Christmas Sweater Skaters ... Biggar Skating Club’s, Kabrie Metz, centre, along with Chloe Evans, left, and Adriana Alzate Sanchez, hit the Jubilee Stadium for the club’s Christmas performance, Friday. The kids put on a wonderful show, taking the holiday theme onto the ice for an evening performance. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Please Take Note: There will be no Independent Next Week (Thursday, December 26)
BCS2000 opened their doors, Dec. 12 for their Holiday Festival, a fun evening of celebration this Christmas time. The event had teachers and staff filling out passports as kids and parents went from event to event, having a load of fun. People could donate cash or perishable food items, or winter clothing for those in need - a classy move during this time of giving! For everyone involved, you truly are Santa’s little helpers! Happy Holidays! (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
Santa comes to Biggar ... The Biggar Legion’s ever popular Santa Day hit the Majestic Theatre’s Bielby Hall, Saturday, shortly after the theatre’s Christmas movie. A photo with Santa, a bag of treats ... what could be better as we near the big day! (Independent
Biggar RCMP Report
by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment
This past week the detachment had 14 occurrences reported.
Traffic was moving considerably slower with the weather and only three drivers needed safety reminders. One grey Ford Focus met with a deer on Highway 14 outside of Biggar. The driver was okay.
Still below normal, but conditions improved over last yearProvince releases conditions at Freeze-Up
The Water Security Agency (WSA) is releasing this year’s Conditions at Freeze-up Report. This report summarizes conditions during the late fall/early winter period.
Current conditions, in combination with the winter snowpack, become the initial conditions for the spring snowmelt runoff.
This report gives an early indication of areas that are more vulnerable to potentially above or below normal runoff during the spring period. It is important to note that this report is not a spring runoff report.
The regular meeting of Biggar Town Council was held December 3 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Attending the meeting were Mayor Jim Rickwood, Councillors Alan Boyle, Dakota Ekman, Nicole Hoppe, Kevin McNicholls, Edward Young, and Ivan Young.
• 7:08 p.m. Councillors
Conditions can change quickly with timely spring rains or significant amounts of snow throughout the season.
“Even though conditions are somewhat drier than normal, this year is still an improvement from last year when moderate to extreme drought conditions were being observed across the province in October 2023,” Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency Daryl Harrison said.
Despite the general low snowmelt runoff in spring 2024, May and June rains resulted in most large water sup-
ply reservoirs being near or at normal levels throughout the year and they remain this way moving into the winter.
With the dry two months leading up to freeze-up, most of central, northern and southeastern Saskatchewan went into freeze-up with drier than normal soil moisture conditions. Two snowstorms occurred mid-November that brought 10 to 80 centimetres of snow to Saskatchewan, with east central regions receiving the most snow.
This snowfall could result in two outcomes:
• Insulating the soil and
Report
reducing frost penetration, increasing infiltration in the spring, which may reduce runoff.
• Creating frozen topsoil due to partial melting and refreezing, reducing infiltration and increasing runoff.
At this time, there are no areas where WSA believes that there is a heightened risk of above normal spring runoff in 2024.
WSA will continue to monitor conditions throughout the 202425 winter. Beginning in early February, Spring Runoff Outlooks will be released on wsask.ca
With the weather turning briefly warmer on the weekend, a group of night prowlers were out moving vehicles around the area. A pickup truck was stolen from Perdue, went on a joyride then returned to the area after running low on gas. A white Audi, stolen out of Saskatoon and colour changed to black, was left in a ditch in the RM of Biggar, but not before suspects stole a 3500 Dodge Ram to try and get it out before abandoning the idea. The 3500 was later recovered abandoned outside of Asquith, leaving Asquith with an outstanding missing vehicle as the night prowlers most likely retuned back to the city.
Council minute highlights
McNicholls and I. Young left the meeting.
Ratepayer Mrs. Violet McCarty attended this portion of the meeting along with a representative of Rental Housing Saskatchewan, Mr. Cameron Choquette, to discuss current utility billing procedures for property landlords.
• 7:27 p.m. Councillors McNicholls and I. Young returned to the meeting.
Duperow Co-op Interim General Manager, Chad Baker, brought an update to Council for informational purposes.
Council resolved that the following reports from and Administration and Council Committees
be accepted as presented: Committee Meeting Minutes November 26, 2024. Acting Chief Administrative Officer’s Report. Recreation Director’s Report November 2024.
Council resolved that the following correspondence be accepted and filed: RCMP Report November 25, 2024. RCMP Report
December 2, 2024. SHA Meeting Minutes November 18, 2024.
Council resolved that the General Accounts Paid in the amount of $28,479.95 including payment numbers 19392 to 19436, payroll deposit numbers 6600 to 6627, and online payments totalling $59,001.33, and the list of accounts for approval in the amount of $35,246.14 including payment numbers 19418 to 19431, 12/2024-01 to 12/2024-13, and CC no. 27 to 29 be approved as submitted.
Council resolved that the Town of BIggar approve a 50 per cent discount on the Jubilee Stadium rental for the Biggar Old Time Dance Festival for their June 2025 event.
A discussion was held regarding the Town of Biggar’s financial commitment to Farm in the Dell.
Complaint about vehicle noise on Avenue N in Perdue, ongoing neighbour dispute where one believes the other has too much traffic coming over. Report of a bad break-up and now the fight is on about the cat. Members triaged about a half dozen calls from angry customers complaining about fraud on a small engine repair business that has attempted to relocate from Warman to Biggar. From social media chatter, this may not be a long-term issue, consumer beware. A search warrant was executed in the RM of Biggar at SE 24-34-17 W3 and stolen property was recovered on a couple of property thefts outside our area. Charges remain pending at this time as the investigation continues. Take care out there!
Council resolved that the Western Municipal Consulting Agreement for 2025 be approved as presented.
Council resolved that the Request for Proposals for the Biggar Curling Rink demolition project be approved as presented with a submission deadline of January 13, 2025.
Council resolved that the Memorial Bench request received from Josip Knezevic in honour of Sophie Gurel be approved, and further that the Mr. Knezevic may build the bench himself and place it along the Sandra Schmirler walking path.
Council resolved that Progress Certificate No. 055-109-P3, payable to JDL Underground in the amount of $37,113.76 be approved for payment. • Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
Grinch comes to BCS ... Biggar and District Credit Union used some their considerable pull to bring in the Grinch (and Cindy Lou Who!) to Biggar Central School Grade 1 and Kindergarten students, December 12. The classic Dr. Seuss characters posed for picture and read some stories to the very eager kids. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
by Sylvain Charlebois, Agri-Food Analytics Lab, Dalhousie University
The GST holiday, set to begin on December 14, is framed as relief for Canadians grappling with rising food prices. Yet economists specializing in food policy warn it may fail to deliver meaningful assistance and could even exacerbate challenges for consumers and the broader economy.
Insights from the recently released 2025 Canada’s Food Price Report, a collaborative effort by researchers at Dalhousie University, the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia, reveal why this policy might backfire.
The report anticipates food price increases of three to five per cent in the coming year, with some categories, like meat, potentially rising as much as six per cent and vegetables by five per cent. These escalating costs are occurring against a backdrop of record food insecurity, which affects more than 22.9 per cent of Canadian households.
The GST holiday also risks encouraging opportunistic pricing
by Frank Cox
Yeah, so we’re sittin’ there, the lot of us, warming our hands on cups of bad coffee, when in come these three guys.
Not the usual type, mind you. These fellas looked out of place, even in a joint like Eddy’s.
by major grocers, many of whom have faced scrutiny for their pricing strategies. Retailers like Loblaws, Metro, and Sobeys may subtly raise prices during the holiday to protect margins - not only on taxable products but also on non-taxable foods. This could create a ripple effect, lifting prices across the board and undermining any expected savings for consumers.
Other factors contributing to rising food costs include recycling fees that manufacturers must pay in Ontario and other provinces. These fees, intended to shift waste management costs from municipalities to producers, are often passed on to consumers. These costs, combined with pressures such as labour shortages in agriculture, logistical bottlenecks, and climate-related production challenges, make it difficult to achieve meaningful price relief for Canadian families.
For households experiencing food insecurity, the GST holiday offers little tangible benefit. Vulnerable families prioritizing basic staples over discretionary spending will see negligible savings. In March 2024 alone, food
banks across Canada recorded two million visits, according to Food Banks Canada’s Hunger Count. These alarming figures underscore the inadequacy of temporary tax relief in addressing the deepseated issues of affordability.
Critics also highlight the inefficiency of temporary tax holidays. Politically convenient but economically ineffective, such measures fail to tackle the systemic issues driving food price inflation. Resources allocated to implementing a GST holiday could be better spent on long-term solutions, such as strengthening local food supply chains, providing targeted subsidies for vulnerable populations, fostering agricultural innovation, and addressing industrywide cost pressures like recycling fees.
Temporary measures, like government-issued cheques aimed at “buying support with people’s own money,” further complicate the landscape. These onetime payments offer fleeting relief while failing to address root causes. Critics argue such initiatives are little more than political band-aids, giving the illusion of support while
ultimately recycling taxpayer funds.
A permanent elimination of the GST on food sold in grocery stores would have been a far better approach. The GST is a regressive tax that disproportionately affects lower-income Canadians, who spend a larger share of their income on basic necessities like food. Removing this tax entirely would provide meaningful, lasting relief without the temporary distortions or potential for abuse that a limited holiday or one-time payments bring. This structural reform would
better support vulnerable households while simplifying the system and rebuilding trust in food pricing.
The GST holiday, despite its appeal as a quick-fix solution, risks worsening the very problems it aims to solve. While Canadians may initially feel relief at the checkout counter, the broader impact could include rising prices, frustration, and missed opportunities for meaningful reform.
The 2025 Canada’s Food Price Report emphasizes the need for policies that build resilience and trust in the
One Night at Eddy’s
They had fancy robes on, looked expensive. I nudge Jerry, who’s got his feet up on a stool, and nod toward them.
“You see that?” I say under my breath.
Jerry raises an eyebrow, takes a sip from his mug, and grunts.
“Yeah. You’d think they’d be freezin’ their tails off out there dressed like that.”
The three of ‘em come up to the bar. One of ‘em, a tall guy with a beard that looks like it would glow in the dark, leans in toward Eddy. Eddy doesn’t even flinch, still looking half-dead like always.
“Help you gents?” he mutters.
The guy clears his throat.
“We’re looking for Bethlehem,” he says. “Got word there’s something special happening there.”
I glance at Jerry, who shrugs like he doesn’t care. But I’m curious. It’s not every day you see three guys wanderin’ around lookin’ for directions in the middle of the night, dressed like they belong in some fancy painting.
Eddy points toward me.
“That guy knows the way,” he says. Thanks a lot, Eddy.
I stand up, pushing my chair back, and walk over.
“Bethlehem, huh?” I ask. “What’s goin’ on there?”
The tallest one, the guy with the beard, gives me a look like he’s deciding if I’m trustworthy.
“A child is born,” he says. “A king, they say. We’ve been following a star.”
Well, that explains the fancy robes.
“A king, huh?” I scratch my head. “Never heard of Bethlehem being a spot for kings. You sure about that? There’s been a lot of folks headin’ that way lately. Heard it’s hard to find a room though - some big census or shindig goin’ on.”
The guy nods like he expected that.
“We’ve heard that. But we do need to get there. Do you know the way?”
“Yeah, I know the way. Hang on.”
I grab my coat and motion for them to follow. Jerry and the others stay put, watchin’ us go.
We step outside, and sure enough, there’s that star they’ve been talkin’ about. It’s big and bright, right above where Bethlehem’s gotta be.
“There’s your sign,” I say, pointing. “Just follow that star and keep straight. You’ll hit Bethlehem in a couple of hours, maybe less.”
They thank me, give a polite nod, and head off. I watch them walk away, robes swaying in
food system, advocating for sustainable solutions over temporary fixes.
As former U.S. president Ronald Reagan famously said, “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
Temporary fiscal measures like the GST holiday exemplify this, offering political convenience at the expense of real solutions. To truly address food affordability, Canada must focus on structural reforms that provide lasting relief for families and ensure transparency and trust in the food system.
the wind. They’re real serious about this king business.
As I’m about to head back inside, I hear something - like a soft drumbeat. I turn, and there’s this kid, couldn’t be more than 10, walkin’ by. He’s got a little drum strapped to him and he’s beatin’ it as he walks, like he’s part of a parade only he knows about. He gives me a wave and keeps walkin’. I stand there for a second, watchin’ him head in the same direction as the wise men.
“Strange night,” I mutter to myself, before going back inside to the warmth.
