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Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Early morning crash

Staff Photo by Devin Wilger

The morning of Feb. 2, 2021 started with a bit of a bang, as there was a collision at the intersection of Broadway Ave. and Gladstone St. Yorkton Fire Protective

Services and Yorkton RCMP were at the scene to assess the damage and help those involved.

City updating its cultural plan

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer The City of Yorkton will take another step in updating the community’s Municipal Cultural Plan.

In 2009, the City of Yorkton became the first Saskatchewan municipality to develop a Municipal Cultural Plan, with support of the

provincial global organization for arts and culture in Saskatchewan, SaskCulture. The following year, Yorkton City Council adopted the Municipal Cultural Plan and directed administration to examine the findings and bring forward recommendations for an implementation strategy, explained Darcy McLeod, Director

of CDPR with the City at the regular meeting of Council Monday. “Now, ten years after the process began, we are revisiting and refreshing our Municipal Cultural Plan. Our community has changed over the past ten years and, in 2020, through a SaskCulture Community Cultural Engagement and Planning Grant,

Prairie Wild Consulting was engaged to conduct local research, including: information gathering, identification of cultural and community assets, mapping assets, assessment, analysis of data, and eventual publishing of these findings,� he said.

The findings of Prairie Wild Consulting will soon be provided to Council,

and the greater community, in a “State of Culture Report�.

McLeod said they would then move into the next phase of the process, which is community engagement.

In this Community Engagement phase, Prairie Wild Consulting would be engaged to work with us to host public meetings, town hall

meetings, facilitated discussions, focus groups, building community knowledge and capacity through presentations/ guest speakers followed by discussions, etc.

There is no financial commitment from, or budget impact to, the City to apply for this grant, other than our inkind staff time, added McLeod.

Business program eligibility expanding

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer The City of Yorkton is looking to expand who may be eligible for its Business Improvement Program.

Yorkton Council approved the new Business Improvement Incentive Program (BIIP) in November, with incentives taking effect in January of this year.

The Program consists

of three parts: the Façade and Site Improvements Incentive, the New Construction Incentive and the Vacant Building Tax Abatement. “There has been strong interest in the

Program, especially for the Façade and Site Improvements Incentive, where six businesses have already initiated the formal application process,� explained Michael Eger Director

of Planning, Building & Development with the City at the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

However, there have been concerns about eligibility.

“Though uptake has been positive, City Administration, along with our partners at YBID and Chamber of Commerce, have been receiving negative feed

Continued on Page A2

Women’s Summit set for March

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer The fourth annual Women’s Summit is slated to take place in March with the program going virtual. “We’re going to have an online platform,� offered Deb Cook, spokesperson for the

Everyday Heroes organized event.

The Women’s Summit Seminar Series, starts March 8, (International Woman’s Day) and continues throughout the month of March.

Everyday Heroes is a nonprofit group with an aim to promote locally owned busi-

nesses owned by female entrepreneurs in the Parkland Area of Saskatchewan.

This event is a seminar series featuring local women entrepreneurs who are sharing the knowledge they have gained in their respective industries. The goal is to provide enlightenment so that we

WE DO IT

may all collectively grow.

Cook said going online with this year’s event really opens the doors in terms of attendance. “It will open it up to whoever wants to attend,� she said, adding in the past the event has had limited seating “and we always sold out and had a

waiting list.�

Being online also broadens the potential reach of the event, making it accessible by people from anywhere.

This year that means men can tune in as well.

Cook said while the event

Continued on Page A2

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Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Yorkton This Week

BUSINESS Continued from Page A1 back about the “local” requirement that is laid out for the New Construction Incentive and the Vacant Building Tax Abatement,” said Eger.

“This regulation states that a business may only qualify for these parts if 51 percent of their shareholders reside in the City.

The rationale was partly that we needed to define what “local” means, but more so that City incentives are funded by our

taxpayers and that it would be unfair to fund non-resident.”

The report to Council Monday from Administration was to “gauge Council’s willingness to change the criteria on what is considered local, potentially opening up the program to business owners who reside in neighbouring communities, and possibly beyond,” said Eger.

It was suggested Council may wish to apply a sliding benefit –

for example, two-thirds to a business whose majority of shareholders live in a neighbouring RM, and one-third to a business whose majority shareholders live outside the neighbouring RMs but are still within the City’s primary trading area.

The rationale for nonresidents qualifying is that “regardless of where they pay their residential taxes, business owners will be investing into our economy and also paying commercial property

taxes,” detailed Eger.

“The reason to consider a sliding benefit is because non-residents who live near the City likely support Yorkton businesses in the same way a resident would, but obviously do not pay residential property taxes.

“Business owners from further away would still support many of our more regional businesses, but would typically participate in our economy at a lesser level.”

Councillor Chris Wyatt

moved the recommendation Administration be directed to expand the applicability of Business Improvement Incentive Program by allowing business owners who reside in neighbouring communities to be considered for pro-rated incentives that are otherwise available to those who reside in the City, and return to a future Council meeting for adoption. In making the motion he noted he wasn’t concerned about where the owners lived

as they would still be making their building better, and in that process “make the city look better.”

Coun. Darcy Zaharia took a similar view stating “as long as businesses are in Yorkton it doesn’t matter where the owners are.”

Coun. Randy Goulden was on side with the idea too. She said the program would still be “going to enhance businesses” that the City collects taxes from.

SUMMIT Continued from Page A1 has been organized by women entrepreneurs who have focused on helping other women, thus the female only attendance, the presentations have often simply provided good business information any potential entrepreneur could benefit from. With the online platform men can now register and log in to listen as well.

“This is going to open the conference up to a wider audience,” said Cook.

The program will as in past years feature “a variety of different speakers, with different presentations,” said Cook.

Speakers include: * Kellsey Popowich of Growth Media Strategy professional service providers and

small to medium sized businesses grow on and offline communities through online marketing and community involvement. * Kristin Marinuk and Michelle McCrea with Leland Campbell Kondratoff Persick LLP - Kristin and Michelle are both practising lawyers with the long-standing local law firm of Leland Campbell Kondratoff Persick LLP which provides a full range of legal services with offices in Yorkton, Canora and Kamsack. * Kristen Zubko - Edward Jones - Zubko partners with her clients to understand what’s important to them, their family, and their specific situation.

She uses an established process so they understand what

is required in order to achieve their financial goals. For example, preparing for retirement, living in retirement, preparing for the unexpected, and education savings. She takes the time to explain what we are doing and why. Through the years, they partner together for the long term to ensure that they stay on track. * Dr. Lindsay Yaworsky Prairie Smiles Dental Group - Yaworsky enjoys all aspects of general dentistry, with a special interest in implant and surgical procedures. She has attended many implant continuing education courses, as well as surgery courses. She places implants in select cases, and works alongside dental specialists in more compli-

cated treatment plans. She is passionate about providing the best care for her patients and promoting total oral and systemic health. * Tracey Alcorn - Parkland CPAP - Tracey has a passion for helping people, for education and for service to her community. She has a deep affection for rural Saskatchewan and the people who live in or near the many small towns, villages and hamlets that define our beautiful province. * Tricia Klassen - The Medicine Shoppe - Having grown up in Esterhazy I always had great memories of exciting shopping trips to the BIG city of Yorkton. Now we find Yorkton to be the perfect size (small town feel with big city

amenities) to raise our children and run a business. * Randy Goulden - Tourism Yorkton & Yorkton City Councillor - Randy Goulden’s years of community work and involvement with provincial and national organizations have kept her in close touch with Yorkton and Saskatchewan people and the issues that affect them.

In the past the event has been a one-day conference, but this year they are offering presentations a couple of evenings a week throughout the month of March, said Cook. She added those registering can tune in for any presentation, and they need not watch all of them. which makes it vert flexible for people.

Province should improve vaccination delivery: Meili

By Brian Zinchuk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Estevan Mercury New Democratic Party Leader Ryan Meili says we are now dealing with the results of not implementing a COVID-

19 “circuit breaker” in November, and that the province has not taken full advantage of federal relief funds. Also, at the tail end of a seniors vaccination blitz that, as a doctor, he took part in delivering, Meili received his first dose of

one of the vaccines. That blitz led him to suggest the province improve its delivery mechanisms and logistics.

Speaking to reporters in the Legislature on Jan. 26, Meili said, “We saw another 14 people lose their lives in the last 24

hours 46 in the last week, is it a lot of people, a lot of families who are mourning, and it’s really frustrating that to note that this was avoidable.

If we had gone through the circuit breaker back in the fall, had taken action early, we could have avoided these deaths. And yet here we are today, still leading the country in the rate of active cases, over 10 per cent positivity test rate, low testing compared to what we should be doing, and outbreaks and long term care.”

Regarding the extension of public health restrictions, Meili repeated his assertion that Saskatchewan should have done a “circuit breaker” in November, when cases were spiking in Manitoba and North Dakota.

“This is what we said would happen; that if we didn’t do that, we would be seeing months and months of restrictions.

It’s much more costly to the economy, and over 250 people have died. So, we missed that window.

But now, what can we do?

We need to make sure that the health measures are the right measures.

We’ve seen no action to protect against long-term care outbreaks, to reduce the density of residents in four-bed rooms in longterm care. And we’ve still got people going to bars.

That’s not the case any-

where else in Western Canada.

But here, people are still going to bars, despite knowing that those are common sources of super-spreader events. It’s happened in Saskatchewan, and it’s happened around the world.”

Pointing to a Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report, Meili said Premier Scott Moe had left $150 million in federal money “on the table.”

Meili said, “That was for childcare, so important in recovering our economy; for wage topups for essential frontline health care workers.

And over $30 million that was dedicated to preventing the kind of outbreaks we’re seeing in long term care today.

“Now is not the time to be cheap with Saskatchewan people.

And unfortunately, that’s what Scott Moe is doing.

Now is the time for us to invest. And that’s why I’m calling on the premier, today, to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem. Things are not going well, when it comes to COVID-19.

We’re at great risk that the upcoming COVID-19 variant, of things getting worse before the vaccine arrives. We are in a race, between the vaccine and the virus. Only public health measures will help us win that race; and to come clean

21021jj0

about where every single federal dollar has gone, and commit to making sure that all of those dollars go out to protect and support Saskatchewan people in this difficult time.”

He added, “This government is using this to backfill their own financial mismanagement, their own fiscal failures.

They’re using this dollar these dollars to try to cover up the fact that they’ve allowed budget deficits to grow instead of doing what they should do, which is investing in Saskatchewan people at a time when we really need.”

On the same day, Manitoba ordered most interprovincial travellers to quarantine for 14 days. Meili said interprovincial travel restrictions should be looked at in Saskatchewan. He said, “Especially as we’re thinking about a new deadly or more contagious variant, we have to think about what’s happening in our borders.”

He concluded, “My big message is, if you get a chance, if you get a call from the (Saskatchewan Health Authority), go get the vaccine. It’s really important. And we’re part of a phenomenal moment in human history. Many downsides, but what an incredible thing, to see a new disease and now have a vaccine for it only a year later.”

Up Front

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 www.yorktonthisweek.com

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Winter -- Still a time for fun It might be hard to do much this winter, but there are plenty of activities for the family to take part in outdoors. In particular, the City of Yorkton has a number of outdoor rinks and skating trails to give the opportunity to lace up, get back into practice and enjoy family fun with skating and hockey. This family got out

Photos by Rebecca Wilkinson

with each other to try out the rinks, something that all ages can enjoy. The rinks are located at Heritage Heights Park, Knights of Columbus Park, Silver Heights Park, Ukrainian Pioneer Park, and Weinmaster Park. The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skating path is located at Patrick Park.

Perspective Things may be tough for Sask. in COVID-19 fight

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MURRAY MANDRYK

Advertising Sales: Sandy Kerr Dougal Todd

Murray Mandryk is a political columnist with the Leader Post

Classified Sales: Deanna Brown

Politics Saskatchewan may finally be getting tougher in some aspects of COVID-19 fight.

Some still questions whether it’s really necessary.

For others, however, the questions are: Why did it take so long? Why isn’t the government getting even tougher?

People fed up with restrictions and wanting a break will likely be especially frustrated with the government’s decision to extend the pre-Christmas restrictions limiting household gatherings to immediate family and outdoor gatherings to 10 people to Feb. 19.

