Art Road Trip Prairie
by Trudy Buxton
On July 20,2024 Myself (Trudy), and my mom (Iris) went on the road trip to see all the artists and artisans we have in our community and district. We started off at Michaela Hoppe’s Studio, sitting outside under a canopy was Carrie Gosselin doing water colour paints and going inside waiting was Michaela and Dale’s daughter sitting at a table with her products, she gave me a description of the product and how she does it. The other daughter had a table too along with another artist. As we walked into Michaelas studio, it was beautiful, remarkable paintings. The one that caught my eye was a painting of a yellow rose, it looked like you could touch it. There were so many more that were amazing as well. We then hit the highway heading to Cindy Hoppe’s Place. On our way we noticed the crops looking so good, nice and green, a couple were flowering with yellow. We begin at Diane Larouche Ellard’s booth once we arrived and again beautiful works, the one that stood out to me here was of cattails. Next was Imagine
Biggar RCMP Report by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment
The Biggar RCMP were busy with 17 occurrences investigated and 10 traffic tickets from the combined traffic services units. This included the
Yarn, Anel Meerholz, she purchases raw fleece then process and dyes it to be used in making many different things like, gnomes or on the bottom of scarves or art products. Next was Deb’s Pottery by Deb McLeod, I like the card holders that she made. Another young artist selling her products, then Jim Gerlinsky, Blacksmith, one of many things he had but a little spoon, it was a measure of a pinch of spices. Prairie Native Plant Nursery was up next, and of course mom had to look at them and of course touch the plants too. Fetch Farm by Christy and Elise Simard, she had Artisanal soaps, lotion and skincare, wearable fashions and handicrafts available. Next into the house for Cindy Hoppe, Fibre Artist, beautiful products all made out of fibre. On the deck was Erine Hoppe bbqing burgers, and in the shade was Quilter, Tom Larson, with his products. One that caught my eye was a quilt for halloween, with stitches in shapes of spiders, spider webs and the binding had pumpkins. We made our way back in the car, with the air conditioner on we con-
Prairie Road Trip
tinued the Prairie Art Tour driving to Boondock Flower Farm. First booth we came across was Erin Pell, contemporary lamp work and blown glass artist. She had a set of tiger lilies set in wood, bumble bees, and cactus, all done in glass. Prairie Sky Design artist is Zena Johnson she specializes in real dried flower resin jewelry and acrylic pour functional art. Next was The Flowered Raven, Parker Bourque Artist, Entrepreneur and she is also a Metis artist, showcasing her culture through her handcrafted beadwork products and accessories. Loem Bath and Body, beautiful handcrafted soaps and bath bombs. She had a bouquet of flowers crafted out of soap that struck my eye, very nice work. Dean R Taylor Art, had paintings, I loved the one that had an old building with a row of trees blowing in the wind. Knotty Girl Crochet by Rhonda Heather had handcrafted accessories, and Bailey Dueker owner of Boondock Flower Farm, grows a large of variety of annual and perennial specialty cut flowers. Then we were back to the air conditioned vehicle and on are way to
Arelee. There we seen Ric Pollock, a Metal Sculptor, one piece that stood out for me is a woman sitting in a chair breastfeeding, and Rubberneckers artist Mariann Taubensee, makes jewelry made out of inner tubes. On the road again to Prairie Fire Alpacas, an Alpaca farm owned by Karen Pashovitz, there she has an onsite shop where she sells alpaca fibre products. There we seen, Wood U Know, he makes wooden walking canes and other wood
decor. Kari’s Sourdough specializes in making fresh sourdough, we also tried sun-dried tomato and capers. Jb Creations, is a husband and wife team, he does the wood working and she does crafts, crocheting and baking. Adorn Yourself, Della Yaroshko with one of kind creations made from natural fibres. Then before we left we even had a visit with the alpacas. Also apart of the tour was a stop in the town of Biggar at The Oak Tree Coffee House and Bou-
tique, located on Main Street. Along with specialty coffees and desserts, they have a selection of various items for sale by local artist’s in the community. Mom and I had a great time on the Prairie Art Road Trip. We enjoyed seeing all the interesting things made by the vendors, the scenery on the way, and we got to reminsce about things her and dad did on trips they would take. I wish dad was here to go on these trips, he would really enjoy it.
Biggar RCMP Report
enforcement of motorbikes and other all terrain vehicles within Biggar town limits. Thanks to the assistance of traffic services and their automated licence plate readers, RCMP Combined Traffic Services
detected a stolen vehicle out of Saskatoon parked abandoned in town and alerted Biggar Detachment. This vehicle was successfully recovered undamaged with the registered owner notified of its recovery. The
investigation continues into the suspect of the vehicle theft. There were two reports of a suspicious person sleeping on the side of the road south of Biggar on Highway #4. The travelling wanderer for-
got to document where his friend lived in a nearby town and didn’t have his phone number. Thankfully the person was okay and was provided a ride back home to North Battleford. A couple of breaches of conditions on youth were laid as a result of ongoing investigations. Another suspicious person complaint was made regarding a female walking on Highway #51 west of Biggar.
There was a report of a white Chevrolet Impala over-eagerly trying to get to its destination, speeding in excess of 150 km/h eastbound from Biggar near Perdue on Highway #14 at 6:15 in morning. There were two harassing calls/messages complaints. In one of them, the caller decided to deal with the call and situation on their own after a brief discussion with police and the other is still under investigation.
