Yorkton Marketplace 2023-01-06

Winter

Photo submitted by Kristina Just

Petruic joins rare company in 2020

The Yorkton Junior Terriers are celebrating 50 years in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League this season.

To mark the milestone Yorkton This Week is digging into its archives and pulling out a random Terrier-related article from the past five decades of reporting on the team, and will be running one each week, just as it originally appeared.

This feature will appear weekly over the entire season in the pages of The Marketplace.

Week #16 comes from Jan. 8, 2020.

And then there were six.

After a two-goal effort Friday, and another pair Saturday, Chantz Petruic joined rather elite company becoming only the sixth player in Yorkton Terrier history to score 50-goals in a single season.

“I didn’t know that at all. It’s cool,” said Petruic Monday, when asked if he was aware how rare his achievement was in the annuals of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League franchise.

Petruic did admit he more, or less, had scoring 50 as a personal goal this season.

“I guess I’d kind of made it a bit of a goal,” he said, adding that it was not something he

dwelled on as the season rolled along. “I didn’t really think about it game-to-game.”

But now that the 50th goal is in the book, the 20-year-old Terrier forward admitted “obviously it’s pretty special. It’s one of those things where I’m glad that I got it.”

However, Petruic said he’s not exactly sure how to react to the accomplishment even as he joins an elite group that includes Darrell Spelay who did it four times, Bryan Kuspira, Pat Ford, Ed Zawatzky and most recently in the 1991-92 season Dean Seymour.

“It’s a little different feeling from winning a championship,” he said, noting that is always the ultimate goal. “It’s more of a personal thing ... It was something I’m pretty amazed I was able to do.”

It was made all the more special that Petruic’s dad, grandmother, uncle, cousin and a couple of his best friends from Moose Jaw were in the stands in Humboldt Saturday.

“I scored right in the

corner where they were,” said Petruic of his 50th that came with only three seconds left on the clock. “It was nice to get it done with them there.”

The 50 goals came after what Petruic said was a slow start to his season.

“I didn’t really have the best start to the year,” he said, adding that a change in approach seemed to kickstart things. “About 15-games in I started to shoot the puck more and the bounces started to go my way a bit more.”

Petruic said he is just as happy to pass the puck to set up a teammate –he has 44 assists – but added you need to shoot to score.

“I like to make a pass, like to set my teammates up ... (But), I started to shoot a bit more to create chances from that a bit more,” he said.

As the goals start to go in, the goal of 50 became more likely.

“Before Christmas I started to get real close,” said Petruic, adding that was when he started to

think about it more.

Still, Petruic said he strives to be more than just a goal scorer.

“I want to evolve my game into an all-around player,” he said.

“Dad always says I should shoot the puck more. He doesn’t think I shoot enough, so he gives me the gears, but I’m always working on being better in our end, being reliable in our end.”

In that respect Petruic said Terrier coach Mat Hehr has been a big help, in particular reminding him to play like he can “and don’t let the confidence go down if I have a bad game ... If you don’t have confidence you can’t do anything out there.

“Mat Hehr has really advanced my game, to be the player I can be.”

Teammates are of course important too.

Petruic said as a 19-year he learned a lot from Branden Klatt and

Jared Legien.

“They helped me out a lot,” he said.

This year Petruic started the season on a line with Brett LeGrandeur and Jordan Guiney, and now hits the ice with Keenan and Kaeden Taphorn.

“Obviously scoring goals wouldn’t be possible without teammates,” he said, adding he owes them a lot of credit for the success he has enjoyed.

What will come next for Petruic after his final season with the Terriers is compete – with a league championship and beyond he hopes?

“I’m not really sure really. It’s still up in the air,” he said, adding it might be a pro contract somewhere, or off to a Canadian college to play hockey, although what his career path past hockey will be is still to be decided.

“I’m not sure what the best route is for me yet.”

As the season wears on, and the accolades mount, Petruic has been SJHL Player of the Month three times, he said he just wants to focus on winning games now.

“I just try to stay humble,” he said, adding in his mind the goals are just part of doing his job.

“It’s just one of those things. I hold myself to a certain standard. I’ve always been hard on myself. If I don’t play the game hard, play the best I can, I let my teammates down. Obviously being a leader I have to lead by example.”

And, in the back of his mind Petruic admits 60 goals looms.

“I’m thinking about it a little bit,” he said with a smile. “Obviously team success comes first, but you play around with it (the idea of 60), a little bit in my head.”

USask chemist wins national institute’s early career research award

SASKATOON – University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Dr. Tara Kahan (PhD), recognized as a world leader in both atmospheric chemistry in snow and ice (cryospheric chemistry) and indoor chemistry, has won the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) Environment Division’s 2023 Early Career Research Award.

“I’m still processing. Getting this award is really exciting,” said Kahan. “People who have won this award in the past are people whom I greatly admire. Being put in the same category as them is validating and really important recognition by my peers.”

As the winner, she will present a keynote lecture at CIC’s Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (CSC 2023) in Vancouver in early June.

Kahan was recruited to join USask’s College of Arts and Science chemistry department in 2018 after six years at Syracuse University as an assistant professor. She was awarded a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Environmental Analytical Chemistry in 2019.

“In her short time at USask, she has shown herself to be a world-class scholar whose research has had impact at both the national and international level,” wrote Dr. Matt Paige (PhD), head of the chemistry department, in a letter supporting the CIC nomination.

“Her contributions to research are evidenced by her scholarly publication record, her participation in international collaborative research projects, her

track record of invited conference presentations and by how highly in-demand she is for public scientific outreach.”

Kahan’s groundbreaking research on ice-surface chemistry includes using a specialized laser-based Raman microscope to demonstrate for the first time that pollutants behave very differently on snow and ice than in liquid water. Kahan said this finding could settle what had been ongoing confusion, disagreement and debate in the cryospheric chemistry community about it.

“This allows us to move forward with making atmospheric models that, for instance, predict what will happen in the future in the Arctic as it warms, opening up shipping lanes and adding more pollution that affects the ecosystem there. It could also open up the way to new remediation opportunities based on some of the chemistry that we see.”

Dr. Paul Shepson (PhD), dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University in New York, wrote that the analytical methods Kahan has developed to characterize physical and chemical properties of air-ice interfaces have led to new insights about reactions in snow-covered regions and “shattered” long-held views.

“Tara has shown us a new picture of nature’s reality … she has taken us a quantum leap forward,” Shepson wrote.

