Not only have the Southern Jr. Be Rebels created a stir with multiple wins, the continued success story of the Sr. Rebels has fans excited for a season that extends to playoffs.
The Notekeu Hockey League website shows the Assiniboia Senior Rebels still in top spot, as well as four players on their roster holding the top spots in leading scorers for the league.
The Senior Rebels only have three more games before playoffs begin. Jan. 31 is their last regular season home game while their last regular season game overall will be played in Coronach.
A team spokesperson tells the Assiniboia Times, “The Senior Rebels are winding down their regular season, with league playoffs beginning Feb. 7.”
AS of Jan. 24, the Sr. Rebels have the best over-
all record in the league and are likely to hold on to that. This will secure them home ice advantage throughout their playoff run.
The Notekeu Hockey League playoffs include a best of five quarterfinal series, as well as a best of five semi-final series, should the Rebels advance.
The League final is a best of seven series, tentatively set to begin March 7, with the winners of the Wood River Division squaring off against the winner of the Soo Line Division.
After no season in covid year 2020-2021, the Sr. Rebels have won the league championship every season since then, and hopes are high to have another repeat title win.
The Sr. Rebels always appreciate fans in the stand and people can find out game times on social media and the video board at Southland Co-op Centre as well as on the Notekeu League website.
Sherri Solomko
Freelance
Reporter
The buzz in Assiniboia is getting louder as the Richardson Pioneer Jr. B Rebels continue their winning ways, keeping them in playoff contention.
Their goal remains the same, earn a playoff spot and Rebels executive member, Curtis Nelson, affirms
that some new players and a new coach have certainly ignited the playoff fire.
The Rebels had four games left in January and as of this issue, Jan. 31, they have seven games left in regular season.
Did you know that the Southern Rebels claimed seven titles since the Prairie Junior Hockey League was
Jr. Rebels are stick-ing to their playoff pursuit
introduced, the last being in 2002. Fans are feeling the onset of playoff fever as the team continues to win important games in their quest for a playoff spot.
“We could really use lots of fans in the stands for our home game Feb. 5 as we are playing the Regina Silver Foxes, and they are a team we are chasing for a playoff spot,” adds Nelson. Nelson reminds fans that this is the only Rebels home game in the month of February as regular season closes. Interested fans can certainly check with the team on potential group travel to away games to help energize the team for their goals of earning a playoff spot.
Continued on page 3
Assiniboia has a number of deer that have made the town their permanent residence. Several of them
Prairie Lovers perform at Prince of Wales Centre
Muriel Fehr
Freelance Reporter
Former Lovers performed at the Prince of Wales main hall on
ary 25. The concert got under way at 7:30 p.m. with LJ Tyson singing a few solo tunes initially. He then introduced Kay Wirtz
so the next few numbers could be performed by her singing solo followed by the two of them regailing the crowd with several
more selections.
During this time LJ shared that the two of them are teachers whose discipline is the fine arts.
At this point the last two members of the group joined them onstage to be introduced so the full ensemble could continue.
Colin Klassen, Kolt Kimbley, Kay Wirtz and LJ Tyson create the music and lyrics that make Former Lovers their own unique self.
Hailing from Prince Albert they have toured across western Canada. Available for purchase at the venue were CDs, as well as a selection of their own logos imprinted on Tshirts and shirts.
A crowd of 60 enjoyed this selection in a series of five running from October 2024 to May of 2025. Besides the ticket table at the door the Arts Council had a display encompassing all they do in always promoting Arts and Culture in the Assiniboia district area.
Those that hold season tickets as well as those that chose Saturday to attend were given the opportunity for coffee and snacks
at a side table as well the theater was open for more munching choices. The Arts Council felt it was a good crowd considering the Southland Co-op Centre having a major hockey game featuring Carrot River’s team The Outbacks. The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) is the umbrella organization for all Arts Councils in the province. They gather a list of all artistic talent in Saskatchewan. Assiniboia Arts Council chooses from this list for their five selections of the year. Third on the list for this year’s entertainment was Former Lovers formerly known as LJ Tyson and the Locals whose genre is prairie pop. Tickets or season passes for the series of artistic talent could be purchased at the door. While the event was hosted by Assiniboia Arts Council, Southland Co-op was this year’s presenting sponsor.
Arts Council Junior Auxiliary seeks new members
Young people between the ages of 10 and 18 are welcomed to join the next meeting of the Assiniboia and District Arts Council Junior Auxiliary, to be held on Friday, February 7 from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Kay Cristo Room of the Assiniboia
Public Library. The goal of the Junior Auxiliary is to engage young people in the arts, fostering creativity, leadership and community involvement. The Junior Auxiliary is the brainchild of Sofia Lozada Szemeredi, a
grade 6 student at Assiniboia Elementary School.
“Our teacher Mrs. Chadwick asked for volunteers at the fundraising table at an Arts Council show,” said Sofia. “When I saw another student there it gave me the idea that I could get involved
with the Arts Council and maybe other kids would like to also.”