Certainly, the daily case count has slipped a bit (to an average of 254 cases a day, based on the last seven days).

“These measures are working when we follow them,” Premier Scott Moe said last week, suggesting that all we have to do is follow the existing rules to make sure things are working.

“There’s been a small number — mainly bars and restaurants — who are not following them.”

Therein lies the problem. Some businesses or their customers clearly are not following the rules, with three bars in Regina or Saskatoon being fined $14,000 each for violations.

The fines may appear to be an indication of the government getting tough, but they may also be a sign that we’ve gone about as far on COVID19 restrictions as Moe is willing to go.

He announced during the final week of the Saskatchewan election campaign in October that there would not be another lockdown and has stuck to that commitment.

Last week, Moe described fines as the last resort and pleaded with people to follow the existing restrictions in place.

If people do so, perhaps the province will be able to list restrictions in three weeks, he added.

But will that truly solve the COVID-19 problem? Saskatchewan’s lower daily case count may not be quite as rosy as the Premier suggest.

The problem with the case numbers is that they are based on identified symptomatic people getting testing when the real problem may be asymptomatic people unknowingly carrying the virus and spreading it to others.

An arguably better indicator is the positivity rate — the percentage of people tested who tested positive. It has stubbornly remained more than 10 per cent in Saskatchewan for weeks.

And the most crucial number is the death toll that’s already made January the deadliest month in Saskatchewan for COVID-19 related fatalities with a week in the month to go.

And also contrary to Moe’s suggestions, we haven’t been as tough as other places.

For the first time in your lifetime, you face restrictions travelling to a neighbouring province after Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister issued a 14-day quarantine order for outsiders coming in.

Of course, many Manitobans are unhappy about such restrictions — especially since the province is well into its second month of a lockdown with restrictions far more severe than here.

But Manitoba’s per capita daily new case counts — once far in excess of Saskatchewan’s — are now back down in the double digits.

And with a new more virulent strain of COVID-19 now in this country, the new worry for all jurisdictions is a far more rapid spread of cases capable of swamping health systems.

By contrast, Moe is now counting on a combination of fines for individuals and business breaking the rules, people’s willingness to abide by the existing rules and the arrival of vaccines.

It is true that the Saskatchewan Premier has overseen one of the most successful vaccine rollouts in the nation.

But as Moe frustratingly acknowledged last week, the province has now run out of vaccines to distribute. And we are months away from seeing enough of a critical mass of people vaccinated people to make a difference.

Of course, there’s the legitimate hope numbers will just go down with the warmer weather.

But if they don’t many may wonder why Moe wasn’t get tougher.

Murray Mandryk has been covering provincial politics since 1983.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

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◆Editorial◆

Culture plan needs benchmarks W

hile defining exactly what the ‘culture’ of a community is not easy, it is easier to appreciate its importance.

Culture is who we are, and while ultimately each of us will define that differently based on our heritage, interests and experiences, collectively we create a diversity which can be appreciated for just that, the differences we have that can still be appreciated by the broader community.

So when back around 2007 when Yorkton was selected as one of four communities in Saskatchewan to undertake a municipal cultural planning process as part of a pilot project initiated by SaskCulture Inc. it was a good thing.

SaskCulture is a community-driven organization that works with its members and the broader cultural community to build a culturally-vibrant province where all citizens celebrate, value and participate in a rich, cultural life.

And, municipal cultural planning was seen by SaskCulture as a means to achieve greater community engagement in the development of a ‘culturally vibrant province’.

Beginning in November 2007, community consultations, input and engagement in Yorkton were undertaken to develop this document. A steering committee worked with the project manager and lead consultant to develop a set of five key objectives and a strategic action plan.

Further community input resulted in the addition of a sixth objective and additional actions including. * Having Yorkton’s cultural community achieve increased communication and coordination between cultural organizations and events regarding

timing of events, marketing, audience development, partnership development, volunteer recruitment/retention and organizational capacity. * To see Yorkton as a Cultural Hub – The City of Yorkton is recognized as a centre of cultural excellence and activities for the surrounding region, offering programming that appeals all communities within a significant radius outside of Yorkton. * To establish a new or refurbish an existing community facility for cultural activities, events and organizations that is accessible, affordable and sustainable.

Whether the actions have been fully achieved could be debated, but the efforts in 2007 at least began the process.

Back then some barriers and issues were also identified including; * Lack of Recognition – The quality of Yorkton’s events, talent and cultural activities is not recognized or celebrated by the cultural community, by the City, by the people of Yorkton. * Aging volunteer base – The number of volunteers is dwindling, and there is a noticeable lack of youthful volunteers.

It appears to be the same small dedicated core of volunteers who support the activities of many organizations. * Municipal leadership – While there is a solid working relationship between City of Yorkton Leisure Service employees and the cultural community, there is a distinct lack of cultural policy. Issues that need to be addressed include gifting, public art (including murals), ongoing dedicated funding, and facility use (including outdoor spaces).

In a May 2008 editorial in Yorkton Continued on Page 5

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World Wetlands Day 2021: A future that includes wetlands should give you hope (January 29, 2021 — Regina, SK.) During the cold, short days of winter on the Prairies we rarely think about wetlands. They are frozen and covered with snow, there are few obvious signs of wildlife activity, and our thoughts are elsewhere at this time of year, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as the days get noticeably longer and we look forward to spring, we can also recognize and celebrate World Wetlands Day. World Wetlands Day is celebrated around the world each year on February 2nd in recognition of the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971. This year is the 50th anniversary of this historic signing and the theme for 2021 couldn’t be more fitting: Wetlands and Water, Inseparable and Vital to Life.

Over the decades, Saskatchewan has seen many landscape changes,

Submitted Photo

and unfortunately, many of these have resulted in lost wetland benefits.

Saskatchewan does not have a wetland inventory and is the only Prairie province without a wetland policy.

There have been positive developments of late, and signs that Saskatchewan is moving in a direction that identifies the importance of

these vital resources to the people of our province are favourable.

The formation of the Global Water Futures Program (GWF) is one promising example.

GWF https://gwf.usask. ca/ is a University of Saskatchewan-led research program that will deliver risk management solutions to manage water futures in

Canada and other cold regions where landscapes, ecosystems and the water environments are changing as a result of global warming.

Under the GWF umbrella, Prairie Water https://gwf.usask.ca/ prairiewater/ works to address pressing concerns specific to the Canadian Prairies, such as water availabil-

ity, aquatic ecosystem health, and water management practice and governance. Results from ongoing research efforts of GWF and Prairie Water will be important to the people of Saskatchewan and will help with efforts to develop a provincial wetland policy.

The value of water to all living things is recognized, but other aspects of prairie wetlands are also worthy of our appreciation. Wetland plants provide homes and feeding places for many species. Wetlands filter and purify water and fight climate change by storing carbon in the soil.

Wetlands also reduce the impacts of flood and drought.

To this end, Ducks Unlimited Canada maintains that we need wetlands now more than ever.

Developments resulting in the loss of wetland benefits should follow a true mitigation sequence to avoid harm to wetlands where possible, reduce impacts to wetlands if avoidance cannot be achieved, and

finally, as a last resort, compensate for wetland loss. Compensation includes restoration to capture lost environmental benefits; wetlands must be replaced with wetlands.

As recent initiatives in Saskatchewan promise to help move our province toward the implementation of a wetland policy, there is cause for hope: hope that by truly mitigating for development and conserving remaining wetlands, we can help address the impacts of climate change, enhance biodiversity, and prosper from the positive economic spinoffs of sustainability, resulting in improved public trust and increased market access.

With hope and anticipation, we look forward to celebrating a beneficial wetland policy for Saskatchewan on World Wetlands Day 2022.

Michael Champion, PAg – Head of Industry and Government Relations Ducks Unlimited Canada – Saskatchewan

COVID-19 support for small businesses extended again

By Brian Zinchuk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Estevan Mercury Regina – With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the public health restrictions resulting from it, nowhere yet in sight, the Government of Saskatchewan announced on Jan. 29 a further extension to the Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) program. The program was originally launched in April 2020, then renewed in December 2020. With this extension, businesses will be eligible for an additional payment for January 2021.

“Small and mediumsized businesses in the province continue to face challenges due to the global COVID-19 pan-

demic,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a release. “Our government believes support for businesses is vital, and the extension of this program for the month of January 2021, as well as the other programs available, will help as we continue to move through this challenging period and toward economic recovery.”

Business restrictions in public health orders have been expanded since the SSBEP program was renewed in December and businesses are encouraged to reevaluate their eligibility for both the December and January payments, the release said.

The SSBEP program has provided $5.9 million in assistance to 1,521 applicants for the

December period. With the public health order extended, more businesses in the province have been impacted. This phase of the program will accept applications for the December and/or January payment until March 2, 2021.

Applicants will be eligible for up to $5,000 per month in funding, and those who qualified for the December intake of the SSBEP will not have to re-apply for January.

However, businesses will be contacted to attest that they remain eligible for the January payment.

Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, said by phone on Jan. 29, “We’re clearly supportive of any support for business. Obviously, anything we can do to get more dollars into the hands of

businesses, to help sustain them through these very difficult days is appreciated.

“Small business is certainly a challenging sector of our economy, but all businesses are feeling it. Larger hotels, and so on are feeling the pressure. So, it’s not just a small business person.

“But bottom line is we support the programs, we’re happy that they’ve extended them, and what we’d like is for them to be extended for longer periods of time. Waves of support is appreciated, but predictability through knowing these are available for some time, with a monthly renewal would be would be fantastic.”

McLellan added, “We don’t know how long we’ll need these. But we know full well that it will be, it

intimate theatre for public use, one where those in attendance can sip wine and drink a beer as they watch whatever is being performed on stage?

Is there a need for more public recognition of the arts in the city, perhaps through a program such as the

‘Godfrey Awards’, an idea discussed in the past to create a set of awards focusing on success in the arts?

Or, is it time for a museum dedicated to the history of the city?

Maybe this time around we’ll define the answers and fund the solutions too.

CULTURE Continued from page 4 This Week it was quoted a letter then presented to Council “the object of a Municipal Cultural Planning process is to ensure the cultural assets in a community are recognized and understood as resources for human and community development,” explained the letter. “Planning around a municipality’s cultural amenities and authentic heritage opens the door to attracting new employers and residents, increasing tourism and trade, as well as building social capital and overall community well-being.”

So the process began in 2007 is now being updated, and the objective remains much the same.

So to do some of the issues and barriers.

Therein lies the concern with the process, as one might well ask if the needle in terms of helping better define and grow the commun-

ity’s cultural assets have taken place.

It is often easier to define the issues that need addressing than it is in taking the actual steps to improve things.

So as the City works through the process of updating its Municipal Cultural Plan it might do well to set some hard targets this time, and some budget dollars to see those targets met, otherwise we could end up in perpetual plan updates acknowledging the importance of culture in the community, but falling short of pushing a cultural agenda to the forefront.

In a second editorial from May 2008, Yorkton This Week asked the important question whether there was something missing from the cultural picture here in Yorkton?

For example, while there are two fine theatres associated with our high schools, is there a need for a smaller, more

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will be some time before businesses are back earning revenue through any kind of semblance of normal.

McLellan concluded, “The most important thing with the support, as much as it’s appreciated, is for businesses to carry on keeping the protocols in place, making sure their staff and their customers are safe.

And even though everybody’s getting very tired of COVID and very tired of working in restricted conditions, we must hold the faith, if you will, and continue to get through it, as we will. But it’s not easy, not getting any easier. But we will get through it. And that’s the light at the end of the tunnel, we have to be conscious is coming.”

The government release pointed out that are other support programs available for Saskatchewan businesses.

The Strong Recovery Adaptation Rebate (SRAR) reimburses eligible small businesses for investments made to adapt their business to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial assistance includes a payment of up to $5,000 for 50 per cent of total eligible businessadaptation investments

made by the applicant prior to Feb. 28, 2021.

Eligible expenditures include establishing physical barriers or reconfiguring space to operate safely, providing services through digital tools, providing different services or products, and shifting to delivery or curb-side services. The application deadline is March 31, 2021.

The Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy (RSTS) is currently accepting applications. This temporary training subsidy provides businesses with financial support to train employees as they adjust to the impacts of the COVID19 pandemic. The RSTS reimburses eligible private-sector employers 100 per cent of employee training costs up to a maximum of $10,000 per business, which will help employers adapt to the impacts of the pandemic and safely align business activities with the re-opening of Saskatchewan’s economy.