We at The Meeple Guild are finding that promoting board game play is actually quite gratifying.

It is really great to see new faces at the Tuesday night gaming event at Yorkton Public Library and the Blood Bowl league starting at Tapp’s will be a blast.

So it was with more than a little interest I happened upon a post regarding World Chess Day, which is just a fun way to promote an already widely known game.

It got us thinking what other games have designated days, which might be an impetus for local Meeple Guild activities as the year progresses.

There were several, and details follow, but it was also interesting old and great games such as Go and the Mancala family are not among those found, and no game created this century is there either.

But, without further adieu here are the designated days – mark your calendar and join The Meeple Guild (Yorkton) Facebook page where local events will be posted for some of the offerings. (Information is gleaned from the Internet – much of it from the fun www.nationaltoday.com site.)

International Cribbage Day – Feb. 10

Cribbage is one of the oldest and most popular card games. Sir John Suckling invented the game in the early 17th Century, based on the old English game “noddy.” Although the exact date that cribbage was invented is lost to history, we celebrate National Cribbage Day on February 10, Suckling’s birthday. Millions of Americans of all ages enjoy playing cribbage at home with their families or with friends in bars and social clubs. The most common variant is played with two players, and the score is kept on a cribbage board with 121 holes and pegs. Since 2017, February 10 has been designated as International Cribbage Day.

Check out the Feb. 7, games night at YPL, it is likely a cribbage board will be on a table, and likely King’s Court Cribbage and Crib Cross too.

AWARD

Continued from Page 2

Game days of 2023

World Backgammon Day – March 21

The World Backgammon Association encourages people to gather, play, and organize tournaments or simply enjoy one of the oldest games in the world! Backgammon is a two-player game with fifteen pieces that move between twenty-four triangles according to the roll of two dice. Part of the table games family, its origins can be traced back to 5,000 years ago thanks to archeological discoveries found in Persia, or today’s Iraq, including ancient dice made of human bones. Nowadays, backgammon is a common feature of coffeehouses in the Middle East, including Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, and Egypt.

National Scrabble DayApril 13

April 13 is the day Scrabble inventor Alfred Mosher Butts was born. He gave the world an iconic board game now played all over the world. Today, more than seven decades later, we live for “Triple Word Scores”! Not to mention, the strategic use of those mysterious blank tiles.

Now then, time to lift the lid on that game box, pick out your first seven letters, and begin! Don’t forget the Scrabble Dictionary. We don’t want any squabbles — which, by the way, happens to be a valuable Scrabble word (21 points)! It’s time to C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E one of the world’s most iconic board games.

Check out the April 11, games night at YPL, it is likely Scrabble will be on a table or two.

National Poker Day –April 19

Playing poker is a great way to spend time with your family without having to talk or go on a big outing. Nothing beats a slow-paced game of cards for unwinding while having fun. You can also spice things up by playing for higher stakes with friends. Put your skills to the ultimate test and get rewards for your expertise. Claim tournament prizes or simply enjoy bragging rights among your peers.

National Mahjong Day –April 30

Mahjong Day is said to be an opportunity to celebrate the game, and

the enduring friendships and memories made, the spirit of togetherness, and to encourage giving back to the great game by paying it forward.

Mahjong promotes togetherness, friendly and spirited competition, friendships, and mutual respect.

Mahjong is becoming a regular favourite at YPL games night but will be highlight April 25 for sure.

National Solitaire Day –May 22

National Solitaire Day recognizes a card game that has been around for more than 200 years.

Also known as Klondike, the classic version of the game uses a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The object of the game is to clear the board by creating a stack of cards from low to high in each suit. If the player completes each suit, the player wins the game of Solitaire.

International Tabletop Day – June 3 (in 2023)

On the first Saturday in June, gamers unite for International Tabletop Day. Tabletop games have been played for years and they’ve evolved over the centuries. Battleship, for example, started on paper, and in the original, it included land areas and water. As time went on, it entered the third dimension as a vertical toy, and then went on to become one of the first computer games.

International Chess Day – July 20

International Chess Day is celebrated annually on 20 July, the day the International Chess Federation (FIDE) was founded, in 1924.

Hopefully a ‘Chess in the Park’ event will be held in Yorkton that week this year.

From Wikipedia, “the idea to celebrate this day as the international chess day was proposed by UNESCO, and it has been celebrated as such since 1966, after it was established by FIDE.

FIDE, which has 181 chess federations as its members organizes chess events and competitions around the world on this day. As recently as 2013, the international chess day was celebrated in 178 countries, according to FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. On 12 December, 2019, the UN General Assembly unanimously approved a resolution recognizing the day.”

The day is celebrated by many of the 605 million regular chess players around the world.

Gary Gygax Day – July 27

Gary Gygax Day is celebrated in honour of the co-creator who brought forth a fantasy game that still allures the world. It is also often called Dungeons & Dragons Day.

More than 30 years ago, Ernest Gary Gygax along with Dave Arneson introduced the world to fantasy table-top games, and we have been hooked ever since. It remains one of the most popular games having undergone many spin-offs and adaptations. Gygax is often called the ‘father of modern role-playing games.’

According to Hoyle Day -- August 29

On According to Hoyle Day Edmond Hoyle, who is best known for his definitive books on the rules and regulations of the popular board games and card games of his time is honoured.

Hoyle’s vast knowledge of gameplay and rules became the final word, with many people verifying a rule by saying the phrase “According to Hoyle…”

International Games Week – November 5-11

International Games Week, designated for every second week of November, is when communities worldwide can connect with their libraries through various types of games.

Did you know that when the first libraries were created 5,000

years ago, they marked the beginning of history? Libraries have evolved over the years as a repository of knowledge and information, from brick and mortar to living on the World Wide Web. Games played during this period range from trivia games and tabletop games (“Dungeons and Dragons”) to board games (chess) and video games (“Call of Duty”).

Of course games are celebrated every Tuesday at the YPL, so mark Nov. 7 as a special one.

Chess Shogi (Japanese) Day – November 17 (in Japan)

Chess Shogi (Japanese) Day, the day to promote shogi and cultural exchanges nationwide in Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate designated this day in the lunar calendar as a day for the annual tournament in 1716.

Shogi is played on a chess-like board written 9×9=81 boxes and starts with 20 pieces per each.

It developed ‘Chaturanga’, a game in ancient India.

National Play Monopoly Day November 19

The game of Monopoly was invented about 118 years ago, and National Play Monopoly Day recognizes Monopoly as a favorite pastime of millions of Americans. Although it has caused many friendships to crumble, the board game is known as one of the most popular worldwide.

