Issue 3 by The Biggar Independent

Vol. 104 No. 03

Box 40, 102 3rd Ave West, Biggar, Saskatchewan S0K 0M0

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

email: tip@sasktel.net

Phone: 306-948-3344

20 pages

$1.25

www.biggarindependent.ca

Boys of Summer meet Nats of Biggar! Initiation Nats treated like stars at Blades Timbit Night, meet Blue Jays

Friday, January 11 had set out to be a very exciting night for some young local hockey players. The Biggar Initiation Nationals, 12 boys aged 4-6, participated in the Saskatoon Blades ‘Timbit Nights’, where minor hockey players can come out for the game, have a short game/skate on the big ice at intermission. “I organized a Timbit Night with the Saskatoon Blades for our team and that in itself was to be excitement enough - but the night proved to be so much more!” said Cristy Gidluck, one of the parents of the Biggar Nats. “For this night, I arranged for the team to take the sports bus in, so the kids were excited for that as well, as they haven’t had that experience yet in hockey! We arrived at the Credit Union Centre, received special treatment by getting to have pizza and pop at the ‘Backstage Lounge’ upstairs. We were then greeted by the Saskatoon Blades contact and the boys were taken, with their equipment in

The Biggar Initiation Nationals had some pretty special visitors in the form of Toronto Blue Jay Anthony Gose, J.P. Arencibia, Drew Hutchison and Colby Rasmus. The boys were mighty thrilled with the visit and hitting the ice during a recent Saskatoon Blades game. (Photo for The Independent by Cristy Gidluck) tow, down to a special dressing room just for them!” The Nats entered there dressing room, and it was ﬁt for an all-star squad. Each player had their name over their stall, just as in the ‘Bigs’, and received gifts including mini sticks, bobble head players, just to name a bit of the swag received. They eagerly dressed for

their big appearance and were met in the dressing room by Mike Scissons, an executive of the Saskatoon Blades, looking very ofﬁcial with all the earphones, suited up - the whole nine yards! Scissons explained to the kids how the game would go and also surprised them by telling them they were going to get to line up and ‘high-ﬁve’ the Blades players as they entered the

ice for warmup and they got to sit on the Saskatoon Blades bench and watch them warm up, which wasn’t part of the original package! “The boys eyes were huge . . . as were their smiles!” Gidluck explained. “They got to skate on the ice two different times - once directly after the Blades warmup, and once again

after the first period. Stepping on the ice, they were announced as if they were an NHL team: “. . . and now please welcome to the ice the BIIIGGGARRRR NAATIONALS!” . . . complete with cheers from the crowd and all!” Now, as if this weren’t a completely special and unforgettable evening in itself, the evening had some extra surprises that just topped the night off as one to never forget! The Nats knew there were a few of the Toronto Blue Jays at the Credit Union Centre as part of their Winter Tour. When the boys were in the dressing between their skates, the door opened and the Blue Jays players: J.P. Arencibia, Anthony Gose, Drew Hutchison and Colby Rasmus, were standing on the other side smiling! “They entered our dressing room, which, when I looked around, had most of the boys and parents standing with their jaws dropped!” Gidluck added. “The four players talked with the kids and also signed autographs for them all.” Just to note, the Credit Union Centre was noted to have a lineup around

the entire building . . . almost more than once . . . for others who had come wanting autographs, and our boys got them in up close and personal style and without even asking! “It was a pretty amazing night for these boys, one I am sure they won’t soon forget! “This night made me really look back and smile at what the hockey and sports world really is all about: Doing something you love, and if you are lucky enough to have got some fame from your talents, to pass it on and make others have a good experience in it as well. I really want to express my gratitude to the entire Saskatoon Blades organization who really went out of their way to make sure our young players enjoyed themselves, and also to encourage any of you out there looking for some awesome hockey - of course other than our local Biggar National teams - go cheer on our Saskatoon Blades. They are deﬁnitely worth supporting!” Gidluck concluded. As an aside, check out toronto.bluejays.mlb.com, and see click “Winter Tour Day 4”.

Sask Exports continue to set records Numbers released by Statistics Canada show the province’s merchandise exports were up 7.7 per cent for the first 11 months of 2012, compared to the same period in 2011. This landed Saskatchewan in second place among the provinces and sets a new year-to-date record. “Strong export numbers are an indicator of our province’s economic strength,” Minister responsible for Trade Tim McMillan said January 11. “November’s statistics are encouraging and show that our province is on track to have a record year in terms of export gains.” Commodities that saw the most significant increases were electronic and electrical equipment and parts, up 42.5 per cent, forest products, up 39.0 per cent, and metal and nonmetallic products, up 36.1 per cent for the first 11 months of 2012. “Saskatchewan products are showing up in every corner of the world,” McMillan said. “This is a testament to the quality of the goods being produced in this province and the strength of our exporters.”

Wort Hannam impresses . . . John Wort Hannam shares a laugh with ﬁddler, Scott Duncan at the Majestic Theatre during the fourth performance of the Arts Council’s performance season, January 12. Despite being

under the weather, Wort Hannam put on a fantastic show - plenty of chuckles, rousing songwriting, and inspired playing. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Ritz, Block hold prebudget roundtable with area farmers

Blazers roll to third at home tourney . . . Biggar Senior Blazer, Liam Mair busts around an opponent during their home tourney, January 11-12. The boys put in an impressive showing, coming away with third spot. (Independent Photo by Kevin

Agriculture Minister Gerry railways and shippers to work Ritz met with together toward a stronger farmers in rail freight supply chain and a the Saskatoon stronger economy. area today to The recently announced Growing get their input Forward 2 suite of programs will on agriculture invest in strategic initiatives in innovation, competitiveness, and policies and to market development. This will discuss ideas further strengthen the sector’s to generate capacity and earnings potential future growth Gerry Ritz from a growing marketplace for and economic Canadian agricultural products. prosperity. Member of Parliament Kelly Canadian families will also have Block (Saskatoon Rosetown a stronger food safety system Biggar) hosted the roundtable thanks to the passage of the Safe Food for Canadians Act. discussion. “Our government knows how “Our government is focused important agriculture on policies that create is to the economy, jobs, economic growth, and particularly here in long-term prosperity for Saskatchewan,” said all Canadians,” said Ritz, Block. “We are listening January 8. “Meetings like to farmers so our this allow our government to programs and priorities work directly with farmers to continue to meet their develop innovative programs needs, today and into that will ensure agriculture Kelly Block the future.” remains a key driver of the The government will Canadian economy.” Ritz highlighted the successful continue to invest in market market access, year it has been for the grain development, industry with the open market research, science, and innovation for wheat and barley farmers to keep Canadian farmers efﬁcient coming into force August 1. The and competitive, while providing Canadian government introduced predictable, stable, and bankable amendments to the Canada programs to help farmers weather Grain Act, which will streamline disasters. This roundtable was part of and modernize the operations of Canada’s grain industry, and ongoing pre-budget consultations announced the Fair Rail Freight with farmers and agricultural Service Act, which will encourage stakeholders.

Brautigam)

New impaired driving strategy overdue Saskatchewan has the highest rate of impaired driving in the country - evidence that a new strategy to combat drinking and driving is long overdue, says the NDP critic for SGI, Danielle Chartier. “Saskatchewan families deserve to be safe on our roads,” said Chartier, January 10. “We need to see leadership from the Sask Party and a new, proactive strategy to stop impaired drivers before they get behind the wheel.” A new report released by Statistics

Canada shows that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of impaired driving in Canada at over 2.5 times the national average. The province’s rate of 638 impaired driving incidents per 100,000 people is more than ﬁve times higher than Ontario’s rate, two-times higher than Manitoba’s rate and 1.5 times higher than Alberta’s rate. The NDP has been vocal in recent weeks about making roads safer in light of a recordbreaking number of driving deaths in 2012. Chartier and the NDP

MLAs have suggested a new impaired driving strategy is necessary as well as proactive measures to make roads safer overall, especially in winter storm conditions. “The Sask Party has not done enough,” said Chartier. “The list of victims of drunk driving is staggering. The Sask Party should not simply defend its record - but take a good look at a new impaired driving strategy and commit to an overhaul if that’s what it’s going to take to get more Saskatchewan people home safe.”

Musical set for this March . . . New Creation Community Players’ director, Jennifer Crane, left, makes a point with some of her actors this past Sunday. A lot of new faces and some familiar ones return to put on the musical ‘The Wiz’, which will hit the Majestic Theatre mid-March. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Opinions ........................................................... 4 Agriculture ...................................................... 8 Sports............................................................... 20 Classifieds ................................................13 - 15 Business & Professional Directories ........16 - 17

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3

Council Minute highlights The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held December 19, at 7:15 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Ray Sadler, Aldermen Ron Arnold, Jim Besse, Alan Boyle, Penny McCallum, Eugene Motruk, and Kirk Sherbino. Erin Poitras, Recreation Director, attended the meeting to present one quote for the pool liner for the Biggar Aquatic Centre. She advised that one more will be coming for Council’s review and ﬁnal decision. Dave Miller attended the meeting to discuss with Council the future expectations of the Bear

Hills Rural Development Corporation. Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $70,459.56, and the General Accounts Payable in the amount of $43,138.68, be approved. Council resolved that they approve the water grant of $500 to the Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park for the year 2012. Council resolved that the Town of Biggar New Residential Incentive Guideline Policy N(2), approved March 20, 2001 by resolution number 01-176, be repealed and replaced with the New Residential Incentive

Guideline Policy N(2), attached hereto and forming part of these minutes, be approved effective January 1, 2013. Council resolved that the Town of Biggar New Residential Condominium Incentive Guideline Policy N(3), approved March 20, 2001 by resolution number 01-177, be repealed and replaced with the New Multi-Unit Residential Incentive Guideline Policy N(3), attached hereto and forming part of these minutes, be approved effective January 1, 2013. • Meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.

