Marketplace 2023-02-24

Bikido draws attention just on looks

A good looking game goes a long way in terms of generating interest and Bikido, a new offering in the realm of abstract strategy games certainly has good looks going for it.

The pieces are large stones rather reminding of those from a larger backgammon set.

Each player – it is a two player game -- lays out 34 of the pieces, so you have lots of ‘material’ to work with.

Players must work their way through the opponent’s defense, cross the river – the centre row on the board not unlike that in Xiangqi -- by taking over the banks, and use the opponent’s pieces to climb up and reach the opposite bird’s nest to cover it.

You will notice I’ve noted a couple of other games, but neither is a match in terms of how Bikido plays. Finding a good comparison is not easy here. You will think checkers in terms of lay-out, and breakaway because the heart of the game is to cross the board, but in a broader sense Bikido is quite different, which is a good

thing of course. In should be noted that in addition to the basic rules, the game provides a campaign of 10 scenarios and 20 starting arrangements of varying difficulty. This is hugely positive for replayability, especially for those who don’t want to dedicate repeated plays to just improving general play as you might with chess, Othello or Hive.

So at this point I will give Bikido, by designers Raphaël-James Lebel, and Jérôme Mariaud de Serre, as one I’d suggest giving a long look.

But it’s also good to know more about the game, so we fired off some questions to Jérôme Mariaud, who not surprisingly likes abstract strategy games as a player.

“I am an avid gamer, especially minimalist abstract games -- Chess, Go, Tak, Hive, Abalone, and Shogi,” he explained via email.

“But I like games where we collect and trade resources such as Catan too.”

Mariaud added his design partner Raphaël Lebel “is a very good chess player.”

For Mariaud Bikido came at least in part from his career.

“I am a pedagogue, I work with all level students,” he said. “I created a cognitive method with token, and the basis of the method is encouraging the student to seek and to focus.” He added, “the game of Bikido is not an idea of a lucky morning! It came from a variant of Gomoku I

developed with students. After a while, lots of token were glued to each other. I wanted to go forward with that form to leave Gomoku behind.

“A token we chose was the treasure we supposed to reach! The only way to move was to form stacks of tokens.

“And then came the rules I explain after to Raphaël-James Lebel, who is a game mathematician. We found the way, with my wife Natalia and Raphaël -James, to balance the game perfectly.”

The result is a game Mariaud said he is pleased with.

“Bikido is an abstract game that has a thematic. The idea comes from a novel of Makoto Shiina -- bird people in Chin. Biyi is a creature of the Chinese mythology. I found very strong associations between old Chinese gods who played a game, the biyi and bird people from the novel.

“Then Eric Jumel wrote some little chronicles that give a background for a campaign mode.”

But what were the designers trying to achieve in creating Bikido?

“The Bikido is a very new mental way to process,” suggested Mariaud. “In the past,

abstract games were the reflection of a culture, abstract games belong to people. I think it’s not a coincidence that Bikido appears today. It’s a moment in our civilization when we have to share.

There is no ‘meeple’ (piece) elimination in Bikido, you have to use the tokens of the opponent to reach the bird. It’s more a question to find a way to cross the river, than to break the opponent.”

From the perspective of one of its designers, what can players expect here in terms of gameplay?

“One day RaphaëlJames said ‘not eliminating or adding tokens gives the impression that we are participating in the movement of time in a living world.’ I cannot say more,” offered Mariaud.

“The gameplay is very easy, but all the rules are not intuitive right away. Especially because you think in three dimensions that opens so many options and so many scenarios. With few rules, you won’t think at the beginning that you can do that or that -- you will discover it by yourself.

“That’s the beauty of the gameplay and its replayability.”

Mariaud said he feels there are some fine elements to Bikido for players to explore.

“First of all, Bikido present two real sides, face to face, separated by a river as the Chinese Xiangqi,” he said. “It’s a real battle.

“The river is a great element.

“The defense is a duty, the attack is a desire, what happen at the river, in the middle of the board, is more complex, it’s about psychology, the architecture of the game is at that moment. We are not face-to-face anymore, we are mixed. It’s crazy!”

It’s the ebb and flow of pieces Mariaud thinks is Bikido’s unique aspect.

“A piece is a token or a stack. Stacks moves, change,” he said. “A simple free token at the ground can stop a very strong stack. All pieces have their strengths and weaknesses, it depends on the moment.

“And you never know how the stack will change.

“An opponent token of your stack can make you go backyard, but stop you if you want to go forward.

“There is no bad or great stack, it’s a question of situation.”

As for mechanics Mariaud added, “the rebound is very fun, and very unique, especially when you go backward, and make a rebound because the token on top is on a new stack with three tokens of his color. Like that, in one move, you move your stack and the free token on top.

“At the beginning, it’s not easy to think about it, but it’s very hard to anticipate.”

Certainly there is enough options to explore that even without the campaign and alternate set-up rules Bikido offers a lot of game play is a very nice looking set.

For more info you can check it out at www. bikido.club

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Rough Rider Snowmobile Club welcomes riders to great season

Courtesy of Preeceville Progress

The Roughrider Snowmobile Club has been keeping busy with making sure all trails are groomed and signed for the many avid snowmobilers who share the same pas-

sion for the outdoors.

“We are happy to announce all our trails are signed and groomed,” stated Sandra Johnson, club representative.

“A new trail that runs from Endeavour to Valley Inn Shelter (North of Norquay) is opened, it’s a great

addition to our trail system. The new trail runs along an Elk farm and we are reminding snowmobilers to pay attention to the signs and to follow them, they are there for a reason. Limit speed, and reduce noise signs are posted, as

it’s spooking the Elk and causing them to be injured. If this continues to be an issue we will be forced to close or reroute the trail.”

“Weather has been great this season. All our shelters have been fully stocked with wood

and supplies. A huge thank you to our club members and volunteers. There is always work to be done on the trails and shelters, as well as behind the scenes. That includes running the groomer, maintaining the groomer, trails, and

shelters,” added Johnson.