Biggar RCMP responded to a disturbance call of people yelling at each other from inside a residence. Police investigated and learned no violence or threats of violence took place between room-mates and were advised by police to keep things civil. A theft of gas took place at Perdue. 1700 litres of gas were discovered stolen from a large storage tank which occurred during the overnight hours of July 19th. Police are investigating and are seeking the public’s help with any tips in the identification of potential suspects. Take Care out there!
A few of the cute little Alpacas greeting visitors at the Prairie Fire Alpaca Farm on Saturday, July 20 as part of the Prairie Art Road Trip Tour. More photo’s on page 2. Independent Photos by Trudy Buxton
Team McEwen has new sponsors… Saskatchewan’s Team McEwen curlers, Mike McEwen, Biggar’s own Colton Flasch, Kevin and Dan Marsh were on hand for a promotional video with their new sponsors Western Sales. Photo Supplied.
Its assumption for proposing a home equity tax, that all homeowners are wealthy, is baseless
by Roslyn Kunin
The congregation I belong to enjoys a potluck meal after weekly services and likes to contribute to those in need in the community.
When an elderly woman who looked like she really needed a meal started dropping in at lunchtime, she was welcomed and fed. She enjoyed the food and the company. There did not appear to be any family or friends in her life.
She died soon after and left $1,000,000 to be given to charity. Where did this old lady who did not have enough money to keep herself fed get a million dollars? It was from the sale of the old and badly maintained house she owned and lived in. She had not found a way to turn her one asset into an income stream to cover her everyday expenses.
I thought of this lady when a proposal was put forward to tax homeowners annually on the equity in their homes. This would be in addition to the city taxes that homeowners already pay.
Generation Squeeze, an organization focused on younger people’s struggles to afford homes, is proposing to tax home equity. The organization is showing more than a little resentment against older people who already
have homes. Its image of older homeowners is very different from the old lady described above. It assumes that anyone who owns a home not only has a place to live but also has a high enough income and sufficient cash assets to pay almost unlimited taxes.
How much tax? One million-dollar homes would be taxed 0.2 percent of their value initially, rising to 0.5 percent over time. That would be $2,000, increasing to $5,000 annually. Homes assessed at $2 million would be taxed at one percent each year or $10,000. The unstated assumption is that homeowners are old and rich and can easily afford to pay additional taxes at this level and that they have sufficient wealth or income streams to do so.
To justify this significant financial burden on homeowners, Generation Squeeze points out that many people didn’t have to work to achieve the large increase in their property’s value. They bought when prices were low and just watched them rise. The fact that they bought what were then inexpensive houses shows they weren’t especially wealthy, and many didn’t have
particularly high incomes at the time.
Now, many of these homeowners are older, often in or near retirement. At this stage of life, most Canadians find their incomes and savings diminishing. Seniors in Canada have incomes that are roughly two-thirds of those of working Canadians, and over a quarter of seniors are so poor that they need government supplements. Including government assistance, a single senior receives about $35,000 annually, while a couple gets around $65,000. Many seniors and others with similar incomes must already defer their city property taxes. Can they really afford additional tax bills amounting to thousands of dollars each year?
Too many people, including those in Generation Squeeze and some in the government, seem to have an unrealistic image of wealthy Canadians. Are they imagining the fat, top-hatted, moneybagged capitalists from a Monopoly game? These stereotypes seemed to be in mind when the Trudeau government introduced the increase in the capital gains tax. Would you be surprised to learn that many capital gains went to average
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Canadians who had worked hard, saved, and counted on modest gains to keep themselves and their families above the supplemented income level in retirement?
Similarly, simply owning a home does not guarantee one has wealth or a high income. Imposing a tax on homes valued at $1 million and above does not ensure it will only impact those
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who can afford it. In major Canadian cities, $1 million only gets you a very average home. It reminds me of the old joke: “I always wanted a million-dollar home. I always thought it would be bigger.”
The high cost of housing, especially for young people, is a serious problem that hasn’t been adequately addressed. Solving it requires good
government policies and additional tax revenue. But these taxes must be based on a real and accurate understanding of the Canadians paying them, not on overgeneralized ideas about who is wealthy. Dr. Roslyn Kunin is a Troy Media columnist, public speaker and consulting economist.
Trump assassination attempt an ugly reminder
Provincial Viewpoint
Murray Mandryk
For the third time in my lifetime, there has been serious attempt on the life of a U.S. president has occurred.
I was not old enough to remember the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, but _ like the rest of us _ I have grown up witnessing the effects of this tragedy.
The death of Kennedy exposed a layer of danger, cynicism and
hate we previously didn’t realize existed.
One of my earliest political memories in the late 1960s was hearing American hunters who had come to Canada –people I saw as a young boy to be nice, interesting people _ tell my family in an unguarded, private movement that they happy Kennedy. It was my first taste of how politics can be so tragically divisive. Rather than bring a great democratic nation together, it seemed to divide them.
One might have instead thought Kennedy’s death was simply a lesson in the fragility of democracy and the need to respect and protect the democratic process but also those to serve it. It turned out that it wasn’t. And things have
only gotten worse. More than 60 years later, we still are unclear when it comes to both the mental well-being and motivations of Lee Harvey Oswald who killed John F. Kennedy. Lessons were learned from the Kennedy assassination about the need to protect our leaders from those who may simply be deranged.
