Here to put some finish on his game
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 #25 comes from Feb. 13, 1999.
You might say Tomi Laaksola came to Yorkton to put some “Finnish” on his hockey skills.
Laaksola was only 16 when he arrived in Yorkton from his home in Turku, Finland last September for the training camp of the Yorkton Terriers.
While younger than most in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League –so young in fact that the Terriers waited weeks for clearance for him to play here – Laaksola earned a roster spot.
That’s all he ever wanted, because it provided a season in which
to learn.
“I think this is a better level of hockey than I would be playing in Finland,” he said.
“This is a lot most faster league than I thought at first,” said Laaksola prior to a recent practice. “There are a lot more tougher games.”
“I’m learning all the time about Canadian hockey. It’s a smaller ice. I had to learn the Canadian way to play hockey. It’s a lot different from the Finnish way to play hockey,” he said.
Laaksola said the bigger European ice surface tends to favour speed and skill.
“We have a lot of skilled guys. There’s a lot more room to skate. But they’re not as tough as these guys here.”
The learning curve has been admittedly a steep one for Laaksola.
“This year is actually a learning year here. I’m not getting as much ice time as I would have in Finland … but with practices I’m learning,” he said.
For example, “I wasn’t probably as fast as I am now,” he said, “but, it’s getting better.”
The same situation existed for Laaksola’s
50 YEARS Looking back at the Yorkton Terriers
role as a defensive forward.
In talking to coach Klippenstein they have addressed the youngster’s play in certain game situations.
“I needed to improve on my defensive play when I first got here,” he admitted, adding he has improved. “In the ‘D’ zone I feel pretty good now.”
Klippenstein says the young forward has developed well considering his age and the vast difference in hockey culture between the two countries.
“I think Tomi has benefitted from, first and foremost, being in the culture of Canadian hockey,” he said. “He’s getting a feel for competitive hockey three or
four times a week and the practices and travelling … He’s learning what it takes to be an elite hockey player in North America.”
Klippenstein said the education has been made easier by Laaksola’s dedication to the sport.
“His willingness to learn is an asset. He’s very eager to become a better hockey player … Everything he does is focused on hockey. He literally breaths the game.
And Laaksola said he can accept learning from the stands some nights, as long as the team is performing well.
“As long as the team is winning, I really don’t care,” he said.
Still it’s something Laaksola said he and coach Klippenstein have talked about.
“He (Klippenstein) told me to keep working hard and I’d probably get my chance, if I don’t get it this year, I’ll get it next year in the WHL, or somewhere else,” he said.
Laaksola got a taste of that Jan. 26, in Saskatoon where he was moved up to play with the Terriers leading scorers Devin Rask and Trevor Weisgerber. He responded with a two goal – three-point night.
“I got a lot of ice time and a chance to play with the best players,” he smiled. “That was my chance and I used it.”
The move to Canada
The plan to come to Canada had been in place for more than a year, but Laaksola said he wasn’t sure where the specific team he would play for would be.
“I knew about a year ago I would come to Canada, but not where,” he said. “A couple of nights before I left I got to know I was coming here.”
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Klippenstein said the arrangements to get the talented young forward to the city were made through Laaksola’s agent Craig Oster, a cousin of Terrier Jarret Oster.
Klippenstein said Oster represents Newport Sports in Toronto, a firm the Terriers had had discussions with early on in 1998, about accessing a Finnish player for the team.
As the year progressed the Terriers did change their focus to Viktor Konkov from the Ukraine, an older player with more experience. However, when difficulties arose in getting Konkov to Yorkton, Newport Sports again came to the forefront.
Klippenstein said Laaksola had been destined for the Portage Terriers in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, but his agents decided the Royal Bank Cup bound SJHL team was a better option, a change in plan Laaksola learned of only hours before leaving Finland.
Klippenstein said he is glad they found Laaksola.
“He adds another dimension to our program,” he said. “I like to have a player … a young guy that you bring along and help in the development of his career.
Laaksola may not have seen as much ice time as he may have liked this season, but he hopes the knowledge gained through those games and practice is enough to take him to a higher level.
“Seriously, I would like to move onto the Western Hockey League, or the Ontario Hockey League,” he said. “I still have to see what is going to happen, but hopefully I’m going to play there next year.”
Laaksola said he knows Junior ‘A’ franchises have been looking.
“They haven’t talked with me, but they have with my agent,” he said.
Klippenstein points out Laaksola is the only player in the SJHL, and perhaps in Tier II hockey in Western Canada eligible for the upcoming European draft for major junior leagues in Canada. The pros are the goal And down the road the pros, including the National Hockey League, remain goals for the young forward.
Laaksola looks to players such as Jari Kurri and Teemu Selanne as examples of what he hopes to one day accomplish. Having met both players who have starred as NHLer’s has helped.
“In Finland there are only six million people, so I’ve met Teemu at some hockey camps. I’ve got to know Teemu a little. We’ve talked a few times.
“And I’ve met Jari Kurri a couple of times.”
While not instilling Laaksola with words of wisdom, he said watching players like them up close has shown what it takes to succeed.
“I’ve seen Teemu practicing a couple of times. It’s something,” he said, noting both Selanne and Kurri bring something special to the game. “They do things with real attitude. They have it in their hearts … It was a very good experience.”