Frank Cox Humble Opinion
It’s a pretty sure thing that these guys will never have a line written about them anywhere. As far as that goes, maybe they wouldn’t want to while they were living.
In the cemetery, things are a bit different.
One doesn’t have to look at too many tombstones to find one inscribed, “Life Well Lived,” et cetera. Perhaps a little unnecessary these lines about folks that we’ll never see again. But most people, while they are still around, seem to be content just to get along with their lives with out the notoriety that a few lines are apt to bring!
It becomes kind of plain, though, when after perusing some of the local history books, hoping to recreate some of the past, that very few of these “drifter” types are ever mentioned.
There must have been thousands of these guys in the West. Young men who drifted into communities, becoming part of our young lives (we were all young then!) and then left, often never to be seen or heard of again.
The very fact that Y.T. (Yours Truly) sends these little pieces in to The Independent, serves to prove that often times we want people to remember us, and I don’t feel a darn bit bad about scrawling these not too legible lines about some of those drifters.
I often think about Charlie, and I’m quite sure that very few people ever even got to know him.
It seemed to me Charlie didn’t want very much out of life. A kind of a Renaissance man who had left a fine home in England in an effort to get away from it all, maybe because of money or family, or maybe just to get away from a life that had been planned for him since he was born. I don’t know. Charlie drifted into our part of the country in the late ‘20s, stayed for a few years and then left. But I still remember him!
Like I mentioned before, there were quite a few of these kind of folks who came into a
community, left a bit of a mark in the memories of younger types like myself, and then moved on.
Carl was another one of these guys. I think he had been an acquaintance of the folks somewhere in the past but from our earliest childhood, Carl was a man who walked into our lives every couple of years, stopped for a few days, and then moved on.
Tall, lean and sometimes with quite a beard, he showed up to be welcomed by everybody and became, at least to us younger ones, a type of mystery man. I think the last time was in 1934, then we moved away and we never saw him again.
Looking back, though, Carl sure wasn’t a pillar of society, but he was there and he was part of it. And because none of the local histories ever mention him, Y.T. feels called on to make a record of him here.
I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of younger people justifiably asked what a drifter was, and my dictionary sure isn’t much help.
According to it, a drifter is someone who drifts. According to my memory (which is sometimes kind of suspect!) a drifter is a person, like mentioned, who never
stays in one place too long.
I suppose a fellow could add that a lot of “places,” especially in the 1930’s weren’t a bit conducive to making a person want to stay very long, as far as that goes!
Back in those years, the West was full of drifters, maybe the whole country was, and many, many men rode the railway boxcars in search of some stability that they never seemed to find.
Len was one of those fellows. I don’t know where all the places he had been in his travels, but his stories of “hobo jungles” on the edge of most towns, and winters in British Columbia inspired our young ambitions to become bums when we grew up! Some folks seem to think I’m still that way!
But every now and then Len got a letter from England, hence the stamp collection that someone stole years later, which was always followed by a trip to the local bank.
Young, carefree and not seeming to have a worry in the world, Len drifted into and out of our lives, leaving only a memory of ever having been there!
On the other hand, Leo was a real son of hard times. Coming from a busted-up family in a
busted-up part of the world, Leo was quiet and kind. He often spoke of the mother he was supporting way off across the river somewhere.
In remembering Leo, sometimes the desperation of those days becomes so apparent that one wonders how he forced himself to so cheerfully face up to it all.
The debilitating affluence of today, although seemingly accepted all over, is to me a kind of strangulating scourge of personality that the world’s future will later inherit. There may not have been very much in their world as the above-mentioned people drifted by. But they did get out there and
fend for themselves and developed an outlook on life that few of us have today.
I read a chapter in a book one time that told of the desperation of those times, of drifters classed as rebels in a society that they eventually died for! I could name a couple who were beat up by police in the ‘30s, but were killed on the Second World War beaches of Normandy on D-Day! Our dedication to the betterment of society seems so shallow today! If Charlie, Carl, Leo and Len were to drift past our places right now, I wonder if they would think we’re running things right!
The Puppy and the Christmas Tree
The first Christmas we ever had with our brand new puppy was certainly a memorable one.
A friend of ours had a dog that had just given birth to a litter of mixedbreed puppies that summer and when she was giving the puppies away, she asked our family if we wanted one. We decided to say ‘yes’.
The new addition to our family was happy and rambunctious, filled with wags, happy licks, and the endearing doggy enthusiasm for everything about life that any growing puppy normally has. Everything about our family and our home was new and exciting
and interesting to her.
Because she was so happy and energetic, she had a tendency to get into everything. We had to spend a considerable amount of time in her early years saving our puppy from herself, doing everything we could to puppy-proof the house as best we could. But she still loved to get into things that she knew she shouldn’t have.
She was a very bright dog. When she got hold of something she knew she shouldn’t have had in the first place, like a facecloth from the bathroom cabinet or a wristwatch from a bedroom night stand (or God forbid, the remote control for the TV), she would make sure that everybody saw what she had so we would all have to chase her around the house just to retrieve the item that she filched.
She was never happier than when she was playing ‘the chase game’, running around the house with a forbidden item in her mouth, tail wagging, with a bunch
of people chasing after her to get the item back. It was just a game to her, and she was happy in the knowledge that she had finally found a way to get everyone in the house to pay attention to her at that particular moment.
When we finally caught her, we would usually have a vigourous tug-ofwar on our hands just to get the item back from the dog. Sometimes we would have to trade her for a treat just to get the filched item back, which did not exactly set a good precedent for the future, if you know what I mean. But being an innocent puppy, you really couldn’t get mad at her, even though she could be quite exasperating at times!
Only when we began to physically block off access to open cupboards, cabinets, assorted tables and rooms, and keep other things up out of her reach, did her behaviour finally stop. Eliminate the source, and hopefully, you eliminate the problem.
But with Christmas coming, we knew that our young dog could be very rambunctious. We were concerned about what might happen to our Christmas tree. We were afraid the dog might harm herself if she took a decoration off the tree and ran around with it in her mouth or might innocently pull the tree over or chew on the gifts while she was playing.
We were at a bit of a loss at that moment to figure out how to get the dog to leave our Christmas tree alone. We knew that our puppy might possibly see the new tree in the living room as a doggie toy to be enjoyed and chewed on and played with.
But then our Mother had an inspired idea.
Just before we brought our artificial Christmas tree up from the basement to be unboxed, assembled and trimmed, our Mother dug our big old childhood playpen out of storage, unfolded it and set it up in the living room where our
Christmas tree would normally be placed every year. A gift from our Grandma when Mom and Dad first got married, our old wooden playpen was still in very usable condition after being used to safeguard us three growing boys back in the day.
Now ready for the Christmas tree, we brought our tree up from the basement and set it up and trimmed it in the newly assembled playpen to safeguard the tree from the dog. The dog wouldn’t be able to disturb the tree and we wouldn’t have to play ‘the chase game’ again over the holidays with our Christmas tree decorations or our gifts. The dog was now big enough and the wooden bars on the old playpen were close enough together so that the dog was not able to disturb the tree in the playpen.
We placed our gifts inside the playpen around the bottom of the tree, now secure in the knowledge that the dog would have to leave
both the tree and the gifts alone. And to make sure the dog couldn’t possibly get into anything that might harm her, we only trimmed the top half of our tree in the playpen that year to eliminate the possibility that the dog might innocently get hold of and chew on a decoration on the bottom half of the tree that might bring her harm.
That Christmas was a special memory for our family, all of us gathered in the living room around our half-trimmed Christmas tree in its wooden prison with our furry new family member on Christmas morning.
But it was a happy Christmas, as it always was, as we welcomed the newest member into our family for her very first Christmas.
And because the puppy was now a full-fledged member of our family, there was a Christmas gift for her under the tree that morning as well!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!
Bob Mason Notable Notes
Keith Schell Remember When
Christine Ibbotson
Ask The Money Lady
Dear Money Lady, I always find it difficult over the holidays to keep the costs down. Have you got any tips for making it through Christmas without spending too much?
Thanks, Lilly Great question Lilly! December is the “eat and spend too much” month and January is the “go on a diet and try to pay off your debt” month. Why do we do this to ourselves every yeareven though we know we shouldn’t overindulge?
Well, overeating and preparing tasty foods is a symbolic social activity and an integral part of many cultures at Christmas. Plus, spending more during December always tends to happen due to more parties, more social events and more entertaining.
budget. But I must say, that for those of you that generally stick to a savings routine all year and also try to eat right - I don’t think there’s too much harm in you letting lose a little at the end of the year.
Many people constantly deny themselves small simple pleasures and feel great shame about spending money on themselves or others. Buying too much or eating too much over the holidays are both fixable by getting back into your routine once the New Year comes along.
But for those of you still stressing, here are some money saving tips to keep in mind this Christmas season!
It is best to make a list, determine a budget for each gift and stick to it. If you can’t find a gift for your price point - then opt for gift cards so that they can be used after Christmas in all the retail sales events, in stores or on-line.
businesses who really need our support. Take advantage of BlackFriday sales and have it delivered right to your home - or better yet to the home of the person you’re buying for. It’s like your own little valet service. Also, don’t forget the Dollar Stores, they are great for Christmas stocking stuffers, wrappings, cards, and decorations.
Who says you have to spend a lot to get into the Holiday Spirit!
Ways to reduce the cost on holiday meals could be to delegate the dishes or opt for a potluck dinner. Everyone should have a specialty that they could bring if asked and it is up to you as the hostess to coordinate the meal and tell people what to bring.
Remember, happiness isn’t defined by how much you spend, it is what you do, how much you love, how caring and supportive you are, and above all your true compassion for your family and others.
Merry Christmas to everyone! Good luck and best wishes!
Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, syndicated national radio
host, and now on BNN Bloomberg News, and CTV News. Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at info@ askthemoneylady.ca
Why not consider “teaming-up” and go in on gifts with others to limit costs and maintain your budget. Set expectations with family so that everyone plans to spend specific amounts on gift giving. You could also choose to have an adult name draw or Secret Santa.
Don’t forget to tell your guests to also bring their own alcohol. If you are hosting an event at your home, you still shouldn’t be expected to foot the bill for all the drinks. Instead have a Christmas Punch and let everyone BTOB.
INDEPENDENT
It is not unusual for most Canadians to feel financially anxious during the months of December and January. Of course, the obvious solution is to stick to a
Why not consider buying everything online this year, especially through your local
It really is not hard to be gracious this season. A thoughtful Christmas message in a handmade card, or a letter of devotion and love, can be cherished more than any store-bought item. Be kind to one another, watch your manners, forget the grudges and enjoy your family (or at least pretend to).
Science advances ag for the better
Another post is a video on Google introducing self-driving bikes in Amsterdam.
The video footage is amazing, a bicycle that is essentially self-driving.
Calvin Daniels Agriculture
by Calvin Daniels
Everyday I find myself amazed by one online post, or another detailing the advancements science makes every day.
One post details how Mercedes-Benz is developing a new type of solar paint. The photovoltaic coating can apparently generate enough energy to power a car for up to 12,000 kilometres annually under ideal conditions.
This sort of development could be a major game changer in terms of electric vehicles, as it would reduce the need to plug in to recharge.
Imagine pulling into an average parking lot, and the sun basically recharging your vehicle as you shop.
And, it is not difficult to see uses on the farm.
It’s something one finds difficult to comprehend, a bike not just tipping over sans a rider, but it is equally easy to appreciate what such a tech/ science break through can mean.
Then in Milan the exterior of a high-rise building has been transformed into a platform for trees - basically growing on balconies at every level. It was suggested in the video the plant life growing on the building’s exterior equalled three hectares of forests.
Imagine what a forward-thinking city might look like in the years ahead if such a design were mandatory on new builds.
In terms of food production it could be huge.
And there are regular drops on the Internet about advancements in robotics.
The units shown are again amazing, but what is really interesting is to think about the next generation robots
already in development, but unseen by the public, and what is on the drawing board as new advancements push to potential of creation.
On the farm robots are certainly part of the sector’s future.
Now some of course will throw an exclamation mark of concern on developments - worrying they go to far, or seeing nefarious uses for the advancements.
Certainly we need caution, but not necessarily in the science as it merely opens doors to new possibilities.
It will not be the scientists that take new developments down darker paths.
The splitting of the atom opened many positive doors, and of course led to the eventual creation of the atomic bombs that devastated to civilian populations of two Japanese cities.
But it was the military complex which took the initial science down that darker path, the science simply existing for humankind to develop as it sees fit.
Ultimately science is simply discovery, and if there is a fear associated with such discoveries, it comes from human-
ity’s willingness to use it in ways which are not always positive.
But still the wonder of each new advancement is about how it may
make our future better, and fosters a hope of what is to come.
