he Canada Post strike went on way too long - I was glad to see it come to an end. And that's not just because of all the mail I was not getting. These days, it's mostly flyers and donation requests that come in hard copy. Not like the old days when more interesting stuff would be delivered.
Until a few years ago, the Sears Christmas Wish List catalogue would come by mail. For anybody who couldn't figure out what to get who for Christmas, that catalog was a really big deal. The catalogue had over one thousand (1,000) pages - if you weren't able to find a suitable gift in there you should have maybe just given up on Christmas entirely and hid out in your basement for a couple of weeks.
No, the reason I was glad the strike was over was mainly because the mail guy is a big part of my social network (along with Mike, the garbage guy and Doug, the re-cycling guy - but they only come weekly.)
Jeremy, the mail guy, is always cheerful, always smiling and always arrives with a friendly greeting. And often he has an interesting story to tell.
Like the time two dogs came running out of a yard and attacked him. With his hands full of mail, Jeremy wasn't able to get out his dog spray quickly enough and ended up sitting on the side of the road bruised, bitten, bleeding and in pain. The dogs' owners, Lynn and Dick, had stood at the front door and called the dogs off but didn't bother coming out to check on Jeremy. He had to call for an ambulance himself.
Jeremy is also a big part of the social network of other old guys who live in my neighbourhood. He is on a first name, conversational basis with a lot of his customers. One old guy that Jeremy chats with is often out in the driveway fussing over his stable of 4 vintage vehicles. Jeremy is a car buff as well and the two confirm each other's opinions on the overall superiority of GM products and share a disdain for other domestic vehicles (don't even mention 'foreign imports').
Jeremy also provides a sort of walking neighbourhood-watch, keeping an eye out for porch pirates and emergency situations. He knows which of his customers are away on vacation and will alter his delivery routine to accommodate, walking up the driveway to put the mail through the slot in the door rather than having it pile up in the box at the end of the driveway.
Recently, Jeremy was delivering mail to an elderly gentleman who lives alone and whose house is fairly secluded. Jeremy had put the mail in the
box by the gentleman's front door and was walking away when he heard a faint cry coming from along the far side of the house. That side of the house couldn't be seen from the front and was bracketed by a 6-foot-high wooden fence that ran closely along the side of the house creating a very narrow walkway between the two.
When Jeremy went to investigate the cries, he saw the old guy sprawled over a low curb that separated the utility storage area from the lawn. The gentleman had tripped over the curb and had got himself wedged, slightly upside down, between the fence and the house. He wasn't able to push himself up, he couldn't crawl forward, couldn't crawl backward - he was stuck.
And it was Jeremy to the rescue. Though the man was elderly, he was not frail - he had some bulk - and it took considerable effort for Jeremy to get him unstuck. The man wasn't hurt - no ambulance required - but he was shaken up - he'd been stuck for over an hour. Jeremy called the man's daughter who lived just a few blocks away and stayed until she arrived before continuing on his route.
My soft spot for mail guys (postie people?) like Jeremy, is also a consequence of my youngest brother being a mailman until he retired after more than 30 years of service. Like Jeremy, my brother Steven is a cheerful, friendly fellow and also has some interesting stories, especially those stories about his encounters with dogs. One of his stories in particular sounds completely unbelievable, a story that I wouldn't believe myself if it wasn't my brother telling it.
One of the houses on Steven's route required him to walk past the side gate leading to the backyard before reaching the mailbox at the front door. Every day that Steven delivered mail to that house, the family dog would appear at the gate and bark. Bark, bark, bark. And bark some more. The dog would bark incessantly and with one of those loud, highpitched, rapid-fire barks that makes metal gates ring, and your ears hurt.
One day, on his way back from leaving the mail at the front door, Steven stopped at the side gate and barked back at the dog. That didn't stop the dog from barking, of course, but all the same, Steven felt like he got a little of his own back. His smug satisfaction lasted until he returned to the postal station and his supervisor, Richard (Dick to his employees) chastised him. The customer had phoned in and complained that the mailman had barked at her dog. The next day the supervisor accompanied Steven to the lady's house and apologized for the trauma caused to the dog.
'Bad dog' stories aside, though, Steven looks back on his job positively. Jeremy too, remains very positive and is glad to be back at work.
And now with my social network re-established and the New Year just getting started, I also, am very positive and hopeful. And I extend that positivity and hopefulness to all of you folks, that the coming year will introduce us all to more Jeremys, more Stevens and fewer Dicks.
