Vol. 115 No. 6
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
16 pages
$1.50
Goin’ for glory ... Biggar Central School Junior Basketball Blazers hosted the Perdue Steelers, February 1 for Girls and Boys action. BCS came out on top 56-17 on the Girls side, and 55-26 on the Boys. (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
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2 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Biggar U13 Nationals hosted their home tournament, Saturday at the Jubilee Stadium. Fierce on-ice action was the order of the day as the Nats fought for top-dog and bragging rites. They didn’t disappoint going on to take the gold medal - a great reward for their hard work and solid play. Congratulations, Nationals!
(Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 3
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Making life more affordable with the Active Families Benefit With tax season around Culture and Sport Minis- organized and competithe corner, the Government of Saskatchewan is reminding families with children and youth participating in sports, culture, and recreation that they can access the Active Families Benefit when they file their 2023 taxes. The benefit is available to families with an annual income up to $60,000. They can receive up to $150 per year, for each child 18 years or younger, or $200 per year for children who are eligible for the federal Child Disability Tax Credit. Eligible families claim the benefit when they file their taxes. “The Active Families Benefit is a tax credit that helps make activities more affordable and accessible for Saskatchewan families,” Parks,
ter Laura Ross said. “For parents who enrolled their children in sport, culture and recreation activities in 2023, they should hang onto their receipts, in order to claim the benefit when they do their taxes later this spring.” The Active Families Benefit ensures that the families who need it the most can access it - meaning youth can continue to be involved in sport, recreation and cultural activities. This helps build strong families and strong communities across our province. The following are eligible for the Active Families Benefit: • Sporting activities that provide exposure, training, or participation in any field of sport in an
tive environment that requires strategy, physical training and mental preparation. • Recreational activities that provide exposure, training, or participation in any field of recreation designed to refresh, provide satisfaction, entertain and provide physical or mental benefits. • Cultural activities that provide exposure, training, or participation in the field of arts, heritage or multiculturalism. For more information on the Active Families Benefit visit the frequently asked questions at: saskatchewan.ca/ residents/parks-cultureheritage-and-sport/ sport-and-recreation/ programs-and-supports/active-familiesbenefit.
RCMP Report by Sgt. Dereck Crozier, Biggar Detachment This past week 34 occurrences were dealt with by the Biggar Detachment. Traffic offences yielded 11 tickets and nine warnings being issued. Included in these traffic related events a 37-yearold male was operating his grey Chrysler Pacifica on Highway 4 north when he caught the members attention at 26 kilometres above the posted limit. He was also charged with operating without a licence and having open liquor in the vehicle. On Highway 55, a 20-year-old male was travelling at 28 kilometres over the posted speed limit, and was also
given a 60-day licence suspension for being under the influence of marihuana while operating his 2009 Blue GMC Sierra. A 69-year-old male was operating his 97 brown Astro Van while being a suspended driver in Saskatchewan. CN Rail reporting another crossing malfunction and a cat was hit by a vehicle on Fifth Avenue East ... it was his ninth. Members we called to defuse a fight between a 58-year-old mother and her 35-year-old daughter. All rational thought is a stray when a little fire water is at play. This weekend thieves were busy under the cover of the dense fog,
one vehicle was rummaged through and the ignition was damaged, while two other vehicles were stolen out of the OK Tire yard and later burnt after a brief joy ride. While travelling along Highway 14, thieves briefly stopped in Perdue and attended the Garage Bar and Grill after hours. In the last couple of weeks, the area has seen some activity in the early morning hours from the travelling criminal base. If anyone happens to notice any unusual or odd activity around any commercial property after hours, please call in to report. Take Care out there!
Biggar Fire Department were recently practising with their thermal imaging camera. (Photo for The
Independent courtesy of Erroll Horst)
Biggar Fire Report by Erroll Horst, Biggar Fire Department During the month of January the fire department held five practises. We spent some time cleaning and flooding the outdoor rink, doing truck maintenance and pressure testing hoses. One practise involved our Hide and Seek sheets, testing the members knowledge of where equipment is stored and its purpose. Being a new year we were also busy with SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) recertifications. Members are required to complete a certified course cover-
ing practical, theory and a written exam before they are allowed to use the breathing apparatus for interior firefighting and then each year after they do a short practical evaluation to make sure their skills are good. Our last practise covered search and rescue techniques including the use of our TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera), a handy device that lets us see in very dark or smokey conditions. During the month we responded to four calls, one false alarm, one investigation request and two vehicle fires. We also have a couple
tips for people to watch out for. This time of year it is a good idea to check your exhaust pipe if you have a high efficiency furnace, ice can build up causing a blockage and then a build up of carbon monoxide in your house. In January, Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a structure fire. Not an unusual event but what was interesting was the cause, batteries left in a child’s toy. It is always a good idea to remove batteries from any device when it is not in regular use.
Biggar Food Bank year-end report
by Barbara-Ann deHaan, Chairperson Biggar Food Bank was busy in 2023. The food bank served 526 adults, 170 children and 107 families for a total of 287 hampers plus 60 vouchers given out at Christmas time. We have seen approximately a 25 per cent increase over 2022
usage. The food bank functions with the dedicated service of six volunteers who spend many hours each month picking up donations, labelling and shelving donations, cleaning shelves, defrosting the freezer, and preparing and giving out hampers on hamper day. The food bank is able to function because of the generosity of many people in Biggar who have given non perishable products and monetary donations. There are just too many to name individually, but know that we are grateful for your contributions. Food drives by the United Church and The Associated Gospel Church, Air Cadets, Living Skies Arcade, Minor Hockey, the schools,
music teachers, the Biggar Golf Club and The Red Apple help to fill the shelves. We owe thanks to the many businesses: Guardian Pharmacy and Pharmasave for being the application drop off centres, P&H, Credit Union Staff, Legion Poppy Fund, Dusty Wheels Auto Club in Rosetown, and Retired Teachers Fund. Thank you to the men from the group home who every month collect donations from the five donations sites. If you are interested in the work of the Food Bank or wish more information you are invited to the Annual General Meeting, Wednesday, February 14, 10 a.m. at the Food Bank (back of Hammond Realty).
Bingo Numbers for
February 8
A burnt out truck was among vehicles stolen from a local Biggar business. (Photo for The Independent courtesy of Sgt. Dereck Crozier)
B-6 N-42 G-46 G-51 O-70
4 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
Opinions
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Adults are ruining sports for kids by Ken Reed, Sports Policy Director League of Fans I was at a sixth-grade girls’ basketball game last weekend. I saw a lot of adults yelling and screaming at both referees and 11-and-12-yearold kids. Let’s just say a lot of what I saw and heard wasn’t positive. Virtually every youth sports league is plagued by adults who are pathologically focused on winning. Yes, most parents and coaches keep youth sports in perspective, but it only takes a few crazy adults to ruin the sports experience for a bunch of kids. Of course, the issue of overbearing parents and coaches in youth sports isn’t new. However, things are getting worse. For example, the number of incidents of physical violence and verbal abuse at youth sporting events has increased significantly in recent years. According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports in the
United States, more and more youth sports events involve a confrontation between parents, between parents and officials, between parents and coaches, or between coaches and officials. The National Association of Sports Officials says the primary reason game officials give up the job is poor sportsmanship by parents. Nearly three out of four kids quit competitive sports by the time they are 13 years old. The reason most often cited is that it’s no longer fun. The primary reason they say it’s not fun anymore is overthe-top coaches and parents. Today, by the time a lot of kids reach the age of 12, they’ve been involved in some type of adult-organized youth sport for six or seven years. They’ve witnessed numerous incidents of “grown-ups” yelling at players, officials and coaches. They’ve probably experienced several gruelling post-game critiques of their play
by Coach or Mom or Dad. They’ve survived many seasons of adults screaming at them to “stay in position,” “get back on defence,” and “be more aggressive.” More and more kids some as young as eight - are now being encouraged (read: forced - in some cases) to specialize in a single sport by “well-meaning” adults. Coaches are supposed to be like teachers. But, too often, they are like drill sergeants. For some reason, our culture glorifies jerks like Bobby Knight and Vince Lombardi. As such, we have parent coaches all over our youth sports system berating kids in the mode of General Patton. As a whole, our society believes good coaches have to “kick some tail” in order to be successful. What total nonsense! Kids shouldn’t have to endure boot camp to play the sport they love. For too many kids, what began as fun is now a pressure-filled exercise. There’s nothing inher-
ently wrong with adultorganized youth sports. They can be the source of wonderful, healthy and happy experiences for children - if adults can balance their desire to win with the holistic development of kids and having fun. Striving to win isn’t the problem; the win-at-all-costs mentality - and the actions it spawns - is the problem. Winning, in the best sense, isn’t just about wins and losses. Nor
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME They MUST be signed, approximately 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Thank Yous will not be permitted in letters is it just about an individual or team performance. There are so many positive benefits from sports participation that are worth doing, even if you are a
poor athlete and rarely win on the scoreboard. When it comes to youth sports, let’s all relax, and let our kids relax, so they can get back to having fun.
