Getting ready for the Park ... Town of Biggar employees clear the trees at the end of Main Street along the First Avenue and the CN Rail property. The area will be for the next phase of the town’s Revitalization strategy with the park, recreation and commons area. (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
The Biggar Nationals are down two games in the best of five SWHL first round playoff versus the Kindersley Klippers. The Klippers, SWHL 2023/24 Champs, took the opener in Kindersley, 4-2, Jan 31, following that up in Biggar with an 8-3 win, Feb 1. The Nats will have to win this Saturday in Kindersley to keep the SWHL playoff hopes alive. (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
by Kaitlynn Nordal
For any animal lover, it can be hard to know what to do when a stray kitten or cat is found. This is where those at KC Rescue in Unity come in to save the day.
KC Rescue is a volunteer-run charity specializing in rehoming strays and feral cats that opened in June 2001.
“There was an influx of cats that were coming in from farming communities,” explained Fanterra Fisher volunteer coordinator of social media and marketing.
“They don’t always spay and neuter them. Then of course we get strays that wander into town.”
Before a cat is brought to KC Rescue, they urge people to first post about the found animal on all their social media.
KC Rescue a haven for area strays
After they have been called and agreed to bring in the animal they will wait 72 hours. If the cat is not claimed they will then post it on their website and Facebook page (RescueKC). They will then spay or neuter the cat.
“It helps keep the stray population down within Unity and spreadable diseases,” said Fisher. If the kitten or cat is considered tame it will go into their program for in-home adoption but if the cat or kitten is deemed feral or semiferal it will go into their barn buddy program.
The kittens and cats at KC Rescue are kept in an open environment instead of in kennels.
“Some of our cats have been here for six months (so) we don’t want to keep them in a kennel that long,” said Fisher.
“Many of them are coming off the streets and
“If someone finds what they think is a stray we ask that they post on social media first,” said Fisher. “It may be their neighbour’s cat in which case we don’t want to take in an owned cat.”
by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment
This past week 19 occurrences were handled by the Biggar Detachment.
One would think GPS has a sense of humour when a select few seem to find themselves off the beaten path. A Mitsubishi Rover found itself in the ditch on the local Airport Road after relying on
never had an opportunity to be in a home before so this is a step in the right direction to train them on what furniture is, that it’s okay to sit on it and give them a home environment,” continued Fisher. “It gives them that next step to be in a home. For our longerterm residents, it’s more comfortable for them for training and interactive purposes (that) we can give them that space.”
To ensure the adoptables go to the right home it is important to everyone at KC Rescue that they get to know the kittens and cats on a personal level.
“Since I am the photographer and foster myself and the other fosters get to know the cats as they need to. Sometimes they need medication or don’t do well in a shelter setting,” said Fisher. “We get to know their personalities and who they interact with. People tell us what
they are looking for and we then have a better understanding of who will match that.”
Under adoptable cats on their website, there is a list of considerations to see who is the best match for your home.
“If there is something specific you are looking for, we can pick and choose the characteristics of each animal that would fit,” said Fisher.
If interested in adopting check their website under Adoptable Cats for more information and those available. For those interested in adopting but can’t make it to an open house those at KC Rescue will happily schedule a time for you to come in.
For those interested they do offer donations for adoption sponsors.
For more information on KC Rescue you can visit their website or Facebook page (RescueKC), ring them on 306-228-2132 or e-mail kcrescue@sasktel. net
Biggar RCMP report
the tech to guide them through town.
While a Rav 4 in the RM of Perdue missed a “T” in the road requiring a tow truck with extra cable to reach them across a field. The driver was not prepared for winter travel and was getting a little chilled by the time retrieval efforts could get on their way.
A good lesson to make note of, is being prepared to stay warm during winter travel when the unexpected happens. Even with cell service, you may have a longer wait then anticipated.
A red Dodge Ram reported being involved in a hit and run. However, the investigation revealed there was a memory lapse of a collision with a bird. A suspicious blue F150, with a personalized plate, was reported to be lurking around rural properties with a 38-year-old male known for activities that are of interest, was reported.
A break and enter reported to a shop on a yard in the RM of Biggar. Thieves made off with a series of smaller tools and equipment. The investigation remains
ongoing. SaskPower reported a break-in to their power generation centre on Highway 656.
A road rage incident in the RM of Eagle Creek lead to a 74-year-old male driver assaulting a 48-year-old male driver with a stick.
Alcohol played a factor in a family dispute, ending with a 28-yearold striking a 55-year-old with a chunk of pipe in the leg.
Stay warm and be prepared to be outside unexpectedly if venturing out.
Take care out there!
by Erroll Horst, Biggar Fire Department
Well, I may have jinxed us.
After talking about no MVC’s (motor vehicle collision) in December, it didn’t take very long for 2025 to start. A little over four hours into the new year we had our first MVC.
Other calls included a second MVC, an Investigation Request, a false alarm and a S.T.A.R.S. Landing for a total of five during the month. Practises included a timed SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) event and a timed equipment search with the best time each receiving a prize; a post incident review to understand what went right during a big call and
more importantly what could be done better. We then rounded out the month with an elevated rope rescue scenario. As I am writing this it sounds like we are in for another blast of cold weather. Remember, electric heaters shouldn’t be used on extension cords, if you have a high efficiency furnace check your exhaust outside for a build-up of ice. With the continuing short days and long nights, if you enjoy using candles make sure you don’t place them near combustible materials and never leave them unattended.
If you are interested in joining the fire department you can find us at 7 p.m., Mondays at the fire hall, 112 Turnbull Avenue.
Clear that puck! ... Biggar U11 Nationals hosted the Macklin Mohawks at the Jubilee this past Sunday. While the game didn’t go the Nats way with the ‘Hawks taking a pretty convincing win, the hometown squad still played their hearts out for a pretty entertaining battle. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
KC Rescue is a volunteer-run charity specializing in rehoming strays and feral cats that opened June 2001 in Unity. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Fanterra Fisher)
Wake up Ottawa! Free trade is dead
by Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director, AgriFood Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University
The looming tariffs against Canadian and Mexican exports to the United States are not just another round of trade skirmishes. They may well signal the beginning of the end for Bretton Woodsera multilateralismthe rules-based global trade order that has underpinned international commerce since 1944.
Now that Donald Trump is back in the White House, his administration is doubling down on policies that favour economic nationalism, marking a definitive departure from global trade as we know it.
For Canada, this shift is seismic. American tariffs on Canadian and Mexican products, including agri-food exports, could dismantle what remains of the Comprehensive United States-MexicoCanada Agreement (CUSMA).
Trump sees trade as a zero-sum game, believing the U.S. has been taken advantage of for decades. The imposition of tariffs is not about fixing a broken system - it’s about reshaping the global trade order to bolster American industries, gain negotiating leverage, and appeal to his political base. Even if Canada retaliates with 500 per cent tariffs, it would be
by Gerry Chidiac, Troy Media
When speaking in Nova Scotia in 1937, Marcus Garvey, a descendant of people who had been brutalized by forced labour in Jamaica, said, “We’re going to emancipate ourselves from mental slavery because while others might free the body, none but ourselves can free the mind.”
Viktor Frankl came to a similar conclusion while enduring the brutality of a Nazi concentration camp. He said, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Their words remain profoundly relevant. We are facing uncertain times. U.S. President Donald Trump is nothing if not unpredictable. He has made alarming remarks about annexing Canada, Panama and Greenland,
irrelevant to Trump’s calculus. The objective is power - exercising it, consolidating it, and using it to rewrite trade relationships on U.S. terms.
Since the signing of CUSMA in 2020, Canada has operated under the assumption that trade relations with the U.S. would remain relatively stable. But with tariffs now being used as a key policy tool, expect a shift toward bilateral agreements where the U.S. dictates terms to individual nations rather than negotiating in multilateral forums.