Laaksola said it boils down to an ethic for the game.
“Whatever you do, work hard and just do it well,” he said.
Where Laaksola might play next season remains a question unanswered, but it will be in Canada because that’s where he feels the best opportunity exists to propel his career forward.
“I’m going to be here in Canada as long as I have some chance to play hockey as a professional,” he said.
“If I see I don’t have a chance, I’ll go back to Finland to play and get a job.”
Canora Trakkers Snowmobile Club holds family friendly event
Courtesy of Canora Courier
The Trakkers Snowmobile Club of Canora hosted a Family Fun Ride on Feb. 20, Family Day, with approximately 30 sleds participating. Hot dogs were provided for the hungry riders courtesy of Gateway Co-op.
The event highlights the Club’s work throughout each winter, according to Tracey Bletsky, Trakkers Secretary.
“We wanted to promote the use of our main warmup shelter along our Sask Snow Association- approved trails as a familyfriendly environment,” she said. “We were pleased to host this successful family fun ride at our closest warmup shelter which has a fireplace for heat and cooking, lights, washroom facility and a good stockpile of wood.”
Trakkers is funded mainly by
the Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association.
“For every snowmobile registered in Saskatchewan through SGI, we get a percentage of that revenue to upkeep our trail system,” said Bletsky. “We have rigid rules and responsibilities, and are reviewed and evaluated regularly by SSA as to ensure we have an enjoyable, safely signed and allowable trail.”
Trakkers is responsible for maintaining 90 km of snowmobile trail.
“The trail connects Yorkton Sno-Riders Club to the north including Kamsack Sno-Drifters, Norquay Prairie & Pine Snow Riders, and Preeceville Rough Rider Snowmobile Club trail systems as part of the larger Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association trail system.”
The Trakkers trail
starts at the north end of Good Spirit Lake, providing an opportunity for residents and visitors at the lake to travel to Canora by snowmobile.
“As those communities around the lake grow, we are seeing more snowmobile related traffic into Canora to get fuel, food and a pit stop on their way to the northern trails,” observed Bletsky.
“We take on the responsibility of contacting all the landowners and municipalities of whose land our trail travels over and gain permission to cross. We take on the responsibility of signing trail, marking hazards and updating the online travel maps as approved by SSA. Our members have logged hundreds of volunteer hours each year to keep this system going.”
Trakkers maintains a groomer, a snow drag, a snowmobile, two sleighs, a crosscountry ski track set, two warmup shelters, storage and all temporary seasonal signage, as well as main-
taining the insurance on equipment and buildings.
“We provide power to our main warmup shelter closest to Canora, which is not a standard requirement by SSA but a nice addition to our trail system,” added Bletsky.
“Our club provides community services that sometimes go unnoticed by the general public. We have a standing offer with the Fire department/ EMS/RCMP that in the event they need the assistance of a snowmobile and sleigh for the purposes of search and rescue, they have full permission to use the club equipment. Our club members have assisted in searches and are available to help as we are familiar with the area and equipment needed for such situations. We also volunteer to set the cross-country ski trails around the golf course and do so as often as we can.”
Last December, Trakkers hosted a Snowmobile Safety Course, which
attracted adults and students from age 12 and up.
“It is a requirement for anyone born after 1989 to complete this course in order to operate a snowmobile off of privately owned land. This course can also be done online at the www.sasksnow. com website,” encouraged Bletsky.
Trakkers is always open to accepting new
members, and looking for interested individuals who would be willing to help out with setting up and taking down the trail signs each year.
“We work as a group and have a good time along the way. New members can contact us on our Facebook page or talk to any current member,” concluded Bletsky.
Saskatchewan’s Albers pitching in WBC
Andrew Albers might find himself humming the Johnny Cash classic I’ve Been Everywhere whenever he touches the rubber to pitch a baseball game.
Albers, who hails from North Battlefords, really has been all over the world playing the game.
One summer as a teen he played in the Western Major Baseball League with the now long-defunct Saskatoon Yellowjackets.
Eventually Albers was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 12th round (346th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign.
Instead Albers enrolled at the University of Kentucky, where he played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats baseball team in the Southeastern Conference of the NCAA Division I.
Back in the draft the San Diego Padres selected Albers in the 10th round (315th overall) of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. This time he inked a deal, and made his professional debut with the Arizona League Padres of the Rookie-level Arizona League.
But perhaps as an indication of what would
CALVIN DANIELS
Sports
too often be a reoccurring theme for Albers, he missed the 2009 season after tearing an ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow during spring training, which required Tommy John surgery.
But, Albers has proven resilient as a lefty hurler.
He has played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners, as well as in the KBO League (Korea) for the Hanwha Eagles and for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan).
Technically a free agent at present, it is perhaps fitting given his worldwide appearance, Albers will next see action with Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic – Canada’s first game is Sunday in Phoenix against Great Britain.
Albers said it remains a thrill “when you get to play in this tournament,”
he told Yorkton This Week in a recent interview.
Now 37, and too often injured through the years, Albers recognizes the WBC might be his last high level pitching.
Albers also recognizes his role on the team will be part mentor to younger arms.
“I hope to be one of the guys to help the young guys feel comfortable and able to compete,” he said.
