Biggar Barracudas
Saturday July 13 was a beautiful day for the Biggar Barracuda Swim Club to host their home Invitational Swim Meet. It was a huge success. There were 11 paticipating sim clubs that came from different communities in Saskatchewan, with 141 swimmers competing. thank you toa the local busniesses, swim families, volunteers, officials, sponsorship organizations and swimmers. Congratulations to all the competing athletes, including the medal winners. (photo’s by Kris Doering)
Invitational Swim Meet
Aaralynn McPhee
Nash Wheaton Valeria Sanchez
Adriana Sanchez
Cody Doering (middle)
Kieran Massie (top)
Everett Dowson
Heidi Kramer
Julia Kral
Emmett Reddekopp
Claire Ford (top) Elena Sneddon (bottom)
Meredith Wheaton
Miya Renouf
Kieran Massie (top) Abigail Dowson (bottom)
Alexandria Affleck
Jackson Quessy
Full Line Ag Celebrates 25 years in Business
Biggar RCMP Report
On Thursday, July 11th, Full Line Ag: Perdue opened its doors to celebrate Full Line Ag’s 25th Anniversary. Full Line Ag: Perdue (formerly Camdon Motors) kicked off the day with coffee and refreshments (courtesy of MacDon), the Biggar Bites Food Truck for lunch (courtesy of Salford) and Twin Peaks Creamery Ice Cream to keep cool (courtesy of Versatile and Morris). Additionally, the business celebrated with door prize draws, and exclusive anniversary discounts for customers. Full Line Ag would like to thank the community of Perdue for their support over the years and is grateful to be a part of such a tight-knit, friendly communityhere’s to 25 more! (photos submitted and taken by Kelby Smith)
R.M. Of Biggar #347 Regular Council Minutes
The Regular Meeting Of R.M. Of Biggar #347 Minutes Was Held On May 21, 2024 At 9:00 A.M. In The Council Chambers. Attending The Meeting Were Reeve Jeanne Marie De Moissac, Councilors Brad Poletz, Melanie Peiffer, Dale Thomson, Mark Sagon, Greg Mundt And Brian Watson. Administrator Sandi Silvernagle And Assistant Administrator Maria Danychuk. Resolution No. 0942024
Moved By Councillor Brad Poletz
Resolved Payments For Cheques# 28002827, Online Payments, Online Utility Payments, Mastercard, Monthly Remittances And April Payroll In The Amount Of$ 186,427.12 Be Approved. Public HearingMunicipal Reserve Resolution No. 0952024
Moved By Reeve JeanneMarie De Moissac
Resolved That The Council Meeting Be Suspended To Open A Public Hearing Regarding The Removal Of The Municipal Reserve Land Designation Located At Block R1 Plan G486 Ext. 0 In Nw 09-35-16 W3. The Public Hearing Was Held From 9:30 A.M. Until 9:45 A.M. With No One In Attendance. Resume Regular Meeting Of Council Resolution No. 096-2024
Moved By Reeve JeanneMarie De Moissac That The Public Hearing Be Closed And The Council Meeting Be Resumed At 9:45 A.M. Council Moved To InCamera Resolution No. 097-2024
Moved By Reeve JeanneMarie De Moissac
Resolved That Council Move In-Camera At 10:40 A.M. To Discuss Human Resource Matters. Be It Resolved That The Members Of Council Agree To Keep In Confidence Matters
That Are Discussed At A Meeting That Is Closed. Old/Unfinished Business Ca Acres Letter Of ReSponse Resolution No. 100-2024
Moved By Councillor Melanie Peiffer Resolved That Council Hereby Close Road 1739s. Councillor Brian Watson Requested A Recorded Vote. Councillor Brad PoletzAgainst Councillor Melanie Peiffer-Against Councillor Dale Thomson - Against Reeve -Jeanne-Marie Demoissac – Against Councillor Mark SagonAgainst Councillor Greg MundtAgainst Councillor Brian Watson -Against Motion Not Carried Bdo Draft Financial Statements - 2023 Audit Resolution No. 1022024
Moved By CoUncillor Dale Thomson Resolved That Council Hereby Has Received, Reviewed And Accepted The 2023 Draft Financial Statement From Boo. Carried Kushner Subdivision Development Application Resolution No. 103-2024
Moved By Councillor Melanie Peiffer Resolved That Council Conditionally Approves The Subdivision Development Permit Application From Jeff And Sandi Kushner Located At Sw 26-3714 W3rd, With The Condition That There Are No Objections During The Time The Public Notice Is Posted. Carried Kushner AgreEment For Sale Of Land Resolution No. 104-2024
Moved By Councillor Mark Sagon Resolved That Council Has Reviewed The Final Survey From Meridian Surveys And Approves The Amended Agreement To Purchase 2.88 Acres From Jeff And Sandi Kushner At Sw 26-37-14
W3 For $7,200.00 And Rescind Resolution 482024. Carried Monarch Well - Quotes Resolution No. 1062024
Moved By Reeve JeanneMarie Demoissac Resolved That Council Has Reviewed The Test Hole Information From All Out Well Drilling Ltd. Stating That They Have Drilled 700 Feet To The Judith River And Have Been Pumping At A Constant Rate Of 6.5 Igpm. Council Agrees To Move Forward With Digging The New Well At Sw 26-37-14 W3. Carried Approach Building Policy Resolution No. 110-2024
Moved By Reeve JeanneMarie Demoissac Resolved That Council Approve Administration To Draft An Approach Policy Regarding The Approval Of Approaches Upon The Condition Of Access To Available Material. Carried Approach ApplicationRodney Senik Resolution No. 111-2024
Moved By Councillor Brad Poletz Resolved That Council Approves The Approach Application From Rodney Senik For A New Approach To Be Built At Sw 32-37-13 W3. Carried Approach Application - Neil & Tom Mckinley Resolution No. 1122024
Moved By Councillor Brian Watson Resolved That Council Approves Both Approach Applications From Neil And Tom Mckinley For The Approach To Be Widened At Ne 4-34-14 W3 And A New Approach To Be Built At Nw 36-3413 W3. Carried Call To Action - National Police Federation Resolution NO. 1132024
Moved By Reeve JeanneMarie Demoissac Resolved That Council Has Reviewed The Call To Action From The National Police
Biggar RCMP Report by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment 2 weeks ago 34 occurrences were received by the Biggar Detachment. Ten traffic tickets were issued and eight warnings. A hit and run on a white Avalanche on main street was reported, members were able to track down and locate the 73 year old suspect that caused the damage in their 2000 brown Buick Century. A complaint of a dirt bike rider not wearing a helmet on Hwy 51. Another gift card purchase scam, the fraud was reported after the person spent $200 on gift cards to get help with their Apple account.
Yearly complaint in the RM of Perdue, neighbour dispute in the way a crop spaying plane is being used.
