriendship Bridge/7pm-Beginners Only Pickleball

Wednesday: 8:30am-TOPS/8:30am-Pickleball/1pmFloor Shuffleboard

Thursday: 10am-Line Dance/1pm-Pickleball

Friday: 9:00am-Beginner Pickleball/1pm-Regular Pickleball

January 18 - SOCIAL DANCE - Len Gadica from 7:30pm - 11:00pm. Cost: $15.00 per person includes lunch.

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 – Starts at 1 pm Every Thursday, open 12-7 pm, Smear – Starts at 1 pm, Crib starts Sept. 5th; registration at 1 pm; Crib starts at 1:30 pm. Bring a partner or sign up as a spare. Every Friday, open 1-10 pm, drop in shuffleboard. Register at 1 pm. Play starts at 1:30 pm. Bring a partner. Drop in pool and darts. Register by 6:30 pm. Play starts at 7 pm. Bring a partner. 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. Hall rentals available – book now! FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES #3395 EVERY THURSDAY: Ladies Auxiliary “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 5:30 pm, draws start at 6:00 pm –Meat Draw, 50/50, “Chase the Ace” EVERY SUNDAY: Aerie “Meat Draw” – ticket sales start at 2:30 pm – Meat Draw, 50/50, Mystery Draw, “Chase the Ace” MONDAY THRU SATURDAY – DROP IN POOL – 1:00

Moose Jaw’s 2024 home sales rose nearly 10% compared to 2023, data show

Housing sales in Moose Jaw may have declined more than 30 per cent year-overyear in December, but such sales for the entire year were up nearly 10 per cent, data show.

There were 21 homes sold last month in The Friendly City, compared to 28 units in December 2023, a decline of 34 per cent, the Saskatchewan Realtors Association (SRA) said.

There were 36 new listings in December, compared to 35 units — a jump of three per cent — from December 2023. Furthermore, there were 106 units in inventory, an increase from 93 homes — a jump of 12 per cent — from the year before. Also, there were 5.05 months of supply — an increase from 1.52 months — and homes spent 51 days on the market.

The benchmark price was $253,300, an increase from $217,838 — a jump of 14 per cent — year-over-year. Meanwhile, the average home price was $282,702, an increase from $231,816 — a jump of 18 per cent — in December 2023.

“Benchmark price reflects the price of a typical or average home for a specific location. Average and median prices are

Moose

By MooseJawToday.com staff

easily swayed by what is sold in that time frame,” the SRA explained.

“As a benchmark price is based on a typical home, price changes more accurately represent true price changes in the market as it is an apples-to-apples comparison.”

The 10-year averages for December show there are usually 27 home sales, 40 new listings, 188 units in inventory, 7.76 months of supply, 66 days of homes on the market, a benchmark price of $210,190 and an average price of $228,741.

For all of 2024, there were 603 homes sold, compared to 549 units sold the year before, an increase of nine per cent, the data showed.

Furthermore, in 2024, there were 813 new listings, 136 units in inventory, 2.7 months of supply, 44 days of units on the market, a benchmark price of $245,400 and an average price of $263,030.

The 10-year averages for year-to-date data show there are usually 526 homes sold, 991 new listings, 255 units in inventory, 6.03 months of supply, 60 days of homes on the market, a benchmark price of $215,214 and an average price of

$240,388.

Therefore, 2024’s home sales were 15 per cent above the 10-year averages.

Provincial data

Saskatchewan reported 776 sales in December, up three per cent year-overyear and nearly 15 per cent above longterm, 10-year averages, the SRA said.

Above-average December sales capped off the second-strongest year for resale housing activity, with 16,119 sales, up nearly nine per cent from 2023.

Strong demand throughout 2024 was consistently met with declining new listings, resulting in record inventory lows, the association continued. In December, new listings decreased by 16 per cent year-over-year, down nearly 30 per cent from 10-year averages and two per cent below 2023.

“Our province closed 2024 with an 18th consecutive month of above-average sales, an incredible statistic when you consider the significant inventory challenges we’ve faced throughout the year,” said CEO Chris Guérette. “This lack of available inventory, specifically in the more affordable segment of the market, is very

likely preventing even stronger 2024 sales figures.”

Seasonal sales trends allowed the months of supply to reach nearly five months in December, up from roughly four months in November. However, inventory levels decreased by 20 per cent compared to December 2023 and continued to sit around 40 per cent below the 10-year average — with even tighter conditions reported in Regina and Saskatoon.

The residential benchmark price was $337,800 in December, down slightly from $338,400 in November. Despite the slight decrease, Saskatchewan’s residential benchmark price grew by nearly seven per cent compared to December 2023.