The application deadline has been extended to March 31, 2021.

Businesses that have been fined for noncompliance with public health orders will not be eligible to receive support under these programs.

2021-02-01 1:53 PM

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Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Yorkton This Week

Mapping tool tracks ‘very aggressive’ wild pig Nick Pearce Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Saskatoon StarPhoenix) Ray Beck has seen the damage wild pigs can do when left unchecked.

Beck, a roughly 20-year rural municipality pest control veteran, says he’s seen wild boars ruin a nine-hole golf course “basically overnight” on a visit to Texas. In the five southern Saskatchewan rural municipalities he serves, he’s managed to mostly eliminate the problem, he says — largely with a rifle.

“It is incredible, the power of their noses.”

University of Saskatchewan professor Ryan Brook has developed a mapping tool that may help people like Beck. The

Photo provided by Ryan Brook

University of Saskatchewan Professor Ryan Brook is mapping the rapid spread of wild pigs in the province. tool, which is compatible with Google Earth, uses 296 rural municipalities to track wild pigs across the province.

Brook said anyone interested can download the maps on the Canadian

Wild Pig Research Project Facebook page.

The data includes resident reports, photos from trail cameras, and tracking collars to project wild pig concentration.

He says the mapping

tool may have a wide range of uses. Hunters can also use it to inform where they track pigs, while hikers can use it to plan routes.

If farmers and ranchers are concerned about

damage to their property, they can zoom in on their community and surrounding area to see the risk. That gives them a chance to take preventative measures like putting up fencing.

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan president Todd Lewis said a tracking tool should help farmers keep up to date on the risks wild pigs pose to their properties.

“They’re very invasive, and can really cause a lot of problems both to crops … also they’re just terrible with livestock,” Lewis said. “Very aggressive animals. It’s a real problem, if you do have them.”

Brook said that’s because the animals root through fields with their snouts, shredding farm land. Because of their destructiveness and cap-

acity to spread disease, they’re considered one of the worst invasive mammals facing the province.

Brook said the animals were brought to Saskatchewan in the 1980s and ’90s, but they escaped from their fencing and spread rapidly.

They have roughly six piglets per litter and multiple litters per year, and have home ranges of about 300 square kilometres or more, Brook added.

He said they’re nearly impossible to eradicate in some parts of the province, but the tracking tool may help inform residents of any risk.

While he’s unsure how many there are in the province, he said they’re spreading quickly.

“We are on track toward having more wild pigs than people.”

Three more weeks of COVID-19 public health restrictions in Saskatchewan

By Brian Zinchuk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Estevan Mercury Regina – Three more weeks. That’s the length of the most recent extension of public health orders in Saskatchewan meant to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Premier Scott Moe made the announcement from the Legislature in Regina on Jan. 26 with chief medical health officer Dr. Saqib Shahab.

The announcement came on a day when Saskatchewan posted yet another record for COVID-19 related deaths, 14, but has seen a slow drop in new case counts.

There are now 2,665 cases are considered active, and on that day, 607 recoveries were reported.

Moe said. “The number of new cases in Saskatchewan continues to gradually decline.

Today we are reporting 232 new cases, and our seven-day average for new cases is now 254.

This is down about 20 per cent from its peak of 321 on Jan. 12. Our active cases are now down to 2,665, the lowest level since Nov. 21, and down

over 40 per cent from a peak of 4,763 on Dec. 7.

“This gradual decline means that our current public health orders and restrictions are working, but we need to leave them in place a little longer. Therefore, all the current public health orders are being extended for three weeks until Feb. 19.”

“These measures are working, when we follow them, as the vast majority of Saskatchewan people and businesses are doing.

There have been a small number of mainly bars and restaurants who may not have been following those putting their staff putting their customers and essentially putting their communities at risk. So, I have asked that we increase enforcement on those who choose to break the rules, and in recent days there has been three significant tickets.”

Moe also said that two bars in Saskatoon and one in Regina had been issued $14,000 fines.

He held out the hope that three weeks from now, Saskatchewan may be able to look at reducing the number of restrictions in place.

He pointed out that

the province has made a lot of progress in vaccinations. To date, 34,080 doses have been delivered, and those administering it are quite literally getting the most out of every bottle, getting 104 per cent of expected dosages. Moe said, “But we continue to be limited by the slow pace of vaccine deliveries, from to and from the federal government. Saskatchewan now has the highest percentage of vaccines administered, and we have the second-highest per capita rate of vaccinations completed among any of the provinces.

“Unfortunately, today we are virtually out of vaccines. And with no new shipments coming this week, our vaccination program will be stalled for the next number of days.”

Next week, the province is expecting 12,000 additional doses, of which 5,850 will be Pfizer doses heading to Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford, Yorkton and Swift Current to allow continued vaccination of long-term care residents and staff, as well as those over 70. A further 6,500 Moderna doses will be going to the far

City looks to recoup tax enforcement costs

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer If you owe the City of Yorkton property taxes which are in arrears, it could cost you more in fees if payments are not forthcoming in a timely fashion.

At the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday Council was unanimous in authorizing Administration to adopt a new Tax Enforcement Policy.

The reason for the new policy and fees is to maximize the effective use of time and resources, as well as recover costs for the work being performed for taxpayers, explained Ashley Stradeski, Director of Finance, with the City.

The new policy sets flat costs attached to tax liens as the property moves through the process, for example a flat administrative fee of $250

added to the six-month notice.

Another $250 would be added when a property goes to the Provincial Mediation Board.

“The intent of this policy is twofold. First, to recoup administrative costs associated with this process. We are one of the last municipalities to implement the proposed fees. As well, this may possibly provide a deterrent to property owners once they realize there are additional fees. While

this may sound harsh, we do have a few properties that are in and out of the lien stage every two years. No sooner do we remove the lien and they are right back in arrears, and the whole process begins again,” explained Stradeski’s report.

“The other positive outcome which we predict is that, when informed of additional fees, property owners will be incentivized to pay and this should increase our rate of collection.”

Hear it. L Live itit.t Coralee Schoenrock 275 Bradbrooke Dr, Yorkton, SK S3N 3L3 306.782.1881 premiercarehearing.ca

M.A, Aud(C)

Audiologist/Owner Registered Sk

northeast, far northwest, and northeast regions of the province for a second doses. In the central-west region, first shots will be administered, Moe said.

The province will continue to push the federal government for more vaccines, and to also look at approving additional types of vaccines for use.

He referenced the vaccines that AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have been working on.

Shahab said, “I think it’s really important that we are seeing a steady decline in our case numbers; all the indicators are moving in the right direction is slow and steady.”

Daily case numbers have come down from 24 per 100,000 population to 20 per 100,000. Test positivity is down under 10 per cent, and is doing so throughout the province.

When vaccination starts picking up in March and April, “then we hope to see significant impact on hospitalization and deaths,” he said. Until then, we really have to stay the course.

“The other thing is that, with our public

health measures, some people say it’s too little, some people say it’s too much. But, you know, they try to strike a fine balance between minimizing cases, as long as the guidelines are followed, and letting people work, (and) enjoy other amenities as much as possible.”

He added, “But the downward trend does show, that if all of us abide by public health principles, it has a significant impact on our case numbers.”

On the same day, Manitoba implemented 14-day quarantines for nearly all travellers to that province. Asked about doing something similar for Saskatchewan, Shahab said it have been looked at, but found to be impractical, given our long borders, and people in border communities who work and shop across the border. But he did recommend minimizing travel.

Regarding variants of the COVID-19 virus, Shahab said sampling is done with relation to travel, and some sampling with age groups

and geography as well.

“I would not be surprised if we saw a variant in Saskatchewan, but again, what we’re doing, is exactly the same. We really have to follow all these public health measures.”

Asked about adverse reactions to the vaccines in Saskatchewan, Shahab said there have been around 10 to 15 allergic reactions, some tingling on the face, and one anaphylaxis that was managed safely. They were well-described in the product monograph and have been managed, he said. “Most of them have presented in individuals who may have had a history of allergies, and they have managed well, so at this point the signal is not of any concern, compared to what is known about these vaccines what we were expecting, with what’s know about other vaccines.”

He noted the importance of watching those vaccinated for 15 minutes after the shot, and if you have any allergies, make it known and you will be monitored some more.

Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

February 3, 2021 - February 9, 2021

Next Council Meeting Monday, February 22, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

Public Notice Discretionary Use Application for Automotive Maintenance Use in C-1 City Centre Commercial Zoning District - 134 Broadway Street East

Other Job Opportunities • Job Ops Other - Full Time Operator A-1 Public Works For additional information regarding these employment opportunities, visit the City of Yorkton’s website at www.yorkton.ca/employment or you can pick up a copy of the job posting at the Human Resources Department - City Hall.

The City of Yorkton thanks all applicants; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Legal Description:

Lots 15 & 16, Blk/Par M, Plan 98Y02216

Civic Address:

134 Broadway Street East

Proposed Use:

Automotive Maintenance

Details: The applicant proposes to operate an Automotive Maintenance use at the proposed location in a C-1 City Centre Commercial zoning district. Automotive Maintenance uses within the City Centre zoning district are Discretionary Uses under Zoning Bylaw No. 14/2003 and must be publicly advertised before Council can make a decision on the application.

Information: You can view this notice online at www.yorkton.ca under the New and Notices section on the home page. Questions regarding the application may be directed to: Carleen Koroluk, Land Use Planner Phone: (306) 786-1727 Email: ckoroluk@yorkton.ca Public Hearing: City Council will hear all persons who are present and wish to speak to the application and all written submissions will be read verbatim unless the submitter is in attendance to speak on the submission, on Monday, February 22, 2021 at 5:00 pm in City Hall Council Chambers, Yorkton, SK. If you wish to provide written comments for Council’s consideration, they must be submitted by 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 18, 2021. Written submissions must be directed to: Jessica Matsalla, Director of Legislation & Procedures In Person: 37 Third Avenue North, Yorkton, SK Via Mail: Box 400, Yorkton, SK S3N 2W3 Via Email: jmatsalla@yorkton.ca

GENERAL INQUIRIES: 306-786-1700 Mayor’s Office................................. 306-786-1701 After Hours Emergency ...................................... 306-786-1760 Building Services ............................. 306-786-1710 Bylaw Control .................................. 306-786-1725 City Clerk ......................................... 306-786-1717 City Manager ................................... 306-786-1703 City Parks & Green Spaces ............................................ 306-786-1780 City RCMP....................................... 306-786-2400 Communications ............................. 306-828-2424 Community Development, Parks & Recreation .......................... 306-786-1750

Economic Development .................. 306-786-1747 Engineering Department...................................... 306-786-1710 Farrell Agencies Arena Booking ........................................... 306-786-1740 Fire Hall ........................................... 306-786-1795 Gallagher Centre Water Park & Meeting Rooms/Convention Centre Booking ............................... 306-786-1740 Gloria Hayden Community Centre .............................................. 306-786-1776 Godfrey Dean Meeting Rooms Booking ........................................... 306-786-1780

Kinsmen Arena & Blue Room Booking ........................................... 306-786-1780 Library Rooms Booking ........................................... 306-786-1780 Property Sales ................................................ 306-786-1747 Public Works .............................................. 306-786-1760 Sports Fields & City Centre Park Bookings ......................................... 306-786-1780 Tax Department ............................. 306-786-1736 Water Billing Department...................................... 306-786-1726

Did you know.....all City News is also accessible on the City of Yorkton website.

Just go to our website at www.yorkton.ca and scroll down to view the “City News” links.

A7

A8

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Yorkton This Week

Liam and Olivia still Saskatchewanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular baby names in 2020 A list of the top 20 baby names for 2020 was released by eHealth Saskatchewan today.

Liam was once again the most popular name for baby boys for the 11th year in a row, and Olivia was the most popular name for baby girls for the sixth year in a row.

The second most popular boy name was Jack and the second most popular girl name was Emma.

There were 63 baby boys named Liam in 2020, followed by Jack, Hudson, Noah and Oliver. There were 69 baby girls named Olivia, followed by Emma, Amelia, Sophia and Emily.