The club also hosted a pub night fundraiser at the Golden West Hotel in Preeceville on Jan. 21 and deemed it a huge success.

“We want to thank our major sponsor Jim and Cindy

Holowachuk of Cinco Developments. And all businesses, groups, people that donated towards the evening. And a huge thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the evening of auction and entertainment,” concluded Johnson.

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The Roughrider Snowmobile Club has kept busy making sure the warmup shelters ae filled with wood.

All snowmobile trails are groomed and signed in the Roughrider Snowmobile Club area.

EDITORIAL

Bold back in NLL with Warriors

When the Saskatchewan Rush arrived in Saskatoon in 2016 they found immediate success and large raucous crowds.

At the time the team was backstopped by goaltender Aaron Bold who quickly became a fan-favourite who cheered each save by ‘Stone Cold’ a nickname given the veteran cage guard.

Bold, who began his NLL career in 2006 with long defunct Portland, played in 18 regular season and four playoff games with the Rush as they won the NLL crown. He followed that with a 17 game effort in 2017.

He recalls his Rush days fondly.

“Saskatchewan was awesome,” he said, adding when he includes time in Edmonton “I’ve spent the majority of my career with that organization.

In addition to the back-to-back NLL championships in 2015 and 2016, Bold also appeared on a world champion Team Canada roster in 2015, and has won the Mann Cup, and Minto Cup.

But after two years in Saskatoon Bold left, and has been something of an NLL gypsy since, spending time in Vancouver, then Halifax where Bold saw action down the stretch in the 2021-22 Thunderbirds season, finishing the regular season with 204:25 min. played, a 2-1 win-loss record, 12.33 GAA, and .698 save percentage.

But, just ahead of the current season the Thunderbirds released Bold.

However, the already long career was not yet over as Bold recently re-upped with the Warriors.

“It wasn’t too long a hiatus,” Bold told Yorkton This

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Week.

Bold admitted the Halifax decision was a tough one coming as it did just before the start of the season, limiting his options to sign on with another club for the season, but he was pragmatic about the Thunderbird decision.

“I think more than anything, as you get a little bit later in your career reactions change,” he said.

That includes understanding the business side of the game, calling the Halifax decision “the nature of the beast.”

In that regard the call from the Warriors also came as just the way the game works.

“It wasn’t too big a surprise,” said Bold, who said he’d simply concentrated on his business staying ready should a team call.

Bold did add it is gratifying he was called though.

“Feeling wanted by a team is something that makes you feel good,” he said.

While Bold will likely see time on the floor, it’s also pretty clear he is on-board as a mentor to 22-year-old netminder Aden Walsh and Chase Cosgrove, 21, who appear the future of Vancouver netminding.

Bold said he appreciates the Warriors see him as someone who can help the young goalies grow into the NLL.

“It’s special they have confidence in who I am to have a little bit more of a mentorship role,” he said.

Bold said it’s a big step to play net in the NLL, adding it’s often about developing the right mindset to be successful.

At the same time Bold would relish time in net himself. He said he has told Walsh he plans to challenge for playing time and if he does get to play he expects push back from the young goalie.

“I told him, ‘I want you to push me if I’m in net and vice versa,” he said.

Bold did note it is getting harder to be a goaltender in the NLL, which is such an offensive league.

“Everybody can score now,” he said, adding he is amazed at the talent every young player brings to the league in terms of offence.

So will mentoring with the Warriors be a springboard to coaching one day for Bold?

“I think lacrosse is always going to be in my blood,” he said, adding he can see himself in a role as a goaltender coach, or maybe analysing film.

“I watch the game really well. I can see plays develop,” he said, adding it comes from all the years with a goaltender’s view of the game.

CCS senior girls split games, finish second at home basketball tournament

Courtesy of Canora Courier

The Canora Composite School Cougars senior girls’ basketball team hosted a tournament on Feb. 11 where they made it to the championship final before finishing in second place.

“Being a first-year head coach, I was very satisfied with how our tournament went,” said Cougars Coach Olivia Gordon. “We had four teams attend our oneday tournament including Foam Lake, Sacred Heart, Langenburg, and CCS.”

The tournament kicked off Saturday morning with a game between Foam Lake and

Yorkton Sacred Heart High School. Yorkton was victorious, and moved in to the championship game. Their opposition would be decided in the following game between Langenburg and CCS, with the Cougars led by Coach Gordon and Assistant Coach Baily Potts.

The Cougars looked to be ready to compete at a high level right from the start, scoring the first six points of the game. Yet Langenburg kept the game relatively even for the rest of the first half, resulting in a 22-14 CCS lead at halftime.

The Cougars kept applying pressure in the second half and stretched the lead to 34-21 after the

third period, and then a final score of 52-26.

“I think I speak for myself and Coach Potts when I say, we were impressed with our team’s play for the entire weekend,” said Gordon. “We have been focusing a lot on passing, positioning, and making sure our plays flow coherently.”

The victory created a showdown with Yorkton for the tournament championship, a team that’s quite familiar to the Cougars

“We have faced Sacred Heart multiple times this year and we knew what to expect,” said Gordon.

Sacred Heart started fast in the final, and led

36-16 at halftime. They stretched that lead to as much as 24 points in the fourth quarter. The Cougars kept fighting back but ultimately ran out of time, with a final score of 54-38.

“Coach Potts and I agreed that our final game against Sacred Heart was the strongest game we have seen our girls play against them this season, even if the score didn’t reflect that,” assessed Gordon. “Scared Heart has strong coaches who lead their team to success. As a team, they have amazing chemistry on the court and impeccable rebounding skills, which will lead any team to success on the score-

board.”

Gordon said she has really developed a passion for coaching, and has benefited this season from the presence of Coach Potts, as has the entire Cougars team.

“Baily has been an absolute rock star addition to our team. I have been told and would absolutely agree that she and I mesh greatly as cocoaches. I can truly say I would not be able to do this without Coach Potts by my side.”

