Vol. 111 No. 45
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Cold Comfort . . . A frozen slough and trees laid bare of there colour is the standard of the time of year we are in. While we had some gorgeous weather this week, the weekend is threatening snow and the cold of winter. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
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22 -- THE BIGGAR,SK SK THE INDEPENDENT, INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR,
The ghosts and ghouls, princesses and heroes - everything of the imagination, came out to play this past Halloween. Kids took to the streets on Saturday, participating in a safe Halloween on a sunny day. The day previous and foggy day, kids hit their respective schools, showing off their costume to fellow students and staff, having a bit of fun before the day of treats. We hope you all had a great time! (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Great Plains awards scholarships to more than 170 students Great Plains College is pleased to announce that approximately $216,000 in Entrance Scholarships and awards will be provided to more than 170 deserving students during the 2020-21 academic year. The college boasts one of the most competitive and unique scholarship programs among regional colleges in the province. Since 2009, more than $2 million in scholarships has been distributed to students enrolled in fulltime student loan-eligible programs.
“Our scholarship recipients have worked hard to excel academically and we are thrilled to provide each of these deserving students with Entrance Scholarships and other awards to help ease the cost of their continued education,” said Dianne Sletten, the college’s Donor Services Coordinator. “We are seeing a record year for scholarships being awarded and the ability to assist so many students is a direct result of our generous donors across our communities and the match-
ing provincial funding from the Saskatchewan Innovation and Opportunity Scholarship program.” The following scholarships and awards are being provided to students this fall: Adult Basic Education Persistence Awards (across all college locations) - $6,000; Kindersley campus – $13,000; Swift Current campus – $123,000; Warman campus - $19,500. An additional projected amount of $55,000 will also be distributed to students starting win-
ter semester programs at Biggar, Kindersley and Swift Current. Over 40 students are expected to receive scholarships for winter semester programs, with the scholarship deadline for these programs occurring on October 31. “Year after year, we cannot thank our donors
enough,” added Sletten. “Their generosity is what allows the college to offer such a great scholarship program and truly makes a difference in the lives of each of these students.” In addition to the annual scholarships and awards provided to students, the college recognized the financial challenges asso-
ciated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In the spring of 2020, the college provided $97,750 in emergency funding assistance to 165 students whose continued education was at risk due to unexpected financial issues during the early stages of the pandemic.
Biggar RCMP seek public’s assistance in locating stolen truck from Sonningdale On October 13 at approximately 4 p.m., Biggar RCMP received the report of a stolen Ford F250 truck from Sonningdale. RCMP say that sometime between Saturday October 10 and Monday October 13, a 2014 black Ford F250 truck was sto-
len. The truck is described as having a chrome grill and a sled deck on the back of the truck. A number of tools were also in the truck at the time it was stolen. Biggar RCMP is asking anyone with information regarding this theft, to
call the Biggar RCMP at 306-948-6600 or your police detachment. Information can also be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submitting a tip online at saskcrimestoppers.com.
Viterra announces plans for new elevator in Biggar Viterra is pleased to announce its plans for a new, state of the art grain elevator at Biggar. The facility will have a storage capacity of 34,000 metric tonnes, and will be equipped with a loop track for rail loading. “For the last several years, we have been making targeted investments across our asset network to ensure we’re aligned with our operating environment and able to provide the high level of service our customers expect from a leader like
Viterra,” said Kyle Jeworski, President and CEO for Viterra North America. “We’re pleased to be revitalizing our presence in the Biggar area, and making a long term commitment to our customers through this significant investment.” “We commend Viterra for its steady and substantial investments across its asset network, including its new facility at Biggar,” said Joan Hardy, CP’s Vice-President Sales and Marketing, Grain and Fertilizers. “As industry
partners, Viterra and CP are focused on strengthening Canada’s agriculture supply chain through targeted infrastructure investments. This project is the latest example of our commitment to Canadian farmers, and moving their crops in a timely and efficient manner.” Site preparation is underway and construction on the new facility will begin shortly. The project is slated for completion in early 2022.
Latte Clouds . . . It is fall, and the weather can turn at any second. By the looks of these clouds white and fluffy on top, dark and ominous below - winter was about to arrive on Saturday. Surprisingly, it got warm, and with the golden yellows of fall, no more a fitting scene for this time of year! (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Biggar Fire Department October report The Biggar Fire Department had a quiet month, responding to one motor vehicle collision, two grass fires, one investigation request, and four false alarms. Statistically, the department has responded to
82 calls for 2020: Motor Vehicle Collisions - 10; Rescue - 1; STARS Landing - 4; Investigation Request - 16; Structure Fire - 5; Grass Fire - 17; Vehicle Fire - 4; False Alarm -25.
B5 - I24 - N36 - G54 - O68
Stumped . . . Like the U.S. election, things are a little unclear. The cold temperatures before Halloween started to freeze things over, but a late warm spell of this week was a welcome relief. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
This Weekʼs Numbers November 5
Opinions HAVE A NICE DAY!
4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Heartfelt Thank You . . . First of all to be involved in an accident is always a traumatic event no matter how serious, to be in a motorcycle accident is something that I do wish on anyone. The events of September 28 will change our lives forever. We are lucky and will walk away from this, maybe with a few scars, but will walk away. I have always read about others who were not as lucky as we are. I cannot express enough how the community has given us so many well wishes and are concerned for our well-being. This is what living in a community like Biggar is all about. We have such a caring community in which everybody knows everybody and if something happens it causes a ripple. I am so proud to call Biggar my home and I have a full heart for everyone who lives in this community. The treatment that we have received from the hospital is overwhelming. The care that each person gives at the Biggar Hospital is fantastic; I cannot express enough thanks to everyone for their care and compassion. What makes a community is the people in the community and we treat each other with respect. We stand together as one when something goes wrong and we care for one another when someone is in need. Again to the community I say thank you for your well wishes and we will heal and be stronger than before. D.B.
Trudeau’s cavalier attitude towards debt is troubling
by Aaron Wudrick, national director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation It turns out that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn’t think now is the time for a fiscal anchor to set some limits on government spending. That shouldn’t really surprise anyone, because he also didn’t think his first four years in office were the right time for one either. Most Canadians will recall Trudeau’s 2015 election promise to balance the budget in 2019 and keep the debt to GDP ratio on a downward track. He proceeded to break both of those promises in spectacular fashion, at a
the
time when the Canadian economy was growing. Spending still leapt by 20 per cent over five years, and the federal debt ballooned by $127 billion. And all before the word “COVID-19” became a dreaded part of everyone’s vocabulary. Before, Trudeau’s position has always been that when times are good governments should spend because they can. Now, he says when times are bad they should spend because they must. To his mind, there’s never a right time to worry about spending. Now, some will point out that the pandemic is a unique situation. It certainly is. But that’s precisely why there need
to be some limits placed on spending. It’s where the cliffs are most treacherous that you most need the guard-rails. That wouldn’t prevent the government from spending to help families and businesses getting crushed by pandemic-related economic upheaval. But it would at least provide some assurance to the majority of Canadians who worry the size of the deficit is getting out of control. Invoking the pandemic as an excuse to permit unlimited spending is also disingenuous. As the Throne Speech made clear, Trudeau is considering many new, breathtakingly expensive programs, such as
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME They MUST be signed, approximately 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Thank Yous will not be permitted in letters
government pharmacare and government daycare, that have absolutely nothing to do with the pandemic. A cynic might even suggest he’s using the crisis as a pretext to spend on whatever he feels like spending on. Trudeau’s cavalier attitude towards debt is also troubling. Yes, low interest rates have been a lucky break and kept borrowing costs manageable – for now. But it is a reckless gamble to simply assume they will stay low indefinitely. The consequences of higher rates are signifi-
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cant: a recent C.D. Howe report concluded that a one-point increase in the effective interest rate will mean an additional ten billion dollars a year in interest payments. Trudeau’s refusal to even include a fiscal anchor in the fiscal update expected next month is a mistake, especially after not producing a budget this year. Virtually everyone accepted the spring budget had to be postponed as the country was shut down and the pandemic was changing so rapidly that a budget made no sense.
But this is no longer true and the country needs a proper fiscal framework. The pandemic, while not over, has become a new normal everyone trying to carry on life as best they can. Canadians’ patience is being tested. The prime minister should reconsider his decision to not to anchor Canada’s drifting fiscal ship – or he runs the risk of Canadians deciding he’s actually the one that needs to go overboard.
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COPYRIGHT The contents of The Independent are protected by copyright. Reproduction of any material herein may be made only with the written permission of the publisher. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Biggar Independent invites the public to participate in its letters to the Editor section. All letters must be signed. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
In this day of “smartphones� and technical cell-types of all kinds, it seems a little frustrating to drum up info about the feline types we all know! Almost any set of books can tell the history and use of cats over the years. All this information can be found in any library in the land - and a far more descriptive treatise made. So what do we intend to do? We all know that cats were a big part in some
moment before disappearing below the bent over mass of the brush. I don’t think that Y.T. could ever be that scared (well I was young, eh?) I looked down again and, swish, the round face and whiskers were gone! So was I! Dad told me later that it was probably a “wildcat� that I had seen. and I never got that feeling of fear again for years! That place was near to where and old farmstead had been for years, and Dad said it was mebbe a cat left over from those days. But it was my earliest feeling of real fear! I think it was about the same time that I crossed the “Pothole Swamp� on my way home. It was getting near dusk, and in order to get home for a late supper I decided to cut across the swamp. The Pothole Swamp was something else. Turf on top of a layer of rock
Stores drop coconut milk products after PETA accusation of monkey slave labour
It seems these days the consumers are growing more health-conscious by the minute. That’s especially true if you look at the amount of plant-based alternatives to animal-sourced products that are flooding the marketplace. Dairy products are one of the areas where alternative products are increasingly popular. That’s not necessarily because of any animal welfare-related concerns, either. A lot of people (like your humble author) simply can’t drink regular milk without a seriously upset tummy. From almond to soybeans, milk alternatives are varied and plentiful. Among them is the everso-popular coconut milk. Which brings us to a dose of bad news for those who have adopted coconut milk as their go-to replacement for real dairy. A number of major U.S. grocery store chains are pledging to not stock coconut products from Thai suppliers accused of
using slave labor to harvest their coconuts. But it’s not people the producers are enslaving. Instead, they are using monkeys to pick the nuts from their palm trees. Such big name grocers have all stopped stocking coconut products from the accused producers. Monkey slavery. Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any weirder. What’s next, snail labour camps? The monkey slavery accusations are made by none else than by the notorious People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA. According to an investigation by the organization, Thai coconut producers are using questionable monkey labor to harvest the nuts. PETA claims that upon visiting eight coconut farms – including those owned by Thailand’s largest coconut producer Chaokoh – it found disturbing proof of how the animals are mistreated. “Terrified young mon-
keys in Thailand are kept chained, abusively trained, and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts,� the report bluntly states. “According to an industry insider, most coconut that comes from Thailand was picked by monkeys.� The organization also claims that the monkeys face harsh punishments if they try to resist the training. Among the punishments is the forceful removal of their canine teeth to make them less likely to harm their handlers. PETA itself has a somewhat dubious reputation as an animal welfare organization. As such, some may be inclined to take this news with a grain of salt. And by all means, it’s always healthy to be critical about your news sources. Among the accusations piled against PETA, it allegedly kills a staggering number of animals housed in its animal shelters. PETA associates have also stolen animals
Advertising doesn’t cost . . . it pays!