The secret service in the U.S. became tighter. There would no longer be things like open motorcades where leaders were vulnerable. Presidents are guarded with the tightest security possible.
But all that didn’t stop John Hinkley _ another deranged person with mental health issues _ from nearly taking the life of U.S. President Ronald Reagan in an
attempted assassination. Many thought it couldn’t happen again ... yet it did.
And it’s happened again with the recent assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump. By now, one might think we should clue into the reasons why it keeps happening. Instead, society seems determined to create new conditions that increase the probability of it happening again.
Of course, one big problem in the U.S. is the gun culture tied to the America’s 2nd amendment that granted then colonists the right to bear arms. Long lost in the conversation from those days nearly 250 years ago when the right to bear arms meant owning a flintlock powder musket is the
absolute destructive of modern weapons.
But gun culture isn’t going to change in that country. Moreover, it’s only an outcome of the real problem _ not the source.
The real problem is our always dangerous political and social culture that’s now fed by unfettered social media.
In turn, that feeds this political hate, until it explodes into something much worse.
In sad isolation, many dash away at their keyboards and publicly release their angry outburst to the entire world like a spoiled child screaming a mall. It doesn’t add to the conversation. It only adds to the resentment that eventually turns to hate.
Someone else finds it necessary to express
their opinions, hoping to activate the endorphin hit in our brain that comes with the likes we get from those who agree with us.
Of course, it can be argued that no one is more responsible for this than Donald Trump, who has made what was once unacceptable in public discourse, acceptable.
But judging by those who posted online – anonymously or otherwise – that Trump somehow deserved to be shot, far too many are equally willing to publicly say the say the same stupid things for the word to see
This isn’t the private and unguarded words of a couple hunters of 60 years ago. This is what now passes for political debate. It must stop.
Notable Notes
Bob Mason
Well ... we did fall by the wayside!
Back in the Dirty Thirties, when Y.T. (Yours Truly) was just a shy kid, he attended a “Pie Social” at the old school. The master of ceremonies (one of the local drunks) started to auction the pies off.
Y.T., in his shy, hesitant way, made bids on the pies of 10-cents and even as high as 20-cents ... but no! The MC never even seemed to see him.
Knowing he didn’t have a chance of being sold a pie while sitting meekly back in the crowd, he moved up right beside where old Jimmy was, giving out with his best spiel.
As soon as the MC picked up one of the pies to sell, Y.T. hollered, “Twenty-five cents!”
A lot of people seemed almost astounded that this kid could afford to spend 25-cents on a lowly pie, and right away the MC shouted, “Sold! To Bobby Mason!”
Of course, Y.T. took the pie (actually I think it was homemade pumpkin!) and although he had no idea whose it was, felt a bit surprised a few minutes later when one of the local Romeo’s
came up and offered him 30-cents for it! Who could tun down a deal like that?!
I gave the fellow the pie, pocketed my 30-cents and sat down, quite content to gulp down some coffee and gobble up a few of the egg sandwiches provided for the people no lucky enough to purchase a pie.
Being young though, Y.T. felt that the course of his life had changed when he looked across the room and saw the prettiest girl in the country sharing that pie with and smiling up to this Romeo guy who had wheedled her cookery away from that dumb looking Mason kid for 30-cents!
Back then, nuthin’ was worth nuthin’ but it turned out that one of the neighbours was moving away so we went to his sale.
Believe it or not, one fellow (I could mention his name but I won’t!) made an opening bid of 5-cents on the guys old car... five lousy cents!
After he had finally sold the car (for $3) and the day had wore on a bit, the auctioneer, having been ordered to sell everything, turned to the family outhouse sitting against the shelterbelt. He rattled away for a few minutes and eventually got a bid of 50-cents for it.
“Sold!” he shouted, just as this same pretty girl stepped out of it and gently shut the door. We never did find out if they were in cahoots or not on that deal, but I’ll bet that more than one shiny car has been bought by guys who saw some pretty girl sitting in it!
Wayside Memoirs
P.T. Barnum wasn’t the only one who could. Some guys can see a sucker coming half a mile away! Such was this fellow in Tessier!
When we were young fellows and went to town on Saturday night, like everybody else! We had a few friends who hung around with us telling lies and all the stuff that kids do.
After it got to be quite late, about nine o’clock or so, we would wind up in the local cafe, matching coins on the sidewalk, noticing that C.C.’s had two heads!
That same kid had a quarter in his other pocket that had two tails!
Time passed though, like it always does, but I guess that innocent look on my face didn’t pass with it.
Some time after the war in Europe was over, the army made the big mistake of getting me to run the switchboard in Dundurn Army Camp.
So a little tin door falls open on the panel and Y.T. plugs in his line to the officer mess.
“Hic!” says a very authoritative voice. “Can you tell me how much it costs to make a phone call to Burma!”
“Burma!” I exclaimed. “I haven’t any idea! There’s a war going on over there. You’ll have to phone central in the city. They might know!”
“Look!” says the authoritative voice. “You’ll find out and phone me back at the mess here!”
It sounded like a command, so Y.T. pulled the plug and phoned the city.
Of course, they didn’t know. They phoned some far-out military
place in the US of A, which apparently advises them on what to do.
I phone the officers mess. The high-class voice answers.
“You can’t get a line to Burma for a week,” I tell him, “Saskatoon phoned Washington and they say they’re all tied up!”