Nominations so far suggest status quo election
Provincial Viewpoint Murray Mandryk
Judging by how the Saskatchewan Party and NDP have so far rolled out their nominations, the parties seem rather content with the status quo. Of course, each will say they expect massive gains in the Oct. 28 vote. But more telling is where each already have candidates in place, nine months before the vote. This is telling is both expect to re-elect most of their incumbents, with the Sask. Party perhaps conceding a few
the
city seats to the NDP. Let us examine: The Sask. Party has nominated 34 out of 61 candidates - mostly incumbents and mostly in safe rural seats. Among the sitting rural members already nominated or acclaimed are: Jeremy Harrison (Meadow Lake), Lori Carr (Estevan), David Marit (Wood River), Steven Bonk (MoosominMontmartre), Jeremy Cockrill (The Battlefords), Hugh Nerlein (Kelvington-Wadena), Everett Hindley (Swift Current), Todd Goudy (Melfort), Warren Kaeding (Melville-Saltcoats), Doug Steele (Cypress Hills), Daryl Harrison (Cannington) and Travis Keisig (Last MountainTouchwood), Jim Reiter (Rosetown-Delisle), Blaine McLeod (Lumsden-Morse) and Jim Lemaigre in the (who may have a tough test time in a long-held NDP Athabasca seat). Terri Bromm was acclaimed
in Carrot River Valley to replace the retiring Fred Bradshaw. So far in the cities, the Sask. Party nominees include: Lisa Lambert (Saskatoon ChurchillWildwood), Muhammed Fiaz, (Regina Pasqua), David Buckingham (Westview), Bronwyn Eyre (Stonebridge), Gord Wyant (Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis), Ken Cheveldayoff (Willowgrove), Gene Makowsky (Regina University), Alana Ross (Prince Albert Northcote), Christine Tell (Wascana Plains), Tim McLeod (Moose Jaw North), Paul Merriman (Saskatoon Silverspring), Joe Hargrave (Prince Albert Carlton),) and Marv Friesen (Riversdale). The NDP have its eyes on Makowsky’s University seat. Lambert, Fiaz, Friesen and the Prince Albert, Moose Jaw candidates may be in trouble. In fact, most everywhere in Regina and Saskatoon could be a
fight for the Sask. Party given the NDP are polling over 60 per cent in those cities. Yet the Sask. Party doesn’t yet have candidates in ridings help by north Regina NDP incumbents Laura Ross, Gary Grewal or in the two in held six months ago before losing the summer byelection seats. The Sask. Party has some new rural Sask. Party candidates in place, but these nominations seem to have more driven by internal party politics and territorial disputes than gaining or preserving political ground. Eric Schmalz was acclaimed in Saskatchewan Rivers because the Sask. Party is desperate to knock off Nadine Wilson, who was removed from caucus and then joined the Sask. United Party. Martensville-Warman incumbent MLA Terry Jenson won the new
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Warman in a contested nomination against local councillor Shaun Cripps. However, incumbent Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis lost to Sean Wilson in a similarly contested race. In perhaps an even bigger surprise, longserving Speaker Randy Weekes lost in the seat in the new KindersleyBiggar to local a school board trustee and local Macklin administrator Kim Gartner. Many are suspicious this was orchestrated by caucus after Weekes fell out of favour. Also political intriguing, party president James Thorsteinson was going to challenge Lloydminster incumbent MLA Colleen Young’s seat. However, after Cut Knife-Turtleford MLA Ryan Domotor was booted out of caucus after being charged with procuring sexual services, he was also stripped of his nomination. Thorsteinson has
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now declared he will run in that seat. Conversely, only have six of the 31 NDP nominated candidates are “rural” NDP candidates including: Tom Kroczynski (The Battlefords), Brenda Edel (RosetownDelisle), Michael Woollard (Canora-Pelly), Lorne Schroeder (Kelvington-Wadena), Thera Nordal (Last MountainTouchwood) and Lenore Pinder (Yorkton). Twelve urban incumbents are nominated: Betty Nippi-Albright, Matt Love, Erika Ritchie, Nathaniel Teed, Vicki Mowat (in Saskatoon) and Trent Wotherspoon, Nicole Sarauer, Meara Conway, Jared Clarke, Noor Burki, leader Carla Beck and Alenna Young (in Regina) There are another 13 new candidates, but these are all in city and northern seats the NDP deem winnable. This all seems to suggest the parties are comfortable where they are.
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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 5
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Notable Notes Bob Mason
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he who sheds his blood with me today, Shall be my brother, be he err so vile, This day will gentle his condition. This piece, written by William Shakespeare a few hundred years ago, might sound kind of old, as is: Then shall he strip his sleeve, and show his scars. In those days, much of army fighting was done with swords, hence the arm-scars! Incidentally, we were supposed to beat those swords into ploughshares! But then, even older and greater books advised, “Thou shalt not kill!” and we’re still doing a lousy job of that! It kind of looks like the ploughshares will have to wait ... and sometimes one wonders! It’s not odd anymore to hear a person protest their having to do a dirty job. Maybe they’re right, I’m not one to say. But some years ago, society came to a time when a “dirty” job had to be done. And that is what this little piece is all about! It wasn’t just an ordinary guy they got either. The men finally “selected” (and that is the right word!) a guy willing to do what most people didn’t want to do. And give a little extra besides! It sure wasn’t the lure
Ask The Money Lady Christine Ibbotson
Dear Money Lady Readers... The Canadian Prime rate as we move into the second month of the year still sits at 7.20 per cent and the American Prime rate is 8.50. Many young Canadians have never seen interest rates this high. It was simply not something we had to be concerned with for the last 15 years. Canadians enjoyed record low interest rates that helped fuel the pro-
with a “to-do” at K.V. We carried quite a few K.A. (Killed in Action) off of the dikes, still desperately holding on to their weapons! I remember thinking as we passed, “All these guys left comfortable homes back in Canada to come over here and do the dirtiest of awful jobs! Why don’t they jump up and run back so that someone else can do it? Ahead are only more cold, soggy nights. More fear, more seeing comrades die. Why don’t we all turn and run out?” They lay there. The odd one looked up at us as we passed - but no one moved. Y.T. wasn’t the boss of what went on, but somehow it got through to us that they were in fact the Essex Scottish Regiment. I don’t know how they got past us in the night but we were surprised at daylight when we moved up to the forest to find the same outfit, now only a scattered group, manning a timbered trench that ran along the valley where their Major Fred Tillson had won the Victoria Cross (the highest award for valour in the British and Commonwealth militaries) during the night. No one had asked them to go, but there was this awful job to do, and they went! They just stood there and took it until there were only a few of them left. Major Tillson lost both his legs that night... and we don’t like to see mud on our shoes! A while ago we received a newspaper clipping from our daughter who lived on the Coast. The cartoon shows a little girl talking to her mother. “Mommy,” she says, “why do I have to buy a poppy? I don’t even know what war is!” I imagine that all of you can guess what her mother said! So we’re back home and now belong to the
pensity to buy more, upgrade our homes many times over, buy fancy cars and generally spend more than we should. And why not, money was cheap. We came out of the 2008 Financial Crisis feeling wounded and broken and the government responded by instigating a series of cuts to the federal funding rates which in turn led to lower interest rates as a fallout to the 2009 recession. It seems, no one nowadays remembers that the interest rates prior to the 2008 Crisis were about where they are now, at four to six per cent. I ran a mortgage finance firm at the time and remember that there was a very low demand to borrow, and fixed mortgages were given out at fiveplus per cent across all Canadian banks. As we moved into
2009, the bond prices rose, and the central banks eased up even more on monetary policies. The low rates were initially designed to promote small business expansions, but instead over time, created a huge run-up in equity and housing prices. And thanks to the BOC (Bank of Canada), the low rates continued - as we were lulled into a false sense of security for the next decade with easier lending restrictions and cheap money. I know that doesn’t help you cope with today’s financial environment; however, you can’t have believed that interest rates at 1.5 to two per cent were sustainable long term, did you? The banks were always waiting to increase the interest rates back up to where they should be at four to six per cent. The only problem now is that the increased
Legion, and we are proud to sponsor a memorial to these guys on November 11. They grow not old, as we who are left grow old... There is something unexplained about the comradeship of people who have faced death together. I often wonder where those fellows are! One thing is sure, you won’t find them anywhere shouting out their exploits of the past. You’ll find shy, quiet guys out there - Thank Heavens! - when you need someone to do a dirty, dirty job!