Federation And Agrees To Submit Their Logo In Support As Requested. Carried Springwater Revitalization Support Letter - Boat Launch Resolution No. 1142024
Moved By Councillor Dale Thomson Resolved That Council Has No Objection To The Springwater Lake Revitalization Group Moving The Boat Launch To A More Safe And Accessible Area And Making Whatever Necessary Improvements Are Needed To Do This. Carried Ratepayer’s Meeting Resolution No. 1152024
Moved By Councillor Brian Watson Resolved That Council Hereby Agrees To Meet With Ratepayers And Hold A Coffee With Council Event On March 17, 2025 At The Community Town Hall From 9:00 A.M. Until 11 :00 A.M. Carried Development Permit Application - Remeshylo Resolution No. 1182024
Moved By Councillor Brad Poletz Resolved That Council Will Advise Community Planning That Council Has Approved The Discretionary Use Application To SubdiVide 10.01 Acres From The Existing Parcel On Land Legally Described As The Sw-3035-14-W3 As Submitted By Dean And Jordan Remeshylo. Carried Per Diems Approved Resolution No. 1192024
Moved By Councillor Dale Thomson Resolved That Council Approve The Per Diems In The Amount Of$ 3,548.65. Carried Adjournment Resolution No. 120-2024 Moved By Councillor Greg Mundt Resolved That The Meeting Be Adjourned At 3:29 P.M. Carried
A black Yard Machine lawn mower was stolen from a yard in Biggar. A break enter and theft to a residence was reported, once again by the local 17-year-old, seems they want to ride out the YCJA with a bang until their 18th birthday.
Child and Family Services along with the help of grandma were notified to look after a two and four-year-old found wondering on there own on 4th Avenue West. The children were okay, but on-going lessons in parenting 101 will be forthcoming.
Liquor and a few other factors left to the imagination, were responsible for a dozen late evening calls throughout the week to the apartment
complex on 8 Avenue. A 34-year-old male from town and a 27-year-old transient female finally learned no matter how much you shake it, gas and water will not unite. This past week 26 occurrences were investigated by the Biggar Detachment. With Traffic Services focusing on Craven this past weekend, driver’s in the area only seen four warning tickets issued. More complaints received for speeding Semi’s and gravel trucks on Range Road 3120. A Toyota Rav 4 struck a deer on Hwy 4 north and a Ford Flex missed a stop sign entering onto Hwy 14 and went through a barb wire fence. More cat related drama, as a couple of would be owners dispute over ownership of a couple of wondering felines. CN reported intoxicated teenagers on the tracks in the early morning hours, the 17 and 15-year-old males were out breaching their curfew conditions with the 16 and 15-year-old females. Parents were notified.
43-year-old Lyle Silbernagel was arrested and charged for assault and on another unrelated incident, 36-year-old David Montgomery was arrested and charged with assault. Both individuals will be appearing in Biggar Provincial court September 4th on their matters. Take Care out there!
Hayden Hoogeveen (above) placed 5th in the Montana 200 this past weekend July 13th. Hayden was 1 of 6 race car drivers in this event to complete the 175 lap race.
by Doug Cuthand, Indigenous affairs columnist, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Regina Leader-Post
Singling out Macdonald or Dewdney creates scapegoats and ignores history. They were supported by the institutions and churches of the day.
Saskatoon changed the name of John A MacDonald Road and now it’s Regina’s turn to change the name of Dewdney Avenue. But is this the right move? More about that later.
Edgar Dewdney was a British immigrant who came from Devonshire, England. He was raised in a wealthy family and studied engineering. His plan was to go to Canada, become wealthy and return to England. This was the dream of many upper-class people at the time.
He joined the Royal Engineers and worked on the Dewdney Trunk Road that went from Vancouver, B.C. to the interior. In 1872 he was elected to the House of Commons as the member from Yale, B.C. In 1878 he was appointed to the newly created position of Indian Com-
Provincial Viewpoint
Murray Mandryk
With so much else going on in Saskatchewan politics, it doesn’t seem as if much attention is being paid to our publicly owned utility Crown Corporations.
Perhaps that’s a good thing.
After all, it can be argued that there has always been far too much noisy politics swirling around our Crown corporations. It’s also surprising, because Crown Corporations remain because governments do love to
missioner. Prime Minister Macdonald was determined to clear the Plains of the original inhabitants and build the transcontinental railway as promised in the negotiations to bring British Columbia into Confederation.
Dewdney didn’t like living on the Prairies and his wife detested it. He begged the prime minister for a Senate appointment but instead MacDonald sweetened the pot and made him lieutenant-governor of the Northwest Territories.
The original Fathers of Confederation were all white men from Eastern Canada and their vision was to build a model of the British Empire with the outlying colonies feeding resources to the centre, Toronto and Montreal being the centre. Montreal was the eastern seaport and British families lived in splendid isolation from the French.
The country was a vast hinterland ruled by a few rich families in the Toronto-Montreal area. Canada was created by an incestuous group of British elites. They shared the dream and
promoted each other. It was not nation building as much as it was empire building.
The Indigenous inhabitants simply didn’t matter, and as Indian Commissioner, Dewdney’s job was to quell any discontent and move the people to their reserves. The plan was to teach the people agriculture and put an end to the need for rations as well as making the people self-sufficient. It looked like a win-win, but it failed on all counts.
The government provided farm instructors for reserves who turned out to be incompetent patronage appointments. They say that those who can’t do, teach, and this was a case in point.
In order to have the people do his bidding, Dewdney withheld rations and practised a policy of forced repression. He was also a big fan of removing children from their families and socially engineering a new generation of assimilated Indigenous children. The residential schools turned out to be a monumental failure, and the results are still
with us
As the lieutenant-governor, Dewdney chose the site of the new capital called Regina. He bought up much of the land around his home and declared it the site of the new city.
The CPR built the railway, but it placed the train station five miles to the east. Back then, the train station was the centre of a community, so Regina grew up five miles away from Dewdney’s land. The CPR made money, but Dewdney didn’t. The road that led from his land to the new city became known
as Dewdney Avenue. Today, Dewdney has been defined as another overrated colonial administrator whose name should be removed from street signs. But this would be an easy, feel-good fix. Canadians must come to understand their racist and colonial past. Dewdney was a product of the times. The upper classes proudly declared their allegiance to the empire and imperialist policies. The population either agreed with or turned a blind eye to the suffering of the original people of the country that they
were remaking. Singling out Macdonald or Dewdney creates scapegoats and ignores history . These men didn’t exist in a vacuum. They were supported by the institutions and churches of the day. The First Nations were seen as a “vanishing race” whose time had passed, and who stood in the way of progress. It was seen as necessary to clear the Plains for European settlement. This is the story that must be told if we are to move forward with real reconciliation
Non-politicized Crowns doing well
toot their own horns, there actually was surprisingly little about how well the Crown corporations did in 2023-24
SaskPower ‘s $184million profit due to what Crown Investments Corp. (CIC) Minister Dustin Duncan, Saskatchewan’s minister attributed to “increased sales revenue and decreased fuel costs.”
This was almost a complete turnaround from the $172-million loss in 2022-23.
Of course, our mounting power bills mean some are asking why more isn’t being returned to the hard-done-by consumers. After all, the benefit of a publicly owned utility is that it’s supposedly there to keep costs lower than a for-profit private supplier.
But SaskPower also must function as a business and, as such, is investing $1.2-billion in capi-
tal projects to “sustain, grow and modernize the provincial electricity system”. It also forked over $18 million in dividends to general revenue spending for roads, schools and hospitals. Of course, nothing done by government these days is completely void of politics, especially in the form of fed-bashing.