straight from people’s yards, only to kill them hours later. This time around, though, PETA may be on to something. Tourism Thailand, for example, lists the Samui Monkey Center as one of the attractions to see in the country. Whether the monkeys are mistreated as part of their training, we don’t know. But at least it seems that the monkey training and labour PETA is talking about actually takes place in Thailand.
about two feet below. The years of water let the turf fall onto the rock layer and left a land covered with potholes that had filled with water. The sun was going down and the moon coming up. It was eerie, but I decided to go across. The brush nearly covered some of the holes filled with water. The sun finally set and left me feeling alone in a strange world of brush and water . . . and shadows! Suddenly, from a nearby bush came a terrific shriek and Y.T. felt he was going to be attacked by some animal that lived out there! I was frantic and rushed ahead . . . boy was I glad when I got
to the other side of the swamp. I was still a little shaky when I finally walked into our yard at home! Mebbe it was a cat of some kind, I dunno! Mebbe it was an owl or a hawk. Again I dunno! But whatever it was I didn’t need a laxative for a week! This was some years ago, and sometimes I have felt like going back. But time is creeping up and now, well, I can only tell about it, eh? P.S.: I was going to leave a note about Saskatchewan’s best “Cat Skinner� but I’ll tell about George Bird from Sandy Lake later, eh?
The Majestic Theatre ~
Biggar
NOVEMBER PERCY
Genre: /Biography/Drama Time: 2 hr.
~Ă
Rated: G
"
Bob Mason
told me of the ancient Egyptian Isis who always tried their best when a fellow was in trouble. Note: Don’t look this up on your smartphone because it won’t be there! But over the years the “Isis� has done its best, eh? Mebbe I shouldn’t tell about this because cats aren’t noted for how much they scare people! I was mebbe about 13-years-old at the time. Boy oh boy was I ever scared (well I was young, eh?) I was exploring along the river flats over a mat of brush that the ice of the spring had flattened when it went out, leaving a mass of bent over brush that just stayed there. It was like a second floor about a foot or so above the ground. All of a sudden there was movement beneath my feet. I looked down and sure enough a round whiskered face looked back at me for a
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Notable Notes
religions in the past. We have all heard of Dick Whitingon as the mayor of London, England during the world plague many years ago. What should we right about! Here are some of the times Y.T. has experienced with feline types! Read on! One evening in England, Y.T. went to the “Isis�, (look that one up on your smartphone, eh?) in Farnborough, England. As I sat and watched the show, someone stole my bike! It was raining when Y.T. got out and when I told the local police, they politely drove me home to my barracks over 10 miles away! Boy was I pleased! The police told me that the “Is-Isis� always drove men home when it rained. They told me that the “Isis� people always did the best they could. As a matter of fact, they
Cats . . .
'3*%": /PW t Q N 4"563%": /PW t Q N 46/%": /PW t Q N Matinee Adminssion $5
Ratings from the Saskatchewan Film Classification Board
For bookings and information please NEW phone no. 306-951-8244
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NOTICE OF POLL PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that: 1. A poll has been granted for the election of: Mayor: Town of Biggar Councillor: Town of Biggar 2. Voting will take place on Monday, the 9th day of November, 2020, from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the polling place listed below. 3. I will declare the result of the election at the Biggar Town Office on the 10th day of November, 2020, at the hour of 10:00 a.m. Polling Place Biggar Community Hall
Address 319-1st Avenue East Biggar, Sask.
Dated at Biggar, this 22rd day of October, 2020.
Marty Baroni, Returning Officer
PLEASE BRING 2 PIECES OF IDENTIFICATION AND PHOTO ID
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
A Hero’s Story - Gaele Visser by Jordan Slump Jordan Slump is a 13 year-old student from Troy, Ontario. In this speech, Jordan recounts the experiences of his great-uncle, Gaele Visser, a private with the Canadian Army who died fighting near Wilhelmshaven, Germany, on April 23, 1945. Most of you probably have a favourite hero! Your hero may be Spiderman, Superman, or even Dr. Phil! But today, I would like to introduce you to my hero! His name is Gaele Visser. Honourable judges, parents, teachers, and fellow classmates, my speech is on my great-uncle, Private Gaele Visser. I will talk to you about his life and the role he had in the Second World War. My uncle was born on August 28, 1921, in the town of Haskerhorne, Friesland, the Netherlands. In the 1930s my uncle and his family immigrated to Canada and made their home in the small town of Millgrove. Throughout his life my uncle was a very popular and gifted young man. He had great knowledge of the Bible and had a strong faith in God, which you could easily read in his letters sent home during the war. He was an active member of the church’s young people society. He was a great brother, and a helpful and loving son. When he was in the army his mom said “Gaele is not a man to kill, he is so soft.” Which was true! My Aunt Jennie told me that once he even asked and tried to be transferred to First Aid so that he wouldn’t have to shoot and kill the enemy. He always stuck up for the smaller or “least person.” He would always help if there was a need. He was a great inspiration to everyone and was full of good humour. He was a political-minded citizen of Canada and he loved his country and fellow citizens. He was also very smart in school and he graduated from the local Dundas high school. He learned French, and German at school, making him very valuable to his officers and the major of his regiment! He was brought along as an interpreter many times on reconnaissance missions for he knew German, Dutch, and French. During school he also took correspondent courses from Guelph Agricultural College. Before the war he was employed by Woodhall Dairy in Hamilton. He had many hobbies as a young man some of which were: Singing with a guitar or together with
a mouth organ (he owned several guitars). He was often on the entertainment program of his church with his musical instruments. Taking violin lessons. Hockey was one of his favourite sports. He loved listening to “Hockey Night in Canada!” On Saturday nights he would press his ear up close to the radio (his dad didn’t like the noise of it). But once a team scored he would jump up, clap hands and then his mom, while knitting by the lamplight, would say “Hei jonge dohlist me skrille.” Which meant “Hey child, you shock me!” Another sport he enjoyed was baseball. He loved skating! He even found a pair of old skates over in Holland while they were fighting, and put them on and skated for over an hour on the canals! He liked tobogganing on the hills in Ancaster. Trekking in the woods. He loved excursions with his sister Gert down “Devil’s Elbow,” in Ancaster. He liked to walk in the stream that ran from the water falls on their property. He liked to ride the tractor and plow the fields. He filled the silo. Did threshing with the neighbours. And he loved eating his favourite pies! In 1942 my uncle signed up with the army because it felt like the honourable thing to do! Many of the young men from the local Christian Reformed Churches had already signed up, some of whom he knew quite well. He was also encouraged by the news media to sign up and go overseas with the Armed Forces. He was patriotic and was willing to fight for his country. For my uncle it was not a hard decision to sign up at the time. It was harder for him and his family when the time came for him to finally go overseas and fight! He had been in many different training camps such as Camp Niagra, and Camp Sussex. However, he was still able to come home for short visits to his family and friends. Before he went overseas, he went and visited his sister in the U.S. where she was attending school. Apparently all the girls fell smack in love with him! Finally the day came for him to leave. My aunt and grandpa took him to the Hamilton Central Railway Station, never to see him again. My uncle first joined the Dufferin Haldimand Rifles in 1942, where he was promoted from Private to Lieutenant Corporal, but he didn’t like hav-
ing such a responsibility so he got transferred to the Algonquin Regiment in the same year. This regiment had a brave motto, which was “NeKa-Ne-Tah” which meant “We Lead - You Follow.” While training and fighting with this regiment my uncle did many things! He exercised, did obstacle courses (in which some men even lost their lives), cleaned rifles, (one 19 year old lost his life when his buddy was cleaning his rifle and thought the gun’s chamber was empty but it wasn’t. The gun went off, and the 19-yearold got the full blast in his face.) They cleaned vehicles, artillery, and other equipment. He polished his boots and buttons, cleaned his clothes, and sewed buttons onto his uniform. He would sometimes get pulled out of bed in the middle of the night to go on excursions. He would practice marksmanship with his rifle at short and long range. He’d climb trees, dig trenches and foxholes, live in the forests, build huts from trees and sleep in them at night. They would practice imaginary confrontations with the enemy. When his regiment was sneaking up on the Germans, instead of starting up the jeeps, trucks or anything else used to attack the enemy, they would use sheer force and just push it into position. He did sentry duty (I believe mostly at Camp Niagra) in which he usually had the 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. shift which he said he didn’t mind. He also went on many reconnaissance missions to interpret for his commanding officer. He had friends here in Canada with whom he often spoke with and played with, in the churches here. But, once he went overseas, he had to find new friends to talk and socialize with. For him and his Christian friends, Salvation Army Canteens were wonderful places of comfort and fellowship! My uncle would go there with his fellow “Christian Commandos” (a name given to soldiers who were Christian. It was also the name of a group that was put together to support the Christian soldiers. It sent tracts overseas for the soldiers to read, encourage them, and help them grow in their faith.) While overseas from 1943-45, my uncle was always assigned to an officer, who was usually non-Christian. This always gave him an opportunity to witness for the Lord! During the war, any letters that were written to the folks back home were
censored of any military intelligence (precise location, what happened during a battle, information of any upcoming battles, etc.). And so Gaele’s family could never pinpoint exactly which town he was in, usually just the general area and country. However my uncle’s father (my great-grandfather) had served in World War One, so he always had an idea of where Gaele was because my uncle would describe the land. Once, near the end of the war, my uncle wrote: “I have it on good authority that my letter will not be censored, so I will write you . . .” and then something followed. With this letter my greatgrandfather could almost pinpoint where Gaele was fighting. He later marked everything on a map of Europe in order to follow his movement. However, near the end of the war the letters were not censored as much and so, a couple of stories made it back home. Here are some excerpts from his letters: On Active Service with the Canadian Forces L Macleod’s Road Thursday, November 4, 1943 Dear Jennie, “ . . . Last Sunday afternoon we had a tragedy in one of our neighbouring posts. A sentry, on the beat, according to his version, stumbled and falling discharged his rifle accidentally. However, yesterday under continuos pressure by cross-questioning at the court of inquiry he admitted to have unlawfully loaded his rifle and while changing his rifle from one shoulder to the other, he jerked the rifle down over his head and thus his thumb came into contact with the trigger thus firing the rifle. The bullet then travelled over two hundred yards missing six telephone poles, through a fence and over the highway. Then about ten yards from the highway, a hut for guards to sleep in is situated. Into it the bullet passed. Only one man was present in the hut sleeping at that time. However, it appeared that his time had arrived. No harm would have befell him had not an iron bar supporting the bed post been in the way of the bullet. On that bar the bullet deflected and while it could just as reasonably have taken an upward course, it took the downward course striking the lad on the head blowing a gaping wound in the side of his head taking some of the brains along in its course. He died on
the operating table in the Hamilton Military Hospital. And so again proof that one has not to go on the battle field necessarily to be killed. Sunday night I attended Evangelistic centre church services. Guess you still recall the times we used to have them on the radio at home with Rev and Mrs. Street singing with guitar accompaniment. He had a very fine sermon in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4. Very fitting after what happened on post.” ... Till later Goodbye and Love Gaele “Keep in touch with the folks at home” On Active Service with the Canadian Forces Holland April 1945 Dear Jennie, We’re in peat-bog country, where it’s difficult to move army tanks. The farms here are occupied with machine guns, bazooka fire, slit trenches, and enemy occupants of the worst fanatical sort. I had a narrow escape! Had to take some “Jerries” (Germans) to the rear of the line for safety, I almost got hit by a sniper. The sniper apparently took a pot-shot at me, but his shot got one of the lads I was escorting. With his last breath he forced out the words “Heil Hitler.” With great effort he raised his hand in salute. It’s scary! What an eternity to meet. Love Gaele “Keep in touch with the folks at home” On Active Service with the Canadian Forces Germany April 13, 1945 Dear Jennie, “ . . . A short while ago we liberated a concentration camp, which, from 1933, was rumoured to be the scene of the greatest holocaust. Because so many prisoners had been moved, escaped, or killed, that by the time we got there, all we found were sick people and Veterans of World War One, who were supervisors dressed in their old battle uniforms from WWI. The prisoners all suffered from tuberculosis and other diseases I will not mention. There was a field nearby that had mounds. One foot stuck out and I tried to run but my officer checked me.” Love Gaele On April 16, 1945, my uncle wrote one of his last letters home to his family.