According to Gordon, the Cougars have been enjoying a fun season.

“Although we haven’t won as many games as we would like, we have had many skill-building games. I would say we

are in a rebuilding year where we have lots of talents flourishing and ready to set up success for our future.”

The Cougars are looking forward to conference playoffs coming up March 10-11 in Hudson Bay. Results there will determine the team’s future in regards to qualification for regionals and Hoopla (provincial championships).

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Methyl Trask brought the ball up the court to initiate the Cougars offence. Falyn Ostafie went up high behind the Langenburg defense for a clear shot at the basket.

Gymnast competing at Winter Games

By Tyson Off Staff Writer

A 15-year-old gymnast out of Yorkton’s Springers Gymnastic Club is representing Sask. at the Canada Winter Games in PEI.

The club’s Danica Signarowski will look to bring home the gold for the province and the city.

Yorkton This Week spoke with Jessica Ronn, Head Coach at Springers Gymnastics Club.

“She’s a level 10 athlete and she’s been doing gymnastics for probably 11 years,” said Ronn, adding, “she’s the top athelte in our gym.”

Ronn said Signarowski was originally named as alternate for the CWG at trials in Dec.

“She was named as an alternate initially back in Dec. — one of the athletes in Saskatoon was courted for the Junior National Team so she could not compete at Canada games — so Danica was in,” said Ronn, adding, “it all kind of worked out.”

Signarowski is one of 3600 participants to attend the CWG and is making history for Springer’s Gymnastics Club.

“She’s our first athlete ever to compete at this level so I just thought it was pretty awesome and

I just thought it was kind of a big deal for Yorkton,” said Ronn.

“She’s never been

on a national stage before – she’s been to Western Canadian Championship...but she’s never competed on a national stage before – so this is high stakes.”

Signarowski will compete in several different gymastics events on Feb. 23 and 24, including beam, vault, floor and uneven bars.

For a full list of shedules and medal standings, visit https:// www.2023CanadaGames. ca.

Family Day fun in the snow

Submitted

It might have been a rather cold Family Day in Yorkton Monday, but that didn’t stop a few from gathering for some outdoor fun at the Ravine Ecological Preserve.

Those gathered were guided by Megan Gurski Owner/Operator of NW25 Outdoor Learning

Co. in a scavenger hunt, in creating a snow volcano, and even 2D snowmen as activities Monday afternoon.

Gurski is a former educator, outdoors enthusiast, and advocate for connecting people with nature.

“We’re excited to introduce you to NW25 Outdoor Learning Co., a

local business that provides outdoor learning opportunities for all ages,” she explained.

“Our goal is to help our community experience nature in new ways and have fun doing it.

We have various programs available – from youth programming to individual workshops – that are designed to

promote environmental stewardship, foster creative problem-solving skills, and nurture a lifelong appreciation for nature.

“We’d love for you to join us on our next adventure!”

Check out the website www.nw25olc.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @NW25OLC

Photos Courtesy of Springers Gymnastics Club 15-year-old Danica Signarowski is representing Team Sask. in gymnastics at the Canada Winter Games in PEI.

Snowarama looks to sled past $100K goal

YORKTON – The 46th annual Easter Seals Snowarama is set for this coming weekend of Feb. 25.

The annual charitable snowmobile event has raised $99,980.70 of their $100,000 goal at the time of writing.

“Snowarama registrants raise a minimum of $150 in pledges to participate and enjoy 100km of beautifully groomed and marked trails, complimentary meals, fuel, Snowarama swag and a chance at some fantastic prizes,” read a description of the event on SaskAbilities.com.

The top three fundraisers for the event include Rudy Flaman ($27,468.50), Ken Propp ($26,597.00) and Kevin Hruska ($15,219.00). A full

list of the event scoreboard can be viewed at https:// saskabilities. akaraisin.com/ui/ Snowarama2023/ scoreboard.

“Easter Seals Sask. works to enrich the lives of every individual experiencing disabilities in our province. Each year we provide services to children, youth, and adults, along with their families, through programs offered by SaskAbilities, owner and operator of Easter Seals Sask.,” read an excerpt from the event’s website.

For more information on Snowarama or to register, visit their website at SaskAbilities. akaraisin.com/ui/ Snowarama2023.

YFF now accepting applications for RBC YFF Mentorship Program

The Yorkton Film Festival is now accepting applications for the 2023 RBC YFF Mentorship program.

The RBC YFF Mentorship Program is participant-driven program that connects emerging filmmakers with established industry professionals who can provide expert level advice and networking opportunities to help emerging talents in Canada’s creative industries.

“We are ecstatic to continue moving forward with RBC and the generous support they’ve provided to continue to deliver this program,” said YFF Executive Director Randy Goulden. “Being able to play a role in identifying and supporting emerging talent throughout our country has been such a rewarding experience, not only for our mentees, but for the mentors and for us as well.”

This a 46-hour mentorship and guidance program which brings together the participants with their mentor through in-person and digital channels.

“RBC is passionate about empowering our country’s emerging creatives to fulfil their dreams,” said Lori Chute, RBC Community Manager. “That’s why we partner with organizations like Yorkton Film Festival who have strong networks, resources, and platforms to help develop and amplify new talent and diverse perspectives.”

2023 marks the third year of RBC’s support of this three-year program to foster investment in Canada’s creative sector through nurturing the development of emerging talents.

The deadline for applying for the 2023 Program is March 31, 2023. Selected applicants will be notified no later than April 21, and all successful applicants will have the opportunity to attend and take part in the 2023 Yorkton Film Festival.

Applicants are encouraged to go to www. yorktonfilm.com for further information and to submit their applications.

— Submitted

File Photo Courtesy Snowarama

Pictured here, participants of the 2022 Snowarama.

Burrell ready to cut figures at Games

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Skate Yorkton has a young athlete heading to Canada Games in PEI.

