The Biggar Independent Volume 115 Issue 24

Although a cool weekend, it did not dampen the spirits of Biggar residents as the annual Town and Country Fair Days celebrated the area we proudly call home. A spectacular fireworks show on Friday evening kicked things off for the weekend, bringing many downtown for the Saturday morning parade, the kids carnival at the Third Avenue’s Buckingham Park, free swimming at the Aquatic Centre, Barracuda Swim Club’s dunk tank, various places to eat and have fun, all winding up on Sunday with Excell Tire’s Car Show. A fantastic weekend of reacquainting and reminding ourselves what a great place we all call home!

(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)

Green and Gold Entrepreneurs ... Biggar Central School 2000 Grade 7 students hit the gym, June 6 for their Powerplay Market, a program that lets students start a business and sell products. Students set up a marketplace on the afternoon, selling to fellow schoolmates. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Tributes pour in for Biggar’s Dorosh

The community of Biggar was saddened by the sudden death of Shay Dorosh.

The long-time resident was a caring and supportive Dad to his son, Jackson. He was a supporter of the community, lending a hand to anyone who was in need.

Rural and Remote Communities set to receive new Nurse Practitioner positions

Twenty-seven Nurse Practitioner (NP) positions have been created for the province, and Biggar is slated to benefit from the program that will bring them to rural and remote areas.

The new permanent NP positions in rural and remote areas are now available with applications being accepted until June 10, 2024. The province announced funding of $4.5 million in this year’s budget for the positions which are designed to increase access to primary care in underserved areas.

“Nurse Practitioners play a vital role in the Saskatchewan health care system, and add-

ing positions in rural and remote areas will help residents find the care they need closer to home,” Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Minister Tim McLeod said. “We look forward to seeing more Nurse Practitioners providing quality care in Saskatchewan communities.”

NPs are registered nurses with additional training to support a higher scope of practice, and working within a primary care team, can provide many of the same services as family physicians, including: advanced assessments, diagnosis, and treatment

of acute and chronic illness; ordering diagnostic tests; admitting and discharging patients; prescribing medications; and performing medical procedures and providing referrals to specialist services.

The Ministry of Health worked in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority and SANP to prioritize communities that require additional NP services.

In addition to Biggar, communities that can expect NP services as part of this initiative include: Fort Qu’Appelle/Balcarres, Indian Head, Yorkton, Esterhazy, Preeceville/ Kamsack/Canora, Este-

Biggar RCMP Report

by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment

This past week Biggar RCMP responded to 33 occurrences.

There continued to be a high number of complaints from the road resurfacing zone, from vehicles speeding to impatient drivers pass-

ing others following the safety rules. Five Tickets and 10 warnings were issued to motorists in the area for Traffic Safety violations.

An investigation into a vehicle versus pedestrian collision on Highway 14 was handed over to workers’ compensation

Biggar RCMP’s Cst. Stevenson prepares for the icy water at the Biggar Barracuda’s dunk tank during the Biggar Town and Country Fair Days. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment)

to complete the investigation into the work place injury. This incident was not in relation to any of the Traffic Safety violations reported in the work zone.

An iPhone was reported lost with a blue and green case, the owner would like to be reunited with it if found. Theft from a shed was reported in the northern part of the RM of Glenside. Someone stole chairs and solar lights from a trailer at the Biggar Campground - if anyone has any information of this theft, the owner would appreciate their property back.

A couple of buildings in town were tagged with some graffiti work, the investigation continues into looking for the artist.

Thirty-year-old Kim Paulson was arrested, charged and placed on

van, Lanigan, Melville, Weyburn, Kelvington, Lestock/Raymore, Hudson Bay, Cumberland House, Nipawin/Aborfield/Carrot River, Lakeland Area - Christopher Lake, Paddockwood, Wilkie, Meadow Lake/ Goodsoil/Loon Lake, Lloydminster, Herbert, North Battleford, Outlook, Turtleford/Edam/ St. Walburg, Maple Creek, Prince Albert.

The 27 additional positions will enhance and expand the use of NPs and enable health care teams to see more patients. There are currently 360 licensed NPs in the province.

no contact with the victim for mischief under $5,000 after smashing a vehicle window with a bong. They will appear in Biggar Provincial court on July 3, 2024. Great fireworks display put on by the town for the Biggar Fair Days - a few unscheduled displays were scene after the event but done in a responsible manner. Cst. Stevenson braved the cold water of the dunk tank on the cooler Saturday but it was great to see the sun make an appearance for the well attended car show on Sunday. Great Job by all planners and volunteers that made the events of the Fair Days a success.

A ball coach with Biggar Minor Ball, Shay’s team played Monday night, honouring the National supporter, fan and mentor. He would have wanted them to play. Local coaches and National members, said a few words before the game, honouring Dorosh. All Biggar Minor Ball players will be sporting helmet stickers in memory of Dorosh. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of his friends and family during this difficult time. A celebration of life will be held at the Biggar Community Hall, June 14 at 1:30 p.m.

Former Biggarite Kayla Hock talks about the Holocaust in Regina

Kayla Hock, formally of Biggar, was the guest speaker in Regina for an evening entitled “Resilience and Remembrance, an evening with a holocaust survivor”.

Kayla, who made Biggar her home for many years with husband, Lloyd Hock, Mayor of Biggar from 1971 to 1976 and then again from 1992 to 1997, was born October 16, 1930, in Romania along with her sister Fira to Miriam Wine and Luis Shaket.

Tensions arose in Romania in 1935 and Luis had moved to Columbia to start a new life for his family and in 1939 he sent for Miriam and the two children, but it was too late, they were captured and confined to a Nazi concentration camp in Murafa, Ukraine.

The three of them endured very harsh conditions for four years knowing that they were losing the war and that the Nazi’s had planned on murdering the rest of the Jews, for which graves were already dug.

The “Red Army” - the Russians - had arrived just in time to liberate the three in 1944.

The family happily returned to Khotin in Romania and then later settled in Fokshan.

Miriam, Kayla and Fira were issued passports in 1950 and made their way into Italy planning

to sail to Columbia to reunite with their father Luis.

Miriam, after hearing that Columbia was not safe to journey to, decided to instead immigrate to Canada where her brothers and sisters had preceded them.

They found their way to Saskatoon where Kayla met her husband Lloyd at a Jewish community dance in 1950, later getting married and eventually moving to Biggar.

After the passing of Lloyd, and in her retirement, Kayla moved to Saskatoon where she enjoys spending time with her three daughters, seven grandchildren and eight greatgrandchildren.

Reluctant over the years to talk about the Holocaust, Kayla says that the young people need to know what happened and that the story should not be forgotten.

In her Regina speech, Kayla spoke highly of her time spent in Biggar, and in recent years has shared her experiences, saying that we must not take our freedom for granted.

If you would like to hear a segment from Kayla on the CBC you can tune in to a program that was aired on June 2, 2024, sharing her experiences with Shauna Powers of the CBC.

How

alarmist influencers

by Joseph Quesnel, senior research fellow, Frontier Centre for Public Policy

Influencers fuelling climate panic with their extremist rhetoric are a danger to science-based public policy

Toronto Globe and Mail columnist Gary Mason recently penned a column titled The country is on fire. Pierre Poilievre doesn’t care. Columnists often don’t choose their headlines, but this one was drawn directly from Mason’s assertion about “the planet burning up.”