Sofia made a presentation at an Arts Council monthly meeting and the idea was adopted. Board members Monique LeClaire and Donna Marentette came forward to be adult mentors to the group.
“The Arts Council Board was very excited about the idea,” says Ms
LeClaire. ”We could think of lots of ways for a junior auxiliary to actively contribute to the Council, while giving the youngsters valuable leadership experience and developing their creative abilities. Also having fun!”
In addition to February 7, meetings are planned for March 14, April 11, May 9 and June 6 from 10:30am to noon at the
Assiniboia Public Library. There is no charge to attend the meetings but the student rate to join the Arts Council is $25 per year.
For more information contact Sofia Szemeredi sofiaszemeredi@gmail. com Monique LeClaire leclaire.monique@prairiesouth.ca or Donna Marentette dmarentette@ sasktel.net.
Janu -
The Former Lovers band performed in concert at the Southland Co-op Centre in Assiniboia. There was a series of solos and duets played before being joined by the other members. From left are Colin Klassen, Kolt Kimbley, LJ Tyson and Kay Wirtz.
Go figure, Assiniboia Skating Club prepares for Ice Carnival
Sherri Solomko
Freelance Reporter
For Assiniboia Skating Club, preparations have started, routines have been choreographed and skaters are actively practising while the board finalizes details for the annual Ice Carnival, upcoming on Friday, Feb. 14.
Club spokesperson, Lisa Martin, said the club has 30 skaters ranging in ages from three to 17.
“Four coaches work with skaters during the season. Tasha Hoff is our head coach and coaches STAR Skate, CanSkate and assists with Power Skating. Travis Ma -
rit is our PowerSkating coach, Justine Bamford is a CanSkate coach and Kimber Bader is a STAR Skate coach,” adds Martin
The club gives the honor of choosing a carnival theme to a STAR Skater who is graduating from the program. This year, skater Mina Wirges, chose the them of “love” because this year’s show is on Valentine’s Day.
“We usually start practicing for the ice show after Christmas, although some of our STAR Skaters work on their routines all season. These routines can also be performed in competitions. The board
starts prep work after Christmas,” acknowledges Assiniboia’s Skating Club.
In addition to the annual carnival, test days are held throughout the season with majority of skaters tested by local coaches.
“For the select few skaters requiring upperlevel testing after STAR 6, they do have to head out to whichever centre is holding that test day within the section. Some of our skaters do participate in competitions and we do have one skater who also skates in Mossbank twice per week. Kimber Bader also coaches for Moose Jaw Skating Club. Travis Marit has his Evolved Hockey business offering hockey skills building,” affirms Martin.
Assiniboia Skating Club prides itself on offering CanSkate, STAR Skate and Power Skating.
“We are a member club of Skate Canada. CanSkate Levels 1-6 is the
“learn to skate” program to learn skating skills for any on-ice skating activities including hockey, speed skating and figure skating. Once that is complete, skaters will move on to Power Skating Levels 1-2 (for hockey players) or STAR Skate Levels 1-10 (for figure skaters).”
Power Skate requires skaters to have hockey skates, helmets, sticks and gloves for all activities.
ASC ascertains that people may not realize that their CanSkate program is not to just learn how to figure skate, but rather is a learn-to-skate program, which develops skills based on speed, agility and balance. These important skating skills are the foundations for any ice-skating activity including hockey and speed skating, as well as figure skating.
Interactive activities for CanSkaters allow participants to run through circuit at their ow pace,
focusing on control, agility and balance.
Martin states, “Dwindling numbers and increased costs to run our programs is always a struggle. So many people think CanSkate is just for figure skating, and we are working hard to overcome that stigma. It is really about giving skaters the best start so that they can be their best any time they are on the ice, for whatever activity they participate in.”
While the exact history of how long Assiniboia has had a skating club is unknown, past club members recall their fondest memories of the annual Ice Carnival, along with the exciting announcement of a Carnival Queen each year, dating their memories back to the 70s and 80s.
The highlight of the season is always the ice show, where skaters get to showcase their skills for their friends, family and community. Residents
love to experience the pageantry, decorations, costume and performances while celebrating the accomplishments with the club’s skaters.
The annual Ice Carnival helps bring in additional revenue for the club as well as providing an evening of entertainment.
A common saying about skating club once touted, “The colder the rink, the warmer the memories.” However, ASC says the memories and experiences are always warm and bright because their new rink is lovely.
“Our skaters are more comfortable in this facility, which prompted the club to host a competition last year. The one takeaway from the competition was that the facility was top notch, for the skaters, judges and spectators alike. We plan on putting in a bid for hosting more competitions and skills training events in future years.”
Assiniboia Jr. Rebels compete in playoff pursuit
Continued from front page
The February 5 game will include the popular chuck-a-puck activity, where fans can purchase a puck and take their chance at throwing it during an intermission to earn half the pot by getting it the closest to centre faceoff circle.