“We are going to see increases related to the ongoing carbon tax,” said Duncan, who added that rate hikes will also be needed in response to capital expenditures, adding Saskatchewan needs more power generating capabilities but federal Clean Energy Regulations are now “unachievable, unaffordable and unconstitutional.”
But there seemed less politics than there has been at other government announcements. Besides, have our
Crowns ever been devoid of politics? Not really. Those old enough to remember the years of the Allan Blakeney NDP government will remember the movie theatre ads for the “family of Crown Corporations” and the controversy over public ownerships of oil and potash resource Crowns and the issue of so-called “nationalization.”
That produced the privatization of those resource Crowns in the 1980s and the attempted privatization of utilities Crowns thwarted by the then NDP opposition under Roy Romanow.
For years after, as the Saskatchewan Party was getting its footing, the entire political debate in this province centred around fears anyone other than an NDP government would privatize the remaining utility Crowns.
Well, the Sask. Party
has so far shown no real interest in doing so. And judging by other 202324 results, it appears to be a good thing they didn’t.
For example, SaskEnergy, at the centre of privatization politics 30 years ago and still at the centre of carbon tax politics today posted a $55-million profit.
That’s down, compared with the $126 million last year, but enough to provide a $21-million dividends it’s afforded the taxpayers in the past five years.
SaskTel, the only remaining publicly owned telephone utility in the country, posted net income of $95.4 million on operating revenues of $1.3 billion.
That’s $21.3 million more than the previous year.
It paid a $38.2 million dividend.
And Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) post $78.1 million in net income while continuing to pay some of the lowest auto insurance rates in the county.
“SGI’s financial results benefitted from a mild storm season, along with a better-than-expected performance by its investment portfolio,” according to a government news release.
Last year, the SGI’s Auto Fund witnessed $1.096 billion in total claims and wrote $1.078 billion in gross premiums.
Of course, there is still a bit of politics swirling around today’s Saskatchewan Crown Corporations.
And there are even more complaints. They are imperfect.
But they have withstood decades of politics and continue to provide a vital service to the people of the province.
Notable Notes
Being a product of the earlier part of the last century, maybe my sense of humour isn’t as sharp as the well-developed, oh so ultra modern ones that we find about us today.
Nevertheless, old as we might seem to some people, we did have our laughs, even when situations weren’t that good!
i.e., Army Joke: Three English army types meet on a train and decide to introduce themselves.
“Frobisher here,” says one. “Brigadier, retired, married, two sons - one a doctor and one a Member of Parliament!”
Not to be outdone, another one says: “Farthingworth here. Brigadier, retired, married, two sons - one a colonel
CHEF DEZ ON COOKING
Summer is here and strawberry season is one of the most celebrated times of the year for lovers of this luscious red fruit. I always buy an abundant amount of all fruit when it is in season, and strawberries are no exception. Although strawberries seem to be available throughout the entire year, thanks to our friends in the south; they are not as good as the ones we get fresh right here from our local farmers. Imported strawberries from warmer climates have usually been cultivated in a way, which produces a larger and firmer berry more durable for transport. This is great for having strawberries available yearround, however these cultivation methods
in the army and one a stockbroker!”
They turn to the little guy sharing their train seat.
“Bixby!” says the little guy. “Sergeant-Major, retired, never married, two sons - both Brigadiers!”
Well ... it got a laugh in the army! Thanks Pinky!
I remember that kid up north. A new student-minister had come to our area and made his first sermon in our hometown.
“Where I come from,” he said, “it’s not a bit odd to see a dollar bill in the collection plate. If ever I saw one on the plate here, I think that I’d faint!”
The very next Sunday, this kid and a whole bunch of Sunday Schoolgoers were paraded right up to the front pew.
I’m dang sure I don’t know where this kid got it because this was back in the ‘30s when a dollar was worth far, far more, but when the collection plate came around, with a great flourish, he pulled out this great big one dollar bill and dropped it in. Then we looked up to see if the minister would faint.
But no. He seemed too busy watching something on the church ceiling ... Amen!
About this time (we were still kind of young) one of our gruff, more formidable neighbours, on passing through our yard, climbed out of his buggy and struck up a conversation with Dad.
Although he seemed to have lots of time to stop and talk, the horse pulling his buggy was a bit impatient and kept moving ahead a few steps every now and then.
Old Ted would see him move and holler, “Whoa!” and of course the pony stopped.
I imagine that it hadn’t been fed its oats yet because at last it started walking ahead again, and this time didn’t stop when Ted yelled.
Old Ted ran after the retreating buggy and succeeded in grabbing the back of the tall seat, which immediately broke off and fell right on top of him.
Of course Dad rushed over to help, but the Mason boys (cuss them!) scooted in behind a nearby bin so that they could laugh!
After we’d grown up a bit, Bill somehow got a
fine, well-trained saddle horse.
Its previous owner had taken great pride in that animal and taught it quite a few things like “staying” when the lines were hanging, neckreining, stopping quick, et cetera.
One of the things he had taught it was to stop sideways toward him when he put one foot in the stirrup so that when he threw his other leg up in the air, it more-or-less just walked under him.
That horse was sure easy to mount and this little move worked quite well until one of the local girls went to climb on, put her foot in the stirrup and turned to ask what time it was!
Again, Walt and Y.T. (Yours Truly) snuck behind a bin!
One day in the late ‘30s, we were driving into town in our old truck when we passed one of the poorer neighbours whose horses were plodding along, pulling an ancient wagon.
Feeling kind of highclass in the old Chev, we went soaring by him and waved.
Again ... sorry! We just got by him when the lefthand front fender fell off
Chef Dez on Cooking It’s Strawberry Time!
are also the culprit for producing a berry that usually is not as sweet or flavourful as it’s locally available counter-part. Thus, we tend to rely on sweeteners and flavour enhancers, such as sugar or chocolate, when serving them. A small amount of balsamic vinegar is also, surprisingly, a great way to bring out the flavour of fresh strawberries.
Strawberries are very perishable and should be handled and stored with care. First of all, never buy a basket of strawberries that contains any spoiled ones. Although it may only be one berry, microscopic mold spores have already been transferred to adjacent berries in the basket. This will lead to the whole basket of fruit deteriorating faster. Since washing and handling of the berries will also increase the rapidness of spoilage, only wash the amount needed and leave the others untouched. The washing of strawberries should only be done with the whole berry intact. If the green top is removed, you will
find that the center is somewhat hollow. This cavity will collect water and dramatically reduce (water down) the amount of flavour. Unwashed leftover berries should be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container to keep their “musty” odor from dispersing throughout. A drain tray in this container would be ideal, as it would aid in air circulation within, by keeping any moisture trapped at the bottom and away from the berries.
Freezing is another option for preservation, however as with most fragile fruit quality loss in texture is a concern.
Strawberries are high in vitamin C and the most optimal way of maintaining their nutritional value is to leave them whole. Cut strawberries have more surface area, and thus loose nutrients faster. To prepare for freezing, wash the berries intact, pat them dry, remove the green tops, and transfer them to a freezer bag and use them within the next six months for best results.
There are many dishes that you can prepare
right in the path of his old team
He casually turned out past it. We could almost hear his “Tsk, tsk!” as he went by.
I sure laugh when I think of old Pete and our home-made lift.