The Frontier Centre for Public Policy recently released my study on Canada’s looming threat of eco-extremism. It reveals how a distorted intellectual foundation on climate change fosters public fear and anxiety. Mason employed a familiar tactic: seizing on extreme weather incidents, like the recent forest fire near Fort McMurray, Alberta, and attributing them to climate change.

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading authority on climate science, presents

are distorting the climate debate

a nuanced and tentative view. In her wellresearched book Inconvenient Doubts, Joanne Marcotte outlines three key points about IPCC reports:

• They include varying degrees of confidence and probabilities, rarely mentioned by the media;

• Some statements refer to specific regions but are often generalized globally; and

• An extreme weather event becomes a disaster only if a region cannot respond effectively. Instead of providing nuance, Mason directly links the forest fire to climate change, calling it the “new normal.”

This reckless use of catastrophic language mirrors that of ideologues. The severity and intensity of heat waves attributed to climate change and their regional impacts are still being debated. Describing the earth as “burning” or “on fire” is unscientific and misleading.

Journalists, often lacking scientific training, adopt alarmist language from their surroundings. Politicians eager to push climate policies

resort to extreme rhetoric to generate urgency, while environmentalists abandon measured scientific language to build support and raise funds. Alarmism is so prevalent that prominent scientists criticize politicians and others for their language. Climate scientist Judith Curry, in her book Climate Uncertainty and Risk: Rethinking our Response, expresses concern about the current state of the debate. Scientists avoid terms like “burning planet” for good reason - it’s ideological and activist language.

Just Stop Oil, a British extremist group, demands a halt to new fossil fuel licensing and production, using their bodies to block roads and bridges. The group claims that new fossil fuel extraction “will kill our children and condemn humanity to oblivion” and that human-induced climate change “will destroy human civilization unless emergency action is taken.”

This rhetoric is far removed from scientific reality. Thankfully, this

group doesn’t operate in Canada, though groups like Extinction Rebellion, which engage in extreme acts like gluing themselves to objects, do. In 2022, anarchists motivated by “decolonization” rhetoric and extreme hatred towards the energy industry attacked a pipeline work-site in B.C. Extremist groups in Canada and abroad are normalizing attacks on energy infrastructure based on distorted beliefs.

“World on fire” rhetoric fuels this extremism. Mason also weaponizes the virtue of caring, suggesting

that because Poilievre doesn’t endorse certain policies, he doesn’t care about the planet. This ignores the complexity of the debate. No one can read minds to know Poilievre’s true feelings.

Lastly, Mason erroneously links carbon taxes to combating climate change. One cannot confidently claim that higher carbon taxes would have prevented or mitigated the effects of this forest fire. Alarmist rhetoric not only distorts public policy debates but also harms the public.

My report on ecoextremism highlights the growing climate

change anxiety among young people constantly exposed to unscientific alarmist language that is causing them to grow up in fear. Some young families are tragically even foregoing having children.

A fearful societyespecially one driven by unfounded beliefs - is dangerous. Manipulators can exploit fearful people to support unnecessary and harmful policies. Influential voices must think carefully before they write, lest they contribute to this misguided discourse.

The ongoing saga of Trade and Investment Development Minister Jeremy Harrison isn’t and shouldn’t go away.

Of course, some argue it should be over and done with by now because it’s simply not that big a deal.

People make mistakes. Harrison did admit errors in judgement.

To many - especially, many supportive of the

Saskatchewan Party government - this is just a little thing “approximately a decade ago” in which Harrison claimed he was “going hunting on a weekend” and was guilty of a “lapse in judgement” and further guilty of “not advising the Premier”.

Well, sometimes it’s the little things in life that cause the biggest problems - especially when the “little things” seem ridded with inaccuracies and untruths.

First, though, let’s dispense with the notion that this was just “a little thing.”

Harrison did resign his Government House leader role over this, so, evidently, it’s not a little thing.

And it surely isn’t a little thing to wander into the Saskatchewan legislature in camouflage

with a rifle - whether it’s cased and properly unloaded or not.

One would expect a veteran minister or a lawyer to understand this.

In fact, as both a veteran MLA and lawyer, Harrison would have (or should have known) the only reasonable thing to do would have been to alert security that would have been hanging around the front kiosk of the legislature or in the Sergeant-at-Arms office a mere 10 steps away.

Why not simply ask security to take care of the gun or leave it the truck and have them monitor the vehicle with the ample number of security cameras that have always been there to monitor the comings and goings around the legislature?

Or better yet, even if

Harrison had somewhat pressing business at the legislature, why not simply drop the gun off at home (Harrison and his family live in Regina and not his Meadow Lake riding) that would be mere moments away?

At best, Harrison was demonstrating a cavalier and irresponsible approach that most responsible gun owners - long fighting against excessive restrictions that federal Liberal governments have been trying to impose for three decades now - would find appalling

At worse, there remain massive holes Harrison’s story that came a week after Premier Scott Moe talked to him and concluded Speaker Randy Weekes’ allegations were “all unequivocally false”. Even Harrison’s explanations - that he was

that he was either hunting coyotes or pheasants and that it was either a rifle or a shotgun - were nonsensical and contradicted.

A week after Harrison’s vague recollections came back, Weekes went into past Speakers’ files and found an e-mail report dated April 29, 2016 in which security took the event very seriously.

“[Name redacted] did not recognize the person [Harrison] and was at the point of keying his radio and announcing to the security staff on the radio that there was a GUN,” according to the e-mail from eight years ago.

This incident occurred of a Friday afternoon in late April - hardly a prime time for hunting pheasants that wouldn’t be in season. Coyotes can be hunted year-

round but most do so on in the winter for pelts or pest control. (One supposes that still might have been what Harrison was doing while wearing camouflage - what hunters usually wear when they call prey.)

Nor does this comply with the notion in Harrison’s statement that security was “aware”, clearly implying that he had made them aware.

“We should be advised in advance of this type of behaviour, even by an MLA, so we can react properly,” the e-mail read.

Nearly, a month after Weekes’ statement in the assembly and the immediate denials, we are still not getting the whole story. We are still owed answers.

Notable Notes

Bob Mason

“If you can keep your head when those about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.”

Imagine that most of us like to feel that we know what is going on around us. And yet - it’s psychological, I suppose - often in the name of flattery, we are made into complete ... ah ... suckers!

Mr. Barnum was very nearly right when he said that bit about “one being born every minute”. And I think most of us are against that prophecy, but what can you do?

Tom Sawyer said, “I’ll let you do that!” And the result? He got the fence painted ... with the help of a few suckers!

Not too long ago a very pretty girl handed me a coupon as I entered a store in Saskatoon.

I used to think things like, “Why don’t they get some ugly old broad to do things like this?”

But maybe that wouldn’t work too well. But then again, lot of men are real suckers when they see a pretty face.

“With this coupon,” she smiled, “you can get half off on a cup of coffee at the local shop!”

I sauntered down to the local shop.

I forget the name of the type of coffee I ordered. It must have been a pretty high-class one because when I went to pay, the guy at the counter says, “That will be two-fifty. That kind of drink is five

dollars a cup!”

Exit Y.T. (Yours Truly) knowing never to trust a pretty face again! I think that there is another old saying about “a fool and his money ...!”

Many years ago, one of our neighbours, who had a whole bunch of pretty daughters, drove into our yard on the farm.