PM announces plan to strengthen venture capital investment in Canada Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the government’s Venture Capital Action Plan to improve access to venture capital ﬁnancing by highgrowth companies so that they have the capital they need to create jobs and growth. “Our government understands that Canada’s longterm economic competitiveness in the emerging knowledge economy needs to be driven by globally competitive, high-growth businesses that innovate and create high-quality jobs,” said Harper. “We will provide the resources needed to put Canada’s venture capital industry on the path to sustainability and ensure Canada’s high-potential ﬁrms have the resources they need to

succeed.” Recognizing the importance of the venture capital industry to Canada’s future productivity growth, Economic Action Plan 2012 announced resources to support Canada’s venture capital industry, including $400 million to help increase private sector investments in early-stage risk capital, and to support the creation of large-scale venture capital funds led by the private sector. Over the summer, the government conducted extensive consultations with key stakeholders on how to structure this support and on how to ensure that the support contributes to the creation of a sustainable, private sector-led venture capital sector in

Canada. Based on the results of the consultations, the government will pursue a comprehensive action plan for deploying the $400 million in new capital over the next seven to 10 years. The government’s approach recognizes the need to demonstrate that Canada’s innovative ﬁrms represent superior return opportunities, and that private sector investment and decision-making is central to long-term success. With this in mind, the Venture Capital Action Plan will make available: • $250 million to establish new, large private sectorled national funds of funds (a funds of funds portfolio consists of investments in several venture capital funds) in partnership with

Pressure shot . . . Biggar Central School Junior Blazer, Tyrelle Hooper is covered by an Lord Asquith defender, January 10. The Junior Blazers pulled off the win, 63-33. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

institutional and corporate strategic investors, as well as interested provinces; • Up to $100 million to recapitalize existing large private sector-led funds of

works that link investors to innovative companies. Private sector expertise will be sought in the coming weeks to advise the government on the selection of the private sector management of the largescale, national funds of funds, and on the selection of the high-performing venture capital funds to receive capital from the government.

funds, in partnership with willing provinces; and, • An aggregate investment of up to $50 million in three to ﬁve existing high-performing venture capital funds in Canada. In addition, the Venture Capital Action Plan will promote a vibrant venture capital environment in Canada rooted in a strong entrepreneurial culture and well-established net-

GAS PRICES AT THE PUMP… Wednesday, JANUARY 16, 11:20 a.m. (stations randomly selected)

Biggar .............................................100.9¢/L Duperow Cardlock .........................100.9¢/L Perdue… ......................................... 99.9¢/L Landis… ......................................... 99.9¢/L Rosetown… ....................................100.9¢/L North Battleford….........................103.9¢/L Unity...............................................102.9¢/L Saskatoon ....................................... 98.9¢/L Humboldt ....................................... 98.9¢/L Lloydminster .................................. 92.9¢/L Kindersley ...................................... 98.9¢/L Swift Current .................................104.9¢/L

Lottery Numbers

UNOFFICIAL

The ﬁrst of many gets ready to set sail . . . Tammy Knuttila, right, makes the ﬁrst of many draws in the Biggar and District Recreation Board Travel Voucher of the Month, as Town of Biggar Recreation Director Erin Poitras looks on. Michelle Meschishnick was the lucky winner of the $2,000 travel voucher while

Jackie Wylie, the $100 cash winner. The next draw is February 15, and you can still enter to win as there are over 20 draws remaining. Money raised goes to the Biggar Aquatic Centre. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

649 - Saturday, Jan. 12 06, 16, 29, 30, 33, 36 Bonus 15 Extra 2015473 649 - Wednesday, Jan. 09 14, 17, 33, 34, 43, 44 Bonus 05 Extra 5187482

Western 649 - Saturday, Jan. 12 08, 13, 25, 32, 44, 46 Bonus 27 Western 649 - Wednesday, Jan. 09 11, 15, 18, 26, 40, 46 Bonus 27 Lotto Max - Friday, Jan. 11 02, 25, 26, 37, 39, 48, 49 Bonus 40 Extra 5151610

4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

Letter to the Editor . . .

Getting to know rural Sask is the key to success

To the Editor: Several weeks ago a “Letter to the Editor’ written by me, appeared in your paper. I also sent the same letter to the Heartland Health and MLA, Minister of Rural Health, Randy Weeks. I requested a reply to these two letters. I received immediate and good response from Heartland Health, but am still waiting for a reply from Mr. Weekes. Mr. Weekes is a MLA for the Biggar Constituency and also my representative in the Legislature as I am a

The NDP party in Saskatchewan is in the midst of choosing a new leader. So, I have been following the campaigns and read with interest the news reports of the leadership debates held in Rosetown. The candidates are right about one thing -- the party needs to reconnect with rural Saskatchewan. Funny thing about rural Saskatchewan. We may not have a large population but it does not bode well for any politician to ignore us. Over the years we have a way of making our votes count and with perseverance we eventually change the mindset of the cities. At the end of the debates the conclusion is that the way to get to the heart of rural voters is by focussing on health care and education. Really??!! We have a pretty good education system and small towns have schools and hospitals (although the NDP did their very best by closing 52 rural hospitals when they were in power). Our school and health care systems may not be perfect but they are still pretty darn good. Our students receive top notch education and anyone who is a patient in our hospitals receive some very good care. What rural voters want is for their communities to be sustainable so that their young people will stay. We need a positive business climate that will provide jobs for these young graduates. We need policies that reﬂect today’s global market. Most small towns in rural Saskatchewan have reached or will soon reach the 100 year mark. Needless to say infrastructure is a big issue among community leaders. We need to address the fact that our water lines, sewer lines and streets need replacing. Our recreation facilities need to be replaced. There is a role for government to play here. Rural Saskatchewan is changing and so are our needs. We have viable communities, we have professionals working here, we have well educated and well travelled citizens. In order to be successful you must speak to our needs not your perception of our needs.

resident of the same. Do some others receive the same consideration? If so, he is not a true representative. I do realize Mr. Weekes has his public relations commitments to respond

to (as we all recognize). What about responding to his constituents? That’s what he was hired for. Sincerely, Marie Winsel, Biggar

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR are welcome. They MUST be signed, approximately 300 words in length and are subject to editing.

P.H.

Playing violin for your health Lifestyle changes work only when you choose something you love by Arya Sharma, Expert Advisor, EvidenceNetwork.ca Distributed by Troy Media, www.troymedia.com Not a day passes without some news outlet asking me for tips on healthy living. What do I need to eat more (or less) of? What type of exercise is best and how many minutes a day do I need? My answer generally comes down to asking a simple question in return: Would you really want to give up something you enjoy? Or, even less likely, do you really want to start doing something you don’t? Let us assume that there is now conclusive evidence that playing just 20 minutes of violin a day substantially reduces your risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and even male-pattern baldness.

Based on these finding, Health Canada launches a major initiative proclaiming the benefits of violin playing for health. There is now a whole industry of personal violin trainers, and you can sign up for violin sessions at your local YMCA (which has thrown out the exercise machines to make more room for the violin enthusiasts). Magazines and bloggers opinionate on whether it matters what music you play on your instrument and proffer expert advice on the best instruments and latest accessories. There is a lively debate on whether playing the fiddle or viola has the same health benefits as the violin. Can it, perhaps, be any string instrument played with a bow? Does it matter whether the bow has real horsehair or the

strings are catgut? Does it matter whether you play for expression or speed? Alone or with friends? And why just 20 minutes? Wouldn’t 40 minutes or perhaps even a couple of hours a day make you even healthier. How about signing up for a stringathon? At your next annual physical, your doctor asks, “And how many minutes of violin do you get in every day?” If you admit you don’t, here’s a copy of Canada’s Violin Guide extolling the many health beneﬁts of violin practice. And once you play regularly, you may even experience the violinist’s high. You will be on the perfect path to violin addiction! But now imagine that you happen to be someone who simply hates violin. You have no sense of tone or rhythm, the very

thought of picking up the instrument (any instrument) makes you want to stay in bed. Perhaps memories of the hated violin teacher ruined it for you in grade school. Perhaps you were the one always picked last for the class ensemble. The people who love their violin do not understand. Why are you choosing not to play when everything points to the beneﬁts? And it is just 20 minutes, is that too much to expect? Interestingly enough, it turns out that you are by no means in the minority. According to the latest Canadian Community Health Survey, 95 per cent of Canadians fail to achieve even the minimum 100 minutes of recommended weekly violin. It is not that most Canadians do not like the violin. They do love listening to and watching

violin concerts, they just don’t like playing it themselves. In fact, over the years several new violin channels have popped up on TV. There are now national and international violin competitions. And yet, most people will simply refuse to pick up the violin, despite the tax credits offered to violin players. Do we really have to discuss taxes and higher health premiums for non-players? Why are these people digging their own graves by simply refusing to pick up the violin? Don’t these people get it? Well, they get it alright. They simply don’t enjoy the violin – no matter the health beneﬁts. Violins aside, here’s the bottom line: If you want to improve your health this year, make sure you take up something you love to do. If you choose something you

despise, you’ll only last a few weeks at most. For healthy habits to stick, they have to be in place for the long-term, regular – and fun (or at least, not unpleasant). Choose small, attainable goals, regular habits that you’ll enjoy completing. It might mean a 20 minute daily walk or an increase in delicious whole foods over processed foods. It might mean joining a team sport or making the time for more home cooked meals. But it should always be something you enjoy doing, and something that you can probably stick with for a lifetime. Arya M. Sharma, MD, is an expert advisor with EvidenceNetwork.ca, Professor and Chair in Obesity at the University of Alberta and Scientiﬁc Director of the Canadian Obesity Network.

www.biggarindependent.ca

Phone: 306-948-3344

Fax: 306-948-2133

Publications Mail Registrations No. 0008535 Published by THE INDEPENDENT PRINTERS LTD. and issued every Monday at the ofﬁce of publication, 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar, Saskatchewan, S0K 0M0 Publishers - Margaret and Daryl Hasein Editor - Kevin Brautigam Advertising Consultant - Urla Tyler Composition - Delta Fay Cruickshank

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COPYRIGHT The contents of The Independent are protected by copyright. Reproduction of any material herein may be made only with the written permission of the publisher. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Biggar Independent invites the public to participate in its letters to the Editor section. All letters must be signed. We acknowledge the ﬁnancial support of the Government of Canada, through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5

Winter storm driving tips from CAA Parklet. Now that was a term I hadn’t heard before. I could guess it referred to some sort of mini park but thought I would find out some more info. After a “google” search I discovered that most of the sites referenced San Francisco where, it seems, these urban parks are very popular. In fact, some sites even credit this California city as being the first to introduce the concept. In a nutshell a parklet is a small urban park, created by converting under utilized parking spots into a park. Most often it is parallel parking spots that now sport a patio, planters, trees, benches, fountains, artwork, maybe even cafe tables and chairs. There is a movement called Park(ing) Day taking place in September cities across the country. Basically what happens is the group puts money in parking meters and rolls out sod in the space. It is an attempt to “take back the streets”. The first Park(ing) Day was in 2005 and has now grown, not only in Canada but in other countries.

The City Fathers in San Francisco decided that this was such a good idea the parklets should remain year round. Now it has become a concept that urban architects build into new developments. Or, when the downtown core needs to be revitalized parklets are now being introduced. The idea of a parklet goes beyond just allowing a cafe to put a few tables and chairs on the sidewalk. It is an extension of the sidewalk widening the space and using it for more than just a restaurant venue. Some parklets are simply a parking place for bikes with a few benches and some greenery. Others are more elaborate with decking, sod and plantings. Some are permanent staying out year round but some are temporary and can be moved. This is often helpful in a climate where snow removal machines need to clean the streets in the winter. It’s an attempt to “green” the neighbourhood. At one time it was thought that cement and asphalt were the way to beautify the city core but not anymore. Now, people

want a place to relax, to visit and to enjoy nature. It’s a way to encourage more walking -- not just a busy bustle getting to and from the office but a leisurely stroll. Think of your own community. They all have parks and in a small community are within easy walking distance from just about any point in town. And, in smaller communities situated on the Prairies it is not difficult to find “green” spaces. But, just about every town has some vacant lot, some spot that is under utilized. There was just such a lot on Main Street in my town. Recently it has been converted to a “parklet”. Now, there is a gazebo, a huge clock and seating for people to enjoy the passersby. In the summer there are numerous planters overflowing with flowers. I’m sure my town is not unique and there are many communities that have parklets in their midst. They may not envelope valuable parking spots on Main Street but they are enjoyed by the residents every day.