National Dice Day -December 4

Can you believe that dice have been around for over 5,000 years? Dice are popular all over the world and are available in many colors, shapes, materials, and forms. From “Monopoly” and “Snakes and Ladders” to your favorite roleplaying game, this ancient gaming tool is an integral

part of many games.

It’s almost a given some dice will roll at the Dec. 5, Games Night – maybe even some Yahtzee in recognition of the day.

National Card Playing Day -- December 28

In the 9th century, the Chinese began developing games using money and other paper objects. These early playing cards bear no resemblance to the sturdier European playing cards that emerged a few centuries later.

Card games spread around the world in a variety of shapes and styles. From the elaborate Mamluk designs of Egypt to the appearance of the first playing cards during the Early Renaissance in Europe, the decks were divided into four suits of coins, cups, swords, and sticks or batons.

It is from these four suits that today’s modern decks of playing cards developed. Theories range how the suits converted to hearts, spades, diamonds and clubs. One theory suggests the suits represent the different classes of the era – clergy, aristocracy, military, and peasantry.

In India, the ten suited card game of Ganjifa became popular during the Moghul period. Traditionally, artists hand-painted a stunning scene on each of the 120 cards in the deck.

A standard pack of cards may be used for playing a variety of card games, with varying elements of skill and chance, some of which are played for money. Some of the top card games include Spades, Poker, Solitaire, Spite and Malice, Hearts, Spoons, Gin Rummy, Ridge, Black Jack, and Texas Hold’em. Of course, there are thousands of card games, some of which are regional favorites.

Kahan is also pioneering methods and tools to research how solutes—chemicals like salt spread on roads—affect the chemistry of ice and snow at the surface, the complex reactions that occur when salt combines with decaying organic matter, and the unintended consequences of the byproducts for land and aquatic life.

She describes having access

to the Canadian Light Source to understand how molecules behave at the ice surface as a huge benefit that makes her move to USask that much more career-enhancing.

Kahan’s other major research area is indoor chemistry. She gained international attention during the height of the pandemic-induced frenzy of cooking (on gas stoves) and hyper-cleaning by people confined to their homes

with research that showed high levels of reactive and toxic oxidants and providing the first timeresolved measurements of nitrogen oxides and nitrous acids in the air.

“Mostly what I am doing is finding new ways to measure what’s in the air, and then using those methods to see how things that people do affect the air that they are breathing,” she said.

— Submitted

It was back in 2019, I first had an opportunity to interview Canadian filmmaker Kat Jayme when her short film ‘Finding Big Country’ was a finalist in the Emerging Filmmaker category at that year’s Yorkton Film Festival.

Jayme grew up watching the Vancouver Grizzlies struggle though their short existence.

“I’m a huge basketball fan. I’ve loved it since I was seven years old,” she said in 2019, an age which just happened to coincide with the arrival of the National Basketball Association Grizzlies.

That love would lead

Jayme to pursue creating a film based on the Grizzlies star Bryant Reeves. Jayme remembered ‘Big Country’ fondly, and when she was in film school the idea of ‘Finding Big Country’ to get his story took shape, ultimately leading to the film of the same name.

More on the Big Country film in a bit, as I was able to reconnect with Jayme recently for her new effort, a feature length piece again focused squarely on her beloved Grizzlies this time a film documenting the team not just one notable player entitled ‘The Grizzlie Truth’.

The film explores the

mysterious departure of the Vancouver Grizzlies NBA franchise through the eyes of director Jayme.

“Her search, 25 years after the team left, explores the unique and remarkable untold story behind the franchise’s downfall and the impact it had on the

Sports

community. Much more than a sports story, The Grizzlie Truth is a blend of mystery, mixed with a comedy of errors and a true underdog epic that drives Jayme’s search for the truth about what happened to the franchise,” explains a release on the film.

What Jayme has

focused on here is the bigger story on an expansion franchise that came and went in something of a blink on an eye in Vancouver.

“I always wanted to make this film,” Jayme explained in a recent telephone interview, adding her previous short was “was a step in the direction of making a longer feature film.”

‘Finding Big Country’ while having its own merit as a story was also very much “a proof of concept,” said Jayme, adding “it ended up opening a lot of doors” because “it made a really big splash.”

For those who are unfamiliar with Reeves, he was one of the few shining lights for Grizzlie fans in Vancouver, one of them was supposed to be Bryant Reeves, taken sixth overall in the 1995 NBA draft.

It was Reeves who really cemented Jayme as a fan, although the big centre’s time with Vancouver was not exactly a time of stardom and success.

And it never quite worked out for Reeves, or for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies’ story was something Jayme said she knew could make a good film.

“I knew there was so much more to explain and say about the

USask researchers to gain remote access to huge array of Statistics Canada data

SASKATOON – A recent investment of $17.4 million in a national research and training platform by two federal granting agencies will provide University of Saskatchewan (USask) health and social sciences researchers secure remote access to a wide array of microdata from Statistics Canada.

“This is a significant investment in terms of social sciences, and it will provide faculty and graduate students access to survey data on large samples of 30,000 or 60,000 people they wouldn’t otherwise be able to actually generate,” said Dr. Carl D’Arcy (PhD), professor of psychiatry in USask’s College of Medicine, and School of Public Health (epidemiology).

“I want to stress that it’s high-quality, anonymized data you can access

and use it whatever reasonably way you see fit. It provides huge opportunities for doing research of significance to Canada or even regionally,” said D’Arcy, academic director for the Saskatchewan Research Data Centre (SKY-RDC) platform.

Study results are publishable in high quality journals.

SKY-RDC is part of the nationwide Canadian Research Data Centre Network (CRDCN) that received the funding announced in November by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This investment follows another $17.4 million in ongoing funding for CRDCN announced this summer by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

D’Arcy said research-

ers can divide the national data sets provided by Statistics Canada and administrative data available from federal and provincial agencies any way they want to, and look at a single province, region or the entire country.

“What’s readily available is really significant,” D’Arcy said, noting that about 40 faculty and student clusters are making use of the data, with graduate students often using the platform to access information for use in their theses. Researchers need an approved project to access data.

With available data covering long periods, researchers can track trends in everything from population structure to disease prevalence, adult literacy, immigration integration, and child

poverty. Data from the Canadian Social Survey provides data on everything from well-being, unpaid work, and family time to quality of life and cost of living, to issues such as discrimination. The wide array of other data covers geographical data, agriculture-related data, economic data of all types, and health-related data.