“The girls and I are going to pick berries along the river,” he said. “How would you like to come along?”

“Sure,” says a young Y.T. who had great visions of strolling through the berry patches with a flock of pretty girls.

I was just going to get in the back door of the vehicle, but they didn’t work. So I had to snake in the window of his old “Star” which didn’t work all that well either!

We got near the river.

“By Gosh,” says the driver with the bunch of pretty daughters. “They must be using this area for a pasture now. Someone will have to open that wire gate!”

Half a dozen gates later, having snaked in and out of that window every time, Y.T. realizes that the main reason they brought him along was because there were fences all over the place.

Sure, a guy could have out-waited some of those girls and let them open a gate or two, but then that wouldn’t look very polite!

In the late 1930s, I spent quite a bit of time up north with our “drinking” cousins. We went to the local Christmas concert. Out behind the country school was a long, neat woodpile where the locals used to hide their booze. Every now and then, as was often the custom in those times, the boys would step out into the crunchy snow, and on finding the right block in

the pile, pull it our and lo ... “It’s kinda cold out here! Maybe we should have one more!”

About 10 p.m. or so, after the children had wowed us with their little plays, finally singing Silent Night and Sleep in Heavenly Peace, one of the boys would say, “It’s kinda cold,” et cetera, et cetera. Out to the woodpile we go!

I wouldn’t want to say that Yours Truly was a perfect sucker because a lot of us weren’t perfect but very close to it.

All of a sudden, half a dozen forms loomed up from behind the woodpile, dragging me into the teacherage - which is unlocked - shove me into a big red suit, slap a big white beard on my face, and throw me through the doorway of the school!

Y.T.’s only compensation was in the gleaming eyes of those little people who seemed almost aghast to finally seeing this Claus guy that their teacher had promised them would come. Still, I’m a little suspicious of woodpiles!

In one’s home community, people don’t try to fool the other fellow much. After all, one has to live there and no one needs a bad reputation. But in the army it was different. There were a lot of guys who tried a lot of stuff like:

“Hey, Mason. Loan me five bucks and I’ll pay you back when I return from my leave!”

But you knew this guy was being sent overseas and wouldn’t be back. Well ... he tried!

I loaned my electric iron to a guy who used it to press a fellow’s battle dress for a small fee, until the electric cord played out and he returned it saying that it’s no good!

Then there was the “generous” type while we

were overseas who gave me his old leather jacket so he could go down to the Quartermaster [an officer in charge of logistics and requisitions, manages and distributes supplies and provisions] and drew the new one I was supposed to get. All kinds of stuff!

Every now and then, Y.T. had to go along with the Colonel*.

We were running across some flat countryside when we came to a five-foot wide, brimfull, drainage ditch.

“We’ll have to jump it, Bob!” yells the Colonel, who used to be on McGill University’s football team, and only carried a Smith and Wesson .38 pistol on his belt.

Naturally, he cleared it like nothing and turned to laugh himself silly when good ol’ Bob, loaded down with a No. 18 radio set strapped to his back, extra grenades, shovel and rifle, plopped down, smack in the middle of the ditch and got soaking wet!

Like I said before, there must be one born every minute!

* Incidentally, Y.T. was with Colonel Wygle when he was killed! !"#$%&"!'%#()*+'

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The Majestic Theatre Biggar JUNE

The Fall Guy Genre: Action / Comedy / Drama Rated:PG-13 2024--Time: 2 hr 06 min

Friday, June 14 • 8 p.m. NO MOVIE ON SATURDAY Sunday, June 16 • 2 p.m. Sunday, June 16 • 8 p.m.

Ratings from the Saskatchewan Film Classification Board For bookings and information please NEW phone no. 306-951-8244

Ask The Money Lady

Christine Ibbotson

Dear Money Lady:

I don’t want to admit it, but I just got fired from my job after eight years with my employer. I am devastated. I never saw it coming and I am not sure what to do now. I’m not young, I turn 48 this year. I can’t retire now can I?

Thanks, Pete.

Dear Pete - No, you can’t retire now. You have a lot more working years left to do.

Remember When

Keith Schell

One day when I was quite young and came home that day from school, our house was very quiet. There was no activity in the house whatsoever. Something was very wrong.

Mom was not in her usual place in the kitchen that afternoon working away getting supper ready for the family.

When I called out to her, she said she was in the bedroom. I walked down to the bedroom and discovered her lying on the bed.

I know it hurts to be fired, and if this is the first time it has happened to you in your career, then I would say you’re doing pretty good. A recent study done by Stats Canada found that 47 per cent of Canadians will be fired at least once in their lifetime and 32 per cent will be fired two or three times. That is not a bad thing.

There are brilliant, capable people every day who get let go, for reasons that they may never know about. Embarrassment and shame are par for the course. It wasn’t that you were a bad worker or that you stole something, most of the time it was just because you upset the wrong person who now had it in for you and wanted

you out. I know it seems like a catastrophic event at the time, but you will survive and then be free to find a better position. This is not going to ruin your life - well, not unless you let it. I personally think everyone should be fired in their career at least once. Being fired allows you to build up your inner strength and it motivates you to pivot your career in a different direction, perhaps one that you are more suited for and will be happier in.

This is the time, Pete, when you can ask yourself: What do I want out of my life? What do I want out of my career? Could I go back to school and retrain for something I really want to do? Or could I now start

that business I’ve always wanted to do, but never thought possible? Being locked up in a demanding job stunts your creative mind. It provides you with all the excuses to not look for alternatives, because your too stressed and too busy trying to tread water in a hectic career. Some people I have seen in my life who have never been fired, have not been better off than those that were fired. Yes, if you are more timid, compliant and mousier at your job, you can avoid conflicts and indeed lower the possibility of losing your job. But I would ask you, at what cost?

Many people in their late 50’s who have been compliant all their life are now experienc -

ing true mental illness and depression due to the constant denial of their true feelings, their beliefs and the constant contortioning of their life to fit in.

When you get fired or if you’re brave enough to quit, now you suddenly have the time to plan your life and your new career path. The crazy life excuses are out of the way, and you are free to begin anew.

Please remember, you can’t be all things to all people. Not every manager or every company deserves you. Have the strength of mind to leave your past in the past and move on to something better. Use this experience as a wake-up call so you can find your true calling and forge your own path.

Most likely after time, you will say what all the others who have been fired now claim: “It was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Turn your hurt and shame into motivation and power - you will make it to the next job, doing far better than the last.

Good luck and best wishes!

Written

by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, national radio host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and CTV News @6, syndicated across Canada. Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at askthemoneylady.ca

The night Dad cooked supper

And as I talked to her I began to realize: Mom wasn’t feeling well that afternoon.

And you knew that if our Mom was lying down, she had to be really sick because, like most Mothers of the time, the only way she would stop doing stuff for her family was if she was at death’s door on that particular day. Hey, a woman’s work is never done, right? When Dad came through the door after getting home from work, I greeted him and told him that Mom was sick. He went down to the bedroom to speak to her and came back and confirmed that she was indeed sick and was not up to carrying out her culinary obligations that day.

And with Mom not feeling well that day, that only meant one unthinkable thing for our fam-

ily: Dad was going to have to cook supper that night!

Our Dad in the kitchen? Holy Moley! Our world was upside-down! Was ‘the hot place’ freezing over?