There wasn’t much room in the house Phyllis and Y.T. first moved into, so rather than cut it all up, building a stairway to the basement, we made up a small elevator with some large rope, a big home-made wheel and a 500-pound cement weight in it. Enter one of our old neighbours, old Pete.
“Bob’s in the basement picking over potatoes,” says Phyllis. “You can just ride down on this lift!”
Actually, I was outside, but Pete jumped on the cage anyway and down he went.
“Make sure you lock it when you get to the bottom,” Phyllis yelled down.
“Oh, that’s okay,” he yelled back and jumped off!
The 500-pound weight is up in the air and the cage wasn’t locked down, so ...Crasho!
Pete finally found his way out of the basement
door and came out to the garden, expecting some sympathy. I laughed! So he went down and told another neighbour who also laughed himself silly.
Old Pete got mad and went home! That old house burned down years ago, and of course the lift went with it. Maybe it was a good thing!
Everyone has had some of these odd things happen and it seems kind of silly to expect others to see what we think is funny. But then that’s what this whole piece is about ... the things that happened to us!
Like the welder who stuck his “sniffer” into the gas-tank of my car and it registered “0”. Or the guy up north who nursed a big bottle of wine on his lap all the way out from P.A. only to have it fall and break as he climbed out of the old truck. Or the time bill Smith and Y.T. won a cribbage prize at the Legion in Biggar - a porcelain cup, yet - that fell and broke as we staggered up the stairs!
Funny? Well ... to some guys it was!
Personally, we darn near cried!
using strawberries. The most traditional are desserts such as strawberry shortcake and chocolate dipped strawberries. However, they also work great as tid-bits on cheese platter or make them into a salsa to spoon over grilled chicken or fish. Many people have never made a salsa out of fruit, but it is very simple, and the contrasting flavours are very complimentary to the grilled fish or meat it is being served upon. To accomplish making a great strawberry salsa, just add an assortment of items to small-diced strawberries, such as red onion, yellow bell pepper, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and season with a little salt & pepper. You will be amazed at the results - and since it is strawberry season, the time to experiment is now.
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
Bob Mason
Chef Dez
Ask The Money Lady
Christine Ibbotson
Dear Money Lady,
If you read my columns regularly, you know I am a big advocate for planning. I have always believed that without a life plan and directional purpose it’s hard to personally grow and prosper. The catch phrase used by many financial advisors is: “If you don’t plan to succeed, you plan to fail.” Now, I am not saying I still don’t believe this – yes,
planning helps you push yourself out of your comfort zone to accomplish more, forcing you to try harder and believe that you are worth success. Entrepreneurs continually push themselves to achieve more and part of their secret to success is that they never look at obstacles as negatives, but rather challenges to overcome and to keep planning so they can go further. We all know this to be true, but today I want to suggest we lower our expectations on life, just a little. You see, your happiness in life is irrevocably tied to your expectations. Let’s look at your current income. Income is a key predictor of life satisfaction and mental health, regardless of the actually amount you
earn. If you were to get a raise today, but it was less than you expected or believed you were worth, you most likely would be less happy with this income increase. On the other hand, if you had more modest expectations, you would likely be happy with the raise. Now before you get all tied up in the fact that I am telling you to lower your outlook on life, I most certainly am not. Instead, I want you to avoid a “false-hope syndrome” where you stick to crazy expectations way past the point at which you should. False-hope is not the same as optimism. Optimism gives us the ability to expect the best and have a contingency plan for the worst. False-hope on the other hand, means
we always need to expect the very best and generally ignore the worst when it occurs. Put another way, when facing an uncertain future, the rose-colored glasses of optimism serve us just fine, as long as we can take them off from time to time for a dose of reality. I believe selfimprovement is always important, but it needs to be conducive to your happiness. Having modest expectations in our relationships is also something that could reduce your stress and overall unhappiness. Believing that a coworker, partner, or child should provide you with a higher standard of care, interest, love or support only guarantees your disappointment. People will never
Biggar recognizes the influence of those who came from Scotland
By Delta Fay Cruickshank for
the Biggar Musuem & Gallery
Kilts, bagpipes and haggis … what many associate with Scotland. But there is so much more to the culture of the people from Scotland.
The people from the land north of Hadrian’s Wall in Northern England have been invaded, been invaders and lost homes and lands from persons determined to take away their land. It was thought at that the time, sheep were more profitable than people. The invaders came in and burnt out the crofts and small holdings and the families had to flee, many coming to the New World.
A hale and hearty
bunch, they were used to developing crops and food for their families on rugged lands. They built their homes from the rocks and stones they picked off the fields. They brought these skills with them to the New World. If I see a stone barn or house, I wonder if the people who built them were originally from Scotland. Here in Biggar many came from Scotland in the early days and helped create our town. They brought with them the desire for freedom and ownership of their own land, and a strong work ethic.
For example, one citizen was George C. Porteous: born March 1884 in Edinburgh, Scotland, he
was Biggar’s first house painter and decorator. Porteous emigrated from Scotland in 1907 and arrived here on March 31, 1909. With all the building activity no doubt he was kept very busy. Mr. Porteous had apprenticed with James Kitchen, one of Edinburgh’s foremost decorators of the time. Porteous was also successful at proving up the NE quarter section 15 tsp 36 large 14 West of the 3 meridians. Porteous was the person who painted the backdrops in the Majestic Theatre, we have copies of his art in the Majestic Theatre exhibit. There is a town in southern Scotland called Biggar! Now, our first rail-
live up to your expectations. When we let our expectations define our experience, we’re far more likely to be disappointed, unhappy, and resentful. Usually, the actual situation is not as bad as we think it is, it’s just different than our expectations. Those positive or negative expectations will always be harmful to your future happiness. When your planned expectations are too high, you most likely always experience disappointment, since things didn’t work out the way you expected. But if you could bring your expectations down a bit, into a more modest viewpoint, you will be more likely to experience exactly what you expect and be content and happier
with the outcome.
The key is to balance and manage our expectations in our work life and personal life. Remember, people you interact with are not mind readers. We all have disappointments, complaints and things we would like to be different, but at some point in life you have to stop, be content, and just live the life you have, faults and all.
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
What’s happening in Springwater
It was a relaxing day in Springwater on Canada Day. Time to catch up with friends and neighbors, and have a great lunch. Blake Jefferies from Fiske won the door prize. Our next event will be a Sports Day at Springwater Lake on July 27th. There will be a beach volleyball tournament, all kinds of games and activities for all ages. Come on out
and have fun. Volunteers will be welcomed to help out if you like. It will run from 11am to 6pm. Lunch at noon will be chilly, and supper will be hamburgers and hotdogs.
Our car show last September was great so we are going to do it again on September 15. It will run from 11am to 4pm.
way siding was named by William H. Biggar who was born in Ontario. He recognized the prosperity this area could provide and so named it after himself.
During the pandemic I was communicating with the curator of the Biggar and Clydesdale Museum in Biggar, Scotland. Apparently, the Biggar is a Norse word meaning barley planted on a triangular field. So, we got our name indirectly from the Vikings, through Scotland, then Ontario. I do not know if Mr. Biggar’s family were originally from Scotland, that’s something else that will need looking it too.