Did you know? Thousands of students will be heading back to school, where they will face the pressure of academics, making new friends and avoiding the vices of student life, such as drugs or alcohol. While certain drugs are on parents’ radars, new, very dangerous drugs are continually being created. One new and dangerous drug that has recently come to the forefront is “bath salts.” According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers, calls to poison centers pertaining to bath salts rose to 6,138 in 2011 from 304 in 2010. The drug is not used in the bath but gets its name from its salt-like appearance. It is an inexpensive, synthetic form of speed that is made from mixing different stimulant chemicals.

According to authorities and healthcare workers, the drug makes users aggressive and

agitated while creating hallucinations that inspire paranoid and violent behavior. .

Winter weather warnings, blowing snow, or blizzard conditions have been forecast for the majority of Saskatchewan. CAA Saskatchewan would like to remind motorists that CAA Roadside Assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week however increased demands for services will cause delays. CAA Saskatchewan thanks motorists requiring roadside assistance for their patience and reminds all motorists to follow these winter driving tips: • Check weather and road conditions ahead of time. If conditions are poor, delay travel if possible. • Give yourself extra travel time in bad weather. • Adjust your speed to weather and road conditions as they can change quickly. • Carry a fully-charged phone and phone charger to call for assistance. • Slow down at intersections. Pay special

attention in school zones and at crosswalks. • Allow extra room to stop and leave a safe distance between vehicles. • Wear warm clothing and footwear, no matter how far you are travelling. • Pack emergency winter survival items such as non-perishable food, water, blankets, extra clothing and footwear, flashlight, candle and lighter or matches, shovel, booster cables, extra windshield washer fluid, fuel line antifreeze, and warning lights or flares. • Stay on main roads, be prepared to slow down, wear your seatbelt and drive carefully. If stuck or stranded, stay with your vehicle. It provides excellent temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Installing a GPS unit can also help track your vehicle. • Tie a brightly-coloured cloth to the antennae or place in a rolled up window to signal

distress. • Run the engine long enough to remove the chill. To prevent carbon monoxide from leaking into the vehicle, ensure the exhaust pipe is not clogged with snow. Check your vehicle’s exhaust system for leaks. • For fresh air, open a window slightly on the side away from the wind. • Don’t over exert yourself by trying to push a vehicle or dig it out of snow. • Occasional deep breathing and moving arms and legs rapidly will increase body circulation. • Major roads are patrolled for stranded motorists during weather emergencies.

WATCH for Doreen’s Discount Day

Leslie’s Drugstore

Biggar • 948-3397

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Nature’s Hand by Bob Mason

They tell me that old guys often repeat themselves, and in many cases it almost sounds like some sort of senility has set in. Mebbe that is what’s happening here, eh? But darn it all, YT wrote the pieces below some 65 years ago, and if he was senile then, surely some of the all knowing military types would have told me by now! Yours Truly (YT) doesn’t like repeating himself very much, but the central thought of a lot of written stuff, isn’t really seen until a reader goes over it a second time! So, ride with me (again) down that trail of 1938. Old Tex and I slept out last night.

We made our camp, as darkness fell By Eagle Rapids churning while Beneath their cut-bank sentinel. Upon a meadow, green and small I staked him to a willow tree And let the heavy saddle fall Beside my bedroll wearily. And soon, in the dreamy campﬁre done My head upon the saddle seat, Alarm clock set by rising sun At last I lay me down to sleep. The cricket in the grass was glad. A hoot owl hailed us from the height; Content with everything

2004 GMC Envoy SLE 4x4, dark green, 4.2L, air, tilt, cruise, power windows, locks, mirrors, seat, DVD, 182,309km, SK Tax Pd......... $ 9,900 2005 Chev Silverado ¾ crew LTZ, white, 6.6L, air, tilt, cruise, power windows, locks, mirrors, seat, leather, 179,679km, SK Tax Pd......... $21,900 2007 Chev Cobalt SS Coupe, black, 2.4L, auto, air, tilt, cruise, power windows, locks, mirrors, sunroof, 98,353km, SK Tax Pd .......... $11,900 2008 Chev Silverado ½ crew LTZ 4x4, greystone, 5.3L, air, tilt, cruise, power windows, locks, mirrors, seats, sunroof, leather, only 67,200km, SK Tax Pd ...............................$28,900 2008 Buick Enclave CXL FWD, blue, 3.6L, air, tilt, cruise, D V D , sunroof, leather, 102,600km .........................$23,900

we had, Old Tex and I slept out last night! Deep inside, a lot of us are alike (I think) and want to go back to the familiar places where our youth was spent! Mebbe to some, those familiar places weren’t anywhere nearly “ideal”, but to many of us the old home countryside grows fonder every day! Mebbe a fellow shouldn’t try to make any apology about this, but darn it all, all of us want to value something, and every generation seemed to value its past most! Being products of the 1930’s, and having little else to be proud of, we thought of our old home, jumped on old Tex’s back

2010 Chev Avalanche LTZ, 4x4, air, cruise, tilt, DVD, leather, 20’s sunroof, 40,000km ............. $37,900 2011 Chev Suburban LT 4x4, silver, 5.3L, air, tilt, cruise, power windows, locks, mirrors, seats, sun roof, leather, 78,458km................$39,900 2012 Cadillac SRX Luxury AWD, silver, 3.6L, air, tilt, cruise, power windows, locks, mirrors, seats, sunroof, camera, 20,503km........$42,900

and rode up across the river. Tex had been raised from a colt up in Great Bend, and had spent most of his life in the ranch land along the river north east of Borden. It may seem kind of silly now, when a person can make that same trip in a few minutes, but as horizons came and went, our thoughts of “We’re going Home!” lasted quite a bit longer. And it was with thoughts like this that we came to the Eagle Creek Valley. Old Tex and I slept out last night Or was it sixty years ago? A million fireflies alight Across the years remind me so!I heard the rushing of the creek. The idle swish of nightbird wings, A thousand little tongues aspeak With endless tales of countless springs And ere I closed my eyes and dreamed, Lulled by the distant coyotes cry. We were a welcome part, it seemed Of all the rest, old Tex and I! The Hoot-owls unmelodic mate The wild ducks mad romantic flight Seemed somehow to exhilarate As Tex and I slept to exhilarate! As YT climbs up the stairs to this secluded room where he plots a lot of these Independent articles, he often wonders just how long ago it really

was, and if he puffed that hard when he climbed into the saddle the next day! If The Independent people think they have room, I took a picture of Tex at the south Radisson Ferry the next morning (ie: The Radisson Ferry used to be about six miles north of Arelee!) Yours Truly made quite a few trips up across the river in those later years of the 1930’s, but none of them made the impression on him that camping by Eagle Rapids did! One quiet warm evening we did camp on the north side of the river though and watched, really thrilled, at the thousands of ﬁreﬂies darting out over the water - so we had to remember that camp, too. It would be nice if we could ride back over those years again, eh? Or would it? They tell me that the whole area around those rapids has changed quite a bit - as a matter of fact, I think the whole world has changed! The Radisson Ferries (along with the many other ferries along the river) has disappeared long ago. Even a young guy on a horse would be a kind of oddity now! The only permanent thing about it all, I think, is in how we look at and remember it all! There must be other secluded spots out there, somewhere a man can bed down (with his God!) for the night! Old Tex and I slept out last night, The hills one solid

silhouette Here hesitating as I write How well I can remember yet! The hush of night across the land, The gentle hooves upon the sod, At peace we curled in nature’s hand, No, really in the hand of God! Created, as the rest of these, Last night beside our dying blaze, I felt akin the summer breeze That rustled at my saddles stays! Beneath my blankets humble thread I felt that all the world was right, That those who seek to peace are led Old Tex and I slept out last night! When Walt and YT went overseas during WWII, I am not sure what our folks thought, but when we came home (thankfully!), our horses and saddles had disappeared. Cars and trains and trucks and planes raced all over the place, and in the rush and roar of “progress’, any dreams we may have had a bout relaxing by dreamy campﬁres just disappeared with them! But those “all’s well” feelings, that we knew and even thrived on back there during “The Depression”, must be out there somewhere yet, eh? We might have to look a long, long ways to ﬁnd them . . . or they might be right here beside us?

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Old Tex, 1938, at the south Radisson Ferry, run at that time by Jim Cullen. Dad helped build the ﬁrst Radisson Ferry. Tex was raised and trained by Bert Hawthorne at Valley Springs east of Borden. He helped drive our cattle across to Tessier in 1936.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7

Governments invest $6.5 million into crop research Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart announced $6.5 million in funding for 38 crop-related research projects. “The crop research being done in Saskatchewan helps keep Canadian agriculture growing and contributing to a strong economy,” said Ritz, January 10. “These projects will help improve methods of crop disease control and weather tolerance that will make Saskatchewan farmers more productive and proﬁtable.” “Saskatchewan has a reputation as a leader in crop production and research and these new projects will help to ensure this continues to be the case,” Stewart said. “These projects will help to achieve goals set out in our Growth Plan and help our farmers meet the growing world demand for safe, reliable agriculture products.” Crop-related projects receiving funding in 2013 include: • Improved weed management; • Improved yields for wheat; • Genetic mapping of blackleg disease in canola; • Disease resistance in

cereals and pulses; • Improvements in the nutritional value of oats; • New technologies to assess sprout damage in wheat; • Herbicide tolerance in mustard varieties; • Addressing genetic and disease obstacles to canary seed production; and • Methods to control and eradicate clubroot in canola. Funding for these projects is provided from the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and is part of a record $20.4 million provincial agriculture research budget in 2012-13, which is an increase of more than 50 per cent since 2007. More than $57 million in research project funding has been provided through ADF since 2007. This investment in agriculture research will help achieve goals set out in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, such as establishing Saskatchewan as an international leader in biosciences, increasing crop production by 10 million tonnes and increasing provincial agriculture exports by $5 billion by 2020. This ADF project funding will help to leverage additional third party funding of more than $8.4 million. Western Grains Research

Foundation, the Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, the Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission and the Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan are just a few of the organizations that are partnering on these ADF projects. “Research has been vital to the growth of the canola industry,” SaskCanola Chair Brett Halstead said. “We appreciate the funding announced today and look forward to the beneﬁts it will create for canola producers in the future.” “The research announced today will play a pivotal role in advancing our industry,” Saskatchewan Oat Development Commission Chair Dwayne Anderson said. “We are pleased to partner on these projects and thank the federal and provincial governments for their support.” “We appreciate the funding announced today for wheat research, which will beneﬁt the industry and producers for years to come,” Western Canadian Wheat Growers Chair Gerrid Gust said. “We are pleased that the federal and provincial governments have agriculture research as a priority and we look forward to a con-

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dents got to enjoy bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes and toast. It was sure tasty making everyone else jealous. To end Friday we watched a music video. Saturday morning we played Jackpot Bingo and the afternoon we watched a movie. We got to enjoy movie treats like popcorn twists and cheesepuffs. Sunday morning the residents had one on one time. This included visiting, manicure, folding towels and having coffee. Biggar United Church did the Sunday Church Service. If anyone wants to volunteer or play music for us here at the Lodge, please give us a call. We always enjoy seeing new people.