Merry Christmas
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Christmas Season Services
ST. GABRIEL’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, BIGGAR
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24... 5:00 p.m.
Christmas Vigil Liturgy
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25... 11:00 a.m.
Christmas Service
BIGGAR UNITED CHURCH ~
TUESDAY DECEMBER 24… 3:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
BIGGAR ASSOCIATED GOSPEL CHURCH ~
SUNDAY DECEMBER 22… 10:30 a.m.
Christmas Service with Children’s Program TUESDAY, DEC. 24… 7:00 p.m., Come join us for: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
PALS COMMUNITY CHURCH ~
TUESDAY DECEMBER 24… 7:00 p.m., Christmas Eve Service at St. Paul’s Anglican
PERDUE UNITED CHURCH ~
TUESDAY DECEMBER 24…7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Service
OUR LADY OF FATIMA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, LANDIS ~
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24… 7:30 p.m., Christmas Vigil Liturgy
e Biggar and District Ministerial Association wishes you all the joy and blessings of the Christmas Season.
The Saskatchewan Traveller ... Nova Scotia Edition by Trudy and Dale Buxton
We are heading out of the predominantly French district and on our way into Yarmouth. Just before Yarmouth lies a small community of
Manager of Lending Administration
We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and results-driven Manager of Lending Administration to lead our Lending Administration team at Biggar & District Credit Union. The role will involve overseeing a team of lending administrative professionals, ensuring have a strong background in administrative functions, with a solid managerial skill set. An understanding of lending processes and regulations will be an asset.
As the Manager of Lending Administration, you will be responsible for providing leadership, direction, and training to ensure that all loan documentation, records, and administrative functions are managed effectively. This role will work closely with the VP of Credit Services and play a key role in streamlining lending operations to provide exceptional service to our members.
Your Key Responsibilities will be:
Team Leadership & Management: Supervise, train, and support a team of lending administrative staff, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
Administrative Oversight: Oversee all aspects of lending documentation and compliance,
Process Improvement: Continuously evaluate and improve administrative processes, and regulations.
Collaboration: Work closely with the VP of Credit Services and others in the lending department to ensure alignment in lending operations and to address any issues related to lending support.
Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all loan administration practices meet regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry standards.
Member Experience: Assist in providing a seamless and positive member experience by addressing administrative issues promptly.
Reporting & Documentation: Maintain accurate reports and documentation for auditing and regulatory purposes.
At least one year of post-secondary education plus four to six years of job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Excellent leadership and team management skills. Exceptional organizational and time-management abilities. Ability to analyze and improve business processes. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work cross-functionally. Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and compliance.
We offer a very competitive compensation structure, 8% matched superannuation, with a committed team in a challenging, rewarding, and fun environment. Our workplace offers opportunities for advancement, all-expense-paid continuing education, valuable networking in the credit union/cooperative system, and ongoing personal and professional development.
Our organization has branches and insurance agencies in Biggar, Landis and Perdue, and
citizens, offering a hospital, parks, sports, arts, and two school divisions; its economy is mainly focused on agriculture.
Biggar & District Credit Union proudly supports the communities we serve, and it is our people that make this happen. If you would like to be part of our team, please submit your
Port Maitland and small population of around 500.
Port Maitland was originally named Green Cove before being renamed in honour of Sir Peregrine Maitland in 1869.
Port Maitland is mostly of English origin and is heavily influenced in the Baptist movement of the late 18th century, which is in contrast to the large French Catholic communities that are right next door.
Port Maitland is home to a Provincial Park that has a large sandy beach and shaded picnic area. The beach in the summer time has lifeguards on duty. Next up on the old Number 1 highway is Yarmouth.
Yarmouth is located on the southwest portion of the Bay of Fundy, sort of where the bay meets the ocean.
This region was original inhabited by the Mi’kmaq and they called this region Keespongwitk, which means Lands End, because it is at the end of the Nova Scotia peninsula.
Yarmouth was first visited by Samuel de Champlain in the very early 1600’s before he moved up the coast and settled in Port Royal.
The first Europeans to make a settlement on the banks of Yarmouth came along in the mid 1600’s, and the original name was Tebouque with a small population of around 100.
During the wars in the mid 1700’s the New England Planters settled
in the area in what is now as the Township of Yarmouth. These planters came across from Yarmouth, Massachusetts and requested that the new settlement be named for their former home.
In the early years Yarmouth was a major centre for shipbuilding. It was the second largest only to St. John, New Brunswick, as the largest port of registry in Canada. Ships built in Yarmouth could be found in most major ports around the world.
Because of it’s location, Yarmouth was and still is a major connection with the United States with modern day ferries carrying travellers to and from the USA via Bar Harbor Maine. In the late 1990’s, Bay Ferries, who operate the ferry service across the channel, introduced the first high speed catamaran to the passenger/vehicle service. The Cat, which is its nickname, skips along the water at a speed of 65 kilometres per hour, cutting the time down to only about 3.5 hours across the channel. That speed doesn’t seem to fast
but when your dealing with this kind of water at the mouth of the Atlantic that is quite rapid.
The mainstay of the Yarmouth economy today is still fishing with many a large fleet in port at Yarmouth.
Yarmouth is a hub of history from its vast selection Victorian style houses and museums that are open to the public.
InthesummerYarmouth is home to the annual seven-day Seafest that has been going on since the late ‘70s. Yarmouth is also credited for catching a record Mako Shark just off the coast coming in at an amazing 1,082 pounds. It has also been said that the American composer Meredith Willson came up with a catchy jingle while staying in Yarmouth, called “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”, which is certainly sung every Christmas season.
Yarmouth is certainly a fabulous place to stay and always great to revisit on future travels.
Stay tuned next week as we continue our travels into Nova Scotia.
Beach at Port Maitland, Nova Scotia (Independent Photos by Dale Buxton)
Yarmouth Fishing Boats, Nova Scotia
Biggar Legion has selected winners from Biggar schools for this year’s Legion Poster Contest. The winners were as follows: Elementary Grade 1-3, St. Gabriel School, Grade
Aries, a special person in your life deserves all of your attention. Romance might be on your mind, and you’ll look forward to all of the time you can spend together.
TAURUS –
Apr 21/May 21
You may feel artistically inspired this week, Taurus. Explore projects like home improvements or crafting. There are many things to try.
GEMINI –
May 22/Jun 21
Your attendance at a wedding or another special event could have your thoughts moving in a romantic direction, Gemini. Maybe you’re thinking of taking your relationship to another level?
CANCER –
Jun 22/Jul 22
Cancer, forge ahead in your efforts if you aspire to learn a new skill or take on a different project. This might involve meeting new and interesting people. Expand your social network.
LEO –
Jul 23/Aug 23
Leo, it is important to put others first this week, particularly your spouse or romantic partner. You don’t want any hurt feelings circulating right now.
VIRGO –
Aug 24/Sept 22
An unexpected visitor might come your way in the next few days, Virgo. This could require overhauling your schedule and even space in your home to make room.
IN LOVING MEMORY
November 26, 1959 - December 23, 2005
How the Grinch Did Not Steal Christmas Fr. Edward Gibney
I am writing this message on Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy, celebrated by many Christian denominations on the Third Sunday of Advent. This is the midpoint of our Advent preparation for the coming of Jesus into the world at Christmas, and because that great celebration is almost upon us, we are filled with joy.
Joy is not the same thing as happiness, for happiness is something which is dependent on the external conditions and situations of one’s life. Joy is not like that. Joy can persist even in the saddest times. Theologian Henri Nouwen wrote that joy is something deeper. It is “the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing; sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death, can take that love away.” At Christmas, we find happiness in getting the gift we want, or in overeating, or even in getting a kiss under the mistletoe. But these things only give us happiness. Joy comes from something deeper.
That said, this year, on Gaudete Sunday, I noticed that many CBC television stations chose this day to
LIBRA
–
Sept 23/Oct 23
Family and friends will have a difficult time changing your mind once you have taken a stance, Libra. You have dug in your heels on this topic.
SCORPIO –
Oct 24/Nov 22
Scorpio, new work assignments or additional business may complicate matters in the days ahead. That can be great during times of year when spending can get out of control.
SAGITTARIUS –
Nov 23/Dec 21
As you prepare for the colder temperatures, holistic arts, acupuncture, herbs, and therapies might be on your mind, Sagittarius. You don’t want to be sick this go-around.
CAPRICORN –
Dec 22/Jan 20
Capricorn, you will try to meet the demands of your need for information this week. Chances are you’ll be reading the newspaper and news outlets as much as you can.
AQUARIUS –
Jan 21/Feb 18
You cannot gain traction right now, Aquarius. Perhaps you haven’t met the right people yet? Keep your eyes and ears open for new opportunities.
PISCES –
Feb 19/Mar 20
Pisces, if a career change has been on your mind, the new year might be a chance to get those gears moving in the right direction.
IN LOVING MEMORY
CORINNE HERZBERG
January 9, 1970 - December 18, 1985
Time slips by and life goes on but from our hearts you are never gone. We think about you always, we talk about you too. We have so many memories, but we wish we still had you.
Forever loved and missed by Mom, Dad, Charla, Steven, our families and the dear friends of Corinne
televise the 1960’s cartoon, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” You know the story! The Grinch ‘tries to stop Christmas from coming,’ and he does so by taking away from the people in ‘Whoville,’ all the gifts, and the games, and even the ‘roast beast.’ He thought that by taking away these things, Christmas would not happen. But He was wrong. Even without all the gifts and other things that brought the ‘Whos’ happiness at Christmas, they were still filled with the joy of Christmas, because to them Christmas had a deeper meaning. This is why the Grinch failed to steal Christmas. This story is about how the true celebration of Christmas is about the spiritual joy of being with others who love us and who share our faith, not about the happiness we experience when we get the gift we want or when we eat a great meal. Our world stresses the purchased things that they say will bring us happiness, but that is not what is truly important. In our belief in the fact that God sent His only Son, Jesus, into the world, that He was born in Bethlehem, and that Jesus became one of us so that we could share eternal life with Him, we can face any difficulty, struggle or sadness in the joy that comes from knowing God loves us. The world can take away the things that give us happiness, but it can never take away the joy that we get in our relationship with God.
May God Bless you and protect you
St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh 109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330 Saturday Mass.......7:00p.m. Sunday Mass....... 11:00a.m. our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.
NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH
TOM MUC
Fun ways to make Christmas Eve even more special for kids
Parents know that nothing quite matches the excitement young children feel on Christmas Eve. On the day before Christmas, youngsters anxiously anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus that evening, and are perhaps even more excited by the prospects of the following morning, when they’ll race into the living room and discover all that the jolly old elf left behind.
Christmas Eve seems to have some built-in magical components,
but there are a handful of ways parents can make the day even more special for children.
• Track the big guy’s movements online. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD), has tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight for more than 60 years. Beginning on Christmas Eve, families can track Santa’s movements across the
globe at Noradsanta. org. Kids can visit the site to see where Santa is at any given moment on Christmas Eve, growing more excited as the big fella gets closer and closer to their own region.
• Create a Christmas Eve craft. Gather children and their cousins and/or friends to create a special Christmas Eve craft or decoration that can be displayed next year. This is a great way to channel youngsters’ nervous Christmas Eve energy into something productive, and it can make for a great tradition families can continue even after kids are grown.
• Watch a favorite Christmas movie. Hollywood has never shied away from holiday fare, so there’s no shortage of festive films to enjoy with youngsters on Christmas Eve. Enjoy a classic like the 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street” starring Nata-
lie Wood as the adorable “Susan Walker” and Edmund Gwenn as “Kris Kringle,” or go with something more recent, such as “The Grinch,” the 2018 adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
• Take a nighttime stroll or drive to see the lights. Lighting displays are another component that makes the holiday season so special. After Christmas Eve dinner, take a stroll through your neighborhood to see the lighting displays or climb into the car to take in a different neighborhood’s offerings if you’re already familiar with those in your own neck of the woods.
Christmas Eve is a magical day for youngsters and their parents. Some simple ideas can make the day even more meaningful for children and their families.
God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
The holiday season is steeped in tradition, and some traditions have a lengthier history than others. Fans of the Christmas carol “God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen” may be happy to hear that the song’s history dates back several hundred years. The carol dates all the way back to the 1650s and is even briefly alluded to in Charles Dickens’ beloved novella “A Christmas Carol.”
“God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen”
God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day To save us all from Satan’s pow’r when we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy; O tidings of comfort and joy.
From God our heav’nly Father a blessed angel came and unto certain shepherds brought tidings of the same; how that in Bethlehem was born the son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
I
“Fear not,” then said the angel, “Let nothing you affright; this day is born a Savior of a pure virgin bright, to free all those who trust in Him from Satan’s pow’r and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place, and with true love and brotherhood each other new embrace; this holy tide of Christmas all other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.