Aya Burrell, 13, is the Skate Canada Saskatchewan PreNovice Champion and will be representing the province at the Canada Games.

Burrell said the opportunity to go to the Canada Games is gratifying.

“I’ve really worked hard this season,” she said, adding that effort is being rewarded by the Games’ spot.

“It’s a good opportunity.

Burrell said she has been skating since she was two, or three, following in her sister’s footsteps.

“My sister really helped me start skating, wanting to skate,” she said.

In the past decade Burrell said while enjoying several sports, figure skating has always been her favourite, meaning lots of early alarms to be at the rink training.

“Sometimes it’s hard to get up in the early morning but you have to work hard to achieve what I want to achieve,” she said.

While already capturing a Saskatchewan championship this season, and having a berth at the Saskatchewan Winter Games before heading to PEI, Burrell is modest about her Canada Winter Games aspirations.

“I just want to have fun, make some friends, see some new places,” she said.

As for her performance, a personal best would be great, but Burrell said she will just

strive “to do the best I can do.”

Burrell said she also realizes the Canada Games are an opportunity to continue her journey as a figure skater, one she admitted when she dreams big includes one day skating on the biggest stage of the Winter Olympics.

The Games run from Feb. 18, to March 5, and can be seen livestreamed at www. CanadaGames.ca

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Aya Burrell

Rough and ready style highlights ‘Otto’ matic career

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 #23 comes from Feb. 10, 1996.

Grant Ottenbreit’s hockey career has moved from Yorkton to the East Coast Hockey League, to tryouts with the Winnipeg Jets and New York Rangers in the National Hockey League and back to Churchbridge.

It’s a journey which has taken most of his life, and thousands of miles on team buses, eating hundreds of meals at fast food outlets.

Years of lacing up skates in dressing rooms across North America – dressing rooms musty with the sweat of the game.

Years of tending bruis-

es – playing through the pain of pulls, sprains and strains. Years of taking stitches too numerous to recall.

Years of loving the game.

While Ottenbreit admits his career has been one of ups and downs, it’s the love of the game which keeps him looking forward to it each fall as the leaves turn to crimson and temperatures plunge.

Now 29, the name called Otto still grabs an equipment bag stuffed with the regalia of the game, albeit with a few more elastic bandages and a little more liniment these days, and heads out for regular duty on the blueline of the Langenburg Warriors in the Yellowhead Hockey League.

“I love it. Your back’s a little sore and stiff, but once you get the gear on and hit the ice … That’s what it’s all about. You’ve got to love the game,” he said.

Ottenbreit may now be content with senior hockey, but there was a time he took a shot at the big time, including the Jets tryout.

The tryout didn’t

50 YEARS

Looking back at the Yorkton Terriers

extend beyond an exhibition rookie game, but Ottenbreit says at least he knows now what it would have taken to make the NHL.

“I was in the best shape of my life. Honestly, I was doing wind sprints, I was lifting weights. I was 220 pounds, 6 foot 2, and I was skating everyday with guys like Garry Shewchuk from the L.A. Kings and guys like that.

“I went to the camp and I was the third worst guy there (on a fitness test). I only beat out two goalies.

“You don’t believe what those guys go through to get in shape,”

Ottenbreit admits he often looks back on what might have been.

“I see some of the clowns that made it for even one game, that were just terrible. Guys that were no better than I was and I tried to fight them and they’d just back down.”

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Ottenbreit looks back on his junior days, when he smoked too much and partied too much, and it leaves him with a message for young players.

“I’d like to sit down with all the juniors and say, ‘Hey, I know you get out after the games and have a few beers and have fun. But f—k it, put your head in the game for three years and give it all you’ve got’,” he said.

“No wonder I couldn’t skate. I never got in any shape. I was never in any kind of condition. I was just a big boy. You go out and fight.

“If I knew then what I know now, when I was 18 years old and had started working on my skating and quit smoking …”

Still, Ottenbreit is satisfied with the way his career turned out, especially considering his start in the Yorkton minor hockey system. The system also provided him with his first indication that breaks are a part of hockey.

“The first year of midget I went to the midget A camp and was one of the last guys cut. I went back to the midget B team and they had already picked their team,” he said.

“I ended up going to the C team.”

It turned out to be a lost year for the developing Ottenbreit.

“Basically, it was just a terrible year. It was just horrible hockey. We played in towns like Esterhazy and Buchanan instead of Moose Jaw and Regina.”

The next season he headed to Junior B in Hudson Bay, but by Christmas the then 16-year-old found being away from home was too much to take. And at Christmas he was back in Yorkton playing juvenile. That was followed by a year in the Yellowhead Hockey League playing for Saltcoats.

Then finally, as an 18-year-old, a break came. Gerry James had left the Yorkton Terriers, leaving the team in local hands, with only one player on the roster.

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looked to be headed out of hockey. But the Terriers lacked toughness.

“So they kept me as a tough guy up front. That was the start of the scrapping career,” he said.

It wasn’t a case where he was asked to drop the gloves, but he saw the role as a way to make the team.

“He (the Terrier coach) didn’t come up and straight ahead say, ‘You’re going to have to scrap’, but he put me up front and told me he didn’t think I was to make the team as a defenceman, but they needed some pluggers, some guys that could work the corners.

“He didn’t tell me I was going to be a goon, but he told me I would have to go out there and make things happen.”

The first year Ottenbreit found ice time hard to come by.

“I maybe played 40-45 games. If somebody asked me what line I was on, I would always say I was on the fourth line in section F,” he laughed.

But, he did find a way to mix it up, recording more than 400 minutes in penalties. Ottenbreit’s propensity for the rough going was coming to the fore.

The next year it was 490 minutes and the third moved up to 507 minutes in the sin bin.

Ottenbreit says it wasn’t a case of enjoying the rough style, but he added, “I knew it was my role. It didn’t bother me at all.

As a combatant with more than 2,500 penalty minutes since his SJHL days, (he played from 1984 to 1987), Ottenbreit says fights are a part of the game, and far less dangerous than work done with the stick.