To compete is something Albers also expects to do himself.
“I’m still expecting to go down there and pitch,” he said, adding in spite of missing last season with injury, he feels ready.
“It feels like I can be competitive,” he said.
If things go really well, maybe Albers will attract some interest to sign a new contract.
“You hope so . . . That something will come of it,” he said, but he isn’t exactly expecting it as
a “37-year-old lefty who doesn’t throw that hard to start with . . .
“But who knows? Maybe I’ll get another shot.”
That said, Albers said once you are out of the majors and its network, getting back on a roster is challenging.
“Once your out it’s hard to get back in,” he said.
So Albers will focus on the WBC knowing it might be his last major event.
It is something he has thought about.
“It hits you a little
bit differently when you get to this stage of your career,” said Albers. “. . . You just relish putting on the jersey.”
Throughout his career Albers has typically responded when Team Canada has come calling.
“Having Canada across your chest is always a special time,” he said.
Albers in some respects knows his opportunities with Team Canada reflects his place in baseball, good enough to be asked to play for his country and free to say yes because he has not
been under contract at the pro level.
For the veteran playing international ball has been satisfying though.
“I love doing it. You get to meet a lot of other Canadian ball players,” he said. “I’ve always had a great time. Some of my greatest memories are playing for Canada.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
In addition to opening against Great Britain March 12, Team Canada will face the United States March 13, Columbia March 14 and Mexico March 15.
The City of Yorkton renews partnership agreement for the Access Communications Water Park
The City of Yorkton and Access Communications Co-operative are excited to announce today the renewal of their partnership agreement for the naming rights to the Access Communications Water Park in the Gallagher Centre.
As part of the agreement, the Gallagher Centre will continue to feature free public Wi-Fi internet service throughout the complex, allowing guests to easily connect and interact online.
“The Gallagher Centre plays a big role in bringing the Yorkton community together, and we couldn’t be happier to continue this partnership,” said Carmela Haines, CEO of Access Communications. “Access proudly reinvests in the communities we serve. Delivering technology that connects people is
what we do, and we look forward to the continued partnership with the City of Yorkton.”
“We’re grateful to Access Communications for delivering their Wi-Fi internet services to all Gallagher Centre guests,” said Mitch Hippsley, Mayor of Yorkton.
“Communication is ‘KEY’ to any organization and Access Communications is a much appreciated partnership. The Gallagher Centre is a true gem to the area surrounding Yorkton and all the events it hosts, and these partnerships help ensure its continued success and viability.”
The Access Communications Water Park is a draw for families in Yorkton and the entire Parkland area.
The Water Park offers unique amenities, including a wave-pool
with zero-depth beach entry, 25-metre instructional pool, whirpool, lazy river, two-storey
waterslide, party room, sauna and steam rooms, plus a two-storey climbing wall. The Water
IN BRIEF
also chosen to be part of Team Saskatchewan for the Canada Games in P.E.I.
Local youth win multiple medals at provincial ski competitions
Courtesy of Preeceville Progress
Members of the Maier family of Preeceville have a passion for crosscountry skiing and with dedication and hard work are achieving personal bests. Evelyn, Charis, Levi and Hudson Maier all recently participated in the provincial cross-country competition in Saskatoon on Feb. 11 and 12. The meet was hosted by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club and featured races on both days. Saturday was the classic sprint and Sunday featured a free-tyle ski.
Evelyn is only four years of age and participated for fun and enjoyed having the opportunity to get out on the trail to get some skiing experience. Charis participated in the U8 category and won two gold medals for both days of skiing. Levi Maier participated in the U12 age category and won two gold medals on both days. Hudson Maier participated in the U14 age category and also won two gold medals for his efforts in both race days.
Isaiah Maier won two silver medals in both races in the U18 age category.
The family then had the opportunity to travel to Regina on Feb. 23-25 for the Saskatchewan Winter Games. Nathan Maier, dad, was coach for the Parkland Valley District team which included Hudson and Levi Maier along with Luke Sandager from the Preeceville Nordic Ski Club, participating in the cross-country races.
Hudson, competing in the senior boys age category, won a gold medal in the classic sprint race on Friday. In the free style on Saturday, he won a bronze medal.
Levi Maier won a sil-
ver medal in the junior boys age category on Friday in the classic sprint race. On Saturday, he won a gold medal in the free style race.
Isaiah Maier won silver medals in the U18 age category races on Saturday and Sunday.
Luke Sandager participated in the senior boys age category and placed 12th on Friday and 13th on Sunday.
“It was an amazing experience for everyone,” said mom Megan Maier. “It was like a miniOlympics with an opening and closing ceremonies as well as entertain-
ment and music.”
“It was disappointing that it was too cold to race on the first day but it was an awesome experience overall to stay in the athletes village and it had the feeling of a large event like the Olympics,” said Nathan Maier, coach.
Isaiah Maier was selected to be part of the Saskatchewan team for the Canada Winter Games that were to be held in P.E.I from Feb.18 to March 5.
The Maier family are strong advocates for cross-country skiing and are part of the
Preeceville Nordic Ski Club. “We ski a lot and the boys train on our own cross-country ski trail as well as the Lions Family trails in Preeceville. They are all very dedi-
cated to set and achieve their own personal best. In order to prepare for the provincial race they practice one hour a day, six days a week,” said Megan.