Nikolas Smolinski sits in the top 50 for leading league scorers, while Rebels linemate Kaden Barry
is not far behind. Netminder, Matthew Stephens is included in the top ten league stats for goaltenders.
The Assiniboia Jr. B Rebels play in the Bill Johnston Division of the Prairie Junior Hockey Leage as Nelson proudly ascertains they have beat all the teams in their division since Christmas, a positive sign for their playoff potential.
The team also reminds fans that Rebel gear is
available at the rink which helps show support for your hometown team, in the rink or where ever you go.
The last regular season game is on the road Feb. 15 and playoffs are set to begin after that.
“We are peaking at the right time. With the addition of five top end players to the roster and a new coach, who is a real asset to the team, it’s all combining to make a difference,” ac-
knowledges Nelson. Follow the PJHL league website for the most accurate, up to date schedule, stats and standings or follow the Rebels social media for the latest updates. Now is the time to rally your family and friends and come out and support your hometown Jr. Rebels as they continue their winning ways to a playoff sport in the Prairie Junior Hockey League.
Sedentary lifestyle = danger!
Most people spend a lot of time sitting at the computer, binge-watching TV shows, playing video games or scrolling on their phones. However, did you know that this sedentary lifestyle can lead to serious health issues like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer and even depression? It’s also linked to a higher risk of mortality.
Recommendations: According to specialists, adults aged 18 and over should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate- to high-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. This means getting your heart rate up and breaking a sweat with
activities like jogging or dancing.
Although physical activity can help reduce your risk of developing certain health problems, it doesn’t cancel them out entirely. If you spend most of your time virtually immobile, you’re still subject to its harmful effects.
Get into the habit of moving throughout the day. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk while talking on the phone or stand instead of sitting while riding the bus. These little changes can make a big difference in thwarting a sedentary lifestyle and improving your overall health. Time to get moving!
Take a mental health break: is loneliness getting you down?
Feeling lonely? It’s not just about being physically alone.
You can feel lonely even when surrounded by others. This emotion can be caused by a recent breakup, the loss of someone important in your life or simply a sense of being out of place in a social group.
Winning strategies: If loneliness is getting the better of you, you may be better able to cope by trying these strategies:
• Avoid comparing yourself to others, especially the people you see on social
media.
• Be patient during times of change, such as moving to a new place or starting a new job.
• Embrace your alone time by picking up a new hobby you enjoy.
• Work on building your social connections, maybe by joining a club or group.
If you need help dealing with feelings of loneliness, don’t hesitate to seek help from mental health professionals and resources. You’re not alone in this!
A skating coach prepares the ice for CanSkate.
Editorial & Opinions
BENEFITS OF LIVING IN SMALL-TOWN SASK.
Paul Kimball/ Carlyle Observer
First of all, I’m thrilled about writing for the Carlyle Observer – again! I wrote for this paper a few years ago, then stepped away for a season. I’m thankful to Dolores for giving me this opportunity to write again.
For most of my life (and it is getting longer and longer), I’ve lived in large cities. First it was Toronto, then it was Winnipeg, a somewhat smaller city.
Occasionally, I heard about small-town life but never paid much attention. After all, I thought, it wasn’t something I would ever experience. Mostly what I heard was negative. “Small towns are cliquish and gossipy… there’s no such thing as privacy”. That sort of thing. Everybody knew everything about everyone and people weren’t hesitant sharing what they knew or thought they knew, if you know what I mean.
Well, I did end up in one of those places … Carnduff. And I discovered that a lot of what I had heard was true. Family connections give the appearance of cliquishness and the gossip wire is very active … and fast! There are very few secrets in small-town Saskatchewan.
An elderly lady whom I visited at our local personal care home from time to time recently passed away. Following our visits, I would return home amazed at how a ‘shut-in’ knew
so much and knew it so quickly. I often felt that she knew about things before they even happened. Small town news gets around faster than social media, it seems.
As uncomfortable as these small town ‘negatives’ may be, I’ve discovered many benefits that are missing (or scarce) in large cities. To be honest, the benefits are such that I’m not sure I’d ever want to return to a large city. I’m now used to the so-called negatives that I’d heard about and even appreciate some of them.
And I’ve really enjoyed the ‘untalked-about’ positives. For example…
A few weeks ago, my wife and I received the tragic word that her younger brother in Winnipeg had passed away very unexpectedly. We had been with him the week before and everything seemed to be fine. We both were in a state of shock, unable to think of much else.
We both had to work that day but our minds were in Winnipeg. When she got home, we couldn’t even think about what to have for supper. I suggested that we go out to eat. We went to a restaurant the next town over and as we entered, we saw some fellow Carnduffians that we knew distantly. We exchanged ‘hellos’ and they asked how we were doing (surprisingly, for a small town, they hadn’t heard the sad
news yet) and we told them about my wife’s brother.
They returned to their table, we ate our meal, and thought nothing further about our brief conversation … until we went to pay the bill. Our meal had been paid for! When we dropped by their place later to thank them, they told us it was the least they could do for us.