“It’s not like you get to grab a guy and know exactly where that punch is going because guys’ heads are ducking and dodging. I don’t think I’m out of line saying that I had at least 150 fights in my junior and semi pro career, and I maybe had half a dozen black eyes, and two broken noses,” he said. “Fighting is not as dangerous as everyone says.”

Often, a fight is simply a vehicle to boost a team.

Ottenbreit got a tryout, and although a defenceman throughout his career, his skills weren’t up to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standard.

“I wasn’t a bad skater when I was younger, but it all seemed to go out the door,” he said.

Without a sot at defence, Ottenbreit

thing to me. I never did anything to him. We just knew it was our jobs, so let’s fire our teams up.”

For those looking to take fighting out of the game, Ottenbreit says they’re missing part of the game.

“I think they’re idiots. I mean, you go and watch a Saskatchewan junior game, you see the prettiest goal be scored and you listen to the crowd, and then you get the two biggest guys squaring off, and you see.

“You have to have it in hockey, unless you want to put neck guards on everybody, and full face masks.”

While fighting was an Ottenbreit trademark, with the tough going improvement as a hockey player also came.

Through his three seasons, 1988 to 1991, at Erie, Ottenbreit averaged nearly a point a game, 164 in 174 games, at the time fifth in team career scoring, to go with his 845 penalty minutes.

There were even a few hat tricks, which was a bonus for a guy making $500 a week.

“If you scored a hat trick in Erie, the executive took off their hats and passed them around the stands. So you got $600, $800 cash, U.S. taxfree money in your pocket,” he said.

“My first year in the East Coast League there was only five teams. Every team had two, three, maybe four really tough guys. We had only five teams and played a 60-game schedule … It would get to the point we’d be up two goals, or they’d be up two goals, you’d be at the faceoff and – ‘Give me a chance to fire my team up’ – so you’d go.

“He never did any-

“If your winger got three assists you’d give him $100 and the defenceman who set up the hat trick goal would get $50, and you’d buy a round of beer for the team and still have $400.”

While penalty minutes might be an Ottenbreit trademark, he remembers the big goals too, such as his first as a pro.

“It was a powerplay goal. A wrist shot to the top, blocker side against the Johnston Chiefs. I went in and everybody was saying, ‘You went up top you big sniper.’ It was the big joke that day,” he smiled.

Grant Ottenbreit

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1100 Cards of Thanks 1120 Announcements

Advertisements and statements

1130 Coming Events

TYMIAK’S MONUMENTS & GRAVE SURFACING CO.

TYMIAK’S MONUMENTS & GRAVE SURFACING CO.

Granite,

Granite, Bronze, Marble Monuments, Grave Covers, Vases, Artificial Flowers, Cemetery Inscriptions & Cremation Urns.

Main St. South, Box 476, Ituna, Sask. S0A 1N0 Ph. (306)795-2428

Serving

Since

1050 In Memoriam

Our

GAWRYLIUK — Elaine. In loving memory of a dear sister who entered God’s Heavenly Kingdom on September 26, 2011. Of all the many blessings

However great or small

To have had you for a sister

Was the greatest gift of all

The family chain is broken now

And nothing seems the same

But as God takes us one by one

The chain will link again.

— Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by brother Ed, sisters Sylvia & Lorraine and their families.

In loving memory of Dora Unick

WEGNER — In loving memory of Albert Wegner, February 14, 1921 to September 23, 2009. He had a nature you could not help 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

As we look upon your picture, sweet memories we recall of a face so full of sunshine and a smile for one and all.

1100 Cards of Thanks

You gave us many things in life, gifts both great and small. But most of all you gave us love, the greatest gift of all.

Dear God take this message to our dear Mother (Baba) up above. Tell her how we miss her and give her a hug and all our love.

Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal Memory!

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.

Forever remembered by your children & (great) grandchildren

— Val & Family

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What I would give, if I could say

“I think I’ll go see Mom today”

As time goes on without you

1998

And days have turned into 25 years

We hold a million memories

And a thousand silent tears

The special years will never return

When we gathered all together

But Mom, we hold your special love

Deep in our hearts, never to forget For it will remain forever

I miss you and love you Mom

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by only daughter Olga and son-in-law Mike

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 my husband and our father. Thank you to the Doctors, Nursing Staff of ICU and 1st West, Home Care Treatment Nurses and Palliative Care of the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. The Doctors 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.”

— 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 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 and Family

1120 Announcements

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MUSIC MAKERS - Music & Movement classes for children birth through age 4; PIANO LESSONS for all ages & styles. Call Diane at 641-9887.

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.

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

1130 Coming Events

YORKTON FARMER’S MARKET

FALL SUPPER; LOCATION: BURGIS BEACH HALL, DATE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2012. Two sittings - 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Walk-ins Welcome. ADVANCE TICKETS AVAILABLE AT CANORA PHARMACY, CANORA AND ALEXANDER’S MEN’S WEAR IN YORKTON or call Linda at 563-4885 or Dodie at 563-4174.

ADULTS $12.00, 4-12 YEARS $6.00, 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.

1140 Companions

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

1150 Personals

LOCAL HOOKUPS

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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+

PROBLEM WITH Birth

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

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

FarmsforSale-Parklands

PleaseContact WarrenVandenameele RoyalLePagePremierRealty 306-743-7761

2 BEDROOM apartment in quiet adult apartment block in Melville, SK. Call 306-728-1048 or 306728-2294.

Yourdriver'slicencemustbewrong. Youcan'tpossiblybe80. Maybe40yearsoldwith 40yearsofexperience!

HappyBirthday, AlexanderGreschuk!

Wishingyouhealth&lotsmore opportunitiestoenjoyfamily& friends,goforcoffee,catchfish, getdrawnforhunting,quadrides, fillyourhummingbirdfeeder, singyourfavouriteJohnnyCash song,watchhockey&baseball andmakeatoast"diborja!"