“Saskatchewan’s resale housing market continues to benefit from record population figures, employment growth, and the recent Bank of Canada interest rate cuts,” said Guérette.

“As we look ahead to 2025, we expect supply challenges to continue as a dominant theme. If this increased demand continues in the new year, we will likely see prices continue to trend upward across the province.”

Jaw-area residents fined over $17K for illegal hunting

A photo of a deer on social media was the beginning of an investigation that ended with three Saskatchewan residents convicted of offences under The Wildlife Act and given licence suspensions and fines totalling $17,240.

The three people were sentenced in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on Oct. 23, 2024, according to the Ministry of Environment.

Lindsey Erbach of Marquis was convicted of four counts of unlawful hunting and one count of providing false information to an officer. This resulted in a fine of $13,020 and a three-year licence suspension.

Lynne P. Dunbar of Moose Jaw was convicted of unlawful possession of wildlife and providing false information to an officer, resulting in a fine of $3,220 and a two-year licence suspension.

Blair A. Dunbar, also of Marquis, was convicted of four counts of failing to tag game, receiving $1,000 in fines and a oneyear licence suspension. Various items,

Jason G. Antonio - MooseJawToday.com

The logo for the Saskatchewan Conservation officers. Photo courtesy Ministry of Environment

including firearms, ammunition, wildlife trophies and wild game meat, were forfeited to the Crown.

In November 2023, Moose Jaw conservation officers noted a social media post that included several photos of a woman posing with an untagged whitetailed deer buck at a residence. Further investigation revealed another account with more photos of the same person with other

wildlife, including an untagged whitetailed deer doe.

The trail of evidence led officers to interview both Lindsey Erbach and Lynne Dunbar about wildlife in their possession, some of which were improperly tagged or untagged. In early December, Moose Jaw and Regina conservation officers executed a search warrant at Erbach’s rural residence, seizing firearms, animal trophies, wild game meat and hunting seals.

Saskatchewan laws regulating the harvest of wildlife are in place to support

healthy and sustainable wildlife populations and to ensure that animals are taken responsibly and ethically, the ministry said.

If you suspect wildlife, fisheries, forestry or environmental violations, call Saskatchewan’s toll-free Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or report violations online at saskatchewan. ca/tipp. You may be eligible for cash rewards from the SaskTIP Reward Program and you don’t have to provide your name.

Briercrest students launch GoFundMe to support Joe’s Place Youth Centre

One small group of Briercrest College students united to start a home church program supporting big changes in the community and have selected Joes’s Place Youth Centre as their first charitable recipient this month.

The group of five launched its first GoFundMe campaign on Jan. 9, and as of Jan. 11, the campaign has already received $1,200. Their goal is to raise a total of $7,500 for the local youth centre.

“As students and disciples, we started a home church with the idea that we would do as much life together as possible, live in intense community, and meet the needs of our community,” announced Jacob Bueckert, the student who created the GoFundMe campaign.

“Our current goal is (to raise) $7,500, but we know that Moose Jaw’s generosity can exceed our expectations!”

The decision to support Joe’s Place came at the perfect time as owner and founder Joe Dueck shared that the centre is still recovering from its extensive electrical system upgrade.

“All the work is done; we’re just waiting for that final bill to see what it is

so we can hopefully get that out of our minds and focus on youth, which is what we’re all about,” Dueck said.

“We don’t want to be raising money for all kinds of physical projects, but it’s necessary. You have to have power in order to run a youth centre, and you certainly need voltage in order to run Voltage,” he quipped with a smile.

Although the timing lined up well, it was simply a coincidence as the church group was now in a position to launch their first campaign.

“As the GoFundMe states, I am part of a group of Briercrest College students who are serious about what it means to follow the Lord. We believe that God cares deeply about those who are struggling and the orphans and widows,” Bueckert said.

“At the end of last semester, a couple of us made it our goal to give… $20,000 by the end of the winter semester.”

To raise these funds, the group has been selling anything they don’t need, which also helps them combat “our own consumerism and luxury while many go hungry.”

“We felt that, at this time, the best

You can help support the campaign by searching for ‘Help Give Moose Jaw Youth Hope’ on GoFundMe.com. Photo by:

Aaron Walker

way to bring others along was to start a GoFundMe for local organizations that are meeting needs in the communities of Caronport and Moose Jaw.”

The decision to go with Joe’s Place was easy as Bueckert volunteered there during his first year at Briercrest and said, “it was cool to see everyone’s heart for the youth who came through the doors.”

“I have also seen how the lives of my peers have been positively changed through their time at Joe’s Place, as they learned what it looks like to sacrificially

serve others.”

When he learned about the organization’s electrical repair issue, he knew what to do.