“I don’t think USask faculty and students make as much use of it as they should, especially because for junior faculty members it’s highquality data you can use that really requires no extra funding,” he said.

“When you wish to develop an area of expertise and do not have a large amount of grant funding available to you, these datasets give you a foundation from which you can certainly develop a publication

track record. All it takes is your time and effort.”

SKY-RDC currently has about 10 workstations at its location in the Murray Library, where USask users and authorized users must go to access the data through the CRDCN network with support from onsite Statistics Canada analyst Dr. Ruben Mercado (PhD).

The planned move in the next year or two by Statistics Canada and 33 universities across Canada to establish the new virtual Research Data Centre (vRDC) platform will, for the first time, enable bonafide social science and health researchers to remotely access most of the confidential datasets through their laptops or tabletop computers, as well as enhance their access at campus-based RDCs. —

Vancouver Grizzlies.”

Part of the story was of course near utter failure on the court during the team’s six seasons in Vancouver.

Vancouver Grizzlies remembered CALVIN DANIELS

The Grizzlies were established in 1995, along with the Toronto Raptors, as part of the NBA’s expansion into Canada.

Like most expansion teams, the Grizzlies struggled in their early years. The team finished last in the division in five of its seasons, and never won more than 30 per cent of its games in any of the team’s seasons in Vancouver. In total, the team won 101 games, lost 359, and never qualified for the NBA playoffs.

But the move of the franchise to Memphis in 2001 stung fans like Jayme, and that sense of loss eventually led to the new film.

So why has the interest in the Grizzlies remained two decades after the move south?

Jayme said it has a lot to do with the jersey, the snarling bear dribbling a basketball is a hot item among vintage jersey enthusiasts and it is proudly worn still, keeping the team in people’s minds.

And, Jayme said with a local owner, if the NBA returned today, the game could thrive in Vancouver, so she is happily not surprised the new film is garnering attention.

You can follow the latest on The Grizzlie Truth, including screening info at thegrizzlietruth.com

Owned and operated by: The Pr airie Newspaper G roup LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp

Publisher/ Advertising Manager: John Bauman

Editor : Calvin Daniels

Reporter: Tyson Off

Production Team: Kristin Jordens Diane Miller

Wayne Remanda

Advertising Sales: Julianne Thom

Classified Sales: Casey Shields Phone: 306-782-2465 Fax: 306-786-1898 e-mail: editorial@yorkton thisweek.com 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, S3N 1B9

Kat Jayme

Courtesy of Kat Jayme

IN BRIEF

Fire destroys home in Ebenezer

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

EBENEZER – Fire destroyed a home in the village of Ebenezer during the early morning hours of Dec. 28.

“We got a phone call

around 2:49 am for a residential fire in Ebenezer,” said Ray Miller, Fire Chief of Ebenezer Fire and Rescue, adding the home was fully engulfed when the crew arrived on scene.

The residents had

already evacuated the home and were hoping the crews could salvage their garage.

“Our main concern was to save that garage – which we did,” said Miller.

Miller said the crew

performed fire control at the site from 3:00 am until 10:00 am.

“The guys from Yorkton [Fire Protective Services] came out — they were really good and helped us out — Rhien [Fire Department]

was there,” said Miller.

The fire started in an insulated cat shelter which spread to the house, according to the Go Fund Me page for the people affected by the fire.

Other fundraising

efforts are underway for the family including a steak night fundraiser to be held out Joe Beeverz on Feb. 2.

To contribute, visit https://www.gofundme. com/f/glen-crystalshouse-fire.

City takes important steps in ‘22: Mayor

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Looking back on 2022 Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley sees a lot of positives both locally and provincially.

Hippsley said locally some of the key developments were not necessarily city initiated but they did try to play a role where they could.

For example, the Mayor applauded the development of Bruno’s Place the new temporary shelter in the city.

“The City of Yorkton didn’t build Bruno’s Place, but we helped where we could to make it a viable operation,” he said.

Progress locally in terms of truth and reconciliation is something Hippsley said he is proud of.

“I’m extremely happy with the progress,” he said.

Hippsley said in conjunction with that effort it was a highlight of the

year as was having the Yorkton Tribal Council invest in a major feature for the downtown park with the installation of the large teepee sculpture.

From a strictly city perspective the final approval and start of construction on a new clubhouse at Deer Park Golf Course was something Hippsley said needed to be undertaken. He added the facility “should be done in the spring of 2023.”

It was also a positive locally seeing design work progress on a reconstruction of York Road, offered Hippsley, who added the initial cost estimates have been higher than anticipated but work continues before final numbers will be known.

Still the condition of the road makes it essential it be fixed in some way.

“It’s got to be addressed,” said Hippsley, adding to fund such a large ticket project “the province has got to step up,” as it is a highway connector

road.

Hippsley said in terms of planning he is pleased to see work continuing to determine exactly how a new regional hospital for the city will look.

While the mayor was not predicting when the first shovel might be turned in terms of actual construction, he said the province at least seems to have the project moving forward.

Hippsley said provincially there were things which moved forward from a municipal perspective that were certainly a positive and will be good for the city too.

The first item was how property taxes are assessed through SAMA.

“There were a lot of complaints about SAMA,” said Hippsley, adding as a result there has been something of a municipal lobby going on to change the system.

While admitting massive change is

unlikely, at least anytime soon, Hippsley said they are at least hoping to shorten the time between assessments to two years.

The province has balked at the idea citing increased costs, but Hippsley said Alberta manages to do it annually, and he is hopeful something will be done here.

Mental health is also an issue locally and provincially, and Hippsley said it is something that he is close to.

“I was asked to chair a working group through the city mayors and we have met once a month,” he related.

With five mayors involved, the group calls in other organizations working in the field and try to build a more co-operative approach to dealing with mental health issues.

“We’re making some progress on that,” he said, adding they appear to have the ear of the province and cooperation on that front too.

A fire struck a home in Ebenezer Dec. 28.

Photos Courtesy Ebenezer Fire Dept.

Loadshedding

As the clock ticked into a brand new year, my mind focused on resolutions and, as usual, I began evaluating types of diets. Of course, I’ve been on some of these (Paleo, Keto, Whole, Vegan, South Beach, Atkins, Raw Food, Blood Type, WW, blah, blah, and blah … into infinity and beyond …). I am thrilled to report that, during another recent google search, they’ve added an assessment of a person’s belly to the equation. After studying the five types of those (gluten, stressed, hormonal, mommy and alcohol belly), I’ve had an epiphany or, some might say, a giving up of sorts. I’ve decided to go with my favourite (drum roll here) - the Hideit Belly diet. Easy explanation: Eat what you want and dress to hide it.