Some new names debuted on the top 20

Top 20 Girl Names Rank Name

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Top 20 Boy Names

Total Named

OLIVIA EMMA AMELIA SOPHIA EMILY HARPER ADDISON AVA ELLIE ISLA SCARLETT AURORA ABIGAIL CHARLOTTE HAZEL QUINN ELIZABETH IVY NORA SADIE

69 45 43 39 37 34 31 31 31 30 30 28 27 27 25 22 21 21 21 21

lists. Bennett tied at number 17 on the list of boy names and Aurora

Rank Name

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Total Named

LIAM JACK HUDSON NOAH OLIVER WILLIAM THEODORE MAVERICK BENJAMIN LINCOLN LUKE LUCAS WYATT HENRY OWEN LEVI BENNETT HUNTER LEO JAMES

63 48 43 43 43 42 39 37 36 36 36 35 35 34 34 33 32 32 32 29

debuted at number 12 on the list of girl names.

Maverick debuted in

2019 tied at number 19 on the boyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list, and saw a significant rise in popularity in 2020; it now sits in the eighth spot.

Several of the most popular baby boy names from 2019 did not reappear on the 2020 top 20 list, including Emmett, Logan, Ethan, Asher, Thomas and Jackson.

This was also the first time in more than 10 years that the name Alexander did not make the list of top boy names.

The baby girl names that did not carry over from 2019 were Chloe, Ella, Everly, Hannah, Brielle, Violet and Aria.

As of December 9, 2020, 12,044 live births were registered in Saskatchewan. The final count will be completed in March. The number of live births registered in 2019 was 14,668.

This does not include Saskatchewan mothers who gave birth outside of the province.

*Please note that these are preliminary lists created with live birth data up to December 9, 2020. eHealth is still completing the birth registrations from the remainder of December 2020. The final lists will be completed in March and will be available at eHealthSask.ca under Health Data and Analytics, along with the final lists of popular baby names from previous years.

February 3, 2021 - February 9, 2021 Next Council Meeting Monday, February 22, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.

College announces hiring of new VP Parkland College announces that Dana Wilkins has been hired as Vice President of Partnerships and Business Development, effective Feb. 1.

In this new role, Wilkins will primarily be responsible for leading and directing Strategic Plan objectives in the areas of partnership development, corporate training, marketing and branding, student recruitment, and applied research. He will work out of the Trades & Technology Centre in Yorkton.

In addition, Wilkins will be assigned the Chief Partnership and Business Development Officer role for the Parkland CollegeCumberland College Coalition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are thrilled to have Dana join our team,â&#x20AC;? said Dr. Mark Hoddenbagh, President and CEO of the two colleges. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This position is

consulting experience.

He previously spent 13 years in senior executive leadership positions with the Ministry of Justice. He also holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) from the Kenneth Levene School of Business at the University of Regina.

About Parkland College:

Dana Wilkins integral to meeting the goals and objectives of the Coalition 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. As we build on our employer and community relationships, and extend our reach to existing and new partners through corporate training, applied research, and other services, we will leverage these to continue our focus on the needs and success of our students.â&#x20AC;?

Wilkins has a wealth of business development

Parkland College provides high quality, learner centred education and training as a foundation for lifelong success. The College offers a superior learning and campus experience for all students through quality programming and services. Students can get started on their careers by completing university classes, full degrees, and skills training and trades certificates. Parkland College also delivers high school upgrading, safety training, and corporate/ professional development.

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Did you know.....all City News is also accessible on the City of Yorkton website.

Just go to our website at www.yorkton.ca and scroll down to view the â&#x20AC;&#x153;City Newsâ&#x20AC;? links.

Yorkton This Week | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Wednesday, February 3, 2021

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Six more SaskTel cell towers in areas well off the beaten path

By Brian Zinchuk Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Estevan Mercury

six new macro cell towers. These new towers are located near the communities of Beresina, between MacNutt and Churchbridge; Gibbs, north of Craven; Glentworth, east of Mankota; Jumping Lake, northeast of Wakaw; Muddy Lake, south of Unity; and Wandsworth, east of Blaine Lake.

“Our government understands how important communication services have become in the modern world, especially in rural and remote

Regina – SaskTel is serious when they talk about providing service to rural and remote areas, as its most recent additions to its cell tower network are in many cases so far off the beaten path, you may have to consult Google Earth to find them.

The Crown corporation announced on Feb. 1 it had recently launched

areas,” said Don Morgan, Minister Responsible for SaskTel in a release.

“Through the Wireless Saskatchewan initiative, and thanks to the efforts of SaskTel, we’re raising the level of connectivity in rural and remote parts of the province so that our residents are better equipped to compete and succeed in the modern world.”

“As illustrated by a recent report from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications

Commission (CRTC), Saskatchewan already has the best wireless coverage in Western Canada, with over 99 per cent of the population and 98 per cent of the major roadways and highways being covered with LTE wireless service,” said Doug Burnett, SaskTel president and CEO. “And, with the addition of these new towers, wireless coverage in Saskatchewan is getting even better.”

These towers are part of the final phase of the

Wireless Saskatchewan initiative, which will see SaskTel invest over $70 million to construct 74 macro cell towers in rural parts of the province – see appendix for locations. Once the final phase of the program is complete, SaskTel’s wireless network will grow to include more than 1,000 cell towers, over 700 of which being located in rural parts of the province.

SaskTel anticipates that all of the cell towers to be constructed

as part of the Wireless Saskatchewan initiative will be complete by early Summer 2021.

Added Burnett, “We’re firmly committed to be the best at connecting the people of Saskatchewan, and it’s this commitment that drives us to continue to invest in our networks so that our customers have access to the services they need to stay in touch with what matters most to them from almost anywhere in the province.”

Time to rip and tear and do some repairs

As I type this, my bathroom doesn’t exist.

To be clearer, the actual room where my bathroom is located exists. There’s even a toilet in there, which I can use in the evening.

But if we’re talking about the bath that goes in the bathroom, that’s not there. Nor is the sink. It’ll all be there tomorrow, unless there’s a small disaster, but otherwise I don’t really have a bathroom at the moment.

This is slightly inconvenient, of course, but inconvenience is the cost of progress. Or, at least, the cost of not having things leak all over the house, which is what the current bathroom has an irritating tendency to do. So the decision was made to rip it all out and start fresh, with new and exciting bathroom fixtures that will

build into a nice bathroom that’s much better than the one that came before it. I find myself getting quite excited.

The fun thing about renovations is that you get to see how well your house was built the last time. You get to see the corners cut, the bad (and good) decisions made, what happened the last time the house was torn apart. Some of the stuff we already knew, like how the vanity was way too big for the space so it was difficult to get to the toilet, or how nobody thought to put an exhaust fan in a bathroom. Some stuff we didn’t, like the bizarre materials used to put in the shower. It’s an adventure in ripping everything out and putting it back together again.

Of course, this is an old house - it was built

DEVIN WILGER

Thinking I do with words... in 1911, and the bathroom “design” is so weird that you can easily assume that indoor plumbing wasn’t a thought in anyone’s mind when it was made.

After all, without curtains the neighbor would get a full view of the bathroom’s user.

The age of the house naturally means that there are challenges that another house might not have. This also explains why the renovation was necessary - so much copper, so

many leaks, so many things that need to be ripped out.

It also makes you appreciate just how difficult doing renovations is. This isn’t a cheap project - you wouldn’t think such a small room would be so expensive but when you watch them doing what they’re doing, I totally get why it’s so expensive. I could probably do one or two minor repairs. I even replaced the toilet once.

But all of the pieces that are being moved around

and replaced, all of the parts that have to be redone and rebuilt. And it’s our only bathroom. I might be able to rip things apart and put them together on a computer screen, but what these guys are doing, I could never actually accomplish. It’s so much work, most of it I can’t do. The room itself will be so different once it’s all said and done that I know, for certain, there’s no way my lack of handiness would have made any of it possible.

In some cases it’s also work that I would never want to do. I once moved a bed upstairs, it was awful. Do I want to move a bathtub up and down the same stairs? No. Absolutely no way. If I can get someone else to do it, that’s going to be way better for everyone.

They get paid. I don’t have to do what was a

hellish task. A win for everyone.

Renovations are like anything in life - changes have to be made, some minor, some dramatic, because if things stay exactly the same there’s no way you can live like that. I can’t live with having water drip downstairs when I’m taking a shower. I can’t live with just how humid the room gets after everyone in the house takes a shower. While it was fine when there was just one person in here, the more we have the worse it is, until the house simply doesn’t work anymore.

I’m pretty excited to see what it actually looks like when it’s all said and done, and while it’s in no way cheap, it’s still nice to see that this change is going to be one for the better.

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Sports

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 www.yorktonthisweek.com

A10

TO Six coach sees potential in NWHL Sports fans may have missed it, unless they were specifically looking for it, but on Jan. 23, the National Women’s Hockey League kickedoff its 2021 season, albeit with a very short season planned.

The league, which now boasts five teams, is playing a two-week run of games, with teams in a bubble and playing out of the Herb Brooks Arena at Lake Placid, NY. While salvaging a season for the NWHL is important in terms of women’s hockey, especially with the recent demise of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League.

When the CWHL disbanded it left Canada without a pro women’s team, at least in a traditional city-based league, although that situation did not last long as the Toronto Six were announced as an expansion NWHL team, and their run in the new league began with the season opener in the bubble; a 3-0 to the Metropolitan Riveters.

A day later the Six fell 6-5 in an overtime shoot-out to the Minnesota Whitecaps as Saskatchewan netminder Samantha Ridgewell (interviewed in this space previously) made her first start.

So what’s it been like for the Six starting in a

bubble south of the border?

“It’s safe,” said Six head coach Margaret ‘Digit’ Murphy, who noted while she herself is American she had been in Canada since October, so it feels different stateside. “... This is nothing compared to Canada,” she said, noting while the Six are in a bubble, outside their sphere, with the exception of people wearing masks much seemed rather normal, while in Canada (Ontario) there are closures and restrictions.

“It’s very strange to come back to the U.S. after experiencing Canada.”

Murphy has an extensive resume as a coach -head coach of the Boston Blades, with whom she won two Clarkson Cups, and the Kunlun Red Star WIH in the CWHL -- she was not exactly looking to step behind the bench again.

“After I got back from China (Kunlun), and had done the Olympic thing over there I was trying to get things set up for some new successes,” she related in a recent telephone interview, adding she was looking to expand into more of a role providing leadership in the sport.

But, when the pandemic hit raising start-

CALVIN DANIELS

Sports up funding was not going to be easy, and the offer to coach the Six came

along, so she took it.

“It was a natural transition to help these guys

Margaret ‘Digit’ Murphy,

out,” said Murphy.

So is there added pressure for Murphy and the Six to succeed as Canada’s lone team?

Murphy said there are always pressures to win, but added that is a good thing, noting she was once told “pressure is a privilege,” and she believes that to be true, adding as she has matured she has changed too. “Back when I was younger I would have been pressured but now I just try to savour every single moment.”

And as for winning, that pressure “is selfimposed” by anyone playing or coaching in sport.

There was however some pressure to get a season, shortened as it is, off the ground, with Murphy terming it “immensely important”.

“We are on a historic track to do things other women’s leagues haven’t,” she said, including having the league’s Isobel Cup semi finals and final set for broadcast by NBCSN, and a sponsorship deal with Discover.

The bubble also comes with a cost, one born by team owners, which Murphy sends an important message too.

“They’re committed for the long term,” she said.

And Murphy sees a

long term for the NWHL, and a future that can see substantial growth. That growth should include Canada, as she cited Montreal, and added “there should be a team in Calgary.”

Longer term she eyed what’s happening with the Kraken in Seattle and suggested a woman’s team could follow and then a natural rival in Vancouver.

“There could be 10-12 teams eventually,” she said.

The more teams, the more opportunities for players to advance their careers, which is something missing on the women’s side, noted Murphy.

There are various pro and semi pro leagues male players can aspire too, but for women the options after college are much more limited. As those opportunities grow more women will pursue them.

And Murphy said the hockey in the NWHL is something “any hockey fan” should be able to appreciate for the “skating, passing and shooting skills” the players exhibit. (I tuned into the opening weekend games of the Six and was certainly entertained by the effort shown.)

The league and the Toronto Six can be followed at www.nwhl.zone

Birds Canada releases grassland conservation guide Sean Feagan Local Journalism Initiative Reporter (Strathmore Times) Rural landowners have several options for land stewardship programs, but a new guide could help them consider them all in one place.