Kelly Block MP Report - Dec 23, 2024
“Joy to the World!”
Christmas is my favourite time of year.
The festive lights and greenery, the heartwarming movies and time spent with family fill me with joy and anticipation.
“The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”
I hope you will join me in celebrating its true meaning, “Let every heart prepare Him room!”
While we enjoy this season, let’s also reach out to those in need. From my family to yours – I wish you a season filled with Faith, Hope, and Love.
Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year!
Sincerely,
Kelly Block, MP https://www.kellyblockmp.ca/
What Will 2025 Mean for Social Media? Some Thoughts
2024... that's a wrap!
It was fun watching social media continue to evolve rapidly, especially in shaping how businesses and consumers interact online. This past Black Friday, shoppers ditched the mall in favour of shopping online.
U.S. retail stores reported a modest 0.7 percent rise in sales this year versus a 14.6 percent rise for e-commerce.
2024 showed us that social media isn't social. It's a digital collection of bubbles, where like-minded individuals gather in their respective bubbles and talk "us versus them." Thus, achieving social media success at a minimal level is becoming increasingly challenging since curating an audience—the key to social media success—requires attaching bubbles of like-minded people rather than freethinking individuals.
The popularity of videos under 45 seconds on social media will continue to grow in 2025, with platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and LinkedIn driving this trend. Short-form videos, all types of snackable content that capture attention within seconds, will continue to be one of the most effective ways to pique someone's interest enough to stop scrolling momentarily.
One of the most significant shifts in 2025, because it allows users to own their data and have a say in how content is moderated, will be the growing popularity of decentralized social media platforms, often abbreviated as DeSo. These platforms operate on independently run servers rather than being controlled by a single company, such as Meta (Facebook, Instagram). Mastodon, Lens Protocol, Steemit, and Gab Social, which I recommend you check out, to name a few, are decentralized platforms built on blockchain technology—equivalent to a digital notebook where everyone can see and trust the entries; hence why Bitcoin uses blockchain technology—giving users greater control over how their data is used and monetized.
Despite the growing concern over personal data, social commerce is set to thrive in 2025. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest have significantly invested in their shopping features, allowing users to discover products organically and make purchases without leaving their app. This shift is transforming social media platforms from merely a place to create and foster brand awareness to a cradle-to-grave sales channel.
After years of cultural sanitization and emotional suppression, I anticipate, thanks to Donald Trump's reelection, social media will become more unruly, as Trump supporters will feel justified in speaking their minds. Sadly, social media is likely to regress to the toxic environment it was during Trump's first presidency, particularly on his preferred platform, X/Twitter, especially now that he has Elon Musk by his side. People feeling comfortable saying their quiet parts out loud will intensify rage-baiting as left-leaning Americans and right-leaning Americans entrench themselves deeper in the "you must submit to our political beliefs" war that millions never seem to get tired of. Meanwhile, with an October election imminent here in Canada, Canadians can expect to witness a Justin Trudeau (left) vs. Pierre Poilievre (right) battle royale on social media platforms. I see a perfect storm brewing for 2025.
All this uncivilized discourse will be a boon for social media companies. The human tendency to be drawn to car wrecks but indifferent to roadmaps keeps us glued to our feeds. Scandals and drama ignite curiosity, while constructive solutions barely flicker on the radar.
The elephant in the room is TikTok's future in the U.S. On April 24th, President Joe Biden signed a bill, often referred to as the "TikTok TikTok's," that would ban TikTok unless its parent company, ByteDance, sells the platform to an American" buyer by January" 19th, the day before Trump's inauguration. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement on Friday, December 6th, after a federal appeals court upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as late January, "Today's decision is an important step in blocking the Chinese government from weaponizing TikTok."
If the law is upheld, as is likely, TikTok, with its massive American user base of over 170 million, will cease to operate in the U.S. on January 19, 2025. Thus, the biggest foreign competitor to American-based social media platforms will be eliminated. Ironically, given how banning TikTok would benefit X/Twitter, Trump, who in 2020 proposed banning TikTok to punish China for COVID-19, now opposes it.
You don't need me to tell you we're heading toward a serious power struggle between traditional and alternative media in the coming year. Everything we're already seeing—the ongoing decline in trust in legacy media paired with the rise of alternative media via so-
cial media, podcasts, Substack, and private newsletters—will come to a head in 2025.