It ended with a great sentence which stated that his trust in God was still strong as ever after three years of service in the army! Here is that letter: On Active Service with the Canadian Forces Germany April 16, 1945 Dear Jennie “ . . . I am back deep in enemy territory. The country is very flat. Please let me know if you received my Victory bond. If I get a pass, I’ll go to England. I should get time off in two weeks. If Friesland has been liberated, I’ll go there. Dad, a farmer in Almelo, Gelderland told me he sent his milk to the same person you used to go to. The disadvantage of fighting in a canal is that the German side has the higher wall and they can shoot down at us. We move along blood-soaked ditches at night. The soil is soggy, and it’s hard to move. If God wills, I’ll write a little more next time. Until then, under his wings my soul shall abide.” Love, Gaele On April 23, 1945, my uncle Gaele and his officer were in the vece-division near Wilhelmshaven, Germany. On that day my uncle entered into a building in front of his officer, and in that doorway, he was gunned down. It was one week before his fellow soldiers would stop fighting, and two weeks before Germany would fully surrender. My uncle’s body was first buried in Germany for a while with fellow soldiers but later he was moved to the Netherlands. His body now lays in the Holten Cemetery, in Overijssel, the Netherlands, surrounded by fellow Canadian soldiers. On May 4, 2002, a ceremony was held in Holten Cemetery to remember those who died for the Netherlands. On that day, a Frisian mayor observed my uncle’s death by placing a wreath on his grave. He was payed homage because he was a fallen native son of the Netherlands. Now you have learned more about the life of a Canadian soldier serving in the Second World War. And now you, like me, can more appreciate, the sacrifices made for the freedom of others. And so you can see, Private Gaele Visser truly was a hero! My hero!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7
German lawnmower’s cries for help thwart robbery If you’re of a particular generation, you’ve sustained permanent trauma from the animated film Brave Little Toaster when it comes to getting rid of broken appliances. For those of you lucky enough not to have the movie as part of your childhood VHS collection, allow me to share the suffering. The movie follows a handful of broken/ out-of-date appliances who feel abandoned by their owner. The movie’s climax takes place in a junkyard where a welladjusted young man has his life saved by a toaster who jumps into a giant gear system to stop a garbage crusher. Try throwing out a broken toaster after watching the movie. You can’t. We’re all hopelessly,
emotionally bonded to our Roombas. Our collective destiny is to become hoarders who feel responsible for letting old vacuum cleaners know they’re loved. Even if they’re no longer functional. In Germany this past week, a lawnmower took attachment parenting to the extreme, foiling a robbery because of its existential fear of being separated from its owner. The mower sent a text message to its owner, letting it know it’d been flipped upside down. An unusual notification from a yard appliance alone in the garage, the owner went out to check that everything was on the upand-up. Instead of discovering hijinks with his top-ofthe-line mower bullying
his push mower, there was a thief, carrying the lawnmower away under his arm. Caught redhanded, the thief dropped the mower and ran off into the night. The unnamed man called the Lippstadt police, but they could not apprehend the criminal. Uhm, who knew lawn robots were a thing? It’s not such a leap to look at a Roomba and say, “What about one of those, but for lawns?” So there’s a whole line of lawn robots just waiting to help catch would-be thieves midheist. To be honest, the product seems like a villainous appliance. In the world of Brave Little Toaster, one of these sleek lawn robots would definitely bully an old vacuum cleaner. They also seem primed for a
Speeding in school zones leads to hard lessons for Sask. drivers
September was back to school across Saskatchewan, and more than a few drivers learned a tough lesson about the cost of speeding through school zone. Police issued 673 school zone speeding tickets in September. While that’s less than half the number that were caught during last year’s focus on school zones, it’s still too many drivers speeding through school zones. Getting a school zone speeding ticket is even worse than getting sent to the principal’s office (20 km/h over the speed limit = a $310 ticket, plus three demerits). School looks a little different these days, but
driving advice for school zones hasn’t changed. If any drivers want to brush up, they should review The SGI Study Guide. While speeding was by far the most prevalent traffic infraction in school zones, a handful of drivers were ticketed for other offences, including: • five tickets to drivers for failing to yield to a pedestrian at an intersection or crosswalk (a $230 ticket, plus three demerits); and • one ticket for failing to stop five metres from a school bus when safety lights were in operation ($360 ticket, four demerits). Other results reported by police during September include:
• 451 impaired driving offences, including 370 Criminal Code charges; • 660 distracted driving offences, including 548 tickets related to cellphone use while driving; • 414 tickets related to seatbelts, car seats or booster seats; and • 6,977 speeding or aggressive driving tickets (in addition to the school zone speeding tickets noted above). Police continue to be on the lookout for distracted driving in October. It’s easy to avoid getting one of those very expensive distracted driving tickets. Just leave the phone alone, set aside other distractions and focus on the road.
Sask West Hockey League revamps schedule Please note that the Sask West schedule has changed, and our first home game will now be November 28 against the Hafford. The reason for this is that the SWHL has been realigned due to Luseland taking a leave of absence for this year. The geography means that Unity will now move to the Southwest division for a now, four team per division layout. Remember spectators must abide by current COVID-19 regulations for the rink which means face masks must be warn at all times while you are in the rink and capacity will be
limited to a maximum of 150 people at this time. You will have to sign a logbook when entering the building for tracking purposes. Other regulations apply so please see link to townofbiggar. com and further details at Sask Hockey at sha. sk.com Sask Health at saskatchewanhealthauthority.com. We are extremely excited to welcome fans back for another season of hockey and cannot wait to see you in the stands. Please check out facebook.com/ biggarnationals for further details on how you can obtain season passes, memberships, Chase the
Ace, hockey pool, and other information regarding our games. To purchase season tickets you may e-mail us at BiggarNats@gmail. com , send a message to our Facebook page, or drop off at either the Westwinds or Biggar Independent. We thank you for the tremendous support we are already receiving with Chase the Ace, Facebook followers and positive comments. Stay tuned for future articles to see the roster changes for this year bringing a lot more local talent to the team. In the meantime, keep it between the posts!
Stephen King novel. The man may be the master of suspense, but he also writes plenty, not great stuff. A murderous lawn robot possessed by the spirit of an old groundskeeper seems well within his wheelhouse. More horrifying and realistic is the likelihood of accidentally obliterating a rabbit nest full of babies, making you a villain ala Watership Down.
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New York is Big but this R.M. is Biggar! de Moissac Seeks Re-election for Reeve I want to start by thanking you for the privilege of serving my community for the last two years as Reeve and previously as Councillor for Division 1. It hasn’t been without its challenges but together, with our very capable team of Councillors, we have met each one head on. After the Argo Bush Fire I was told it was every Reeve’s nightmare. Looking back what I remember is how our community pulled together. From farmers and neighbors, our Hutterite Colonies, Local and Provincial Fire Fighters, the RCMP Detachment, to the volunteers who came together to feed them all – everyone just showed up. Finally, the Town of Biggar came to the financial aid of the RM with insurance money to the tune of $67,000. From the ashes of this horrifying disaster a new relationship grew between the RM and the Town. The common ground was the love and safety of our community. It is important to me that we continue to foster good relations with the Town of Biggar, and I believe we are on the right path. Things only get better when we work together The RM of Biggar is lucky to have an excellent staff headed by Sandi Silverngle, our Administrator and Derek Custer, our Foreman. They lead a formidable team of work crew and administrative staff and are the fabric and glue of this RM. We have a committed staff who are happy to be working for us. I want the RM of Biggar to be a safe, desirable place to work that attracts top notch people and I believe it is. Being entrusted with my Ratepayers tax dollars is a huge responsibility and not one I take lightly. Keeping a tight eye on the public purse with complete transparency while offering the best possible service is my mandate. I am committed to this. Unfortunately the Rate Payers meeting slated for early last spring was cancelled due to the current pandemic. Our staff has been working hard to keep our website up to date and are very willing to answer any concerns or questions. I have included my phone number on this sheet. Please always feel free to call me. Being Reeve demands my undivided attention and I am privileged to be at a place in my life where I have the time and motivation to devote myself to this job. I consider it an honor to serve the RM of Biggar as Reeve and with your support, I hope to continue the work I’ve started. Jeanne-Marie de Moissac (306) 948-6567
Advance Poll - Tuesday November 3 – 10 am to 4 pm Election - Monday November 9 – 9 am to 8pm
8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Independent named Best Overall at SWNA Better Newspaper comp
Category win, Best Colour Photo
Category win, Best Feature Photo
The Biggar Independent came away with the Best Overall Paper (circulation 1,200-1,999) at the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Competition (SWNA) this past weekend. At the celebration of Saskatchewan’s weekly newspapers, the Independent also received four overall first place wins - Hard News photo, Colour photo, Black and White photo, and Feature photo. In addition to the first place wins, photographer Kevin Brautigam added a third place win in this year’s Photographer of the Year category. This year’s celebration of Saskatchewan weekly newspapers was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “These are trying times in not only the newspaper industry but on the entire world,” said SWNA President Chris Ashfield. “The COVID pandemic has affected businesses large and small and caused hardship on many newspapers that were already struggling through economic uncertainty,
particularly in the West. But our resilience as an industry has always been our strength and has helped to carried us through. “Providing creditable information and being the watchdog for our communities is needed now more than ever. The evergrowing narrative against “false news” and the mainstream media is ultimately our greatest strength. The community newspaper industry has always stayed true to ourselves by providing accurate, local news while being the only record of history for our communities. And these SWNA awards of excellence prove just how great a job everyone is doing at that,” Ashfield continued. The wins for The Independent were due to many reasons: our printers, Star News Publishing from Wainwright and, of course, the people of Biggar and area. If not for you, The Independent would not be the award winning paper it is today! We are truly blessed to be the newspaper that serves this great community!