Although hardly knowing us, they wanted to be there for us. A beautiful thing that one sees far more often in small towns than in those urban centres.
The following day, we went to Winnipeg to mourn with my wife’s parents. While there, a lot of snow fell in Carnduff. When we returned, our driveway had been shoveled clear. We figured out who did it - another family that we knew better than the couple at the restaurant. It was their way of encouraging us in our season of mourning.
Just recently, a local teen was diagnosed with leukemia and, as is often the case in small towns, the community has rallied to support her family financially and in other ways.
Small-town life comes with many benefits that you don’t hear people talking about in those large cities.
And those benefits make small-town living such a great thing!
Assiniboia Fire Department now gearing up for Firefighter’s Ball
Sherri Solomko / Freelance Reporter
All was quiet for Assiniboia Fire Department as Chief Lacelle reports only one call in December for a structure fire and two false alarms received in January.
In the AFD team’s ongoing commitment to training, their December training sessions focused on hand operated tools and an equipment refresher, both being table top scenarios.
“We also participated in the annual Christmas light parade. There were also education sessions on firefighter decontamination after fighting fires, along with a discussion on the new WCB coverage for firefighter cancers and better ways to prevent contaminants from entering our bodies. Cancer is the leading cause of serious injury and death among firefighters and due to the hazards associated with fire scenes firefighters have a considerably higher chance of developing certain cancers,” added Chief Lacelle.
Fire training in January included discussions on the new year and safe work practices as well as annual fire inspections at Assiniboia Union Hospital and RossPayant Nursing Home.
“We will be having the Firefighters Ball on March 29, 2025 for the first time since COVID. This is an evening of live music from the band Rock Candy with a sit-down supper and silent auction items,” affirms Assiniboia’s Fire Chief.
The purpose of this event is to act as a recognition event for the firefighters and those that support them. The event will include a running slide show, a presentation on what the AFD team does in the community, introducing the firefighters along with awards presentations.
Tickets for this event are available at the Town office, Chuck’s Collision, the Co-op Ag Centre or any member of the fire department.
The Fire Chief passes along their safety topic for January, in regards to use of space heaters. “Space heaters should be placed a minimum of three feet away from anything flammable, such as upholstered furniture, tapestries, mattresses or bedding, and must be turned off when you leave the room or go to sleep. In addition, never store clothing on or around the unit, and never cover the cord or put anything on top of it.”
Rocket ReportPink Game to be hosted at ACHS
By Niamh Hickey
One big annual sports event coming up at ACHS is the Girls Basketball Pink game tournament!
The Pink game will be at the school on Friday, Jan 31 at 7 p.m., against the Fillmore Falcons.
Admission is free with a penny parade and 50/50 to help raise money to support Crystal Christopherson and her family, in her fight against cancer. The team is hoping many from the community will come out to cheer on the girls and help make the fundraiser a big success.
If you are unable to make it to the games, you can check out ACHS’ Facebook page for the online silent auction, ending Friday Jan 31st at 7 p.m.
The businesses and community were very generous and there are lots to bid on! More girls basket-
ball tournament action will take place on Saturday, Feb. 1 at the school.
The boys Rockets basketball team played in Gravelbourg in a nail-biter of a game on Jan. 14, winning 76-73. The special shout outs of the game went to Mason Rasmussen and Grayson Ciocia for their blocks, baskets and rebounds. The boys played an amazing game with so much team spirit, so much so, that the principal of Gravelbourg reached out to the team saying “I loved the cheering last night. Your bench deserves the player of the game award for sure!”
The Rockets boys then stayed home and hosted Coronach on Jan.16, winning 80-65 to cap off their winning streak.
The girls Rockets basketball team also stayed home and hosted Central Collegiate from Moose Jaw on January 22 after their game on Monday was canceled, due to bad weather. The girls came away with a win of 53-42. Their will be no sports events until Friday next week due to final exams week. Good luck to all the ACHS students who have an exam.
Drastic measures taken in local venues to curb disrespect, damages
Sherri Solomko Freelance Reporter
It started with a Facebook post n Assiniboia’s Olympia Theatre page announcing, “Due to lack of respect in the theatre, children will not be allowed to come to the movie without supervision. Anyone misbehaving will be removed from the theatre. Parents please be responsible for your children.”
Numerous comments of surprise and dismay followed citing children climbing on coat racks, crawling on and attempting to pull over vending machines, stuffing and jamming various items into vending machines and disrupting other tenants.
Supporters also voiced concern that kids are not realizing how lucky they are to have such beautiful facilities to utilize.
The Southland Co-op Center posted a similar notice recently that they had no choice but to temporarily close the door to the children’s room at this location.
The space has had many people donate money towards it and has provided a great service to little ones in the rink.
Southland Co-op Centre’s post included this statement, “Sadly, the vandalism and disrespect are at an all time high. We can’t even leave a remote in there without it being smashed to pieces.”