Lyrics courtesy of Hymnary.org.
A selection of the best quips and quotes from January through June, 2024. (Part II next week).
• Hockey broadcaster John Shannon in pregame chat when Connor Bedard met Connor McDavid in Edmonton for the first meeting between the two NHL superstars: “It’s 97 vs. 98 in a city made famous by 99.”
• Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: “Is Easton Stick a starting quarterback with the Los Angeles Chargers or is it in my garage, beside my frozen hockey bag?”
• Headline in The Beaverton, after freeagent Shohei Ohtani shunned the Blue Jays and signed with the Dodgers: “Inspiring: This man isn’t locked into a long, expensive contract with Rogers.”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “North Pole police have finally cleared Santa’s head elf of charges of careless use of a firearm. Authorities admit mistakes were made after finding a cartridge in a pear tree.”
• Former Oilers’ coach John Muckler, quoted in Steve Simmons column in the Toronto Sun, about those great Gretzky-Messier-CoffeyFuhr teams of the ’80s never winning nine or more in a row: “Those ’80s teams couldn’t go nine games without finding a party.”
by Phil Heilman
A busy weekend in the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL), and with it came some tightening up in the standings.
The Wilkie Outlaws sit on top with a 5-1 record, followed by the Kindersley Sr Klippers with a 4-1 record and the Macklin Mohawks at 4-2. The Hafford Hawks sit in fourth with a 3-1 record. The Edam 3 Stars hold fifth with 2-3 record, with the Biggar Nationals with a 1-5-1 record. In the rear is the Unity Miners with a 0-4-1 record.
On Sunday night, the Biggar Nationals travelled south to Kindersley for a matchup against the Klippers, with the Klippers coming away with the 6-3 win.
Troy Boisjoli fired the only goal of the opening frame, giving Kindersley the 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Best of the best from 2024
• Super 70s Sports, in the aftermath of the $700 million Shohei Ohtani signing by the Dodgers, ran a picture of actor Lee Majors and said: “The Dodgers could’ve built 116 bionic men instead.”
• Late night funny-man Jimmy Kimmel, carrying on the public feud with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers: “Rodgers got two A’s on his report card, and they were both in his first name.”
• Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “Is it time for Jacksonville Jaguars fans to come to the realization that Trevor Lawrence is much closer to being Jon Kitna than John Elway?”
• Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe. com: “Miami TE Cam McCormick, due to various injuries, COVID, and transferring, was just granted his ninth year of eligibility for college football. Maybe it will improve Cam’s draft stock. How many rookies reduce their team’s costs by being eligible for Medicare?”
• Another one from Currie: “At the Aussie Open, American Coco Gauff will open the tournament in a onesided affair. She’s up against Slovak Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, whom she trails 23 characters to nine.”
• Nora Berry: “Anyone who thinks women talk too much has never sat through a six-hour Super Bowl pregame show.”
• Pro golfer Tommy Fleetwood, quoted on @PGATour on X, after reportedly turning down $75 million to sign with LIV: “My future is too bright to just throw it away. I don’t want to ruin my reputation ... my name is Tommy Fleetwood, not Cam Smith.”
• RJ Currie again: “I imagine it must be tough for Saskatchewan curling
fans to cheer Mike McEwen, longtime archrival from Manitoba, suddenly skipping a Saskatoon-based team in 2024. Call it sweeping with the enemy.”
• Super 70s Sports again: “One of the absolute best baseball stats is that father and son Cecil Fielder and Prince Fielder are tied on the all-time home run list with 319 dingers apiece.”
• Will Knights of Fried Egg Golf, on the spectacular putting display of Wyndham Clark during his round of 60 at Pebble Beach: “At times it felt like he was putting into a hole the size of Phil Mickelson’s ego.”
• Mike Bianchi again: “A 16-ounce can of beer at the big game in Vegas cost $18.90. The only people who can afford those kinds of prices are Taylor Swift, LIV golfers and Georgia football recruits.”
• Comedy writer Alex Kaseberg: “At one point 200 million people watched the Super Bowl. Imagine how many it would have been if they weren’t airing a curling game at the same time?”
• Headline at theonion. com: “Chiefs Walk Six Miles To Game After Bus Driver Refuses To Pay $125 For Stadium Parking.”
• Jim Trotter of The Athletic, after the Waste Management Open in Phoenix turned into a drunken debacle: “The Waste Management now resembles the Wasted Management.”
• Another one from Alex Kaseberg, after Canadian swimmer Betty Brussel set records in the 100-to104-year-old age class in Saanich, B.C at the age of 99 (turning 100 in July): “This beats the previous record of drowning.”
• RJ Currie again: “Five reasons why TV ratings
for the Brier rose 13 per cent and why TSN says it’s one of their most popular sporting events: 5.) Curling is a good draw; 4.) The Brier does well in the sweeps; 3.) It’s great with takeout; 2.) The game has a peel; 1.) The action is end to end.”
• Retired NBA great Shaquille O’Neal: “I don’t believe in pressure. Pressure is when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from.”
• Another one from Super 70s Sports: “On this day in 1994, the Penguins score a big win on ‘Davy Crockett Coonskin Cap Night’ - hang on, being told that’s just Jaromir Jagr’s hair.”
• Sean McIndoe of The Athletic, in a story about some of hockey’s unwritten rules: “Unwritten rule No. 14: When somebody shoots the puck over the glass, everyone has to stop and wave their arms around like first-graders who just realized they have to go potty.”
• From someone named Jeff on X: “Welcome back to SportsCenter presented by ESPN Bet. For more on the Shohei Ohtani interpreter gambling situation we go to our FanDuel MLB Insider Jeff Passan at our DraftKings Studio in Los Angeles brought to you by Caesar’s Sportsbook. Jeff, how could something like this happen?”
• RJ Currie again: “Team Canada beat Team Switzerland to win the women’s curling championship. Just for the day, they should change the national anthem to ‘O Canada, our Homan native land.’
• Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley, saying the 12th hole will never be lengthened, as suggested by 2000 champ Vijay Singh:
“That’s almost like asking, you know, can we touch up the Mona Lisa a little bit.”
• One more from RJ Currie: “Tiger Woods says if everything comes together, he believes he can win another Masters. He got me so fired up I sent another set of marriage proposals to Ann Hathaway, Margot Robbie and Gal Godot.”
• Comedy guy Steve Burgess of Vancouver, on the eve of the CanucksPredators NHL playoff series: “Vancouver doesn’t churn out insipid, formulaic country music, so I don’t see why Nashville should dabble in hockey.”
• Steve Burgess again, being vindictive: “The Leafs are out. The Jays are losing. Drake’s beef is not going well. Sucks to be you, Toronto.”
• Canada’s satirical website, the Beaverton, after coach Sheldon Keefe was fired: “Maple Leafs begin search for
new scapegoat.”
• From a British football humour site: “At a recent World Cup of soccer, the English team visited an orphanage: ‘It was heartbreaking to see their sad little faces with no hope,’ said João, age 6.”
• R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports, on the rebuilding Los Angeles Angels: “Unfortunately, they are a few years away from being a few years away.”
• Bob Molinaro of pilotonline.com (Hampton, Va.): “For those competing in the July 4th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest, the banishment of multiple champion Joey Chestnut for endorsing plantbased dogs doesn’t change the nature of the gluttonous competition. It’s still wiener take all.”
• Care to comment?
E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca
Biggar Bowl weekly scores
Monday Adult Mixed
Tuesday Night Mixed
Thursday Afternoon Seniors
Brett Matlock took the loss, stopping 48 of 54 shots, while Logan Drackett took the win, stopping 22 of 25 shots.
On Saturday night, the Unity Miners travelled east to Wilkie to play the Outlaws, with Wilkie coming away with the big 9-2 win.
Ryne Keller opened the scoring just four minutes into the game, and followed it up with his second of the night and the year just four minutes later. Rory
Carson Grolla (on the power play) and Shayne Neigum extended that lead to 3-0 before Taylor Bucsis and Brett Novak responded to cut the lead to 3-2. The Klippers came out flying in the third, with Boisjoli, Brody Ryberg and Tyler Traptow all scoring and extending the lead to 6-2. Dallon Becotte of the Nats would round out scoring.
Gregoire would add to the lead with his second of the year before Davis Chorny would score to cut the lead to 3-1. Rick Cey would also score to extend the lead to 4-1. It was all Outlaws in the middle frame as Rob Cey, Kyler Lorenz, Will Rathje and Brett Schell would all score, giving Wilkie the commanding 8-1 lead after 40 minutes. Brayden Schultz and Blake Young would trade goals in the third to tie a bow on things.
Brett Vanderveer took the loss, stopping 27 of 36 shots, while Jared Herle took the win, stopping 20 of 21 shots in two periods of action. Curtis Sander came in for the third, stopping 11 of 12 shots.
Also on Saturday, the Edam 3 Stars hosted the Kindersley Sr Klippers, with the Klippers coming away with the 5-3 win. Brent Weber would
give the home team the early 1-0 lead, but Brody Ryberg would reply on the power play. Trayton Troesch would give Edam the 2-1 lead, however Gage Misskey would tie it right back up by two, which is how it stood after 20 minutes. The Klippers took over in the second, with Dylan Georget and Shayne Neigum would give Kindersley the 4-2 lead. Georget and Josh LaClare would trade goals in the third to round out scoring.
Logan Drackett secured the win, stopping 46 of 49 shots, while Taryn Kotchorek took the loss, stopping 40 of 45 shots.
In another game on Saturday, the Biggar Nationals headed west to play the Macklin Mohawks, with the home team coming away with the 5-3 victory.
Hunter Steinhubel and Jonathan Redlick would
YBC
Sask West This Week
trade goals in the opening frame for a 1-1 tie. Tyler Kunz and Carson Pickett would score in the second to give Macklin the 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. Hunter would score to add to the lead, but Taylor Bucsis would cut the lead down to 4-2. Hunter then would get his hat-trick goal to once again get the threegoal lead. Redlick scored his eighth of the year to round out scoring.
Josh Hawkins took the loss, stopping 36 of 41 shots, while Trevor Martin secured the win, stopping 34 of 37 shots
On Friday night, The Hafford Hawks hosted the Edam 3 Stars, with the hometown team coming away with the 4-1 victory.
Paul Cubbon opened the scoring at the 12:13 mark of the first period, in the only marker of the opening frame. Scoring
Ladies High Single - Yvonne Markewich 211. Ladies High Triple - Marilyn Miller 550. Mens High Single - Jason Raschke 220. Mens High Triple - Gord Misener 483.
Ladies High Single - Melissa Raschke 186. Ladies High Triple - Melissa Raschke 454. Mens High Single - Mat Harrabek 157. Mens High Triple - Mat Harrabek 425.
Ladies High Single - Lorna Goring 177. Ladies High Triple - Lorna Goring 449. Mens High Single - Walter Fernets 180. Mens High Triple - Walter Fernets 500.
Pee Wee Single - Blake Foster 86; Double - Ashton Kramer 168. Bantam Single - Kaysen Sauntry 126; Triple - Kaysen Sauntry 302. Junior SingleXander Hebert 189; Triple - Xander Hebert 485. Senior High Single - Hanna Keefe 212; High Triple - Hanna Keefe 461.
was quiet until the early stages of the third, when Kyle Ireland fired his first of the year to double the lead. Quinton Cubbon extended the lead to 3-0, but Trayton Troesch cut the deficit down to 3-1. Kyle Litchenwald would add the icing to the victory with his third of the year. Taryn Kotchorek took the loss, stopping 42 of 46 shots, while Joel Gryzbowski took the win, stopping 28 of 29 shots. Five games are on the docket for the weekend before the holiday season. Three games on Friday as Wilkie hosts Macklin, Unity hosting Kindersley, and Biggar travelling to Hafford. Sunday sees two games with Kindersley hosting Hafford and Macklin hosting Wilkie.
Bruce Penton Penton on Sports
Master of the Lodge entered is Dale Buxton, Senior Warden is Jeff Bala and Junior Warden is Steven Carter. Independent photo by Dale Buxton A Time to Celebrate…It was the Snow Blower event at All West Sales in Rosetown this past December 10. Lunch was served along with donuts and a special made cake to to cap off the event. Industry Reps were in attendance along with local radio and newspaper media. It was a great turnout for the event, well done Daryl for the
Hannigan‛s
Santa helps with 95th b-day celebration ... Biggar’s Beth Young, centre, gets a hug from the “Man in Red”. Santa came to the Come and Go Tea for Beth at the
Horizons on Saturday, as the Biggar local celebrated in style. Congratulations, Beth, Happy Birthday and many more! (Independent
Photo by Dale Buxton)
Credit Union hit the Secret Santa workshop ... Jo Angelopoulos, centre, of Secret Santa, is flanked by Biggar and District Credit Union - now Santa’s Helpers, Sara Haynes and Jennifer Quessy. The Credit Union lend a hand in supplying some presents
Santa project
Biggar. Well done! (Independent
Photo by Dale Buxton)
Snowbirds: Consider adding travel insurance to your packing list
As Canadians start planning their winter vacations, a recent survey revealed that despite rising costs and economic pressures, many Canadians surveyed are still planning to travel for pleasure in the next 12 months, but a third of them are not purchasing travel insurance for their trip.