Being a man’s man, and like most men of the day, Dad wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen because that was just the way it was back then. The kitchen was Mom’s domain. In fact, the only time I ever recall Dad being in the kitchen back then was when he was walking through it in the evenings to get to the table when supper was ready!

But with Mom incapacitated, Dad knew he had to step into the breach and get supper going that evening for his hungry family. So he began his preparations for the evening meal.

And like looking at something from the

annals of the ‘Believe it or not’ franchise, we kids began watching our Father in disbelief as he started puttering around the kitchen preparing to cook our supper.

When this spectacle began, and as sick as she was, Mom decided to drag herself out of her sick bed and sit at the supper table just to see to it that Dad didn’t completely disorganize her kitchen as he prepared the evening meal. She sat at the table and supervised the whole process, making sure that Dad knew where everything was if he couldn’t find something, that kind of thing.

As Dad began preparing our supper, my little brother and I started trailing around behind him, following Dad throughout the kitchen, watching him while he was working. We kept looking up at him in

wide-eyed and utter disbelief as he was fixing our supper and kept asking him over and over again, “You mean you can cook? You can really cook?”

Dad just kept replying over and over as he was working, “You’re darn right I can cook!” and was starting to grow quietly exasperated at us for repeatedly asking him the same question over and over again. And while all this was happening, Mom sat at the table with an amused little smile on her face, trying her best not to laugh as she watched how the little scene in her kitchen unfolded.

In Dad’s defense, he actually could cook a little bit. When he and his buddies went on their fishing trips up north in their younger years, each of the guys on the trip would have to take a turn fixing a meal in

June is Pride month

the cabin for everybody else. So Dad wasn’t completely culinary-challenged, but it was more of a survival thing than anything else.

I honestly don’t recall what Dad made for us that night, but it was probably his manly fishing trip survival specialty: homemade hamburgers from ground chuck, fried potatoes and beans. Tasty and filling, we boys had that more than once over the years and were quite happy with that for supper. It was like camping in the kitchen every time we had it!

And that night, our Father actually proved something to his two disbelieving young sons: When Mom was sick, yes, he really could cook!

(Miss you, Dad. Happy Heavenly Father’s Day!)

by Delta Fay Cruick-

shank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery

The month of June is celebrating “Pride”. The Town of Biggar will have the flag at the entry of town.

Why is the word Pride used? I looked It up on Google: “Pride represents solidarity, collectively, and identity, as well as resistance to discrimination and violence.”

The collective identifies as 2SLGBTQI+.

What do all these letters represent? I looked the explanations up on Google:

2S: Two-Spirit: those who identify as having a masculine and a feminine spirit and is used by some Indigenous people to describe their sexual, gender and/or spiritual identity.

L: Lesbian, women who are romantically or sexually attracted to women.

Gay: describes persons, specifically men who are romantically or sexually attracted to persons of the same sex.

Bisexual: attracted to more than one sex or gender.

Transgender: An umbrella term describ-

ing individuals whose gender identity does not align in a traditional sense with the gender they were assigned at birth.

Queer: relating to a sexual or gender identity that does not correspond to established ideas of sexuality and gender, especially heterosexual norms.

Intersex: a general term used for a variety of situations in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit the boxes of “female” or “male”.

+: all the others who

do not identify as heterosexual or any other of the above.

Every person on earth is different. Can we not afford everyone the

respect we as an individuals would appreciate?

Gov’t Health of Animals Bill poses more questions

Agriculture

Calvin Daniels

by Calvin Daniels

When it comes to politics - especially at the federal

CHEF DEZ ON COOKING

Chef Dez

government level - few things are ever as black and white as we might like.

Take for example Bill C-275, the private member’s bill to amend the Health of Animals Act, which would increase fines for those who unlawfully enter livestock barns and processing facilities. The bill - which arose from a 2019 incident in his riding when about 40 people entered a freerange turkey barn near Fort Macleod - manoeuvred through Parliament by Conservative agriculture critic John Bar-

low, would seem pretty straight forward, a bill to protect farm operations from unauthorized people entering their facilities.

But, the bill leaves questions too.

To begin with there are laws against break and enter and even trespass so do you need a new level of protection under the Health of Animals Act? Or, do you just need to make use of the laws and regulations which already exist?

The answer to better protection is not always more laws.

Now, in the case of live-

stock operations there is most certainly a high level of concern about bio-security in the face of health concerns such as avian flu, and African Swine Fever. Both of the mentioned diseases, and others, can be devastating to livestock and the losses associated with dead stock is of course huge.

So on that level it’s understandable there is a need for protection with significant teeth to deter unauthorized admittance because there is a level of health threat.

The Bill however also

seemed rather clearly pointed at protesters who enter livestock operations to protest intensive farming techniques, or to promote animal rights, and similar issues they feel strongly about.

The right to protest, lawfully, is an important aspect of a democracy, but there are limits.

Does this Bill thwart the ability to protest?

No, but it would potentially stop some actions directly disrupting lawful farming operations.

Suddenly, when you weave the various issues of animal health, farm

protests, the ability to farm, and the existence of established laws, all of a sudden Bill C-275 is far from clear cut.

Now before the Senate, the debate on this Bill is likely to be a protracted one, with a variety of points of views put forward as witnesses address the Senate committee on agriculture and forestry.

What the bill ultimately becomes - expect amendments as a matter of course in such things - will be interesting to see in regards to how it impacts the normal operations of the farm.

Chef Dez on Cooking Chicken Fried Rice

Almost everyone loves good Chinese take-out food, so in my most

recent cookbook, Cooking Around the World with Chef Dez, I includ-

• 4 teaspoons canola oil, separated.

• 2 large eggs, beaten.

ed a whole chapter on this. In that chapter you will

• 3/4-pound (340g) chicken breast or thigh, boneless skinless, cut into small pieces.

• Salt and pepper.

• 1/2 cup small diced onion.

• 1 small carrot, diced small, approximately 1/3 cup.

• 1 tablespoon finely minced or grated ginger.

• 1 cup frozen peas.

learn how to make all your favourites at home, including this most popular recipe for Chicken Fried Rice. Happy Cooking!

• 4 cups cold pre-cooked rice.

• 3 garlic cloves, finely minced or crushed in garlic press.

• 1 teaspoon chicken stock paste*.

• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce**.

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce**.

• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric.

• 1 tablespoon butter.

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil**.

• 4 green onions, sliced 1/4 inch.

1.) Heat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add two teaspoons of the canola oil and then the beaten eggs. Cook for about 30 seconds while breaking up until completely cooked into small bits.

2.) Add the chicken to the egg and season lightly with some salt and pepper. Cook while stirring frequently for about two minutes until chicken is mostly cooked.

3.) Add the other two teaspoons canola oil, then the onion, carrot, and ginger. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion and carrot are mostly soft, approximately two minutes.

4.) Stir in the frozen peas. Thoroughly stir in the rice and garlic and cook for about one minute, making sure to break up any lumps of rice.

5.) In a small bowl, whisk the chicken stock paste together with the oyster sauce. Then whisk in the soy sauce to this mixture. Stir this mixture thoroughly into the rice with the turmeric and cook for about one more minute until the rice is completely heated, stirring frequently.

6.) Stir in the butter, sesame oil, and green onions. Continue stirring until the butter has completely melted. Season to taste with more soy sauce (or salt and pepper) if desired and serve immediately.