Terriers take two in old-fashioned tilts with Mills
The Highway 10 rivalry, SJHL-style, wrote another chapter Friday as the Yorkton Terriers visited the Melville Millionaires.
The newest chapter was one highlighted by goals and referee calls.
The first period certainly went the way the visiting Terriers would have wanted, taking a 4-1 lead.
Logan Cyca started the scoring for Yorkton with a goal 3:22 into the contest.
Carter McKay knotted the score for the Mills, scoring a short-handed effort at 4:06.
A powerplay goal by Ashton Funk 20-seconds later gave the Terriers a 2-1 lead.
Twenty-three seconds later Karsten Kruska made it 3-1, with Pavel Mckenzie adding the fourth Terrier goal at 12:30.
It was a better middle stanza for the home team.
Nathan Fox scored a powerplay marker 1:28 into the period to make 4-2.
Then 7:41 in Aiden Robson scored to cut the Yorkton lead to one.
From there the teams traded one more goal each in the second period.
Greg Nelson scored from Yorkton with Sam Schofield responding for Melville making it 5-4 through 40-minutes.
In the third period the Terriers pulled away with three unanswered goals, in a period where the referees would have nearly worn out their whistles.
The teams would combine to serve 13 roughing penalties, four fighting majors, 13 10-minute misconducts – seven of those assessed at the 20-minute mark, and seven game misconducts.
The calls built on a roughhouse game which in the first two periods
included two calls for kneeing, one for a hit to the head – a second was called in the third period, two slashing calls, a checking from behind and two calls for spearing.
Meanwhile there were goals in the final 20-minutes too.
JD Hall scored an unassisted marker at 3:07, with Cohner Saleski matching the unassisted effort at 10:21.
Karsten Kruska rounded out the 8-4 win with a goal at 15:03.
Caleb Allen was in net for the Terriers facing 33-shots in the win, while Clement Labillois guarded the cage for the Millionaires facing 32-shots in the loss.
Back in Yorkton
It was a rare afternoon start for the Terriers, but it proved to their liking as they took a second win in as many days from Melville.
Pavel Mckenzie started things in the SJHL encounter scoring a powerplay goal 2:07 into the contest to give the Terriers a 1-0 lead on Westland Insurance Arena ice.
Karsten Kruska scored a short-handed effort at 11:46 to make it 2-0.
The Millionaires then responded with a pair
of powerplay markers to tie the game 2-2. Tucker Buhay struck at 12:05 and Nathan Fox at 18:15.
It was a powerplay effort by Colton Koran at 19:05 that edged the Terriers ahead 3-2 through 20-minutes of play.
In the middle frame
McKenzie scored an unassisted goal for Yorkton at 3:08, only to have Melville respond with a goal by Carter McKay at 5:27, again on
the powerplay. McKenzie was back to make it a 5-3 contest with his hat trick completing effort at 8:09.
And, that was it as the third period was a scoreless affair.
Ethan Rau took the loss in net for the Mills facing 33-shots, while Caleb Allen secured the win for Yorkton facing 32-shots.
The Terriers are in action next hosting Humboldt on March 10..
Request to make upgrades at Wriggly Park
By Calvin Daniels Staff WriterDog owners using Wriggly Field Dog Park in the city are hoping the city will add some amenities and new fixtures to the facility.
Appearing before the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday Shannon O’Neill said dog owners are hoping to see three features added at the park; lighting at the north gate, a wind shelter for owners, and some canine enrichment structures.
The park was opened in 2015, and sees continued growth in year round usage, said O’Neill, citing that according to reports (source: Abacus Data), almost one million Canadians adopted or brought pets into their homes during the pandemic.
Pet owners needs a safe option to exercise their dogs and Wriggly Field has been this for many Yorkton dog owners since its inception in 2015, however the park amenities need to continue developing with this drastic increase in pet ownership, explained O’Neill.
O’Neill said dog and owner safety is the most important issue currently at Wriggly Field. As it stands to date, there are
two lights inside the park fence however they are not very bright and only light up the south gate and cement padded area. The rest of the park is very dark, and you cannot see your pet if they stray anywhere else.
The shelter would give owners a place to get out of inclement weather.
The proposed shelter would be similar to the baseball dugouts at J.C Beach Ball Diamond to not only match the aesthetic but also this allows for a partially open shelter where pet owners can effectively watch their pets.
Structures would keep dogs happy.
With such an increase in park usage the potential risk of dog fights increases as well.
Enrichment structures not only provide fun for the dogs, but it has been known to “reduce stress in dogs and reinforce socialization practices” (source: Purdue University), explained the presentation.
When asked the potential cost of the improvements, O’Neill said while it might vary and they had not worked with the city on an estimate they were expecting $15-$20,000.
The request was referred to future budget discussions by Council.