I’ll admit, my size weighs heavily on my mind (I know — groan). But here’s the proof of that.

I have a friend who lives in South Africa. She has, among other attributes, a phenomenal sense of humour, as proven by her agreement that I could write this story.

A few days before Christmas, she and I were communicating via WhatsApp. I was glad that she, her children and grandchildren were celebrating together at that time. We compared our holidays, as people do, and she sent me a picture and a short video of her immaculately decorated home and table. As I looked around my own space, with it’s two feet high, sparsely decorated what’s-supposed-to-represent-aChristmas tree, I quickly decided not to reciprocate with pictures. Instead, I informed her of our frigid temperatures and that I was spending the day baking. She wrote back, “I am not baking this year as we’re

PATTIE JANZEN Laugh at Life... Revisited

having loadshedding for four hours at a time, three times a day.”

Perhaps you are from that part of the world, or just a wee bit less ignorant than I, but I immediately thought loadshedding?! Who would ever choose to diet during the Christmas season? And for twelve hours a day? Those poor grandchildren!

Instead of asking her what that term meant, however, (like a normal person might at least consider) I typed back, “Wow! My grandkids would think they’re dying if we did that over here!”

(Wait! It gets worse!)

Then I inconsiderately rambled on, telling her about the sugar cookie baking and decorating that my daughter, her kids and I were excitedly anticipating for the next day.

Imagine my chagrin when she typed back, “NO. Loadshedding means there is NO electricity for four

hours at a time (three times per day). We have a generator to keep the fridge running but not the oven. We must buy our baked things this year.”

Ironically, I’d thought only days before of how glad I was that, as I age, I stick my foot in my mouth much less often. That day, as I gagged on both feet before disimpacting them from my great big mouth, I wrote, “Oh no! I thought loadshedding meant dieting. Believe me — there’s a load over here that needs shedding”.

I cannot imagine what the expression on her face would have been but, thankfully, she was graciously forgiving. (Only one reason why I love her.)

I can’t help but think how incredibly blessed we are over here, with our power on and our lights and ovens working. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against purchasing baked goods. Even with my oven working that is often my usual way, but it’s nice to have the option.

Loadshedding. I doubt we’ll be seeing any Amazon ads for a diet with that word scrolling across the screen but … who knows? There is a diet that involves Ear Stapling. (Seriously … Google it)

My new resolution — if you read my blog you’ll know — is actually Q-S-S. Quick to listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to get angry. Clearly that “Slow to Speak” part should include “Slow to Type” and ask first, before responding. Whatever your resolutions may be … Happy 2023 everyone!

(Want something different? Sign up for my twice per month blog articles and FREE book draws at pdjanzen.com)

Busy year planned for pickleball

Pickleball Yorkton

President Ken Kolisnek is excited about the 2023 pickleball season.

The club has some great things coming up for club members this season, and hopes to attract more players to the game throughout the season with learn-to-play

clinics and events.

Pickleball Yorkton registered 112 members in 2022, and many of them were introduced to pickleball by attending a Learn-to-Play Pickleball Clinic.

These clinics teach the basics of the game; the rules, the scoring and

how to serve and return.

Many beginners found these clinics very beneficial in acquiring the skills to come to regular club Drop-in Sport spots at the Gloria Hayden Community Center.

The first Learn-to-Play Clinic is Jan.14, starting at 1:00 p.m. and running

until 4:00 p.m. The space is limited to 12 participants and registration is online on Pickleball Yorkton.

The Pickleball Club has also set the dates for the ‘Pre-Intermediate Clinic’ along with a ‘Intermediate Clinic’. These clinics are focused on skill development of the more experienced player and a player looking to dominate the courts at the local level. These clinics also have limited spots open to players.

The club has also created the ‘Player Development Program’ which is aimed at bringing dedicated players to a competitive level.

“It’s exciting to see the level of skill these players have shown improvement on. Their strategic game and teamwork is amazing! It will be interesting to see how these players will do at tournaments this coming year,” stated David Weimen.

Pickleball Yorkton will be hosting its own

local tournament Feb. 11, at the Gallagher Center.

The tournament will be a one-day event from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and the club hopes to attract teams from our club as well as around the area and Regina and Saskatoon.

There will be three categories, men’s, women’s and mixed. There will also be some exciting games as the day goes along and the finals finish with gold, silver and bronze in each division.

The five pickleball courts in the Flexihall will have some great games under way at the same time and the balcony will be open to the public to watch all the action.

This will be Yorkton’s Pickleball Club first major tournament on a larger scale and will provide an opportunity for our competitive players to compete.

The club invites anyone interested in seeing pickleball played, to mark Feb. 11, on their calendars.

Pickleball Yorkton’s Club will also be hosting a ‘Ladies Only’ Pickleball Tournament on April 1, at the Gloria Hayden Community Center. The tournament goes 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is open to ladies from the local club as well as the surrounding area.

Yorkton’s Pickleball Club has six coaches that host the beginner clinics along with the PreIntermediate Clinic.

The focus is on building the membership in both numbers and skill level. The coaches have been heard to say that all of the players that have only begun a short time ago have improved very well and they hope to help others come and enjoy the game of pickleball as much as they do.

For more information on events or tournaments go to Pickleball Yorkton website or email pickleballyorkton@gmail.com or contact via text 306621-8926.

‘Noon’s Eve’ fun

Youngsters had a special day to mark the changing of the calendar in Yorkton. Line-ups of youngsters and parents headed into the Gallagher Centre Flexihall Saturday morning for a ‘Noon Year’s Eve’ celebration sponsored by Re/Max Blue Chip Realty. The three-hours of fun included local firefighters filling balloons, face painting, crafts and a number of bouncy castles from Kerr’s Bouncers. Those attending were also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Yorkton Food Bank.

Staff Photos by Calvin Daniels

Outlook, Sask. farmer aims to ‘be the reason somebody smiles’

By Julia Peterson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (The StarPhoenix)

Jason Dewey wants to make his little corner of Saskatchewan a happier place.

That goal was top of mind when he started his farm, Dewey’s Homestead, raising chickens and heritage hogs with his family just west of Outlook.