“We have holes in the walls from kids throwing chairs at each other, the wall mounted activities have been ripped off the walls, we have kids spilling their hot chocolate and grinding their popcorn into the carpet and
RCMP Crime Stats
The Assiniboia RCMP responded to nine calls for service during the week of January 20 to 26. These included:
- Abandoned Vehicle - 1
- Assist to Other Agency / General Public - 2
- Break and Enter - 1 - Failure to Stop/Remain at Accident Scene - 1 - Harassing Communications - 1 - Traffic infractions - 1 - Traffic Collisions - 1 - Suspicious Person -
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF PATRICK EDMUND WOLFE, late of Ardill, in the Province of Saskatchewan, Deceased. ALL CLAIMS against the above Estate, duly verified by Statutory Declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 27th day of February, 2025
LEWANS & FORD Barristers and Solicitors Box 759, 228 Centre Street Assiniboia, Saskatchewan Solicitors for the Administrator of the Estate
every single towy we have purchased has been destroyed.”
“We do not have the budget, or the manpower, to have someone site there 24/7. This isn’t’ even happening at well attended hockey games, this is during practises when parents are sitting right outside the door.”
Until a solution has been confirmed which appears to be cameras that will be reviewed daily, fol-
lowed up by phone calls made daily. And, this will also mean kids will be kicked out of this space.
The SCC social media post also acknowledges that they have witnessed horrible behaviour every single day, not only in the kids’ room, but in the multi room, the dressing room hallways and the mini stick rink, making it near impossible to keep and maintain nice things.
Signs were posted Jan.
26 stating that the room is closed until further notice as well as no food or drinks will be allowed in that room.
This public post also garnered numerous comments showcasing community disappointment in these actions as well as support moving forward for whatever needs to be done to potentially resolve this suggesting thing like user fees and pass cards, security cameras or volun-
teer supervisors to enforce rules.
Robert Ellert responded to one comment stating, “Cameras are everywhere except for that room, didn’t think it was necessary.”
For now, solutions will take some collaborative thinking on setting clear expectations, having well-enforced boundaries and outlining clear consequences when misbehaviour occurs.
VOYENT ALERT!
Did you get the 2025 Prepayment Tax Notice Voyent sent on January 21, 2025? If not, head on over to our website
bulletin board in the Asaskan Complex.
→ Submit your event’ on our events calendar -www.assiniboia.net/events_calendar All submitted events willbesharedonsocial media!
→ COUNCILMEETING: The next Council meetings will be February
The St. Radegonde Church recently held a fundraiser, with volunteers counting cash and separating 50/50 tickets. There was a full hall helping to raise funds, with just enough room for dancers way up front.
African photographic journey on exhibit at the Shurniak Art Gallery
Muriel Fuhr Freelance Reporter
Hali Booth is an Assiniboia local who enjoys the art of photography and has since 2010 In 2023 she and Terry embarked on a tour of Tanzania, Africa travelling from Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater then the plains of the Serengeti photographing the plethora of animals she found.
Her art has been displayed at Shurniak Gallery since November 28th, 2024. January 25th, 2025 had her back at the gallery for a presentation of her work from that trip. The display of her photographic exhibition was titled “Amazing Africa”. On speaking to her during the Open House in 2024 she revealed that her dream was to capture a picture of a cat sleeping on a rock while on tour. She was fortunate at that time to land her prize on the last day.
Hali Booth and Terry Lacelle shared their Africa experience at Shurniak Art Gallery. On display were her artistic photography.
Hali and Terry shared videos and still shots of their trip naming all the types of animals and telling of their adventure. Included in their videos was a group of Africans from a village nearby one of the places they toured sharing their way of life. The bright colours of their clothing and adornments were a stark contrast to the clothing of the group on tour. In preparing for
the trip Hali and Terry had to update their shots and wardrobe as the recommendation was muted colours that did not stand out.
Hali shared that she used the same skills of photography as she does in the studio with a few different techniques for capturing still shots of moving animals. The security was very tight as they were never allowed to go anywhere without
a guide or escort for protection. The inspiration for this trip came from an experience at the National Geographic Gallery in 2014. Her response to the question of her favourite part of the safari was “The whole 9 day tour!” To top off the “Amazing Africa” presentation animal crackers were shared as a snack. All present enjoyed the anecdotes and PowerPoint Presentation.
•
• Adjacent to
• Adjacent to the Assiniboia Composite High School on 3rd Street West from Bell Road
• Adjacent to the Assiniboia Child Care Centre on 4th Avenue East & 4th Street East
• Adjacent to the Golden South Childcare Centre on 3rd Street West
• Adjacent to the Post Office & the Hayley & Cayden Memorial Park on 4th Avenue West The consolidated Traffic Bylaw 11/20 is available for review on our website at www.assiniboia.net or in the Town Office, 131 3rd Ave West, Assiniboia, SK Public Works crew will be replacing the current
our one song commute to work in Assiniboia will allow you to
USask to Offer Nursing Education in Ten Saskatchewan Communities
“I found this to be such a great opportunity to attend the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and have access to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program right in my community of La Ronge,” says USask College of Nursing BSN student Leandra McLeod.