The
up for photos, from left, were: (Back Row) Coach Christine Friesen, Willem Wilkinson, Zach Burback (face obscured), Levi Erhardt (face obscured), Coy Dixon and Jacob Burback; (First Middle Row), William Wilkinson, Phoebe Wilkinson, Stefanie Wilkinson, Meredith Burback and Max Stone; (Second Middle Row) William Wilkinson, Phoebe Wilkinson, Stefanie Wilkinson, Meredith Burback, Bryden Leis and Rhys Lawless; and (Front) Amara and Ryker Barrowman, Westyn Mitchell, Hudson Lenderbeck (face obscured), Camryn Erhardt, Tenley Leis, Vitaliy Chernoff, Bidgette Lenderbeck, and Lylac Chernoff.
Dance Party themed Figure Skating Carnival hosted in Togo
between dance partners.
Meredith Burback and Lucas Stone skated in Blue Morph suits and red headbands to Carl Douglas’ Kung Fu Fighting. With choreographed Kung Fu chops on one another and synchronized spins, the performance was met with joyous applause.
available after the performances with cake, cookies, and sweets of all kinds available.
Amanda Burback chair of the president of the Togo Figure skating club said, “It’s the
first time we’ve had a carnival since COVID hit, so just to be able to have this is awesome.”
Last Sunday at the Togo Centennial Arena, a Figure Skating Carnival was hosted for the first time since COVID-19. With eight figure skating presentations occurring, the carnival had the arena packed with residents of Togo and neighbouring towns and villages to see the figure skaters perform.
The carnival began with O Canada sung by Kate Erhardt, as flagbearers Christian Friesen, Levi Erhardt, and Zachary Burback skated throughout the arena.
This was then followed by two young skaters, Amara and Ryker Barrowman, skating with their coach, Christine Friesen, to the song
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves. Despite their tumbles and falls, the young skaters were met with major applause and support from the rink.
Next was Hudson Lenderbeck and Westyn Mitchell’s figure skate performance to Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi where they skated through and around the rink, performing spins and side steps in co-ordination with the song while dressed in denim jackets similar to that of Bon Jovi.
This was followed by Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, for Lylac and Vitaliy Chernoff, Tenley Leise, and BridgetteLenderbeck’s figure skating performance, which included sparkly dresses and co-ordinated spins
The final musicorientated performance was Mamma Mia by ABBA, skated by Willem, Stefanie, Phoebe, and William Wilkinson. The Wilkinson family has moved to the RM of Cote from South Africa. The family’s performance was met with great applause when they came to the end and bowed to the audience. Willem and William were costumed with denim jackets and silver chain necklaces, while Stepfanie and Phoebe wore black jumpsuits and colourful tutus.
After the music-orientated performances had been completed, hockey skills coach Levi Erhardt had his students and hockey members demonstrate their skills on the ice with the hockey players carrying pucks and maneuvering around wooden obstacles. After this, the players bowed, and all the performers came out and took an opportunity to pose for photographs.
The carnival went well with the performances and raffles, according to organizers. The event also made a table of snacks
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GAWRYLIUK — Elaine. In loving memory of a dear sister who entered God’s Heavenly Kingdom on September 26, 2011. Of all the many blessings
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.
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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.
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— Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by brother Ed, sisters Sylvia & Lorraine and their families.
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.
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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 — Dennis, Michael, Trudy, Dave and Family
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- Music & Movement classes for children birth through age 4; PIANO LESSONS for all ages & styles. Call Diane at 641-9887.
Please be advised that due to the passing of Nelson Alfred Saunders, the owner and operator of A. Goode Upholstery, the business is currently being wound up. Clients who may have items currently held at the business premises of A. Goode Upholstery are required to pick up their items or make arrangements with the interim upholsterer by March 31, 2023 for completion of any required work that was to be done by A. Goode Upholstery. Any unclaimed items that remain will be kept in storage, by the Personal Representative, Sharon Saunders, for a period of 1 year commencing March 31, 2023. Any items that remain uncollected at the expiry of the 1-year period will be deemed abandoned and dealt with accordingly. Please contact the business directly by telephone at 306-782-1744 or attend at the business during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. A. Goode Upholstery thanks you for your continued patronage over the years and for your cooperation in this matter. In addition to the above, if anyone happens to know where Nelson Saunders stored his 1971 Monte Carlo, please contact the business as indicated above.
1170 - Public Notices
1170 - Public
Notice of Preparation of ASSESSMENT ROLL
NOTICE
Rural Municipality of Churchbridge No.
211
Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the R.M. of Orkney No. 244, intends to adopt Bylaw Z2/12 under The Planning and Development Act, 2007 to amend Bylaw No. Z2/94, known as the Yorkton Planning District Zoning Bylaw.
Intent
The proposed bylaw Z2/12 will:
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the R.M. of Churchbridge No. 211 for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, March 10 to April 12, 2023.
A) Rezone proposed twelve (3.5 acre) parcels on the NW 24-25-42, from A-Agricultural to C1 - Highway Commercial and Light Industrial.
Affected Land
A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
The affected land to be rezoned is legally described as NW 24-25-4-2 twelve proposed 3.5 acre parcels shown within the bold dashed outline on the following map.
Proposed parcels on the NW 24-25-4-2
Any person who wishes to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the R.M. of Churchbridge No. 211, Box 211,Churchbridge, Sask. S0A 0M0. A notice of appeal, accompanied by a $50.00 appeal fee, must be filed with: The Secretary of the Board of Revision, Marlene Hassard, Western Municipal Consulting Ltd, Box 149, Meota, Sask. S0M 1X0, by the 12th day of April, 2023. Dated this 10th day of March, 2023.