In such a scenario, Canada’s bargaining power weakens significantly. The U.S. market is the backbone of Canada’s agricultural exports, with nearly 60 per cent of total agrifood exports destined for American consumers. A tariff war would force Canadian producers to absorb higher costs, pass them on to consumers, or search for alternative markets - none of which are ideal outcomes.
For Canadian farmers and food processors, the impact is immediate and brutal. Higher tariffs on products like beef, pork, produce and grains erode competitiveness in the U.S. market, shrinking margins for producers already grappling with inflation, labour shortages and supply chain
floated sweeping tariffs on all imported goods, and begun rolling back protections for vulnerable groups, most notably the transgender community. Whether these policies materialize or not, their intent is clear: consolidation of power, division among people, and destabilization of the international order.
These policies are not without consequence. World leaders are already taking steps to protect their nations from his erratic decision-making. Some are negotiating new trade deals among themselves, while others are reducing their dependence on the American dollar. Many are looking to the BRICS alliance - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - which seeks to counterbalance U.S. economic dominance and provide an alternative to Western financial influence. The world is shifting, and fast.
disruptions. The agri-food sector, which has thrived under integrated North American supply chains, must now recalibrate.
Alternative markets in Europe and Asia offer some opportunities but come with logistical challenges and regulatory hurdles that make them far less attractive than the U.S. The notion that Canada could simply pivot away from the American market is a fantasy - the economic and geographic realities dictate otherwise. Meanwhile, Mexico, facing similar tariffs, could turn to other partners like China, deepening the divide between North America’s economies.
The most concerning aspect of this shift is how ill-prepared Canadian policy makers appear to be. There is little indication Ottawa fully grasps the scale of the transformation underway. Instead of scrambling to counteract tariffs with proactive trade diplomacy, Canadian leaders cling to a multilateralism that Trump’s policies are designed to dismantle. Retaliatory tariffs, though politically necessary, are a blunt instrument that won’t deter Washington from its broader objective: reshaping trade to serve U.S. interests first and foremost. With tariffs becoming the norm rather than
Of course, global powers also fear U.S. military aggression. The U.S. and its allies have carried out aerial bombardments in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and other regions - actions that, under international law, could be classified as war crimes. Yet, despite the destruction, these campaigns have largely failed to achieve their military goals. Worse, they have significantly eroded America’s diplomatic standing, as fewer nations are willing to trust a government that claims to promote democracy while waging endless wars.
Even within the United States, unrest is growing. Many of Trump’s measures are being met with mass protests and legal challenges.
This is why the wisdom of Garvey and Frankl is so important now. In times of upheaval, it is easy to look to institutions and governments for stability. But what happens when
the exception, CUSMA itself could become obsolete. Trump has long viewed NAFTA - and, by extension, CUSMA - as a bad deal for the U.S. His administration is likely to seek to replace it with one-on-one agreements, where the U.S. can leverage its economic might to extract concessions from Canada and Mexico individually. The days of structured dispute resolution and trade predictability may be numbered. While external trade threats loom, Canada must also confront the economic inefficiencies within its own borders. Interprovincial trade barriers remain a selfinflicted wound that weakens the country’s
they prove untrustworthy?
That is when we must turn inward - toward what we know to be true within ourselves. So how do we free our minds and effectively choose our way? We focus on principles, not institutions or leaders. Institutions fail. Leaders change. But the principles that guide us - truth, humility and respect for all who share this earth - will not. If we remain committed to seeking truth, we will keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles placed in our path.
And if we live in this spirit of integrity, we will also see contradictions for what they are. This is important because those who seek control often use manipulation and deception to maintain power. If we know our own minds, we will recognize what is untrue.
One clear example of media manipulation is
INDEPENDENT
economic resilience. While Ottawa scrambles to respond to U.S. tariffs, businesses still struggle to move goods freely between provinces due to archaic regulations. If Canada hopes to offset the damage of external trade shocks, it must first dismantle these internal obstacles. A unified, efficient domestic market is the best foundation for strengthening international trade partnerships.
The agri-food sector must prepare for a future where trade uncertainty is the status quo. Canadian producers will need to invest in diversification strategies, expanding into non-traditional markets - even if doing so is costly. Domestic policy
how Western institutions frame the Israel-Palestine conflict. In colonizing nations, political leaders and major media outlets discourage calls for equal human rights, often labelling them as partisan or even dangerous. We are told that calling for the protection of all human life is “taking sides.” We are told that one cannot love both Israelis and Palestinians, that one cannot love Jews, Muslims and Christians at the same time. We are told that certain statements are antisemitic when some people make them but perfectly acceptable when others do.
But for those who know their own minds, this sort of gaslighting - being told that we are not seeing what we clearly perceive - is completely ineffective.
Because when one has a personal sense of integrity, the choice is simple. One would rather face shortterm consequences than knowingly do what is
makers, meanwhile, must shift their mindset from damage control to proactive trade positioning. Simply reacting to U.S. tariffs won’t be enough - Canada must build stronger alliances beyond North America and push for new trade agreements that mitigate reliance on the U.S.
Trump’s tariffs are not just a policy shift but a fundamental restructuring of global trade dynamics. As Trump rewrites the rules of global trade, Canada cannot afford to react passively. Failing to adapt now will leave the economy permanently vulnerable.
wrong.
Not everyone embraces these principles. There will always be those who gain from manipulation and oppression. But what they fail to understand is that their tactics - targeting the vulnerable, sowing division, keeping people distracted - are predictable. And what is predictable does not endure.
The coming years will be difficult. But our greatest hope lies in freeing our minds, standing firm in truth, and refusing to let fear or deception dictate how we see the world - or how we live our lives.
Gerry Chidiac specializes in languages and genocide studies and works with at-risk students. He received an award from the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre for excellence in teaching about the Holocaust.
A dozen pillars of smoke, upholding the overcast. In blazing ruin bespoke, of the way that the tank had passed.
‘Till she came to her fate at last, in the sights of an 88!
Don’t ask that I should relate, the effects of an 88!
Ask any man in the corps, who drove on the fields of war.
And he can tell you the score, of the terrible 88!
Y.T. (Yours Truly) writes about stuff as though he knew all about everything. But don’t be fooled! There must be thousands of stories somewhere, describing that awesome weapon, and hundreds had been designed and manufactured long before
I ever heard of them!
Some of our weapons were pretty damn good but most of the weapons that the German Army used in the Second World War were far superior to what we had. Sometimes I wonder how in heck the Allies won the war! Maybe it was the people!
Infantry types were, of course, a lot more interested in the enemy small arms stuff like their Spadaus, Schmeissers and mortars, but the armoured regiments had very little to fear from them. Mr. Jerry had a four-foot piece of pipe with a turnip-type projectile that he fired at a tank from close up, but it was the 88-millimetre cannon that the tank men feared.
At one time they must have had hundreds, many mounted on the feared Tiger tanks. They tell me that a Tiger could engage a Sherman tank (ours) at over two-and-ahalf kilometres and still penetrate the 50.8- to 108-millimetre sloped armour. Whereas most of the guns the Allied tanks had couldn’t penetrate the 100-millimetre frontal armour of the Tiger at any range!
The 21-foot barrel
Federated
Co-op recognized for charitable giving by national organization
Federated Co-operatives
Limited (FCL) is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as a Caring Company from Imagine Canada’s PRISM Community Impact Company Network.
This is the eighth consecutive year that FCL has been honoured by the national charity advocacy organization.
“Investing in the communities we serve across Western Canada is a fundamental part of who we are as an organization,” said Meghan Gervais, FCL Vice-President, Health, Safety and Compliance.
“To receive the Caring Company certification for the eighth year in a row speaks to FCL’s continued commitment to giving back in meaningful ways on behalf of the CRS and our employees.”