“When we started our little homestead, we decided it’s all about quality of life,” Dewey said. “Even though the animals are being butchered to eat, they had a quality life. They got to play, eat — do whatever they want. They weren’t just raised to be slaughtered, and they actually got to enjoy their life.

“I just think happy food tastes better.”

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dewey picked up a saying that has guided him through the last few years: ‘Be the reason somebody smiles.’

That might mean calling someone he hasn’t spoken to in a while, doing a random act of kindness, or telling a fantastically terrible dad joke.

This December, Dewey decided to take that motto further.

He started a ‘smile campaign’ in the Outlook area, donating food from his farm to neighbours in need.

“I just see so many people struggling,” Dewey said. “And I thought, maybe I could help one person a month, and make it so they didn’t have to worry so much today, and go into tomorrow with a full belly.”

At first, Dewey didn’t know if much would come if his idea, but he knew he wanted to focus his efforts in the Outlook area.

“I’m never going to go out and save the world,” he said. “I’m realistic. And I was always told to take care of my own backyard before I go and try to clean up somebody else’s.”

So he made a few

posts on social media, encouraging followers to reach out if they were going through a hard time, or knew of a local family who could use a little boost, and he would do his best to bring them a care package.

“It just blew up from there,” Dewey said.

In less than a month, he has received hundreds of messages — from people who need help, and from people who want to pitch in. Neighbours have even brought over turkeys and ground beef to add to his stock of pork chops, sausages, chicken and ham to give away.

“It’s really overwhelming,” he said. “I never would have thought that I

would hear from so many people — but I know that there are many people who need help.

“The only bad part is, I can’t help that many people on my own. So I need my plan to snowball.”

Heading into 2023, Dewey hopes more people in the area will be inspired to help out, adding a bit of extra food to each care package he delivers.

“I’m hoping that maybe, by this time next year, I’ll have a dozen or so people donating,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be much, but it would be nice. That way, instead of giving a few pounds of meat to a family, we could give them five or

six meals — potatoes, fresh veggies, bread.”

Dewey is confident people will want to pitch in, however they can. After all, sharing a smile and lending a hand is just the neighbourly thing to do, he said.

“I remember when I grew up, you walked

down the street and everybody said hello, whether you knew them or not. When you’re driving in the country, everybody waves at you. And we need to start doing that again. It’s a lost art.

“I just want people to know that somebody cares.”

Provincial indexation, tax credits help with affordability

The Saskatchewan Affordability Tax Credit (SATC) payment and indexation are among the government initiatives helping make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people.

Indexation of the provincial Personal Income Tax (PIT) system preserves the real value of personal tax credits, the income tax brackets, as well as benefits such as the Saskatchewan LowIncome Tax Credit.

Indexation will result in Saskatchewan residents seeing $94.5 million in annual income tax savings. The level of indexation in 2023 will be 6.3 per cent, which matches the annual average national inflation rate from October 2021 to September 2022. The combined effect of the indexation of the tax system from 2007 through

the 2023 taxation year is saving Saskatchewan taxpayers a total of approximately $284.5 million in 2023.

In 2023 through indexation, on average, an individual with an income of $25,000 will see $125 in savings, a family of four with a combined annual income of $75,000 will save $371 and a family of four with a combined annual income of $100,000 will save $362.

Saskatchewan has among the lowest personal taxes in the country. Since 2007 PIT exemptions have removed more than 112,000 people from the province’s income tax roll. In total, PIT reductions since 2007 are providing over $720 million in annual income tax savings to Saskatchewan people.

In addition, a family of four

pays no provincial income tax on their first $56,550 of combined income which is among the highest thresholds in Canada and more than twice as much as in 2007, when a family of four began paying income tax once their combined income reached just $26,150.

In late August, the Government of Saskatchewan introduced the Four Point Affordability Plan and in addition to the one-time $500 SATC payments, the small business tax rate reduction was extended by a year to further support small businesses as they continue to recover from the pandemic and face inflationary pressures.

The plan also included keeping gym and fitness memberships and recrea-

tional activities for youth PST exempt. The province’s strong finances allow government to reduce borrowing and retire up to $1 billion in debt, resulting in lower annual interest costs and allowing those savings to be invested into priorities such as health care, education and social safety nets.

“Saskatchewan is forecast to lead all provinces in economic growth this year and next, and strong revenue from our resources has allowed us to help individuals and businesses with higher costs due to inflation, while paying down debt. That’s growth that works for everyone,” Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer said.

Also helping with affordability, families in Saskatchewan with children enrolled in

sports, arts and cultural activities will continue to be able to claim the Active Families Benefit on their 2023 taxes.

The benefit was reinstated in 2021 and provides a refundable tax credit of $150 per year, per child, to eligible families. Families of children with a disability will receive an additional $50, for a total tax credit of $200 per year, per child. Parents who enroll their children in sports, arts and cultural activities are reminded to keep their receipts so they may claim the benefit with their annual tax filings.

“Our government recognizes that costs have risen due to inflation, and we are committed to taking steps to help keep life affordable for Saskatchewan people,” Harpauer said.

MLA sees strength in economy through ‘22

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Not surprisingly COVID-19 remained at the top of the list for Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit as he reflected on 2022.

“Many were pretty excited about having the restrictions dropped,” he said when asked to reflect on the biggest thing from a provincial point of view in the past year.

And, as it turned out, economically COVID, at least provincially wasn’t the negative drag many had expected.

Ottenbreit noted that largely due to the resource and agriculture sectors the province saw an extra $1.5 billion in revenues over its projections.

The added revenue allowed the government to pay down provincial debt by an extra $1 billion, and to provide resi-

dents with $500 cheques – totalling $450 million, he noted.

“It was all based on our resources,” said Ottenbreit, adding “Saskatchewan is a very resource-based economy.”

Ottenbreit said while it may be known by most that the world always needs food, fuel and fertilizer, the diversity of the resource sector in Saskatchewan is largely unknown even by resi-

dents.

“The resource industry in Saskatchewan is a lot stronger today,” he said,

That strength comes from resources here being so diverse from potash, to gold, uranium, rare earths and a range of others, noted Ottenbreit.

And, interest is growing. For example, the electric car industry is a consumer of rare earths minerals, he explained.

The biggest thing now

is to ensure the world is aware of just what Saskatchewan has to offer, which is why the province is undertaking trade missions and opening eight trade offices, said Ottenbreit.

“Look at Saskatchewan – it has what the world needs,” he said.

And, in 2022 agriculture was humming along too.