Category win, Best Black and White Photo
Photographer of the year, third place. One picture from judged Portfolio
Category win, Best Hard News Photo
Murder Hornet invasion to the U.S. is thwarted . . . for now The United States is being invaded by a hostile and lethal force. No, it’s not a foreign military power but something much, much worse. While the invaders don’t employ soldiers or operate under a general, they do have semblance of organization. They work according to a strictly hierarchical caste system, all held together under the iron will of a despotic queen. We’re talking about Asian Giant Hornets. If you don’t recognize that name, you might have heard of their other alias
– the Murder Hornets. This huge flying menace normally occupies its native areas west across the Pacific. The giant hornets are found in East, South, and Southeast Asia, in addition to temperate parts of the Russian Far East. But now, they have established the first successful colony in mainland U.S. Or at least, the first that we know of. On October 22, officials from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) found the first ever giant hornet nest in North America.
After its discovery, WSDA promptly destroyed the nest two days later. And just like that, the invasion is over. Or is it? You might be asking what a murder hornet actually is, though. Just in case your knowledge of giant, deadly insects is lacking, let’s have a little entomology lesson. The Asian giant hornet – or Vespa mandarinia if you want to get fancy – is the world’s largest species of hornet. It’s roughly two inches in length – about the size of your thumb. It gets its murder-
ous nickname from two things. First, its venom is incredibly potent. It’s so strong that should you get stung by multiple insects at once, you can most likely wave goodbye to this mortal coil. In their native Japan, the hornets kill around 30-50 people every year. The second reason for the title of “murder hornet” is that, well . . . It’s just what these things are. The giant hornets are utterly genocidal and will commit atrocities on a mass scale. And their favourite victim is the
beloved honeybee. If a hornet worker finds a honeybee hive, it will spray it with an attractive pheromone. Once the reinforcements arrive from the hornet nest, they enter what the WSDA calls the “slaughter phase”. The hornets descend upon the honeybee hive and kill everything that moves. Their favourite mode of mass murder is good old-fashioned decapitation. Once every single adult bee lies dead and mangled, the hornets turn their attention to the bee
larvae. They aren’t killed immediately, though. Instead, the hornets fly them off to their own nest to feed to their brood. The hornets will also attack other insects, but in these cases they usually don’t decimate the entire population. Suppose they just have a bee in their bonnet about honeybees. The first sighting of the hornets in North America came in late 2019, in British Columbia, Canada. A couple months later, in December, they were found in Washington.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Agriculture
100 Mile (from the farm gate) Diet
Agriculture Calvin Daniels
It is interesting the dichotomy that exists between the idea of supporting Canadian farmers and accessing food closer to home versus concerns that supply managed farm systems should go the way of the Canadian Wheat Board. On the one hand we often hear that consumers are becoming more food aware, and want to know where the food on their table originates from. It is from that basic premise the 100-mile Diet came into existence with the basic premise of accessing food from producers close to home. By extrapolation it would stand to reason food from producers in your own
province /country would be a wiser choice than product imported from another country where the consumer has no connection. Of course there is an economic factor to it too. Using a beef animal as an example, a calf sold in the fall to an American feedlot, where it is grown on American-sourced grain then butchered and processed stateside before being shipped back to Canada to be served as hamburger in a restaurant has less economic impact than another calf grown and processed in Canada. There are taxes on facilities, wages to be earned and simply dollars flowing through the Canadian economy. The economic aspect is a big element in the idea of promoting buying Canadian, looking for a Maple Leaf on the label to ensure Canadian jobs were part of the production. It’s not a unique idea. The idea of country of origin labelling (COOL) has been a trade issue with the United States over the last decade or two. Supply management addresses a lot of the con-
cepts of supporting Canadian. The idea is a system that balances consumer demands with production levels on the farm to avoid gluts and surpluses. You can argue if the dairy and poultry systems in Canada have done that effectively but the premise is sound enough. At the same time supply management is supposed to ensure producers have a reasonable return based on their cost-of-production. Some will suggest it falls short on that side of things for producers. Others will point out consumers pay more than they would in a completely unregulated system, which is likely true. But, there is the rub of the situation. It can be easy to suggest buying locally, and on a broader scale supporting Canadian, but at what cost will consumers do it? How does a consumer balance knowing their food sources and supporting Canadian jobs against the realities of their financial budgets? That is a question that seems at the very heart of any debate regarding the merits of supply management.
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9
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10-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
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Kevin McNicholls
VOTE JIM BESSE
Seeking Re-election as councillor for the Town Of Biggar
FOR COUNCIL
Jim Besse’s thoughts as we move forward in these uncertain times: As our community becomes more and more diverse I would be an approachable representative for all the residents of our community. Donald James “Jim” Besse, born and raised in the Town of Biggar. He is married to wife Laurel, with three grown sons. He retired from the CNR after 38 years. He was a member of the Biggar Fire Department for 31 years, 10 of those as Chief. Jim has served previous terms on Town Council where he worked to see that the taxpayers dollars were spent responsibly for the betterment of the community and its people.
PLEASE COME OUT AND VOTE NOV. 9, 2020 Your Vote Counts. Your Voice Matters.
1/4 Page
DEAR COMMUNITY, I am seeking re-election for the position of Biggar town councillor. The role of a councillor is to help make informed decisions for the benefit of the local community and put forward the views of the community to the administration. Over the past four years the town has seen many improvements and continues to grow economically stronger with the help of a strong administration and dedicated workforce. Biggar is the envy of many smaller and larger towns. Over the past four years there have been minimal tax increases an average of $50 per household per year. We have controlled and kept a balanced budget. Improvements to sidewalks and roads are ongoing projects along with sewer and water lines. Unfortunately, they cannot all be done at once. Recreation facilities attract families to come and live in Biggar. We have completed upgrades to our swimming pool and to the Jubilee Stadium, created the wonderful splash park on 3rd avenue. Upgrades to Sandra Schmirler Park included, underground sprinkler systems at the ball diamonds and installing lighting all the way around the path allowing residents to use the path all year round. A joint venture with the business community helped us create the Christmas light display, showcasing the town and local businesses. Council has brought forward green initiatives such as the front street garbage pickup making it cleaner and more efficient, and the recycling blue bin program has saved tons of recyclables ending up in the landfill. We have installed solar power at the community hall and soon the Jubilee Stadium will also be running on solar power. Hundreds of trees have been planted in our green spaces and parks. The development of commercial lots on the highway has brought new business to town and the new grain elevator on the north side of town will bring economic growth from the construction and the new jobs it will create. Exciting times are ahead as the planned revitalization of downtown moves forward with the input from town residents and businesses. I have a vested interest in Biggar, I work , live and operate a business in town. Use your VOTE 1/4 P and re-elect myself Kevin McNicholls on November 9th, 2020 Help make Biggar a stronger and more progressive community.
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Letter from Holland
Leeuwarden, Holland 27th April, 1945 Dear Mrs. Crofts, Our town was liberated by the Canadians on the 15th of this month. Your son Joe was with them, and he stayed with us for a couple of days and so we made friendship. I promised him to drop you a few lines just to tell you that your son was doing well, everything O.K. We have had an awfully bad time, these five years. The Germans came here on the 10th of May 1940. Their army was then nicely equipped, and they had quite a number of planes on the Leeuwarden airodrome. When they went on the 14th inst., they had very little left, no planes, their cars riding on woodgas, for they have been out of petrol since a long time already. That is the end of Hitler’s army. But a lot of harm they have done here. In 1941 they started picking up all the Jews. All our Jewish friends disappeared and were sent to Poland, and Germany, most probably to be butchered there. I wonder what will come back of them, I am afraid not many. In 1942 they started sending all our young fellows to Germany to work as slaves for them. Those who could escape were hidden by friends or family. Often the Germans entered the houses and searched for young men, but then they were put under the floor, so that
in most cases the Germans could not find any. When a German wire was cut, they let all men of the town do some watching so that no more wires should be cut. When a German was killed, they picked out a number of civilians, ten, twenty-five, and in one case even 400, and shot them. You will understand how glad we were when at the end it was all up with them, and when the Canadians arrived here we gave them a cheery welcome where ever they came. Now perhaps you would like to know who we are. I shall introduce the family. My wife, aged 54, my eldest daughter Wilhelmina aged 29, my second daughter, Ida, aged 23, and I myself aged 55. I have always been in business, my eldest daughter does some bookkeeping in a dairy-export-firm, and my youngest is working with the police in this town. We gave Joe a photograph and if he will still have it on his arrival home, you will make acquaintance with our faces too. Joe told us quite a lot about his family and showed us the photos he has got with him. So we have seen you, his sister and brothers here already. There seems to be not so much fighting left now in Germany, and we therefore hope that the “B” squadron will have no more engagements so that all the boys will
DEADLINE MONDAY 5 P.M.
arrive safe and sound in Canada with their families. In our country the war is not going easily. The Germans blow up every dyke, so that the country which for a great part is under the level of the water, is under water now, quite inundated, and it is very It has been an honour to have served you, difficult to pass through. the citizens of Biggar, on council for the past If it had been the enemy’s country the army might four years and I would welcome the bomb the towns until opportunity and privilege to continue every resistance would be over, but this being serving you and being your voice! the country of a friendly Over the past four years, I am proud to nation, they cannot take to such measures. Anyhave been on a council that has: how, there will be an end - Lobbied Government and Saskatchewan to this in our country as Health Authority leading to changes that well within a short while. We are glad to have had have increased our number of doctors to your son with us. It was 4, to address interruptions of service at our only in the night that he was with us, in day time hospital. he had work to do, and he - Paved streets, replaced and installed new sidewalks, and continue to also took his meals with the boys. maintain existing infrastructure as our budget allowed. Well I think this has - Built a spray park for the kids. been quite a long letter, but I daresay my wife and - Invested in a Green initiative through solar on the community hall daughters will be glad and Jubilee Stadium. to hear from you so now - Secured the construction of a grain handling terminal that will and then, and I myself as well. benefit the community and surrounding area. I send you our best greetThese are only a few of the many accomplishments your council has ings, and to everyone of Joe’s family, and we sinachieved over the past four years, with many more plans in the works cerely hope that you will and I would like the opportunity to be part of a council that will keep very soon be able to welcome your sons back in Biggar moving forward. the family again. I look forward to YOUR vote on November 9, 2020 I remain, Dear Mrs. Crofts, sincerely yours, (Signed) H. van Heulen, Dronrijperstraat 9, Leeuwarden (Holland)1/4 Page
RE-ELECT EDWARD YOUNG For BIGGAR TOWN COUNCIL
THANK YOU BIGGAR!