“How come it takes that long,” complains the voice. “Burma is just fifty miles east of Saskatoon!”
“You mean Bruno?” I ask, knowing darn well that some young, halflit ‘Louie’ (Lieutenant) has got a bet on about the cost of a phone call across the Pacific!
“That’s what I said,” explains the A.V. (Authoritative Voice).
I connect him up with Bruno and he doesn’t even talk! Y.T. pulls the plug and says nothing. After all, it was the officers mess!
I imagine it was the same guy who phoned late one night and insisted we find a lady in Saskatoon named Alice Chalmers, but when we finally got her - sleepily - to the phone, he told her he was looking for a machinery company! Grrr!
Like the guy said though, “There’s one born every minute!”
PRECISION AUTOBODY WRITING
Ask The Money Lady
Christine Ibbotson
Dear Money Lady, Christine I have enjoyed your column in our newspaper and frequently clip them for my children. I am 65 years old and very recently widowed. I have hardly any deductions and somewhere around 600K in unregistered savings. I have no mortgage on my home,
This past Saturday, July 20th at the Biggar Community Hall was a school reunion of Howard Powell School.
There was 180 people that had responded and out of 180 there were 163 people who were able to attend the festivities.
The evening was filled with great memories and stories of the past from past students at the school, along with people who helped to make the school possible, teachers from the past, caretakers and bus drivers.
A little history, in the 1950’s it was becoming very difficult to hire teachers for a number of 1 room schools that were in the area, therefore there was a decline in students. It was thought at the time to build a school where it could encompass many students, bigger classrooms and therefore hire more teachers.
The building of the school took place on “Mikes” corner and highway 4 between Rosetown and Biggar.
In January of 1953, representatives from the Austin, Britton, Emerson, Kingsland, Longdale, Marriott and Rowena along with the Board from Rosetown met and laid down the plans for the new Howard Powell Union School District. The plan was to have the school opened for the fall term in 1953.
but it needs repair. My husband was the financial head in our marriage. My question is this: what is the safest way for me to lower my tax base? Buying property appeals to me the most, but I don’t want the headaches of being a landlord. Is it worth it?
-Isabelle
Dear Isabelle, Regardless of where you put your $600K savings, either in an investment property or in an unregistered trading account you will now be subject to a higher capital gains tax. If you have a capital gain of more than $250,000 you will now be subject to an inclusion rate of 67%, up from the 50% we were used to in the past. This is something you will more than likely see if
you were to purchase an investment property. Being a landlord nowadays is not for the faint of heart. Yes, you will have the tax write-offs, but you will also need to add the rental income to your overall annual taxable revenue. While I agree there seems to be a large pool of potential renters today, please remember this should be thought of as a true business venture. You will need to keep up with the regular maintenance and any unexpected repairs on the property, plus ensure the property taxes and insurances are paid. Also, make sure you are diligent when finding the right renters. It could take a very long time to evict a tenant that pays zero rent. While I am the first one
to agree that becoming a landlord will most likely be a profitable venture in the long term, it is not without its challenges. Let me offer you another option to mix things up a little. Why not take $95,000 from your $600K and put this into a TFSA (tax free savings account). If you have never contributed to a TFSA, this would be your maximum contribution since inception. Each year you can add to this, ($7,000 for 2024). You can invest these funds immediately and any income you make on your TFSA investment, will ultimately be tax exempted. With your left-over funds, why not fix up your current residence and do some modest improvements. Because this is your pri-
mary residence, it will also be tax free should you decide to sell. If you plan to downsize in the future, the profits made from your newly renovated primary residence will all be tax free. Extra funds could also be added to a new RRSP to give you a further tax rebate.
Here are five other ways to lower taxes:
1.Maximizing your registered account contributions, (TFSA, RRSP, RDSP).
2.Keep any and all receipts to claim a tax credit for medical expenses.
3.Starting a homebased business and deduct a percentage of your home expenses, (mortgage interest, utilities, taxes, maintenance, etc.). This could be any
Howard Powell School Reunion
Several of the 1 room schools from the district were moved to the building site, teachers were hired, and it was determined that 3 school buses were needed to transport the students to the new site.
It was agreed that September 15, 1953 was to be the day of the school opening, although the main building was not available yet, the students had class in the number 1 room units that were on site or called teacherages.
Glenellen joined the new school district in September of 1953. This amalgamation was the first of it’s kind in Saskatchewan and possibly the only school district to amalgamate in a rural setting, most other 1 room schools in Saskatchewan were amalgamated with the urban communities across the province.
In September of 1953 there was 90 students enrolled in Grades 1 to 10, 3 teachers (Miss Young, Mrs. McDonald and Mr. McDonald), 4 classrooms, 2 playrooms, library, office, kitchen/ staff room and both girls and boys indoor bathrooms.
The students and teachers were able to move into the new school on March of 1954 and Grand Opening was held March 12 of 1954. In 1963 the auditorium was complete and saw
the first of many Christmas concerts.
During the years of operation over 300 children received an education from Howard Powell.
Over 50 teachers taught at the school in the 30 years of operation.
Howard Powell would remain open until June of 1983, where the school was sold and still stands today as a residence. The reunion was the initial thought of Sandra Shannon and joined with Holly Frechette to gather the large amount of history for books that were printed for the past alumni. Along with Crystal and Liam Craig the committee set off to track down past students, teachers and anybody that was involved with Howard Powell and bring it all together for this reunion. There was a fantastic banner that was made by past alumni Rob Irwin, this banner was made accessible for groups and individuals to stand in front of and take pictures. There was a front banner made by Eva Shannon and a quilt made by Judy Kahovec that everyone in attendance could sign. All of these items were auctioned off at the end of the night for charity.