“People need food, and our agriculture industry did very well,”

said Ottenbreit, adding that sector was bolstered price wise by concerns arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which was good for the sector, but unfortunate in the broader sense.

On a more negative note Ottenbreit admitted the province continues to bull heads with its federal counterpart.

It’s not a case of simply being ideologically different, but rather a case

Submitted by Jason Dewey Jason Dewey raises heritage hogs on his farm near Outlook, Sask.

When we started our little homestead, we decided it’s all about quality of life,

— Jason Dewey, Dewey’s Homestead, Outlook, Sask.

loving, And a heart that was purer than gold., And to those that knew and loved him, His memory will never grow old.

Ever remembered, forever loved, Elsie and family 1100 Cards of Thanks The family of the late Dennis Kuzek would like to thank everyone who supported us through Dennis’s illness and after his passing. The gifts of food, cards, phone calls and donations will never be forgotten. Thank you to Father Mel Slashinsky, cantor, choir, pall bearers and the Orthodox Ladies for serving the lunch after prayers, Ron Sebulsky and Cheryl Bilokreli for preparing the lunch in Theodore after the funeral and a thank you to Garry Gawryliuk for the eulogy.

Also a special thanks to the staff at Bailey’s Funeral Home for their caring and professional matter for getting us through a difficult time. — Val & Family

you

my

The

1130 Coming Events

In Loving Memory Tim Werner

Jan 8, 1977-Jan 10, 2017

In Loving Memory of Tim Werner

Jan 8/77 – Jan 10/17

Tell me, what does it look like in heaven? Is it peaceful? Is it free like they say? Does the sun shine bright forever? Have all your fears gone away?

and Nurses of the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, Regina, Regina General Hospital and the Foothills Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, for their care of Kirk. A special thank you to Dr. van Heerden and staff and Louck’s Pharmacy also. We also wish to express our thanks to Vern and staff at Christie’s Funeral Home for their professional service, Pastor Dan Moeller for officiating the service, Jackie Guy - soloist, for her special songs, the Rhein Lion’s Club for the use of the hall and the many people who helped with set up of hall, lunch and clean up. Thank you to everyone who shared with us and our families, Kirk’s Celebration of Life on August 15, 2012. Your support was overwhelming. “You can shed tears that he is gone, or you can smile because he lived; Smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

Cause here on Earth it feels like everything Good is missing since you left And here on Earth, everything’s different, There’s an emptiness So tell me, what do you do up in Heaven? Are your days filled with love and light? Is there music? Is there art and adventure? Tell me are you happy? Are you more alive?

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 make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’ s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www. swna.com.

42 RUSSELL DRIVE - Beautiful custom built 1/2 duplex with stucco exterior. 2 bedroom + den. Double heated garage with access to a utility/laundry room. Maintenance free deck with a natural gas BBQ hook up. 2 sheds included. No basement. Newer shingles and professionally installed flooring and paint. In floor heat. Close to elementary schools and East side shopping. 2020 taxes $2784. Phone 306-783-6097 or 306-3169340

UNDER 4 FREE (Children’s tickets available at the Door). All proceeds will go to replacing the playground equipment that was destroyed in the 2010 flood.

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call this newspaper NOW or 306-649.1405 for details.

Someone is missing: Let this be a loving reminder, That someone is missing today, Someone our hearts still hold onto, As we travel along life’s way.

Someone who made Life Special, For all those who gather here.

1130 Coming Events

Someone who won’t be forgotten, But cherished from year to year.

And now as we pause to remember, Let us all fondly recall, How dearly each of us loved him, And oh, How he loved us all!

Always in our Thoughts Forever in our Hearts, Love - Dad, Mom & Family

I hope you’re dancing in the sky And I hope you’re singing in the angel’s choir And I hope the angels know what they have I’ll bet it’s so nice up in Heaven since you arrived!

Missing you always, Loving you Forever, Tracey, Taylor & Trayton

— With healing hearts, tears in our eyes, Wendy, Brandi and Dana Neibrandt. The family of the late Pauline Spelay wish to extend their heartfelt thanks for cards of sympathy, mass cards, flowers, gifts of food, donations, visits, phone calls from relatives and friends following the loss of our mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Pasqua Hospital - Regina, St. Peter’s Hospital - Melville for their care. Also a special thank you to St. Paul Lutheran Care Home, Melville for your excellent care during this

06/16/57-12/31/21

Whereverabeautifulsoulhas been,thereisatrailof beautifulmemories.

Lovinglyrememberedbyfive daughterswhowerebeyond blessedtocallherMom: Carrie,Sabrina,Melinda, CandaceandJenna, andthetreasuredgrandchildren whofilledherlifewithjoy: Kaidyn,Kaiah,Karstyn, Hayleigh,Hannah,Liam, SophiaandLincoln.

1140 Companions

RENOVATED SUITES available. Good location. First Choice 306621-5050

LOOKING FOR a female companion between 55 and 65. I enjoy dancing, dining, cooking, and shopping. Please respond to Box E, c/o Yorkton This Week, Box 1300 - 20 Third Ave., Yorkton, SK, S3N 2X3

HOUSE FOR RENT Springside Sk 6 bedroom,3 bathroom, attached 2 car garage, fenced backyard. Call 306-621-8754. $1500.00/ Month

1150 Personals

LOCAL HOOKUPS BROWSE4FREE 1-888-628-6790 or #7878 Mobile HOT LOCAL CHAT 1-877-290-0553 Mobile #5015 Find Your Favourite CALL NOW 1-866-732-0070 1-888-5440199 18+

BOXSPRING & MATTRESS just like new. 4 fancy chairs. Air conditioner good for a shop. Toaster oven works good. Call John at 306-621-2008

PROBLEM WITH Birth Certificates? Maybe late issued. Maybe I could help correct the record at Vital Statistics. Call John @ 306-563-6883.

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP

Published weekly by Boundary Publishers Ltd., a subsidiary of Glacier Ventures International Corp. The Glacier group of companies collects personal information from our customers in the normal course of business transactions. We use that information to provide you with our products and services you request. On occasion we may contact you for purposes of research, surveys and other such matters. To provide you with better service we may share your personal information with our sister companies and also outside, selected third parties who perform work for us as suppliers, agents, service providers and information gatherers. Our subscription list may be provided to other organizations who have products and services that may be of interest to you. If you do not wish to participate in such matters, please contact us at the following address: Yorkton This Week, 20 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, S3N 2X3. For a complete statement of our privacy policy, please go to our website at: www.yorktonthisweek.com or stop by our office and pick up a copy. Yorkton This Week is owned and operated by The Prairie Newspaper Group LP, a division of GVIC Communications Corp.