VOTE JORDAN HORST FOR TOWN COUNCIL
VOTE IVAN YOUNG
For Town Council Hello, my name is Ivan Young I have lived and worked in Biggar for thirty some years. I have had 1 4 year term on town council which I enjoyed. In the next term I would hope to help keep the town on a level of good spending and planning for our residents and businesses. Biggar is a beautiful town and I hope to keep it that way and hopefully make it a better place to live. Thank You for your VOTE
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I love Biggar! I grew up here, I went to school here, I own a house and run my business Horst Power Equipment here. Biggar is home. A community is nothing more than lumber and stone without its people. I know and have experienced that the people of Biggar form one of the strongest communities in Saskatchewan. I am proud to say that this is where I come from! In addition to my regular employment, I am honoured to say that for over a decade I have been doing my part in keeping our community safe. I have 5 years of service working as an Emergency Medical Responder with Biggar Ambulance, continued as a volunteer medical first responder for our community for the past 9 years, 12 years of service with our volunteer fire department recently getting promoted to the position of Captain. - I am standing for town council to help ensure that our town continues to grow and thrive, to encourage new business and families to join our community, while supporting the ones who built what we have today to keep our history alive and growing. - I believe that Biggar tax dollars should stay in the community, supporting local businesses and contractors first, while still being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers. - I believe in common sense decision making, for example; not implementing a fire ban within town limits unless there is an absolute threat to public safety. Instead, placing a bylaw that fires have to be fully extinguished when left unattended and a water source has to be readily available while burning. Our taxpayers work hard and deserve to unwind and enjoy their property. - I am offering an honest, common sense, open approach to town council. I hope I can count on your vote November 9th to not only continue to protect our community but to also have a part in shaping its future.
1
12 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
From a Stretcher Handle: The World War I Journal and Poems of Pte. Frank Walker Introduction by: Mary F. Gaudet I remember visiting my father in the nursing home one day shortly before he died. It was November 1977. His formidable mind, which had revealed itself to thousands of Islanders in a long and distinguished career as a newspaper editor, had now become confused. “Do you know me today, Dad?” I asked. His head turned slightly, and his eyes widened as he peered up at me. “You look familiar,” he managed. In an effort to connect
with him on a more personal level, I said, “Dad, do you remember your poem, “The Ballad of the Stretcher Bearers’?” He lay very still for a short time. Suddenly, in a cadence well-known to me, he recited the six verses, word for word, as a single tear fell slowly down his cheek. The poem was sixty years old. He had written it on the battlefields of Europe. Here at the end of this eighty-three years, disconnected from the present, his mind strayed back to an experience that had seared itself on his memory and had shaped
his entire future life. It was obvious to me that the Great War still held deep meaning and lucid memories for my father. From a Stretcher Handle: The World War I Journal & Poems of Pte. Frank Walker is a firstperson narrative centred around the life and times of my father, Prince Edward Islander Frank Walker (1893-1977), during his service with the Canadian Field Ambulance, Canadian Medical Corps, from its inception in 1914 until 1919, after the Great War had come to a close.
Hi everyone! Tis time for some new blood and I am eager to bring my lifelong experience as a born and raised Biggarite to the table! With my 40 plus years with CN Rail as an employee along with train derailment certified technician, 40 years with the Fire Services as well as Emergency Response Assistance Canada (ERAC). Not to mention my helping hand with an amazing team to bring to town the Sandra Schmirler Olympic Park and the new BCS 2000 School and playground. With all my background and experience I feel I can make a great deal 1/4ofPage change for this community and be the voice along with the council that this community needs and deserves!
Pte. Frank Walker
On November 9th
VOTE Jim Rickwood
for Mayor of Biggar
Please join us in supporting Jim in his candidacy for Mayor of Biggar. Jim is a lifelong citizen of Biggar and is honest and dedicated to his hometown. Open and approachable Jim is always interested in listening to any concerns that citizens may have. We are confident that Jim is the best choice to actively participate on all committees and represent our Town of Biggar in a dignified and respectful fashion. Please be safe and follow applicable COVID-19 protocols to ensure our community stays safe! Sponsored by the Friends of Jim Rickwood for Mayor
RE-ELECT
Thank you Biggar for the honour of being your Mayor. I shall work hard again to keep this amazing community in stride with our growing economy. Our partnerships are many that reach across this Beautiful Saskatchewan. We shall continue to work with our partners in Government and our partners in Rural Municipal Government to Develop, Grow and enrich the lives of the many generations here and the many generations to come. Please stay safe my community. We all need to work and stand together in this beautiful home “Our Saskatchewan”. Thank you for all your support
Ray Sadler MAYOR
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 13
World Famous Café in Biggar? by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery During the 1920’s on the corner of First Avenue West and Main Street there was a restaurant. It was the Savoy Café, same name as the famous luxury hotel, the Savoy Hotel & Restaurant between the Strand and the Thames in Central London, England. I have always dreamt of having an afternoon tea in the Savoy, its only 65 Pounds Sterling per person . . . that’s about $113 Canadian! During my research for Biggar’s Café, I found out that North Battleford had a Savoy Café, and the same family had the Savoy Café and Grill in Vancouver in the 1930’s. The North Battleford café was on King Street and operated by the Burgess family, who came from Greece. The world-famous Savoy Hotel in City of Westmin-
ster in Central London, England was originally created by the impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte with profits from his Gilbert and Sullivan opera productions. It opened August 6, 1889. It was the most luxuriant hotel and restaurant in Britain at the time; electric lights everywhere and almost every room had their own bathroom! Only the rich and famous get to stay there overnight! The café in Biggar was not a doppelganger for sure, but I imagine that having someone else cook your supper for a farm wife felt luxuriant. The Savoy in Biggar was first opened by the Greekas Brothers, Gus, and George, in 1919. The Main Café was the original business. It reopened as the New Savoy Café with just Gus being the proprietor in 1928. Peter Rapanos was the proprietor of the Silver Grey Café at this location in 1929. But, by
1930, Gus Greekas was back, the lone proprietor of the New Savoy Café once again. The Savoy in Biggar offered a full selection of cigarettes, cigars, tobacco, and confectionery as well as serving meals and providing accommodation. I see in the photographs they also boosted an ice cream parlour. It must have been nice to walk down Main Street and get an ice cream cone or sundae or something, maybe a soda. Did not Leslie’s Drugs have an ice cream parlour at one time? That would be kind of nice to have an ice parlour back in town. I found out another little tidbit of information while I was researching the Savoy Café. The most opulent hotel in London is now owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, while it is managed by the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts of Canada!
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #138 Biggar Due to Covid-19 restrictions there will be no Remembrance Day services for November 11th Poppy Boxes will still be available at most stores. Please wear a Poppy in Remembrance.
Donations to the Poppy Fund are still accepted and can be sent to Box 1505 in Biggar or can be dropped off at the Independent LEST WE FORGET
The Savoy, ice cream parlour plus loads extra at the end of Main Street from 1919-1930 in Biggar. (Photos courtesy of Biggar Museum and Gallery)
14 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
A November Masters? Bring it on!
Penton on sports Bruce Penton
In the midst of what is normally football, hockey and basketball season, the big event on the sports calendar this week is the Masters at Augusta, Ga. In November. Of course, it’s 2020, the year of abnormal everything. In fact, another Masters tournament, the 2021 version, will be played five months from now. Storylines abound, besides the obvious one about playing this ‘rite of spring’ in November, when the azaleas won’t be blooming, the green grass might have tinges of brown and the crowd roars will be nonexistent. Warm spring breezes may be replaced by cool northerly winds and none of the Masters’ participants really know for sure how the ball will react on the greens. It’s November, after all. Trying to pick a winner is a fool’s game, because some of the recent PGA Tour winners have been lesser-known players such as Hudson Swafford, Martin Laird, Stewart Cink and Jason Kokrak, and the sport’s current biggest name, Bryson DeChambeau. So, instead of trying to foretell what will hap-
pen at Augusta this week, what follows are names of a few players to watch, with compelling reasons to do so. DeChambeau - He has upset the golfing world with prodigious, 350yard-plus driving, adding 40 pounds to his frame and developing swing speeds otherwise unseen. He dominated September’s U.S. Open as a result, and has told the world he plans to hit the ball even further at Augusta, thanks to recent experimentation with a 48-inch driver, the longest allowed by the game’s rules. Dustin Johnson - The guy who dominated the end of last season by winning one of the playoff events plus the Tour Championship, and ultimately was named Player of the Year, comes into Augusta on the recovery side of COVID-19. How he’ll perform after being away for a long spell is unknown. Rory McIlroy - This is the only major tournament McIlroy has not won, and every year the hype surrounding his quest for the career ‘Grand Slam’ seems to paralyze him, and throw him off his game. Will this be the year he settles down and finally wins his first Masters? Tiger Woods - How lame would a golfthemed column be without somewhat of a focus on the greatest golfer who ever lived? Woods is the defending champion, having shocked the world by winning the 2019 event 19 months ago. Woods has played
Koufax found the strike zone in the 1960s.” • A question from RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com: “If the White Sox merged with the Red Sox, would they be the Pink Sox?” • Nick Canepa, of the San Diego Union-Tribune, not surprised that the Steelers are proficient in the two-minute offence: “Big Ben should be great at clock management.” • Patti Dawn Swansson again, on Bill Johnson being named GM of the Arizona Coyotes: “Hey, I can think of worse jobs. Cleaning up after the circus elephants comes to mind.” • Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “Federal agents are questioning USC football players in connection to a fraud investi-
very little recently, and has had poor results, and a strong performance at Augusta this week would be another major surprise. But hey, he’s Tiger Woods, and he wasn’t supposed to win last year, either. So, let’s get ready to kick off . . . er, tee off. • Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: “Ray Ciccarelli, the unsuccessful NASCAR truck-series driver who threatened to quit over the sport’s Confederate flag ban, is now hedging on that. His fans are happy. Both of them.” • Patti Dawn Swansson, the River City Renegade, on researchers in Finland claiming they’ve found a cure for hangovers: “If true, it’ll be the greatest discovery since Sandy
gation. And the penalties could be stiff. Some of the players may be forced to attend classes.” • Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports, on the receiverheavy Tampa Bay Bucs signing troubled veteran Antonio Brown: “It seems like the Buccaneers are hitting on 20 in blackjack, hoping for an ace.” • Greg Cote again, after Dodgers’ Justin Turner celebrated and hugged team-mates on the field after the game during which he was pulled because of a positive COVID-19 test: “So congratulations, Justin Turner. Not for your World Series ring. For being the new, grinning face of oblivious, callous disregard for our most deadly health plague in a cen-
tury.” • Comedy writer Brad Dickson of Omaha: “In the battle to see who’s really carried the Patriots all these years Brady and Gronk have taken a clear lead over Belichick. Maybe the evil genius is really just evil.” • Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “NBC needs to replace the retiring Doc Emrick on its hockey broadcasts, which is like trying to replace Frank Sinatra as lead singer.” • Fark.com: “Jimmy Kimmel to Clayton Kershaw and Cody Bellinger: ‘Was it easier to win the World Series when the other team wasn’t cheating?’” Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.