2 BEDROOM main floor unit. Heat supplied, water to reasonable amount. References and damage deposit required. $800. Text or call 306-621-9584

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

LotsofLove, Diane,Susan,Shelley&Kelly, Sandy,Jennifer&Kevin,Jason& Kwan&yourtengrandchildren.

ONLY JESUS CAN SAVE

John 3:16

Do you need prayer?

bold dashed outline on the following map. Proposed parcels on the NW 24-25-4-2 Reason The reasons for the amendments are:

SPRINGSIDE HOUSING Authority is currently accepting applications for a 3 bedroom home. Fridge and stove included. Well kept, clean and quiet neighborhood. Rent is based on income. No Pets. For more information and applications please call Morlie at 306-792-2222 or 306-621-7815.

PREVIOUS OWNER of Lil Eva / Voodoo, a black female cat rescued from the shelter in Yorkton, SK would like to speak with new owner to see how Lil Eva / Voodoo is doing. Call John, 306-853-7056

Please call: 306-516-0038 or 250-217-5294 or 306-783-8540

1) To accommodate subdivisions of the quarter section for proposed twelve (3.5 acre) parcels for the intended use of highway commercial and light industrial.

HAY FOR SALE. Excellent quality square alfalfa/orchard grass bales. $8 each. Call or text 306-620-6108

Visit heavenlanguage.com

Public Inspection Any person may inspect Bylaw Z2/12 at the municipal of ce in Yorkton, Saskatchewan during regular of ce hours between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Copies are available at cost.

Written Submissions Any person(s) may make a written submission to council regarding proposed Bylaw Z2/12. Submissions will be accepted either by mail or at the public hearing. Mailed submissions should be forwarded to: Rural Municipality of Orkney No. 244 26 - 5th Ave. N., Yorkton, SK S3N 0Y8.

LOOKING FOR honest and sincere gentleman, aged 75-85 years, as friend and companion. Please mail Box JJ c/o Yorkton This Week, Box 1300, Yorkton, SK S3N 2X3

SWM seeking female 65-70 years old for companionship. Someone who likes country and western music. Preferably a non-smoker, nondrinker and is easy going. If interested please reply to Box 1642, Yorkton, SK, S3N 3L2

Public Hearing Council will hold a public hearing on October 11, 2012 at 10:30 a.m., at the R.M. Of ce at 26 - 5th Avenue North, Yorkton Saskatchewan, to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed Bylaw Z2/12.

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.

THE TOWN OF CHURCHBRIDGE NOW Hiring: PUBLIC WORKS FOREMAN or FOREWOMAN

Position begins immediately. Successful candidate will oversee the public works department for the Town of 800+ residents as well as supervise staff.

• Operation, maintenance, and repair of the Water and Wastewater systems;

• Providing hands-on support on equipment;

• Ensure proper records are maintained by staff and provide written reports, analysis, and recommendations on public works to Administration and Council;

• Be able to prepare and present departmental budget, determine resource needs and financing requests; and,

• Have thorough knowledge of street construction and maintenance, water and sewer system operation and maintenance, and building maintenance through relevant experience.

Qualifications required:

• Able to Operate Heavy Equipment; certification on heavy equipment is an asset.

• Strong oral and written communications

• Leadership skills

• Possess knowledge of safety principals and practices

ANNUAL BULL SALE

SK For Sale - Misc Livestock

40 Two Year Old Black Angus Bulls 10 Open Black Angus Heifers Robin 306-743-7490

9 miles South of Langenburg on Hwy #8 Bar H Land & Cattle Company Anderson Cattle Co. Bull Sale 50 Red & Black Angus yearling and two year olds. March 28/23 Swan River, MB 204-281-3560 www.andersoncattle.ca Open House March 11 & 12 DIRECT SUPPORT workers needed. Permanent full-time positions. 12-hour shifting. Wages dependant on contract. Please send resumes to yadams@yailharbor.org

• Team player and work with minimal supervision

• Clear Driver’s Abstract, Criminal Record Check, and Vulnerable Sector Search

Qualifications Preferred:

• Class 1 Level 1 Water Treatment & Distribution Certification

• Class 1 Level 1 Waste Water Treatment & Collection

The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, permanent position with on call availability once per month. Required to be within 30- minute proximity to the Town of Churchbridge for responding to emergencies. Benefits include: Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, Health, and Municipal Pension. Signing Bonus and Moving Allowance may be available for the successful candidate. The Town of Churchbridge thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. This competition will run until the vacancy has been filled. Please submit a cover letter, resume with three references, salary expectations, certifications, driver’s abstract, criminal record check, and vulnerable sector search to:

Attn: Renea Paridaen, CAO TOWN OF CHURCHBRIDGE Box 256 Churchbridge, SK S0A 0M0 Fax (306) 896-2910 Phone (306) 896-2240 Email: churchbridge@sasktel.net

General Employment Auctions QUICK SOLD AUCTION serving SE Saskatchewan. Let us help you get the best price in the least amount of time. Get Canada and USA wide coverage on our Online auction. Specializing in estate, antiques, collectibles and vintage sales of all kinds. Certified antique and personal property appraiser. Bonded and insured. Don’t throw anything out until you talk to us. Free consultation Phone: 306-7307310 www.quicksoldauction.com PL#508277.

1.866.783.6766 parklandcollege.sk.ca Instructor, Medical Lab Assistant (MLA) • • • • • • • Closing Date: March 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM Please send your application electronically, quoting competition #72-2223 to: careers@parklandcollege.sk.ca ParklandCollege-Instructor_3x77.c24_R001192????.indd 1 2023-02-15 3:31 PM

Part-time/Full-time Work Available

Long-time certified organic grain farm located 15 driving minutes north of Melville or 30 driving minutes (25 miles/40 km) southwest of Yorkton along Hwy 47 North has openings for experienced farm workers for the upcoming growing season.