Makes approximately six cups.

*Chicken stock paste is chicken broth that has been reduced down to a concentrated paste form. The most common brand found at your local grocery stores is “Better Than Bouillon” Chicken Base - in small glass jars. Once opened this will last one year easily in your refrigerator.

**Oyster sauce, soy sauce and sesame oil can all be found down the Asian/Import food aisle of your major grocery store. Send your food/cooking questions to dez@chefdez.com or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, B.C., V2T 6R4. Chef Dez is a Food Columnist, Culinary Travel Host and Cookbook Author. Visit him at chefdez.com

Tips for changing careers later in life

It’s never too late to learn a new skill or pursue a new career.

Whether you’re looking for something more meaningful or you want a new challenge, a career shift is possible at any age. To make the big move successfully, consider these tips: Do some self-reflecting. Take time to ensure you’re headed in the right direction for the right reasons. Clarify why you’re searching for a change, what your goals are and how a new job might fit into your lifestyle. A few sessions with a career coach could be a smart investment. Identify transferrable

skills. While many hard skills are specific to their respective industries, soft skills like leadership, collaboration and emotional intelligence are valuable in virtually any job. By understanding the existing skills you can bring to a new career, you can position yourself as a seasoned professional looking for something new rather than an inexperienced candidate.

Consider upgrading your education. A course or certificate program can be a great way to not only make sure you have the knowledge needed for a new career, but also develop a network in

your new industry. Look for continuing education courses with professors who are leaders in the field so you can tap into real-world experience and connections.

Look for a thriving industry. The last thing you want to do is switch to a job in a dying trade with limited opportunities. Consider information technology, or IT, for a field that’s growing quickly and welcoming new professionals for a range of employment opportunities.

“Age is just a number when it comes to career transitions, particularly in the tech industry,” explains Pablo Listin-

gart, founder and executive director of a charity that provides free training to people struggling to overcome employ-

ment barriers. “Don’t let being 50-plus discourage you from acquiring new skills. In today’s world, it’s never too late

to embrace change and thrive in a dynamic field like technology.”

Chicken Fried Rice

Summer planning guide: 4 things to consider this season

by Allan Britnell, Editorin-Chief, News Canada

For many of us, summer is the most wonderful time of the year.

The weather is warm, we take vacations and get to enjoy fresh local produce, among many other highlights. But the heat and blazing sun can also cause health issues for many.

Here are four things to think about while you’re out enjoying the weather.

Beat the heat

While we often dream of sunny summer days, high temperatures can be hazardous to our health. If you will be outside in the heat, wear loose-fitting, lightcoloured, breathable clothes. Stay in the shade as much as possible and hydrate. If you’re indoors, turn on an air conditioner, or relocate to a cooler location such as a basement, community centre or library. Remember to check on elderly neighbours, friends and family members to make

sure they’re cool and hydrated. Don’t let arthritis slow you down

If you have a preexisting condition, such as arthritis, the heat can sap your energy pretty quickly. But there are steps you can take to make the most out of summer. Number one is to get a good night’s sleep. Eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet and make sure you stay hydrated. And, while it may sound counterintuitive, make sure you exercise regularly. Even lowimpact activities like walking or swimming will boost your energy levels and reduce fatigue.

Know what you’re eating and drinking

While water is the best thing to drink when you’re thirsty, you may notice beverages on the market claiming to give you bursts of energy and keep you alert. If you’re thinking about consuming an energy drink, there are a few things you should

know first. Energy drinks are considered “supplemented foods” because they have caffeine and other ingredients added to them. Starting in 2026, all supplemented foods will require labels detailing their supplemental ingredients and in some

cases, how to consume them safely. Some products with the new labels are already on the market.

Indulge in a summer classic meal Does anything say simple summer supper better than hot dogs? They’re easy to prepare

and appeal to palates of all ages. While the kids will likely opt for traditional, well-loved toppings like ketchup and mustard, the adults at your table might want to tempt their tastebuds with some easy-to-prepare seasonal toppings. Think diced

tomato, cucumber and red onion tossed with minced parsley, or pineapple, bacon and green onion mixed with a splash of lime. Plus, you’re doing one for the planet when you buy from a carbon-neutral company.

Summer renovation projects that can add value to your home

Summer is a time to stretch your legs and enjoy the warm weather with your family and friends.

During this time, many people are also looking to make upgrades to their home.

Whether you’re looking to add more value to your home, make a few ecofriendly improvements or simply maximize your enjoyment, there’s a renovation project for everyone. Give your home a breath of new life with these summer renovation projects that can add value to it.

1.) Update the interior

If you’re looking to undertake some bigger projects, first consider whether you have the necessary skills and experience to execute the project or if you should hire a professional. If you need to hire a professional, be sure to do your research beforehand and choose a contractor you feel comfortable with.

If you plan on starting with the kitchen or bathroom, items like kitchen tiles, custom

cabinets or countertops could take months to arrive, so make sure to order these in advance if you are on a tight timeline. Use quality materials and make upgrades consistent with the rest of the home.

Repainting the interior in more neutral tones can go a long way. Cleaning up any scuff marks or filling small holes can bring your walls back to life.

Consider updating your decor such as the lighting, fixtures and countertops and replace or refinish worn flooring to modernize your home.

2.) Spruce up the outside of your home

Summer is the best time to replace any shingles on your roof that are broken or loose to avoid water leaks. Have a maintenance professional inspect all walls for any cracks that need to be sealed to keep water out and avoid major damage.

If you’re tired of seeing a sad-looking fence, it might be time to explore waterproofing

or staining.

Install exterior lighting to brighten up walkways and the front of your home.

3.) Eco-friendly changes

Invest in new insulation and draft-sealing to help save on the energy you’re using to heat or cool.

Make the switch to LED light bulbs throughout your house. On average they last

about 10 years and are around 85 per cent more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.

Install energyefficient windows to save on heating and air conditioning, while also increasing your home’s long-term value.

4.) Maximize enjoyment

Complete that unfinished basement and dedicate the extra space to something you

love, like working out or hosting trivia nights with your friends.

Consider starting your own herb garden or picking up some houseplants – not only can they help improve the air quality in your home, but they can also boost your mood.

It’s important to inform your insurance company when you’re planning a renovation to ensure your policy remains in effect. There may be additional insurance implications if certain work is not done by licensed professionals, such as electrical work or plumbing. Renovations that increase your home’s value may change the classification of your policy, so whether the project is big or small, be sure to get a quote for any new coverage.

by Trudy and Dale Buxton

Welcome to Camrose!

After a nice little run west on Highway 13 we come to the City of Camrose.

The area around Camrose has always traditionally been inhabited by the Cree First Nation until the arrival of European settlers looking for land to farm and homestead.

At the time most of the settlers came from Scandinavian countries and the USA. The original name for the settlement was Stoney Creek because of the river of the same name that flows into the Battle River.

The first mail service flew into the community around 1904 along with the first businesses to open.

Nobody really knows for sure, but around 1905, the community became the Village of Camrose. It is believed that some of the Englishman of the time wanted to name the community after the village of Camrose in Pembrokeshire in South Wales.

1906 brought the incorporation to the Town of Camrose.

During this time in history, Wetaskiwin was the major centre for the European settlers. Camrose was only a days ride by rail, making the community a popular spot for settlers.