Admittedly, I spend more time than I should in the "digital world. " I'm now questioning, as do many people in my circle, how much time I spend reading and viewing other people's lives and thoughts rather than living my own. There's just so much you can take in before your life goes by in a blur that you miss, and you realize life offline is a luxury.
One thing we won't see changing in 2025 is the reason why we go onto social media; because other people go there.
Nick Kossovan is the Customer Service Professionals Network’s Social Media Director (Executive Board Member) Feel free to send your social media questions to nick.kossovan@gmail.com
On Twitter and Instagram follow @NKossovan
COUNCIL REPORTS
Submitted by local Council Administrators.
Ask your local Council to send us a monthly report.
TOWN OF ASQUITH
Mayor and Council took their Oaths of Office on November 26, 2024. The regular December Council Meeting was held December 11, 2024.
The biological filtration pilot at the water treatment plant is expected to begin in January and will run for one month. If successful, full conversion will start in Spring. Conversion to biological filtration would significantly reduce our use of chlorine and the amount of iron in the water. It would also save approximately 2,000,000 gallons of water per year that is currently wasted doing backwashing.
Council was contacted by the Canadian Fallen Heroes Foundation with an opportunity to honour two Airmen, Flight Sergeant Adrian James Burwell and Flying Officer Walter Cecil Davies. Both men called Asquith home before enlistment in the Second World War and fell in service to our Country. Council has sponsored a plaque for each. The plaques will be placed at the Aviation Museum’s Hallway of Heroes in Saskatoon or can be sent to Asquith for display. If you are a relative of one of these men, you are invited to contact the Town Office at (306)329-4341 or office@townofasquith.com with your preference for location.
Two bylaws were recently updated. Bylaw No. 22024, Animal Control Bylaw brought several changes including new requirements for pet licensing and increased penalties for offences. Bylaw 3-2024 removed existing restrictions on monuments and markers in the “new” area of the Asquith Cemetery. Both documents can be viewed on our website.
Now that snow clearing has begun, the Town asks that any vehicles parked on the road be moved on to your property during snowfall to facilitate prompt and efficient snow removal. We
would also like to remind residents that seasonal vehicles such as motorhomes and boats should not be parked on the road for more than 72 hours at a time and that no unlicensed vehicles should be parked on the road at any time. Thank you for helping us keep the roads clear and safe! Check out our updated website, www.townofasquith.com and follow us on Facebook for community updates.
TOWN OF DELISLE
The Town of Delisle had a regular council meeting on December 10th. Council supported purchase of a new blower for the lagoon in the amount of $40,420.65 including GST/PST plus the additional electrical costs estimated to be approximately $5,000.
Council agreed to pay out the remaining taxes on a tax title property to clear the property of outstanding taxes
A new/revised Committee Policy was accepted. The Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer were authorized to pay year end accounts. The Town of Delisle confirmed by resolution our eligibility to receive the Municipal Revenue Sharing Grant.
Council authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to open an arena capital reserve savings account into which the revenues from annual naming rights will be placed in order to build reserves for the arena.
Council agreed future regular meetings will be held on the second Thursday of each month at 7pm (changing from the second Tuesday of each month).
The Council and Staff of the Town of Delisle want to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
REGULAR LOCAL COUNCIL MEETINGS
RM OF CORMAN PARK - January 14, 9:00am
RM OF DUNDURN - January 21, 8:00am
RM OF EAGLE CREEK - January 7, 9:00am
RM OF GREAT BEND - January 8, 9:00am
RM OF HARRIS - January 9, 8:00am
RM OF MCCRANEY - January 16, 8:00am
RM OF MILDEN - January 8, 9:00am
RM OF MONTROSE - January 9, 9:00am
RM OF PERDUE - January 14, 9:00am
RM OF ROSEDALE - January 14, 8:00am
RM OF RUDY - January 8, 6:00pm
RM OF VANSCOY - January 9, 9:00am
TOWN OF ASQUITH - January 8, 7:00pm
TOWN OF BIGGAR - January 7 & 21, 7:15pm
TOWN OF DELISLE - January 14, 7:00pm
TOWN OF DUNDURN - January 14, 5:30pm
TOWN OF HANLEY - January 13, 7:00pm
TOWN OF LANGHAM - January 13 & 27, 6:30pm
TOWN OF OUTLOOK - January 8 & 22, 7:00pm
TOWN OF RADISSON - January 8, 7:00pm
TOWN OF ZEALANDIA - January 15, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF BORDEN - January 15, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF BRODERICK - January 8, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF CONQUEST - January 14, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF GLENSIDE - January 8, 7:30pm
VILLAGE OF HARRIS - January 8, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF HAWARDEN - January 9, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF KENASTON - January 15, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF KINLEY - January 14, 6:30pm
VILLAGE OF LOREBURN - January 8, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF MILDEN - January 15, 7:30pm
VILLAGE OF PERDUE - January 21, 7:30pm
VILLAGE OF STRONGFIELD - January 14, 7:30pm
VILLAGE OF TESSIER - January 13, 7:00pm
VILLAGE OF VANSCOY - January 8, 7:30pm Regular Council meetings are open to any and all members of the public. COVID restrictions may apply. Dates may change. Check with local Councils.