TAX ENFORCEMENT LIST
Rural Municipality of Biggar No. 347 PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN
Notice is hereby given under The Tax Enforcement Act that unless the arrears and costs appearing opposite the land and title number described in the following list are fully paid before the 8th day of January 2021, an interest based on a tax lien will be registered against the land. Note: A sum for costs in an amount required by subsection 4(3) of The Tax Enforcement Act is included in the amount shown against each parcel. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY Part of Lot Lot Blk Part of Section Sec Twp NE 28 34 NE 16 34 PT NW 1 34 PT NW LSD 14 1 34 SE 2 34 SE 12 34 PT SW 12 34 PT SW LSD 3 PAR A 12 34 PLAN 101387549
Plan Total Arrears Costs Advertising Rge Mer Title No. 13 3 144765232 1538.98 12.45 14 3 116994101 2360.49 12.45 17 3 145225043 2961.93 12.45 17 3 143930112 114.25 12.45 17 3 141630274/141630364 2385.33 12.45 17 3 114358169 773.25 12.45 17 3 114358147 667.91 12.45 17 3 143930178/143930156 77.38 12.45
Total Arrears and Costs 1551.43 2372.94 2974.38 126.70 2397.78 785.70 680.36 89.83
3 145225212 3 145924656 3 141661997/141661986 /141661975 3 145924768 3 145924803/145924779 /141661975/14166198 3 1135118336 3 149176581/149176637 /149176604 3 149176626
6172.92 452.64 614.14
12.45 12.45 12.45
6185.37 465.09 626.59
481.16 482.13
12.45 12.45
493.61 494.58
537.31 379.63
12.45 12.45
549.76 392.08
55.82
12.45
68.27
256.42
12.45
268.87
15 15
3 149176682/149176659 /149176660 3 147834894 3 110382634
1975.90 2676.92
12.45 12.45
1988.35 2689.37
35
15
3
145668583
2202.99
12.45
2215.44
3
35
17
1145.55
12.45
1158.00
NW SW NE NW NW SW SW LOT 6-7 PLAN G391 SW LOT 15-16 G391
3 4 27 27 34 34 4
35 36 37 37 37 37 35
17 14 13 13 13 13 17
3 148121434/148121467 148121445 3 148121355/148121423 3 120485910 3 150100827 3 150100838 3 150100793 3 150100805 3 147014030/147014041
1132.45 846.62 528.32 641.28 806.12 853.89 55.75
12.45 12.45 12.45 12.45 12.45 12.45 12.45
1144.90 859.07 540.77 653.73 818.57 866.34 68.20
4
35
17
3 114300289/114300290
56.22
12.45
68.67
SW PAR C PLAN 101558684 SW PAR F PLAN 61S08362 NW LOT 16 PLAN G486 NW LOT 01 PLAN G486
4
35
17
3
147118686
68.42
12.45
80.87
4
34
17
3
147118697
208.81
12.45
221.26
9
35
16
3
113141135
120.25
12.45
132.70
9
35
16
3
113141146
120.25
12.45
132.70
SW NE NW PAR A PLAN 101462587 SE SW PAR A PLAN 101462587 NW PT NE
15 22 22
34 35 35
17 13 13
22 22
35 35
13 13
23 17
35 35
13 15
PT NE PAR A PLAN 101560586 NW PLAN BE351
17
35
15
17
35
15
PT NE PT NW PAR A PLAN 101560913 NW PAR B PLAN 101560991 NE PLAN BE351
24 35
35 35
36
Dated this 5th day of November, 2020 Sandi Silvernagle, Administrator
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
CoURIER
ELECTRICAL
BIGGAR ELECTRICAL & REFRIGERATION SERVICES Commercial and Industrial Electrical Wiring
Business & Professional ‌
Biggar Courier
• Biggar to Saskatoon • Same day Service • Monday-Wednesday-Friday • 24-hour Answering Service
~Brian and Cathy Fick~
Cell: 306-948-7524
Licensed Journeyman Adrian de Haan
306-948-5291
PLUMBING & HEATING
Sewing & Embroidery Custom Embroidery • Jackets • Windsuits • ShirtsCorporate • Hunting Gear Teams, and • Bunnyhugs • Caps Personal Attire • Toques • Bags
Judy Check outKahovec‌ our new website:
classicmakings.ca 306-882-4313, cell 306-831-7935
PLUMBING HEATING ELECTRICAL
Judy Kahovec: 882-4313, Cell 831-7935 Carey Krchov: 882-3213
HEALTH/WELLNESS
For all your home, business and rural needs - together with -
Biggar, Sask.
Co-Ed Fitness Centre
Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff
foR RENT Biggar Housing autHority
Housing for families and seniors rent based on income
“Setting a Higher Standardâ€? New Construction Re-roofing Torch-on Tile Metal All repairs Asphalt Inspections Shakes NOW dOING ďƒ† Eavestroughing ďƒ† Downspouts ďƒ† Soffit & Facia We offer 10 Year Workmanship Warranty and Liability/Torch On Insurance Excellent Local References For a FREE estimate please call‌ 306-948-5453
306-717-2818
www.madgesaskroofing.com Biggar, Sask.
AUToMoTIVE 701 - 4th Ave. E., Biggar
306-948-3996
Open Monday-Friday
Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes
‌owned and operated by Brett Barber
Mike Nahorney, Journeyman
HEAvy TRuck & AuTO Repair TIREs BOATs & Rvs Fully Mobile MEcHANIc
www.newufitness.ca
sGI safety INsPEcTIONs
Call: 306-948-2101
104 - 6th Ave. East, Biggar, Sask. Southeast entrance of Nova Wood Bldg. Hours‌ Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
306-948-3408
Rosetown Dental
115 - 1st Avenue West Rosetown, Sask.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Phone:306.882.2123 New Patients Welcome!
Dr. Krista Maedel & Associates
SERVICES
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 DoctorĘźs Appointments
PHONE......306-951-0078 or 306-951-0098
INVESTMENTS
A Sign of
For all your investment needs, Visit‌
Dean McCallum, CFP, CIM, FCSI Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.
Pamela Eaton
Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.
Lyndsey Poole
Mutual Fund Investment Specialist, Wealth Consultant Credential Asset Management Inc.
Cheri Steeg
Mutual Fund Investment Specialist Credential Asset Management Inc.
Located at the Biggar & District Credit Union 302 Main Street, Biggar, SK • 306-948-3352 Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc., and mutual funds and other securities are offered through Credential Securities Inc. ŽCredential is a registered mark owned by Credential Financial Inc. and is used under license.
INSURANCE
Qualilty!
Service Truck Full Mechanical Service Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5 p.m. phone: Chris
306-948-3376
Biggar OfďŹ ce Hours‌
Mon. - Tue, Thur - Fri 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday, 9:30am - 5pm
304 Main St., Biggar Phone: 306-948-2204 Toll Free: 1-855-948-2204
Landis OfďŹ ce Hours:
Mon.-Tue, & Fri., 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday, 10:00am - 4:30pm
Thursday CLOSED
100 - 2nd Ave. W., Landis Phone: 306-658-2044 Toll Free: 1-855-658-2044
Website: www.biggarlandisinsurance.ca Email: biggar@biggarinsurance.ca
“We’ll getcha covered�
In Biggar - Dale Buxton
306-951-7700
Jerry Muc Phone: 306-948-2958 fax:
306-948-5699
ACCoUNTING SEEKIN G NE CLIENT W CaMpbell S aCCounTing ServiCeS • Income Tax Returns • Bookkeeping • Payroll • Financial Statements
306.237.7671
Troy May, owner/operator
Ph: 306-948-4430 or 306-948-4460
rod.campbell@sasktel.net
117 - 3rd Ave. W.,
Fax: 306-237-TROY email: tmay@hotmail.ca
(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar
Rockin D Trucking & Cattle
210 - 616 Main Street Saskatoon, Sask. S7H 0J6
Super B outfits hauling grain and fertilizer in Alberta and Saskatchewan
• Cattle Hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer • Grain Hauling • round and large square bale
Ph: 306-948-5133 306-657-8999
hauling with step-deck or highboy semi-trailers • also buying and selling 2 col/6 straw and forage • also Machinery Hauling
Dan • 306-948-7843
Biggar, Sask. Naty/Michael‌
oPToMETRISTS
223 Main Street Biggar
This is what I worked up for the Business & Professional section in Box 580 Biggar, SK paper, 6 month commitment for $161.20 plusSOK gst OMO
Dr. Kirk Ewen Dr. Michelle Skoretz Doctors of Optometry
306-948-2183
Email: hrbbiggar@sasktelnet Website: www.hrblock.ca
LEGAL SERVICES In BIGGAR
Every Tuesday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Attention: Deanna Steven
Peszko &Watson
is a full service law office Please proof Business that practices‌
&P the next 52 weeks (year) f Biggar Professional Building, hours, as per phon Criminal Law been sent Bill has 223 Main St., Biggar Commercial Law Franchise Advertising Pay For appointments‌ Real Estate Law #102 - 9622 Wills and Estate Law - 42 Avenue, 1-855-651-3311 and Edmonton, AB T6E 5Ya our lawyers, 3 col/6 Phone: 780-448-2166; Jason Peszko Attention: Karen Fax:Lisa 780-438-1233; Watson email: CSC-Edmonton.ac Logan Marchand BLANkET Here is a draft30ofminutes Businesscould & Professional change ad for y Bailee Massett tomorrow, February 23, then the would your life!!! look forward to ad assisting you start on CLASSIFIEd and can be contacted at:
YH Truck, Ag & Auto s (EAVY TRUCK PARTS s !GRICULTURE PARTS s !UTOMOTIVE PARTS ACCESSORIES WWW YHTRUCKAGAUTO COM
(WY %AST "IGGAR
306-948-2109
wyLie seeD &
ProCessing inC. Canadian Seed Institute Accredited Pedigree, Commercial & Custom Cleaning fuLL line of Cleaning Equipment including Gravity Table
excellent Quality at a reasonable Price!