Anyone But You
Genre: Comedy / Romance 2023--Time: 1 hr 43 min
Rated:14A
of big wages that drew them to it, that’s a sure thing! If I remember right, the starting payments for an infantry type were $1.39 per diem ... “diem” is Latin for day! This works out to the fantastic retainer of 14-cents an hour for a 10-hour day, or in the case of a 24-hour day, of something like five cents an hour! No wonder they made the job last as long as they did! The chances of promotion were pretty good though. Ed Bellegarde told me one time that although he was a Private when he jumped from his LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) on D-Day, he was a full Corporal when he got across the beach. Saskatchewan could sure be proud of the “Farmer Johns” (nickname for the Regina Rifles Regiment) that day! When Y.T. (Yours Truly) mentions “dirty” jobs, he doesn’t necessarily mean that someone’s shoes got soiled. Read on. One night we were moving up in the Rhineland, and as I remember, things were kind of damp. Although there was quite a bit of bush around, “Montgomery’s Moonlight” (named after Britain’s General Bernard Montgomery, antiaircraft search lights reflected their beams off the cloud base to provide “artificial moonlight”) showed the road we were following quite clearly. Of course, we moved along fairly quietly and were surprised to come on a bunch of forms huddled on the slope of the shallow ditch. We knew right away that they were only resting there while we passed through because most of them lay on their sides, helmeted-heads right at the edge of the road and still grasping their rifles - I don’t know why I say that, because some time before, we’d got done
The Majestic Theatre Biggar FEBRUARY Í Í
Where are these guys?
Friday, Arts Council . Saturday, Feb 10 • 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb 11 • 2 p.m. Matinee Admission $5
Ratings from the Saskatchewan Film Classification Board
For bookings and information please NEW phone no. 306-951-8244
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standard of living, rising inflation, and outof-control costs on the basics like food and rent has thrown in a curve ball that makes it harder for us to deal with the rising interest rates. So, what are we to do now? Well, basically we need to do what Canadians have always done in the past: “tuck-in and change our relationship with money.” Consumer spending has already begun to slow down considerably, and this will need to continue over the next two years since long-term inflation expectations appear to be anchored towards three to five years. While we don’t anticipate any more increases to the interest rates, we also don’t see any substantial cuts to them this
year either. The house prices will come down, fixed interest rates will stay at the five to six per cent and unemployment will go a little higher this year. If we compare today’s environment with trends observed during past recessions we are “spot on,” (June1981, March-1990, October-2009). Now is the time to create a spending-budget, track your money, get a “side-hustle-job” if you can, and pay down your debt. Don’t worry too much if you can’t get into the housing market as a first-time home buyer. If you can, wait till the house prices drop again and the mortgage rates level off in Spring 2025. If you have to renew your mortgage, do so into a short term fixed
with a three-to-five-year term (do not go longer than five years). We anticipate a change in the interest rates based on the USA election this fall, so if you can wait until then to renew or refinance a mortgage this year, you may get a better rate offer. Again, there will be another swing in the interest rates after our Canadian election in the fall of 2025. Good Luck and Best Wishes! Written by Christine Ibbotson, author, finance writer, national radio host, and now on CTV Morning Live, and CTV News @6, syndicated across Canada. Send your money questions (answered free) through her website at askthemoneylady.ca.
6 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK Attention New Columnist!! We are trying out a new columnist and we are interested to know what you think! Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions with us by phone, e-mail or in person at the Independent! 306-948-3344 • tip@sasktel.net • 122 Main St. Biggar consciousness, for she had never married, had no kids and apparently restricted her social interactions to the few friends and family members in her life who loved her and that she knew she could trust. Like a significant number of currently single people, I have no doubt that the ghosts of her schoolyard past might held her back in Remember have the present from seekthe love that everyWhen ing one deserves, as if in her mind she was still Keith Schell the ugly duckling from the schoolyard that was by Keith Schel Recently, I was looking laughed at and ridiculed on-line at my home town and considered unworobituary page and was thy of being loved. Nothing could be fursaddened to discover that a person I went to ther from the truth. People in our society public school with back in the day had passed today are blinded by the shallow and superficial away. She was a couple of Hollywood media proyears ahead of me in paganda that espouses school and I barely knew that only the attractive her in my youth, but I and desirable people, distinctly remembered the so-called ‘beautiful people’ of the media, are her. Homely and awkward worthy of love. And again, nothing as a child, I recall her could be further from as being a heartbreaking and undeserved source the truth. So, if you are interestof cruel and constant ridicule by many of the ed in someone, maybe other kids in the school- ask them out on a date sometime. Hey, they yard back then. As I read her obitu- might surprise you and ary, I was struck by the say ‘yes’! They might barrenness of her life. also say ‘no’, but at least The years of cruel and if you ask you will know constant ridicule in her one way or the other. formative years had no And if they say ‘no’, it doubt left an indelible will disappoint and hurt and lasting mark on her at the time, but at least you will know for sure
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Remembering When For all the single people
and you can move on emotionally instead of being hung up on the ‘what if’ possibilities of not asking for the rest of your life. And a ‘yes’ could change your life forever! So the story goes, when our Father met our Mother, it was at a square dance at the local community hall. Mom was new in town and went to the dance unescorted with a couple of her friends. Dad saw her there and asked her to dance. As they danced together and got to know each other, Dad took a bit of a shine to Mom. At the end of the night, Dad asked Mom to go with him to a midnight show at the local movie theatre the very next night. Mom debated about it for a bit because she had to get up to go to work very early the next day. But she had a good feeling about Dad and finally decided to say ‘yes’, thank goodness, ultimately resulting in a happy and lasting marriage and the gift of life for three sons. Had she said ‘no’ that night, Dad later admitted that he would have never asked her out again. And the rest is family history. So maybe take a chance and ask someone you have an interest in to go out sometime; do not simply assume that they will just say ‘no’
and that you will only be two ships that pass in the night. Take the chance and ask. All they can do is say ‘no’, and quite honestly, if that happens, you won’t be any worse off than you are right now. And ladies, why don’t you try doing the asking sometimes? Some do in this day and age, and most men really appreciate it when they do. After all, love is a twoway street. Don’t leave it all up to the men, who can be shy and awkward and afraid to take the risk in these confusing and ambiguous times for fear of rejection and
worse. Happy Valentine’s Day to all those out there who have someone in good standing; and for all the rest of us who do not have someone, try asking the person you may be interested in out for a coffee. You never know, right? But try taking the chance. If they say ‘no’, they say ‘no’. But if they say ‘yes’, you never know what good may come from it. Marriages have originated from less. If love is not coming to you, then you might have to try going to love. And if something good
should come from it, you might even get a story out of it that you can tell your future children and grandchildren! So, maybe take the chance and ask out the person that you like. After all, you only go around once, and life can be short. You think you have all the time in the world for stuff like that, and then all of a sudden the time is gone. Everyone deserves love. And like the last line from the famous song for lonely and single people by the folk group America, “You never know until you try”.
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THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 7
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Bug diet
Agriculture Calvin Daniels
by Calvin Daniels If you are in the mood to stir the pot on social media start a post about the idea of turning to bugs and insects for human food. Now I’m not suggesting a plate of deep fried crickets would top my snack list - but some dried grasshoppers in chili powder were certainly not the worst thing I’ve eaten. And while adding a ground bug to recipes might not seem that enticing, when you look at the long list of ingredients in some veggie meats, or think about
what must be in a twinkie to keep it edible on a store shelf, is a ground earthworm so bad? Of course the North American diet is not without its bugs shrimp, crawdads and lobster essentially being the bottom-feeding bugs found in aquatic locales. It should be noted too some reports suggest more 2,300 insect species are traditionally consumed worldwide and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization recognizes nearly 500 edible insect species. So maybe eating a few worms wouldn’t be so bad. But, what if in raising worms for food, you could also create better soils for other crops? According to a recent producer.com article an Alberta company wants to turn poop from about 80 million worms into a natural super-food for the soil. The company - Annelida Soil Solutions Ltd. - was honoured with an
Innovation Award at the recent Western Canadian Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. The company has a 90,000 sq. foot facility in Nisku, Alta., near Edmonton containing about 80 million worms, which collectively weigh about 36,000 kilograms, detailed the article. The worms are fed organic waste including cardboard, used coffee grounds from restaurants, spent grain from breweries and leftover produce from grocery stores, with about 11,300 kg of waste per day digested by the worms, which excrete about 75 per cent as castings or poop. It’s the castings which are good for soil in a very natural way. Now back to eating bugs. Some worms have been shown to be a good source of protein, certain fats, and micro-nutrients like iron and zinc. So what if producers raised worms for a dual purpose. Some local gardeners
already raise earthworms because the castings are good for the garden, and they can do some recycling that essentially works in lockstep with composting household waste. While some of the worms likely get ‘consumed’ as bait for avid fisher folk, but does the future include ‘earthworm flour’ infused cookies and muffins, and the land getting a boost too? If you can chew through waste rather than dumping in a costly landfill, provide human food protein, and improve the soil too, it seems like a win waiting to happen.