Funding for ADF projects is provided under Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) initiative. Under Growing Forward 2, FPT govern-

Biggar Leisure

Diamond Lodge News Greetings family and friends! We hope that everyone is doing well over the last week. This past Monday we had exercises and that afternoon we played Bean Bag Toss. Many of our players scored in the 80’s up to 120. They did very well. Tuesday morning we read a couple of newspapers in our current events group. Then we played two rounds of Beat the Dice. Wednesday we had Wheel of Fortune. We had words related to New Year’s and January. That afternoon, we played swing bowling. We also had a lot of visitors since it was the ﬁrst day after our lockdown ended. Thursday we had balloon volleyball. The residents were very rowdy at this game today. They broke four balloons and there was a lot of smiles and giggles. At 2:30 we had our weekly favourite game which is bingo! Friday morning we had Breakfast Club. Ten resi-

tinued partnership that brings new technologies to Saskatchewan producers and the world,” Western Grains Research Foundation Chair Dave Sefton said.

No v Ite elty m

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

Genetic mods no boogeyman

by Calvin Daniels

Genetic modification is a topic which has some involved in agriculture smiling at the possibility of a brighter future, while others shudder that it will shatter consumer confidence. While consumers need to stay aware of genetic modification science, it shouldn’t just assume it is a huge specter of

doom. Science is not inherently disastrous, and agriculture has been relying on scientiﬁc breakthrough since the ﬁrst cow was domesticated and wheat was planted and reaped. There is science behind what nutrients a crop requires in the form of

fertilizer. There is science behind crop breeding programs, as there is in terms of freezing livestock embryos, using artificial insemination, and practically every other aspect of farming. For the most part the science has been accepted and has proven its worth. That said at the time pasteurization of milk was first developed there was certainly a constituency against it. Somehow though we have come to view genetic modification of crops as a step too far. It may have to do with the fact the initial efforts in terms of GM crops revolved around allowing crops to withstand

certain farm protection products rather than offering anything of obvious beneﬁt to consumers. Longer term though that is where GM technology offers both agriculture and consumers the greatest opportunities. Certainly when we look at the canola sector GM technology allowing chemical tolerances have gone a long way to expanding acres and yields, and agronomically that is a good thing. But the true potential of GM is about plants producing elements which they currently do not. For example, longer term GM will produce plants with traits which make them increasingly

tolerant of solid salts, drought, and frost. Those sort of changes expand areas crop will be grown, and in the face of a growing world population that will be a positive thing. And then there is the potential to introduce genes into plants which will allow the plant to develop low-cost antibodies, protein drugs and vaccines for cancers or other diseases. Consider the costs of traditional methods of creating many of the drugs which are already important to a range of disease treatments. Now consider what a plant growing in a ﬁeld which could be harvested for the same or new drugs could mean?

Is the science without risk? Of course not. We only need to recognize that uranium allows for healing and bomb creation, to know there are pitfalls. But to not explore the possibilities and work to ensure the positives are the goals science pursue, would be to limit the potential good to mankind. Into the future a changing world dynamic, growing population and declining arable land base will need the potential of GM to meet our basic needs. We need to embrace the science, although a cautious eye in all things is prudent too.

CWB releases ﬁrst basis PROs for the Futures Choice Winter Pool The CWB updated Pool Return Outlooks (PROs) for 2012-13. Values are weaker for wheat, durum and canola pools compared to late 2012, but unchanged for malting barley. The CWB also released the ﬁrst basis PROs for the Futures Choice Winter Pool. For this pool, CWB pools the basis portion of the price, and farmers lock in their own individual futures prices. Sign-up for the the Futures Choice Winter Pool begins on January 7. For more information cwb.ca/fcp. Wheat prices have declined considerably over the past month as a

result of weaker futures markets. Overall, global wheat fundamentals for the balance of the 2012-13 marketing year remain supportive. In terms of the major exporters, in the last half of the marketing year, the main exportable surpluses exist only in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the EU– 27. However, the broader agricultural complex is being weighed down by improvements in South American weather, the slow pace of U.S. corn exports, and perception that world production will rebound in 2013-14. Wheat PROs reﬂect pool futures pricing

activity to date along with forward price expectations. Current Minneapolis and Kansas wheat futures prices for the March-July 2013 period are in the range of $8.50 US to $8.70 US per bushel and $8.10 US to $8.30 US per bushel, respectively, which is roughly $1.00 US per bushel lower compared to a month ago. Most of the decline in futures markets occurred in a short period of time through the holidays and with no fundamental drivers of note, suggesting the decline in futures prices is overdone. The CWB’s forward futures price

expectations reﬂect Minneapolis and Kansas City wheat futures in the range of $8.80 US to $9.00 US per bushel and $8.50 US to $8.70 US per bushel, respectively. The Early Delivery and Harvest pools are approximately 65 per cent and 35 per cent priced, respectively, while pricing activity in the Winter pool is in its very early stages. Given current PRO assumptions, farmers in the Futures Choice Winter Pool can expect to achieve a ﬁnal return for 1 CWRS 13.5 in-store port position made up of the futures value they lock in plus $8 to $16 per tonne, depending on

NOTICE OF ABANDONMENT OF POLL Rural Municipality of Reford No. 379

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS 2013 (Subsection 160.23(2) of the Act)

Whereas the following are the only candidates: Kyle Leinenweber, nominated for the ofÀce of Councillor for Division No. One, Greg Sutherland, nominated for the ofÀce of Councillor for Division No. Six, th

I hereby give notice that no voting for these ofÀces will take place on the 13 day of February, 2013. Dated this 11th day of January, 2013 Sherry Huber, Returning OfÀcer

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what futures month(s) they are pricing futures in. The durum market has been softer over the past month for a few reasons. While there has not been much change in overall durum supply and demand fundamentals for the marketing year as a whole, durum prices have moved lower in reaction to weaker milling wheat markets. Export sales activity has also been relatively quiet over the past month. The Early Delivery and Harvest pools are now approximately 80 per cent and 35 per cent sold, respectively; there has been no pricing activity in the Winter pool. Canola futures prices have advanced on soybean futures creating the largest spread between the two commodities in the 201213 marketing year. Canadian canola ending stocks are

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projected to be very tight as both domestic crush and export demand continue to pressure the overall canola supply. The current usage pace requires a significant scale down which suggests that prices will remain strong. The canola PRO reflects canola futures values in the range of $580 to $620 per tonne, and less than 20 per cent of the canola pool has been priced. General pool assumptions: • Canadian dollar at par versus the U.S. dollar; • Early Delivery Pools reflect market activity in the first half of the crop year, with sales to be executed by the end of February 2013 (farmer deliveries by the end of January); • Harvest Pools reflect activity through the entire crop year, with sales to be executed by the end of August 2013 (farmer deliveries by the end of July); • Winter Pools reflect activity through the second half of the crop year, with sales to be executed by the end of August 2013 (farmer deliveries by the end of July).

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

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10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

BCS2000 by Kim Fick Brrrr! We have sure been hit with an icy blast in the past week. Again, a reminder that our buses will not run if there is a wind chill of -40°C or colder. Bus drivers will notify their passengers on the days that they are not running, and there are notiﬁcations on the division website at sunwestsd.ca each day as well for all buses in the division. This week we had one of our school lockdown drills. We practice these peri-

Principal’s report Pr

odically throughout the school year, in addition to our Fire Drills, in an effort to prepare our students and staff for worst-case scenarios which we hope never come to fruition. Thank you to the staff members that volunteer to be part of our Critical Incident Support Team which keeps on top of our preparedness. Our students in Grades 7-12 should be busily preparing for their exams that begin on January 25. The students in Grades 7 and 8 write unit exams

Cover the province with one phone call. Place a blanket classiﬁed !

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during the exam week to give them some practice in preparing for multiple exams, and the Grades 9-12 students will write cumulative final exams in most cases. Exam schedules went out in the newsletter before the Christmas break, but any families that need another schedule can contact the school ofﬁce and we will gladly help you out! Study guides for the exams are to be given to students two weeks prior to the exam, so parents can expect their children to be receiving those as well. Second semester timetables will be handed out to students before exams begin so that students have an opportunity to see me or Ms. Chupik before Feb. 1, which is the start of second semester, to ask questions or make changes. Many of you may have heard of the controversial “no zeroes” policies in assessment currently. Our division grading policy is that students

do not receive grades of zero when something is late or incomplete - they do, however, receive an incomplete grade in a course if they have not submitted assignments that are required by the end of the semester. This particularly affects our students in Grades 10-12. Parents are encouraged to check the PowerSchool Parent Portal and check in with their children to keep up to date on incomplete assignments. The last couple of weeks of a semester is always very busy with students working to complete assignments that are not yet done! This week we welcomed Ms. Massey into Mrs. Singer’s classroom. We wish Mrs. Singer the best of luck with the new addition to her family. As of the Monday this was submitted, we are still awaiting baby news from Mrs. Singer! Have a great week everyone!

It’s time to renew your subscription!

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The marketing landscape has changed. That’s why we’re giving hardworking growers like you the reward you deserve. Simply purchase qualifying inputs from Parrish & Heimbecker and contract your wheat or durum and we’ll give you up to 20 cents per bushel premium back. There’s never been a better time to partner with us.

For more details call Jim Vancha in Hanover Junction at 306-948-1990. Our ofﬁce is located on 220 Main Street, Biggar, SK

Box 40, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 or drop in

102-3rd Avenue West

www.biggarindependent.ca

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11

planting, pruning & puttering . . . planting by Delta Fay Cruickshank of The Independent

Well, all this white is nice, and looks quite beautiful when the sun is shining; but, oh, how I miss colour! Time to take myself to the garden centres and look for a plant that will give me the colour I crave! A plant that is easy to care for, one with colour that lasts for ages, one that doesn’t cost a small fortune, and one that is easily replacable in case accidents happen (those cats!) There is only one houseplant that ticks all those boxes, and it is the African Violet, or in real botanical terms ‘Saintpaulia’. The ﬁrst African violet was found in Tanzania by Baron Walter von Saint Paul, who discovered it in 1892. This beautiful, readily available and so easy to grow ﬂowering plant thrives in our heated homes. Coming from the tropics, it loves the constant heat, and because its leaves are hairy and thick, our dry central heat doesn’t bother them! Another bonus is that it needs much less light than other plants, in fact, it doesn’t thrive in direct light at all! Keep them about a metre away from a south facing window, and it will thrive! This plant will let you

Just by choosing a healthy leaf, sticking it into a good growing medium, one can create new baby African violets! know if it is not getting enough light, or too much! If it is not blooming, or the leaves are getting long and bending towards a window, it’s not getting enough light! On the other hand, if the leaves are looking bleached out, or small and growing close together, it’s getting too much light! Because it’s leaves are so thick and hairy, water will stain the leaves. Therefore, watering from the bottom works great! Fill the saucer it sits in with tepid water, and allow it to be sucked up. After half an hour, throw out the extra water. When the water is too cold, the leaves will curl . . . really this plant can ‘talk’ to you! If you want them to ﬂower, do not overwater them! Water only when they feel dry. Watering once in a while with weak tea is a good idea, as it acidiﬁes the soil. To keep them healthy, fertilize them.