Birds Canada, a non-profit charity, has released the Grasslands Conservation Incentives Guide, a “one stop shop” guide to the incentives and programs available for prairie working landscapes.

Available on the organization’s website (birdscanada.org), the guide summarizes the stewardship initiatives active across the prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and

Manitoba. These programs can help Canada’s grassland bird populations, of which 60 per cent have disappeared since 1970, according to Birds Canada.

According to Alyssa Robb, Wheatland County environmental coordinator, the guide offers an overview of national and provincial programs targeting the protection of grasslands and other environmentally important features, such as wetlands. It also highlights some of the bird species that inhabit grassland habitats in Wheatland County and other regions of the prairies.

“It’s not just a document about resources that are available, it’s also informative,” said Robb.

In Wheatland County, one of the national programs is ALUS. “We have an active ALUS program extending funding to landowners and projects to provide ecological goods and services on the landscape, such as providing habitat for birds,” said Robb.

Provincial programming active in Wheatland County includes the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Cows and Fish (through the county’s ALUS program) and Ducks Unlimited Canada, Alberta, she explained.

Additionally, the county has extended some MULTISAR education resources (related to grassland species at risk) to the community and are members in two watershed groups: the Bow

River Basin Council and the Red Deer Watershed Alliance.

“It’s neat to see quite

a large conservation community available for us to pull resources and ideas from, so if we were not

already involved in a lot of these programs, it’d be a great spot to find them,” said Robb.

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Due to Family Day, the deadline for Yorkton This Week Wednesday, February 17, 2021 issue is Thursday February 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Note: Our office will be closed on Monday February 15.

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A11

ART • ENTERTAINMENT • COMMUNITY

Digital art expands possibilities

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer Photography is an art form which stands on its own merits.

But, for Yorkton’s Ron Erickson the photo is only the first step in his creative process as an artist.

The photographs Erickson takes are often manipulated digitally to create works of art that transcend the original, becoming works of art that are equal parts reality and fantasy.

“After getting somewhat comfortable with digital, I started to get into more photo editing programs and just threw caution to the wind,” said the artist. “I would load shots into one program after another changing color, skies, add items or delete; going back and forth between program filters ‘til I arrived at what I believed was what I was looking for.”

Since the process was one that did not always work out in a way that pleased, Erickson said he made sure he could go back and try again.

“I always kept my original in its original state just in case I made an error,” he said.

As his knowledge of the software increased, the results turned out more and more to his own liking.

“Learning some of the software programs allowed so much more versatility in being able to manipulate a photo,” said Erickson.

“You could turn it into a painting look, a sketch, night into day and day into night.

“Doors were opening to a whole new world of artistic possibilities.”

Of course there was a learning curve.

“Some of the biggest challenges through all of this was to force yourself to slow things down when shooting the original shots,” noted Erickson.

“Check the battery for charge, check the lens for dust or other contamination. Make sure you are in focus, what about the lighting and how is it affecting the shot.

“When ready to shoot, squeeze the shutter button slowly or even better use a remote shutter.

“Sometimes you just know in advance where you want to take the photo, often you know it is going to be good, you just aren’t sure what filters you will use till you dive in. Often it is the latter and the photo just seems to lead you when editing and you gener-

ally know when you have achieved the final product.”

Interestingly, photography was not an interest for Erickson until well into his adult years.

Born in Flin Flon. MB. in 1955, Erickson moved to Foam Lake with his parents Les and Myrle Erickson at a young age.

“All through my years in Foam Lake I can’t say I recall any interest in photography or to have a camera,” he said.

Erickson left Foam Lake in 1974 to begin his own life, marrying Sharon Majcher in 1975 who was also from the Foam Lake area.

After a number of years in Moosomin, Erickson and family moved to Esterhazy in 2000, and his artistic journey would finally begin.

“My interest in photography would soon begin,” he said. “I had the pleasure of meeting Helen Solmes who worked for the local newspaper and Harvard Zavadosky who was a retired professional photographer. They both took me under their wing so to speak and opened up a whole new world for me to explore.

Helen and Harvard both had a keen interest in black and white photography and allowed me to work with them in Harvard’s dark room.

“At the time digital cameras were just starting to get popular, but I didn’t even have a film camera of my own but would accompany Helen and Harvard on their excursions. I had caught the photo bug and knew somehow I had to obtain my own camera.”

Then fate seemed to play a card.

“In 2003 illness struck my wife and we spent a month in the Regina General Hospital,” recalled Erickson. “My wife and I were quite heavy smokers and had talked about quitting.

“As my wife lay in a coma, I prayed she would be ok and that I would quit smoking if she recovered.

I rethought things and knew you can’t just make deals and she certainly couldn’t smoke so I quit!

“Then and there I decided I would spend every cent saved from not smoking on a camera.

“My wife recuperated, we had both quit smoking and yes, I bought my first of many cameras.”

Of course there was

Ron Erickson one photo that stands out in Erickson’s mind, the one that pushed him deeper into the hobby.

“In my mind the photo that spurred me on was taken while on a holiday into the wilderness in Northern Manitoba,” he recalled. “Shooting very early one morning across a channel of water from the cabin, fog drifting softly over water that was as smooth as glass will stick in my mind forever.

“I just knew it was going to be good but I was apprehensive at the same time till I could go home and develop it. Helen and Harvard assisted me in developing my first 11x14 black and white.

“It came out of the developing solution and a warm sense of pride came over me, believ-

ing it was so good, and reinforced by Harvard and Helen. Harvard complementing me that I had found my signature, Helen voicing how very talented to get a shot like this so quickly in my learning curve.

“Luck perhaps but it gave me the incentive to carry on, improving my skills. I have this piece that I framed myself to this day and experienced the satisfaction and drive to pursue doing more.”

And take more photos he did.

“While living in Esterhazy, I would take every opportunity to drive the backroads for hours looking for something new to shoot,” said Erickson.

“A profound desire to capture the old aban-

doned homesteads and landscapes became almost an obsession of sorts.

“You never knew what might lie around the next corner and the sense of accomplishment when you found another jewel of a home. The wonderment of who lived there and why did they leave.

What their life was like when living there and what hardships did they face living so far away from any town?”

So the search continued, although film fell by the wayside as technology changed.

“The attraction to these old homes led me down the path to find more of them,” said Erickson. “Digital cameras were now the go-to camera, so of course, I had to have one.

“Digital opened up a whole new world in photography. If you a make minor mistake you could fix it, if you didn’t like the photo at all you could just delete it.

“There was a danger however that you would not take enough time to set up properly. Digital allows you to be slightly careless and I soon recognized this. I have learned it is a must to set up the shot as best you can the first time to come out of it with a shot you are going to be satisfied with.

“That said, we all take many more ordinary shots than great ones but that is part of the challenge and what keeps me going to do more.”

Inspiration for Erickson has come not just from the search for old buildings.

“I am inspired by so many other photographers work, and am honoured to have others who have said this of mine as well,” he said.

“Many people’s names come to mind of whose work has influenced me, James Fisher for tach sharp photos, Dean Fey a master at manipulating a photo as well as Robert Hoknes enormous talent. Thank you to Gerry Pocha for his stunning Aurora Astrophotography, you constantly watch and learn from so many, to all of them, I say Thank you.”

And then there are the experiences gained from his search for old buildings.

“Often you are out alone in search of something new or plan out a shot at a previously found loca-

tion,” said Erickson.

“One such place was an old home deserted homestead. I had previously talked to the owner and obtained permission to access his land and shoot the location. He was kind enough to bring out an old painting from the early 1900’s. It was a painted picture of this grand home when it was young with a bright white picket fence surrounding it.” He went on to tell me the family was large and that a family member had passed away and their ashes were sprinkled in the yard in front of the house.

“I went to the location in the early evening knowing I wanted the setting sun to shine on the house. As I waited and the sun sunk lower on the horizon, the darkness slowly crept in. I began by taking occasional test shots to observe the lighting effects. As I squeezed the shutter I sensed movement on the upper floor window. I reviewed my shot and noticed that a second floor ragged window curtain was hanging at an angle towards the middle.

“Now though it was now hanging straight down along the side of the window. I wouldn’t have thought much about it but there was absolutely no wind that evening. Now I know it wasn’t my imagination running away with me, I had the photo to back me up.”

Erickson added it was so real when he had taken his final shot, packed up and got ready to go he could “hear a voice whisper you all come back now.”

Ultimately, Erickson said photography comes down to capturing the present and preserving it for the future.

“For me photography is about fulfillment and the satisfaction in preserving a point in time, whether it be a homestead or a sunset,” he said.

“Some will debate whether photography is an art, for me there is no question that it is. The screen of our computers are the canvas upon which we work our art. I do not profess to have the talent of someone who paints with a brush, but I still perceive it as art.

“One only has to look at all the beautiful photos displayed on various forums to know that indeed it is art. Ansel Adams being one of the greats in black and white photography. In the end of it all I do it because I just plainly enjoy it.”

A12

The tale of a little girl ....

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Yorkton This Week

The bloodcurdling midnight scream outside woke our granddaughter.

She flew to the window in time to see something white fall from a tall spruce several yards beyond the house. The dogs heard it too. They rushed the area, yapping and barking at something circling above. A predator on the wing, gunning for one terrified white chicken named Julie, huddled on the ground.

Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d gone missing two days earlier.

It hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been a good week. Two of our grandchildrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s four pet chickens had already died.

Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d found them on the ground outside the coop, two mornings in a row; each one a tan-

gled mess of bloodied feathers.

Something had ripped their backs open to devour the flesh inside.

They blamed the dogs at first. But then Julie went missing. In retrospect, it seems she flew the coop in order to try to escape the predator that had killed her flock members.

Not a dog. An owl, simply doing what owls do.

Catching dinner.

Before the killings, our youngest granddaughter adored owls.

She has owl stuffies, owl pillows, owl blankets, owl toques and owl shirts. On almost every visit to our house, she climbs up on a chair to stroke Ford, the stuffed horned owl

KATHLEEN GIBSON Sunny Side Up has inspired readers of faith since 2001. Read more at www.kathleengibson.ca or reach Kathleen at sunnysideup.press@gmail.com

Sunny Side Up on the fireplace mantle.

A few days after they discovered the identity of the chicken-killer, she and I walked hand in hand toward the coop to visit its one remaining (and lonely) inhabitant. As children do, she launched yet again into the horrible story. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Owls used to be my favourite animal, you

know, Nana,â&#x20AC;? she said, after the telling. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve now REMOVED them from my favourite list. Except, of course, my stuffies. Oh, and your dead owl. I still like him.

Just not the real ones that fly and kill things. I hate them.â&#x20AC;?

I smiled. Of course sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather stick to safe owls. Beautiful, majes-

tic, wise owls. Almost magical. In her innocence she believed they could do no harm. She preferred the dead owl on Nanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mantle. Not his relatives, full of life and hunger, swooping to earth in darkness, extending wicked talons, killing other creatures.

Even beloved pets. She could control those owls.

Not the real ones. She preferred to ignore them completely.

Throughout history, countless people have professed great love for God. People who see him as a magnanimous Deity who always blesses, always prospers, always heals. But whenever the Creator of all (whose absolute right it is also

to remove it all), causes or permits hardship and difficulty, or delivers justice to individuals or rebellious nations, socalled God-lovers abandon him in droves. Strike him off their favourite list.

Why does God allow excruciating, even horrific things? We make guesses, but only he really knows. And his reasons are so far beyond our human calculations, they make guessing futile, which makes trusting essential. Because of Jesus, I stand there.

P.S. Our daughter nursed Julie back to health in the house. The hen has since rejoined a few new chickens in the now predator-proof coop.

Website provides look at gardens So far, there are no meetings planned yet for the Yorkton and District Horticultural Society. But please visit us at www.yorktonhort. ca; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see interesting new additions on the site! For a boost of spring in the middle of winter, be sure to check out the new photos of indoor blooms! Visit the site anytime, see whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new and if there is news

regarding meeting dates, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll let you know!

After the cold of last week, we can only imagine seeing a beautiful gardenâ&#x20AC;Śor is that the only way? I searched â&#x20AC;&#x153;virtual garden toursâ&#x20AC;? and found an amazing site from House Beautiful (www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden) where we can visit different gardens for a virtual garden tour. We

Do you have an

OPINION?