During our 2023 fiscal year, we donated more than $8.7 million across
of the 88 had a muzzle velocity of 3,186-feet per second, and could cut through 164 millimetres of metal. Sherman tank gun range was much less than an 88 [Editors note: That was the Sherman M4 with a lowvelocity 75-millimetre. The British-modified Sherman Firefly, with a 76-millimetre highvelocity gun, redressed the range penalty]. Here is a brief description from page 440 of the book, “Guns of Normandy” by George Blackburn:
“Among the weapons sending projectiles this way, two are in contention for the title, ‘Most Demoralizing’ but for entirely different reasons: the ‘Moaning Minnie’ (mortar), because of the length and intensity of its blood curdling warning, and the 88 mm gun, because of the total absence of warning, with the final vote probably going in favour of the 88.
“The 88 mm shell, being faster than sound, flashes a paralyzing explosion before you hear it coming. Suddenly, with no warning, there’s a wicked ‘wham’ from a black airburst puff over a crossroad or
The 88
your position, followed instantaneously by a metallic screech, a chilling, banshee ‘yeeow!’ that could only be duplicated by a giant ripping asunder of a piece of boilerplate! And so, in rapid succession, its ‘Wham, yee - ow! Wham, yee - ow! Wham, yeeow!’ until Jerry decides he’s thrown enough over for the moment.
“The shocking crash of an 88 shell landing without warning beside a slit trench may be the cause of heart failure of those men found dead in trenches with not mark on them and whose deaths are usually attributed to concussion.”
It would almost be too gruesome to try and recount the amount of tanks that were victims of the 88, but they must have been in the hundreds, if not thousands.
The effectiveness of the 88, and not all tanks were knocked out by it, is again described by Blackburn in his book “Guns of Victory”, page 360:
“On February 28, two squadrons of the Grenadier Guards had only three tanks not disabled, 600 yards from the startline.” And again, the Fourth Armoured
Division on February 27 and 28 lost more than 100 tanks.
And yet again from page 225 of “Black Yesterdays”, the Argylls war:
“The 28th Armoured Regiment (the British Columbia Regiment) BCRs, attacked Hill 195 on August 10, and lost 47 tanks.”
And these are just in places where we happened to be! Like I said, there must be thousands!
Actually, according to the book, our own antitank guns were provided with tungsten-centred shells that could penetrate quite a bit!
It think it was maybe southeast of Calcar somewhere that we came on an abandoned 88 dug in behind a twofoot hedge, and it had an infrared light attached! It also had a special sight, too, so that they could see you at night and you couldn’t see them.
But 88 or not, they tell
Western Canada through programs such as Co-op Community Spaces, the FCL Community Investment Fund, Co-op Helps, and FCL Community Builders. It also includes our ongoing support of organizations like the Canadian Red Cross and the United Way, as well as in-kind food donations made by our Distribution Centres to local food banks.
Imagine Canada is a national charity advocacy organization that recognizes national leaders in community engagement and corporate giving. The Caring Company status is given to companies that donate an annual minimum of one per cent of their pre-tax profit to non-profit and charitable organizations. This total is in addition to donations made by local Co-ops within their communities.
us we still won the war! When I think of these things - let’s say the planning that went into producing 88s and other war units - it sometimes leads me to wonder what would happen if all that figuring went in to making society run better instead of building weapons!
I’m sure that I’m not the first to come up with this sentiment, and I don’t thin that Mr. Aristotle was either. But one would think - and sometimes I wonder if thinking really is the long suit of some governments - that over the centuries someone would come up with a better solution to societies malfunctions than pointing an 88 at it. I guess that if we want to check on any progress being made along this line of thought, we should check with the military and see if they’re going to strike for higher wages or cut their budget a little!
Bob Mason
Notes
by Frank Cox
In the heart of the city, under the neon glow and the smoky haze, there is a labyrinth of shadows, where the dim bulbs flicker like dying fireflies, casting long, elongated shadows on the worn-out floorboards.
The air was thick with whiskey and secrets, a perfume of lies, broken dreams and illicit desires that had soaked into the very fabric of the building.
The clock’s hands crept around the dial, each tick a drumbeat in a symphony of anticipation.
The jukebox hummed softly in the background, a mournful serenade that echoed the sorrow of the souls within. Smoke coiled through the air, entwining itself with the orange glow of the ceiling lights, creating a murky tableau
of mystery and intrigue.
At the entrance, a figure stood, silhouetted against the glow of the setting sun. She was a vision, a miracle, a sin, all wrapped in a scarlet dress that danced around her like a crimson serpent. Her long cigarette holder dangled from her hand, a slender black staff for a goddess who ruled over the hearts of men, commanding fear and passion in equal measure, a primal desire that was impossible to resist.
This was no ordinary dame, this was a creature of dreams and fantasy.
A real doll - half Barbie, half voodoo.
Her eyes, the colour of molten gold, were like twin suns, casting a golden glow over the crowd. Each man in the bar was a moth, drawn to her flame, blinded by her beauty, ensnared in her web. She was a temptation, a promise, a danger - a woman who could break a man’s heart or make his wildest dreams come true, all with a single glance. In a sea of monochrome hues her dress was a burning rocket, bold as a sunset and vibrant as a pool of fresh blood.
A Real Doll
As she stepped through the door, the restless atmosphere hung thick in the air, humming with tension like a live wire, pulsating like a heartbeat. The room fell silent, save for the clink of glasses and the steady tick of the clock. The world outside faded away; all that mattered was her, the woman who could charm a snake, enchant a king, and leave a man begging for more.
The barkeep, a grizzled old man who’d seen more than his fair share of sirens, angels, and devils, watched her approach. He knew better than to get caught up in her spell; he’d seen too many good men lose everything to her. But he couldn’t help but admire her, to marvel at her beauty, to wonder what secrets lay hidden behind those golden eyes. She took her seat, the bar stool creaking beneath her weight, and ordered a drink. The barkeep, a man who could make a martini as smooth as silk and as strong as a sledgehammer, mixed her drink with a flourish.
As she sipped her drink, the room slowly came
alive. The music picked up, the laughter grew louder, and the air was charged with an energy that was almost tangible. The men in the bar, like moths to a flame, flocked to her side, offering her compliments and empty promises.
But she paid them no mind, her gaze locked on the door, her heart beating in time with the ticking clock. She was waiting for someone, someone she loved, someone she couldn’t live without. The hours passed, and the crowd thinned, but she remained, her golden eyes a promise of things to come.
Through the night the clock struck the hours and the woman remained at the bar, her golden eyes filled with tears, her heart heavy with pain and regret. He was not here, her true love, her soulmate, the one man who could make her whole.
She waited there, her cigarette holder clutched tightly in her hand, her gaze locked on the door. But as the first light of dawn crept over the city, she realized that he was not coming. He had
abandoned her, left her to face the world alone, to face the darkness that threatened to consume her.
With a heavy heart she stood up from the bar stool, the sound echoing through the emptying bar. She took one last look around, her eyes taking in the sights, the sounds, the memories of the night before. And then, with a grace that belied the pain in her heart, she turned and walked away.
The streets were empty, the air cold and still, the sky tinged with the first light of dawn. She walked, her steps slow and heavy, her heart aching with every beat. She didn’t know where she was going, what she was going to do, but she knew that she couldn’t stay in the city, in the bar, in the world that had betrayed her.
She walked for hours, her red dress a beacon in the shadows, her golden eyes filled with tears. The city, the buildings, the people, the noise all melted into the darkness that surrounded her. She could feel the cold seeping into her bones, the pain spreading through her heart, closing in around her.
But still she walked, her steps slow and steady, her gaze fixed on the horizon. She didn’t know where she was going, but she knew that she couldn’t go back, couldn’t face the world that had betrayed her, couldn’t face the darkness that threatened to consume her.