Brenda A. Goulden AssessorReason
The reasons for the amendments are:
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. Public
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
Donna Westerhaug, Administrator
Craft Items / Gift Ideas
SASKATCHEWAN HISTORY
books for sale. The Imperial Review, 1983, $80; Tears, Toil and Triumph: Story of Kelvington and District, 1980, $80; The Ties that Bind: Melville ‘83, 1983, $100; Links with the Past Belbutte-Bapaume,1980, $80; Ploughshares and Prairie Trails: Dilke & District 1982, $80; Footsteps to Follow: A History of Young, Zelma and Districts, 1981, $80; Furrows in Time: A History of Balcarres and District 1987, $80. Shipping and handling extra over cost. Call 431-738-8824
For Sale - Misc
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.
Hay/Bales For Sale
HAY FOR SALE. Excellent quality square alfalfa/orchard grass bales. $8 each. Call or text 306-620-6108
Abominable Snow Slam 2023
By Calvin Daniels Staff WriterThe Abominable Snow Slam 2023 was hosted Saturday at the M.C. Knoll School gym. A baker’s dozen clubs
Powwow
The Yellow Thunderbird Lodge hosted a traditional powwow at the Gallagher Centre Flexihall on the weekend. The event included several specials including a Red Dree Special and an Every Child Matters Special for children, youth and teens.
Livestock
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
DiamondWCharolais &AngusBullSale
Tuesday,March21,JTMLivestock
50CharolaisTwo-Year-Oldand YearlingBulls&30RedAngusTwo -Year-OldandYearlingBulls.
Catalogue&videosonline atbylivestock.com. OnlinebiddingatDLMS.ca.
were represented with International Mantis Canada bringing the most non-local competitors with 24.
The Weary Warrior Award went to the Srok family who travelled 728
kilometres to compete.
In men’s breaking Troy McLelland of Vilcu’s Karate broke five bricks.
Topping the women’s breaking was local competitor Chloey Forster breaking four boards.
The cutting champion was Nik Srok of Kuro Tora.
The women’s black belt grand champion was Chloey Forster of YMATC.
The men’s black belt
grand champion was Colby Yee of Jin Pal Hapikdo.
Among the clubs Spirit of the Dragon led the way with 24 firsts, followed by YMATC and IMC each with 13.
306-782-2465
Tumbleweed champ talks about game
Tumbleweed is a recent addition to the world of abstract strategy games being released from designer Michal Zapala in 2020.
Tumbleweed is a twoplayer game. It is played on a hexagon board and a sufficient supply of stacked checkers.
“A stack can “see” a hex, when they are connected by a straight line, with no stacks in between. The players take turns placing stacks of their tokens on hexes that are seen by at least one friendly stack. The height of every newlyplaced stack equals the number of your stacks that see the new stack. Replacing an existing stack with a new stack is possible, as long as the new stack is taller than the previous one. This works with opponent stacks (to capture), or your own stacks (to reinforce),” details www. boardgamegeek.com
“The game ends when no more moves can be made by either player, or after two successive passes. The player who occupies over half the board wins.”
The game is interesting in the sense it works better online due to the need for so many pieces, rather than on the game room table, but that doesn’t lessen interest in this one.
And, the internet has allowed for online tournaments with Alek Erickson recently winning a major championship.
To begin I am always happy to see new games promoted with such tourneys as a way of building community.
It’s also interesting to have the opportunity to ‘interview’ a champion, thanks to email, which allowed Erickson to answer a few questions of Tumbleweed.
As it turned out Erickson likes games in the vein of Tumbleweed.
“I play a few different games in addition to Tumbleweed, primarily modern abstract strategy games,” he said.” One of these is actually one of my own games, which I co-designed with a guy named Michael Amundsen. The game is called Lielow, and I’m pleased to say that it was recently released to Alpha on BGA (Board Game Arena), so I usually have a few BGA tables going for that.
“On BGA I have also
been playing Mark Steere’s game Oust, Kanare Katos’ game Meridians, Amundsen/ Bolaños-Mures’s game Lifeline.”
Erickson’s game background though is a bit more traditional.
“I grew up playing Chess, learned Go during my university years, and discovered Hex while I was in graduate school, but bear in mind I’m not good at any of these games, despite playing a lot,” he said.
“A few years ago I began participating in an online strategy game design forum on a website called Board Game Geek, and from there I became more involved in the niche world of modern abstract board games.
“There is a small ecosystem of websites dedicated to this topic, a few of which contain thought provoking and sometimes hilarious threads -- dating back to the early 2000’s until today -- of game designers collaborating to create new games, and sometimes arguing in a very Web 2.0 fashion over their aesthetic differences.
“I got sucked into this universe of game design and began inventing more of my own games. Through this game design community, I met the eventual designer of Tumbleweed, Michal Zapala, and we became online friends that would test each other’s games and provide feedback.”
So while Erickson has diverse game interests what draws him specifically to Tumbleweed?
“Michal (Zapala), showed me his idea for Tumbleweed in early 2020 during one of our playtesting sessions via video call,” recalled Erickson. “When he first told me the rules, the extremely simple mechanics hooked me.