There are fertilizers made specifically for African violets. Because I forget when I last fertilized, I fertilize with every watering. I just use a quarter of the recommended rate at each watering! Try to keep them out of cold or hot drafts, like by a door or floor vents. Pinch off the flower stems as they finish blooming. Collecting rain water, or melting snow will help prevent the white mineral deposit on the soil from chlorinated and softened water. I have had great success starting new plants. All I had to do was choose a nice healthy leaf from a plant that was doing really good. I cut that leave off, dipped the stem end in rooting hormone, and then stuck this end into good, moist African violet potting soil in a very small pot! In a few weeks, there were little leaves emerging

Maybe a little old fashioned, but always colourful, the African violet is really quite easy to grow. Very adaptable to living in our centrally heated rooms, they will bring the splash of colourful vegetation we all need right now! (Photos from google/images.com)

from the base of the old leaf! These little pots of emerging plants make great gifts. There are so many different kinds of African violets. Not only are there several colours of

flowers, but there are leaf shapes and colours, as well as rippled flowers, double flowers, giant flowers, miniature flowers . . . if one wanted to have every variety it would take a very large

room! So, I need colour, I need it now . . . off to the garden centres I go, or maybe even the grocery store will have some for sale.

We have expanded with NEWLY EQUIPPED fitness and cardio rooms and are looking for new and former quality members like YOU!!! All serious inquiries are entitled to receive a FREE $20 punch card for 3 drop-ins to try this new modern equipment in a ‘non-clutter’ safe space!

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12 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

The Biggar Curling Club hosted its Annual Farmers Bonspiel Jan 11, 12, 13, 2013 It was a huge success with a total of 16 teams competing. Thank you

to the many sponsors who donated prizes, and

the athletes who participated. The A event winners were (right to left) Joe Heather, Jerry Muc, Mike Desrosiers, Larry Tavanetz

The B event winners were (right to left) Colton Flasch, Terry Flasch, Bryan Poole, Steve Ostapiw

The Sky This Month January 2013 The C event winners were (right to left) Preston Vaessen, Adam Sheppard, Jordy Ries, Jerome Ehry

The D event winners were (right to left) Bill Stanjek, Mitch Strate, Jim Nicholls, Crystal Nicholls

Looking for the Swoosh . . . Senior Blazer, Marcus Schommer gets ready for a shot during their opening game at the BCS home tournament, January 11. The Blazers were down at the half, 17-7 to the Unity Warriors but dug deep, coming from behind for a close win, 30-29, eventually rolling to third on the tourney weekend. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

by Gary Boyle, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Crispy Cold Nights (Part 2) If you like to hunt down remote galaxies, numerous targets are set on the Taurus/Eridanus border with more below Orion’s shield. Epsilon Tauri is a bright 3.6 orange giant star 147 light years away with a spectral class K0. For a real challenge, locate the pair of interacting galaxies (NGC 1410/1409) on the southern border of Taurus. These two reside some 300 million light years away and are around the 15th magnitude range. In 2007 astronomers discovered one extra solar planet orbiting this sun. Now move your scope one and third degrees west to NGC 1555 – aka Hind’s variable nebula.

Here we are witnessing the early stages of a new star’s development still embedded in its molecular cloud. Other than the moon when present, Jupiter rules the night till it sets at about 5 a.m. local time. The King of Planets is presently in retrograde motion and moving westward with the stars. This is the result of Earth moving faster as does a race car on the inside lap. Jupiter will become stationary on the 30th and then continue its usual easterly motion against the stars. Check the 2013 edition of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Observer’s Handbook for numerous satellite and shadow timings. The gibbous moon

brushes by Jupiter on the night of the 21st. Saturn is slowly distancing itself from the morning solar glare and is visible in the ESE around 3:30 a.m. local time at the beginning of the month and two hours early at month’s end. The ﬁrst meteor shower of the New Year peaked on the night of January 2 at 10 p.m. EST. Anywhere from 80 to 100 shooting stars can be seen in an hour during this peak but you will have a few hours of dark sky as the moon will rise at 12:39 a.m. local time. Speaking of moon, this month’s new moon occurs on the on the 11th at 2:14 p.m. EST while the full Wolf Moon occurs on the January 26 11:38 p.m. Until next month, clear skies everyone.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

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PLEASE READ YOUR AD -- Advertisers should read their advertisement THE FIRST ISSUE IT APPEARS and report any errors in time for the next insertion. The Independent is responsible subject to the conditions noted above, for ONLY the Årst incorrect insertion. NO REFUND on classiÅeds. Times to run must be stated at First Insertion. Enclose cheque, money order, Visa, MasterCard or American Express for your classiÅed. Other Advertising Rates Available upon Request. The BIGGAR INDEPENDENT accepts advertisements in good faith. We advise that it is in your interest to investigate offers personally. Publication by this newspaper should not be taken as an endorsement of the product or service offered.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES…

Peggy Lynn Sluzalo 1950-2013 The family of Peggy Sluzalo is saddened to announce her passing as a result of a tragic accident in Nanaimo, B.C. on January 9, 2013. Peggy is predeceased by her father, Steve Sluzalo and her step-father, Bob Huntley. She will be deeply missed by her son, Mark (Julia) Harmel and two grandchildren in South Africa; her mother, Evelyn Huntley of Saskatoon, Sask.; sister, Elaine (Grant) Davidson of Ladysmith, B.C.; sister, Beverly (Ross) Pangracs of Esterhazy, Sask.; sister, Betty (Lorne) Calvert of Saskatoon, Sask.; brother, Steve (Nicky) Sluzalo of Saskatoon, Sask.; brother, Percy (Norma) Sluzalo of Cold Lake, Alta.; and several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Peggy was born in Perdue, Sask. on March 16, 1950. After graduating from High School, she trained as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, then worked in Edmonton, eventually becoming Director of Volunteer Services at the University of Alberta Hospital. Following her dream, she moved to Vancouver Island, ultimately to her acreage in Nanaimo, B.C. She ¿nished her working career at the Nanaimo General Hospital. Peggy loved her home, her gardening, her pets and travelling, but she loved spending time with her family the best. Peggy’s request was for cremation with no formal service. A family celebration of life will be held at a later date. 3c1

Pick up… $29.00 + $1.45 gst = $29.45 Inside 40-mile radius/ONLINE $34.00 + $1.70 gst = $35.70 Outside 40-mile radius… $39.00 + $1.95 gst = $40.95

OBITUARIES John Kleinsasser August 27, 1931 January 1, 2013 John Kleinsasser passed away peacefully New Year’s Day, 2013 in the Biggar Hospital, Biggar, Sask. comforted by his wife Shirley and a few of his family members. John was born in the RM of Glenside and lived most of his life in Biggar. He retired from the CN in 1989 after 38 years of service. He will be remembered for his well developed sense of humour, love of golf, pool, cribbage as well as his talented singing and guitar playing. John is survived by his wife of 31 years, Shirley; his children, David (Jean) Kleinsasser, Cheryl (Jim) Vesso, Bradley (Kelley) Kleinsasser and his stepchildren, Lorne (Barb) McCrea, Debbie (Leon) McCrea, Bruce (Marty) McCrea, Brent (Bernie) McCrea, Laura (Jordan) Dearing, Edward (Kelly) McCrea. He will be missed by his 17 grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; his siblings, Margaret Mair, Annette (Jim) McKay, Loraine (Don) Adams, Bob (Lorna) Kleinsasser, Marion (Gay) McKenzie and his numerous nieces and nephews. John was predeceased by his parents, John and Agnes Kleinsasser A Family Service will be held in the spring. Donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, #101-440-2nd Ave. North, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 2C3 Grondin Funeral Services, Biggar entrusted with arrangements, “Our family serving you since 1963”. 3p1

Check classiÀeds, photos/videos online @ biggarindependent.ca

OBITUARIES her big heart. A Private family service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane, Moose Jaw, SK, Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director, 306-693-4550, www. moosejawfuneralhome.com 3c1

Helen Goodwin (nee Desborough) Helen Goodwin (nee Desborough) aged 79 years of Moose Jaw, Sask., passed away Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. She was born on August 22, 1933 in Biggar, Sask. Helen was born with Moebius Syndrome and was not diagnosed until six years ago. Life was a struggle for her growing up in and around the community of Biggar, which accepted her in spite of her afÀictions. She attended school in Allanbank and the Alert district, as well as St. Gabriel for a short time. Helen moved to Saskatoon, “The City” as she called it, and did day work. Helen enjoyed rug hooking as well as playing cards, Rummy being her favourite. She enjoyed talking on the phone to friends and family especially “Sister” Chrissie. Her other favourite thing to do was tell stories of growing up in Biggar. She was predeceased by her parents, Emma and William Desborough; and husband, Leslie Goodwin. Helen will be greatly missed by daughter, Cindy Goodwin; granddaughter, Ashley; sister, Chris LaRiviere; niece, Nancy LaRiviere; nephews, Robert (Gail) LaRiviere and Julius LaRiviere; as well as great nieces and nephews; special friend, Bonnie Lymer; and of course, Elliot. To all that knew Helen, she will be forever remembered for

CARD OF THANKS I know that I’m blessed with the excellent care I received while in hospital, along with all my family and friends who visited. Mary Kammer 3p1 A huge thank you to the nurses and staff of the Biggar Hospital and special thanks to Dr. McKee for the wonderful care shown to me during my recent illness. Helen Poitras 3p1

COMING EVENTS SUNDAYS in January: Presbyterians, Anglicans, Lutherans will be worshipping at St. Paul’s Anglican Church at 10:30 a.m. January 20 will be St. Paul’s annual meting after service and January 27 will be potluck. Everyone welcome. For pastoral services or information, please contact Pastor Mark Kleiner at 306-951-7122 or leave a message at the of¿ce, 948-3731. 48/10tfn SUNDAYS… You are invited to the weekly services of Biggar Associated Gospel Church, corner Quebec St. and 8th Ave. West; Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.; Worship Service at 10:50 a.m.; an Ladies Bible Study at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesday mornings. Everyone is welcome to join us. Contact our church of¿ce 948-3424, Tuesday through Thursday. 36tfn Saturday, January 19 Bene¿t Roast Beef Supper and Auction for Gerald Nicholls at Perdue Complex, doors open at 5:30 p.m., supper at 6:00 p.m. Music by Country Two. Supper Tickets, $20 each, available in Perdue at The Store, Co-op, Moody’s, Cam-Don Motors and Perdue Credit Union; and in Biggar at NAPA Auto Parts and MacLeods. Monetary donations accepted at the Credit Union in Perdue and Biggar. 3c1 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4: Donors Choice Annual Meeting, 7 p.m. at Biggar Hospital boardroom. Donors Choice board members and a representative from local organizations supported by Donors Choice, please attend. We need your support. 3c3 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9: ‘Friends of the Lodge’ Valentine Dine & Dance Fundraiser, Biggar Community Hall. Doors open 5:30, supper 6:30 p.m., $30 per ticket. Tickets available at de Moissac Jewellers, Biggar or any member of Biggar & District Health Service Foundation Inc. To donate items for silent and live auction, contact Louise Singer, 948-2934 or Jo Angelopoulos, 948-3429 or drop off at Biggar Town Of¿ce. 2c4

WATCH for

Doreen’s Discount Day at Leslie’s Drugstore

Biggar • 948-3397

COMING EVENTS FRIDAY, MARCH 15: 8 p.m.; SATURDAY, MARCH 16: 8 p.m.; SUNDAY, MARCH 17: 2:30 p.m.: NCCP annual musical production of “The Wiz” adapted from The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, arranged through Samel French @ The Majestic Theatre, Biggar. Tickets for reserved seating available Friday, February 15th at The Biggar Independent, 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar or phone with visa/mastercard to 306-9483344. Tickets: $20 per person. 3c9

AUCTION COMPLETE DISPERSAL, Unreserved Auction PWR Prairie Western Reclamation, MARCH 19, 2013, in Beinfait, (Estevan) Sask. For further information or to consign to this auction call John Williams at CPA - Canadian Public Auction, 403-369-9879.