In fact, only 32 per cent of Canadians surveyed planning to travel intend to purchase emergency travel medical as well as trip cancellation and interruption insurance, yet 40 per cent of Canadians surveyed who plan to travel do not feel they have the financial means to cover unexpected out-of-pocket costs: some could only cover up to $300 of outof-pocket expenses and others say they would not be able to manage any unanticipated expenses without assistance if something were to happen.
“It’s easy to understand why skipping travel insurance is tempting for those looking to find ways to cut costs, but that could pose risks,” says Annie Campoli, vice president of distribution, life and health at TD Insurance. “If you have the right policy in place to meet your needs, travel insurance can help
should the unforeseen happen - from emergency medical bills to expenses like travel interruptions and cancellations due to an unexpected event that’s covered by your policy.”
For Canadians planning to travel for pleasure or business in the next 12 months, there are many instances where you may need to rely on travel insurance. More than half of Gen Zers who travel have experienced a disrupted trip, having to either shorten or cancel a trip or manage a serious injury that required medical attention. Those who have experienced travel disruptions incurred unexpected expenses averaging over $2,600.
“No matter how diligent we are when it comes to planning our trips, from checking the weather and ensuring we have all the necessary documents to creating a list of things to do and seeunplanned cancellations or medical emergencies can happen. Having the right emergency travel medical coverage, along with trip cancellation and interruption insurance, can help you travel confidently and focus on how much fun you’ll have on your vacation,” says Campoli.
If you got the groove, just go ahead and dance it out! ... Biggar Music Teachers and their students hit the Majestic Theatre, Sunday for their annual Christmas Recital. The students of Amy Zhao, Peggy L’Hoir, Michelle Danychuk, Joan Motz and Janelle Carr did not disappoint, getting one and all into the Christmas Spirit. (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)
Christmas Reflection
Biggar United Church
by Pastor Dale Worrell, Biggar United Church
“Shepherds quake, at the sight,” ring the familiar words.
We don’t know exactly what happened. Luke is a little sketchy on the details. However, Luke does tell us the shepherds were terrified and then something happened.
“Don’t be afraid,” said the angel.
The Angel connected with those shepherds and made them feel safe. At least safe enough to stay around and listen. Luke then shows us the image of a vulnerable baby wrapped up in a warm blanket.
Why this story? Why was this important to Luke and important to us? Why fear?
Perhaps, when we are fearful, like the shepherds, we just need someone or something to connect with us to make us feel safe. In fact, Luke’s story tells
us what came out of that connection and safety, was pure joy. It’s Jesus’ message we will hear again and again as he walks the roads of Galilee.
“Don’t be afraid, I’m here with you, I want you to feel as safe as a baby wrapped up in a warm blanket.”
On this day, I find myself wondering: Do I linger with the shepherds in fear? Or do I choose to be one of the wondrous lights of connection creating safe places that bring joy to those caught in a fearful world.
We need to be a people and a church that remembers to figure out where people are in their fears and where we are in our own fears. Then,
to remember our faith calls us to say, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you glad tidings of great joy!”
We were born to make manifest, the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
So, believe the good news: God’s goodness, presence, strength, and love are all around us and in us. Glories streaming, angels singing, shepherds quaking and spontaneous wonderful Joy.
It must be Christmas!
Biggar Associated Gospel Church
The sign of the Fish by Warren Charlton, Biggar Associated Gospel Church “Ixthus” is the Greek word for fish.
First century Christians used this word to signify their faith in Jesus Christ by using each letter to tell the story of the gospel: Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour. That is the good news of Christmas.
Joseph was instructed by God to name Mary’s son, “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
The angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of Bethlehem a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
John records Jesus’s
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The best Christmas ever by Marjorie Fortney, Seventh-day Adventist Church
The story of Christmas is an amazing and incredible story, full of intrigue.
Mary, a young Jewish virgin was informed by the angel Gabriel that she would conceive and give birth to a son. She questioned the angel Gabriel as to how that could possibly be as she had never been with a man.
However, God speaks and it is done. And it came to pass as the angel had said. She was to call her son Jesus as He would save people from their sins.
Joseph, her husband to be was very troubled when Mary shared the news with him. She could be stoned for such behaviour, getting pregnant outside of marriage. An angel also spoke to Joseph telling him that this pregnancy was from God.
However, not everyone believed this, and at times it caused much suffering for the young couple.
Prophecies in the Old Testament foretold
this event. Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
This birth was to take place in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2, “But thou Bethlehem, Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
There was a decree by Caesar Agustus that everyone in the Roman Empire should be taxed, and everyone had to go to their place of birth to be counted. Mary was great with child when she and Joseph made the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. And the night they arrived Jesus was born. The city was so full of people that they couldn’t find a place to stay and ended up in an animal shed. Mary wrapped her son in swaddling clothes and placed him in a manger. On the hills just outside of Bethlehem, shepherds were watching over their flocks. They were aware
that according to the scripture the time was at hand for the birth of the Messiah.
There was a prophecy in Daniel 9:25-27 regarding the arrival of the Messiah. As the shepherds were probably sitting around a fire visiting, suddenly, Gabriel appeared with an amazing announcement, “Fear not for behold, I bring you good tiding of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” Luke 2:10-14. It all happened as God had planned. Thank God for Christmas. His birth was a path to Calvary, which provided salvation for all humanity!! Whosoever will may come.
by Rev. Daphne Bender, PALs
“In those days a decree when out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.” (Luke 2:1) How could something so little - so helpless - have such a great impact?
This question would not have occurred to the people heading back to their hometowns for the census on the first Christmas Eve. One more baby born in a stable meant nothing.
But this was not the case for Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds that long-ago evening in Bethlehem.
Instead, they may have thought, “How could this baby - this tiny, helpless being - take my breath away like this?”
He arrived in such inconvenient unusual circumstances. A virgin gave birth. A peasant carpenter was tasked with step-parenting. Shepherds, out-of-sight, out-of-mind workhands, were called by an angel to be the first witnesses to the arrival of the Messiah. This baby rearranged everything about their lives that they considered routine. They knew then that a small, helpless being could turn the world upside down - could
explanation of why God sent him into the world, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
After witnessing Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, the apostles went preaching everywhere saying, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
It was to a jailer who had asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” that the apostles replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household.”
It was as he reflected on how he had been
PALs
rearrange the lives of everyone who knew Him - because this little one was born the Son of God. From then on, the little ones would be lifted up; the poor ones would be counted as worthy; the insignificant ones would be given greatness.
Everywhere He went and everything He did, threw into question the common assumptions that were in place. Instead of sending the children away from him, He knelt down and gathered them around Himself. When everyone was ready to stone the woman caught in adultery, Jesus stopped them and gave her a new beginning. When the sick and demon-possessed were considered unworthy of attention, Jesus stopped to give them His full attention. The generallyconsidered insignificant ones, were specifically granted His utmost consideration. Even in His dying he overturned assumed grief with joy; humility with victory; death with life.
This little helpless baby is born into our lives once again this Christmas. He comes to take our breath away with awe and surprise. He amazes us with His simple greatness, His quiet upheaval in our
shown mercy by God even though he was once a blasphemer, persecutor, and violent man that Paul wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst.” Christmas is all about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Saviour. This is good news of great joy for all of us without exception because each of us is a sinner in God’s sight. We all need the salvation that Jesus secured for all who would believe in him.
Do you celebrate Christmas as the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, my Saviour? Look to Jesus for he is willing and able to save you.
lives. His birth whispers that we shout out His arrival with joy.
And our lives are never the same again.
This baby born into our lives calls us to stand up for the underprivileged, to work to improve living conditions and employment opportunities for refugees, immigrants, indigenous peoples. While all around us the big and the loud get the most attention, we are called to look closer and see the little ones. When the baby Jesus enters our lives to reshape and redirect us, we enter into our neighbours’ lives to lift up, strengthen and bring new life.
The first Christmas Eve may have gone unnoticed by the majority of the world, but to Mary and Joseph, to the angels and the shepherds, the greatest event ever took place. A little child was born who claimed their hearts and lives forever. A little child born into a lowly family, in an out-of-the-way place, and adored by simple shepherds, continues to claim the hearts and lives of all who see strength in weakness, beauty in simplicity, possibilities in the seemingly impossible.
Come, Lord Jesus, be born in us today!
Christmas Reflections
Biggar/Landis Roman Catholic Church Perdue United Church
by Father Edward Gibney, Biggar/Landis Roman Catholic Church
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, as one of us. Like the Angels in Bethlehem we joyfully sing Hallelujah at the birth of the Son of God, who became, for us, a human being.
The mystery of the Incarnation is at the very heart of the Christian faith. The Christian believes that God became man; that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. This is one of the greatest moments in the history of humanity, for in it, God has expressed a special relationship between the human and the divine, and so, in itself, there is ample reason to celebrate. He is the great gift, from God to humanity, and therefore he is the reason we still maintain the tradition of giving gifts to each other in this Blessed Season of Christmas.
Many of the traditions
our secular world has adopted came from the Christian celebration of the birth of God into our world. Besides the giving of gifts as a remembrance of the gift of Jesus, Christians also brought about the Christmas tree as a remembrance of the wood of the cross, and even the secular tradition of putting out a plastic Santa, reindeer and snowmen can be seen as being influenced by the placing of Nativity Scenes inside and outside of Churches. And for that matter, the very idea of Santa Claus grew out of Christian roots, for the idea of a good and charitable man who gave gifts to the less fortunate, can be traced back to a monk by the name of Saint Nicholas, who lived in Turkey around 280 AD.
But Jesus’ birth is not simply another tradition. It is not just something we do each year! It is so much more. Jesus’ birth has given
humanity its dignity, for God would not have become one of us if humanity did not have a spark of goodness within it. And so, Christ is born, that by his birth he might restore our nature to the greatness he had originally planned. God supports humanity so that humanity might no longer fall.
The theologian, Saint Peter Chrysologus, who lived around the year 400 AD, wrote, “Why then, man, are you so worthless in your own eyes and yet so precious to God? Why render yourself such dishonour when you are honoured by him? Why do you ask how you were created and do not seek to know why you were made?”
This Christmas, give yourself the gift of recognizing how special: how important, you are in the eyes of God, and thank him for making you so Blessed, through the birth of Jesus as one of us.
Biggar Church of God
by Rev. Bev Dyck, Biggar Church of God
When I was a little girl, I did not know about Santa Claus until I went to School. I also didn’t realize that other people had beautiful Christmas trees in their homes.
I had always loved Christmas - but Christmas to our family was about the Christmas Eve program at church where we children recited verses, held candles and got candy bags. Then we came home and set our plates out on the table, for our Christmas gifts that would be there the next morning.
I did not want to miss out. I meant to jingle some bells in the night so that at least my brothers and sisters would think that Santa had come. However, I slept through the night, so that didn’t happen. I talked to the neighbours who went to their land up north and brought back a Christmas tree for themselves and got them to bring a tree for us. That way we could be ordinary and like other people.
The tree that the neighbours brought back for us was a lovely tall evergreen and it nearly touched the ceiling. My siblings and I made
many decorations: stars, and coloured chains and we cut foil into tinsel. We were like other people, having such a beautiful adorned tree.
However, my parents still kept their tradition of putting out our Christmas gifts on our place at the table, and the gifts were limited to one or two things. Underneath the tree looked so bare without gifts.
I had begun in summertime making little gifts for each family member. I even packaged them in plastic bags with a label and I stroked out the price at the top, so that they would appear store-bought. And then I would gift wrap them. However, the gifts that I had been making looked very inadequate under that big tree. I enlisted my sister’s help and together we collected blocks of wood. My father had been doing some building and the ends of the 2x4’s were a nice size to draw pictures on. My sister and I drew many pictures with our wax crayons on these blocks and then used newspaper and wrapped these blocks for Christmas gifts. Finally our pile of gifts under the tree was sufficient and
Christmas came. It was surprising to me how quickly all of these gifts were unwrapped and the mess was cleaned up.