Must be reliable, highly motivated, display common sense and work well alone and with others. Knowledge of operating and maintaining farm equipment from the late 90’s/early 2000’s essential. Welding experience would be an asset. Part-time and full-time positions available. Competitive wages between $22.00 - $32.00 hr. based on experience and performance.

Retirees are also welcome to apply.

Please contact:

Rolling-Hills Farms P.O. Box 347 - Melville/SK. - SOA 2P0

Phone: (306) 728-3732

Email: benefarms@sasktel.net

• Installing signs, culverts, etc.

• Ability to work with other employees, as well to work alone safely.

• Communication and positivity.

• Communicating with Council, Administration, municipal employees and ratepayers in a positive manner.

The Candidate is required to :

• Have a valid class 5 drivers licence; But class 3A is preferred.

• Operate heavy Equipment.

• Mechanical background and skills.

• Certifications in Power Mobile Equipment, WHIMIS, First Aid, Ground Disturbance and First Aid is an asset; or the candidate would be willing to obtain.

• Be willing to take direction from Council.

The R.M. offers a competitive salary, benefits package and Municipal employee’s pension plan.

For more information, contact the RM Office at 1-306-742-4233.

Interested Candidates are invited to submit their resume by March 30th, 2023, including qualifications, experience, salary expectations and 3 work related references to: R.M of Calder No. 241 • Box 10, Wroxton, Sk S0A 4S0 Email: calderrm@sasktel.net • Fax: 306-742-4559

MARCH 9 General Employment General Employment General Employment General Employment General Employment General Employment

some extra cash (possibly of up to $400/month depending on route size), get exercise and work only a few hours a week too! Be a Yorkton This Week Carrier!

No early mornings • No collecting • We pay by direct deposit on the last Friday of every month • Weight bonuses • Sales bonuses

•

Only 2 days or less per week

$ $ $ 8000-$_ad_4c_3x45.nil.indd f/c saved in nil/prod3/dm ADVERTISING IS AN INVESTMENT NOT AN EXPENSE For more information contact the sales team at 306-782-2465 or email sales@yorktonthisweek.com

Yorkton skier on Team Manitoba

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

When the Canada Winter Games get underway in Prince Edward Island starting Saturday, a Yorkton skier will be readying for his chance at a medal, albeit competing for Team Manitoba.

Stephan Roy learned to ski at Asessippi Ski Area & Resort, and it was just natural he became part of that province’s ski program.

“I train at Asessippi and have always been registered as a Manitoba athlete,” he explained.

For Roy the opportunity to ski at the Canada Games is part of a journey started years ago while watching television as a very young boy.

It was the Christmas season and Roy, age five saw skiing on TV and was drawn to it.

New Year’s Day his family took him to the hill and he says he was “addicted.”

Now 15, Roy has stuck with it making the hour plus drive east as often as required to Asessippi to train, leaving in the darkness and back home for

supper.

In between “it’s a full day of skiing,” he said.

So does Roy dream bigger than the Canada Games?

The Manitoba coach has talked to him about elite level skiing.

“But, I haven’t decided,” he said.

For one thing to keep progressing as a skier Roy said he would have to move to the mountains to train.

The advantage of training on big runs is something Roy knows he will face at the Canada Games.

“I think a medal would be awesome,” he said but added that is a long shot. “. . . We don’t get enough days on snow,” he explained.

“I’m kind of hoping for a top-10.”

Roy said of the various ski disciplines he likes Super G (Feb. 28), best, but Giant Slalom, (March 1), Ski Cross, (March 5), and Slalom (March 2) are also part of the Canada Winter Games schedule.

The Games run from Feb. 18, to March 5, and can be seen livestreamed at www.CanadaGames.ca

Stephan Roy

Twenty teams took part in Yorkton-hosted seniors event.

Ice veterans take to the rings

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

Veterans of the rings took to the ice at the Gallagher Centre curling rink with 20 senior teams vying for honours.

When the final games were played Friday the rink skipped by Darren Fuches had topped the ‘A’ side with teammates Collin Liebrecht, Bev Fuches, and Donna Liebrecht.

The ‘B’ side was captured by the four-

some of Larry Peterson, Glenn Walchuk, Betty Kotzer, and Doug Kotzer.

Jake Burkell skipped his team of Rob Wilson, Carol Ritchie, and Gloria Willis to a ‘C’ side win. On the ‘D’ side it was Bob Cumming

leading his team of Garry Macza, Harold Kriger, and Donna Sharp to top spot.

The event attracted rinks from around the region including Langenburg, Melville, Saltcoats and Canora.

Wings too much for Terriers -- twice

By Calvin Daniels & Tyson Off Staff Writers

After an old-fashioned shoot-out in Yorkton where Weyburn topped the host Terriers 7-5, the teams met again Saturday on Red Wing ice.

In this showdown the goaltenders took control.

The duo of Yorkton’s Caleb Allen and Weyburn’s Eric Kahl combined to stop all but one shot in the first period.

The lone goal belonged to Ryley Morgan, a powerplay marker with only 12 seconds left in the period to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

The netminders stayed stingy in the middle frame with again only one goal allowed.

Again it was a powerplay effort late – at 18:04 –this one by Cade Kennedy of the Terriers to tie the game 1-1.

In the third the Wings finally broke away as Braigh LeGrandeur scored at the 9-minute marker and Jackson Hassman added a powerplay effort at 19:13 for a 3-1 Wings win.

Allen faced 35 shots in

the loss, with Kahl facing the same number for the win.

Tuesday the Terriers gave up five goals to the Red Wings in the first period on home ice starting with Jakob Kalin at 8:36, Ryley Morgan at 9:36, a successful power play effort from Jackson Hassman at 10:44. At 16:00 of the period the Terriers swapped goalie Caleb Allen and replaced him with Tysen Smith for the duration of the game. Another power play goal at 16:09 came by way of Blake Betson and the final goal of the period came by way of Max Henderson at 17:34.