Liam Craig and Jim Kingwell were the MCs for the evening.
Congratulations on your reunion and job well done to all involved.
Asquith Council News
Asquith Town Council held its regular council meeting on July 10, 2024. Attending was Acting Chair Cecilia Mryglod, Councillors Darcy Stack, Pete Heck, Wade Monks-Janzen. Mayor Gail Erhart attended by calling in on her personal cell phone. Also attending was C.A.O. Kathy Picketts and Office Assistant Kaila Montgomerie. The meeting was called to order by Acting Chair Cecilia Mryglod at 6:57 p.m. A resolution was made to accept the council minutes from the June 12, 2024, regular council meeting.
Council made a motion to accept the June 2024 financials and June 2024 bank reconciliations as presented to them at the meeting. Accounts Paid in the amount of $47,740.11 and Accounts Payable of $33,050.08 was accepted as presented. The 2024 Waterworks Information Sheet was presented to Council. Tender for a backup generator for the water treatment plant was awarded to T & T Power Group.
2024 Fall Clean Up Days will be held on September 13, 2024 and September 14, 2024, with two waste bins from Len’s Hauling and two
metal bins from BN Metals provided, and further that this be open ONLY to the ratepayers of the Town of Asquith.
A reminder goes out to all individuals that the Town of Asquith has a Burning Bylaw which dictates that one can have a fire in town for recreational use only. Only clean wood/firewood can be burned in your fire pits - no painted/treated wood, refuse, leaves, etc. should be burned. Be kind to your neighbor and to the environment and burn only clean wood materials. Also, no bonfires are allowed - please keep the size of your backyard fires moderate.
kind of business, so be creative.
4.If you have a disability, you could also apply for a disability certificate from the CRA to allow for additional tax credits.
5.Consider investing into dividend investments that provide tax credits. For unregistered accounts, see if you can utilize any previous capital losses.
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 History of Churches, Schools and Hospitals….
by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Musuem & Gallery
There is an eight-minute video we show in the Majestic Theatre Exhibit here in the museum. A summer student created it for us many years ago. And yet, it never fails to delight and interest our visitors. The students ask for it every year, even though they have seen it every year since Grade 1.
The video is created with photos found in our historical photo inventory. It has been brought to our attention that we are missing some churches in the video. Well, that will not do! But I need help because we do not have pictures of these churches in our inventory. I am asking for the publics help. Would you have a photo
in gramma’s photo album of these churches, even one of them?
Looking for photos of churches that were once open in Biggar: - Ukrainian Orthodox - Russian Baptist - Pentecostal (it was on Main Street on the empty lot across from Sports Bar)
If you have photos of one of these churches,
could you bring them into the museum? We don’t have to keep them, but we could scan them and put them into our photo inventory.
The history of Biggar depends on our community donating to the Biggar Museum & Gallery. Every donation tells another story and every donation is greatly appreciated.
Perdue Car Show Perdue Car Show
Annual Car Show in Perdue… It was a hot and muggy day in Perdue on Saturday July 20th for the annual car show. Even with the heat there were still around 30 vehicles that came out to enjoy the afternoon and enjoy some refreshment at the food and beverage tents. Photo’s for the Independent by Dale Buxton
Are drone’s A Farmers friend?
Agriculture
Calvin Daniels
by Calvin Daniels
If you read science fiction, or watch shows like NCIS, you probably have at least a certain level of apprehension regarding drones. They have become a favoured tool for evildoers to wreck havoc.
But the drone is mainly a tool with huge potential in many roles, from search and rescue, to delivery to numerous on-farm applications.
One of the more intriguing on-farms uses will increasingly be for in-field control of pests. Farmers often must turn to aerial application of weed and insect control products – in particular for more mature crops – and that of course adds another cost to producing the crop. Now as it stands there are limitations to what drone applications can be, based largely on capacity to a carry product, and on label registration to apply the product via a drone.
It was surprising to read recently that Canada’s
Pest Management Review Agency had approved Garlon XRT herbicide, the first industrial vegetation product with drone application on the label.
Of course the regulatory agency is going to be cautious with a new application technology such as a drone, although it is probably more about well-trained operators than the drones, which are really akin to low flying airplanes. That said a course specific to drone application of crop protection products is probably needed.
For a Prairie farmer with hundreds of acres, small drone application is likely of a rather limited usefulness. The scale of field to the size of a drone simply don’t match up well -- although swarm drone technology might overcome that in time. But, add some tech to the drone that allows recognition of a particular weed for direct application of a control agent, and the technology gets far more interesting. That will be particularly true in instances of higher value crops –think market garden vegetables or fruit trees. Therein lies some of the wonder of drone technology. It remains so new that it is hard to envision what might be achieved.
In that regard it’s a two-path road of development which needs to run parallel to each other. On the one hand there are advancements in what a drone can do,
capacity, battery life, on board sensors and the like. Each development adds potential in terms of usage.
And then there is the path of the forward thinker tread – the ones that see the practical potential the steps in tech will allow. If a drone can do ‘A’ that will allow it to do ‘B’ on the farm where it really counts. Certainly the field of drone technology as an agricultural tool is just in its infancy.