NOTICE Biggar & District Community Foundation Inc. The Foundation is pleased to announce that funds are available for grants from the Community Fund. To apply, your group must have a charitable registration number. Applications for a grant may be obtained from Barb Barteski at the Biggar Town OfÀce. The deadline for applications is February 8, 2013. Families, clubs, churches and businesses are invited to do a Heritage Page to be on permanent display at Biggar Museum. Share your history! For more information call 9483451 or visit museum 1 - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. 7tfn This newspaper accepts advertisements in good faith. We advise that it is in your interest to investigate offers personally. Publications by this paper should not be taken as an endorsement of the product or service offered. tfn Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or re-

NOTICE liability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com. tfn

MISCELLANEOUS DISCONNECTED PHONE? ChoiceTel Home Phone Service. No One Refused! Low Monthly Rate! Calling Features and Unlimited Long Distance Available. Call ChoiceTel Today! 1-888-333-1405. P R O V I N C E - W I CLASSIFIEDS. Reach 550,000 readers weekly. this newspaper NOW or 649.1405 for details.

D E over Call 306-

STEEL BUILDINGS/METAL BUILDINGS 60% OFF! 20x28, 30x40, 40x62, 45x90, 50x120, 60x150, 80x100 sell for balance owed! Call 1-800-457-2206 www.crownsteelbuildings.ca

WANTED Old battery collection, Fisher #300 Cadet Squadron. Drop off at the Biggar Land¿ll OR contact Quentin Sittler at 658-2132 3tfn Main Street Garage Sale is accepting donations of all items in clean and working condition. Please phone 948-1773 or 9485393. Pickup available. 32tfn

CARS & TRUCKS 2005 Chev. Silverado 4x4, extended cab, shortbox, 154,000km. New front differential rebuilt; new windshield; red and grey colour. $13,000. Phone 306-834-2750 (H) or 306-8348345 (cell) 2p3 Guaranteed approval drive away today! We lend money to everyone. Fast approvals, best interest rates. Over 500 vehicles sale priced for immediate delivery OAC. 1-877-796-0514. www.yourapprovedonline.com.

RECREATION 1985 Yamaha Virago, 1,000 cc, new rubber, carbs and forks redone. Phone 948-7521. 36tfn 1985 Honda Goldwing, new rubber, shocks redone this spring, new battery, $3500 obo; phone 948-3344 34tfn

For FAX service, see us at The Independent, 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar

14 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR,

SEED & FEED

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

HOUSES FOR SALE

PERSONAL

TRAVEL

PERDUE DAYCARE

HEATED CANOLA WANTED!! - GREEN CANOLA - SPRING THRASHED - DAMAGED CANOLA FEED OATS WANTED!! - BARLEY, OATS, WHT - LIGHT OR TOUGH - SPRING THRASHED HEATED FLAX WANTED!! HEATED PEAS HEATED LENTILS "ON FARM PICKUP" Westcan Feed d & Grain 1-877-250-5252

Enns Tours Motor Coach Tours

On January 23, 2013, this young lady will be celebrating her

REAL ESTATE

21st birthday!

Two serviced lots, side by side in Biggar, 100’x140’, $79,900. Call 717-4681 (cell) 5tfn FINAL PHASE FOR SALE. 55 PLUS ADULT ONLY Ground Level Townhome INFO www. diamondplace.ca. CALL306241 0123 WARMAN, SK

She loved to watch the movie, “Old Yeller”. … Love from your family and your P.A. Aunt Nana

Phoenix Grand Canyon Tour must book by Jan. 25 $1729.00 pp/dbl Drumheller Rosebud/Airdrie Yodelfest May 10-12 2013 Kentucky Southern Gospel Music Sept 7-21 2013 Boston,Vermont Maine Fall Colors Sept 28-Oct 12 2013 Call 306-974-4155 or 306-227-3965 email: info@ennstours.ca or check out our website www.ennstours.ca

SERVICES

AVAILABLE BACHELORETTE

FOR RENT Charter/ Sherwood Apartments 1 Bedroom, 2 Bedroom Heat and water supplied, wired for cable TV and satellite systems, laundry facilities, appliances, some suites with dishwashers, air conditioning, parking with plug-ins. For more information call: Karen/Kevin • 948-9115 302 - 8th Ave. W. • Biggar

SUMMARY OF SOLD PROPERTIES Central - 62 1/4’s South Central - 17 1/4’s East Central - 74 1/4’s South - 70 1/4’s South East - 22 1/4’s South West 58 1/4’s North - 6 1/4’s North West - 8 1/4’s East - 39 1/4’s Call DOUG 306-955-2266 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.cafarmland.com

LAND FOR SALE/RENT Eight quarters of land for cash rent in RM of Grandview #349, all connected. Section 35-3418-W3, 500 acres cult.; N-1/226-34-18-W3, 310 acres cult.; W-1/2-36-34-18-W3, 270 acres cult. Written offers to February 22, 2013. Highest or any offers not necessarily accepted. Send to Box 785, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 2p6

HOUSES FOR SALE 3-bedroom home, completely renovated. Fully modern, energy package. Quiet neighbourhood. Close to school. Priced to sell. For viewing call: 948-9517 or 948-5627. 38tfn

is currently accepting application to Àll a one-year term for the position of Director to begin as soon as possible. ECE Level III experienced preferred; however, a combination of related eduction and experience may be acceptable. Please submit resumes to… Perdue Daycare, Box 143, Perdue, SK S0K 3C0 For a detailed job description or if you have questions, please contact Daycare Director Amber at 306-237-4403

PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY at The Independent for 2 days a week Duties to include: • Addressing the newspaper • Tearsheets • Customer Service Forward resume to… Biggar Independent 102 - 3rd Ave. West, Box 40, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 email: tip@sasktel.net

LAND for SALE

Doug Thank-you for the knowledge, professionalism, understanding, and caring that you showed in the sale of our land. I have to admit that I was sorry to see it go because it has been in my family for over 100 years, but you made the process virtually worry free and painless. Your agricultural background and professionalism is what gave us the comfort in knowing that we had talked to the right person when we decided to sell the land. Doug, we thankyou again for all of your hard work. Sandy

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

PETS TROPICAL FISH SALE! All the products you need for your aquarium. Order online and receive 15% off with coupon code: FISH15 Sale ends January 27. www.petland.ca 1-855-839-0555

HEALTH/ WELLNESS

Slim, bubbly, outgoing, caring and easy to get along with. This naturally pretty, 47 year old country girl is a true delight. I am slim, 5'5", 123 lbs. I am a great cook, sweet, with an infectious laugh. Totally natural, not too hung up on life and I don't sweat the small stuff. I am healthy, a non smoker and love a glass of wine with a meal. I want to travel, have just purchased my first sports car, but can't do with out my old chevy pickup. I prefer to meet a man 50 plus. Matchmakers Select 1888-916-2824 Guaranteed service Face to face matchmaking, customized memberships thorough screening process. Rural, remote, small towns, isolated communities & villages 12 years established Canada/US www.selectintroductions.com

GET 50% OFF - Join Herbal Magic this week and get 50% Off. Lose weight quickly, safely and keep it off, proven results! Call Herbal Magic today! 1-800854-5176.

Real Estate LANE REALTY CORP. For the most exposure that you deserve in the marketing of your farm or ranch property. Contact your local agent:

MURRAY MURDOCH (306) 858-8000 To view full colour feature sheets for all of our CURRENT LISTINGS, visit our Website at www.lanerealty.com

LANE REALTY CORP. Saskatchewan’s Farm & Ranch Specialists™

Ph:(306) 569-3380 Email: lanerealtycorp@sasktel.net“ Now representing purchasers from across Canada, the United Kingdom and Mainland Europe!”

www.lanerealty.com

If YOU are… • Moving • Expecting a Baby • Planning a Wedding • Anticipating Retirement Call WELCOME WAGON at 948-2563 - Lisa Haynes We have gifts and information www.welcomewagon.ca Bob Foster Locksmith Services. Phone 306-831-7633 26tfn

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Sears Catalogue Agent in Biggar, Sask. Very little investment. Excellent for semiretired or supplement income. Training available. Contact 306.948-3629 after 6 p.m. for more information. 3c3

CAREER TRAINING HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TRAINING - Daily, Weekly and Monthly Programs. Call (306) 955-0079 for details! www.practicumtraininginstitute. ca

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Eagle Creek Regional Park requires a mature person or couple for park maintenance. This position is seasonal (May 1 - Sept. 25, 2013) and entails dealing with the public. Accommodation is available at the park. Please send resume by January 24, 2013 to ECRP, Box 359, Perdue, SK, S0K 3C0 3c2 Coram Construction is hiring Carpenters and concrete ¿nishers to work PCL sites in Saskatchewan. $32.55, Good bene¿ts, 3-5 years experience. Join, ¿t and install formwork. E-mail: iknibbs@coram.ca Fax: 306-525-0990 Mail: 205-845 Broad Street Regina, SK S4R8G9 FARM LABOURER & MANAGER. Full-time position, modern mixed farm, near Calgary, Alberta. Housing supplied, excellent wages. Valid drivers licence, & cow/calf experience required. Assets include mechanics, grain, welding, custom hay & seeding. Fax resume 403-335-0086. Phone 403-335-3694.

Employment Opportunity

Full-time SEASONAL EQUIPMENT OPEATOR AND LABOURER Health and Dental beneÀt packages and Pension Plan available. Starting date and wage negotiable. Send/fax resumes by noon on February 8, 2013 to… R.M. of Marriott #317 Box 366, Rosetown, SK S0L 2V0 email: rm317@sasktel.net Phone: 306-882-4030 Fax: 306-882-4401 JOURNEYMAN AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE TECHNICIAN. Hanna Chrysler Ltd. (Hanna, Alberta) needs a few more good people. Busy, modern shop. $25. $31./ hour + bonus, bene¿ts. Great community. Inquire or send resume. Fax 403-854-2845; Email Chrysler@telusplanet. net. PYRAMID CORPORATION is now hiring! Instrument Technicians and Electricians for various sites across Alberta. Send resume to: hr@ pyramidcorporation.com or fax 780-955-HIRE. NEED A HOME PHONE? Cable TV or High Speed Internet? We Can Help. Everyone Approved. Call Today. 1-877-852-1122 Protel Reconnect ROADEX SERVICES requires O/O 1 tons for our RV division and O/O Semis and drivers for our RV and general freight deck division to haul throughout N. America. Paid by direct deposit, bene¿ts and company fuel cards. Border crossing required with valid passport and clean criminal record. 1-800-867-6233; www.roadexservices.com SERVICE MASTERS SECURITY has opportunities for Security Guard Couples: We specialize in remote oil¿eld manned security gate services in Alberta. Ideal for mature couples who are semi-retired, for year round or seasonal work opportunities that enable you to work together. Training is available & required. Apply with resume: Email: servicemasters@telus.net. Fax 403-348-5681.