McLeod is completing her third year of the BSN program at the USask College of Nursing distributed nursing site in La Ronge.
Kylie Kelso,
Senior
Marketing
Since 2012, USask College of Nursing has been offering the undergraduate BSN program at a number of locations throughout Saskatchewan.
Currently, students can complete their entire BSN degree in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, La Ronge, Île-à-laCrosse, Yorkton, Lloydminster, North Battleford, and Muenster.
Beginning September 2025, students from Swift Current and Weyburn will
DVANCED
TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING
Reg Lewis (Swift Curr ent)
Ph: (306) 774-4557
Fax: (306) 773-0853
Email: advanced1A@sasktel.net Swift Current, Moose Jaw
Professional in-Truck & Air Brake Training
and Communications
Specialist, University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing
also have theopportunity to complete their entire nursing degree in their community.
“We listened to the people of Saskatchewan and over the last two years announced our expansion to four additional locations in the province where students previously did not have access to the BSN program,” said USask College of Nursing Dean Dr. Solina Richter (DCur).
“It is important our program offering is inclusive of rural and remote areas of Saskatchewan.
When the students at the distributed nursing sites complete their nursing degrees, they will help to fill unmet registered nursing workforce needs in rural Saskatchewan. We are decreasing the likelihood of these communities experiencing a registered nursing shortage, as the students will likely practice in the community once becoming licensed.”
“Becoming a nurse was something I knew I always wanted to do, but as a single mother, moving away from
Prince Albert to complete my nursing degree was not realistic,” says USask College of Nursing student Desiré Hoare, who is finishing her fourth year in the BSN program at the USask Prince Albert Campus.
Both McLeod and Hoare say the opportunity to learn where they live has been a wonderful experience.
“The small class sizes in La Ronge and the additional help you get from instructors when needed means there is a lot of oneon-one time,” says McLeod. “I would recommend the BSN program to anyone who has an interest in healthcare.”
It took McLeod six years to take the leap, but watching a number of peers go through the BSN program in La Ronge ultimately motivated her to apply.
The College of Nursing Learn Where You Live model has proven successful at distributed sites
like La Ronge and Île-àla-Crosse. Since the first students entered the BSN program in La Ronge and Île-à-la-Crosse, 68 nursing students have completed their degree in northern Saskatchewan.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to study nursing in Prince Albert,” adds Hoare.
For more information on the University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, please visit https://admissions.usask.ca/nursing. php.
University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing student Leandra McLeod from the La Ronge distributed nursing site.
Photo Credit: Megan Heyhurst Photography
Business students at Medicine Hat College
Saskatchewan Polytechnic business students transform learning into real-world success
One of the great benefits of a polytechnic education is applied learning — a method where students take what they learn in the classroom, shop or lab and apply it in a real-world setting. Instructors at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s School of Business and Entrepreneurship embrace the concept and are expanding opportunities for students to connect their program learning with partner
organizations, business and industry before they graduate.
Academic chair Kirsten Downey has been tracking applied learning initiatives in the school and is pleased to see such variety across a wide range of courses. “All of our students should have the chance to take the concepts they learn from their instructors and apply them to see actual results,” she says.
Ashley Hatley, who teaches marketing, guided her class on a market research project initiated by the City of Moose Jaw. “Students presented their findings to City of Moose Jaw representatives in early December,” reports Hatley. “The project gave students an indepth look at economic development opportunities and then allowed them to practice presenting what they learned
in front of an actual client.” Human resources instructor Genelle Payant connected her class with Thunder Creek Rehabilitation Association.
Without dedicated human resources expertise, Thunder Creek’s job descriptions were out of date. Students created new job descriptions and used them to write job postings. Executive director Chad Topp was pleased with the work, saying, “The
Business pathways start at Medicine Hat College
Taylor Hicke chose Medicine Hat College (MHC) for its small size, welcoming community and proximity to his hometown of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, but the connections he made and the opportunities he had led to his decision to stay.
“The biggest highlight of my experience was the relationships I was able to build through my two years at MHC,” says the Sport & Event Marketing and Management graduate from the School of Business.
“Some of my instructors became mentors and that was a big part of my success within the program.”
MHC’s School of Business is deeply connected to Southeast Alberta, providing real world learning experiences for students across all
of its programs. In addition to specialty programs like Sport & Event Marketing and Management and Service Dog and Canine Management Studies, the school offers a robust Business Administration diploma program with majors in accounting, financial services, management and marketing, plus pathways to further education like degrees and professional designations. A diploma in Administrative Office Management and certificate options for Administrative Office Professional, Advanced Accounting, Intermediate Accounting and Marketing (new for Fall 2025) are also available.