“However, they have been struggling financially, and we hope to rally the Moose Jaw — and extended — community around us to help them keep their doors open.”

Dueck was quite surprised to learn of the fundraiser and said it was clearly “good news.”

“It’s just so encouraging to see that so many people across Canada have either volunteered here or were a youth here…,” Dueck said. “We’re just so thankful for the support that we receive, and it allows us to keep offering great programs for Moose Jaw’s youth.”

You can help support the campaign by visiting https://gofund.me/39df3ee1 or by searching for ‘Help Give Moose Jaw Youth Hope’ on GoFundMe.com. Joe’s Place is located at 402 Main Street North and can be reached at 306693-5637. For more information visit JPYC.org.

Youth celebrate their ‘superpowers’ as they usher in the new year at Voltage ‘24

Several young residents ushered in 2025 during Voltage, the signature annual event hosted by Joe’s Place Youth Centre that offers a fun, chemical-free celebration for youths aged 13 to 19.

Aaron Walker - Moose Jaw Express

Voltage 2024 saw attendance by around 665 individuals, including 490 youth and 175 volunteers at the Hillcrest Apostolic Church on Dec. 31, 2024.

“We had the smallest staffing team… that we’ve ever had during a Voltage season, so this event should not have happened,” announced Joe Dueck, owner of Joe’s Place. This staff shortage is the result of the organization’s ongoing and costly electrical upgrade project, he noted.

to the stage he was visibly shaking,” Dueck recalled. “The audience was shouting, ‘Take the Iron Man armour,’ but in the end he chose the Xbox with the TV and was pumped.”

One recurring highlight was the annual Voltage drama skit put on by the Joe’s Place Media Alliance.

“It was just incredible to see the community getting involved and helping in various ways, and we pulled it off. It might have been the best one we’ve ever had.”

Guests were greeted by a fountain featuring superhero statues including a 10-foot tall Groot to match the night’s “superhero” theme.

“We decked the halls with Marvel and DC posters all up and down the halls of the Voltage venue,” Dueck said.

The night included Bazooka Ball, courtesy of Prairie Storm Paintball, a gladiator tournament with inflatable equipment, and axe throwing courtesy of Little Chicago Entertainment.

A new record was set when the winning “Bike in a Box” team disassembled and package an old bicycle into a small Rubbermaid tote in 25 minutes flat. Typically, the competition runs for over an hour and many teams give up before the two-hour time limit expires.

“They both walked away with $800 mountain bikes from Canadian Tire and that actually made the highlight video this year,” he said. “They were pretty pumped.”

Dune buggy rides offered by Golden West Trailer and a photo contest with the grand prize of a Canon Rebel T7 camera were quite popular, and a visit by the owner of the Saskatchewan Fencing Association introduced many to a new sport.

Dueck said this year’s prizes “were phenomenal” and the mega prize involved a decision between a fully functional Iron Man suit (minus the thrusters, weaponry, and AI of course), an Xbox with accompanying television, and more.

“When (the mega prize winner) came

This year’s skit was written and directed by Abby Dueck, Joe’s daughter who stepped up after last year’s director passed her the torch. Ever since 2013, Abby has been involved with the skit and worked as production strategist in 2019 and assistant director in 2023.

The skit matched the night’s superhero theme and reminded guests that they’ve been given talents that they can use to help others. “Basically, they (actually do) have superpowers,” Dueck said. “If they use them for the right things, they can leave a legacy. That was a pretty cool theme to present to the youth.”

Many of these actors had never acted on stage before, and Dueck hopes they can find a new passion after conquering their fear and going up on stage before their peers to perform “just a knockout performance.”

The Media Alliance had been working hard with auditions beginning in summer 2024. In October, the team produced the Voltage Teaser video with the support of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw, and during Voltage everything came together for a grand reveal of their efforts.

The Color, a Canadian two-time Juno award-winning band returned after a memorable performance in 2023 and one song, “After My Heart,” was given approval to be featured in the highlight video.

“We are just so thankful to all of our sponsors who donated so much to make this event happen,” Dueck said. Each sponsor was recognized in thank you posters and listed at the end of the highlight video.

The Voltage 2024 highlight video can be viewed on the Joe’s Place Facebook page, ‘Joe’s Place Youth Centre (official)’ where it currently has over 25,000 views, as well as on the organization’s YouTube and Instagram channels.

Joe’s Place is located at 402 Main Street North and can be reached at 306693-5637. For more information visit JPYC.org.

The theme for Voltage 2024 was “superheroes,” and guests were greeted by themed statues including a 10-foot tall Groot as they entered the venue on Dec. 31, 2024. Photo by: Joe’s Place Youth Centre (submitted)