Clachan gathering in Biggar 1934. In 1924 a group of Scots in Biggar got together and organized the Clachan, to promote Scottish poetry, dance and traditions. The word Clachan means village in Gaelic. (Photo courtesy of Biggar Museum & Gallery)
International Year of the Woman Farmer shines light on women in agriculture
Agriculture
Daniels
by Calvin Daniels
Many may not be aware but the International Year of the Woman Farmer was officially launched June 27 at an event in Washington, D.C.
“The International Year of the Woman Farmer shines a global spotlight on women in agriculture, highlighting the challenges they encounter while cultivating change,” detailed the www. usda.gov website.
“Together we can help bridge the gender gap, paving the way towards achieving food security, gender equality, and sustainability goals for a brighter, more equitable future. Discover how
this initiative empowers nations worldwide to enact changes to provide women the same access to land tenure, training, financing, and technology.”
Designated by the United Nations the designation is only symbolic, so it will not likely in part much in the way of actual change, but it does recognize that female farmers face different challenges than their male counterparts.
Often over the years the contributions of women to the farming operation while appreciated at the farm level have perhaps not been as widely recognized away from the farm gate.
In the days of my youth my mother was the one that tended to the yard and fed dad in the field. She did not have off farm work, but certainly stayed busy with a huge garden, canning, baking, cooking, looking after the chickens and a hundred other things she took on as dad rode the tractor, and I cleaned barns.
Over time the role of women of course expanded, making runs for machinery parts or fertilizer, driving grain
trucks or combines, and simply being more directly involved in production.
Today they are just as likely to own the farm and make the decisions.
And, certainly there are far more women working in the broader farm sector than when I was a youth, or even since I began my journalism career some 35 years ago.
The evolving role of women in agriculture of course parallels a general trend of greater participation in most areas, but agriculture is a rather unique sector and will have its own challenges for women to find their place to fully participate as equals.
Having a year designated to mark the growing participation of women in agriculture is certainly a good thing as a way to focus some attention, and hopefully smooth some of the bumps in the path of women.
At the very least it reaffirms women have become equally successful in the agriculture field and are an important part of the sector which feeds us.
Calvin
A funnel cloud could was observed briefly on July 11 at 4:30pm on the southend of Main Street. Luckily it didn’t touch down and moved on with the storm. (photo submitted by Janaia Falcon)
by Trudy & Dale Buxton
We continue this week in Edmonton as we take a couple of days to enjoy some of the sites of the city.
which still stands today on Mission Hill inside the city.
The name St. Albert came from the Saint Albert of Louvain, who was a cardinal of the Catholic Church and latter canonized as a saint in the year 1613.
Randy Weekes, MLA
Biggar - Sask Valley
Constituency Office 106- 3rd Ave. West, Box 1413 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0
Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Toll Free: 1-877-948-4880
Phone: 1-306-948-4880
Fax: 1-306-948-4882
Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Did you know that the greater Edmonton area includes five cities that are within the borders or right on the borders of Edmonton, they include the cities of Beaumont, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc, Spruce Grove and St. Albert.
We stayed in St. Albert which in itself has a population around 69,000 people.
Attention: Janet
St. Albert first became a township in 1904 and was accessible by rail in 1906 by the Canadian Northern Railway.
St. Albert was originally settled in 1861 as a Metis settlement by Father Albert Lacombe who had built a chapel along the Sturgeon River Valley,
Please proof and get back to me by return email.
Thanks, Urla
Happening This Weekend
There were several miles of separation between St. Albert and Edmonton, all mostly farmland but due to the huge expansions made by the city of Edmonton St. Albert was bordered on Edmonton.
Today, St. Albert is the second largest city in the greater Edmonton Region. While in St. Albert we were lucky enough to visit the St. Albert Farmer’s Market which is one of Canada’s largest farmer’s markets.
The market has over 275 vendors, 10 food trucks and at least 10 buskers that attend the market each week. From information gathered there is a large following and a waiting list of businesses that wish to be involved with the market and with over 20,000 people (that’s a 1/3 of the population) that attend on a weekly basis you can see why it is such a popular event.
The market is open rain or shine and starts mid-June all the way to Thanksgiving weekend, and with the success of the market they organizers have also organized a Christmas Market into an indoor venue.
One other huge attraction that seems to draw people from everywhere is the West Edmonton Mall.
West Edmonton Mall is the largest, by square footage, mall in Canada and is the second most visited mall in Canada, the most visited mall in Canada is the Toronto Eaton Centre and the largest mall in North America is the Mall of America in Minnesota.
The West Edmonton Mall has over 800 stores and services including nine attractions, two hotels and over 100 dining venues, the parking alone holds more than 20,000 vehicles.
The waterpark is the world’s 4th largest indoor
park, and the mall also has a regulation sized hockey rink.
Other attractions include a marine life experience, amusement park, a shooting range, casino and dinner theatres. You can certainly spend the whole day here at the mall and with all the choices for food venues you won’t go hungry. There is a lot to do in Edmonton and surrounding area, whether it’s recreation or shopping the area has lots to offer, if you are into it, a trip to Ikea is always a fun store to finish the visit before returning home.
Stay tuned next week as we continue our way home.
Pirate Ship at West Edmonton Mall
St. Albert Farmer’s Market
Our Summer Student Welcomes You All to the Museum
by Delta Fay Cruickshank
for the Biggar Museum & Gallery
We are pleased to introduce you to this year’s summer student, Claire Mantyka. This year Claire graduated with honours from BCS2000. She received the Class of ‘42 award for excellence in History, English and Performing Arts. She also was awarded the Bandmaster Award for excellence in Band. She also received the Doug Schmeiser Award for Music, plus the NCCP
Scholarship. Aren’t we lucky to have such a well-rounded person hanging out with us for the summer! She has been learning the history of Biggar and area. She is prepared to tour visitors around the Royden Donahue Exhibit Gallery and knows some of the stories of Biggar. She is also preparing for Museum Day in August. That day the Biggar Town Day Camp kiddies will be invited to the museum, and they will take part in all kinds of very interesting
activities.
One activity will be a Saskatchewan author, Judith Silverthorne. She will be here to read to the group. Silverthorne will be reading “Honouring the Buffalo”, and “Dinosaur Hideout” for the children. Claire applied for and has received a grant from the Saskatchewan Writer’s Guild Author Reading Program. This grant has supplied the funding for the author to be here in person!
We can hire a Summer Student every year because we apply for and receive a grant from the Federal Government through the Young Canada Workers program. To qualify for the grant our student needs to have been in school in the previous school term and will continue their education in the fall. The grant covers 75% of the student’s wages for 11 weeks. We are so grateful for this opportunity to introduce a young person to the history of Biggar.
Our Claire will be going to the University of Regina, to receive her Bachelor of Education, majoring in Social Studies. Her experiences in the museum will be an advantage as she enters the job market. If we let her go! We
are really enjoying her company and her ability to just take care of things without supervision.
Victoria Grondin Graduates with Distinction
Victoria Dawn Grondin proudly graduated with distinction from the University of Saskatchewan during the 2024 spring convocation, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a major in Marketing. She is the beloved daughter of Elan and Patrick Grondin and cherished sibling to Alyssa, Patrick and William. Victoria is also the treasured granddaughter of Myrtle Robinson and the late Ron Robinson, and Loreen Grondin and the late Stan Grondin. Congratulations, Victoria, on your outstanding achievement!