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ARIES –
Mar 21/Apr 20
Aries, show off your true colors and let others see who you are and what makes you tick. You are given the spotlight right now to shine and get noticed even more.
TAURUS –
Apr 21/May 21
The full equation may not be revealed this week until you start to unravel some of the pieces, Taurus. You will need to remain patient as the process plays out.
GEMINI –
May 22/Jun 21
Gemini, you are discovering more people you can trust and who have your best interests at heart. Continue to surround yourself with these winning individuals.
CANCER –
LEO –
Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, although you might want to keep your aspirations to yourself, it is helpful if you run your ideas past a few trusted people to see if their enthusiasm mirrors your own.
VIRGO –
Aug 24/Sept 22
Virgo, you can certainly proceed according to logic, but you might be better off trusting your gut for the time being. It rarely steers you wrong with the bigger things in life.
LIBRA –
Sept 23/Oct 23
Libra, people from all corners will come together to help you out, just when you need it most. Now you will get to realize those people who truly support you.
SCORPIO –
SAGITTARIUS –
Nov 23/Dec 21
Sagittarius, even if your love life has been a little lackluster, you can rest assured that things will be flowing anew very soon. It’s time to rekindle those feelings of love and affection.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
Now isn’t a good time to think you can fake your emotions, Capricorn. Others will see right through you and read your mind quite easily. It’s better to be honest and open.
AQUARIUS –
Jan 21/Feb 18
Someone you haven’t spoken to in a while might be on your mind, Aquarius. This might be the right time to bridge the gap and open lines of communication.
Jun 22/Jul 22
Right now you have to take a leap of faith if you really want to grow, Cancer. Take a trip somewhere you’ve never visited, learn a new language, or make an effort to meet new people.
948-7843
306.237.7671
Troy May, owner/operator Fax: 306-237-TROY email: tmay@hotmail.ca Super B outfits hauling grain and fertilizer in Western Canada
SUDOKU
GALLARDO Liner Passenger Services 122 Main St. - Biggar Depot Macklin to Saskatoon & towns in-between Kindersley to Saskatoon & towns in-between Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments
PHONE......306-951-0078 or 306-951-0098
Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, you may have been sitting on certain information for a while and are not sure when you will reveal it. You’ll know the right time when it comes around.
Price… 2.5 inches = $201.50 plus gst per 6-month prepaid commitment.
HOUSING AUTHORITY Housing for families and seniors
Please get back to me with changes/corrections by return email this morning.
Thanks Urla
PISCES –Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, it can be difficult to delegate to others and not handle everything yourself. But you have to trust in others and support them if you want them to learn and grow.
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.
CLUES ACROSS
1. Average damage per system (abbr.)
5. Lustful woodland gods (Greek mythology)
11. Colombian Town
12. Sour
16. A way to stuff
17. Former AL MVP Vaughn
18. Carried or transported
19. Cannot even fathom
24. Hammer is one
25. A way to separate
26. Not moving
27. Women’s service organization (abbr.)
28. German river
29. Quantitative fact
30. A person’s head
31. Process that produces ammonia
33. French modernist painter
34. Too much noise
38. Agree to a demand
39. One a line at right angles to a ship’s length
40. Employees
43. Ribosomal ribonucleic acid
44. Component of hemoglobin
45. Quick and skillful in movement
49. Passing trend
50. Part of the eye
51. One who acclaims
53. Deadly amount (abbr.)
54. Taste property
56. Genus of mosquitoes
58. Blood type
59. A group of countries in special alliance
60. Institute legal proceedings against 63. Shade of a color
64. Spoke
65. Work units
CLUES DOWN
1. Charge with a crime
2. Mended with yarn
3. North Atlantic flatfish
4. Boil at low temperature
5. Lapps of northern Scandinavia
6. Poisonous plant
7. Atomic #22
8. 36 inches
9. Monetary unit of Russia
10. Type of gin
13. An alternative
14. Alone
15. A way to ooze
20. Publicity
21. American firm
22. Jewish calendar month
23. Popular sandwich
27. Comedian Cook
29. The NFL’s big game (abbr.)
30. Political action committee
31. Make a low, steady sound
32. Legendary sportscaster Michaels
33. One thousand cubic feet (abbr.)
34. Designed to keep ears warm
35. One who scrapes
36. Tear into two or more pieces
37. Supervises flying
38. Flying arm of the U.S. military (abbr.)
40. District in Peru
41. One died leaving a will
42. Morning
44. The world of the dead
45. Widen
46. Drink containing medicine
47. Celebrating
48. Secret encounters
50. A type of tag
51. Halfback
52. Modern tech
54. Monetary unit
55. Resigned to one’s sleeping chamber
57. Execute or perform
61. “The Golden State”
62. “The Beehive State” (abbr.)
This column marks a milestone in our writings with all the trips that we have done and continue to do we are so happy to bring you our 200th edition of The Saskatchewan Traveller.
From a modest start in the writing world, in which I never thought that anyone would read, has turned into a journey of interesting places that we have visited, some interesting restaurants and the fantastic history that we have discovered, it is true that there is a story to everything.
This week we continue our journey from Alberta. We have had a nice visit in Edmonton/ St. Albert, but it’s time to get home. We head west out of the
OBITUARIES
STANLEY CARLYLE GARDINER
April 18, 1936 - July 19, 2024
Stanley Gardiner passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Biggar Long Term Care in Biggar, SK.