Deadline, Mondays 5 p.m.

CHANGE A LIFE World Vision Canada is a Christian, humanitarian relief and development organization working in over 90 countries. On behalf of World Vision Canada donorworx Inc. is looking for ENTHUSIASTIC FUNDRAISERS for a Mall Campaign in Saskatoon and Regina to promote Child Sponsorship. The ultimate fundraiser is outgoing, possesses excellent communication skills and has fundraising/sales experience. World Vision Sponsors are encouraged to apply. $17.00/hr 15-25 hrs a week If you are interested in joining the donorworx fundraising team please visit the Jobs section on www.donorworx.com

Please arrange to pick up your photos that have been submitted for publication. ... thanks, The Independent

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Heavy Const Company requires journeyman mechanics to start asap, must be familiar with all heavy equipment Caterpiller, Komatsu, John Deere etc. competitive wage and superior bene¿t package. Required to work in shop in rural Winnipeg, MB and on job sites. email karen@hmcl.ca fax 204-2249212 REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY: Journeyman Automotive Technician for a large progressive General Motors Dealer in central Saskatchewan. Top wages paid in Àat rate shop. Excellent bene¿t package along with company pension plan. Would consider a 2nd or 3rd year apprentice. Contact WATROUS MAINLINE MOTORS at Watrous, Sask. Gerald Merri¿eld or Don Campbell. Ph: (306) 946-3336 Email: Gerald@ watrousmainline.com

Financial Advice to make a positive difference by Kim Inglis, BCom, CIM, PFP, FCSI, AIFP | Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager Canaccord Wealth Management A frequent ﬁnancial planning question is whether to contribute to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a Tax Free Savings Plan (TFSA). With the ratio of Canadian household debt to annual disposable income at a new high, limited resources are forcing many to choose one over the other. Making the decision begins with a

basic understanding of each. RRSPs are designed to promote long-term retirement savings. The maximum annual contribution limit for 2012 is $22,970, with individual amounts varying based on factors such as unused past contribution room. RRSP contributions are tax deductible, and that deductibility offers the greatest beneﬁt when the tax refund is reinvested. Withdrawals are subject to withholding taxes and fees. TFSAs are savings

The Independent HOURS… Monday to Friday… 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed 12 noon - 1 p.m. daily

Get all the local news and coming events. Renew NOW, all subscriptions expire December 31, 2012.

Pickup • $29.00 + $1.45 gst = $30.45 Within 40-mile radius or online $34.00 + 1.70 gst = $35.70 Outside 40-mile radius $39.00 + 1.95 gst = $40.95

*check us out online at… biggarindependent.ca BLANKET CLASSIFIED ADS can reach more than 520,000 potential customers One phone call covers the entire province Expand your market and increase your proÀts.

Phone… 948-3344 Biggar Independent, Biggar, Sask.

vehicles that allow contributions up to $5,500 per year (effective 2013) in cash and investments. Unused contribution room can be carried forward indefinitely and never expires. Withdrawals can be made anytime in any amount, without being taxed, and can be fully re-contributed the following calendar year. An individual can fund a spouse’s TFSA and the income earned is not attributed back to the partner who provided the funds. TFSAs make a lot of sense for many young people beginning to save for retirement, as they are still in lower income tax brackets and won’t benefit much from the tax deductibility of RRSPs. It may be better to accumulate RRSP headroom until their marginal tax rate is higher. The funds in TFSAs are also accessed more easily, providing a source of emergency funds. The emphasis is on emergency because the convenience of TFSA withdrawals is a downside for those tempted to withdraw on whimsy rather than absolute necessity. For investors in higher income tax brackets, RRSPs make sense because their tax deduction is likely at a higher marginal rate than it will be when withdrawals are taxed in retirement. And, RRSP contributions may be used to drop their current taxable income to a lower bracket. Higher income earners are also less likely to have to choose between the TFSA and the RRSP, and may wish to contribute to both and link the benefits. Assuming the RRSP contribution is fully deductible, a B.C. investor with an annual income of $100,000 who contributes $22,970 to an RRSP would get a tax savings of approximately $8,317. The refund could be placed into a TFSA, up to allowable limits, to be invested and grow without fear of taxation either now or in retirement, multiplying the positive impact of the original RRSP contribution.

Both RRSPs and TFSAs can act in an investor’s favour, not just as savings vehicles but also from a tax planning perspective. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-ﬁts-all answer as to which is best, and the choice really boils down to individual circumstances and time horizons. Whether you have a lot or a little to invest, do your homework and begin as soon as possible to ensure you

get the most in tax-free or tax-deferred beneﬁts. Kim Inglis, CIM, PFP, FCSI, AIFP is an Investment Advisor and Portfolio Manager with Canaccord Wealth Management, a division of Canaccord Genuity Corp., Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund, reynoldsinglis.ca. The views in this column are solely those of the author.

Are you 65 or older? Save money at tax time! (NewsCanada)-A lifetime dedicated to your career has finally paid off in precious retirement years. You’ve worked hard, and you deserve to enjoy your future. But while retirement is often referred to as the golden years, living on a fixed income can be stressful and requires some smart financial planning. Here are a few ways that seniors can stretch their retirement dollars by saving money at tax time: • Public transit saves money that you might have otherwise spent on rising gas prices, parking, and car maintenance. Not only do seniors typically pay less for public transit, but the cost of transit passes can be claimed on your tax return. • You may be able to split your eligible pension income with your spouse or common-law partner, allocating up to 50 per cent of your pension to him or her, to lower your taxes. • If you or your spouse or common-law partner has a severe and prolonged impairment in physical or mental functions and meets certain conditions, you might be eligible for the disability tax credit. • If you care for a spouse or other family member who has a physical or mental illness that makes them dependent on you for care, the new family caregiver amount could save you money.

• If you receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement or Allowance benefits under the Old Age Security program, you can usually renew your benefit simply by filing your return by April 30. If you choose not to file a return, you will have to complete a renewal form. This form is available from Service Canada. • Applying for the goods and services tax/ harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) credit helps to offset all or part of the GST or HST that you pay. Other helpful taxtime information for seniors can be found on the Canada Revenue Agency Web site at cra. gc.ca/seniors. To make it easy on yourself this year, why not consider filing online? It’s simple, secure and will save you time. Information to get you started is available at cra.gc.ca/getready.

DEADLINE for Classiﬁed, ads and news will now be MONDAYS, 5 P.M. for Thursday publication.

If you DO NOT receive your Independent in a timely manner, please call your local post ofﬁce or Canada Post @ 1-866-607-6301

16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

ELECTRICAL

REAL ESTATE

Saskatoon - Biggar Oﬃce

BIGGAR ELECTRICAL & REFRIGERATION SERVICES Authorized Appliance Depot Electrical Wiring Trenching Licensed Journeyman Adrian de Haan

DUANE NEUFELDT 403 Main St., Biggar

Licensed For: • Residential • Acreage • Farm

306-948-8055 Fax: 306-948-2763 www.DuaneNeufeldt.com

948-5291

Proud sponsor of Children’s Wish Foundation

PLUMBING & HEATING

Tim Hammond Realty Licenced for:

•Farm •Residential •Commercial •Acreage

Cell 948-9168 www.TimHammond.ca www.FarmsofCanada.com

Tim Hammond, BSA, P.Ag., Broker

Proud to handle Biggar’s Real Estate Needs

PLUMBING HEATING ELECTRICAL

For all your home, business and rural needs Owners/Operators • Travis Young • Dallas Young • Claude Young

Licenced for: •Residential

Biggar, Sask. rd

113 - 3 Ave. W., Biggar

948-3389

948-5052 (ofﬁce)

Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff

www.TimHammond.ca http://Cari.TimHammond.ca

Cari McCarty Residential Sales

Biggar’s Top Performing Residential Agent

Tim Hammond Realty Licenced for: •Farm •Acreage •Residential • Commercial rd

113 - 3 Ave. W., Biggar

948-5052 (ofﬁce) Cell 948-4478 Dave Molberg BSA

www.TimHammond.ca www.FarmsofCanada.com

CONTRACTING LTD. For all your rooÀng needs… ¬New Construction ¬Metal ¬Torch-on ¬Re-roofs ¬Tile ¬Asphalt ¬All repairs ¬Shakes We offer 10 Year Workmanship Warranty and Liability/Torch On Insurance Excellent Local References For a FREE estimate please call… 306-948-5453 www.madgerooÀng.com Biggar, Sask.

Tim Hammond Realty

Cell 948-7995

MADGE

306-717-2818

113 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar

948-5052 (ofﬁce)

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

HOME IMPROVEMENTS McCARTY CONSTRUCTION • Commercial • Residential • Design Builder • Insurance Claims • Renovations • Drafting Service

“Big or Small -We Do Them All” Licenced Journeyman Carpenters Troy McCarty 948-5627 (H) 948-9280 (C) Mitch McCarty 373-8254 (H) Serving Biggar ... Since 1968

Exposure, Experience and Effort.

NCM Home Maintenance

& Bgm^kbhk Zg] >qm^kbhk IZbgmbg`

& AZg]rfZg L^kob\^l & <hehnk <hhk]bgZmbhg L^kob\^ & Eb`am >g`bg^^kbg` Zg] ?Z[kb\Zmbhg FREE quotes Prompt Honest Service

HANDY JIM SERVICES

available to do…

• painting & Ӿnishing • decks & small buildings • light plumbing • windows & doors • laminate & hardwood ӿoors • general repairs

Call Jim @ 306-948-3333

interior & exterior painting, textured ceilings, drywall, mud & tape

of The Battlefords Independently Owned and Operated

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS… • Selling/Buying • Residental • Farm/Acreage • Commercial • Recreational

FOR RENT BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income

Call: 948-2101

BOOKS Pat Wicks,

Living Books Distributor 205-3rd Ave. East, Biggar Books, gifts, cards. Shop at my home! Call 948-3427 for appts.

ONLINE @

biggarindependent.ca

Inc.

Sales Associate 1391 - 100th St. North Battleford, SK S9A 0V9 Day or Night

Cell: (306) 843-7898 Bus: (306) 446-8800 znerol.w@sasktel.net

FRE E Es timat Call us for… es • Insurance jobs • Renovations • New home building • Drywall & Painting • Flooring (hardwood, ceramic, etc.) • Residential/Commercial • CertiÀed installer for Logix ICF

ELECTRICAL

DMH ELECTRIC for all your electrical needs

dionh@sasktel.net

PHILLIPS ELECTRIC • Residence • Commercial Wiring For free estimates Ph: 948-5393

Cell: 306-221-6888

acrylic Ànish, full system foam, paper/ wire, pargings/ICF blocks, custom pillars & battons, repair/service

306-716-4021

modernlookhomerenos@gmail.com www.facebook.com/modern.look.35

GEORGE STAHL (306) 948-3776 cell: (306) 260-6503 Ph:

>LSSZ /VTLZ *VUZ[Y\J[PVU

• framing • additions • windows & door sales • siding • rooÄng • drywall & Änishing

Bear Hills Rural Development Corporation Box 327 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 Helping you Help yourself

To fax…stop in at The Independent

306-918-7264

Michelle Spuzak, R.M.T. (NHPC member) Located @ New Beginnings Wellness Centre, 114 - 2nd Ave. W., BIGGAR

Services available…

• Shamanic Healing • Psychosomatic Therapy • Massage • Emotional Release Therapy

Kent Dubreuil, E.D.O. Phone: 306-948-2295 Fax: 306-948-5050

Kirk Ewen Doctor of Optometry

In Biggar Every Tuesday. Biggar Professional Building, 223 Main Street, Biggar

For appointments… 1-855-651-3311

DENTAL

~ Gift CertiÅcates ~

BIGGAR DENTAL CLINIC

Evening, Saturday and in-home appointments available.