We’ve been working with Fred & Patsy at Spyder Autobody for the past 3 years, and will continue servicing the Biggar community with mobile SGI appraisals
I-Car Gold Class and OEM Certified Technicians
Consumer Choice Award Winners 12 Years Running Certified Aluminum Repair / Hail Repair Experts
• Courtesy cars available
• Free pickup and delivery 2326 Avenue C North Saskatoon 306-664-4156 customerservice@precisionautobody.ca
Claire Mantyka, is the Summer Student for the Biggar Museum & Gallery. A resident of Biggar, Claire graduated this June from BCS2000. Come on in and say “Hello.” (Photo submitted)
Melfort Swim Meet
Nipawin Swim Meet
Biggar Taekwondo newest Blackbelts
Biggar Taekwondo has officially ended the year on a high note. Everyone has been amazing this year with medals that were too numerous to count from many different tournaments in multiple provinces. The end of the season brought everyone levelling up and 2 new black belts in the club.
We would like to congratulate Chloe Hébert and Kaleb Carter to the prestigious rank of black belt. It has taken years of perseverance for these young people to reach this milestone.
Wishing them the best in their future Taekwondo endeavours.
Look forward to seeing more news about exciting opportunities for Biggar Taekwondo in the coming year.
Cody won bronze in 18 +age group
Keiran won bronze in 15-17 age group
Penton On Sports
Bruce Penton
What has the potential to be the most dramatic head-to-head competition at the Paris Olympics might not happen.
Canada’s Summer McIntosh, only 17, recently snapped American Katie Ledecky’s winning streak in the 800metre freestyle and if the two were to face off in the Olympic pool on Saturday, Aug. 3, when the 800-metre final is scheduled, it would be must-see TV.
But it’s unlikely to happen, since Toronto’s McIntosh is apparently not going to compete in the 800 metres, leaving the gold medal virtually unchallenged around the neck of Ledecky.
Back in February, McIntosh stunned the 27-year-old Ledecky by not only winning the 800-metre final at a meet in Orlando, but touching the wall almost six seconds ahead of the U.S. star, who joins Mark Spitz and Michael Phelps on the Mount Rushmore of U.S. swim stars. In a sport where winners and losers are usually decided by hundredths of a second, a six-second victory is a runaway.
Until that race, Ledecky had owned the world’s best 30 times in the 800 metres, and hadn’t been beaten in her specialty in an astounding 13 years. The hype machine wouldn’t have to be turned up very high to attract a record TV audience for a McIntoshvs.-Ledecky 800-metre showdown, but the Canadian swimmer will likely bypass the 800 and concentrate on her specialty events — the 400-metre individual medley, the 400metre freestyle and the 200-metre butterfly. McIntosh has five of the world’s fastest times ever
McIntosh-Ledecky clash would be Olympic highlight
in the 400 IM. Skipping the 800-race would in all likelihood give the gold to Ledecky, which would be her fourth Olympic gold in that event. She would join Phelps as the only swimmers to win a single event in four different Olympic Games. McIntosh grew up in a swimming family. Her mother swam in the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. She started swimming competitively at age 8, and idolized Ledecky, 10 years older. A story in The Athletic said McIntosh had posters of Ledecky hanging on her bedroom wall.
It’s almost a given that this will be the last Olympic Games for Ledecky, who would be 31 in 2028, which means it will be the last chance for an 800-metre showdown between the two swimming superstars. The McIntosh team hasn’t finalized the Canadian swimmer’s schedule, and says competing in the 800-metres remains a possibility.
The Athletic reported
that Ledecky, McIntosh and world champion Ariarne Titmus are scheduled to swim in the 400-metre freestyle on the first day of the swim competition. The secondlast day of the swimming events is Aug. 3 and what a spectacular near-finale it would be for McIntosh and Ledecky to go head to head in the 800.
Meanwhile, Canada should make a big splash in the pool thanks to the talents of Maggie Mac Neil and our county’s most decorated Olympian, Penny Oleksiak. Mac Neil won three medals at the Tokyo Olympics, including gold in the 100-metre butterfly.
• Super 70s Sports, on Twitter, referencing the drug lifestyle of retired New York Giants’ Lawrence Taylor: “Whenever the Giants needed a big play, Bill Parcells used to point at the quarterback and say ‘LT, he’s got your coke.’”
• Headline at fark. com: “Ferrari ready to announce HP as their new title sponsor beginning in 2025,
hopes to get deal signed once someone finds the spare cyan cartridge”
• Comedy writer Gary Bachman: “In 1985, Herschel Walker of the New Jersey Generals was named the Most Valuable Player of the United States Football League. When he unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate in 2022, he honestly claimed to be a decorated general.”
• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com . (Hampton, Va.): “Arch Manning, the backup quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, reportedly received between $50,000 and $60,000 to promote a college football video game. Imagine how much he could have made if he were firststring. Or how little if he wasn’t a Manning.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen on the European soccer championsip: “England versus Spain in Germany in July. This is like an event horizon for beer drinking.”
• The Canadian parody site, thebeaverton.com,
offered suggestions for less than knowledgeable Canadian soccer fans while watching our national team play Argentina: “Never claim to know whether a play is offside or not”; “and say ‘Messi may not have the legs anymore, but he still has the vision.’”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com : “According to ESPN, no tennis player over 6 feet 5 inches in height has won more than one Grand Slam. Who says winning a major is a tall order?”
• Headline at theonion. com: “Wimbledon Trying To Excite Us, But The Ball Still Just Goes Back And Forth All Day”
• Headline at fark.com: “HBO gambling on an expansive Pete Rose documentary”
• Another fark.com headline: “Max Scherzer addresses trade deadline rumours and says there is only one team he wants to be on the injured list for.”
• Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca
HAVE WAGON WHEELS GOTTEN SMALLER?
My brother invited a friend and his girlfriend over to his place for a barbeque last summer. Performing his usual gourmet wizardry on the barbeque, he, my Mother, and their guests enjoyed a delightful and tasty meal. Then it came time for dessert.
He asked his friend, “How about a Wagon Wheel for dessert?”
His friend beamed at the thought of the tasty treat from our childhood, saying “Oh my God, I’d love one! I haven’t had a Wagon Wheel since I was a kid!”
My brother then handed his friend a modern day Wagon Wheel biscuit in a clear plastic wrapper. It was barely a half-inch thick and a little bigger around than a SilverDollar pancake! His face falling, the flabbergasted guest asked my brother
the question that every current day adult who loved this treat as a child has asked at one time or another: “WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED TO THE WAGON WHEELS?”
Remember the Wagon Wheels we enjoyed as kids? They were as big around as your grown fist and as thick as your adult thumb and were just bursting out of the package! And they only cost five cents back then!
When I was little my Dad would take me with him every Friday afternoon to run a few errands while Mom was busy shopping elsewhere in town. When our errands were done, we would always end up at a local variety store, a little general store that the gentleman ran out of an extension on the back of his house on a side street in the Northcentral part of town. Dad would pick up a few things in the store and always took the time to stop and chat with the owner while paying at the cash register. And while they were talking, Dad always bought me a Wagon Wheel! I remember that vividly because a Wagon Wheel back then was a tasty treat for a little kid like me. And that weekly
tasty treat at the little variety store became a happy childhood memory that I still hold dear to this day.