Scripture says in Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonder Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Christians have celebrated Christmas as a time to remember the birth of Christ and all that Christ Jesus means to us as our Saviour. It is a time of praise and worship to the King of Kings for His great gift to mankind.
As a child, I was caught up in the trappings of commercial Christmas. I was caught up in being like everyone else. Sometimes, we as adults are still doing what I was doing as a childtrying to keep up with the ‘Jones’s. Christmas can become a burden financially and in the many activities we might attend.
What is the real reason for the season? It is to worship the Lord of Lords for our great salvation and to show love to one another.
by Pastor Ken Davidson, Perdue United Church I love the Christmas season!
I love the carols, the street lights, the Santa Claus’s and their “Ho! Ho! Ho’s!”. I even enjoy the coldness in the air, the over-decorated houses, the Christmas feel-good movies, and listening to the different renditions of our favourite Christmas carols on the radio. I love all the fresh baking, the hams and turkeys. I know that there are those who think all this hype takes away from the real meaning of Christmas. However, I am one of those suckers that enjoys the celebration!
There is magic in the air at Christmas that is not there the rest of the year. People say, “Hello! How are you doing?” and wait to hear your response. At this time of the year, people actually seem to cope.
I enjoy hearing, “Merry Christmas!” and I enjoy saying it.
At Christmas, we are given free rein to allow our imaginations to soar, and our spirits celebrate. In the midst of all the Christmas sparkle, even those who may not follow our belief in Christ, their hearts seem to soften towards each other and are warmed by the goodness of others.
Christmas, in the true spirit, acknowledges
that Jesus is the reason for the season!
“The Lord makes the sun to shine on the good and the bad alike,” and His mercy and kindness are shown in the face of the Christ child, and are for all people, whether they know Him or not. His gift of love is available to all at all times. But it seems easier to share at Christmas.
Whether we acknowledge it or not, our world is alive with the presence of He who came, who has come, He who is with us, and He who will come again to bring His peace to the earth forever more.
Thank You, Jesus!
New Beginnings Church
by Philip Watson, New Beginnings Church
An Instagram friend just posted some photographs the other day. He is currently on holiday in South Africa and made the comment on the post, “It feels so weird putting Christmas music on a summer photo dump.”
Yes, his pictures are about beaches, lighthouses on the sandy shore, people in shorts and t-shirts, gathering at the ice cream shop for a refreshing break from the heat of the sun. Here we are preparing for our traditional Christmas, shovelling out the driveway, again! Wondering if we bought a large enough turkey, and having nightmares that we bought too much turkey and we will have leftovers till “Ground Hog Day.”
I am wondering about how recent immigrants to Saskatchewan will view this holiday season. Christmas is a mix of many different traditions these days, stories of St. Nicholas, of flying reindeer, of a sleigh filled with toys, to family dinners serving the traditional foods that we grew up with. We celebrate with Christmas Trees decorated in all sorts of ways, decorating our houses with hundreds of light bulbs burning late
into the night.
But with the many different traditions and cultural practices my favourite is about a baby born in a stable (a friend of mine likened this to sleeping in the parking garage of the local hotel), to a carpenter and his wife, of a little child who had no crib in which he could sleep so they laid him in a manger (the feeding trough for the animals).
This baby had no appearance of being special and yet prophets spoke of his birth 400 years before it happened, His mother was anointed by God, Angels lit up the sky at His birth and that Wise men from a distant land would come and pay homage to Him.
At this time of the year one of my favourite songs get lots of airtime. The song goes like this.
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy Has come to make you new?
This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You kiss the face of God
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
Mary, did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy Would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you’re holding is the great, I Am Mary, did you know?
(Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know?
(Mary, did you know?)
Mary, did you know?
Oh.
of Comfort & Joy
Tradition reigns supreme during the holiday season. Putting up Christmas trees, stringing lights, sing-
ing carols, and filling stockings with trinkets are just a few of the season’s many cherished traditions. However,
Traditional Coquito
1 can of condensed milk
1 can of evaporated milk
1 can of cream of coconut (most Puerto Ricans prefer Coco López)
1⁄2 cup white rum (preferably Don Q or Bacardí)
1⁄2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (add more to taste)
In a blender, add evaporated milk, cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, rum, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Blend on high until mixture is well combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer mixture into glass bottles and chill in the refrigerator until cold. To serve, pour coquito into small serving glasses and garnish with ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick. Note: This is traditional Coquito. Individuals can experiment with different flavors, like chocolate, guava or even mango coquito if they desire.
amid the typical holiday hustle and bustle, there also are traditions that are unique to various cultures and ethnicities — particularly those pertaining to foods and beverages. From minced pies in England to kutia in Ukraine to spiced hot chocolate in Peru, many different foods and beverages are savored this time of year around the world.
Individuals of Puerto Rican descent might enjoy whipping up batches of coquito around the holidays. Coquito, which means “small coconut,” is made in batches with recipes passed down through families. It is similar to traditional eggnog, but Puerto Ricans will tell you it’s even better. The beverage is served throughout Navidad, or starting after Thanksgiving and ending in mid-January with the celebration of Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián. Those interested in making homemade coquito can follow this “Traditional Coquito” recipe, courtesy of Discover Puerto Rico.
Away In a Manger
“Away In a Manger” is a popular Christmas carol that has endured for well over a century. One of the first known appearances of the song was in the journal The Christian Cynosure in 1882, which indicates it is
now more than 140 years old. That publication titled the hymn ”Luther’s Cradle Song,” and a brief description of the song preceding the lyrics indicates it was written by the German religious reformer Mar-
tin Luther. However, the University Libraries at The Ohio State University note that historians have since dispelled that notion, with some suggesting the song was written to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Luther’s birth (the reformer was born in 1483). Regardless of its authorship, the song remains a popular and moving hymn that can be heard far and wide during the holiday season.
“Away In a Manger”
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed, The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head. The stars in the sky looked down where he lay, The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes, But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes. I love Thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky And stay by my cradle til morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay Close by me forever, and love me, I pray. Bless all the dear children in thy tender care, And take us to heaven, to live with Thee there.
Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com
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I am attaching your
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Up on the Housetop
Season's Greetings from
306-948-7685
martinsexcavating@outlook.com
Box 1392 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0
The beloved Christmas song “Up on the Housetop” is believed to have been inspired by another popular piece of holiday writing. Written by American composer Benjamin Hanby in 1864, “Up on the Housetop” was at least in part inspired by Clement C. Moore’s 1822 poem, “A
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Visit From St. Nicholas” (now more widely referred to as “The Night Before Christmas”). Since Hanby wrote the song nearly two centuries ago, it has been performed by countless artists. Two of the more notable renditions were performed by famed singing cowboy Gene Autry in 1953 and
television personality Kimberley Locke in 2005. That those two renditions were performed more than half a century apart is a testament to the enduring popularity of “Up on the Housetop,” which can be heard in department stores and at holiday parties throughout December.
“Up on the Housetop”
The Foundation wishes to thank all who have assisted with their monetary donations. Without your help, we could not support many local organizations with their projects. May this Christmas season remind all of us of the joy in our lives and of the joy given to others due to your support. Biggar & District Community Foundation extends to all a Joyful Christmas and Happy New Year!
Box 489, Biggar, SK S0K 0M0
Atttention: Board Members/Marty Baroni
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We are asking if you would like to run the same ad or change it up for this year. Deadline approval/changes is by return email or by November 29 please
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Daily 6 a.m. - 11 p.m. Thank you for your business and we look forward to serving you in 202 Corner of Main Street and 6th Ave. Biggar, Sk. 948-5494
Up on the housetop reindeer paws, out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Ho,ho ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with old Saint Nick
First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that can open and shut her eyes
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick
Look in the stocking of little Bill
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here’s a hammer and lots of tacks
Whistling ball and a whip that cracks Ho, ho ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick Lyrics courtesy of Lyrics.com
This is a time when many of us start to think about our goals for the coming year. For some, taking care of our health is a key priority. Building in healthy habits where possible is important to our health.
Here are four ways you can get healthier this year. Eat well
It’s not easy to change a habit. Eating habits are no exception.
Top tips to improve your health
There are many different factors that make changing your eating habits difficult. But over time and with small steps you can be well on your way. You can make healthy eating habits easier to maintain over the long term by finding options that fit your daily routine. Eating a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grain foods, and protein foods as well as
making water your drink of choice can help you maintain your overall health.
Remember that everyone’s health goals and individual needs differ. It is important to find healthy food choices and habits that are right for you.
Reduce sedentary time
The Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines have been developed for all age groups to provide Canadians with guidance about how much physical activity, sedentary time and sleep is needed in a 24-hour day.
Some physical activity is better than none, and getting started is easier than you think. Making choices like walking to the store instead of driving or taking the stairs instead of the elevator all contribute towards a healthy 24 hours.
Try to limit sedentary time to eight hours or less and break up long periods of sitting where
possible. Getting enough good quality sleep can benefit from consistent bed and wake-up times. Book a check-up
To quote an old saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regular oral and medical check-ups are an important part of your overall health and can uncover potential issues before they become major issues.
As we age, there are certain tests we should take, including mammograms and colonoscopies. Be sure to
talk to your doctor about the right timing for these check-ups based on your individual health needs.
Quit smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall health, and you’ll start noticing positive impacts almost immediately.
Start by creating a quit plan that includes the reasons you want to quit and lists the tools and coping mechanisms you will use to manage cravings.
Next, be aware of the
things that might trigger a craving, and consider using quit aids, such as nicotine gum or patches, to get through them. Finally, reach out for support when needed. Free quit-smoking support services are available across the country. You can chat with a quit coach by phone, online or text. Find more resources to help you quit smoking, including a quit smoking planner at canada.ca/ quit-smoking
Attention Dennis/Kim…
There
Top tips to avoid cancer
According to Statistics Canada, there are nearly 250,000 new cancer cases diagnosed every year and almost 90,000 Canadians die from it every year.
While many cancers are hereditary, there are a number of other factors that can increase your risk of developing the “Big C”. Here are four ways to reduce your risk.
Quit smoking
out how to avoid them, progressively cutting back on the number of cigarettes you use daily and using cessation aids such as nicotine gums or patches.
mammograms for breast cancer, the PSA test for prostate cancer and a colonoscopy to look for pre-cancerous polyps or colorectal cancer.
radon
Practice safe woodworking
Atttention: Dwayne
If you do smoke, do it outdoors so you don’t impact the indoor airquality of your home and put your family members at risk of second-hand smoke.
Get checked
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Start Your Engines… Christmas is Coming!
This first one should be a no-brainer. But nicotine addiction is a powerful habit many struggle to quit. Quitting starts with having a plan. This can include being aware of the things that trigger your cravings and figuring
Atttention:Chris
Depending on your age and other factors, such as a family history of cancer, there are several cancer screening programs available. Taking part in routine screenings as recommended by your healthcare provider will help ensure cancer is detected in earlier stages when it is usually much easier to treat. Common cancer screenings include
Whether you’re a contractor who regularly cuts lumber on the job, or a woodworking hobbyist, you should be aware of the risks airborne sawdust poses to your health. Beyond eye and throat irritation, wood dust is a known carcinogen linked to nasal, throat and lung cancers, among others. Whenever possible, use a dust collection system when cutting with power tools. You should also wear a fitted dusk mask to avoid inhaling airborne particles.
Test your home for
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Radon is an invisible, naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil. In enclosed spaces, such as your home, it can build up to dangerous levels. It’s the number one cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and causes over 3,000 deaths in Canada every year. All homes have some level of radon. The only way to know if you have a problem is to test for it. You can buy a DIY testing kit online or hire a certified radon expert to conduct the test for you. If elevated levels are detected, there are relatively easy and affordable ways to fix it. Find radon testing kits and info on professional remediation services at takeactiononradon.ca
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Excell Tire
operating under Integra Tire Auto Centre 306-948-3376
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BUXTON OWNER/PUBLISHER THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40
As we gear up for another holiday season, we’d like to send you our best wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thanks for your trust in us. We look forward to serving your again soon. the
BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0
telephone: 306-948-3344
fax: 306-948-2133
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e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca
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THE DIRECTORS OF THE BIGGAR & DISTRICT HEALTH SERVICE FOUNDATION WISH TO THANK THE RESIDENTS OF BIGGAR & AREA FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT THIS PAST 13 YEARS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE SUPPORT OF HEALTH SERVICES IN BIGGAR ON YOUR BEHALF. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND WE WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2024
Biggar & District
Biggar, SK
Did you know?