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Biggar Museum & Gallery Presents: Valentine’s Day Pie Sale
Wednesday, February 14 A slice of Homemade Pie and Hot Beverage 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Only $5
Town of Biggar profile Raymond Silbernagel began working for the town 20 and a half years ago in the Public Works Department. Raymond’s favourite aspect of his work is learning new tasks and driving different equipment types. His pet peeve is when residents don’t put their garbage out in time for the garbage truck to pick it up. Born and raised in Biggar, Silbernagel has called our community home his entire life. He has a wife, Monica, six children, and 11 grandchildren. Raymond is proud of his community and is pleased that Biggar still sports a fully functioning hospital. His favourite local restaurants are Hannigans and Snow White Restaurant. During winter, you will find Raymond cheering on our local Biggar Nationals hockey team, throwing rocks at the curling rink, and attending Saskatchewan Rush games. Going to auctions, mastering puzzles, playing cards, and smoking meat are just a few of Raymond’s hobbies. A fun fact you may not know about Raymond is that he always wanted to be a pilot, but in his words “what goes up always comes down.”
1/4 Pag
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8 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
1/4 Page
Pizzeria Adria & Ray’s Vinyl A Perfect Combination National Pizza Day Friday February 9!
Ray’s Vinyls
212 Main St. Biggar
Thanks for your Business 948-4800
by Trudy and Dale Buxton After a great lunch stop in Stenen it was time to continue on, heading east. We continued on Highway 49 and come to the Town of Norquay. Norquay is a small community of around 425 people and was named after John Norquay who was the premier of Manitoba in 1878. The community is the administration headquarters of the Saulteaux First Nation, who have been living and trading in this area for hundreds of years, long before the coming of the fur trade and early Europeans looking for land to farm on. The railway came to the area in 1911 and with that brought skilled labour that was willing
The cooler is stocked and ready to go
Place your order early for
Your Valentine
Biggar Flower Shoppe
208 Main Street Biggar 948-2616
Valentine’s Day Sale on Now!! Come in and check out some amazing gifts for your Valentine!! 217 Main St. • Biggar 306-948-2452 Open: Mon - Sat. • 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
A wide variety of unique flower arrangements of all price ranges
102 - 3rd Ave. West, Biggar, Sask. 306-948-9750 newufitness@sasktel.net
to establish a life in Norquay. There was a mix of different nationalities that came to settle in the area, some of the largest numbers coming from the Ukraine. The town slogan today is “Where Prairie Meets Pine” which is especially true as you continue just out of the Norquay farmland area into the thick forest of the Porcupine Plains Provincial Park. Next up and just a short distance from the Manitoba border is the Village of Pelly. Pelly was named after Fort Pelly, a former Hudson’s Bay Company trading post, which was founded in 1824 by the governor of the company, Sir John Pelly. 1/4 village Page has a The population of around 250 people and is the closest inhabited settlement to the historic site of Fort Livingstone which was the former capital of the North West Mounted Police and temporary seat of the government for the North West Territories, while the buildings of Battleford were being built. The original fort was destroyed by fire in 1842 but rebuilt in short order as trade in the area with the First Nations people was very important. Fort Pelly was abandoned in 1912 with the building of the railway, six miles north of the location of the present day village. The community has a diverse heritage and lots of recreation opportunities within the provincial parks that surround the village. Farming is still one of
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
the strongest industries in this community. Just before we cross into Manitoba is the community of Arran, which was named after a township in Ontario. Once a thriving community of mostly Ukrainian decent, it has been reduced down to a community of around 20 people. It was the first stop on the Canadian National rail line that came into the east central part of the province. Near Arran is a glacially formed hill
that is four kilometres wide, standing 1,900 feet above ground, called “Thunder Hill” which stretches into Manitoba. Thunder Hill is a great recreational facility in the winter time with a fantastic ski hill, having one of the longest ski lifts in the province. The ski lodge was originally built from an old country school house and has been renovated several times over the years - a great place to visit in the winter time. Stay tuned for more on our trip into Manitoba.
How do you like this photo taken on Third Avenue East circa 1930 by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Museum and Gallery Check out how many trees there were then. All this tree planting could have been the work and planning of Cyril Buckingham, the
town foreman for many years here in our town. The town honoured him by calling the park on Third Avenue East, Buckingham Park. By the time I came here, the name had been shortened and was only known as Third Avenue Park. But
when the improvements were done; adding the Splash Park, replacing the playground equipment, our town erected the beautiful sign that is there now, once again honouring Mr. Buckingham.
py Hap ine’s ent l a V Day
DELIVERY AVAILABLE The information on this picture says, “Helen (Fowler) Broughton 3rd Ave. E. Biggar”. (Photo for The Independent by the Biggar Museum and Gallery)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Biggar artists shine in the Credit Union
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 9
Jim Reiter, MLA
Rosetown-Elrose Constituency 215 Main Street, Rosetown Monday – Friday, 9:00 – 5:00 Tel: 306-882-4105 Fax: 306-882-4108 Toll free; 1-855-762-2233 E-mail: jimreitermla@sasktel.net Box 278, Rosetown SK S0L 2V0 Please call with questions or concerns
Designs by Ann
121 Main St., Biggar • 306-948-3666 Text Karen @ 306-658-3107 Prebook your Valentine’s Day flowers if you are looking for something specific
Joyce Wirachowsky. (left), Dani Vavra, (Submitted Photos).
by Delta Fay Cruickshank for the Biggar Art Group The girls were busy last
Wednesday installing new art in the corridors, community room and in the front lobby of
the Biggar and District Credit Union on the corner of Main Street and Third Avenue East. Two Biggar and area artists are featured for the next four months until end of May. In the front lobby in the display stands is the art of Joyce Wirachowsky. Do you need a special card for that special person? She’s got one for you! “Handmade because
nobody displays an e-mail on the mantle or saves a Facebook post in a box of treasures.” The other artist is our much loved teacher from Biggar Central School 2000, Dani Vavra. She is a transplant from Vancouver Island, moving to our beautiful place on the planet in 2009. Her complete biography is on the wall of the corridor in the Credit Union.
Sask. applying to intervene in legal challenges to Federal firearms ban The Government of Saskatchewan is applying to intervene in legal challenges to the federal firearms ban currently before the Federal Court of Appeal. The original challenges were heard in Ottawa in April, 2023, by the Federal Court of Canada, which dismissed them on October 30 (Parker v Canada (Attorney General)). In November, four of the applicants, including the Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights, filed appeals. “We believe in the merits of this case on administrative and constitutional grounds,” Justice
Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre announced at a Saskatoon Wildlife Federation dinner on Friday. “The federal ban already includes up to 1,800 ‘variants,’ will cost billions of dollars, and directly conflicts with sections of the Criminal Code which state that firearms that can reasonably be used for hunting or sporting purposes cannot be banned.” In the spring of 2023, the Government of Saskatchewan brought into force The Saskatchewan Firearms Act, part of the province’s commitment to keeping
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Saskatchewan people and communities safe, addressing violent gun crime, and promoting responsible firearms ownership. “Saskatchewan is firm in its opposition to the federal firearms ban, which unfairly targets law-abiding firearms owners and will have little impact on firearms-related crime,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Paul Merriman said. “We believe in taking tangible action, such as the measures included in The Saskatchewan Firearms Act and our ongoing investment in the Saskatchewan
Firearms Office, to increase responsible firearms safety in our province.” Government has dedicated approximately $8.9 million to the Saskatchewan Firearms Office in the 202324 budget, which includes funding for administering The Saskatchewan Firearms Act, supporting police investigations into illegal firearms, and enhancing training and education regarding safe storage and firearms licensing. No date has yet been set for the hearing of the appeals.