But over the years the Wagon Wheel seemed to go through some changes. They seem to be a lot smaller now than I remember them. So, what the heck did happen to the Wagon Wheels?
Originally invented by William Peschardt, Wagon Wheels were originally introduced in 1948 at the British Food fair in London by Garry Weston, son of W. Garfield Weston, and eventual Father of Galen Weston, the retired current-day Canadian Grocery Magnate who ran, amongst other things, the Torontobased Weston Foods Empire and Loblaw’s chain of grocery stores, the largest chain of its kind in Canada (To my knowledge, Galen’s son, Galen Weston Jr., who ran things for the longest time after his Father retired, just retired himself in 2023).
After acquiring the patent from Peschardt, Weston sandwiched two Marie biscuits around a marshmallow filling, covered it with chocolate, and it became an instant hit. The name,
originally ‘Weston Wagon Wheels’, was related to the circular shape of the biscuits and was trying to capitalize on the ‘wild west’ theme, which was popular in the mass media at the time. It was billed at the time as ‘The biggest chocolate biscuit bar on the market’.
Because they were originally a British creation, they became quite popular in many Commonwealth countries, including Canada. They were originally produced in Canada by McCormick’s before being acquired by Dare Foods Limited, where they are presently being manufactured today.
So have the Wagon Wheels shrunk over the years?
To the average person like myself who remembers these treats from childhood, the answer appears to be ‘yes’. But the manufacturers of Wagon Wheels dispute these accusations from their former childhood consumers.
The current U.K. Wagon Wheel producer, Burton’s Biscuit Company, is quite sensitive to the accusation that the Wagon Wheel has gotten smaller over the years and have disputed that claim, once
putting out a statement that read: “Contrary to popular belief, Wagon Wheels have not actually got smaller, most often our first Wagon Wheel experience is in childhood and hence our hands are much smaller.”
In essence, what they are saying is because we were little the Wagon Wheels looked much bigger to us at the time and as we grew up the Wagon Wheel started to look much smaller to us even though the size
of the biscuit did not appreciatively change as we got older. So there you have it. Take it for what it is. Have Wagon Wheels gotten smaller? You be the judge. And in the meantime, if you are able, have a glass of milk and a Wagon Wheel with your kids or grandkids and sit back and enjoy the happy memories of the times in our youth that were spent eating that tasty treat!
Keith Schell
Business & Professional …
Business & Professional …
ARIES –
Mar 21/Apr 20
Secrets that have been troubling you may come to a head this week, Aries. Try not to let your emotions get the best of you right now; otherwise, relationships could be damaged.
TAURUS –
Apr 21/May 21
Taurus, your mind is all shaken up right now, so it should come as no surprise that you are distracted. The days ahead should see things settle down and you’ll be able to refocus.
GEMINI –
May 22/Jun 21
This week is likely to be fairly quiet for you, Gemini. You may have to drum up your own excitement. Start looking at event calendars or live music venues for a distraction.
CANCER –
LIBRA –
Sept 23/Oct 23
Do not expect people to follow you blindly, Libra. You will have to give them reason to follow you and come around to your way of thinking.
SCORPIO –
Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, with so much going on around you, and after juggling various projects, concentrating can be very challenging. However, you must get your head in the game or risk mistakes.
SAGITTARIUS –
Nov 23/Dec 21
Life isn’t a spectator sport, Sagittarius. To really feel you are experiencing all you can right now, you must get right in the middle of the action. Friends can lead the way.
CAPRICORN –
Dec 22/Jan 20
The path you are supposed to take is finally coming into focus, Capricorn. Your excitement will only increase as you start making plans for the future. Share your joy with others.
AQUARIUS –Jan 21/Feb 18
You don’t need to completely reinvent yourself to make a change, Aquarius. Even small modification can make a big impact in the long run. Start gradually and build up.
PISCES –Feb 19/Mar 20
Even though there is a challenging prospect on the horizon, you have all of the information you need to start navigating this new stage in your life, Pisces.
Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, use this week to think about your professional future. Many ideas are coming together and you just have to pick the route you would like to travel at this point.
LEO –
Jul 23/Aug 23
HOUSING AUTHORITY Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income Call: 306•303•7246
There is little time for daydreaming right now, Leo. Things will come at you at a fast and furious pace and you might have to scramble to keep up. Keep your wits about you.
Thanks Urla
VIRGO –
Aug 24/Sept 22
Virgo, you may feel like you are being hit with many obstacles from all directions. You might need to give yourself more time to devote to all of the tasks you take on. Ask for help if you need it.
SUDOKU
St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330
Saturday Mass.......7:00p.m.
Sunday Mass....... 11:00a.m. our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.
Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans
St.Pauls Anglican Redeemer Lutheran 205 4th Ave. E 319 7th Ave. E
Holidays
AUGUST 25, ST.PAULS ANGLICAN
Rev. Daphne Bender Pastor’s cellular Phone: 1-306-621-9559 Office Phone: 306-948-3731 (Messages are forwarded to Pastor’s phone immediately)
Biggar associated gospel church
312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar
Sunday Service 10:30 a.m.
All are welcome to come and join us
Biggar United ChUrCh
REGULAR SERVICES SUNDAY 11:00 am
Holidays JUNE 30 - AUGUST 10
Services Resuming August 11 Minister Dale Worrall Inquires Call Church Office 306-948-2280 Leave Message
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
SATURDAY SERVICES
BIBLE STUDY 10:00a.m. CHURCH SERVICE 11:00a.m. 320 - 6th ave.east contact: 306-951-8445 3 abn www.amazingfacts.org
NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH
...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 Worship - 10:30 a.m.
1598 Biggar SK, S0K0M0 Phone 1-306-280-0596 for more information. Deadline for proposals July 15.
If
BRIAN GEORGE GRANT
February 24, 1959 - October 9, 2023
With deep sadness the family of Brian George Grant formerly from Biggar announces his passing on October 9, 2023 in Edmonton.
Born to Mac and Merle Grant, February 24, 1959 in Biggar he was the youngest of four boys. Brian moved to Edmonton 20 years ago and lost touch with many of his family and friends. We had just re-established communication with him when we were informed he had passed away after a personal struggle with cancer.
A small private gathering was held in Edmonton and he will be interned at the Biggar Cemetery with his parents at 11:00am July 20, 2024. A last motorcycle ride will start at North Battleford and carry him to Biggar for the internment. Family
and friends are welcome join the ride and/or gather to say farewell. Brian was predeceased by his parents, Mac and Merle Grant and his brother, Ed. He is survived by his two brothers, Carry and Barry. The family is requesting no flowers. A gathering BBQ will be held following the interment and ride back to Battleford.
INTERNMENT SATURDAY JUNE 20
BERYL CONNIE FERNETS
April 9, 1968 - July 8, 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce that on Monday, July 8th, 2024, Beryl Connie Fernets, a loving, devoted wife, caring sister and Auntie, suddenly passed away at the age of 56 at her home in Biggar SK. She was the sixth child of six born to Eilleen and Norman Larsen. Beryl will be lovingly remembered and forever missed by her husband Walter of 33 years.