“It seemed incredible that nobody had thought of that idea before, so I was intrigued to start playing.
“During my first few games, I really enjoyed how the game invited me to learn it through play from the very beginning. There were so many moves that looked just good, just downright tasty, I couldn’t choose which one to do, and that led to a small but good kind of analysis paralysis. It had that X factor, where heuristics and ideas just jump out at you
THE MEEPLE GUILD (YORKTON)
meeple.guild@gmail.com
from the get-go.
“Now I’ve played hundreds of Tumbleweed games, and it just gets more and more interesting as I learn more.
From a game design perspective, I’m trying to say that Tumbleweed has a great deal of clarity, which is one appealing factor when it comes to abstract games.
“Tumbleweed is also decisive, as it is naturally guaranteed to end up with one winner.
“Also, it is balanced via use of the pie rule: in the game, a ‘host’ must set up a red and a white one-stack on the board, and the ‘guest’ player selects whether to go first with red, or play second with white. This means that the Host must be comfortable playing from either position, ensuring a balanced start.
“We have found with thousands of playtests that the game is in fact balanced as a result of this rule, with roughly 50/50 outcomes.”
Erickson said he also appreciates Tumbleweed plays well on various board sizes. The game is also scalable (board size can be increased without fundamentally altering the game).
“For instance, the tournament I just won was on the standard size 8, but people also sometimes play on size 6 and size 10,” he said.
“The game is strategically deep as far as I can tell, since it is clear that many levels of play have emerged across both human and computer agents learned over time (i.e. we are beginning to see the skill ladder develop over the last few years).
“The fact that a game so deep has a community so young is exciting because it means that people who participate now in the discourse about strategy will have a fundamental guiding impact on the Tumbleweed theories and playstyles of the future.”
The game can surprise too, offered Erickson.
“Tumbleweed is quite dramatic, as many top games are often impossible for spectators to tell who will eventually win until a late endgame stage,” he said. “In fact, many of the games that I won during the championship, I originally thought I was losing, but slowly regained an advantage -- maybe through careful planning on my side, or via subtle mistakes by the opponent”.
The game is one Erickson said ultimately is fun to play.
“Tumbleweed has many qualities that make it attractive to me, but let me tell you one reason why it is so fun,” he said.
“Playing Tumbleweed feels like building a network of laser beams that can interact and attack your enemy at the same time. These line of sight, laser-type tactics are incredibly sharp and deep, so there is a lot of pattern recognition along these lines that allows one to improve with practice, though each Tumbleweed battle tells an entirely new story.
“So it never gets old, but you can still use what you learn in the next game.”
And, of course winning a big event feels good too.
“Well, I didn’t actually expect to win any games,” said Erickson. “Almost every game I went into some tough situation where I felt like I was losing and then had to dig myself out. So each win came with a great deal of fiero. In particular, my games versus Komacchin, Hootie, Testingqwerty, and Atari were not expected to go my way. I mean, I didn’t expect to win, and other people also didn’t expect me to win. Particularly against Testingqwerty and Atari, who have played so much of this game, and deeply analyzed openings, it really felt that prior to the Championship, they zoomed beyond my level.
“I was hoping to at least give them a hard time. But sometimes things can get a little unpredictable and crazy in Tumbleweed, and I found some interesting resources during the opening by accident -not to mention that I took advantage of their preference for playing with the white pieces. “
Erickson actually par-
ticipated in the championship largely to support the game’s growth.
“I played in last year’s tournament and it was fun, so I wanted to try again,” he said.
“Also, this year had a better format - we used double elimination and an open tournament, compared to last year where we only invited previous tournament winners and did a full round-robin. This year was more exciting as a result. I thought I might have a chance to perform well and win a few games in the tournament, so that is one reason why I decided to join.
“I am part of the Tumbleweed Organizing Committee, so one of my goals is to promote the events that we collectively organize as a community, and this is perhaps the most important yearly event - so of course it makes sense that I participate, and at the very least my presence would increase the numbers of the tournament itself and make it more vibrant and fun for the other players.
“I also streamed my game and other’s games with commentary, and uploaded the videos to Twitch and YouTube so that players could rewatch the contests at any time, with the hope that people learn something and have fun in the process.
“But the most important reason that I became involved with the tournament is that I just really have fun playing Tumbleweed, especially real time on size 8, with high stakes -- a world championship -- and relatively long time controls, against worthy opponents.”