REMOVE YOUR CRIMINAL RECORD 100,000+ have used our services since 1989. BBB A+ rating. US waiver allows you to travel to the US, or apply for a Record Suspension (Pardon) - professional & affordable Call 1-8-NOW PARDON (1-866-972-7366) www. RemoveYourRecord.com

The family of the late Kirk Neibrandt wish to extend our heartfelt thanks for the numerous cards of sympathy, flowers, gifts of food, the generous donation Education Trust Fund, visits, phone calls and support from relatives and friends following the loss of

husband and our father. Thank

to the Doctors, Nursing Staff of ICU and 1st West, Home Care Treatment Nurses and Palliative Care of the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.

Doctors

past year. We also wish to express our thanks to Larry and staff at Bailey’s Funeral Home for their professional services, Father Ray Lukie, Father Peter Pidskalny, Father Joakim Rac for officiating the services, the cantors, choir and the Knights of Columbus for leading the holy rosary, the grandchildren and great grandchildren for being pallbearers, crossbearer, epistle reader, and giving the eulogy, the luncheons as served by the St. Mary’s Cultural Centre after the prayers, and the Royal Canadian Legion after the funeral service. — Dennis, Michael, Trudy, Dave

Snowmobilers taking advantage of trails the Northeast has to offer

By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Humboldt Journal)

NORTHEAST –Snowmobiling has become a winter activity all throughout Saskatchewan but specifically the Northeast region. The Northeast part of Saskatchewan or Zone 2 in the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association (SSA) map has over 24 clubs in the area, out of a total of 65 clubs in the province. These clubs

are all working hard to provide safe, groomed trails for snowmobilers. The Northeast has become a snowmobiler’s winter destination with the most groomed trails and warm-up shelters.

Recently, the Tisdale Snowmobile Club Inc. added onto their trail system. They have extended trail 225E that makes a loop through the community of Bjorkdale. This trail also links up with trail 225A and 225D.

They decided to add this trail because of the services Bjorkdale offers

with fuel/restaurant/bar as stops for snowmobilers.

President of the Tisdale Snowmobile Club, Wayne Hedin, said the Tisdale club submitted an application to the SSA to be approved well ahead of the snowmobile season. All of the landowners, RMs and municipalities needed to sign permission forms and be included to start the process of adding this trail. As per the SSA regulations, 20 stakes every kilometre and proper signage all needed to go up.

Hedin has been in the club for 15 years and president for seven of those years. He plans to step down next year and extends an invitation to any local snowmobilers who want to get involved to contact him for more information at 873-0428.

The Porcupine Trail Blasters also extended

their trail system towards Bjorkdale and added a new warm-up shelter just east of Bjorkdale for snowmobile enthusiasts to enjoy.

Snowmobile clubs have benefited since a portion of registration fees began going to local clubs. All Saskatchewan snowmobile registration fees collected by SGI go in to the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Fund, administered by the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association. According to the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Fund 2022 annual report, over $2,000,319 was distributed to local clubs.

For more information on the SSA and the trail conditions in the area go to: Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association

– Ride over 10,500kms of Snowmobile Trail in Saskatchewan at sasksnow.com.

New Steen Shelter just east of Bjorkdale provided by the Porcupine Trail Blaster Club.

Photo courtesy Porcupine Trail Blasters

Changes made to municipalities regulations

By Nicole Goldsworthy, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Humboldt Journal)

REGINA — Changes have recently been made to Saskatchewan’s municipalities, cities and northern municipalities regulations.

A centralized board of revision with the duties of a local board of revision when chosen or required has been added. These new regulations mandate the use of the centralized board of revision as a last resort only, for municipalities unable or unwill-

ing to appoint their own certified board when the assessment roll is open. These boards are used to resolve any disputes between municipalities and home- and landowners with the assessment of their properties. In some cases, errors in the roll are found and can be easily corrected. Other times, disagreements can occur and a separate board is called upon to handle these disagreements.

According to the Assessment Registrar, ADR Institute will serve as a centralized board of

revision. ADR is a nonprofit independent organization. ADR’s board of revision members are professional arbitrators who contribute their experience and knowledge to ensure a high quality and fair appeal service is available across

the province to all municipalities and rural municipalities.

Other amendments were the ability to email documents. This was intended to improve the speed in making the process easier for property owners submitting their

appeals.

Municipalities still have the autonomy to appoint their own local board, join or form a district board with their neighbouring municipalities, use a private sector provider or use the centralized board. All

boards must be certified to hear property assessment appeals starting in the 2023 taxation year.

The regulation amendments as published by the Saskatchewan Gazette can be found at: https:// publications.saskatchewan.ca/#/products/120027

Warm away winter’s chill

Many foodies feel that bacon makes everything better. Bacon certainly brings a salty and savory flavor to nearly any food it complements, and it is perfectly acceptable enjoyed on its own.

This soup is ideal for chilly winter days.

LENTIL AND BACON SOUP Serves 6

MLAContinued from Page 9 of the province needing to protect what is sees as constitutionally given powers from being impeded upon by the feds, he said.

“They have waded into our region,” he said, pointing to the resource sector as an example.

“Some people say we should just get along with them,” said Ottenbreit, but that doesn’t seem possible at present.

Still, looking ahead to 2023 Ottenbreit said there is a level of expectation the resource and agriculture sectors will remain strong, and that would mean good news for provincial revenues.

Of course there are challenges with a stronger economy, including adjusting as the population grows, said Ottenbreit.

But, grow it must because “there are challenges in the employment sector,” said Ottenbreit, so immigrants are needed.

Ottenbreit also sees continued investment in health care, including continued planning for the long-promised, and much-anticipated new hospital in Yorkton.

•1 pound bacon, cut into julienne

•1 cup diced yellow onions

•1 cup diced carrots

•1 cup green lentils

•2 quarts chicken stock or broth, divided

•Salt

•Freshly ground black pepper

•1⁄2 cup chopped scallions

Cook three-quarters of the bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat and add the lentils and 1 quart of the stock. Simmer over low heat until the

lentils are tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Add the remaining 1 quart stock and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cook the soup over medium heat until hot, about 10 minutes.

Cook the remaining bacon in a

hot sauté pan over medium-high heat until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels.

Ladle some of the soup into each bowl and sprinkle with the crispy bacon and the scallions.