As Taylor discovered, students in MHC’s School of Business don’t just study. They engage in immersive experiences, learn directly
from seasoned industry professionals, delve into real company case studies, and, in select programs, participate in transformative workplace integrated learning. For Taylor, that meant hands-on group work to create marketing campaigns for local businesses, provide support for sporting events, and fundraise for community causes.
Now Taylor is putting his education to work as a member of the marketing team at South Country Coop’s Business Support Centre.
“My studies at MHC really prepared me for my career and everything I am doing on a daily basis like marketing plans, sponsorship and graphic design,” says Taylor. He also continues in his role as basketball game night lead for Rattlers Athletics, util-
izing his event management skills and keeping him connected to MHC.
“We’re here to help students discover their passions,” adds Dr. Morgan Blair, dean of the School of Business and Continuing Studies. ”Through rigorous coursework, networking opportunities, and enriching extracurricular activities, students cultivate the professional they aspire to become. Connected. Confident. Capable. When you enroll with us, you’re not just starting a course or program – you’re launching your career.”
Get started today! Visit www.mhc.ab.ca/welcomeSK.
ideas and drafts we received helped us to make attractive and enticing postings. We had been using job descriptions as postings, and this project helped us understand how the two are different and what makes for a great job posting.”
Payant notes she has done similar exercises in the past but this was the first time working with a real organization. “Knowing they were working with an actual client made it exciting for the students as they knew they had to deliver,” she explains.
Instructor Megan Moulding’s business insurance students had an opportunity to work with Saskatchewan Insurance Professionals. Students took turns staging a social media takeover, where they created videos about an insurance-related topic or about themselves and why they chose insurance, then posted them to the organization’s social pages. “The students really enjoyed the assignment and used a lot of creativity,” shares Moulding.
The results were impressive, with one takeover post generating more than 1,000 impressions and the daily average for all student posts close to 550. “For a small or-
ganization, that’s real reach,” says Moulding.
Practicing what you have learned by doing it before entering the workforce is key to making connections, notes Downey. Some opportunities are part of instructors’ curriculum and others are addon opportunities that require students to apply.
Two students specializing in Sport Management were selected to travel to the 2024 Grey Cup Festival in Vancouver, where they assisted with the Sask Polytech and Canadian Football League’s Player Association (CFLPA) partnership activation. Robyn Dutertre and Joshua Grant helped with a kickoff party STO24-110 Applied learning in business story where they had the chance to connect with CFL alumni and other attendees. Instructor Chelsea Jones says it was a great opportunity to work with a sports organization of that calibre. Dutertre agrees, “Our trip to work with the CFLPA deepened our understanding of the sports industry and provided practical insights that will benefit our future.”
For more information visit saskpolytech.ca/business.
Sister Marguerite Hamel Sister Marguerite Hamel passed away at Villa Aulneau in St Boniface on Tuesday January 7th 2025 at the age of 96 She was a member of the religious Congregation of the Missionary Oblate Sisters of St Boniface for 72 years Marguerite was born in Meyronne SK on January 14th, 1928 Her father, Philibert Hamel, was born in Winnipeg, and her mother, Clara Vachon, was born in Oak Lake MB She leaves to mourn her passing the members of her religious Congregation, her sister Rita, m o , her brothers Guy (Daniel), Denis (Judy), Raymond and numerous nieces and nephews She was predeceased by her parents her brothers and sisters-in-law Ernest (Mary) Eugène (Luella Johnson) Jean Gérard (Gracia Legros), and her sister Elodie (Gérard Brisebois) Eulogy will be on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, at 1:15 p m , in the chapel at Villa Aulneau, 601 Aulneau, Winnipeg, MB Mass of resurrection will follow at 1:30 p m at the same address Interment of the ashes will take place on Tuesday January 21st 2025 at 11:00 a m in the St Boniface
Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not
land.com
Saying active can help with muscle and bone density
Fitness is an important component of overall wellness. Indeed, staying active has been linked to a number of noteworthy benefits, including decreased disease risk and improved mental health.
Routine exercise helps a person burn calories and maintain a healthy weight. Weight gain is common among aging individuals, with both men and women tending to put on weight in their mid-sections. Weight gain is a risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Older adults may need to step up their fitness regimens to combat growing waistlines.
Staying active also can help with muscle and bone density, which can decline with age. Exercise is
important for maintaining bone strength as the body ages. Strength-training exercises put stress on bones so they can make bones stronger. Here we explore some routines that may be best for people age 50 and older.
Yoga is a low-impact practice that improves muscle strength, balance, mobility, and flexibility. All of these factors are important for seniors. For those who find that conventional forms of yoga are too taxing on joints and bones, chair yoga is a lower-impact form of the exercise.
Cycling - riding a bike is a cardiovascular workout that offers a wide range of benefits. Most people find riding a bike is easy on the joints, and regular cycling can increase muscle strength and enhance flexibility.
A visit to the museum is good for your health
Healthy aging isn’t just about eating right and exercising. It’s about embracing a full and enriching lifestyle. From staying active and socializing to getting a good night’s sleep, every aspect counts. And let’s not forget the joy of visiting an art museum. The benefits of this cultural activity are so numerous that some doctors even prescribe it to their senior patients.