As the sun began to rise, the first light of dawn breaking through the darkness, she stopped. She stood there, on the edge of the city, her red dress a splash of colour against the grey sky, her golden eyes filled with tears. She looked out over the horizon, her heart heavy with pain, her soul aching with loss.
She took one last deep breath, her chest rising and falling with the rhythm of her tears, her heart beating in time with the ticking clock. And then, with a final, heart-wrenching sigh, she turned and walked away, disappearing into the dawn, leaving behind only the echo of her footsteps. And the memory of her golden eyes.
Frank Cox Humble Opinion
Canadians rally against American tariff bully
Calvin
Daniels Agriculture
by Calvin Daniels
If there is one positive from U.S. president
Donald Trump - and it is highly likely history will show scant few positives from his second term in office - it’s that his ridiculous notion
of Canada becoming an American state is creating an increased level of nationalism in this country.
Now Canada has long been a voice of reason in, and supportive of the larger world. We do a rather admirable job in many cases of not simply navel-gazing with an eye to being self-serving above all.
A look at what Trump is doing in the US, in his yes scant days in power, brings into rather sharp focus what that inwardlooking philosophy can create and it is not pretty. We in Canada have
largely aspired to be better world participants, while still creating a nation open to all. That of course seems so simple when one remembers beyond First Nations people we are all from immigrant stock - moving to Canada in hopes of a better life at some point in our family history.
It’s a fact Trump chooses unfortunately to ignore.
So now as we face ridiculous trade tariffs imposed by a president for what seems spite and little more, amid his talk of a 51st state, Canadians are rallying.
Imagine an issue with Liberal Jean Chretien and conservative Stephen Harper on the same page - that Canada is a sovereign nation, will remain so, and is a pretty good place to boot.
Social media is busy with posts about having pride in our country, and in buying Canadian because we have been drawn into a trade war with a bully - retaliatory tariffs are a must because reasoning with a bully rarely works.
As a co-worker noted last week, why have we not always looked, as consumers, for made in
Valentine’s Day and Flowers
by Patricia Hanbidge, Orchid Horticulture
The art of floral design is a very proud form of art that has been around for thousands of years.
The diversity of style is amazing and will reflect a variety of social, religious and cultural trends. It is a part of social interactions, of interior design and is very important in relationships and for enhancing the overall quality of our lives.
Working with flowers is fun but also brings a dimension to our life that is purely pleasing. Having a bad day - then make a bouquet! Feeling sad - bring some joy to your life by working with a bunch of flowers that smile for you!
Flowers are both beautiful and functional. We enjoy their colour, their scent and often forget that the real significance of a flower from the plants’ perspective is to provide a means of reproduction. Flowers have played a role in many cultures throughout the years, symbolizing an identity, a goal or aspiration and even may have special religious significance.
We also mark special days with flowersbirths, deaths, weddings and a host of other special occasions to give thanks, to say “I love you” or to just say I am thinking about you. In fact, individual types of flowers have been given special meanings which you may consider when you are giving flowers as a gift.
The floral industry itself is huge. It is a multibillion dollar industry that brightens our lives at every special holiday and event in our lives. It does make a great contribution to our economy and provides a host of employment opportunities.
Valentine’s Day which is February 14 is one of the busiest days for florists, candy shops, lingerie shops and restaurants. It is “expected” to give and receive flowers, chocolate, to go for a romantic date and more!
During Victorian times, flowers were given special meanings and small bouquets would be given to sweethearts to demonstrate love. The rose has been forever a symbol of love, beauty and peace and evidence of cultivation of roses dates back to over 5,000 years ago. Over Valentines over 250 million roses will be harvested and bring in over two billion dollars in sales!
If you received cut flowers from your valentine, then here are a few tips to prolong their life and beauty. Begin with a clean vase. If your container was previously used, then wash it with hot, soapy water to remove any debris and destroy bacteria and fungi that might shorten the life of your cut flowers.
Cut off the bottom halfinch of your flowers to aid in water uptake. Ensure all foliage is removed beneath the water line. When your flowers begin to wilt, just give them a quick recut to ensure the stems are able to take water up to the blooms and rewash and refill the vase with clean water as well as more of the floral preservative if you have some.
Cut flowers are not the only option as there are also many potted plants now available everywhere. It is impossible to walk into any grocer without being greeted by flowering potted plants of every colour and type. Remember that our homes are not really welcoming to plants that would normally live in areas with brighter light and higher humidity. Our plants in our houses are stressed during our long winter months so ensure you are giving them the care they deserve for brightening up our lives!
Hope your February is going well and your heart
Canada labels. It seems pretty straight forward. If it’s made here a Canadian is being paid to make it.
Yes, I have written agriculture-related material for more than 35-years now, I am keenly aware we need to export products.
And, if we have reasonable and fair access to those export markets, then as a nation we should fully export to allow fair and reasonable access to import goods.
That however, does not stop consumers from checking labels, and when prices are comparable, choosing to support
Canadian business. We are aware how most communities want residents to buy locally when possible because it supports local activities in many ways.
Buying Canadian simply supports a broader community - the community of Canada - that we call home, and right now that is a positive thing to do. It’s not perfect to be sure, but even a brief peek across the 49th parallel in recent days, and we know in our hearts we are pretty darned good in comparison.
is full with all of what gives us joy during our winter!
Patricia Hanbidge is the Lead Horticulturist with Orchid Horticulture. Find us at orchidhort.com e-mail at hort.com; on facebook @orchidhort tagram at Tune into GROW Live on our Facebook page book.com/orchidhort check out the Youtube channel GROW com/channel/UCzkiUp kvyv2e2HCQlFl0JyQ?
Advertising doesn’t cost, it pays!
Kim Gartner, MLA
Kindersley - Biggar Constituency Unit #5 1001 Main Street
Kindersley, SK S0L 1S0
Phone: 1-306-463-4446
Fax: 1-306-463-4449
Toll Free: 1-833-463-4446
kgartnermla@outlook.com
The Saskatchewan Traveller ... Nova Scotia Edition by Trudy and Dale Buxton Travelling up the valley on the old Number 1 is always a pleasant drive. If you are not in a hurry to go somewhere then this is the drive.
What is nice about this old highway is the number of farms and houses that you go by. You soon realize how diversified this area is. There are many home-grown crops, mainly fruits and vegetables, but there are many different kinds of farms and acreages. If the season is right, many of
DEADLINE
MONDAY 5 P.M.
the owners have roadside stands where you are able to take advantage of the fresh produce and usually able to purchase cheaper than at the grocery store.
We soon come to the community of Kingston/ Greenwood.
Kingston and Greenwood are separate communities but share the same highway exit and telephone exchange.
Kingston sits on land that was once owned by Bishop Inglis, the first Anglican Bishop of Nova Scotia, that was granted to him by the Nova Scotia government in 1790.
In the early 1800’s Bishop Inglis sold off much of the land as farm parcels and the created small community that came out of that was called Bloomfield.
Bloomfield changed its name to Kingston Station in 1868 when the mainline of the railroad passed through the community. With the railroad, the community became the local service and manufacturing centre.
the CP-140 Aurora and the CP-140A Arcturus aircraft which are anti-submarine and surveillance aircraft that fly the shores of Nova Scotia.
CFB Greenwood is also a first response 911 base in search and rescue and a forward deployment base for the CF-188 Hornet fighter jet.
The Air Force base today under CFB Greenwood is the largest airbase in Atlantic Canada and the largest employer in the area. CFB Greenwood is still very valuable for the air defences of Canada in Eastern Canada.
the Greenwood Mall which houses many retail stores and is a draw for many communities that surround Kingston/ Greenwood.
One of the major festivals in Kingston is the annual Steer BBQ, where they take the entire steer and roast it. This tradition has been going on for almost 60 years and features many day activities and a parade.