For all your Cereal and Pulse Cleaning Call: Bill: Dale:
306- 948-2807 or 948-5609 948-5394
Plant located 8 miles south of Biggar on Hwy #4, Âź mile west on triumph rd.
Advertising
is an investment
Since 1977, Primerica has offered term life insurance, giving families the coverage they need at a price they can afford.
• Wood, metal, plastic signs • Vehicle & window graphics • Banners, stickers and Magnetic signs
NEED LIFE INSURANCE ?
SEED CLEANING Ăż Auto & Home Insurance Ăż Farm & Commercial Insurance Ăż Health & Travel Insurance Ăż Life Insurance & Investments Ăż Farm Succession & Estate Planning Ăż Notary Publics
HAULING
Biggar Dental CliniC
Red Seal Mechanic
102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar
306-948-9750
DENTAL
MAdGE ROOFING INC.
M & N REPAIR
Owners/Operators • Dallas Young • Claude Young
306-948-3389
RoofING
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 15
in your business.
Biggar, Sask. Brody Ellis, Sever Ellis, Stetler Heather
306-948-3380 306-948-2234 alloutdrilling@gmail.com
Call today for a FREE estimate!
Biggar Sand & Gravel • trenching • trucking • water & sewer • sand & gravel • excavating Office ‌
306-230-4653 Rebel Landscaping
948-2879, evenings 948-7207, daytime Ed Kolenosky • Driveways • Sod • Concrete • Patio • Garage Pads Blocks • Pruning • Snow • Planting Removal • Topsoil • Fences • Lawn Care ‌and • Leveling much more
AdS 948-5352 or 1 co Price: $225 plus gst for30626 weeks (6 months) Can reaCh More 306244-9865 (Regular price is $28.98 plus gst per week x Than We are able to offer this to you when we ge
Busse Law 520,000 ProfessionaL Nice to have met you, and I’m looking forward to poTenTial CuSToMerS.
CorPoration Barristers & Solicitors Consultant
Urla Tyler, One phone callAdvertising coversBiggar the entireIndependent Stuart A. Busse, QC The Larry A. Kirk, LL.B. province. phone: 948-334 Expand your market fax: 948-2133 and increase your 302 Main Street, Biggar, SK profits. email: tip@sasktel.net 306-948-3346
Phone‌ 306-948-3344
Biggar Independent 122 Main Street, Biggar, Sask.
‌serving your community since 1972
P
Tel: 9 9 Ple 9 Wh
for any 9 Ple Â… OK Â… Ma Â… Ma withou
16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
ARIES CANCER Jun 22/Jul 22 Mar 21/Apr 20 Cancer, you may find Be prepared for some news at work, Aries. yourself drawn into There may be a change online activities or a new in the hierarchy or hobby that you never 2 col/6 previously considered. another management change. Stay calm, as this This may awaken a new interest in you and liven could bode well. TAURUS things up. DB Brett… SAFETY LEO Apr 21/May 21 BRETT’S DECORATING & DESIGN SERVICE Taurus, someone new Jul 23/Aug 23 Price… = $201.50Leo, take a few 1ST AID2.5 may come intoinches your life s FLOWERS plus gstcould per 6-month and you be com- prepaid moments this week to TRAINING s CUSTOM WEDDING commitment. pletely enamored. This examine your finances. DECORATING & EVENTS 1st Aid training on-line s RENTALS… 4ENTS may be a $120 romantic inter- Spend time looking at or classroom. "OUNCY #ASTLE Re-Certs $85 est, or someone who sim-withrecurring payments Please get back to me Red Cross your way and where you can cut. 306-948-9750 Canadian ply understands changes/corrections by return For More Info: 102 - 3rd ofemail thinking. Opt for a new form of this morning. dale@dtjssb.ca recordkeeping . GEMINI Ave. West, or VIRGO May 22/Jun 21 Biggar, Sask. Thanks Urla 951-7700 newufitness@sasktel.net Aug 24/Sept 22 While technology 948-3344 /WNED AND OPERATED BY already is ever-present in Strange developments "RETT "ARBER may infiltrate your noryour life, this week you mally ordered schedule, may be introduced to a DB SAFETY Virgo. Even though situnew form technology in SERVICE your home or place of ations may be outside of 1ST AID work. your wheelhouse, keep TRAINING an open mind about all 1st Aid training on-line possibilities.
Aboriginal Owned • Mobile Welding & Fabrication • 24/7 Emergncy Service • Repairs? Got a project in mind? • We cater to ALL give us a call industries… farming, for a quote. commercial, oil field, • NOW offering industrial Skidsteer, Transport, • CWB Hot Shot Service! Certified CAll Chance Parenteau @ 306-948-9465 or sarah nagy @ 306-290-9766
MUSIC
D.J. Music for all occasions, pop, rock, country, new, edm, light show included Marriage Commissioner For More Info:
dale@dtjssb.ca or
951-7700 948-3344
PHOTOGRAPHY
SIC
ic for all pop, rock, ew, edm, included Looking to buy good Portraits, Family, age quality retail Wedding, Sports, ssioner fireworks? e Info: Passport & Firearm For More Info:
Photos by Jocelyn
FLOWER SHOP
Photography tjssb.ca dale@dtjssb.ca Biggar, Sask. r or www.photosbyjocelyn.com 7700 951-7700 306-948-7267 3344 948-3344
or classroom. $120 Re-Certs $85 Canadian Red Cross For More Info:
is an
951-7700 948-3344
investment
or
REAL ESTATE
Shoreline Realty
Cari Perih REAlTOR®
Cell: 306-948-7995
r
www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca
tjssb.ca
Advertising
dale@dtjssb.ca
buy good retail orks? e Info:
7700 3344
Business & Professional …
Office: 306-867-8380 carip@remax.net
Acres of Expertise.
Dave Molberg
Farm & Acreage Salesperson (306) 948-4478 dave.molberg@hammondrealty.ca HammondRealty.ca
BIGGAR INDEPENDENT BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0 306-948-3344 tip@sasktel.net SUBSCRIPTION RATES…per year ONLINE… $40.00 + $2.00 gst = $42.00 Inside 40-mile Radius… $45.00 + $2.25 gst = $47.25 Outside 40-mile Radius… $50.00 + $2.50 gst = $52.50
in your business.
BE SEEN in the Business Directory call
306.948.3344 for special rates anD sizes
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
LIBRA Sept 23/Oct 23 Take a greater interest in movies, music or entertainment, Libra. It is always good to broaden your horizons. Plus, this will give you new subject matter for conversations. SCORPIO Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, this week you may have a strong urge to do something exciting or adventurous. You might want to book a spontaneous trip or ride a roller coaster. SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21 An unexpected career opportunity could be coming your way, Sagittarius. It’s okay to be nervous, but focus more on the possibilities for advancement and excitement.
CAPRICORN Dec 22/Jan 20 New interests may capture your attention, Capricorn. Study different countries and their cultures to learn more about the world. Then plan future trips to an inspiring locale. AQUARIUS Jan 21/Feb 18 Aquarius, you may be at a crossroads in your life that has you wondering what the next step may be. Take advantage of increased online educational possibilities. PISCES Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, if you have been pondering a reason to move, now may be the time to really put a plan into action. Start researching neighborhoods.
Independent Classifieds
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 17
The SWNA and its Member Newspapers cooperatively deliver your message to more than half a million readers every week.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
FEED AND SEED
Heavy Duty Mechanics, Heavy Equipment Operators and 1A Drivers required:
HIP/KNEE Replacement? Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?
Late model, clean CAT, JD equip: winch, dump, gravel trucks and trailers. Both camp and shop locations; R & B provided.
The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $50,000 Lump sum refund.
Wage negotiable. Clean drivers abstract a must.
Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction )V_ (YIVYÄLSK :R : , ( " Fax: 306-769-8844 ,THPS! brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca
Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide!
Expert Help:
1-844-453-5372
HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS! The global COVID-19 pandemic means learning how to SPOT fake news has never been more important. Protect yourself with media literacy in 4 simple steps. Watch the video at SPOTfakenews.ca
HEALTH
NORTH EAST PRAIRIE GRAIN INC. BUYING: FEED BARLEY, SOYBEANS, DAMAGED CANOLA. On Farm Pickup, Prompt Payment! PH: 306-8733551 WEBSITE: neprairiegrain.com “In Business to Serve Western Producers”
NOTICES
PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly, through 52 local community newspapers. Call 306649.1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.
GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada. Do you or someone you know Have any of these Conditions? ADHD, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Cancer, COPD, Depression, Diabetes, Difculty Walking, Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowels, Overweight, Trouble Dressing... and Hundreds more. ALL Ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money. CALL S A S K AT C H E WA N BENEFITS 1-(800)211-3550 or Send a Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to 306992-5527 for your FREE benets package. Get up to $10,000 from the CANADA REVENUE AGENCY in 1-2 weeks. National Tax Recovery is now offering a 10 year tax review. Receive your unclaimed refunds. Average refunds are $1000 and range from several hundred to many thousands of dollars. We provide a freeno-risk-in depth- 10 year tax review to calculate the refund due. By law the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) allows you to adjust your taxes for the last 10 years. Accountants typically review only the current and prior years tax returns. But we look much deeper into the past - a full 10 years and with the perfect hindsight vision we seek every opportunity within the connes of the Tax Act to benet you and your family. Send a text or call toll free 1(800)362-6137 With your name and mailing address for your free refund kit. CLASSIFIEDS WORK! Visit www. swna.com for details on how to reach readers across Saskatcheawn.
LAND FOR SALE
FARMLAND WANTED I am currenlty PURCHASING single to large blocks of land. NO FEES OR COMMISISONS Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way. Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com
TRAVEL SNOWBIRDS! Osoyoos, BC Canada’s warmest climate. Very special weekly & monthly rates available through April, 2021. Choose from studio, 1 & 2 bdrm luxury condos from $36/night! www. osoyoossnowbirds. com; 1-888-OSOYOOS. Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the SWNA and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For information on advertising conditions, visit www.swna.com.