948-2548 or 948-9710

- together with -

Ladies Only

30 min. Circuit Gym

…owned and operated by Brett Barber

Located in the Nova Wood Centre (back entrance) 104 - 6th Ave. E., Biggar

948-2208 New Beginnings Wellness Centre

104 - 6th Ave. East, Biggar, Sask. Southeast entrance of Nova Wood Bldg. Hours… Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.

306-948-3408 DR. GLENN RIEKMAN Dentist 115 - 1st Ave. W. Rosetown, Sask.

OFFICE HOURS

“Putting PERSONAL back into ﬁtness training!” Wayne Baldwin, PFT, CPTA, CNHC

Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Specializing in Exclusive Seasonal Personal Training Sessions! …for weight loss, body sculpting, strength training.

Phone: 882-2123 Emergency (after hours) 882-2006

Offering… One-on-One Rehab & Therapy Sessions

SEED CLEANING

* Limited Memberships available to fully equipped Private Fitness Studio & Cardio Room Gift Certiﬁcates available

Wylie Farms Ltd. SEED CLEANING

Visit us @ 114- 2nd Ave. W., Biggar Cell… 948-8048

Canadian Seed Institute Accredited Pedigree, Commercial & Custom Cleaning FULL line of Cleaning Equipment including Gravity Table

Your Healthy Living

For all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning

Phone… 948-2548

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Wood and Steel Buildings Floor & Trusses

jacklinandrews@ gmail.com

Where you can feel right at home!

Construction, consulting and Maintenance Licensed Journeyman

Dion Harrabek 306-948-2657 cell: 306-948-9136

New Stucco & Restoration…

OPTOMETRISTS

Jacklin Andrews, MSW, Counsellor

Call Nick Maguire 948-3325 948-4558

Renos…

Wally Lorenz

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Weight Loss & Wellness Centre

Consultant & Coach Anne G. Livingston •Ideal Protein Weight Loss Clinic •Epicure Selections •Walden Farms Products •Young Living Essential Oils •Beauticontrol Skin Care www.beautipage.ca/annelivingston

Located in Angie’s Hair Salon 219 Main St., Biggar Call 948-7274 or 948-3696

Excellent Quality at a Reasonable Price! Call: Bill: Dale:

948-2807 or 948-5609 948-5394

Plant located 8 miles south of Biggar on Hwy #4, ¼ mile west on Triumph Rd.

Mundt’s Mobile Custom Grain Cleaning ^PSS JSLHU ^OLH[ IHY SL` K\Y\T *7: ^OLH[ VH[Z WLHZ HUK SLU[PSZ

9LHZVUHISL YH[LZ This space available for only

For bookings, call Jason

$161.20 plus gst…

948-2887 VY JLSS 948-6969

one column x 2 inches for 26-week prepaid commitment in this directory regular price is $19.88 per week = $516.88 plus gst

Call 306-948-3344

McNULTY’S MOBILE SEED CLEANING Custom Cleaning of H.R.S. & C.P. S. Wheat

Phone: 948-5678

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013

LEGAL SERVICES

ACCOUNTING

BUSSE LAW

BIGGAR ACCOUNTING SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION Barristers & Solicitors

Garry A. Faye

Stuart A. Busse, QC Larry A. Kirk, LL.B. Bonnie L. Reddekopp, JD

Chartered Accountant Notary Public

302 Main Street, Biggar, SK

948-3346

P. O. Box 1480 Biggar, Sask.

…serving your community since 1972

Phone: 948-5133

201B-2nd Ave. West

THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 17

AUTOMOTIVE

COURIER/HAULING

BIGGAR COURIER Service Truck Full Mechanical Service Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5 p.m. phone: George

948-3376 after hours George: 948-4042 Corner of Main Street & 1st Avenue West, Biggar

SERVICES

Rebel Landscaping 948-2879, evenings 948-7207, daytime Ed Kolenosky

• Biggar to Saskatoon • Same day Service • Monday to Friday • 24-hour Answering Service

~Brian and Cathy Fick~

Cell: 306-948-7524

HARRIS TRUCK SERVICES LTD.

• Driveways • Concrete • Garage Pads • Pruning • Planting

1st Ave. West, Biggar

• Topsoil • Lawn Care • Leveling • Sod • Patio Blocks

• Snow Removal • Fences …and much more

“Your complete decal and signage shop”

Roe & Company is a full service law ofﬁce that practices… ¾Family and Criminal law ¾Commercial law ¾Real Estate ¾Wills and Estate, and our lawyers, William Roe, Q.C. Jason Peszko Ian Mokuruk Lisa Watson Sheri Woods look forward to assisting you and can be contacted at:

Custom Grain Hauling 223 Main Street Biggar Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO

OPEN: Mon.-Fri. • 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday • 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

948-2700

Tridem & Super B trailers

Your Auto Parts and Accessories Dealer

…for bookings contact

Open: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. • 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Let Vortex protect your truck and your investment with the Vortex Seamless Sprayed on Liner System

948-2183 Email: ddolack@sasktel.net Website: www.hrblock.ca

306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865

INVESTMENTS For all your investment needs, Visit…

Prairieland Collision Rosetown, Sask.

306-882-2289

M & N REPAIR 701 - 4th Ave. E., Biggar

948-3996 Dean McCallum, CFP, CIM, FCSI

Lyndsey Sacher

Open Monday-Saturday

Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist, Wealth Consultant Credential Asset Management Inc.

Mike Nahorney, Interprovincial Heavy Duty Journeyman Mechanic

Pamela Eaton

Robert Hoesgen, CFP

Mutual Fund Investment Specialist Credential Asset Management Inc.

Located at the Biggar & District Credit Union 302 Main Street, Biggar, SK • 306-948-3352 Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc., and mutual funds and other securities are offered through Credential Securities Inc. ®Credential is a registered mark owned by Credential Financial Inc. and is used under license.

Heavy Truck Repair SGI Safety Inspection Auto Repair TIRES

KRF Auto Centre

403 Main Street, Biggar Want a truly independent advisor who will find your unique solution? Are you looking for Life, Living Benefits Insurance and/or Investment Strategies? Do you just want to know if your premiums are fair with the right coverage?

Financial Planning Estate Planning Life Insurance 222 Main Street 306 948 5377

info@twhÀnancial.ca www.twhÀnancial.ca

Kevin Kurulak Investment Rep Insurance Broker P. 306 948 5200 F. 306 948 5207 Appointments Preferred

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photos by Jocelyn Portraits, Family, Weddings & Sports Photography Biggar, Sask.

www.photosbyjocelyn.com

INSURANCE BI GGA R INS URA NCE S E RV ICE S • Notary Publics • Home & Agro Insurance • Auto & Commerical Insurance • Health Insurance • Motor Licence Issuer Ofﬁce Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday 304 Main Street • Biggar

Phone: 948-2204 or 948-3886

306-948-2814 Small Ads Work… You’re reading this one!!!

Your authorized

Rockin D Trucking & Cattle

• Cattle hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer • round and large square bale hauling with step-deck or highboy semi-trailers • also buying and selling straw and forage • also machinery hauling Home • 306-948-2037 Alex • 306-948-7291 Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask.

HAULS TO THE DUMP Small moves and deliveries with ½ ton truck

Ph/fax: 948-3856 or cell: 948-7896 J. G. Smith

306.237.7671

Owned & operated by Kevin Fick

• Heavy truck parts • Agriculture parts • Automotive parts & accessories www.yhtruckagauto.com

Hwy 14 East, Biggar 948-2109

BIGGAR LEISURE CENTRE 216 Main St., Biggar

948-3955 The Country Clipper • All Breed Dog Grooming • Boarding Kennels (Bordetella Mandatory) • Pet Supplies • Saleboard for dog and cat related items

For appointments and inquiries, call Janet at 948-2091

Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 6 pm. 2 mi N on Hwy #4, 2-½ mi E on Golf Course Rd.

SERVICES NORTHLAND PAINTING and SANDBLASTING •Texas Gates •Spray Foam Insulation •Sandblasting & Painting •Internal Coatings g •Rock Guard Coatings

Mobile Units Ofﬁce: 948-2805 05 Cell: 948-6062 email: northland83@yourlink.ca

A Sign of Qualilty! • Wood, metal, plastic signs • Vehicle & window graphics • Banners, stickers and Magnetic signs

Jerry Muc Phone: 948-2958 Fax:

Modern Licenced Abbatoir • custom slaughter, cut and wrapping • sausage making, curing and smoking

• sides of Beef available

948-3384 HONEYBEE SEPTIC TANK SERVICE Bob Kobelsky

658-4474, Landis, SK Battery Chargers Electric Fencers Repaired/Rebuilt/ Built

Phillips Radio Shop 109 Main St., Biggar

948-2442

Biggar Sand & Gravel

Super B outÀts hauling grain and fertilizer in Alberta and Saskatchewan

YH Truck, Ag & Auto

and Your authorized

SaskTel Mobility and High Speed Internet Dealer

MONARCH MEATS

Fax: 948-2484

“Where we do it all for you!!”

948-1722

LG, Frigidaire, Shaw, Yamaha Audio Dealer;

Take’n the pain outta haul’n your grain!

• Detailing • Vortex Spray-In Box Liners • Granitex Baked-on Coatings for Decks and Cement Flooring • Auto Accessories • Trailer Rentals

227 - 1st Ave. East, Biggar

Panasonic, Samsung,

306-948-3312 sales@gvsigns.ca

Phone:

Troy May, owner/operator Fax #306.237.TROY

100% handwash

t Delivery

Ask Abou

948-5699

Sewing & Embroidery • Jackets • Windsuits • Shirts • Hunting Gear • Bunnyhugs • Caps • Toques • Bags Check out our new website: classicmakings.ca Judy Judy Kahovec: Kahovec… 882-4313, Cellcell 831-7935 306-882-4313, 831-7935 Carey Krchov: 882-3213 Carey Krchov…882-3213

THUR-O CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Cliff Forsyth Box 736, Biggar

Phone:

948-5600

Anne G. Livingston

CertiÀed Custom Picture Framer • photographs • paintings • art prints • memorabilia • collages, etc. Call Anne @ 948-7274 greengables2@sasktel.net

WINE KITS and SUPPLIES available at…

Grape Moments located in The Independent,

102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar

948-3344

• trenching • trucking • water & sewer • sand & gravel • excavating Call Colin Graham at 948-5455 CWB CertiÀed Light Fabrication Mobile Welding

230 - 1st Ave. W., Biggar Phone: 948-7117 email: chase14welding@sasktel.net

Get the Biggar Independent