Just minutes away over along the Bay of Fundy coast in the community of Margaretsville, which offers a quiet seaside retreat to relax and enjoy the beauty of the area.
In the 1940’s the Royal Air Force came to the area and set up a Commonwealth Air Training Centre. Later the base came under control of the Royal Canadian Air Force and was named RCAF Station Greenwood and held that name until 1968 when is was renamed CFB Greenwood. In 1997 CFB Greenwood was designated as one of the 11 operational wings in Canada and was designated as 14 Wing Greenwood.
The primary operation of the base is the use of
The name Greenwood came from the bounty of pine trees that covered the area.
The population of the present-day communities is around 7,200 people, with most of the population tied to CFB Greenwood.
One of the major features of the area is
Margaretsville is noted for a sailing ship called Spray which was built by a local boat builder, Mr. Moody, and was later sailed by Joshua Slocum, who made a famous solo journey around the world.
Stay tuned next week as we continue with more in Nova Scotia.
Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Margaretsville, Nova Scotia
Quinn Minute - Valentine’s
by Rix Quinn
Millions celebrate February 14 by giving flowers, candy, and cards to express romantic love. And some buy presents for their spouses, too.
Yes, Valentine’s Day offers ladies the opportunity to declare affectionate thoughts with a lovely card. Many men, however, know they should spend a lot of money, or else they might experience discomfort.
In ancient times, prehistoric man gave his
girlfriend a practical gift - like a goat - to show admiration. His girlfriend and her family could feed from it. This was called “milking a compliment.”
It’s speculated that Valentine’s Day originated 2500 years ago as Lupercalia, a festival to honour the god Lupercus with a lottery. Young ladies put their names in a giant container, and young men randomly drew a partner. At the end of a year, if the man wasn’t either married
or dead, he could draw for a different partner. About this same time, the cardgiving tradition started too. Postage was really cheap back then, because air mail was delivered by pigeon. Today, just about everybody celebrates Valentine’s Day. Elementary school children exchange cards with classmates.
Middle schoolers write anonymous notes to their secret crushes. Older teens might bestow presents,
Adding to our collection
by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery
Our Dollar Store family returned from visiting family in India over the holiday season. They brought the museum gifts from their journey.
They brought dolls dressed in the national dress of the state where they were in India, Gujarart. Thank you, Mehul and family ... these will take pride of place in the Cultural Mosaic display cabinet in the museum. This exhibit displays dolls dressed in national dress from countries our community members have come from. We are still looking for
Dollar Store owner, Mehul Patel, shows off two of the dolls he recently acquired from recent trip to India. The local business owner donated them to the Museum and Gallery for their Cultural Mosaic display. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of the Biggar Museum and Gallery)
many more dolls wearing national dress from Pakistan, Bolivia, Columbia, and any other country not already represented in our exhibit.
Day
kisses, or mononucleosis. If you’re a guy, here are three hints:
1.) Buy your girlfriend a corsage.
2.) Pick out a real mushy card for her. Look for romantic messages full of words like “sweet,” “love,” or “honey.” Avoid rhymes that contain the words “contagious” or “burp.”
3.) Finally, take her to a nice restaurant for dinner. But go indoors, don’t use the drive-through.
25022DS0
Did you know there used to be a salt mine near us?
by Delta Fay Cruickshank
for the Biggar Museum and Gallery
Not the type of salt we sprinkle on popcorn or a garden-fresh tomato, but sodium sulphate. It was near the village of Palo, near Landis.
Popcorn salt is sodium chloride. A big difference apparently, because sodium sulphate is used in laxatives, in the production of glass, detergents, pulp and paper and in agriculture. It is also used to improve soil structure and helps plants to absorb nutrients, enhancing crop yields. The term used for the product was Glauber’s Salt.
I looked up Palo Mine on Google and found some information on Wikipedia and even a YouTube video from Hometown Saskatchewan. I even found some information on Prairie’s Past Facebook page.
I invited a local man, John Caleo into the museum. John worked at the mine for 42 years!
We had a lovely chat in our kitchen, and he filled in the gaps of what I had learned about Palo Mine from Internet searches.
John brought in a couple of brochures to help explain the history of the mine. It was originally opened and operated under the Millar Western Industries Ltd. The owner of the company back in the ‘30’s was J.W. Millar who had been a blacksmith in North Battleford. He got interested in forestry and ended up investing in the forestry industry and moving to Edmonton with his family.
A few days later, just by chance, a Landis woman, Val Wheaton, came in and was able to broaden my search. She directed me to the Landis Record history books and there were good write ups on Midwest Chemicals Limited, and the village of Palo. There had been a town out there, a train station, a store and even a school. The school
opened in 1914 and closed in 1960 when the students then took a bus to Landis. The school in Landis is closed now.
Palo Mine was on the shore of Whiteshore Lake. Interest for the white residue on Whiteshore Lake came from people in North Battleford. During the First World War (1914-1918) they took out alkali leases issued by the Dominion Government. They hoped to find potash for making gunpowder. They didn’t find potash, but the sodium sulphate in the water had its own uses.
In 1930 after Ottawa transferred all mineral rights to the provincial government, the individual leases were gathered up into a company called Whiteshore Salts and Chemicals. They sold 20 tons of Glauber’s Salt (sodium sulphate).
In 1931 a group of businessmen formed Canadian Salines Ltd. And in 1932 it built a plant at the site. Unfortunately, this plant did not work, and the company went bankrupt. In 1934 two original members of the bankrupt company, Park and Millar made their own company called Western Construction Company. They built a new plant that was successful. By 1934 the Midwest Chemical Ltd was formed and capitalized in the extraction of the salt from the water. The new system used the solution method for the extraction of the salt.
The crystals of salt are embedded under the water in Whiteshore Lake. They begin to dissolve as the temperatures rise in the summer. This causes the “baume” to reach the required concentration of salt to water. Then the water is pumped into manmade ponds up to a depth of 14 feet. This procedure can take 400 to 450 hours of pumping. Once it gets cold, in late November, the water is run back into the lake. This leaves the salt
John Caleo, 28 years ago, on his machine. This is showing the other side of the machine used to shovel the salt ready to transport by rail to pulp and paper companies.
crystals left on the bottom of the ponds, three to four feet deep! This “salt cake” is then moved out with heavy equipment and loaded into railway cars or trucks. The salt from Whiteshore went mainly to the pulp and paper industry and used in the bleaching process of making paper.
Caleo’s job was to move that salt. He worked
Master YBC Provincial Tournament was held in Regina, February 2, and Biggar was represented well by four teams. Fourth place finish in Bantams are, left to right, Harlan Tilsley, Jason Raschke and Ashton Kramer.
outside operating the huge piece of equipment removing the salt from the bottom of the ponds. One end was a giant shovel, the other end giant ‘fork’ to break up the top layer of hardened dried salt. Must have been a cold job if the cab of his vehicle wasn’t heated! Many people worked at the mine near Palo for years. There were
Fourth place finish for Juniors, left to right, Dominic Raschke, Yvonne Markewich and Peter Olson.
Biggar Bowlers do well in Master Tourney
11th Place Juniors,
10th place in Seniors,
(Submitted Photos)
houses out there, a store, a school, a train station. There’s not much out there now. I’ve been out there in the past years, there is a nice rest/picnic area there, in recognition of a man, Reg Whitfield, who died in the mine years ago. Our area is full of small towns and enterprises that were so successful in the past. Have you
heard of Oban, Vance, Gagenville ... so much history, so many stories of men and women coming from all over the world to raise their families and make a living. But, the one thing that is constant is change and these places and families move on and make history somewhere else.