Terriers hand out hardware
While the Yorkton Terriers still have a few games on the SJHL schedule, they held their windup banquet and awards night Saturday. The award winners included:
• Scholar Athletic
Award – Donated by Yorkton Terriers Hockey
Club – Aiden Knutson
• Ed Ruf Memorial
Donated by Elsie Ruf –
Logan Cyca
• Jamie Standish Memorial Mr. Personality
Donated by Yorkton
Terriers Hockey Club –
Quintin Unreiner
• Most Gentlemanly
Donated by Yorkton
Terriers Hockey Club –
Cale Strasky
• Chaplin’s Award
Donated by Chaplin John and Karen Anderson and family – Caleb Allen
• Unsung Hero Award
Donated by N.R. Park and Sons Jewellery – Brett Butz
• Most Popular Player Award Donated by Amos Border Memorial – Clay
Sleeva
• Mr. Hustle Award
Donated by Yorkton Co-op
– Cohner Saleski
• Rookie of the Year
Donated by Dr. Johann Roodt – Dylan Ruptash
• Most Improved Award Schoenroths and Wolfe Memorial – Pavel Mckenzie
• Top Defensemen
Award Donated by Parks
Jewellery – Tyson Perkins
• Coaches Award The Josh Campbell Memorial –Greg Nelson
• Most Valuable Player
Guy Lamb Memorial –Dylan Ruptash
• Volunteer of the Year
– Phil Decker
• President’s Trophy
Donated by N.R. Park and Sons Jewellery – Logan
Cyca
• In School Mentorship
– Big Brothers/Big Sisters –Logan Cyca
YBID continues snow removal program with SaskAbilities
By Tyson Off Staff WriterYORKTON – The Yorkton Business Improvement District supplied SaskAbilities with a cheque for $6,000 during a presentation at City Centre Park on March. 2.
“Way back in 2004 we started the Clean Sweep summer program,” said Donna Brothwell, Executive Director for YBID in an interview with Yorkton This Week, noting workers were supplied by SIGN at the time. Brothwell noted that in 2020, after visiting several businesses downtown during the winter, that some of the sidewalks were less than accommodating.
“I was visiting the businesses and literally falling into little pot holes of
snow or ice on the walks in the district,” said Brothwell, adding, “it was becoming—in the winter time—un-shoppable – unwalkable.”
“We decided to approach SIGN and see if they could start the winter program and shovel where the empty buildings are,” said Brothwell, adding, “I checked with the city with regards to that and there is fines that are put out on the business owners, but some of those business owners live in Toronto – they live in BC.”
Though businesses are fined by the city for not clearing snow, in the case of vacant buildings without local owners the snow remains.
“It was really hard for them (the business owners) to find someone to shovel never mind get-
ting it done each time it snowed,” explained Brothwell, “we decided
to put some money into a program that every time it snows these [workers]
would get out there and clear the walks.”
“It worked really good
and started out as basically just the empty buildings – at least we could keep it walkable – keep it so that nobody is going to hurt themselves,” said Brothwell.
“Now it’s kind of grown into a little bit more,” said Brothwell, “last year we celebrated SaskAbilities taking over both programs—the summer and the winter programs— they’ve made them into actual real jobs through employment services.”
“It was just last spring that we took on the project,” said Brittany Garbutt, Employment Services Senior Supervisor with SaskAbilities’ Partners In Employment.
“We were pretty excited when Donna came to us with the opportunity because we’re always looking for ways to give back to our community and it was a really great way of being an inclusive employer,” said Garbutt.
Garbutt said that SaskAbilities employs three to five workers each year per season to take care of the sidewalk cleaning. The seasons are broken down into the snow removal project and the sidewalk cleaning in the summer.
Legacy Co-op is part of the Co-operative Retailing System that serves more than 600 communities and more than 1.9 million members across Western Canada. Today, approximately 160 retail co-operatives own FCL, which provides central wholesaling, manufacturing and administrative services to its member-owners.
Legacy Co-operative Association Limited boasts sales of more than $140 million and employs more than 250 employees. Sales outlets include a gas bar and food store in Kamsack, a food store and agro/home centre in Churchbridge, a cardlock and service centre in Theodore, an agro centre in Ebenezer, two gas bars, two cardlocks, an agro centre, a liquor store and a food store in Yorkton, cardlocks in Rhein, Esterhazy, and Langenburg and keylocks in MacNutt and Dubuc. We provide a variety of goods and services including: petroleum, food, lumber, general merchandise, crop supplies, feed, fertilizer, seed, bins and chemical.
Legacy Co-operative is seeking progressive, forward thinking individuals with a good understanding of the retail climate who would like to fill 3 vacancies on the Board of Directors in 2023. (Three 3 year terms)
In accordance with bylaw 6.02(c) the name of each nominee to the position of director must be:
1. Submitted in writing by the nominee to the Co-operatives Nominating Committee at least 30 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting when the election will be held; and
2. Published by the Co-operative’s Nominating Committee with the notice of the Annual General Meeting
Nomination papers can be picked up at any Legacy Co-operative Association Limited locations in Yorkton, Kamsack, Churchbridge, Ebenezer or Theodore, from any board member, from the link on our website or by contacting the following Committee members:
Wade Karcha (306) 621-7361
Judy Charney (306) 621-4338
Dustin Brears (306) 621-7161
All nominations must be submitted by 5:00 pm, April 11, 2023 to the Legacy Co-operative Administration Office 30 Argyle Street, Yorkton, SK., S3N 3Z4 or via email to: Info@legacycoop.ca RE:BoardofDirectorsNomination
“Any vacant properties in our district – this team goes out and makes sure the snow is cleared in front of those properties and they lay down salt if there’s any ice to make sure that our business district is walkable – that it’s safe,” said Garbutt.
“Through our employment division—Partners In Employment—we’re always looking to promote those inclusive employment opportunities so the whole project is meant to be inclusive,” said Garbutt.
“It’s really a positive program for all of the organizations involved for the community,” said Brothwell, adding, “the workers who work the program feel like they really are doing the community a service and they are, they really are.”