Meet these hockey legends, enjoy a dinner, entertainment, silent and live auctions. Funds raised support local sports, culture & recreation organizations. Tickets are now available for only $140 per person. Call Today ! Dan Mantyka at 306-260-3367 or Ken Traynor at 306-241-3725
DWEIN TRASK REALTY INC.
- RM Corman Park - Ross Acreage, 1629 sq.ft. home on 15 acres just minutes from Saskatoon. $629900.
- Donavon - 1273 sq.ft. home on 4 lots. Affordable country living $149900.
- Grandora - 20 acres just minutes west of Saskatoon $159900.
- Montrose - 58.79 acres with 69000 cu yd. of gravel inventory. We are excited to bring these four NHL enforcer legends to Delisle ! ‘Bruise Brother’ Joey Kocur, Kevin ‘Killer’ Kaminski Byron Bitz and Matthew Barnaby
Operation Santa says Thank You OBITUARIES
Asquith and community came together once again in 2024 to show their generosity! Asquith is a caring town, full of good neighbors. They have proven it by their tremendous response to Operation Santa! Groceries, toys, and cash donations were received, allowing Operation Santa to make Christmas and grocery hampers.
This year we provided hampers and groceries to SEVENTEEN family units, in which there were 22 children. People who received the hampers have expressed their appreciation again and again. You met a physical need and touched many hearts! Money received went directly to the hampers and was spent at local merchants, where possible.
Special thanks to Amanda Hildebrand from Mastermind Toys for donating toys, to Doug and Crystal Haugrud and Maple Leaf Foods for donating meat hampers, and to Doug Brecht, Genevieve Rosseel and the Fencing Club for collecting donations.
Organizations that we would like to thank specifically are: The Asquith Elk’s, The Asquith Legion, St. Theresa’s Parish, the BLRA, FRP Manufacturing, Lord Asquith School, and a special thank you to The Asquith Baptist Church for providing space for us to sort and organize delivery of the hampers.
A huge thank you goes out to the Asquith Co-op! Without their help and participation, we could not properly run our hamper program. They help to special order groceries we need, store dona-
tions as they come in, and also donate groceries to the hampers!
The Asquith Hotel really came through for the Operation Santa Hamper program as well. They not only stored meat products for us but also donated several turkeys!
The Nice family provided potatoes, squash, and farm fresh eggs to all hampers which will be so appreciated!
Individuals who made cash donations were Cynthia and Clinton Hiebert, Warren and Susan Cowan, Blair and Verity Corrigan, Kelvin Moore, Gord and Nettie Johnston, Mary Gregory, and several anonymous donors.
Santa’s Helpers that assisted in purchasing gifts and wrapping, picking up and sorting donations, and delivering hampers were; Chris, Jennifer, Ryan and Cameron Nice, Crystal Peters, Jeff and Dierdre Zacharias, Cammie Klassen, Cynthia Hiebert, Lynn and Charlie Harder, Hermann and Gail Erhart, Kinley Rice, Vlad McTavish, Dylan Desrosiers, Pete Heck, and Kaila Montgomerie.
We hope that the spirit of “Operation Santa” will be a continuing success in 2025. Asquith and the surrounding area is a wonderful community, and we thank you for your help and support in making Christmas a little bit brighter for many in our community!