Palo Mine near Landis, June 5, 1997. Draining the salty water from Whiteshore Lake into manmade ponds in the warm weather. John Caleo, who worked at the mine for 42 years, dropped in and shared information and pictures with us. (Photos for The Independent courtesy of John Caleo)
Millar Western Palo Mine, near Landis, June 8, 1997. In late November, the water is pumped back into the lake and heavy equipment is used to break up the salt left in the ponds.
left to right, Kiersten Raschke, Xander Hebert and Jesse Bourk.
left to right, Tegan Mcleod, Hanna Keefe and Marilyn Moon Miller.
Penton on sports
If Connor McDavid is any indication, National hockey League players from the four countries involved in the Four Nations Face Off are excited for a chance to show their skills in a best-on-best event, with national pride and bragging rights on the line.
Coaches and general managers around the league, meanwhile, are watching with a touch of anxiety as their players risk injury in an exhibition setting with the all-important Stanley Cup playoffs just around the corner.
McDavid, who was the NHL’s No. 1 draft pick in 2015, has played in neither an Olympics or a World Cup as a member of a Canadian team, although he was a member of Team North America (a 23-andunder squad) in the 2016 World Cup. With Canada
by Phil Heilman Playoffs have started in the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL), with all three series’ beginning this weekend.
The five seed Macklin Mohawks and four seed Edam 3 Stars started their best of five series Thursday night in Edam, with the home team winning 2-1.
Carson Pickett scored the lone goal of the first period, with the crowd needing to wait until the 15:24 mark of the second period for a goal of their own. That goal came off the stick of SWHL scoring champion Keegan Tiringer, with Tiringer scoring again in the third (on the power play). His second of the night turned out to be the game winner.
Trevor Martin took the loss stopping 33 of 35 shots, while Taryn Kotchorek stopped 25 of 26 shots in the win.
In Game 2 of the series in Macklin on Saturday
NHL stars excited for best-on-best ‘Faceoff’
committed to taking part in the 2026 and 2030 Olympic Games, McDavid will experience more than his share of top-level international hockey and says the Four Nations event, running Feb. 12-20, is a “good teaser.”
Played in Montreal and Boston, the tournament is a straightforward single round-robin, with the top two teams meeting in the championship game in Boston on Feb. 20. The four nations taking part are Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland, which offers fans a stellar group of stars but leaves out many of today’s best players - no Germans like Leon Draisaitl or Tim Stutzle, no Russians like Nikita Kucherov or Kirill Kaprizov, no Czechs like David Pastrnak or Martin Necas, no Swiss like Roman Josi and no Dane like Nikolaj Ehlers. But the lineups of the four teams are nonetheless stacked and picking Canada’s team, for instance, meant that a number of great players will stay home - or jet off for a vacation in Mexico or the Bahamas - while their colleagues are wearing the Maple Leaf. So who will win? Most experts suggest it will come down to the U.S. vs. Canada for the title, with
the Swedes and Finns also-rans. McDavid says he’s excited about finally getting to play with his boyhood hero, Sidney Crosby, who, at the age of 37, is still putting up outstanding numbers for Pittsburgh Penguins. But in tournaments such as this, the most important player on the ice is usually the goaltender and this is where the U.S. shines.
In Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets (but born, unfortunately for Canadians, in Michigan) the goalie’s skill in stopping pucks could be the difference. In fact, in pains me as a Canadian to point out that overall, the American lineup appears to be stronger.
McDavid, meanwhile, is giddy about playing on the same team as Crosby for a week, with something other than a silly all-star game victory on the line. Playing at such a high level at Crosby’s age is amazing, said McDavid.
“It’s unbelievable,” McDavid told the Globe and Mail. “Everything that he’s done for the game, everything that he’s accomplished, and the fact that he’s still playing hockey and playing at such a high level, it’s incredible.
• Globe and Mail columnist Cathal Kelly, on Auston
Matthews: “Matthews gets those weird-butnot-weird-enough RBC ads that some manager somewhere should be fired for.”
• Arpon Basu, on Bluesky. social: “Patrik Laine’s ability to play at 33 rpm when everyone else is playing at 45 rpm and still almost never lose the puck continues to amaze me.”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, after complimenting slugging outfielder and new Blue Jay Anthony Santander on his hitting: “But he makes George Bell look like a gold glover in left field and he runs the bases with all the acumen of Alejandro Kirk.”
• Jack Finarelli of sportscurmudgeon.com, on perhaps expanding the 11-game college football playoff schedule: “An 11-game tournament generated a bazillion dollars of revenue and those powers-that-be have already figured out that a 15-game tournament will generate more than a bazillion dollars.”
• Hall-of-Famer Ichiro Suzuki on his leastfavourite place to play baseball: “To tell the truth, I’m not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to. If I ever saw myself saying I’m excited
going to Cleveland, I’d punch myself in the face, because I’m lying.”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe.com: “Max Scherzer, who turns 41 this summer, just signed a one-year contract valued at $15.5 million with the Toronto Blue Jays. Well, the way the U.S.A. is going maybe Max wanted to play in a country that has Medicare.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen, on Edmonton fans’ protest over the Connor McDavid suspension: “I can understand the protest, but the candlelight vigil was a bit much.”
• Rolfsen again: “What’s with all those people jammed into Taylor Swift’s box at the Chiefs’
game? You’d think she could afford her own suite. It looks like she’s watching the game from a Tokyo subway car.”
• Humorist Brad Dickson of Omaha, on allegations of officiating favouritism toward Kansas City Chiefs: “On Valentine’s Day the K.C. Chiefs and a group of NFL referees will be having a romantic dinner.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “Jayden Daniels lost a shoe during the Commanders’ first drive in the playoff versus the Eagles. I think Kenny Rogers would say it best: ‘You picked a fine time to leave me loose heel.’”
• Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca
RM of Reford No. 379 Land Lease Opportunity 75 Acres Available
Prime agricultural land for lease. 75 acres of fertile land located in the RM of Reford No. 379. Ideal for farming.
Lease Details:
•Size: 75 acres
•Location: SE-05-39-19-W3M
•Lease Term: Flexible
•Closing Date: February 21, 2025
For more information, please contact the office at 306-843-2342 or administrator@rmofreford.com
Don’t miss this chance to secure this prime piece of land!
Sask West This Week
night, a very late surge gave the 3 Stars the 6-3 win.
Tyler Robertson (on the power play) and Cody Danberg traded goals in the opening frame. Connor Managre would give Edam the 2-1 lead, but Spencer Bast and Cody McKinnon would score to give Macklin the 3-2 lead. Danberg would tie the game up at 3 after 40 minutes. The game would stay tied all the way until the 1:40 mark, with Danberg’s hat trick goal giving Edam the 4-3 lead. Two short-handed and empty net goals from Jordan Fransoo and Joel Blaquiere sealed the victory.
Taryn Kotchorek secured the win, stopping 29 of 32 shots, while Trevor Martin stopped 26 of 30 shots in the loss. In Game 3 on Sunday, Macklin and Edam would lock horns again, with Edam completing the sweep with a 3-2 win.
Tyler Robertson and
Tyler Baier (on the power play) scored in the first to give Macklin the 2-0 lead. That held all the way to the third period where Brady Deobald and Jared Blaquiere would score within a minute of each other to tie it up at 2.
Joel Blaquiere would score at the 10:43 mark to take the 3-2 lead, which ended up being the game winner.
Trevor Martin stopped 39 of 42 shots in the loss, while Taryn Kotchorek secured the win, stopping 22 of 24 shots.
The three seed Kindersley Klippers and sixth seed Biggar Nationals fired up their best of five series Friday night in Kindersley, with the Klippers taking the 4-2 victory.
Markus Boguslavsky opened the scoring at the midpoint of the first period. This 1-0 lead held until the 15:58 mark of the middle frame, thanks to Taylor Bucsis’ power play goal. The game would
stay tied until the third period. Shayne Neigum would score twice within a three-minute span, once on the power play to give Kindersley the 3-1 lead.