Stanley will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Rhonda (Mick) & their family Ryan (Paige), Devin (Candace), Sheena (Dan) daughter Gina and her family Natasha (Mike), Shayne, Jenine grandchildren Rory (Darla), Nicole (Calvin), Daina (Craig) 17 great-grandchildren; his brother-in-law Lorne; and sisters-in-law Marlene, Shari, and Lorraine.
He was predeceased by his wife Bea (2022); daughter Pam (2003) and son-in-law James (2010); his parents Charles and Mildred, as well his 6 brothers and 6 sisters and many sisters and brothers-in-law.
A Funeral Service for Stanley will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:00AM at Biggar United Church in Biggar, SK.
Tributes may be directed to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Gerein Funeral Service.
The Saskatchewan Traveller
200th Edition
city on highway 16 which for most is a relaxing ride on a four-lane highway. About 35 minutes out of the city we go through Elk Island National Park, now for those of you that are unfamiliar with this park, Elk Island is a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve that is home to protected herds of buffalo, elk and more than 250 bird species. If you like to camp, there is plenty of room to do some tenting, walk a trail and look at some great scenery and animals.
Looking for added fun, just after Elk Island is the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.
This is an open-air museum that has more than 40 buildings that have been restored and furnished to the early 20th century look. The village also offers guided tours from people that are dressed in costume, the tour shows the life of early Ukrainian settlers to the area from the late 1800’s into the 1930’s. The village has many events throughout the summer and usually closes for the season after the long weekend in September.
Sticking to the Ukrainian theme we come to the
town of Vegreville and home to the Vegreville egg which is the world’s second largest “Pysanka” or Easter egg, it used to be the largest but was out done by the Kolomyia Pysanka Museum in the Ukraine in year 2000. This egg is measured at 31 feet long and 3.5 stories high. The egg was built in honor of the Ukrainian culture that exists in Alberta and the rest of Canada. The egg was also listed as one of the seven wonders of Canada.
Vegreville was founded in the late 1800’s by a Joseph Benoit Tetreau and Joseph Poulin, French Canadians, who were amongst many families that immigrated from the Kansas area.
The today’s population is around 5700 people, and the town was named after Father Valentin Vegreville who was a
Roman Catholic Oblate missionary in Western Canada.
Vegreville was home to more than 30 different ethnic groups by the 1950’s with English, French, German and Ukrainian being the four largest groups.
Vegreville is a full-service community and has many events that happen throughout the year.
Vegreville is home to Beckie Scott, who is a gold and silver Olympic medallist and was the first Canadian to win in cross country skiing. Vegreville is also home to Val Sweeting, who is a professional curler. There has also been a number of hockey players from the area that has made it to the NHL level.
Stay tuned next week as we continue our trip home.
SHANNON MARY EHRY
December 19, 1962 - July 28, 2018
Her Memory is as dear today, as in the hour she passed away Always Remembered
Lorraine and Family
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
Did you know we offer Social Media Advertising? Would you like to advertise on Social Media but are unsure where to start?
We can design full color Social Media friendly Ad’s for you to share on any Social Media platform. Along with your ad being shared on our Social Media pages. All Social Media Ad’s will also be printed in our weekly newspaper! Contact Dale at The Independent for pricing or inquiries!
GET YOUR COPY OF THIS GREAT BOOK WRITTEN BY BIGGAR’S OWN LISA DEJONG AVAILABLE AT THE INDEPENDENT
Vegreville Pysanka
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
Plenty for lunch from the Biggar Masonic Lodge #100… Members of the Biggar Masonic Lodge were on hand in Saskatoon Friday and Saturday July 19 and 20, to provide lunch for the International Practical Shooting Confederation’s 2024 Saskatchewan Provincials. It was hot but that didn’t stop the hungry shooter’s from dropping by to get a burger for lunch.
Photo for The Independent by Dale Buxton
Aaralynn McPhee
100 fly-1:30.99 (2nd)
50 free-33.23 (3rd)
100 free-1:18.04 (2nd)
50 breast-47.83 (1st)
50 fly-36.39 (2nd)
Everett Dowson
100 IM -2.09.95 (6th)
100 back- 1:56.86 (2nd)
100 free-1:56.16 (5th)
Barracudas attend Saskatoon Swim Meet
Jim Reiter, MLA
Rosetown-Elrose Constituency
Aaralynn McPhee won bronze in 15-17 girls high point.
215 Main Street, Rosetown
Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00
Tel: 306-882-4105
Fax: 306-882-4108
Toll free; 1-855-762-2233
E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net
Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0
Please call with questions or concerns
Abigail Dowson
50 fly-53.42 (10th)
100 free-1:37.86 (14th)
100 back- 150.05 (11th)
100 breast -2:00.89 (10th)
Cody Doering
200 IM-2:54.85 (2nd)
50 breast- 40.85 (2nd)
100 fly-1:14.81 (1st)
50 free-29.00 (3rd)
100 free-1:06.11 (2nd )
Attention: Kathie
Cody Doering won bronze in 18+ boys high point.
I gave you a few variations to look at.
Nash Wheaton
Please let me know which you prefer by return email and we can get this ad started Thursday, November 24.