DESIGN’S by ANN is excited to be handling ONE’S+ Non-Alcoholic Wine Made with 100% Okanagan Grapes (Bottles & Cans Available) Our cooler will be full… for the freshest and the best! Lots of colours to choose from for your Valentine!
10 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
BCS host mini tourney
... Biggar Central School Senior and Junior Blazers hit the court, Saturday for a three-team mini tourney. The Senior Blazers won both of their games, as did their Junior Blazer counterparts. (Independent Photos by Kevin Brautigam)
Sask West This Week by Phil Heilman It is that time of year where both league and provincial playoffs for the teams in the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) have fired up. League In the opening round of league, the two-seed Kindersley Sr Klippers play the seven-seed Unity Miners, the threeseed Hafford Hawks play the six-seed Biggar Nationals, and the fourseed Edam 3 Stars play the five-seed Macklin Mohawks. The Wilkie Outlaws, the one-seed, receive the bye into the semi-finals Provincials In the ‘A’ Division, the Edam/Hafford combined team (known as the Hafford Hawks for simplicity) faced the Watrous Winterhawks of the Long Lake Hockey League in Round One. The ‘Snow Pigeons’ took game one on Tuesday, Jan. 27 with a score of 5-2, with game two meant to be played at Edam on Friday night. Due to the extremely warm weather, the game was moved to Battleford
Arena. Hafford would secure the 3-2 win to tie the series up at one. Game three was played Sunday afternoon in Watrous with the Winterhawks winning 7-4. Watrous wins the series 2-1 and moves on to play the Leroy Braves. Also, in ‘A’, the Kindersley Sr Klippers play the Loreburn 19ers of the Sask Valley Hockey League in Round Two. Game one of the series is on Feb. 11 in Kindersley. Game two happens in Loreburn on Feb. 16 with game 3 (if needed) in Kindersley on Feb. 18. In the ‘C’ Division, the Unity Miners play the Dinsmore Dynamos of the Sask Valley Hockey League, with game one played in Dinsmore on Jan. 31. Dinsmore came away with a hard fought 6-4 victory. Game two of the series happens Feb. 10 in Unity, with game three (if needed) on Feb. 11. Also, in ‘C’, the Wilkie Outlaws hosted the Porcupine Plain Blues of the Wheatland Hockey League. The Outlaws
game away with the huge 13-1 victory. Ryan Keller (3), Ryne Keller (2), Brett Boehm (2), Rory Gregoire (2), Mitch Suchan, Rick Cey, Brock Harrison and Mike Sittler all scored for Wilkie. Tyler Soucy responded for the Blues. Game two
of the series goes Feb. 10 in Porcupine Plain with game three (if needed) on Feb. 11. The Biggar Nationals, also in the ‘C’ Bracket, play the Rosthern Wheat Kings of the Twin Rivers Hockey League. Game one took place in
Rosthern on Friday night, with the home team winning 9-4. Game two happened on Saturday night in Biggar, with the Nationals winning 4-2. The winner takes all game three happens Feb. 10 in Biggar. In the ‘D’ Division,
the Macklin Mohawks play the Perdue Pirates of the Sask Prairie Hockey League. Game one happens Feb. 10 in Macklin. Game two goes in Perdue on Feb. 17 and game three (if needed) is slated for Feb. 18 in Perdue.
Nationals puck-stopper, Brett Matlock, is a Sask West Hockey League MVP finalist. Here, he backstopped the Nationals in Game 2 of their Provincial C series versus the Rosthern Wheat Kings, Saturday. Matlock stopped 54 shots in the 4-2 Nat win, forcing Game 3 this Saturday. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK - 11
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Was it Belichick’s coaching skill, or Tom Brady?
Penton On Sports Bruce Penton
Generally regarded around the National Football League as one of the - if not THE - greatest ever coach ever, Bill Belichick today stands outside with his faced pressed against the window and waits for another coaching opportunity. While he’s only 27 wins away from becoming the NFL’s all-time winningest coach, Belichick is finding out the hard way that team owners and general managers are more interested in future success than past accomplishments. The question is: Was Belichick’s overwhelming success in New England, where he racked up 266 wins in 24 years, due to superior coaching skill or was it because he had the NFL’s greatest quarterback ever, Tom Brady, at the helm of his offence? It’s a legitimate question, because from 2001 to 2019, Brady guided the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances, winning six. Belichick’s Patriots posted a 5-11 record in 2000, the year before Brady took over as quarterback and then racked up 19 consecutive winning seasons with Brady at QB. After his star quarterback quit the Patriots and signed with Tampa Bay - where he won his seventh Super Bowl in his first year Belichick’s Patriots had losing seasons in three of four years. The stats are stark: With Brady, Belichick has a head-coaching record of 232-72. In the four post-Brady seasons, his coaching record is a miserable 29-39. With eight coaching
vacancies needing to be filled in this off-season, only one team took the time to interview Belichick, and that was Atlanta Falcons, who eventually hired Raheem Morris. So are NFL teams wary of Belichick’s talent as a coach, given his mediocre record without Brady? Are they concerned that at age 71, that the game has passed him by? Is his poor draft record a factor? Do they think Belichick’s interest in coaching is solely for the opportunity to surpass Don Shula as the coach with the most wins in NFL history? The NFL rumour mill said if a coaching job is not in Belichick’s future, then he might be able to land a broadcasting position, which might seem strange given his monosyllabic and unenthusiastic tone of voice in post-game interviews. Columnist Peter King of NBC Sports said Belichick almost certainly has to give his image a makeover if he wishes to coach again. “America, and NFL owners, know him as dour, sour and imperious,” wrote King. “Not great traits in modern-day coaching, particularly with a 2939 record in his last four seasons.” King also said Belichick’s reluctance to embrace analytics might work against him finding a new job too, since so many teams use analytics as a major tool in their operations. All good things must come to an end. Sandy Koufax’s left arm failed him and he retired early. Bobby Orr’s knee gave out and he had to quit hockey at age 30. Belichick had the misfortune to be unable to clone Tom Brady and he’s unemployed. • Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: “If NFL teams won’t hire 71-year-old Bill Belichick because he’s too old, then maybe he should run for president. Compared to Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Belichick is Justin Bieber.” • Janice Hough of leftcoastsportsbabe. com: “So now that SI
has fired all their staff, are they going to use AI to computer generate swimsuit models?” • Peter King in his Football Morning in America column on NBC. com: “Aaron Rodgers got a hole-in-one in his first round of golf since Achilles surgery? Next thing you’ll tell me is Dr. Fauci caddied for him.” • Super 70s Sports: “One of the absolute best baseball stats is that father and son Cecil Fielder and Prince Fielder are tied on the alltime home run list with 319 dingers apiece.” • RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “Boston signed free agent defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk to a one-year, $1.05 million contract in July. It’s nice to see the Bruins adding some depth for their eventual playoff collapse.” • Headline at theonion. com: “Frail, Emaciated MLB Players Still A Few Weeks Away From Regaining Strength To Lift Single Baseball.” • Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle: “Why do the TV people keep going away from Taylor Swift to show us shots of her boyfriend?” • Late night funnyman Jimmy Fallon, on the cost of tickets to the Super Bowl: “Ten grand’s
Redlick. Rookie of the Year honours could also go to Biggar with Nat d-man Wyatt Versluis facing Kindersley’s Cody Beswitherick and Unity’s Hunter Sperle. Nat bench-bosses, Colter Zarubiak and Kyle Laturnus are in the Coach of the Year ballots with Curt McLean, Vern Schultz and Mitch Cooper of Unity, and Greg Gryzbowski of Hafford. The Harvey Somerville Memorial Award will
directly from her concert in Tokyo Feb. 10 to get to Vegas in time for the Feb. 11 Super Bowl: “But if she has a middle seat on that flight, she’ll be fried when she arrives.” • Another one from Ostler: “Whose fault is it that the Ravens don’t have any cool girlfriends?”
• RJ Currie of sportsdeke. com: “At the Manitoba Scotties, Team Kaitlyn Lawes won the women’s curling title. A lot of good Manitoba ladies fought the Lawes, and the Lawes won.” Care to comment? E-mail brucepenton2003@ yahoo.ca.