Also during this time, there was a lot of rail

AB

construction and by 1914 there were three railway companies occupying space in Camrose. You could say it was a becoming a bit of a rail hub. By 1914 there were 12 passenger trains rolling through Camrose which brought in many people, making the main economic boom the railway.

A man by the name of Francois Adam is considered by many to be the father of Camrose. In the early years, he was involved with starting the first school, hospital and several other businesses.

During the Second World War, the fairgrounds in Camrose was converted into training grounds for the military. Thousands of soldiers did their basic training on those fair grounds.

The population of today in Camrose is close to 19,000 people with the main industries being farming, oil and gas, plus a large tourism industry.

Home to Big Valley Jamboree, Camrose is one of Western Canada’s largest outdoor music concert venues.

Did you know? In 2007 a single lottery ticket worth 54 million dollars was won in Camrose to 17 oil industry workers. Camrose has had a fair number of professional hockey players come out of the minor hockey system in Camrose. Camrose is home to The Bailey Theatre,

Alberta’s oldest live theatre venues. Because Camrose has such a rich history in the railroad, there is a fantastic museum that has many artifacts from the early days.

Did you also know that the famed Sunny Boy Cereal brand was started in Camrose by two brothers who came from Nova Scotia. They started Byers Flour Mill - a brand which is still going todaycurrently in production in Edmonton.

If you are looking for sporting things to do, Camrose has fantastic golf courses and a fabulous trails in and around the city. If you are shopping for something unique, just a few minutes outside of Camrose you will find Buckskins Emporium, where you will find unique gifts in clothing, jewellery and other trinkets.

If you are hungry there is no shortage of fine eateries in the old district.

Camrose is a very nice place to visit.

Stay tuned for more of The Saskatchewan Traveller.

Monday June 17th, 2024 @7:00pm Biggar Health Centre Meeting Room All are Welcome

Mirror Lake Park, Camrose

The Bailey Theatre in Camrose AB

One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi...

Leaving room for other drivers on the road is as easy as 1-2-3

Summer in Saskatchewan is full of fun activities like outdoor concerts, football games and trips to the lake. But many prairie adventures come with a lengthy road trip and SGI wants to remind you to leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

At least three seconds of space, as a matter of fact.

Maybe you’re thinking, “Three seconds? Isn’t distance measured in feet or metres? Why do we measure following distance in time?”

“Even the most focused drivers need time to react when something unexpected happens, like if the vehicle you’re following brakes hard suddenly,” according to Shay Shpak, Director

of Driver Examination

Services at SGI. “Since the distance you need to stop increases as your speed increases, using the amount of time it takes to reach the car in front of you is more useful than a distance. Three seconds gives a focused driver enough time under ideal conditions to safely avoid a collision if the vehicle in front of them stops suddenly.”

A three-second following distance is useful at any speed, whether you’re in town or on the highway. Start by choosing a nonmoving object on or near the road. This could be a sign, a line painted on the road or even a pothole. When the car in front of you passes the object, start counting off the seconds that pass before you reach the same object. If you count three or more secondsyou’re following at the right distance! If it’s

less than three seconds, temporarily reduce your speed and give yourself more space (and time!) to react. Then count again to confirm you have the time you need to react. When conditions are less than perfect - like low visibility, driving on wet pavement or loose gravel or hauling a heavy load - increase your following distance to six seconds or more. This will give you more time to react and more room to move or stop if

there isn’t ideal traction on the road.

SGI is asking all Saskatchewan drivers to focus on ways they can make our roads safer. While you’re leaving room for other drivers, be alert for other road users.

Roadside construction workers, emergency workers, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and farmers all use our roads and want to get home safely the same way you do. Slow down and give them space.

More people working in Saskatchewan than ever before

According to the latest Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey released June 7, Saskatchewan’s economy is continuing to grow, Saskatchewan employment reached an all-time high with 16,200 new jobs added year-over-year. Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate also fell in May to 5.6 per cent, the third lowest in the nation and well below the national average of 6.2 per cent.

“There are more people working in Saskatchewan than ever before,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Our province’s record job growth is driven by the unprecedented level of investment being made in Saskatchewan. Our government will continue to work

alongside job creators to build the labour force needed to fill the jobs that Saskatchewan’s rapidly growing economy is creating.”

The province achieved several other record highs in May, including full-time employment (506,800) male employment (332,000), female employment (282,400), labour force (649,700), population (947,600), and offreserve Indigenous population (113,400).

Major sector gains were reported in professional, scientific and technical services, up 4,800 or 13.9 per cent, along with information, culture and recreation, which saw a gain of 4,000 or 20.9 per cent. Additionally, education services saw a gain of 3,700 or 7.3 per cent.

Saskatchewan’s two major cities both saw alltime highs in employment for the month of May. Regina’s year-over-year employment increased by 7,200 or 5.0 per cent and Saskatoon employment increased by 5,700 or 2.9 per cent. Province wide, there were 12,900 full time jobs, and 3,300 part time jobs added year over year.

Adding to this growth, the province’s exports for 2022 and 2023 combined reached $102 billion an increase of 52.2 per cent from the previous twoyear period of 20202021. Additionally, Saskatchewan’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by only 1.0 per cent in April 2024 over April 2023, marking the second lowest increase among the provinces.

Penton

On Sports

The Canadian Football League started June 6 with a rematch of last year’s Grey Cup Game - the Blue Bombers were whipped 27-12 by Montreal - and will end with a half-time performance by the Jonas Brothers at the Grey Cup Game Nov. 17 in Vancouver, but what might hit the headlines in the meantime?

Here’s what to watch for, team by team:

Montreal Alouettes - The defending Grey Cup champs had a memorable season in 2023, bumping along with a 6-7 record in midSeptember and then going undefeated the rest of the way, beating Winnipeg 28-24 to win

Alouettes show 2023 Grey Cup win was no

the Grey Cup. Nice start to 2024, too.

Toronto Argonauts

- Can the Argos find another rookie like their star from last year, Qwan’tez Stiggers? He was rookie of the year in the CFL last year and now finds himself on the roster of the New York Jets. Meanwhile, last year’s most outstanding player in the CFL, QB Chad Kelly, will miss the first nine games due to a suspension for violating the team’s gender-based violence policy.

Ottawa RedblacksHe may not be the most outstanding player, but kick returner DeVonte Dedmon might be the most exciting. After missing most of 2023, the 2021 winner of the most outstanding special teams player is healthy and he showed his stuff in a preseason game against Hamilton, returning a punt 91 yards for a TD.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats - First-year coach Scott Milanovich is hoping for a full, injury-free season from quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. The former Calgary QB broke his leg

in Week 8 and finished his first year with the TiCats with only six starts. Milanovich, meanwhile, says the CFL “is a very unique family-type atmosphere, close-knit and for me it’s just a lot of fun.”

Winnipeg Blue Bombers - If running back Brady Oliveira and quarterback Zach Collaros can repeat their 2023 performances, the Bombers just may get back to the Grey Cup game for the fifth straight year. Collaros passed for a career-high 4,252 yards last season.

Saskatchewan Roughriders - New coach Cory Mace, who takes over from Craig Dickenson, needs veteran quarterback Trevor Harris to provide stability on offence.

Saskatchewan missed the playoffs last year, scoring only 387 points, second-last in the league.