Boxing Day is celebrated between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It is an official public holiday when banks, offices and schools are closed. When Boxing Day happens to be on a Saturday or Sunday, the holi-
day is observed on the following Monday. Some believe the name is derived from the tradition of opening alms boxes that were placed in churches to gather donations for the poor. Others theorize the name comes
ities like shopping Boxing Day sales, participating in po-
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Atttention: Ryan
from boxes of gifts given to employees on the day after Christmas, seeing as servants traditionally had to work on Christmas and December 26th was their day to enjoy time off with family. Although Boxing Day is known across the United Kingdom and British Commonwealth nations like Canada, it is not observed in the United States. Activ-
lar plunges, watching sporting events, and gathering with
friends are customary on Boxing Day.
Celebrating the Epiphany
The holiday season is full of faith and celebration. Even though people may believe this important time begins at the start of December, for millions of the Christians, the Twelve Days of Christmas begin with the birth of Baby Jesus on December 25 and continue through the Epiphany on January 6.
homage. These wise men were the first to greet Jesus after his parents. The Magi followed a star to Bethlehem, having faith that the Child’s location would be accurate.
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To another great year of enjoyment with movies, concerts, musicals and all the talent showcased from our community.
… from the Board and Volunteers …
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For ALL shows, events and times, check our
The Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, is a Christian feast day that “celebrates the revelation of God in His Son as human in Jesus Christ,” says The National Shrine of Saint Jude. The Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 each year and gets its name from the Greek word meaning “to reveal, or manifestation,” a nod to the idea that this was the day Jesus was revealed to the world.
The unlikely royal visitors bestowed gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These herbs are typically used in burial ceremonies, and their offering may have potentially foreshadowed Jesus’ destiny.
According to Father Hezekias Carnazzo, a Melkite Catholic priest and founding executive director of the Virginia-based Institute of Catholic Culture, the Feast of the Epiphany is one of the earliest feasts and actually predates the celebration of Christmas.
consider it as important as Christmas Day. Within these nations Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) is a time for serving Rosca de Reyes, an oval-shaped treat that has a small doll inside to represent Baby Jesus. The figurine symbolizes the hiding of the infant Jesus from King Herod’s troops. Children also receive the majority of their gifts on Three Kings Day. It is customary for kids to place their old shoes with a wish list on them for the Three Kings. On the morning of January 6, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts.
DALE BUXTON
OWNER/PUBLISHER
THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40
BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0
The Epiphany is celebrated in various ways around the world. In the Czech Republic, people swim in the freezing cold Vltava River and men dress up as the Magi before riding camels through Prague’s city center. Three Kings Bread, similar to the Rosca de Reyes and called Dreikönigskuchen, is prepared and consumed in Germany and Switzerland. Christmas fanfare does not cease when the calendar turns from December 25 to 26. The Epiphany on January 6 also is an important day of celebration.
telephone: 306-948-3344 fax: 306-948-2133
On the Epiphany, three Magi visited the Christ child to pay
Although the Epiphany is an important date for Christians and many celebrate it, celebrants in Spain and Latin America
e-mail: tip@sasktel.net www.biggarindependent.ca
I am attaching your Christmas Greeting from last year @ $94.50 plus gst. We also offer a New Years ad for 1/2 price, free color
Deadline approval/changes is by return email or by November 29 please.
Thanks for your prompt attention and participation
For ALL shows, events and times, check our … from the Board and Volunteers … website: majestictheatre.ca Reel Merry ank you for joining us this pa year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! website: majestictheatre.ca
How to avoid food poisoning over the holidays
If you’re hosting family and friends for a meal or two over the holidays, you definitely don’t want to be responsible for making everyone sick.
Here are four essential tips to avoid accidental food poisoning. Keep it clean
When it comes to food safety, the first step is cleanliness. Before chopping, wash your hands first and then rinse all fruits and veggies under running water to remove any dirt and bacteria that may be clinging to the surface.
This includes things that have skin that you won’t be eating, like cantaloupes or avocados. The skin could be covered in microscopic bacteria.
“When you slice it with your knife, guess what goes into the interior of your melon on the blade of your knife? Bacteria,” says Health Canada microbiologist Dr. Sandeep Tamber. “That is why we recommend washing your produce.”
On the other hand, contrary to some opinions, you should not
wash raw meat before you cook it. Washing meat increases the risk of contaminating your sink and other kitchen surfaces with bacteria.
Separate for safety
It’s essential to keep raw foods separated, particularly produce from proteins like chicken or pork. In fact, many people have separate cutting boards for produce and meat. Any dishes or cutlery that have come in contact with raw meat should be cleaned before being used again. Cook properly
You should use a digital food thermometer to verify that your food has reached a safe internal temperature. Insert the thermometer into
the thickest part of the meat - such as the breast on a turkey - without touching any bones. Test in at least a couple of different areas to make sure you get an accurate reading.
Storage smarts
Perishable groceries should be packed away in the fridge or freezer as soon as possible. Leftovers should also be stored soon after a meal is done. You want to ensure that food temperatures don’t drop into the “danger zone” of 4°C (40°F) to 60°C (140°F), where bacteria can thrive. Anything that has been left out for two hours or more should be tossed out.
Find more tips at canada.ca/foodsafety
How long can you eat those leftovers?
There’s nothing quite like a nice home-cooked meal. Well, except maybe for the leftovers.
Who doesn’t love a turkey sandwich in the days after a holiday meal? And some dishes, like chilis and stews, just taste better after the flavours have had time to mingle. But how long after cooking can you safely consume leftovers? Here are tips on how to avoid getting sick from leftovers.
Safety first
While it may be tempting to move from the dinner table to the sofa to watch TV or catch a quick nap after a big meal, you should take care of the leftovers first. You want to make sure that the food temperatures don’t drop into the “danger zone” of 4°C (40°F) to 60°C (140°F) where bacteria can thrive.
You can’t rely on smell, sight or even taste to determine if something is contaminated. Anything that has been left out for two hours or more should be tossed out.
Cool in the fridge
Any cooked food that
will be eaten over the next few days should be stored in the fridge. Pack items into storage containers but leave them uncovered at first. Only seal the lid once the food has fully cooled down.
Very hot items can be left at room temperature to cool down, but move them to the fridge or freezer once they stop steaming.
Defrosting advice
Never defrost leftovers in the sink or on the counter. If you have time to plan ahead, defrost them in the fridge. Place items on a lower shelf to avoid any leakage contaminating other food. If you don’t have time to defrost
in the fridge, use your microwave’s defrost setting. Track the time Leftovers stored in the fridge should be consumed within three to four days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. However, once fully defrosted and reheated, leftovers should be consumed immediately and never refrozen.
Depending on the type of food, cooked dishes can be safely frozen for two to six months. To help keep track, label containers with the type of food stored in them and the date they were frozen.
Find more tips at canada.ca/foodsafety
24123GE1
Majestic Theatre has brought us entertaining for over 100 years
by Delta Fay Cruickshank
for the Biggar Museum and Gallery
I have been so thoroughly entertained at the Majestic Theatre lately, I just had to go investigate the history of our theatre.
I made it to Castwell and Co’s play “Dracula, a Comedy of Terror”. Then I saw “Cinderella” directed by Janelle Carr followed by the NCCP Youth doing “Seussical, The Musical”! Watching the students from BCS singing carols during a lunch break just warmed my heart!
Why do I always cry when I see the students I am familiar with on stage?
The theatre was built in 1911, and in 1914 the Shepherd Brothers bought it. That’s when the movies started being played in the theatre. Then the amateur dramatics began. I do not have a list of all the plays that were performed there until the mid 1980’s. That was when the New Creation
Community Players (NCCP) banded together. They got the restoration
of the theatre done and then Biggarites got to be entertained by musicals every year for close of 40 years! We found some pictures in our photo inventory, and I will share them with you now:
The basics of Advent
The month of December can be a busy time of year. Social engagements related to the holiday season can run the gamut from office parties to school pageants to dinners with extended family. Despite the hectic pace of the holiday season, millions of people still find time to celebrate their faith. For adherents to Catholicism, that includes celebrating the season of Advent.
What is Advent?
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reports that Advent is a time of preparation for practicing Catholics, who use the four-week season to prepare for the second coming of Jesus Christ and for the celebration of the birth of Christ, which is commemorated on Christmas Day.
What does “Advent” mean?
The Catholic News Agency indicates that the word “Advent” is derived from the Latin “ad” and “venire,” which loosely translates to “to come” or “to come toward.”
When does Advent begin?
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas. In 2024, the celebration of the season of Advent begins on Sunday, December 1 and continues until Tuesday, December 24.
What is the significance of Advent wreaths?
The Catholic News Agency notes that Advent wreaths have been in use since the Middle Ages. The evergreen wreaths remind Catholics of the eternal life in Jesus Christ. Each Sunday during Advent, one of the four candles
on the Advent wreath is lit.
Why is one Advent wreath candle a different color than the others?
Three of the four candles on an Advent wreath are purple. The candle lit on the third Sunday of Advent is pink, and priests even wear pink vestments on this day. The USCCB notes that the third Sunday of Advent is known as “Gaudete Sunday.” The word “Gaudete” means “rejoice,” and the unique color of the candle lit on Gaudete Sunday commemorates that the season of Advent is halfway through.
What is the significance of the Advent calendar? Advent calendars are among the more notable symbols of the holiday season for Catholics,
and Christianity.com notes this tradition can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century. Advent calendars typically feature 24 doors or boxes to open (one for each day between December 1 and Christmas Eve), and they are used by families counting down the days until the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Many families with small children utilize Advent calendars to teach youngsters about their faith, which can help to redirect adults’ and children’s focus to the true meaning of the season during a period when it’s easy to grow distracted by other things. Advent is a season of celebration for millions of individuals who want to emphasize their faith during a joyous time of year.
The theatre as it looked in 1914 after the Shepherds bought it. This view is looking east on Fourth Avenue.(left) (Photo for The Independent by the Biggar Museum and Gallery) (Inset) In 1935 Davidson’s Grocery and Confectionary was attached to the theatre. Eventually Mr. Shepherd opened his own concession booth in the theatre. The Shepherds redesigned the front. Later the neon sign was attached. Does anyone have any idea where it went? Circa 1929 (below)
Cast members of the Tinpaniums (Google has no idea what Tinpaniums are ... was it a play, was it the name of an actors’ troupe?) in 1935.
Inside a mural was painted by Mr. Porteous, the town’s sign maker and artist. Circa 1920.
These colorful cookies are tailor-made for family baking sessions
Baking during the holiday season is a tradition in many households across the globe. Family baking sessions provide a perfect holiday season bonding activity, and the payoff is both
Merry
cherished family time and delicious, indulgent foods once the items are ready to eat.
Holiday hosts know they’ll need to feed their guests over the course of their stay, and that includes snacks.
Christmas from the staff at
201B 2nd Ave W Biggar, SK
306•948•3558 info@biggaraccounting.ca
This holiday season, hosts can involve their guests in family baking sessions and whip up a batch of these delicious and colorful “Christmas Biscuits” from Lines+Angles.
Christmas and a Happy New Year
Flora Dalisay and Family cucinani ora@gmail.com Biggar, SK
Now Serving You at Biggar Jubilee Stadium!! Come on down for some great food.
For the dough:
Christmas Biscuits
Makes approximately 24 cookies
11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting
11⁄3 cups confectioner’s sugar, plus extra for dusting
3⁄4 cup almond meal
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon cold water
1⁄2 teaspoon fine salt
For the icing and decoration:
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
3 tablespoons meringue powder
7 tablespoons warm water, combined with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, assorted food color (e. g., red, pink and turquoise), assorted colored sugar crystals (e. g., red, pink and white)
1. For the dough: Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and line two large baking sheetswith parchment paper.
2. Combine flour, confectioner’s sugar and almond meal in a large mixing bowl. Stir well to mix.
3. Add butter, egg yolk, water, and salt, and mix well with an electric mixer with spiral attachments until mixture starts to come together as a dough.
4. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead briefly until even. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
5. After chilling, roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 0.25” thickness.
6. Use assorted star-shaped cookie cutters to cut out approximately 23 variably sized star shapes. Arrange between prepared sheets, spaced apart.
7. From remaining dough, cut out one teardrop and two semi-circles of dough, using appropriate cutters or working freehand with a paring knife. Arrange on one of the baking sheets.
8. Bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden and dry to the touch. Remove to cooling racks to cool.
9. For the icing and decoration: Thoroughly stir together confectioner’s sugar and meringue powder in a large mixing bowl.
10. Gradually beat in warm water and vanilla extract mixture using an electric mixer until icing is smooth and of a flooding consistency; you may not need all of the water.
11. Divide icing between three bowls. Color two bowls pink and red, respectively, by beating in enough pink and red coloring to achieve uniform colors. Leave the third bowl uncolored.