Beryl leaves to cherish her memory brothers and sister, Don Larsen, Calgary, AB, Gerald (Judy) Larsen of North Battleford, SK, Rose (Gordon) Delainey of North Battleford, SK, Earl (Brenda) Larsen of Battleford, SK, Mike (Shiela) Larsen of Winnipeg, MB; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. Beryl was predeceased by her parents Eileen and Norman Larsen of North Battleford, SK. Beryl was born April 9, 1968 in North Battleford, SK where she
REFLECTIONS OBITUARIES
How is it that Someone perfect in everyway, without sin, full of love and compassion, healing the sick, raising the dead, feeding thousands, calming storms, and so much more, was so hated by many, and finally was crucified on a cross? What is even stranger is that it was the leaders of His own church that condemned Him and handed Him over to the authorities to be crucified. The governor, Pontius Pilate, saw no fault in Him, but commanded Him to be crucified anyway. What is wrong with us humans?
Well, fortunately, that Someone, Jesus Christ, knew what was wrong and that is why He came to this world, to die for us. His sacrificial death was our salvation. While hanging on the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not
EDWARD “ED” GRANT
JUNE 16, 2023
On June 16, 2023 our beloved husband, father, brother and friend Ed Grant went peacefully home to the Lord with his wife of 49 years by his side. Ed will be sadly missed by his wife Sandra, daughter Angie (Gary), son Wade (Jill), brothers Carry, Barry and Brian. Ed was predeceased by son Russell and parents Mac and Merle Grant.
To All Friends and Family of the Grant Boys from Biggar. Many of you know, we lost older brother, Ed in June last year and younger brother, Brian in October. We will be taking them for one last motorcycle ride, from Barry’s acreage west of Battleford to the Biggar Cemetery for internment on Saturday July 20, 2024. Leaving Barry’s acreage at 09:30 and stopping at the Co-op Service Station in Battleford to meet other family. Leaving from there by 10:00, internment at Biggar at 11:00. Then a ride back to Barry’s place to celebrate them with BBQ and friendship. All friends and family welcome to join us. Barry and Carry Grant
attended school, completing her education in Saskatoon. In 1989 she met her life partner Walter, and they married June 29, 1991.
Beryl, in addition to homemaking, participated in various volunteer activities in the community. She enjoyed all types of flowers, growing and arranging, and many different crafting activities. She especially enjoyed travelling, camping, and exploring new worlds by hiking and long outdoor walks with Walter.
Beryl will always be remembered for her selfless caring compassion and sensitivity and big smile of joyful happiness to share with everyone.
A Celebration of Beryl’s life was held Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00AM at New Horizons (117 3rd Avenue W, Biggar, SK). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.
what they do, Luke 23:24. This is the ultimate of love and compassion. Sadly, we Christians, who have taken His name, have put ourselves into theological boxes, and we do not always show love and compassion to one another, never mind those who don’t know Jesus as their Savior. We can be so focused on our biblical understanding of the scripture, that we lose sight of the more “weightier” matters of love and compassion for all people. Our theology will not save us. We are saved by grace, His grace. The commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 reminds us that if we confess His name, we must conduct our lives accordingly. “…In as
much as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.”
Matthew 25:40
It is not love or compassion to remain silent regarding sin and the transgression of God’s law and the consequences of living apart from Christ. We must speak truth with love and compassion, but it is God who defined sin.
My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us rejoice and be glad, and demonstrate His love, His compassion, His grace, to all humanity. For truly, as we see the direction the world is going, we as His disciples can change that direction by following the instructions He has given us in His word to love one another as He has loved us.
Marjorie Fortney, Seventhday Adventist Church
Ed worked on the CNR and after retirement went to work at Crosstown Motors. He loved hunting and target shooting and won many awards. He was a founding member of The Bear Hills Wildlife Federation and Gun Range in Biggar, SK. His favorite passtime was going to the lake and boating and fishing. He also loved motorcycles, music and playing his guitar.
He was quick witted and had a great sense of humour. He loved to make new friends.
Thanks to the staff at Yourville home that took good care of him. Especially Rebecca, Sarah, Roselyn and the recreation staff.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Yourville Home in Ed’s name.
BETTY JANE GAMBLE
March 20, 1951 - July 5, 2024
Betty Jane Gamble came into the world on March 20th, 1951, the second youngest of seven children in the Meger family. Every year on Betty’s birthday, my mom, Betty’s sister, tells me a story of how a heavy snowstorm delayed Betty’s first trip home by and entire month. The storm had closed all the road and trapped them in town. What a way to start your life. Betty met her husband George while he was helping her father on the family farm. When George first saw Betty, he thought she was beautiful, and immediately attracted to her, so he asked her out. She said yes, and the rest is history. They married on December 4th, 1971, and shared 52 wonderful years together. Betty was a very genuine person. She always said what she meant and meant what she said, something I always admired about her. There was never any doubt where you stood with her. She loved simple pleasures like playing bingo, crocheting and shopping with her daughter Jane. Betty had a passion for collecting ornaments a love Betty passed on to Jane. In her younger years, Betty had a green thumb, working in her beautiful garden. When my brother and I were kids, we would raid her pea patch whenever we visited – she always had something delicious growing! As adults, Aunt Betty and I bonded over our gar-
dens. Years later, after I started canning myself, I truly appreciated the hard work it took for her to preserve the bounty from her large garden. Betty’s kitchen radiated warmth and hospitality. She was an incredible cook, always ready with a welcoming spread for anyone who stopped by. Even something as simple as cheese and crackers tasted better at her table.
I remember this thing she used to do. She would walk to the end of the driveway, put her hands on her hips, and look back and forth down the street, taking in everything happening around her. One day, when Jane was about two or three years old, I saw her do the exact same pose! It was a heartwarming moment that captured Betty’s spirit perfectly. Betty may be gone now, but she lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her honesty, love of shopping, passion for ornaments, unique poses, hospitality, and green thumb are all reminders of the amazing woman she was. We see her everywhere we look – in Jane, in the beauty of a garden, in the warmth of a shared meal.
Rest in peace, Betty. You will be dearly missed.
Funeral Service was held on Saturday, July 13th, 2024, 2:00 p.m., at New Horizons, 117 3 Avenue West, Biggar, SK. To leave words of condolences, visit Martens Warman Funeral Home at www.martenswarman.ca
Biggar Bowl
Biggar Bowl Ltd. Is owned and operated by Melissa & Jason Raschke since 2019. Open by reservation, this is a fun family oriented fully licensed sporting facility, which offers affordable local location for leagues, birthday, anniversary, team building, reunion, friend and family get togethers. Bowling Alley has 6 wood lanes and updated scoring system, regular or glow options plus customized music solutions. 3 Bowling assists ramps and 2 assist sticks for delivering the ball down the lanes for younger persons or those with limited mobility or pain, plus access ramps to make all areas of the alley accessible and so anyone can be included in the activities.
The Biggar Nationals U15B Girls Provincial Bronze Medal winners
What a weekend! These u15 ladies played unreal! Came up short 4-2 in the semis to a great team but took home bronze with a 10-3 win. 3rd place at provincials out of 31 teams is something to be super proud of! Such an awesome group of girls and so well deserved!! (Submitted photo)