Sask Champ! ... Brent Laing, Dan Marsh, Kevin Marsh, Colton Flasch, Mike McEwen pose in their new green jackets along with the SaskTel Tankard Provincial hardware. The Saskatoon rink with Biggar’s Flasch, will be off to the Brier. Congratulations, Colton! (Submitted Photo)
Pirates end league play ... The Perdue Pirates played their final league home game versus the Meota Combines at the Jubilee, February 5. A tough loss, the Pirates fell 10-5. (Independent Photo by Daryl Hasein)
Nats recognized as SWHL award finalists The Biggar Nationals Senior Hockey Club have figured big as nominees in the Sask West Hockey League 2023/24 awards. There was no question when it came to League MVP, as netminder Brett Matlock is on the ballot with Wilkie Outlaws, Brock Harrison and Derek Keller. Matlock will also sit on the AllStar Team Goaltenders list, while All-Star Team Forwards will also feature Biggar’s Chris Henry and Jonathan
a lot for a football game, but it’s dirt cheap to see Taylor Swift live, I will say that.” • Greg Cote of the Miami Herald: “Chiefs-49ers is OK. But Detroit in it is the Super Bowl America wanted, the one that got away.” • Scott Ostler again, on Taylor Swift flying
have Nat GM Ken Kernohan and trainer Kaleb Carter on a list with Mitch Wall, Reid McBride, Bill Sittler and Joe Cey, while Nat Captain, Derek Argue could be the recipient of the Bill Cey - Hardest Working Local Player Memorial Award. Award winners were announced Wednesday, February 7. Due to Independent press deadlines, check out the SWHL at saskwesthockey.com for the results.
Biggar Bowl weekly scores Monday adult mixed Ladies high single - Marilyn Miller 185, Ladies high triple- Melissa Raschke 511, Mens high single - Jason Raschke 198, Mens high triple- Jason Raschke 556 Tuesday night mixed Ladies high single - Kiersten Raschke 221, Ladies high triple - Melissa Raschke 564, Mens high single - Jason Raschke 230, Mens high triple - Jason Raschke 634 Thursday afternoon seniors Ladies high single - Bonnie Roesch 181, Ladies high triple - Bonnie Roesch 480, Mens high single - Larry Tavanitz 207, Mens high triple - Larry Tavanitz 535 YBC Bowlasaurus - Benjamin Olson 42, Pee Wee Single - Ashton Kramer 97, DoubleHarlan Tilsley 169, Bantam single -Nolan Porier 111, Triple- Peter Olson 311, Junior Single - Dominic Raschke 173, Triple- Dominic Raschke 489, Senior High single-Kiersten Raschke 220, High Triple- Kiersten Raschke 558
12-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
Business & Professional …
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
AUTOMOTIVE
ACCOUNTING
SERVICES
M & N REPAIR 701 - 4th Ave. E., Biggar
306-948-3996
201B 2nd Avenue West, Biggar
Office: 306-948-3558 Email: info@biggaraccounting.ca Services Provided Include: Compilation Engagements Personal & Corporate Taxes Bookkeeping AgriStability & AgriInvest
Open Monday-Friday HEAVY TRUCK AUTO TIRES BOATS & RVs
SGI Safety INSPECTION
117 - 3
rd
Ave. West,
(New Horizons Bldg) Biggar
INSURANCE
p.m. phone: Chris
306-948-3376 Serving Your “EnTIRE” Needs
3 col/6
Jennifer:
Chico’s Auto Works
304 Main St., Biggar Phone: 306-948-2204 Toll Free: 1-855-948-2204
“We’ll getcha covered”
CorPoration Barristers & Please get back to me by 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb 4 Solicitors Thanks, Urla Shoreline Realty Stuart A. Busse, KC Larry A. Kirk, LL.B.
Cari Perih REAlToR®
302 Main Street, Biggar, SK
Cell: 306-948-7995
306-948-3346
office: 306-867-8380 carip@remax.net
…serving your community since 1972
Acres of Expertise.
Mon.-Tue, & Fri., 9:00am - 4:30pm Wednesday, 9:30am - 4:30pm
Dave Molberg
Thursday CLOSED
Farm & Acreage Salesperson (306) 948-4478 dave.molberg@hammondrealty.ca HammondRealty.ca
Phone: 306-658-2044 Toll Free: 1-855-658-2044
Perdue Office Hours
Website: www.biggarlandisinsurance.ca Email: biggar@biggarinsurance.ca
INVESTMENTS For all your investment needs, Visit…
DENTAL
Rosetown Dental
115 - 1 Avenue West Rosetown, Sask. st
Lyndsey Poole PFP
Pamela Eaton PFP
Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.
Jennifer Quessy
Ashley Booker CFP
Mutual Fund Investment Specialist Credential Asset Management Inc.
Investment Advisor Credential Securities Inc.
Located at the Biggar & District Credit Union 302 Main Street, Biggar, SK • 306-948-3352 Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc., and mutual funds and other securities are offered through Credential Securities Inc. ®Credential is a registered mark owned by Credential Financial Inc. and is used under license.
SEED CLEANING wyLie seeD &
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Phone:306.882.2123 New Patients Welcome!
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seeds Canada authorized Pedigree seeds & Custom Cleaning fuLL line of Cleaning equipment and Colour sorter
is a full service law office that practices… Criminal Law Commercial Law Real Estate Law Wills and Estate Law and our lawyers,
Jason Peszko Bailee Massett Sarah Roesler look forward to assisting you and can be contacted at:
306-948-5352 or 306-244-9865
Advertising
is an investment business.
223 Main Street Biggar Box 580 Biggar, SK SOK OMO
306-948-2183 Email: hrbbiggar@sasktelnet Website: www.hrblock.ca
BIGGAR Attention: Deanna Stevenot REFRIGERATION SERVICES
Please proof Business & Prof
COMMERCIAL AND (year) for $ the next 52 weeks RESIDENTIAL Bill has been sent SERVICES Franchise Advertising Payabl
#102 - 9622 - 42 Avenue,
Licensed Journeyman Edmonton, AB T6E 5Ya Adrian de Haan
Phone: 780-448-2166; 306-948-5291 Fax: 780-438-1233; email: CSC-Edmonton.accou
Rebel Landscaping
948-2879, evenings 948-7207, daytime Ed Kolenosky s $RIVEWAYS s 3OD s #ONCRETE s 0ATIO s 'ARAGE 0ADS "LOCKS s 0RUNING s 3NOW s 0LANTING 2EMOVAL s 4OPSOIL s &ENCES s ,AWN #ARE xAND s ,EVELING MUCH MORE
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FLOWER SHOP s FLOWERS s CUSTOM WEDDING DECORATING & EVENTS s RENTALS… 4ENTS "OUNCY #ASTLE
DENTURES
Bring Back Your Smile
35-102 Hampton Circle, Saskatoon (Westside) 306-382-7767 Website: fraylingdenture.com
Jrs Flooring and Install Jrs Flooring specializes in all types of flooring. Over 20 years experience. Great rates and free estimates. Call or text Jon 306•230•8949
306-716-4021
DEMOLITION & RESTORATION STUCCO , DRYWALL CONCRETE FINISHING
9
Brett…
w
Price plus g comm
Biggar, Sask.
Than
102 - 3rd Ave. West,
newufitness@sasktel.net /WNED AND OPERATED BY "RETT "ARBER
PLUMBING & HEATING
948-7457 948-6045
Plant located 8 miles south of Biggar on Hwy #4, ¼ mile west on triumph rd.
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Métis Owned Aboriginal Owned • Mobile Welding & Fabrication • 24/7 Emergncy Service • Repairs? Got a project in mind? • We cater to ALL give us a call industries… farming, for a quote. commercial, oil field, • NOW offering industrial Skidsteer, Transport, • CWB Hot Shot Service! Certified CAll Chance Parenteau @ 306-948-9465 or sarah nagy @ 306-290-9766
Peszko &Watson
in your
OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Mutual Fund Investment Specialist, Credential Asset Management Inc.