100 free- 2:30.30 (9th)
100 back-2:52.28 (8th)
Adriana Alzate Sanchez
50 back-42.89 (4th)
50 fly-41.90 (7th)
100 back-1:33.83 (5th)
100 breast-1:52.50 (7th)
Meredith Wheaton
25 back-27.96 (7 th)
Price: $35.28 plus gst per week
50 back-1:08.63 (6th)
25 free-20.87 (9th)
50 free -1:09.50 (8th)
Talk to you later, Urla Tyler, Advertising Consultant
50 back-1:08.63 (6th)
Kieran Massie
200 back-3:16.05 (2nd)
50 fly- 36.93 (7th)
100 breast-1:39.63 (5th)
100 back-1:26.95 (4th)
200 breast-3:31.22 (3rd)
Miya Renouf
50 back-54.18 (14th)
50 free-48.08 (18th)
Heidi Kramer
25 back-28.58 (8th)
100 free-2:12.36 (5th)
100 back-1:25.74 (4th)
50 breast-1:28.17 (8th)
Paul Skenes MLB’s newest pitching sensation
Jim Reiter, MLA
Rosetown-Elrose Constituency
215 Main Street, Rosetown
Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00
Tel: 306-882-4105
Fax: 306-882-4108
Toll free; 1-855-762-2233
E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net
Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0
Please call with questions or concerns
Baseball fans who happen to be Baby Boomers will likely recall the hysteria surrounding pitcher Mark (The Bird) Fidrych in 1976. Ditto for Fernando Valenzuela in 1981. More recently, Steven Strasbourg of the Washington Nationals came into the majors with a Cy Young future almost guaranteed. In 2024, we’re saying hello to the newest member of that pitching phenom club, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The careers of Fidrych, Valenzuela and Strasbourg hardly turned them into Hall of Famers, but Pirates’
fans are hoping the same doesn’t hold true for Skenes, who has been setting the National League on fire as a firstyear player and gained the celebratory role of starting pitcher in the recent mid-season allstar game. Fidrych, who started the all-star game in 1976 after exploding onto the American League scene as a rookie, fizzled out after he posted a rookieseason record of 19-9. He told reporters he talked to himself before every pitch, but reporters suggested he was talking to the ball, adding a layer of mythology to his talent. He played only four more years in the majors and had a hohum career record of 29-19.
And now there’s the fireballing Skenes. In 11 starts this year prior to the all-star game, Skenes and his ‘splinter’ — a combination splitter/ sinker — has confounded NL hitters. He had a 6-0 record going into the midsummer classic and in two of his starts, May 17 vs. the Cubs and July 11 vs. Milwaukee, he pitched six- and seven-inning no-hitters respectively, but was pulled due to pitch-count reasons. He had given up only 48 hits in 66 innings but compiled a whopping 89 strikeouts and only 13 walks. His no-hitter days await.
Valenzuela was a 20year-old rookie with the Dodgers in 1981 and finished that year with eight shutouts, although his win-loss numbers (13-7) were hardly overwhelming. His career lasted longer than Fidrych’s, but a 157-137 career record didn’t come close to screaming ‘Hall of Fame.’ Strasbourg came into the majors with a can’tmiss label, but he was hardly spectacular. He won 15 games on three occasions and his best year, 2019, when he went 18-6, was also his last as a regular. He started eight games over the next three seasons, posting a 1-4 record, and retired due to a nerve and blood disorder that required surgery to remove a rib and two neck muscles.
Skenes didn’t disappoint during his short stint as the all-star game starter. He went the traditional one inning, throwing strikes on 11 of his 16 pitches and giving up no hits and one walk.
The rookie flash is on the verge of joining Shohei Ohtani as the fac of baseball, and might soon compare well with LeBron James, Connor McDavid, Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Mahomes as major sports icons.
Half a season of sensational play didn’t ultimately pay off for Fidrych, but baseball fans in general and Pirates’ fans in particular are hoping to watch Skenes stymie MLB hitters for many years to come.
• Late baseball great Ted Williams, as reported by Jack Finarelli at sportscurmudgeon.com:
“If you don’t think too good, don’t think too much.”
• Headline from onion. com: “Caitlin Clark Supplements Rookie Salary By Taking Adjunct Professor Of Basketball Job” •RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “Jay Cutler said his spouse, Kristin Cavallari, urged him to end retirement and quarterback the Dolphins. Not the first guy told by his wife to take a hike.”
• New York Post columnist Phil Mushnick, who said soon-to-be Fox analyst Tom Brady was getting advice from NBC’s Cris Collinsworth: “That’s like taking singing lessons from Yoko Ono.”
• Vancouver comedy guy Torben Rolfsen: “The Colombia-Uruguay semi-final game (at the COPA tournament) needed 45 minutes of stoppage time due to fake injuries.”
• Rolfsen again: “Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing back their ‘Core Four’ again. Meanwhile, word in Vegas is their fans are getting restless about their Stanley Cup drought.”
Randy Weekes, MLA
Biggar - Sask Valley Constituency Office
106- 3rd Ave. West, Box 1413
Biggar, SK S0K 0M0
Toll Free: 1-877-948-4880
Phone: 1-306-948-4880
Fax: 1-306-948-4882
• Bob Molinaro of pilot online.com (Hampton, Va.), after the MLB all-star game: “Baseball can now return its All-Star uniforms to the softball teams they borrowed them from.”
Attention: Janet
• Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca
Thanks, Urla Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Please proof and get back email.
Bruce Penton
Penton On Sports