Tell us whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on your mind.

Opinions can be on anything in the newspaper or just your thoughts on any subject.

email us at editorial@yorktonthisweek.com

DEBBIE HAYWARD YORKTON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Gardenerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notebook can tour gardens that include Kew Garden in Britain, Claude Monetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s garden in France, the RHS Wisely Garden in Surrey, Keukenhof Garden in Amsterdam, the Hawaii Tropical Botanic Gardenâ&#x20AC;Ś if you need a botanical break, make a cup of tea and visit this site, your spirit will be rejuvenated!

Reading things online is not the same as getting together and having lively discussions in person about our gardens, but it lets us learn new things, keeping â&#x20AC;&#x153;the little grey cellsâ&#x20AC;? active, as Agatha Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s detective Hercule Poirot would say!

One question that came up at one of our online meetings is â&#x20AC;&#x153;how do I get my amaryllis to rebloom?â&#x20AC;? One of our members was having success with his amaryllis bulbs, and the key points seemed to be working just fine. There are a few points: When the flowers fade, we should cut the stalks to about an inch away from the bulb.

We do this so that the bulb does not start putting energy into making seeds.

Next, we have to let the bulb rejuvenate by placing it in a sunny area, so that the leaves can absorb that glorious sunshine and turn it into

energy for the bulb.

If it is summer, we can take our bulbs outside and let them have a vacation. Next, we should give the plants fertilizer treat, but be careful not to have the soil very wet. As the summer begins to fade, we should gently begin to hold back on watering, and then move the plant out of the late summer sunshine and into a cool a dry location, like our basements.

This tells the bulb that it is now time to rest.

Fast forward now, several months. We can bring the bulb out again, give it a drink of water, move it into bright light, and the growing season begins again.

I have read that at this time we can repot the bulb if we want, but our members said they just left the bulbs as they were, and they seemed to do just fine.

But like with all things in life, it works except when it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. We once had an amaryllis bulb that did absolute-

ly nothing. After weeks and weeks it grudgingly sent forth a few spindly leaves, but nothing more.

No sign of a flower stalk.

We waited and waited; Christmas came and went, and still nothing.

Perhaps the bulb was weak, diseased, who knows?

So whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to get the bulb to rebloom year after year or whether you just treat the bulbs as annuals, enjoy their majestic show of blooms, and be grateful for the energy they expended to bring us those glorious flowers!

I read a lovely quote from the Buddha: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we could see the miracle of a single flower, clearly our whole life would changeâ&#x20AC;?.

Good advice for us to appreciate the beauty of flowers, especially those that give us miraculous blooms in the winter!

Thank you to our friends at Yorkton This Week for their amazing work.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pray for health for all. Have a good week!

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Visit the Imprisoned â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then they also will answer, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Then he will answer them, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.â&#x20AC;? .BUUIFX

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Obituaries

KERR - Linda Kerr, beloved wife of Ron of Yorkton passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021 surrounded by family. She was 58 years of age. Linda was born in Canora, SK on October 14, 1962 to Doreen (nee Spilchen) and Walter Lezon. Linda spent her first 2 years in Invermay living on a farm her dad worked at, then the family moved to a farm near Rowatt and spent 5 years there. At the age of 8 the family moved to Walterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fathers farm near Jedburgh. When she was 13 years old the family, including her younger siblings Johnny and Brenda, moved to Yorkton. She met her husband Ron Kerr at a Terrier game and they were married on May 19, 1979. Ron and Linda were very much in love. They were blessed with a son and two daughters, four grandkidlets, several grandfurbabies and were adoptive parents to many of her kids friends. Everyone was welcome at the Kerr house.

Food was plentiful, she was a fabulous baker, so there were often fresh goodies. And always lots of laughter to be had! Linda loved her animals, particularly horses. She spent hours in the barn with her â&#x20AC;&#x153;hay burnersâ&#x20AC;?. Grooming, training and showing many horses throughout the years. She taught all her kids to ride. And was always happy to show guests her horses and take them for a ride! Linda loved having an open door for her family. And they enjoyed get togethers for any occasion! With her four wonderful grandkids running around, with assorted cats, dogs and ponies! Family time was incredibly important to her and Ron. She was famous for her funky, delicious cakes, made for many of the special people in her life. Her crafting, her â&#x20AC;&#x153;supper experimentsâ&#x20AC;? and her love of bling and colorful funky hair! In her younger years Linda was an accomplished arm wrestler. She was Provincial Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Champion 4 out of 5 years she competed. She is predeceased by her parents Walter and Doreen. Her brother Johnny. Her sister-in-law Donna Sparrowhawk. She is survived by her loving husband Ron; son Chris (Chelsey) Kerr of Yorkton; daughters: Terrie (Adam) Littman of Saltcoats; Kellee (Devan) Makowetski of Yorkton, and 4 beloved grandchildren: Marissa and Camden Kerr and Emma and Kirk Littman. As well as her sister Brenda Weatherby; her mother and father-in-law Evelyn and George Kerr. And numerous sister and brothers- in-laws, nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from the Yorkton Memorial Gardens Family Centre.

Rev. Jen Dresser of St. Andrewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s United Church officiated. Music played was Softly and Tenderly, and Abide With Me. Daughter Terrie gave the family tribute. The interment followed with Chris Kerr, Devan Makowetski, Adam Littman, Levi Wintonyk, John Stevenson and Kevin Medvid serving as the casketbearers. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com.

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CALANCHIE - Jim Calanchie, beloved husband of Irene of Yorkton, passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. He was 94 years of age. James (Jim) Calanchie was born May 5, 1926 (the fifth of the fifth of â&#x20AC;&#x2122;26 as he said) in a log house on the farm at Calder, SK. One of 11 sons, he attended Minerva country school where students were involved in sports at recess and sports days. They were encouraged to attend Farm Boys Camps at the Yorkton Exhibition, a precursor to 4H camps. He attended Calder School, Yorkton Collegiate Institute, and went on to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan in 1949 with a Degree in Agriculture. While working at the Federal Department of Agriculture (Plant Products Lab) in Calgary he met the love of his life, Irene Mary Paterson. They were married on Aug. 30,1952 and in 1955 moved to Calder to become farmers. Jim and Irene raised 3 daughters and became a part of the Calder community, and MacNutt as well where they moved to enjoy indoor plumbing and send the girls to school.

There were many social gatherings including whist drives, bridge games, community and 4H dances and achievement days, piano lessons and recitals, and skating. While in MacNutt Jim and a friend set up and led the 4H club for boys, teaching them about raising beef and potatoes. He helped with the building of the MacNutt Centennial rink in 1967, the Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Union, the Credit Union and the MacNutt Board of Trade. They moved to Yorkton in 1972 when Irene returned to work. They enjoyed memorable trips to Costa Rica, Mexico, Arizona, California, an Alaskan cruise, and throughout Canada to visit friends and family, and many drives around Saskatchewan crop checking in the fall. He learned to play bridge at a very young age and said he remembered every bridge hand he had ever played. He and Irene played bridge well into their 90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Jim never fully retired from farming, spending most summer days there, tinkering, cutting grass, and gardening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was never happier than when his family was gathered around himâ&#x20AC;? as they did often, especially for the family farm weekends. Jim was predeceased by his parents Wasyl Eli Calanchie and Maria Morari, all of his brothers John, George (Margaret, Rose), Peter (Rose), Harry (Doris), Kost (as an infant), Nick (Jean), Bill (Joyce), Mike (Corinne), Eli and Alex, and most recently by his eldest daughter Elisa Ariss. He is survived by Irene, his wife of 68 years, daughters Lenore (Theo) Denbrok and Barbara (Mark) Anderson, son-in-law Ed Ariss, grandchildren Sara (Steven), Daniel (Erin) and Adam (Sabrina) Ariss, Anika (Chris) Southam, Carla (Brian) Earl, Jessica Denbrok, James, Kiernan (Amy) and Brendan Anderson as well as 10 beloved great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law Bev Calanchie and Lorna Murray, and many nieces and nephews. Dad was firm in his beliefs. He quit smoking at 29 and became a distance walker in his 60â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s; he worked hard to encourage everyone to do the same. He wanted the best for others and was generous, helping where he perceived a need. He stressed the importance of learning peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names and stories. For years he picked up hitchhikers on the way to and from the farm, learning about them and asking if they had eaten that day, providing the cost of a meal if needed. He was, to quote Elisa â&#x20AC;&#x153;always doing for others.â&#x20AC;? He was an enthusiastic sports fan; watching hockey and football games with his children and grandchildren was a great joy to him, especially with those who shared his passion. He tended to cheer for the underdog in sports and in life. He was a gentleman, teaching his grandsons to develop a firm handshake.

He was a lifelong learner, reading about new scientific advances and sharing this knowledge. He loved the farm and was very connected to the land; he took great pride in raising food for a hungry world. He was gentle and soft-spokenâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a devoted, kind and generous husband, father, grandfather and friend. Jim passed away peacefully with family by his side on Jan. 27, 2021. We would like to thank many for their care for Jim over the past months: The staff at the Yorkton Bentley and Aspen Bluffs, the oncology team in Regina, the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, and most especially Dr. A. Van Heerden for his many years of excellent care for our father. A private ceremony will be held when we can safely gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com.

Card No. ............................... ...................... Expiry Date ......................

Name, address and phone number must accompany any advertisement placed in the Classifieds. Publisher reserves the right to withhold ad from publication if information not complete.

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A13

OF HOME THE WEEK

9 Appleton Drive, Yorkton

Completely renovated and move in ready. 952 sq ft, 2 bedrooms, 1 bath.

$

79,000

MLSÂŽ # SK830742 MICHELLE BAILEY 306-621-5032

michelle.bailey@century21.ca

Able Realty

29 - 230 Broadway Street E. Yorkton, Saskatchewan XXX $ BCMF DB t ÂŽ

2011 Century 21 Real Estate LLC, All rights reserved. Century 21ÂŽ is a registered trademark owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC, An Equal Opportunity Company. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Obituaries

Obituaries

LASKO - WAYDE - We are saddened to inform you of the sudden passing of our mother Elaine Lasko-Wayde on January 25, 2021 at the Regina General Hospital at the age of 67. She was born in Toronto, ON where she married her first husband Peter Strychowskyj. The family relocated to Calgary, AB where she raised her children and began her career in dental assisting & administrating which she was fully enjoyed. Later she qualified as a funeral director and served in that role for a number of years. She then moved to Yorkton, SK with Lawrence and worked in the funeral industry for a few years, then to return to her dental administration that she enjoyed until her sudden passing. Elaine was predeceased by her parents Michael & Helen Lasko of Winnipeg, MB; Lawrence Wayde of Yorkton, SK, and her brother Daniel Lasko. She is survived by her children Lorissa and Ivan; her grandchildren Natalia & Johnny; her brothers Michael (Judy), Paul (Lorraine), and many other family and friends. A small private service and viewing was held at Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Home and Crematorium on Saturday, January 30, 2021, with Father Michael Faryna officiating. Cremation to follow with interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in memory of Elaine may be made to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. For more information or to leave a condolence for the family please visit www.ChristiesFuneralHome.com.

KITCHEN - Marjorie. August 4, 1924 - January 30, 2021. It is with much joy, story-telling and cardplaying that we celebrate the life of Marjorie Kitchen. A wonderful baker, homemaker and card player almost always had another joker to play! Marjorie was born near Hyas, SK in August of 1924. She married Michael Kitchen in 1942. Michael was a teacher and principal and they lived and made many friends in Sask. Communities such as Hazlet, Ethelton, Sturgis, Prince Albert and Regina. Inevitably, friends and relatives came to the Kitchenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to celebrate Christmases, birthdays (remember those Poppy Seed Chiffon cakes Gâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ma made?) and anniversaries - drinking coffee, eating Margeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s marvellous cakes and of course playing cards! But wait thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more Marge and Michael had 3 daughters; Deanna (Hawkins), Phyllis (Horbul) and Karen (Sauer). Marge and Michael had many nieces and nephews AND 8 grandchildren: Stacey, Shannon, Kristen, Jaimie, Pamela, Meagan, Heather and Lindsay; AND...an even longer list of great-grandchildren (and more cakebaking!) Matthew, Linden, Justin, Alexandra, Lauren, Jensen, Mikko, Alaina, Avery, Aislyn, Brayden, Dylan, Zaha, Zenya, Santiago and Sevilla!!