Edmonton Elks - After 22 consecutive homefield losses, the Elks won twice at Commonwealth Stadium last year, and coach Chris Jones is looking for more this

year. Last place in 2023, and no playoff appearances since 2019, the Elks are looking to McLeod BethelThompson, who guided the Argos to a Grey Cup in 2022, to lead the way.

Calgary Stampeders - Quarterback Jake Maier will try to lift the Stampeders, 6-12 last year and barely in the playoffs, back into postseason play. Maier’s Stamps were last in the league in touchdowns last year with 36.

B.C. Lions - Can the Grey Cup hosts be playing in front of their home crowd on Nov. 17? Quite possibly. The Lions are strong at quarterback, with Vernon Adams calling the shots, and were expected to battle it out with Winnipeg for top spot in the west.

• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com

(Hampton, Va.):

“According to a recent survey, most fans in D.C. and Northern Virginia ‘dislike or hate’ the Commanders’ name. Not what you’d call an eyepopping revelation. Fans will like it better when they start winning.”

• Former Toronto Argonaut and now a New York Jet, cornerback Quan’tez Stiggers, on his grooming: “I made a promise to myself: I’m not getting a haircut till I win the Super Bowl. If I got to be a caveman, I’ll be a caveman.”

• Veteran U.S. college football coach Lou Holtz: “Coaching is nothing more than eliminating mistakes before you get fired.”

• Headline at Canada’s satirical website, The Beaverton.com: “Oilers plan to damage Florida Panthers’ morale by forcing them to visit Edmonton.”

• Another one from the Beaverton.com: “Teams in states with no income tax have an unfair advantage,” says adorable rube who thinks NHL players pay tax like normal people.”

• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe. com: “After Game one of NBA finals, there’s a break for 48 hours until game two. Game seven, if necessary, is June 23. If Major League Baseball spread out its playoffs like the NBA did, World

Series Game 7 could be Christmas Eve.”

• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said he is not overly concerned about his team’s offence, defence or special teams. Possibly because he hasn’t seen any of them yet.”

• RJ Currie again, still picking on the poor Leafs: “On July 20th, 1969, the first humans walked on the moon. How long ago was that? It was so long ago, the Leafs current Stanley Cup drought was only two years old.”

• Headline at fark.com: “Jake Paul’s suicide via Iron Mike Tyson has been pushed back to Nov. 15.”

• Another fark.com headline: “U.S. beat Pakistan in surprise upset, exciting the fan of U.S. cricket.”

• Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.

Sizzle safely: BBQ tips to save your summer cookouts

As summer approaches, many homeowners are eager to fire up their grills and host outdoor cookouts with family and friends.

While barbecuing can be a fun and delicious way to enjoy the season, here are some ways to prioritize your safety to prevent accidents and ensure a memorable, worry-free gathering.

Before starting your barbecue, ensure that your grill is in good working condition. Check for any gas leaks in propane and natural gas grills, make sure all connections are secure and check the grill’s air inlets for spiders or other obstructions. For charcoal grills, use only charcoal starter fluid and never add it to the fire once it’s lit. It may be tempting to set up your barbecue grill inside of your open garage or under a covered balcony, but propane, gas and charcoal grills are strictly designed for outdoor use where there is plenty of ventilation. Keep the grill at least three metres from doors and windows and at least one metre from furniture - and far away from potentially combustible materials

such as planters and patio furniture. Be vigilant when grilling to prevent fires. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby and know how to use it. Avoid wearing loose clothing that could dangle into the flames and catch fire, and keep

children and pets away from the grill area. Never leave the grill unattended when it’s in use.

Proper food handling is essential to prevent illness. Thaw meats in the refrigerator beforehand, and marinate them in the fridge, not on the

counter. Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination. Cook meats to the recommended internal temperatures to ensure they are safe to eat.

Accidents can still

happen for even the most experienced grill master. Before hosting a summer cookout, it’s a good idea to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand your coverage limits and any exclusions that may apply. This coverage

can help protect you if someone is injured on your property or if something is damaged while entertaining. If you have any questions or concerns about your coverage, consider reaching out to your insurance agent.

Bruce Penton

Business & Professional …

ROSETOWN NATURAL HEALTH

311 Main Street, Rosetown

Massage Therapy - Supplements

Ideal Protein Clinic

Mail orders welcome.

Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 306-882-2220

rosetownnatural@sasktel.net www.rosetownnaturalhealth.com

Co-Ed Fitness Centre Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes …owned and operated by Brett Barber

102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar 306-948-9750 www.newufitness.ca

ARIES –

Mar 21/Apr 20

Aries, you may have to shuffle your schedule a bit this week to accommodate some interesting ideas that you have come up with on the fly. It’s a good thing you’re adaptable.

TAURUS –

Apr 21/May 21

Taurus, think about where you want to go in the upcoming weeks, because you have some pretty influential supporters who can help propel you in that very direction.

GEMINI –

May 22/Jun 21

Gemini, you may be involved in a few different projects right now, but often you start things and do not finish them, which can be frustrating to others. Do not take on any additional tasks.

LIBRA –

Sept 23/Oct 23

Libra, if you think about it, you have been procrastinating a bit more than usual. It might be because your tasks are not interesting you much. That could mean finding new hobbies.

SCORPIO –

Oct 24/Nov 22

Scorpio, get essential tasks out of the way early this week, because it’s likely you will not be enthusiastic about mundane jobs later on. Save plenty of time for fun and entertaining.

SAGITTARIUS –

Nov 23/Dec 21

Emotions are roiling right now, Sagittarius. Perhaps it is not the best time to reach out to an estranged friend or family member. Instead, wait things out a little longer.

CAPRICORN –

Dec 22/Jan 20

It is time to disconnect from all of the gadgets and feeds that are constantly drawing your attention, Capricorn. Enjoy a technological detox and reconnect with friends.

AQUARIUS –

Jan 21/Feb 18

Aquarius, you are a major force to reckon with when you pair your creative visions with solid, grounded plans. Things will start falling into place soon enough.

PISCES –Feb 19/Mar 20

This week you get a free pass to put yourself first and foremost for a change, Pisces. Go to the head of the line, because it’s all about you for the next few days.

CANCER –

Jun 22/Jul 22

You have some high hopes regarding something that has been taking up your time for quite a while, Cancer. Although you’re getting good feedback, don’t count your chickens just yet.

BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY

Housing for families and seniors

Rent based on income Call: 306•303•7246

Brett… Price…

LEO –

Jul 23/Aug 23

Please

Leo, if you haven’t been doing so already, it is important to set aside some savings so that you’ll have a safety net in the future. It’s essential that you are not just living for today.

Thanks Urla

VIRGO –

Aug 24/Sept 22

Virgo, get together with your significant other or another partner and figure out how to divide the workload that has been bogging you down. It’s alright to admit that you need help.

OBITUARIES

PAUL ALEXANDER LESCHINSKI

May 19, 1947 - June 7, 2024

by Karla D. Shakotko, Biggar Associated Gospel Church

Seeing the thaw of winter melt into spring is one of my favourite times of the year.

The snow shrinks and signs of life and new growth slowly emerge. The first budding willow, blooms of crocuses, then tulips, bird songs in the air, and the warmth of the sun on my skin breathe life into my soul after the harsh cold of winter. I feel awakened to new possibilities, plans, and dreams for the months ahead.