Ryan Novacosky would cut the lead to 3-2, but a Johnny Calkins empty net goal would secure the win.
Brett Matlock took the loss, stopping 42 of 45 shots, while Logan Drackett stopped 31 of 33 shots in the win.
In Game 2 of the series, Biggar took it on the chin in an 8-3 loss to the same Klippers. Kindersley leads the series 2-0.
Shayne Neigum and Markus Boguslavsky each scored for a 2-0 Klippers lead after 20 minutes. The visiting scoring parade continued into the second period, with Aiden Bangs and Jaxon Georget giving the Klippers the 4-0 lead before Brett Novak would cut the lead to 4-1. Damon McKenzie and Jared Erickson would extend the lead up to 6-1 after 40
minutes. Carson Grolla would score on the power play for a 7-1 lead. Novak and Taylor Bucsis would cut the deficit to 7-3. Kyle Donaldson would round out scoring.
Logan Drackett stopped 27 of 30 shots for the win, while Brett Matlock stopped 43 of 51 shots in the loss.
The two seed Wilkie Outlaws and seven seed Unity Miners kicked off their best of five series Sunday night, with the Outlaws blowing them out 15-2.
Rory Gregoire, Derek Keller, Brett Boehm, Mitch Suchan, Mike Sittler and Ryan Keller (2) all scored for a commanding 7-0 lead after one period. Rick Cey, Brock Harrison and Brett Schell would score for a 10-0 lead before Colby Ralston would break up the shutout. Carter Acton would score after that to cut the lead to 10-2. Ryan Keller’s third of the night would open the lead back
up to 9 after 40 minutes. The former Grand Rapids Griffin would add his fourth of the evening, with Suchan, Harrison and Rick Cey piling on for the convincing win, Ryan Rewerts stopped two of six shots in 5:26 of playing time for the loss. Brett Vanderveer took over, stopping 39 of 50 shots in 54:34 of playing time. Jared Herle stopped 30 of 32 shots in the win.
Game 2 of this was played Tuesday night; Stats were unavailable at time of publishing
In the Senior ‘C’ Bracket, the Wilkie Outlaws hosted a short-handed Outlook Ice Hawks squad from the Sask Valley Hockey League in Game 1 of their best of three North quarter final. The Outlaws won handily 14-3.
Check the SWHL website for playoff and provincial updates.
Bruce Penton
Business & Professional …
Business & Professional …
SUDOKU
(Answers on Page 14)
BUY CANADIAN MADE GOODS
47. Pancakes from buckwheat flour
CLUES ACROSS
1. “The Las Vegas of the East”
6. Cook
10. Manning and Wallach are two
14. Chameleon
15. A way to fill up
17. What MLBers hope to play in
19. Unhappy
20. Indefinite period of time
21. Excites
22. Males
23. Mongol leader Genghis 24. Turfs
26. Soda comes in them
29. Not nice
31. Professional organization
32. Part of a play
34. Sea eagle
35. Emily Blunt’s character in “Sicario”
37. Beige
38. Mental sharpness
39. Valley
40. Alcyone’s husband
41. A place to gamble
43. Flightless Australian birds
45. Call out somebody’s name over a P.A. system
46. US spy group
49. Swiss river
50. Disfigure
53. Have surgery
57. Formal withdrawal
58. Early English council
59. Square measures
60. 2,000 lbs.
61. Siskel and __, critics CLUES DOWN
1. Mouths
2. Buffalo
3. You plug it in 4. Each
5. Largest English dictionary (abbr.)
6. King of Thebes
7. English name meaning “mythical hunter”
8. Indicates near
9. More herbaceous
10. Gas-powered cars need one
11. Dishonest individual
12. Systems, doctrines, theories
13. The woman
16. The whole of one’s holdings
18. Witnesses
22. Doctor
23. Paul __, Swiss painter
24. Kids look for him on December 24
25. Single
27. Competitions
28. Predict the future
29. Cage for trained hawks
30. Musician Clapton
31. Frozen water
33. Semiformal men’s evening attire
35. Most worn
36. Common soap ingredient
37. Former EU monetary unit
39. Provisions
42. Book parts
43. Republic of Ireland
44. Partner to “Pa”
46. Sammy __, songwriter
47. Dutch colonist
48. Clare Booth __, American writer
49. Solar disk in Egyptian mythology
50. Minute arachnid
51. From a distance
52. Monthly apartment cost
53. Young women’s association
54. Tourist destination
55. “Woman” in Ojibwe language
56. Pointed end of a pen
ARIES –
Mar 21/Apr 20
You’re in the mood to get things done this week, Aries. Your ambition is fueled and it is the perfect time to take charge and tackle overdue projects. Be careful not to rush things.
TAURUS –
Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, your focus shifts to personal growth and intellectual exploration this week. You might find yourself investigating travel plans or diving into new hobbies.
GEMINI –
May 22/Jun 21
CANCER –
Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, you may find you’re a bit more introspective than usual. Your emotions are running deep, and it is a key time for some self-reflection. Be mindful of insights coming your way.
LEO –
Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, it is a week of transitions for you. Something in your life may seem like it will come to an end soon, but this closing of one chapter is necessary for personal growth.
LIBRA –Sept 23/Oct 23
Think big this week, Libra. Try to see how your efforts can have an effect in the future and not just right now. There is an opportunity to expand your horizons.
SCORPIO –Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, your financial world is looking quite favorable this week. You might have an opportunity to solidify your position on a project or embark on a completely new path.
CAPRICORN –Dec 22/Jan 20
The quiet side of life takes over for the week, Capricorn. You might feel the need to reflect on recent experiences or recharge at home alone. Don’t hesitate to take a step back.
AQUARIUS –Jan 21/Feb 18
Your social life is booming right now, Aquarius. Networking events, group activities or spontaneous meet-ups are ways to connect with some like-minded individuals.
Money and other resources take center stage this week, Gemini. Whether you are reevaluating your investments or getting your finances in order, you may need to make a few tweaks.
VIRGO –Aug 24/Sept 22
Work and your career take center stage right now, Virgo. Since you’re in a productive phase, you will make great headway on projects that can really boost your resume.
SAGITTARIUS –Nov 23/Dec 21
The focus is on you this week, Sagittarius. If you have been feeling stuck or unsure, now is a great time to put new intentions into action. People will be drawn to your energy.
PISCES –Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, this week you are all about setting goals and following through with your plans. The universe is on your side right now, and you will find it is quite easy to succeed.
You are welcome to CHAPEL of HOPE Meeting at the Centennial Room at the Westwinds Motor Hotel Sundays at 10:30am Pastor Doug Motz Coffee & Refreshments provided
May 12, 1934 - January 18, 2024
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6,
Valentine was born near Arelee, SK on May 12, 1934, and died in Langham on January 18, 2024.
OBITUARIES
DIANNE YAROSHKO
March 12, 1930 - February 2, 2025
Valentine is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lucille (nee Shelton); daughter Gwendolyn Hrycak (Mark); son Timothy Kononoff (Shelley); grandson Dixon Hrycak (Meagan); sister Mavis Thiessen (Roland); brother Wallace Kononoff (Edith); brother Ben Kononoff (Jean); brother-in-law Joe Shelton (Elaine); and numerous nieces and nephews.å
St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330
REFLECTIONS
Dianne Yaroshko of Medicine Hat, Alberta, passed away on February 2, 2025, at the age of 94 years. Dianne was born March 12, 1930, on a farm near Biggar, Saskatchewan, and was raised on a farm north of Perdue. She is survived by her two daughters, Bonnie-Lou (Peter); and Della (Chris), her brother Walter, and extended family. She was predeceased by her husband John in 2012, parents John and Lucy Nevdoff in 1981, and brother John in 1964.
A private service will be held at a later date.