After Michael retired, friends encouraged Michael and Marge to go to AZ and spend some time with them in the winter. How wonderful it was! They bought a trailer, and for the next 20 years, made friends, â&#x20AC;&#x153;shuffledâ&#x20AC;?, attended park meetings and suppers and of courseâ&#x20AC;Śplayed cards! Even in busy times Marjorie found time to cook a turkey for the Home Makers Club and United Church Fall Suppers (even though she had to â&#x20AC;&#x153;borrowâ&#x20AC;? a large roaster from her neighbor!). Marjorie passed away peacefully at her care home, January 30, 2021. A graveside service will be held at a later date AND after the COVID crisis is over, family and friends will be invited to a feast of perogies, cabbage rolls, poppyseed cake, story-telling, laughter and card playing! To share memories and condolences, visit www.parkfuneral.ca â&#x20AC;&#x153;Obituaries-Guestbookâ&#x20AC;?. Arrangements entrusted to Greg Lalach, Park Funeral Home 306.244.2103.

Monuments

Funeral Services

TYMIAKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MONUMENTS & GRAVE SURFACING CO.

Your locally owned and operated full-service funeral home.

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

FULLY GUARANTEED LICENSED AND BONDED 529 Main St. South, Box 476, Ituna, Sask. S0A 1N0

Ph. 306-795-2428 Serving Surrounding Areas Since 1960 IN HOME ESTIMATES AT NO CHARGE

Our promise is simple we are committed to providing the Ă&#x20AC;nest in funeral services and understanding care to the families we serve with compassion, integrity and professional excellence.

306-783-7552

www.baileysfuneralhome.com In Memoriam

SEE OUR LARGE DISPLAY Funeral Services

Kopanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Service Highway #9 North, Yorkton, SK

306-783-0099

Toll-free 1-866-797-5084 www.kopans.ca Funeral, Cremation, Memorial Services, Monuments, Pre-arrangements, Purple Shield Plans, Notary Public Services Serving ALL with Dignity, Honesty and Integrity Saving Families Thousands Ask a family weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve served.

WORONIUK, Nick In loving memory of a dear husband, father and grandfather, who passed away Feb. 7, 2005.

Your presence we miss, Your memory we treasure Loving you always Forgetting you never.

Lovingly remembered by wife Irene & family

Phone 306-782-2465, and we will help you place your ad in This Week.

2019-04-05 3:41 PM

A14

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Yorkton This Week In Memoriam

Announcements

Tenders

Tenders

Tenders

ANDERSON CATTLE CO. BULL SALE. 60 Red & Black Angus Bulls. March 30/21 at Swan River, MB. 204-734-2073, www.andersoncattle.ca.

R.M. of Sliding Hills No. 273 Gravel Haul Tender

In loving memory of

Albert Erhardt Dec. 20, 1927 - Feb. 7, 2020

The angels sang â&#x20AC;&#x153;Amazing Graceâ&#x20AC;? The Lord came down and touched his face. He held his hand and whispered. Now, come with me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to go.

The Angels lined up side by side. As heavenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gates opened wide. A special gift was on the way. The day that God took him away my heart still aches in VDGQHVV P\ VLOHQW WHDUV VWLOO Ă&#x20AC;RZ For what it meant to lose you Albert no one will ever know Lovingly Remembered by, Agnes, Children, Grandchildren, Great-grandchildren

Announcements

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF FAKE NEWS! The global COVID-19 pandemic means learning how to SPOT fake news has never been more important.

Protect yourself with media literacy in 4 simple steps.

Watch the video at SPOTfakenews.ca

BELIEVE IT? Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fall victim to sharing fake news about COVID-19 online.

Learn the four simple steps that will help you SPOT fake news online.

Watch the video at SPOTfakenews.ca KAREN SLUSAR and I have seperated. I am not responsible for any debt or ongoing occurrences.

Phone Carrie 1-403-636-1201 for more information.

Births

Sealed tenders will be received by the undersigned for a contractor to load, haul and apply, at the direction of Council, approximately 20,000 cubic yards of gravel material to the municipal road system within the RM of Sliding Hills. The material is to be hauled and applied during the latter part of June and the month of July, 2021. The majority of the Municipality's gravel material will be hauled from two pit locations with a small quantity to be hauled from a third pit.

ANDERSON - Born to Kaitlin & Austen Anderson of Swan River, MB, a son Finley Olynyk Anderson, on Thursday, January 21, 2021.

Provide unit prices for: â&#x20AC;˘ Load and haul 4 miles â&#x20AC;˘ Overhaul

PRESTIE - Born to Leah & Ben Prestie of Preeceville, SK, a son Joey John Prestie (J.J.), on Friday, December 35, 2020.

Also Provide the number of tractor and trailer units that will be available for use, including trailer size and model for each unit.

Card of Thanks

Tender to close at 12:00 noon local time on Monday February 8th, 2021.

Lowest or any tender not necessarily accepted.

The families of Alfred Breitkreuz would like to thank everyone for the cards, tributes and flowers.

Thanks to Yorkton and District Nursing Home for the great care of Alfred. Thank you Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Home staff, Pastor Richard Kauenhofen, and those who participated in the memorial service.

-Betty and families.

We wish to express our sincerest thanks to the following...Doctors and nurses on 1 West ward at Yorkton Hospital (special thanks to Chrystal, Amber and Brooklyn) for the compassionate care they provided to Ferdinand (Ferd) in his final moments and the support they extended to our family; staff at Christieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Home (special thanks to Luke) for their gentle care and support and for going the extra mile; Father Louis and St. Gerardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parish for their spiritual support; readers and pallbearers at Ferdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s services and; Our family and friends for their love, support and sympathy and for their generous donations of food, flowers, and contributions to the Kidney Foundation in Ferdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memory.

Your support during this difficult time is greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.

-Mildred Thiele & Family.

Notices / Nominations Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

Adult Personal Messages MALE (46), from Yorkton, looking for female with or without children, for companion. Likes movies and going dancing. Call 306-641-6234 no texts.

Announcements

R.M. of Sliding Hills No. 273, Box 70 Mikado, Sask., S0A 2R0 Tel: 306-563-5285

$W <RXU 6HUYLFH

BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY Handyperson WHATEVER NEEDS DONE. Carpentry, plumbing, painting, yard work, garbage hauled away.

Phone 306-621-7538, leave message.

Suites For Rent

HIP/KNEE Replacement?

For Sale - Misc

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $50,000 Lump sum refund.

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide!

Providing assistance during Covid.

Expert Help:

1-844-453-5372 Services for Hire BUILDING NEW, Doing Renos, need repairs. Over 20yrs. experience. Able to do framing, electrical, plumbing, drywall, tape, texture, paint, flooring. Specialize in walk-in tile showers, finish carpentry, windows & doors, siding, decks.

Will travel. Guaranteed workmanship. Call Glen 306-6414987.

R.U. SHARP Sharpening Services & Sales. Reseller of RADA Knives & Cutlery. Call/Text 306-621-0657.

Land for Rent Kellross: Land for Rent 2 quarters of land near Kellross for rent. Legal Land description NE & SE 27-27-14-W2. Currently in pasture but used to be good grain land with soil class of H. Looking for a long term renter to turn them into grain land.

306-491-6728

Apartments/Condos for Rent 1 BEDROOM Apartment with balcony Available December. No Pets. Call Shelby 780-208-3337.

2 BEDROOM Apartment with balcony. Pets Allowed. Available Immediately. Phone Shelby 780-2083337.

43 SUITE Apartment Building in Glencairn. Affordable housing for independent living.

Large screened in balconies, free laundry on each floor. One free parking space. Bus stop at front door.

Fridge and stove supplied. Free weekly bus service to Safeway.

For more information, please call 306-789-7970 and leave a message.

RENOVATED 2 Bedroom Apartment on Dalebrooke Drive.

Available December. Call Shelby 780-208-3337.

Feed & Seed

FOR ALL YOUR GARDEN SUPPLIES

YOUNGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PLANT WORLD LTD. /634&3: t ("3%&/ $&/53& t (30$&3: 4503&

Highway #9 North, Yorkton 306-783-8660

Livestock

Houses For Rent

FOR SALE: Registered Purebred Red & Black Limousin bulls.

Phone/text 306-730-0027.

Heavy Duty Mechanics required:

Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction )V_ (YIVYĂ&#x201E;LSK :R : , ( " Fax: 306-769-8844 ,THPS! brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

General Employment

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.

Cars 4 NORDIC Snow tires on factory chrome rims for Malibu or Equinox. $300; 4 Nordic snow tires on steel VW rims. $200. Phone 306338-2750.

CONTRACTED HOUSING MANAGEMENT AGENT Regional Housing Operations (RHO) is seeking the services of a contracted Housing Management Agent in the communities of Lestock, Rhein & Saltcoats. As an independent contractor, the Agent reports to RHO and is responsible for the day to day, overall management of the housing portfolio.

The Agent requires knowledge and experience with client relations, computer technology, general administration, financial management and property maintenance. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Interested parties can direct inquiries and/or correspondence to: Regional Housing Operations - Yorkton Office 45C Palliser Way Yorkton, SK S3N 4C5 Phone (306) 783-1000 Email rhoyorkton.lsha@housingauthoritysk.com Deadline for submissions is Noon on Thursday, February 11, 2021.

HIRING: Grain Office Manager Duties include: - managing grain inventories - probing and sampling grain - entering client information into database - auditing grain - managing and directing yard staff - planning maintenance and shut down schedules - coordinating deliveries Experience is welcome but not necessary as on the job training is provided.

Leadership and sense of accountability are essential.

Strong communication and organizational skills required.

Competitive hourly wages, starting at $20-$25/hour. Full-time, year-round position, however, during peak busy seasons of seeding and harvest, hours increase dramatically.

Housing assistance is available.

Interested applicants can contact Norenda Ag via email at norenda@sasktel.net or call 306-740-8710.

Medical/Dental Help

Medical/Dental Help

Trucks & Vans 2015 CHEV Silverado, double cab, 4X4, 5.3 auto, ps/pb, spray in box liner, backup camera, 89,000kms.

306-782-9497 or 306-621-5625.

Farm Implements GOODâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S USED TRACTOR PARTS (204) 564-2528 or 1-877-564-8734 Roblin, MB

Feed & Seed

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. For more information and applications please call Morlie at 306-792-2222 or 306-621-7815.

Purebred Livestock

CHAROLAIS BULL SALE Feb. 19 Whitewood Auction Mart. 40 yearling and 2yr. old bulls. Will keep until needed. Call Kevin Bar H Charolais Grenfell 306-697-8771.

DENTAL HYGIENIST REQUIRED IMMEDIATEY )XOO WLPH 7HUP GHQWDO K\JLHQLVW UHTXLUHG IRU EXV\ GHQWDO RIÂżFH <RX ZLOO EH EXV\ IURP GD\ RQH /LYLQJ DUUDQJHPHQWV DUH QHJRWLDEOH *UHDW VWDII PRGHUQ HTXLSPHQW DQG VPDOO WRZQ FKDUP (PDLO \RXU UHVXPH LQ FRQÂżGHQFH WR OFDEUDO# GHQWLVW FRP

TWO Bedroom Apartment $900 rent & D.D. Three Bedroom Apartment $950 rent & D.D. Heat & water included. 1 bedroom house $700 rent & D.D. & utilities.

Available Immediately. Call 306621-8203.

YORKTON - 1 and 2 BDRM APTS AVAILABLE JAN. 1 IN A QUIET 4-PLEX ON 1ST AVE. Spacious, well maintained, and close to downtown. Rent $800/$900 per month, heat and water included, coin laundry, parking. NS, NV, NP. References required, damage deposit needed. For online application email rental1441st@hotmail.com or call 306-292-8530 during the day or evening before 8:30 p.m.

Nordal Limousin & Angus 2021 Bull Sale. Feb. 18 Saskatoon Livestock Sales Saskatoon, SK. Offering 87 2 yr. old Limousin, Black Angus & Red Angus. Catalogue online at www.nordallimousin.com Contact Rob Garner 306-9467946. Rob Garner Box 85 Simpson, SK. S0G4MO.

Late model, clean CAT, JD equip; winch, dump, gravel trucks, and trailers. Both camp and shop locations; R & B provided Wage negotiable.