The second period was a change of pace for the Terriers. Quintin Unreiner put the team on the board at 11:48 and Dylan Ruptash made use of a power play effort, scoring at 15:56. The Red Wings — still up by three points — managed another at 17:04, with Hassman claiming his second goal of the game.

Feeling the pressure of a four-goal deficit the Terriers knew they had to turn things up to stay in the match. At 5:35 Terrier

Brett Butz opened up scoring in the third, followed

by a short handed goal from Clay Sleeva at 7:12 and a successful power play effort saw Cohner Saleski turn it into a one goal game at 13:55. Smith was pulled from the net with 18:02 left to go in the period, but the extra man on the ice wasn’t enough to tie the match and the Red Wings Matteo Turrin put one in the empty net resulting in the 7-5 loss for the Terriers.

The Terriers head to Kindersley to play the Klippers tonight, (Wednesday).

Staff Photo by Tyson Off

goals Tuesday.

The Yorkton Terriers and Weyburn Red Wings notched 12

Calgary artist’s roots are local

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer

For an artist a multipiece commission is likely winning a lottery, and that was the case for Billie Rae Busby.

“Over the last seven months, I completed a significant and unique art commission from TC Energy to create a total of 16 original paintings,” said Busby who resides in Calgary, but was born and raised in Yorkton.

The 16 artworks, ranging in size from largescale works of 52”x 86” down to 12” x 16”, were created for a renovated floor at the TC Energy offices in Calgary, Alberta.

“These paintings will also be a permanent part of the TC Energy Corporate Art Collection, which will be a big highlight for my art resume,” said Busby.

Busby said the chance to do such a large collection is somewhat unique.

“The commission is especially significant and unique for a corporate collection due to its number of original paintings specifically created for the company by a living, local, emerging and I should also add in, a female artist,” she said.

“As well, I am the only artist exhibited on the entire 10th floor.

“Overall, it was a

dream project to work on with their design team. I feel really lucky.”

Busby’s art roots are firmly in Yorkton though. She noted while attending Yorkton Regional High School she won the Art Award at graduation.

The interest in art however predates high school for Busby who has been in Calgary since 1999.

“I’ve been interested in drawing, arts and crafts since I was a very little girl,” she told Yorkton This Week.

“My mother was very crafty, she was always crocheting, sewing, crossstitch and quilting.

“I can recall my parents putting my own art desk in the living room, which was full of pens, markers, paper and glitter for me to play with whenever I wanted.

“Art was just something that I did. I don’t think there was ever a conscious choice to do that over other things, it just had always been something that I liked to do and how I enjoyed spending my time.”

After graduating YRHS Busby pursued her art further.

“My formal education was through the University of Saskatchewan in which I achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art,

along with a Bachelor in Kinesiology in Sport Management in 1998,” she said.

“However, I do credit my junior high teacher, the late Ms. (Sandra) MacColl, and my high school art teacher at the Regional, Ms. (Diane) Koch, for teaching me the fundamentals of art. Ms. Koch specifically really encouraged me and instilled a strong confidence in me to keep working on my art practice.”

And now art is not just a passion, but a career.

“Art is now a full-time career,” she explained. “I left my 20-year career in marketing, communications and sales during the pandemic in 2021 and in February, I will be coming up on my twoyear anniversary of being a full-time artist. I am 47 years old.”

So what is Busby’s approach as an artist.

“When I was a teenager and in University, I focused mainly on drawing, specifically realistic work,” she said.

“After taking a break from art for many years, I came back to it in my late 20’s and early 30’s with a curious but rookie interest in painting, abstraction and colour theory.

“Over the last 15 years, I’ve been primarily focused on playing with a hard-edge paint-

ing technique, which in other words is using masking tape to create precise edges with acrylic paint. I began ages ago with realistic drawing and now have moved into abstract painting where the colour and shape set the scene and mood.

“I am attracted to abstract art as it has unlimited possibilities and helps me open my mind to new ways of looking at our surroundings. “

But, she still finds inspiration in the real world.

“My inspiration is our landscape,” offered Busby. “During one particular road trip as part of our regular travels back and forth from Calgary through Saskatchewan to visit my mom when she was ill in 2007, I had an epiphany where I saw our prairie landscape full of blue skies and lush fields as simple shapes and colour. It felt very comforting and full of possibilities.

“Ever since that moment, I have been trying really hard to paint our landscape in a new, fresh way. I am inspired by all of it -- the briskness of winter, northern lights, sunrises, sunsets, hot summer days and changing seasons.”

And perhaps because prairie skies seem endless Busby is drawn to larger works.

“I am currently preferring to work with medium and larger scale works, but I do also create small ones,” she said.

“The small ones tend to take almost as long as the large ones for me to create because I still need to wait in between layers to add additional paint. If I don’t wait for the paint to dry, the masking tape technique will smear and wreck all I’ve been working on. So, when I paint on large canvases, I can work on other areas of the painting while wet sections dry.

“I enjoy the challenge of large canvases and the impact they make in their space.”

When looking at her portfolio to-date does the artist have a favourite piece?

“The TC Energy Art Collection as well as my designs being made into carpets for Canada House in London, England are two of my biggest career highlights; however, I don’t have a favourite painting or commission because I try to make sure that I am proud of each artwork,” she said.

“It really makes me very happy when a client tells me how much they love having my artwork in their home. That is incredibly rewarding.

“It warms my heart when I get to connect with

clients and learn why my art is important to them. I hope I can continue to create and evolve as an artist for many, many years ahead.”

The best place to see Busby’s work is on her website www.billieraebusby.com and on her social media: Instagram: @br_busby and Facebook: Art by Billie Rae Busby

She also sells her artwork through S16 Gallery in Montreal and two galleries just outside of Calgary - Bluerock Gallery and Leighton Art Centre.

“The TC Energy project had monopolized much of my time and artwork inventory last year, so I hope to have new paintings available this spring,” said Busby.

Submitted Photo

Billie Rae Busby’s love of art began in her youth in Yorkton.