BELIEVE IT? Don’t fall victim to sharing fake news about COVID-19 online. Learn the four simple steps that will help you SPOT fake news online. Watch the video at SPOTfakenews.ca
INSIDE EACH ISSUE Place Yours!
Biggar independent Online
18 - tHe independent, Biggar, SK
www.biggarindependent.ca
tHUrSdaY, nOVeMBer 5, 2020
oBITUarIEs Jim (Harold James) Dwyer Jim was born in Biggar SK, January 2nd, 1943, to Patrick and Alberta (ne Clark) Dwyer. He grew up in Biggar along with his siblings Arnie, Marjorie, Shirley, Evelyn and Ron. As a teenager he had many after school jobs, cleaning racks at the bakery, delivering dairy products from the local creamery, and delivering newspapers. He left home at the age of sixteen to work road construction, he learned to run any piece of equipment they would let him on! He soon became serviceman for them all. He built roads all the way from Maple Creek to La Ronge. Jim met Kelly (Carolyn) Scharf in 1960 and they have been inseparable ever since. The were married in April of 1963 and continued with the life of road construction, traveling all over Saskatchewan and in the fall of 1965, they welcomed a daughter, Darlene. Jim continued his construction career and his little family followed. He purchased some land and cattle in 1967 and set down roots in Perdue. That winter they welcomed a son, Johnny. Jim loved farming and began working towards buying his own farm and equipment. After several years of farming with his father-in-law Clarence, Jim and Kelly purchased a farm south west of Perdue. They spent spring to fall farming and then came back to town each winter when Jim would start up the curling rink for the season. You could find him at the curling rink most days and evenings, either taking care of the rink or watching Kelly curl. After Jim and Kelly retired from farming, Jim had the opportunity to help build the Oasis Golf Course taking it from a field of wheat to an outstanding 18-hole course. He loved being back in the construction equipment and being able to work alongside his friends and family members during this time. Every summer the family went to the lake. They were avid fishermen and enjoyed every minute on the water. Jim and Kelly finally settled on Keely Lake where they made many long- lasting friendships and many memories with family. After fishing for the summer Jim turned to hunting in the fall. He spent many hours searching for deer, moose and antelope with his brother-in-law Dale and many other hunting buddies. After retiring Jim also found a new passion in gardening. He loved to grow a huge garden, even though he complained about its size every year! It was hard to find a weed anywhere. He also started work as caretaker of Leney cemetery where he took great pride in keeping everything neat and trimmed. Jim is survived by his wife Kelly, daughter Darlene (Mike), son Johnny (Renate), his grandchildren Randy (Chelsey), Dylan (Kara), TJ. Brayden, Ryan (Jessimyn), Tyson, his great grandchildren Averie, Presley, Tylen, Chris, Luke, his sister Evelyn (Wayne), his brother Ron (EV), and numerous nieces and nephews. At Jim’s request interment and service will be held at a later date.
Dorothy Lang (née: Reich)
August 18th, 1924 – November 2nd, 2020
Dorothy Louise Lang passed away on Monday, November 2nd, 2020. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Sebastian; parents, Conrad and Mary Reich; brothers, Arthur and Wilfred; son-in-law, Ron Singer; and daughter-inlaw, Lorie Lang. Left to mourn are her children: Louise Singer, Don (Carolyn) Lang, Gord (Hilda) Lang, Gary (Rhonda) Lang, and Linda (Darryl) Ness; 13 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; brother, Albert (Ruth) Reich; and brother-inlaw, Joe Lang. Dorothy was an avid, hard-working farmer’s wife, living at Chamberlain, SK from 1947 until 2006. She and Seb moved into Moose Jaw, SK and then her last move was to Biggar, SK in January 2019 to be closer to family. She was very active in many executive positions for various organizations in Chamberlain. She enjoyed curling for 20 years. Her biggest pleasure was watching Seb and her children play ball in the summer and curl in the winter. Dorothy always said her winter holiday was travelling with Seb to every province in Canada to curl in the Legion National Championships. Her blood turned green every summer as she watched her Roughriders play. She loved parties and was always planning get-togethers for her family. Her apple pie melted in your mouth. Dorothy’s favorite story was when she was 8 years old and she had to go to the convent in Holdfast, SK in the summertime for catechism. One day one of the girls told her she had a baby brother. The next morning she got up at 5 o’clock, packed her suitcase and walked home, which was 8 miles away. She walked into the yard and her dad had the horse hooked up to the wagon. He put her in the wagon and took her back to Holdfast. My understanding is that she never even got to see little Albert. Mom, we can only imagine what it will be like when your wing man (Dad) is waiting with his arms out for you. You have been the heart of our family and you are finally at peace. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church and interment will take place at Chamberlain Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Dorothy’s name may be made to the Chamberlain Cemetery Fund, Box 2, Chamberlain, SK S0G 0R0. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. James Murdock, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com
Card of Thanks The family of Jim Dwyer would like to express their gratitude to exrtended family, friends, neighbors and Biggar Homecare staff for all the phone calls, messages, thoughts, parayers, flowers, food and help before and after Jim’s passing. “A grateful thank you to my family, first responder Darcy, ambulance attendants and all doctors, nurses and staff of Biggar and RUH hospitals. Pray all be safe.” Marie Scott
ComIng EvEnTs Biggar Museum and Gallery Co-creating with the Creator, an exhibit of sculpture, fabric and paintings by local artists, used to be local artists and artists from the city. Colour, texture and sound, a brand new type of exhibit in the museum! Monday to Friday 1:00 – 5:00 or call 306-948-3451 to arrange a private viewing for yourself and your bubble. October 1- November 10
St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar
Father Edward Gibney
Parish Phone: 306-948-3330 SATURDAY MASS TIME • 7:00 p.m. SUNDAY MASS tiMe • 11:00 a.m. By Appointment, Phone the Parrish to Book Your Time
our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis SUNDAY MASS TIME • 9 a.m.
Presbyterians, anglicans and lutherans (Pals) Services November 8TH and 22ND REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
For more information/pastoral services, phone Cindy Hoppe 948-2947 or John Bennett 948-2852
Biggar associated gospel church 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar
Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Doug Motz, Church office phone, 306-948-3424
TENDER
biggar united church 907 Quebec St./corner Turnbull Ave., Biggar
SUNDAY Services 11 a.m. Covid 19 Guidelines Apply Masks Required INQUIRIES CALL CHURCH OFFICE 306-948-2280 LEAVE MESSAGE
Seventh-Day Adventist Church
SAturDAy ServiCeS
Church Service…11 a.m. temporary Location at: 403 2nd ave. east in Biggar Contact: 306-948-2481
Looking for a reliable individual for snow removal services for the Biggar & District Credit Union. Sidewalks must be cleared prior to 8 am weekdays. Snow blower and leaf blower will be provided. If interested, please submit an offer (including fees) to: Bryce.Kramer@biggarcu.ca or call 306-948-3532.
www.amazingfacts.org
For Rent Central Park Place
has apartments for seniors available in Biggar. Call 948-5626 or 948-7824
Charter/ Sherwood Apartments in BIGGAR
1 or 2 bedroom, heat and water supplied, wired for cable TV and satellite systems, laundry facilities, appliances, some suites with dishwahers, air conditioning, parking with plug-ins. For more information call: Risa Management at 306-665-2300 or Andre at 306831-4430
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 19
The Saskatchewan Traveller
by Trudy and Dale Buxton Well another weekend, it’s sunny and time for some new adventures. This time we head the bike west towards Kerrobert on Highway 51. Lots has been said about Highway 51 being a terrible highway to travel but with some recent improvements its actually not that bad. There are worse highways to travel. Kerrobert is about 1,050 people and is mainly an agriculture/oil community. Kerrobert’s population has a lot to do with the oil industry. If you are into museums, Kerrobert completely renovated the old court house into the town’s offices as well as a museum. Kerrobert also has a very nice nature hiking trail with a trout pond that is stocked.
Next we turn right on Highway 307 towards Coleville and Smiley. First up is the little Village of Coleville. Coleville was built on oil . . . lots of it. There was boom in the 1950’s where oil was discovered and people flocked to this little community. There were hotels built with beer parlours waiting for the arrival of settlers looking to make a good
Royal Canadian Legion Asquith Branch Remembrance Day Service November 11, 2020 Due to COVID-19 restrictions the Remembrance Day Service will not be open to the public. Please join us for a live streamimg on our FaceBook page: Asquith Royal Canadian Legion The Service will begin at 10:45 a.m. November 11, 2020 Everyone is Welcome!
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living on the oil business. Today the community hasn’t changed much as oil is still the number one industry in the village. Continuing on down the road on Highway 307, which is in pretty good shape for a secondary highway, we come to the tiny Village of Smiley. Smiley is 40 kilometres northwest of Kindersley and once was a fair size village, mainly because of the oil industry and the large agricultural industry. Smiley’s demise came when the CPR was granted permission to decommission the rail line because of the larger grain elevators in neighbouring Kindersley. Oil also took a step backwards. Today Smiley has less than a 100 people who live in the community. Just west of Smiley is a landmark called the Great Wall of Saskatchewan, which features a larger stone fence and a three bedroom sod house that was built by Albert Johnson back in the 1930’s. The house is furnished with early settler items from the era. Continuing on Highway 307 south to Highway 7,
we turn left and head to Kindersley. Kindersley has a population of about 4,500 people. Kindersley has everything to offer for any family looking for a place to settle or just for a friendly visit. Kindersley has oil and gas as well as a fantas-
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GROW your community Every day, local businesses support you and your community ďLJ ĐƌĞĂƟŶŐ ũŽďƐ͕ ƐƵƉƉŽƌƟŶŐ local sports teams, community ŽƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟŽŶƐ ĂŶĚ ůŽĐĂů ĞǀĞŶƚƐ͘ These local heroes deserve our ƐƵƉƉŽƌƚ ŶŽǁ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ĞǀĞƌ͘
tic agriculture setting. Kindersley also thrives on the tourism industry, whether its golfing, hiking, summer sporting events and winter sporting events. One fun fact about Kindersley is they once hosted the World Baseball Championship. Most
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people there at the time were astounded that such a small community could host such an elite event. Since that time Kindersley has often played host to major events, whether summer or winter. Stay tuned for further adventures.s
20 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2020
Roll of Sacrifice Lest we forget Bill Aikenhead
Cyril Hutchins
Percy Beech
George Hawryluk
Dick Burgess
Jack Mitchell
Lloyd Burrison
Jim Meneilly
Reg Burrison
Russel McQuaig
Art Boucher
Parker Dunbar
Allan Carruthers
Jack McIntyre
George deBussac Harry McKay Leo Cowan
Lenard Proctor
E. Davie
Don Reynolds
Jack Fisher
George E. Stead
Claude Besse