LEGAL SERVICES
chicosautoworks@sasktel.net
Landis Office Hours:
Mon,Tue,Thurs,Fri, 9am - 4:30 Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30 Closed at noon 12 - 12:30
306-948-2109
Feb 7, 14, 21, 28306-948-5077
ÿ Auto & Home Insurance ÿ Farm & Commercial Insurance ÿ Health & Travel Insurance ÿ Life Insurance & Investments ÿ Farm Succession & Estate Planning ÿ Notary Publics
Mon. - Tue, Thur - Fri 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday, 9:30am - 5pm
(WY %AST "IGGAR
Busse Law
www.SoldbyCari.ca homesforsale@soldbycari.ca
Biggar Office Hours…
YH Truck, Ag & Auto s (EAVY TRUCK PARTS s !GRICULTURE PARTS s !UTOMOTIVE PARTS ACCESSORIES WWW YHTRUCKAGAUTO COM
Richard (Chico) Livingston Journeyman Automotive Will this work? Repair right colour? Technician 317 Main Street Biggar, SK for publiation on ProfessionaL Price: $63.00 plus gst per week
ACCEPT NEW C ING LIE Year R NTS ound
Ph: 306-948-4430 or 306-948-4460 rodc@campbell-accounting.ca
Mon - Fri • 8 a.m.-5
FULL MOBILE MECHANICAL
C AMPBELL A CCOUNTING S E RV I C E S • Personal Tax Returns • Corporate Tax Returns • Farm, AgriStability, AgriInvest • Estate Returns • Bookkeeping • Payroll
Service Truck Full Mechanical Service
Mike Nahorney - Journeyman Red Seal Mechanic
PLUMBING HEATING ELECTRICAL For all your home, business and rural needs
Biggar, Sask. 306-948-3389 Owners/Operators • Dallas Young • Claude Young
Journeymen Plumber, Gas Fitter, & Electrician on staff
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
HEALTH/WELLNESS
Business & Professional … THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-13
ROSETOWN NATURAL HEALTH
311 Main Street, Rosetown Massage Therapy - Supplements Ideal Protein Clinic Mail orders welcome. Monday – Saturday 9:00 – 6:00 306-882-2220 rosetownnatural@sasktel.net www.rosetownnaturalhealth.com
Co-Ed Fitness Centre
CLEANING SERVICE
…owned and operated by Brett Barber
- together with -
Healthy Lifestyle Weight Loss Personal Training Fitness Classes
102 - 3rd Ave. W., Biggar
306-948-9750
www.newufitness.ca
ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23
SAGITTARIUS Nov 23/Dec 21
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20
There is a new person in your life who may become a source of inspiration, Aries. It’s a new year and you are ready for all the novel experiences you can encounter.
Taurus, you could be feeling more grounded in your personal life than you have in some time. The people you surround yourself with accept and love you unconditionally.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21
Gemini, if a suggestion goes against your instincts this week, give it careful consideration nonetheless. This person may have some good ideas that you may not have thought of.
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
HAULING
Rockin D Trucking & Cattle 306.237.7671
Troy May, owner/operator
Fax: 306-237-TROY email: tmay@hotmail.ca Super B outfits hauling grain and fertilizer in Western Canada
SERVICES
GALLARDO Liner
Passenger Services 122 Main St. - Biggar Depot Macklin to Saskatoon & towns in-between Kindersley to Saskatoon & towns in-between
• Cattle Hauling with 21 ft. gooseneck trailer • Grain Hauling • round and large square bale
hauling with step-deck Dr. Kirk Ewen or highboy semi-trailers Dr. Michelle Skoretz • also buying and selling Doctors of Optometry 2 col/6 straw and forage • also Machinery Hauling
Dan • 306-948-7843 Biggar, Sask. Naty/Michael…
paper, 315b Main Street, Biggar, SK For appointments… 6 month commitment for $161.20 plus gst
1-833-948-3331
Bring Back Your Smile
Frayling Denture Clinic Ltd since 1983 PHONE......306-951-0078 or Hampton Circle, Saskatoon (Westside) 35-102 306-951-0098 306-382-7767 Website: fraylingdenture.com
New Dentures - Partial Dentures - Denture Relines - Repairs - Complimentary Consultations
BIGGAR HOUSING AUTHORITY
Call: 306•303•7246
In BIGGAR
Every Tuesday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. This is what I worked up for the Business & Professional section in back of New Location
Special Event, Airport Service or Doctorʼs Appointments
Housing for families and seniors Rent based on income
OPTOMETRISTS
Cancer, you tend to be good about not letting work life bleed into your personal affairs. However, this week you may need to have some carryover to accomplish all that lies ahead.
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SUDOKU
High-Arc Electric Ltd
MID - YEAR SPECIAL Try a subscription for only $15.00 plus GST and get it in your mailbox for the rest of the year Check out the ““NEW WEBSITE”” for on-line options
Commercial / Residential / Service / Farm •306-251-1477 •306-491-9678 “ Now Servicing Biggar and Area”
Some good news may arrive this week that will put you on cloud nine, Leo. Just don’t let this enthusiasm distract you from getting all of your business wrapped up on time.
A charming person may come into your life this week, Virgo. At first he or she may be a whirlwind and confuse you for some time. Eventually, you may catch on and go with the flow.
Libra, use whatever opportunities you have to speak to older family members and jot down the memories they have. Time is fleeting and you want to learn all you can.
Surround yourself with people who bring positivity into your life, Scorpio. It is alright to take inventory and distance yourself from others who do not generate positive vibes. 1/4 Page
Granite Monuments for Less with Laser Engraving
Call: 306-831-8987
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People who believe they have a lot of power are going to be all around you this week, Sagittarius. Don’t fall prey to any intimidation tactics. Continue to do your own thing.
Dreams have been entertaining and awfully vivid lately, Capricorn. But you can’t put too much stock in them. They may simply be your subconscious mind trying to work through things.
Express gratitude when you are gifted something both thoughtful and expensive, Aquarius. This is something you have had your eye on for some time but never purchased yourself.
You’re likely to be very busy soon enough, Pisces. Some loud and busy people may come into your life in the next few days. It may prove hard to find a quiet moment afterwards.
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14-THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
LAND
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
TAKING OFFERS FOR CASH RENT
Approx. 200 cultivated acres on R.M.#377 NW5-39-14-W3rd & SW8-39-14 W3rd Highest or any offer not necessarily accepted Send offers to: Box 1503 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 LIVESTOCK FOR SALE
HORSESHOE E CHAROLAIS
Annual Bull Sale
CLUES ACROSS 1. Gene type 5. Persian male given name 10. Type of protection 12. Cloud 14. One who returns to life 16. Gym class 18. General’s assistant (abbr.) 19. Baby’s dining accessory 20. Enchantress 22. Prefix denoting “in a” 23. Spiritual leader 25. Cavities 26. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.) 27. Foot (Latin) 28. Sweet potato 30. Pharaoh of Lower Egypt 31. Land 33. More inquisitive 35. Dog breed: __ Apso 37. Stood up 38. Direct and uninhibited 40. Authorless 41. Blocking type of drug (abbr.) 42. Retrospective analysis (abbr.) 44. Root mean square (abbr.) 45. Macaws 48. Actress Remini 50. Polynesian wrapped skirt 52. City of Angels hoops team (abbr.) 53. Fitzgerald and Baker are two
55. Bowling alley must-have 56. A way to cool down 57. Ethnic group in Asia 58. A way to alter 63. Set of five 65. Removes from the record 66. Dummies 67. Set period in office
CLUES DOWN 1. DC Comics superhero 2. Brew 3. Play 4. Single-celled animals 5. Rough to the touch 6. Small island (British) 7. Often noted alongside cons 8. Preparation of rootstock 9. Atomic #44 10. Egyptian unit of capacity 11. About secretary 13. Particular groups 15. Poke fun at 17. Make certain that something occurs 18. Financial term 21. Justify 23. Arbiter 24. 007’s creato 27. Czech name for Prague 29. Groans 32. American time 34. No seats available 35. __ Stahl, journalist 36. Cleft lip 39. Talk incessantly
40. Expresses atomic and molecular weights (abbr.) 43. A part of a river where the current is very fast 44. Curdled milk 46. Running competitions 47. A team’s best pitcher 49. Carthaginian explorer 51. World-renowned city 54. Most common Japanese surname 59. The bill in a restaurant 60. They __ 61. City of Angels football team (abbr.) 62. Distinctive practice 64. One quintillion bytes
At the Ranch, near Kenaston, SK. Saturday, March 9th, 2:00pm Selling 50 yearling bulls and 20 two year olds. Semen tested. Call Layne or Paula Evans 306-252-2246. Layne (306)561-7147 Catalogue, videos, and online bidding will be on DLMS.ca
Show off the best side of your business!
Don’t be faceless, give them something to recognize!
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LENTEN LUNCHES FEBRUARY 23 MARCH 1 MARCH 8 MARCH 15 MARCH 22
Starts at 12:05pm Biggar New Horizons Sponsored By The Ministerial
Only $24.95 for 100
Deadline for Classifieds is Monday at 5 p.m.
4
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2024
E-MAIL us at tip@sasktel.net
THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK-15
OBITUARIES
BARBARA DIANNE BUXTON January 5, 1949 - January 24, 2024
Everyone Welcome!