12. Spoon pink and red icing into separate piping bags fitted with small, round-tip nozzles.
13. To ice the cookies, pipe around their perimeters with the icings to create borders. Fill in middle of cookies with more icing; you can use a damp, warm offset palette knife to spread out icing to an even finish.
14. Carefully transfer iced cookies to cooling racks, decorating with the sugar crystals in festive patterns.
15. Using same technique as in steps 13 and 14, ice teardrop cookie with red and white icing for Santa’s hat and beard, respectively. Ice the two semi-circle cookies with white icing.
16. Before icings have set, carefully attach semi-circle cookies to teardrop cookie to fashion Santa’s mustache. Color any remaining white icing with turquoise coloring and then dab onto teardrop cookie for Santa’s eyes. Pipe some pink icing below eyes for his nose.
17. Let cookies set and harden before serving.
Local Youth Bowlers compete at Challenge ... Youth Challenge Zone rounds took place on November 29 with Biggar, Lashburn and Cut Knife bowlers hitting the lanes in Lashburn, while Rosetown participated virtually. There will be a good mix of athletes representing our zone at Provincials in Regina on January 12. Pictured is all those that attended Zone Playoffs from Biggar: Jesse Bourke, Xander Hebert, Hanna Keefe, Bentley McNaughton, Dominic Raschke, Tegan McLeod, Parker Schweder and Carson Oesch. Moving on are five bowlers from Biggar, one from Lashburn, two from Cut Knife and seven from Rosetown. Congratulations and good luck to all in Regina! (Submitted Photo)
How to protect yourself from scammers
who’s sending you a message, double-check.
Get a call-back number from the caller to make sure they’re who they say they are.
Scams are more frequent than ever. If scammers gain access to your personal information or your log-in credentials, they can steal your money, open new accounts or change your credit card information. This could damage your credit score and make it difficult to get loans, buy a car or rent an apartment. Scammers can also fraudulently apply for benefit and credit payments through the Canada Revenue Agency, and apply for loans or credit cards in your name.
Follow these tips to help you keep your money where it belongs: When you aren’t sure
Merry Christmas theINDEPENDENT
Check an organization’s official web page for contact information (never use the links or phone numbers contained in a message).
Take a minute to ask yourself why you are being contacted. It’s okay to ask questions and say no.
Remember, businesses and government agencies rarely ask for personal or financial information through e-mail or text.
Don’t reuse logins and passwords across accounts. Reused
A firsthand
passwords can increase the risk of scammers stealing credentials and gaining access to multiple services.
If you think you are being scammed, you may feel embarrassed. But it’s important that you get help immediately by calling your local police or the Canadian AntiFraud Centre. Criminals count on people feeling too ashamed to report the crime, but taking swift action can prevent further harm and protect others.
Learn more about the latest scams at canada. ca/be-scam-smart
account of living with severe eczema
Kyle has had moderate to severe eczema across most of his body since he was an infant. Throughout his life, he’s faced a mix of discomfort, debilitating pain and social stigma.
Attention: Erika
Now, as a young adult, he’s speaking out about his experience to help support others going through the same thing, and he’s raising awareness about the impact of the condition.
eczema flare-ups were so bad that he says, “I couldn’t concentrate due to my lack of sleep and the constant itch.”
He tried homeschooling but found the experience too isolating.
whole family of people from around the world who knew exactly what I was going through.”
“When I started high school, my eczema worsened from the stress and the polyester uniform I had to wear,” says Kyle. “My teachers didn’t seem to understand what was happening, and they thought I could just get over it because, to them, it was just a rash. But I couldn’t - it is so much more than a rash.”
“As a parent, witnessing Kyle’s journey with eczema has shown me firsthand the emotional and physical toll it can take,” says his mother, Jenn.
I am attaching a Christmas Greeting that advertised in The Independent newspaper in Biggar, Sask. last year @ $126.00 plus gst FREE colour; and, we offer that… you may run again same size for New Year’s (different content if desired) for half price FREE colour $63.00.
Desperate to find solutions, she found an Eczema Society of Canada (ESC) event when Kyle was in high school.
Kyle has now graduated high school and is in college and working. “I never thought I’d be able to do that,” he says.
Kyle now volunteers with ESC.
“I’m sharing my story because I want others struggling with eczema to know they’re not alone,” says Kyle. “I also want to help break the stigma and advocate for better care and treatments.”
“Suddenly, I felt a sense of relief because I had a
Deadline approval/changes is by return email Novem ber 29, 2019 please.
Eczema, the most common form of which is atopic dermatitis, is characterized by skin inflammation that causes skin rash with intense itch. The skin can crack, ooze, and bleed; eczema commonly disrupts sleep. In Kyle’s case, the
Thank You for your prompt attention and participation.
Learn more about the condition and treatment options at eczemahelp. ca
Symbolism features prominently throughout the holiday season. When walking around in December, or even
For the house:
Craft an edible holiday classic from the comforts of home
earlier, individuals can’t help but notice lighting displays, decked out Christmas trees in town centers and other sym-
bols that are synonymous with the holiday season. Gingerbread houses may or may not be on
Gingerbread House
Makes 8 servings or 1 house
31⁄4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra as needed
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon ground ginger
3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3⁄4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3⁄4 cup molasses, warmed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
public display, but these impressive constructions are yet another notable sign that the holiday season has
arrived. As families prepare to celebrate the holiday season, they can work together to create this impressive, and
For the frosting:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus extra as needed 11⁄2 tablespoons meringue powder 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water
1. For the gingerbread: Combine the flour, cornstarch, spices, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Stir well and set aside.
2. Beat the softened butter with the molasses and vanilla in a separate mixing bowl until pale and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Beat in the flour mixture in 4 additions, mixing well between additions until you have a rough dough; add more flour as needed to form a stiff dough.
4. Turn out and knead briefly. Shape into a round, wrap in parchment paper, and chill for 2 hours.
5. After chilling, preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Roll out to about 0.333” thickness on a lightly floured surface.
7. Cut out two rectangles approximately 4.5” x 4” for the roof. Cut out 2 pointed rectangles approximately 5” at their tallest points and 3.5” wide at the base; these will be the front and back of the house as per the image. Make sure that one side has a round window cut out.
8. Using some of the remaining dough, cut out the 2 rectangles to be the sides of the house, approximately 3” x 4” in diameter. Use the remaining dough to cut out 4 even rectangles, approximately 2” x 1.5”, to shape the chimney.
9. Arrange the pieces across the baking sheets. Bake for about 25 minutes until browned and dry to the touch. Remove to cooling racks to cool.
10. For the frosting: Combine the confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder and 2 tablespoons warm water in a large mixing bowl.
11. Beat with an electric mixer until the frosting is thick and glossy, about 4 to 5 minutes; beat in more confectioners’ sugar if too thin and more water if too thick.
12. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a thin, round nozzle. Chill for 15 minutes.
13. To decorate: Using the frosting as ‘glue,’ assemble the chimney using the 4 even rectangles of gingerbread. Let dry and set.
14. Start to assemble the rest of the house by glueing the pieces together as per the image, attaching the front and back of the house to the sides before attaching the roof in place. Let set dry and set at each building interval.
15. Once the sections are dry, pipe more frosting onto the edges of the roof and down their sides, shaped as icicles.
16. When the chimney is set, attach it to the top, cutting the pieces to fit if necessary, and decorating the outside with frosting.
17. To decorate: Attach the assorted candies to the house, decorating the roof with a tiled pattern using the frosting.
18. Let the house dry and set until ready to serve.
Preparation time: 2 hours
Cooling time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Total time: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Difficulty: Difficult
edible, “Gingerbread House” courtesy of Lines+Angles.
Notable Christmas celebrations around the world
It’s time for holiday fun and gathering the family together to share a warm, wonderful Christmas Season. We hope the holidays bring everything you want!
We wish you and yours the best season ever.
Management & Staff AGI Envirotank
401 Hwy #4 South, Biggar • 306-948-5262
CHRISTMAS…
Atttention: Shanon
The wreaths and the trees and the parties
dine on seafood feasts and spend Christmas outdoors camping or at the beach.
Happy New Year
It’s time for holiday fun and gathering the family together to share a warm, wonderful festivity. We hope the holidays bring everything you want!
theINDEPENDENT
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas all over the world. Christmas celebrations include various timehonored traditions that celebrants hold near and dear to their hearts. Depending on where someone lives, their Christmas traditions may look quite different from those in other parts of the globe. It can enjoyable to learn how Christmas is celebrated elsewhere and perhaps even incorporate a few new traditions into your celebrations. Take a peek at these customs near and far.
ended up giving birth to Jesus in a manger surrounded by animals. In celebration of that journey, people in Mexico and Guatemala celebrate Las Posadas, a procession representing Mary and Joseph’s journey and their struggle to find lodging.
We wish you and yours the best season ever.
Management & Staff AGI Envirotank
401 Hwy #4 South, Biggar • 306-948-5262
SEASON’S GREETINGS!
I am attaching your Christmas Greeting @ $67.50 plus gst and New Years for 1/2 price FREE colour
Thanks for your prompt attention.
and Barb deHaan Aren’t what we need to convey It’s
• Seafood and beachside celebrations: Australia is located in the southern hemisphere, which means Aussies are enjoying the peak of their summer come December 25. A white Christmas is unlikely, unless the “white” refers to white, sandy beaches. Santa is probably swapping his thick coat for a pair of board shorts, and heavy, roast-laden meals are unlikely to make it on to the menu. Instead, Australians
• Krampus parade: Some Christmas elves are not so jolly. Just ask residents of the Austrian, German and Hungarian Alps. Each year in this region, a true “Bad Santa” is the talk of town. Villagers believed that Krampus, a half-man, half-goat creature with a legion of ill-tempered elves, roamed the mountains wreaking havoc. Krampus was said to abduct miscreants and set unruly youth or even intoxicated adults straight. Today, Krampus is more the “bad cop” to Santa’s “good cop” persona. Krampus is celebrated as an antihero at parades and other events.
Deadline approval/changes is by return email or by November 30 please
We wish to thank our loyal customers, and wish you the best in 2023.
• La Befana: In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch-like old woman who, like Santa, delivers gifts to children throughout Italy. Instead of this gift-giving taking place on Christmas, La Befana hands out gifts on the Epiphany Eve in a similar way to how the Three Magi brought presents to Baby Jesus. Le Befana also is believed to fly through the night sky to sweep away all the troubles of the old year and clear the way for a fresh start.
Although reindeer often garner fanfare this time of year, the Yule goat is a Christmas symbol and tradition in Scandinavia and northern Europe. Each year in towns throughout Sweden and other areas, large statues of Yule goats are built on the first day of Advent and stand throughout the holiday season. This tradition dates back to ancient Pagan festivals, and some believe the goat is connected to the Norse god Thor, who rode in the sky in a chariot pulled by two goats.
• Las Posadas: According to scripture, Joseph and Mary had to make an arduous journey from their hometown to Bethlehem for census purposes while Mary was pregnant. When the couple arrived, they found lodgings were nonexistent, and Mary
• Move over reindeer:
DALE BUXTON
OWNER/PUBLISHER THE BIGGAR INDEPENDENT 102 - 3RD AVENUE WEST P. O. BOX 40 BIGGAR, SK. S0K 0M0
The wreaths and the trees and the parties Aren’t what we need to convey Adrian and Barbara de Haan, Lyle Zbeeshko It’s the birth of our Saviour, Jesus The real reason for this holiday.
Holiday traditions differ considerably in various regions of the world. Celebrants may want to consider incorporating foreign traditions into their own Christmas celebrations this year. into your celebrations.
the
Some holiday tunes are catchier than others, and the Christmas carol “Deck the Halls” certainly qualifies as a song that’s hard to stop humming once it’s heard. The
Deck
the Halls
song’s familiar “Fa la la la la” refrain has been making holiday celebrants hum for several hundred years. According to the University Libraries at The Ohio State
University, the famous chorus of “Deck the Halls” may predate the song’s lyrics, which were written by Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant in the early 1860s. The
“Deck the Halls”
chorus may go all the way back to the medieval era, which is something to keep in mind when humming the familiar refrain this December.
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Toll the ancient Yule tide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la, la la la la.
English lyrics written by Thomas Oliphant Lyrics courtesy of LyricsforChristmas.com
Toll
Mayor Terry Fyson; Councillors, Graham Bindle, Jason Zbeeshko, Kerry Donahue, Jim Nicholls and staff
erdue Village Council.... am attaching your Christmas Greeting from last
@ $105.00 plus gst; and again for Year’s (same size, different content if desired) return
In this season of reflection and gratitude, we take time to celebrate the many individuals, families, organizations, and businesses who share time, talents, and resources all year round, making our community Biggar and better - together.