Operation Santa Committee Holly Cross and Gail Erhart
January Happenings in Borden & Radisson
Isabel Mogenson
March 30, 1933 — November 23, 2024
The Family of Isabel Mogenson (née Fraser) is saddened to announce her passing November 23, 2024 at Sunnyside Adventist Care Home in Saskatoon, at the age of 91 years.
Isabel was the loving wife of Stan Mogenson and proud mom to Glenna(Curt), Diane, Beverley(Gord), Karol; proud grandmother to Tate, Kyle, Kerry and eight great grandchildren.
At the age of 16, Isabel came to Saskatoon to work, met and married Stan Mogenson, and together farmed in the Vanscoy area for 60 years.
She and Stan were a strong united team, sharing everything and making decisions together.
She had many roles in her life .... loving daughter and sister, devoted wife and mother, good friend and companion, community member. She was able to juggle kids, run a household, be a farm hand, cook field meals, and so much more...
She enjoyed gardening, dancing, singing to the radio, reading, movies, family gatherings, playing cards, bowling, fishing, pets and RVing in the U.S.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Sunnyside Adventist Care Home for their kindness.
For those who wish to honour Isabel’s memory, donations can be made to: Sunnyside Adventist Care Home 2200 St. Henry Avenue Saskatoon, SK. S7M 0P5 or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Condolences can be sent to the family at www.prairieviewchapel.com
A celebration of Isabela’s life will be held at a later date.
CIF Boosts Community Development with $2.9 Million Investment in 165 Projects Across Saskatchewan
Fifty-eight Saskatchewan communities will experience a substantial boost as the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) allocates $2,902,885 to organizations throughout the province. These grants empower innovative local initiatives that promote vibrant community development and enhance the quality of life for residents. With a focus on responsiveness and creativity, this funding goes to projects that address local needs and foster collaboration, driving positive change across Saskatchewan.
"Our government is proud to support the Community Initiative Fund,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. "Their mission is to strengthen the capacity of communities and promote healthy lifestyles, the work they do enhances the quality of life for everyone in Saskatchewan.”
Through the Community Grant Program, the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) approved 165 grants aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of children, youth, families, and communities. These funded programs provide essential knowledge and skills that promote positive mental health, self-esteem, and healthy lifestyle choices for children and
youth, while also ensuring families have access to necessary resources to nurture supportive environments. Additionally, funding is allocated to strengthen nonprofit organizations in areas like program delivery, governance, and volunteer engagement.
“The supports and services that these programs provide are integral for the health and happiness of our province,” expressed Tracey Mann, Executive Director of the Community Initiatives Fund. “We acknowledge the dedication and skills of the hardworking staff and volunteers who make these vital programs possible, ensuring that our communities thrive and the quality of life for residents continues to improve.”
The CIF is a Special Purpose Fund created through The Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan Corporation Act and managed by a government appointed Board of community volunteers. It is funded through a portion of the net profits from Casino’s Regina and Moose Jaw.
A complete list of the grant recipients and their projects, as well as information about the Community Initiatives Fund can be found at www.cifsask.org.
AGRICULTURE REPORTS
Ingredion Incorporated says it is ceasing operations at its pulse crop processing facility at Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, as of December 31, 2024.
The facility, which Ingredion acquired with its takeover of Verdient Foods Inc. in 2020, produces protein concentrates and flours from peas, lentils, and faba beans.
Academy Award-winning film director James Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron launched Verdient Foods, along with plans to build the pea processing facility at Vanscoy, in 2017. At the time, Verdient said the 160,000 metric ton facility would be the largest organic pea protein fractionation plant in North America.
Ingredion, which is publicly traded on the New York
Stock Exchange, entered a joint venture with the Camerons and Verdient Foods in 2018, and acquired 100 per cent of Verdient’s shares in 2020.
The Canadian government, through Protein Industries Canada, also contributed $12.8 million to the Ingredion/Verdient business in 2020.
“The decision to cease operations of the Vanscoy manufacturing facility was made after a strategic review of this business,” the filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission , adding that the plant had employed about 20 people.
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Graham Contracting Asquith 306-230-4653
Klassen Trenching Delisle 306-493-7579
Starlings Septic Services Delisle 306-493-2241
darrelpenny@sasktel.net Sew Kleen Hydro-vacing & Septic Asquith 306-283-4406
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Seasonal & Temporary worker housing and home inspections. Saskatoon, Rosetown, Outlook, Humboldt, Prince Albert and surrounding areas. Office 306-956-6760 www.pillartopost-saskatoon.com