In Loving Memory of Barbara Dianne Buxton Jan 5th 1949, Rosetown, Sk Jan 24th 2024, Meadow Lake, Sk On the evening of Jan 24th Barbara “Barb” Dianne Buxton passed away in her home in Meadow Lake, Sk. As to her wishes Barb requested no memorial to be held. She has bequeathed her body to the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine in hopes to help others. Barb is survived by her son Brad (Dora) Buxton, her daughter Michelle (Tony) Vandenberg. Grandchildren Tristan (Taylor) Buxton, Coaltin Buxton, Spencer Vandenberg, Hannah (David) Richter. Along with brother James (Verna) Stanley, Kathy Cumpstone. As well as extended family. Barb was predeceased by her husband James Albert Buxton, and parents George Stanley and Betty Stanley. Internment will be at a later date
bour, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.” Out of mouths of children come some of the greatest words of wisdom. And from the actions of children come some of the best acts of caring and understanding. We adults are always surprised by children who say and do things that are so wise and compassionate. Somehow, we think that children are not mature enough or experienced enough to know what to say or what to do when someone else is hurting or discouraged. We think the same of anyone who is considered lesser than we are. We do not expect or
look for their assistance when we are in need. We expect help to come from our own power and wealth or from those who are more powerful, more knowledgeable, or wealthier than we are. But this is not how God works. God’s power is not in human power. God’s power is not in prestige, in might, or in wealth. God’s power is manifested in the weak, the child, the poor, and the disadvantaged. God’s ultimate revelation of power came from a cross - steeped in pain and suffering, abandonment and finally death. God’s greatest glory and power came to the whole world through the Son’s moment of
109 - 7th Ave.W, Biggar Father Edward Gibney Parish Phone: 306-948-3330 Saturday Mass.......7:00p.m. Sunday Mass....... 11:00a.m.
our lady of fatima CatholiC ChurCh, Landis Sunday Mass.......9:00a.m.
Presbyterians, Anglicans and Lutherans
St.Pauls Anglican 205 4th Ave. E
Redeemer Lutheran 319 7th Ave. E
Worship - 10:30 a.m.
FERUARY 11 WORSHIP REDEEMER LUTHERAN FERUARY 25 WORSHIP REDEEMER LUTHERAN
Rev. Daphne Bender Pastor’s cellular Phone: 1-306-621-9559 Office Phone: 306-948-3731 (Messages are forwarded to Pastor’s phone immediately)
REFLECTIONS by Rev. Daphne Bender, PALs Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest that he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. Parents or other adults submitted written stories which demonstrated their child’s caring, uplifting spirits. The winner was a story about a four-year-old child whose next-door neighbour was an elderly man who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old man’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neigh-
St. Gabriel roman CatholiC ChurCh
greatest weakness. Centuries later, we discover the greatness of God’s power when we are at our weakest. It is through the little ones that God brings wisdom and compassion to the world. It is when we are little that God is most clearly seen at work. As we enter into Lent this month, we follow Christ once more to the foot of his cross. And there we discover that we are weak, and he is strong.
Biggar associated gospel church 312 - 8th Ave.W. and corner of Quebec St., Biggar Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to come and join us
Biggar United ChUrCh REGULAR SERVICES SUNDAY 11:00 am Pastor Dale Worrall Inquires Call Church Office 306-948-2280 Leave Message
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH SATURDAY SERVICES BIBLE STUDY 10:00a.m. CHURCH SERVICE 11:00a.m. 320 - 6th ave.east contact: 306-951-8445 3 abn
www.amazingfacts.org
NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH ...In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope...1Pe 1:3
You are Invited
LIVESTOCK FOR SALE?
Turkey Bowl is back this February long weekend after a successful first year that saw nearly 650,000 Canadians participate. Canadians are once again invited from coast to coast to try their luck at bowling a “turkey” – known as three strikes in a row – to win cash prizes. There is $17,500 in cash up for grabs and nearly 300 bowling centres across Canada participating in the family-friendly event from February 17th to 19th.
You can participate at
BIGGAR BOWL in BIGGAR
The Blanket Classifieds are a great place to advertise your livestock for sale. 51 local community newspapers Delivered into over 450 communities Circulation of over 450,000 Pricing starts at just $209.00 Reaching the people of Saskatchewan like no other medium can. 306-649-1405 Classified@swna. com www.swna.com
Sunday Tea and Coffee -10:15am Worship - 10:30am NEW HORIZONS 117 3rd Ave. W, Biggar For more info - Philip Watson - 250-487-8476
Ruthilda Metis Local presents: February Winter Festival
February 10, 2024 Supper & Concert Biggar Community Hall Music by: Donny Parenteau call Jennifer Jiricka for Tickets 306-850-0108
Biggar Tiny Tots Is partnering with Oak Tree for a Valentine Donut Sale from February 12th - February 14th Contanct Christina for more information. The Acronaires
performing at:
Biggar Central School MUST SEE PERFORMANCE Thursday February 15, 2024 7:30p.m. Cost: Silver Collection
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before you are cut off. If you have never had a subscriptiongive us a call
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16 - THE INDEPENDENT, BIGGAR, SK
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 , 2024
Randy Weekes, MLA
Biggar - Sask Valley Constituency Office 106- 3rd Ave. West, Box 1413 Biggar, SK S0K 0M0 Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1-4pm
Toll Free: 1-877-948-4880 Phone: 1-306-948-4880 Fax: 1-306-948-4882
High-flying Acronaires coming to Biggar this Thursday Attention: Janet
Please proof and get back to me by return email. Thanks, Urla
Chas e the Ace
2&
1/2
/ 01 : 0 y 15 ent B $ d n d d tee nsore depeCome out n ara Spo & In and support Open & 1-4pm s Mon-Fri 9am-12pm Gu nd i our team stw e W
Next Home Game Provincials
Saturday February 10th @8:00pm vs: Rostern Wheat Kings Chas e the Ace
Come out and support our team
Next Home Game League Playoffs
Tuesday February 13th @8:30pm vs: Hafford Hawks
The Acronaires will be at Biggar Central School this Thursday, February 15. (Submitted Photo) The gymnastic thrills of The Acronaires will be at Biggar Central School this Thursday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m. The Acronaires are an acrobatic/tumbling team from Burman University in Lacombe, Alberta. The team officially began in 1973-74 and are now celebrating
their 50th year! Over the past 49 years, the team has travelled extensively to many parts of the world, including, all Canadian provinces, at least 15 American states, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Belize, Kenya and several European countries. The team consists of
primarily university students but does also include several younger students from local high schools. These students combine acrobatic tumbling and cheer stunting skills to produce a fast paced and entertaining performance for the entire family.
Established in 1929
Over 30 Years in Business
306-882-2283 www.allwestsales.ca
124-1st Ave.W
FEATURE OF THE WEEK!
• • • • • • •
Feature of the Week
2007 Heavy Duty Freightliner
e
3 Cl
202
Highway 7 West Rosetown )V_ : 3 =
outstanding
ut ar O
2023 FORD F-150 TREMOR Regal Price $85,895 +licensing and taxes Automatic / 4x4 / Moonroof Azur Gray Metallic Tricoat 400hp 3.5L V6 Cylinder Engine 360 Degree Camera Trailer Tow Package Apple Carplay / Android Auto Tailgate Step / Performance Off Road
They are pleased to visit Biggar during their golden jubilee! The Acronaires will be performing at Biggar Central School on Thursday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m. The admission is a freewill offering.
Inspected and Safetied $35,000
2023 FORD BRONCO HERITAGE Regal Price $96,805 +licensing and taxes • Automatic / 4x4 • Yellowstone • 315hp 2.7L V6 Cylinder Engine • Performance Off-Road Package • Heated Leather Seats • Ford Co-Pilot360 / Apple Car Play • Premium Audio
Enjoy buying your next vehicle at Regal Motors! • • • • • • • •
2013 FORD F-150 Regal Price $21,995+licensing and taxes Automatic / 4x4 230,832km Ruby Red Metallic Clearcoat 365hp 3.5L V6 Cylinder Engine Heated/Cooled Front Seats Remote Start 20” Aluminum Wheels FX Luxury Package
SALES, SERVICE & PARTS 306-882-2623 Toll Free 877-882-2610 Regalmotorsltd.com
Winter is Not Over Be Ready with a New Snowblower
JAY-LOR MIXER CALL DARYL FOR A GREAT DEAL
Come on down and check out some amazing sales on all of our new and used farm equipment. -! Contact the knowledgeable staff at All West Sales