Tangible benefits: Wandering through an art museum, whether in person or virtually, to admire the creations of talented artists is truly uplifting. This activity is especially beneficial for older adults dealing with chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, neurological issues, cognitive impairment or mental health challenges.
Exploring art in a museum has been shown to have a calming effect on older individuals, leading to reduced blood pressure, lower heart rate and decreased stress levels. In other words, visiting a museum can help relax your body and mind.
Whether you’re browsing the halls of a museum on your own or with your loved ones, whether in person or from the comfort of your home on a computer or tablet, you’ve got everything to gain by immersing yourself in the world of art. When’s your next museum visit?
The pace and intensity of rides can be customized depending on riders’ speed and the routes they ride.
Pilates - an exercise routine that now bears his name in the early 20th century. Pilates emphasizes core strength and stability, but works all the major muscle groups in the body. Since it is another low-impact exercise, it can be suitable for people with joint issues.
Body weight exercises: as individuals age, they may find that working with dumbells, barbells or weight equipment at the gym is too taxing. Using body weight to build strength is a low-intensity option. Squats, wall push-ups, chair push-ups, and resistance bands can be used to build strength.
broaden horizons, expand minds, stimulate curiosity and cultivate critical thinking for readers. They also improve reading and writing skills, while bringing lessons and current events to life!
Against the grain, Assiniboia woman fills need for gluten free business
Sherri Solomko Freelance Reporter
What once was a career as a recreational therapist, working at Foothills Hospital in Calgary has now changed direction and the unique business known as ‘No Gluten Kneaded’, in Assiniboia, was created.
Melissa Solberg said since having her family and moving to Assiniboia to become a stay-at-home mom, she has worked some shortterm jobs in town. Managing the Prince of Wales, casual help at the post office and also Assiniboia Housing didn’t fulfill the need to do something closer to her heart.
“I have always loved baking/cooking and being in the kitchen. In July of 2022 we discovered through blood tests that our youngest couldn’t have gluten anymore. After just mastering sourdough for my family, I was pretty sad. Also, I had no idea how to bake without gluten,” said Solberg.
The family started purchasing gluten free baking and affirmed it was awful and most of the product went in the garbage.
The result of this failed experiment was Solberg signing up for gluten free baking classes in Regina, learning how to make a few things. She followed those classes with online courses. With the online courses, Solberg is also a member and pays an annual fee to be part of a group with professional gf bakers that support her
with any questions.
“From there I was able to learn how to convert most of my old recipes to gluten free and it was tasting really good. So, I started sharing my baking, and was getting comments that people couldn’t tell it was gluten free. With a nudge from some good friends, I gained the confidence to put myself out there and try selling some Christmas baking a few years ago. The feedback and support were phenomenal,” adds Solberg No Gluten Kneaded quickly evolved. Solberg starting doing more research on gut health and healing, and began baking with more organic ingredients, not using seed oils, dyes, or high fructose syrups. “I also loved the idea of supporting local as much as possible & started using local eggs, fruits, and whatever I could find that wasn’t sprayed with chemicals. “
Solberg said she began shopping more at The Wandering Market in Moose Jaw as she really resonated with Nadine’s mission and her store values. She bought her cookies and asked to be a vendor and from there, she had stores contacting her to carry her product.
“In beginning I was just slinging the odd bun or cookies from home. But since stepping foot into the Wandering Market, my little passion/hobby has exploded! I feel that every month there are more people that
get introduced to my baking & there is more demand. I never expected this to be a full-time gig, and I am so grateful to have created such a fun home business,” adds the Assiniboia business owner.
Solberg says balance is her biggest challenge as she does not possess a moderate personality, affirming she is an all or nothing person. Having a hoe business offers struggles balancing family duties and work time., finding a struggle of knowing when to end her day knowing she can just bust out one more batch, or get one more thing done on her to do list.
Add in the responsibility of social media, bookkeeping, photography and continual learning was intimidating to begin with but Solberg said she has started to get into a routine. Although admittedly, she has a hard time saying no so is committed to become more aware of burnout and when to cap off her work time.
However, Solberg also affirms that she feels lucky to work from home, choose her ours, take holidays when she wants, offer support on farm when needed, and be available for the kids on the drop of a hat. Flexibility is a certain highlight of her job.
The happiness factor is plentiful for Solberg as so many people who can’t have gluten and have not been able to find a good tasting cookie are continually giving her positive feedback.
Community connections are also a huge benefit.
Solberg’s expansion includes delivering customers in Regina and Moose Jaw. She also has several stores
that she delivers to in Moose Jaw, Regina, Emerald Park, Ogema, Rockglen and Battlefords.
“The support in Assiniboia has been incredible. I
was really nervous to put my product out there. Small towns can be judgmental & so intimidating, but the response has been overwhelming & amazing.”