Seasons of life seem to sometimes shift and mimic the seasonal changes of the weath-

Paul Leschinski passed away on June 7, 2024 in Saskatoon, SK. Paul is lovingly remembered by his sons John Leschinski, Kim Leschinski, and Chad Leschinski; grandchildren Cole (Katelynn) Leschinski, Justine (Chris) Leschinski, Jordy Leschinski, Sydney Leschinski, Jaxon Leschinski, Brooks Leschinski and Jayden Rensby; great-grandchild Harlowe Leschinski. Paul was predeceased by his wife Colleen Mary Leschinski in 1998.

A Funeral Service for Paul was held Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at 11:00AM at The Biggar Community Hall. Tributes may be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.

REFLECTIONS

er. I am reminded that, “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”(Ecclesiastes 3:1).

We go through seasons where it is time to plant and build, and times when we must uproot and tear down. There are times of mourning and weeping, and times of laughter and dancing. They seem to come into our lives in waves, and each season changes us and impacts our life.

To me, the signs of the changing seasons are gentle reminders from a loving God. He created the seasons, and He is faithful to walk alongside us through every

The family of Glenn Goetz would like to say thank you to all the personnel of the Biggar Health Centre and Home Care for your compassionate care of Glenn during his illness and to Gerein Funeral Service for your care and compassion. Heartfelt thanks for prayers, visits, food, cards, flowers and hugs. Your care and kindness will never be forgotten.

Thank You

The Glenn Goetz family

season. The signs of change in nature remind me of His great power, and His steadfast love for me. With each sunrise the Lord gives us new mercies (Lamentations 3:22-23).

The seasons come without fail as He designed and promised, “as long as the earth endures, seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22).

Some seasons are more difficult to endure than others. Seasons change us. But I hold tight to the promise that God doesn’t change. “Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever.”

(Hebrews 13:8).

In the best of times, and in the worst of times His love does not change. He saw us before we were born (Psalm 139:16); He knows the number of hairs on our heads(Luke 12:7); and we are treasured by Him as His most precious creation. He is faithful, and will walk alongside us through every season.

NOTICE

e Tax Enforcement Act MARY REES AND LEE FLEMING

TAKE NOTICE that the R.M. of Eagle Creek No. 376 intends to be registered as owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 13-BLK/PAR 4-PLAN 101564209 EXT 11, Title No. 153363427.

e municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 197752168 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of e Tax Enforcement Act, a certi cate of title will be issued to the applicant and you will therea er be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land.

e amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact Taxervice at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 13th day of June, 2024.

Trent Smith, Administrator R.M. of Eagle Creek No. 376

If you have lost a loved one and would like to display a Memorium for that person we can help do that. The cost is only $25 for a display Contact us at The Independent for more information

Seeding advances despite wet weather

Seeding progress greatly advanced over the past week despite rain delays throughout the province. Seeding progress is now 94 per cent complete, up from 77 per cent last week. This falls behind both the five-year and ten-year average of 97 per cent.

The southeast and southwest are the furthest advanced at 96 per cent complete. The northwest is 93 per cent complete, followed closely by the eastcentral, west-central and northeast regions which all report 92 per cent complete.

Provincially, seeding is nearly complete for field peas, lentils, spring wheat and durum. Mustard, triticale and perennial forage are the furthest behind in seeding progress.

Rainfall was variable throughout the province with a few areas reporting heavy rainfall. The highest rainfall was reported in the Porcupine Plain area at 83 millimetres followed by the Foam Lake area at 73 millimetres. The Ituna and Lipton areas both received 52 millimetres.

Topsoil moisture continued to increase this week. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated

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as four per cent surplus, 91 per cent adequate and four per cent short. Hayland topsoil moisture is reported at two per cent surplus, 88 per cent adequate and nine per cent short. Pasture topsoil moisture is three per cent surplus, 87 per cent adequate and ten per cent short.

Producers are looking forward to warmer weather to assist crop development. Varying stages of development are reported given the cooler temperatures and delays in seeding progress.

Forty-eight per cent of winter cereals are in the tillering stage, 25 per cent at stem elongation, 20 per cent at flag leaf and seven per cent heading. Twenty-six per cent of spring cereals are at the pre-emergent stage with 57 per cent at the seedling stage and 17 per cent tillering. Eighteen per cent of pulse crops are at the pre-emergent stage with 68 per cent at the seedling stage and 14 per cent reported at the vegetative stage of development. Fortythree per cent of canola and mustard are at the pre-emergent stage, with 54 per cent at the seedling stage and three per cent at the rosette

stage. Forty-seven per cent of flax is at the pre-emergent stage with 51 per cent at the seedling stage and two per cent starting stem elongation.

There have been various causes of crop damage over the past week. Wind, frost and hail were reported in various locations across the province, with minor crop damage overall. In some regions, producers reported localized heavy rain caused crops to drown out in lower areas within the field. Minor crop damage from flea beetle and cutworm pressure was reported with some producers taking control measures. Producers continue to monitor grasshopper and gopher populations across the province.

Producers have been busy with seeding and spraying when the weather permits, along with rock picking, land rolling, moving cattle out to pasture and branding. Producers are reminded to keep safety top of mind while working. For any crop or livestock questions, producers are encouraged to call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Toll Free: 1-866457-2377.

The 2024 Biggar Town & Country Fair Day committee would like to recognize those who made our recent weekend another success. Our Sponsors of the Weekend: Presenting Sponsor Biggar & District Credit Union, along with sponsors Solvason Insurance Group, Redhead Equipment, Buckberger Baerg & Partners, Catterall & Wright, e Town of Biggar, Precision Autobody, Parrish & Heimbecker, Busse Law, Western Sales powered by AWDG, Biggar Esso, Westwinds Motor Hotel, Duperow Co-op, Western Wireless, Great Plains College, e Biggar Independent, Biggar FasGas, Biggar & District Insurance Services, & E-Kay Enterprises.

Our Firework Helpers Stephanie & Reid.

e North Saskatchewan Regimental Pipes & Drums, WO2 Massie & WO2 Kappel with 300 Fisher Squadron & local RCMP Members Sgt Dereck Crozier and Cst. Darren Stevenson for leading our parade with professionalism and the Saskatoon Shrine Clowns. Don, Margo, & Jennifer, our helpers at the start of the parade for helping us direct a very streamlined parade line up.

All the businesses & organizations who put on an event during our weekend and added great value. Biggar Town & Country Fair Days weekend draws people from all over and is our chance to showcase what a great community Biggar is. Our Fair Days weekend exempli ed this, and all those involved should be proud of the great job they did. We look forward to our 2025 weekend! If we missed anyone, we sincerely thank you for all you do for Fair Days.

Perdue Complex fund raiser exercises Green Thumbs ... Cheryl Desrosiers gets a few tips in putting the finishing touchers to her succulent at the Perdue Complex. The fund raiser had about 56 people taking part. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Urla Tyler)

The Chase is On! ... Biggar Central School elementary students hit the Recreation Complex, Friday for a day of friendly competition. It really didn’t matter who won, as students traded in books for sneakers, brainwork for legwork - a great day of pushing for gold winning and, yes, losing, and encouraging others as they competed. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

U15 Nats dominate Macklin tourney ... The U15 Nationals Ladies were tops on the diamond in Macklin for their tournament recently, going undefeated to nab gold! Congratulations, ladies! (Submitted Photo)