Tributes can be made to the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, 9 Lancaster Road, Moose Jaw, SK S6J 1M8.
Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 2V6.
Please call 1-866-526-2214 for further information.
St.Pauls Anglican Redeemer Lutheran 205 4th Ave. E 319 7th Ave. E
He is predeceased by his parents Victor and Kate Kononoff (nee Heichman); sister Marie Kononoff; brother-in-law Donald Shelton; and sister-in-law Judy Shelton.
A private graveside service will be held at Crocus Vale Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Langham Care Home PO Box 287 Langham, SK. S0K 2L0
by Rev. Daphne Bender, PALs
Paul Alois Kobelsky
Paul Alois Kobelsky
May 30, 1940 - February 8, 2019
May 30, 1940 - February 8, 2019
Remembered with Love and Missed by:
Remembered with Love and Missed by:
-Karen
-Karen
-Brad & Rachel, Olivia, Eve & Esmeé
-Trisha & Chad, Jace & Jared
-Shannon & Keira
13 [Jesus] left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, ... 14 so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ... 16 the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” 17 From that time Jesus began to proclaim, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4) I am waiting eagerly for spring.
-Brad & Rachel, Olivia, Eve & Esme
-Calvin & Erin, Kale, Ander & Jax
-Trisha & Chad, Jace & Jared
-Edna Leedahl
-Shannon & Keira
-Calvin & Erin, Kale, Ander & Jax
-Edna Leedahl
Why? Because right now the days still seem so short and the nights still seem so long. I like sunshine and light because they seem to brighten my mood. And when we have been living in increasing darkness since last June, I’m ready for the spring equinox when the reverse ratio of
darkness to light begins. We experience darkness in so many different ways.
As I have already mentioned there is literal darkness when the sun goes down, but there is also figurative darkness. We think of ourselves as being in the dark when we are confused or lack correct information about an issue in our lives. When we think of people on the margins of society - the poor, the ill, the uneducated - we mistakenly think of them as being in the dark.
Saturday Mass.......7:00p.m. Sunday Mass....... 11:00a.m. our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m. Biggar associated gospel church 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar
As we got into the season of Lent(preperation) for Easter, let’s dwell on the reason for Easter. The sacrifices of them old testament, were to cover the sins that mankind had done. However, it was necessary to have the sacrifices that would remove the sins and forgive them...So Mary was made pregnant by the spirit of God...He was to be the only sacrifices that could clear mankind from it’s punishment. Even from His birth our saviour was destined for death. Consider His gifts... Gold for for burial...33years healing, who the was never all Satin few led God these pain potty his (and
FEBRUARY 9 10:30am Regular Worship (St.Pauls) FEBRUARY 23 10:30am Regular Worship (St.Pauls) Rev. Daphne Bender Pastor’s cellular Phone: 1-306-621-9559 Office Phone: 306-948-3731 (Messages are forwarded to Pastor’s phone immediately) NEW BEGINNINGS
All Subscriptions have Expired
CHURCH
CALL THE INDEPENDENT
948-3344
As Christians, we equate the dark with our sin. There is one common thread to our experience of darkness. We need the light to come to us to cast out the darkness, because the light is always stronger than the darkness.
NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY
When Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, he
the power of death.
To this day and forevermore, there is no darkness in our lives that Christ Jesus cannot cast out. He is the light which brings us out of sin into new beginnings, out of sorrow into joy, out of sickness into wholeness.
May the God of light, shine in our lives today and always.
...In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope...1Pe 1:3 You are Invited Sunday Tea and Coffee -10:15am Worship - 10:30am NEW HORIZONS 117 3rd Ave. W, Biggar For more info - Philip Watson - 250-487-8476
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Automatic / 4x4
• Eruption Green Metallic
• 1.5L Ecoboost Engine
• Heated Front Seats
• FordPass Connect/Auto Start/Stop
• Remote Start / Power Moonroof
4 healthcare considerations for the new year
Now that the holidays are over, many of us are thinking about all the things we resolved to change for the new year. If “better health” is on your list for self-improvement 2025, here are four things you should know about. What is eczema?
Atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, is a chronic skin condition that, according to Eczema Society of Canada, affects 11 per cent of children and seven per cent of adults in this country. Its symptoms can range from mild dry, itchy skin to more severe widespread skin rashes, debilitating pain and psychological impacts. It is not contagious, and there is currently no cure. However, multiple medical treatments are available, ranging from moisturizing and skin care to prescription treatments.
Did you know that diabetes is linked to heart and kidney disease?
Type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of developing heart or kidney disease. Steps you can take to protect your health include regular medical screening for heart disease and kidney disease. Consuming a balanced, nutritious diet and getting regular exercise are other factors that reduce the risks of heart and kidney complications. Medications may also lower your risk of dying from heart problems and can help treat kidney disease. Is COVID here to stay?
With pandemic-era guidelines and restrictions widely removed across Canada, COVID-19 is still circulating and evolving. It’s important to remember that preventative measures, like vaccination, are highly
recommended. Even if you’ve received your initial COVID-19 vaccine in the past, protection wanes over time. Help protect yourself and others this fall - speak with a qualified healthcare professional or visit your local pharmacy about getting an updated COVID-19 vaccine. What is respiratory syncytial virus?
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, can affect the respiratory system, including the nose, throat and lungs. In most people, the virus will present like a cold, but in some people it can be dangerous because it can cause severe infections like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you don’t feel better after a week. You can also consider using a virtual care service to consult with doctors or nurse practitioners from the comfort of your home.
Tips to manage time more efficiently
Busy days tend to be productive days.
But when especially busy days are strung together, adults can begin to feel a little overwhelmed and may wonder if there’s anything they can do to make hectic schedules more manageable.
Time management strategies can be an effective tool in busy adults’ arsenals. Efficient time management can free up more minutes or hours in the day, which can ultimately afford adults more time to exhale and thus make each day seem a little less overwhelming.
Time management may require a little trial and error before adults find a formula that works for them, but the following are some tips to improve personal efficiency each day.
Identify tasks that can be tackled at night
A hectic start to a morning can set a bad precedent for the rest of the day. With that in mind, adults can identify tasks they can perform at night to ensure mornings are less hectic. Lay out clothes the night before to save the trouble of finding an outfit in the morning. Prepare the family’s lunches and even breakfasts the night
before so mornings go more smoothly.
Exercise in the morning
A recent study from the World Health Organization published in the Lancet Global Health Journal found that 31 per cent of adults don’t get enough exercise. Lack of routine physical activity has been linked to a host of negative health outcomes, including an increased risk for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and stroke. Adults who exercise at night may find that attempts to squeeze in early evening or nighttime workouts add to feelings of being overwhelmed brought on by busy schedules.
Exercising in the morning can free up time for other tasks in the evening, and doing so can even make it easier to manage daily stress, as the Mayo Clinic reports that exercise in any form releases endorphins and helps to relieve stress.
Minimize distractions
Distractions are arguably more prevalent than ever, as many adults feel nary a minute goes by without a smartphone notification and/or message from friends, family and co-workers. Minimizing those distractions and
resolving to tackle one task at a time can improve efficiency and reduce stress. Turn off smartphone notifications from apps that are not vital to work and family. During the workday, prioritize tasks each day and block off hours on your schedule so time can be devoted exclusively to the most important jobs. If hours on a schedule are left open, co-workers may schedule meetings that can make it difficult to complete necessary tasks.
Adjust as necessary
Flexibility is a must when making an effort to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Each day presents its own unique and fluid challenges, so remaining flexible can help busy adults overcome unforeseen obstacles. In addition, some time management strategies may not be effective for everyone nor useful every day, so it’s best to recognize the need to adjust from time to time.
Time management strategies can help busy adults efficiently manage each day and hopefully reduce instances when individuals feel overwhelmed.