Clean drivers abstract a must.

Appliances FOR SALE: $125. Dryer works, washer has little squeak. Selling both. 306-783-4949.

JP Cattle Co. Annual Simmental & Angus Bull & Female Sale Thursday, March 4 - 1:00 p.m. on the farm at McAuley, MB. Selling Simmental & Angus bulls, as well as commercial bred heifers. For more information or a catalogue contact Glenn 204-851-5669, Eric 306-434-8567 or T Bar C Cattle Co. 306-220-5006. View the catalogue online at www.BuyAgro.com. Watch and bid online at www.DLMS.ca (PL#116061).

General Employment

SPRINGSIDE HOUSING Authority is currently accepting applications for 1 & 2 bedroom Senior Suites at the Heritage Place. Fridge and stove included. Central laundry with two washers and dryers. Well kept, ready for rent. Rent is based on income. For more information and applications please call Morlie at 306-792-2222 or 306-621-7815.

Health Services

Livestock

Trucking & Transport

C & G SHUTTLE 1-306-647-3333 1-306-620-3521 (Cell) Airports, medical or shopping trips, up to 5 people.

Feed & Seed

Auctions QUICK SOLD AUCTION serving SE Saskatchewan. Let us help you sell your items getting the best possible price in the least amount of time. Your items will get Canada wide coverage on our Online auction. Specializing in antiques, vintage and collectables of all kinds.

Certified personal property appraiser. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t throw anything out until you talk to us. Free consultation. 306-728-5552 or 306-7307310. quicksoldauction.com PL#508277.

Keeping YOU informed each week in our community-Yorkton This Week.

Agriculture

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 www.yorktonthisweek.com

A15

Canola meal in plastics?

We live very much in a disposable society.

We buy something, use it until it breaks, a newer model catches our eye, or we simply become tired or bored with and we toss it.

There are of course those among us who are diligent recyclers, everything that can be reused, repurposed and recycled carefully segregated in the garbage bins with an eye to protecting the planet’s future, but they remain in the minority.

Even in a small city such as Yorkton garbage is an issue.

The rules and regulations for landfills become more and more stringent, so smaller

communities often give up on trying to keep pace, instead loading trucks and hauling to larger centralized landfills such as Yorkton.

Whether that is a positive for the environment in terms of fossil fuel consumed in the hauling, or in the life expectancy of highway covered, is another question, but it makes a bigger pile of garbage in the centralized location, and that means ultimately more room will be needed.

Now imagine the issue in Toronto, or New York or Los Angeles.

The daily waste has to be staggering based on population alone.

Of course not all gar-

Agriculture THIS WEEK

Calvin Daniels bage is created equal.

Among our daily refuse plastics are particularly nasty in terms of the environment because it simply does not go away.

It can take 400 to 500 years for a plastic bottle or plastic coffee pod to decompose in a landfill.

It’s hard to fathom that the bottle you toss today because tap water

doesn’t cut it to drink will be kicking around a landfill, or floating in the ocean in the year 2600.

Of course the one bottle you toss is not the issue, until you realize it is one of millions of tons of plastic produced annually, the vast majority destined to be tossed at some point.

A recent Western

Producer article note, in 2019, the world produced 368 million tonnes of plastic, and estimates from National Geographic suggest only nine percent of all plastic is recycled.

While this is not good news, it may be an opportunity.

Scientists, investors and companies are turning their attention to bioplastic as a possible replacement for traditional petroleum-based product that simply do not degrade.

“Bioplastic is made from renewable feedstocks such as corn, sugar cane and other agricultural crops, and some degrade in months or years rather than

hundreds of years,” noted the WP story.

The market if it can be captured is massive. “Last fall, Fortune Business Insights said the global market for bioplastic could reach US$20 billion by 2027 — growing at a rate of 17 per cent annually,” states the WP story.

Canola meal might be one ‘renewable feedstocks’. Currently, primarily used as a livestock feed, the meal, more or less a left over byproduct of oil extraction, could find a higher value home as the base for bioplastics. It’s an exciting opportunity that has an upside for both the canola sector and the planet.

Area clubs benefit as FCC provides $100,000 to 4-H clubs in 2021 Regina, Saskatchewan – January 26, 2021 –4-H Canada is pleased to announce that the Farm Credit Canada (FCC) 4-H Club Fund will provide $100,000 to 203 4-H clubs across Canada in 2021, to support local activities.

In Saskatchewan, 31 4-H clubs, districts, and regions received a combined total of $15,350.

A strong supporter of 4-H in Canada for over 25 years, FCC supports 4-H club initiatives each year by awarding up to $500 per club toward developing existing programs, covering costs associated with local events and exchanges, supporting volunteers, or purchasing resource materials.

“By providing opportunities for young people to learn and grow, 4-H clubs across the country

are preparing the next generation for success,” said Todd Klink, executive vice-president and chief marketing officer at FCC. “FCC is proud to support these initiatives and the 4-H clubs that are helping develop our future leaders.”

The Club Fund is part of FCC’s commitment of $250,000 to 4-H Canada.

In addition to supporting local 4-H club activities through the FCC 4-H Club Fund, this contribution supports national and provincial 4-H initiatives.

“For over a quarter of a century, FCC has been a committed partner, helping 4-H Canada empower young leaders at the grassroots level in communities across the country,” said 4-H Canada CEO, Shannon Benner.

“The FCC 4-H Club Fund

helps build capacity for 4-H clubs and leaders to create programming that focuses on delivering world-class positive youth development in order to engage responsible, caring, and contributing youth leaders who effect positive change within their communities and in the world around them.”

The FCC 4-H Club Fund recipients in the local area include: Foam Lake 4-H Beef Club, Hilltop 4-H Club (Melville), Kelvington 4-H Grain Club, and Hudson Bay 4-H Beef Club.

The next application period for the FCC 4-H Club Fund opens in August 2021. To view the full list of recipients or for more information on the FCC 4-H Club Fund, visit 4-h-canada.ca/clubfunds.

New technology helps farmers monitor their mental health Following a recent province-wide Innovation Challenge, Innovation Saskatchewan, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, unveiled a new tool for agricultural producers to track their mental health.

The mobile app, Avail, was developed by Saskatoon-based Bridges Health and offers producers a confidential system for actively recording and analyzing their mental health, accessing online resources such as articles and videos, and finding and accessing care providers in their communities. The app encourages regular check-ins and allows producers and their care providers to find patterns in the data they log.

“Mental health in the agriculture industry is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan, and we know farmers and ranchers face unique challenges when it comes to accessing mental health services,” Innovation

Saskatchewan Minister Jeremy Harrison said.

“Avail helps address many of those concerns, and provides a made-inSaskatchewan solution for producers looking for support in tracking their mental health.”

Calls to the Farm Stress Line show producers are looking for resources to maintain their mental health. In 2019-20, the toll-free line received more than 1,000 calls.

“Producers face a number of factors that are out of their control, many of which can have a negative impact on mental health,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “This tool allows producers to take an active role in monitoring their mental health and accessing supports.”

As winners of the 2020 Innovation Challenge, Bridges Health at https:// www.bridgeshealth.com/ received $10,000, as well as a 16-week residency to develop Avail. They presented Avail to govern-

ment and industry offices during a digital presentation this afternoon.

“As a company founded and based in Saskatchewan, the agriculture sector touches both our business and our families,” Bridges Health Vice President Leon Ferguson said. “We are honoured to have this opportunity to work with government and partners to develop and advance this mental health and overall wellness tool.”

Innovation Challenges encourage Saskatchewanbased tech companies to find innovative answers to issues facing the public.

Previous projects introduced tech responses to rural crime, online permissions for hunting and fishing on private land and tracking landfill waste.

Find previous Innovation Challenge winners and program information at https:// innovationsask.ca/initiatives/innovation-challenge/previous-innovation-challenges.

NOW HIRING Reporter - Photographer Yorkton this Week has an immediate opening for a General Reporter and Photographer for 2 weekly publications and website.

The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in social media and online posting in addition to writing on a broad range of topics and photography, as well as regular weekend assignments. The successful candidate will be responsible for about 2 stories a day in addition to assisting in layout of the paper and managing online and social media posts.

The ideal candidate has: •

Well organized and able to meet deadlines.

•

Basic knowledge of Photoshop and InDesign

•

A strong adherence to journalistic ethics.

•

Current driver’s licence with reliable vehicle and cellphone

•

The ability to write accurate and fair stories.

•

•

Computer skills in a Mac environment

A degree or diploma in journalism or a related field, or equivalent experience.

•

An ability to work independently and as part of a team.

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity please submit your resume, writing samples and a cover letter before February 12th to:

Calvin Daniels, Editor editorial@yorktonthisweek.com YorktonThisWeek-EmployReporter_880742_3x111.c26_R0011857041_BK.indd 1

2021-02-02 11:07 AM

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Tumbleweed - Part 2

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 | www.YorktonThisWeek.com | Yorkton This Week

Last week began a rather in-depth look into the development of a new game from Polish designer Michal Zapala.

The winner in Tumbleweed is the player that occupies the most spaces at the end of the game.

On a turn, you may settle a space by placing a stack of pieces on a space. The number of pieces in the placed stack is the number of spaces occupied by the player in the space’s line of sight.

If the space is occupied, the stack being placed must be larger than the stack already occupying the space.

So the rules for the game played on a hex board are rather simple.

So, what in Zapala’s mind as designer is the best element of the game?

“Good question,” he

Council works on 2021 budget

By Calvin Daniels Staff Writer At the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday, a number of recommendations from the Committee of the Whole Council Meetings Jan. 18, were approved in open Council.

The approvals were made sans discussion Monday, or background from the Jan. 18 meeting.

The recommendations passed included; • That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to direct Administration to further prepare the 2021 budget by continuing with status quo for the RCMP members.

• That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to direct Administration to further prepare the 2021 budget by immediately terminating the Harvest Meats SaskPower surcharge incentive.

• That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to direct Administration to bring more information on certain staffing levels as discussed to a future Council Meeting.

• That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to direct Administration to defer the ‘Ravine Room Renovation’ item to a future year’s budget.

• That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to direct Administration to remove the ‘Operational Review Consulting’ item from the budget and direct Administration to bring a report to Council in advance of the renewal period for the current Deer Park operations agreement.

• That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to defer the Capital Budget 2022 approval to a future Council Meeting.

• That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to direct Administration to defer the ‘Flexi-hall Staging’ item from the 2021 Capital budget to a future year’s budget.

• That the Committee of the Whole Council recommend to Council to direct Administration to proceed with preparing a zero per-cent overall increase for the 2021 Budget.

replied. “Tumbleweed is a great and ongoing adventure. The community around it is growing slowly but surely, and I keep discovering new tactics and behaviors.

Perhaps this in itself is the best thing of all: its ability to keep surprising me on all fronts.

“One thing I particularly like about it is the presence of stacks: I always liked this mechanics, and it’s put to good use here. The stack height almost feels like its ‘health points’: a very modern concept, yet it arises in a natural way and it serves a very classic territorial goal.”

But, what does the game offer others don’t?

“It’s always hard to compare one’s own game to others, let alone to all others,” offered Zapala.

“I feel like the most irritating mistake a rookie designer can make is exclaiming: ‘his is the best game ever!’

“That said, I feel like Tumbleweed has a very unique, ‘syncretic’ aesthetic to it: precisely the reason why it can stand on its own and not compete with well-established classics.

“For instance, some games, like Chess or

THE MEEPLE GUILD (YORKTON) meeple.guild@gmail.com Draughts, are “piece focused”: your main consideration is the position of each particular piece.

Others, like Go or mancala, are ‘group focused’: your main consideration are the groups of pieces and, in particular, each group lives or dies as a whole. Tumbleweed is both and neither: it’s largely (though not entirely) ‘piece focused’ in the opening and early middle game, but becomes more, though not entirely, ‘group focused’ towards the endgame.

“One of the players remarked that it feels “like a mix of Go and Amazons”, and there’s a grain of truth in that.

Hearing this, one would expect an over complicated Frankenstein monster of a game, but no! – Tumbleweed has a very simple ruleset, and

everything feels very natural once you start to play.

So far Tumbleweed exists online only, unless someone ‘bodgers’ a game together.

“Tumbleweed is a ‘quarantine child’: the ‘prototype’ was drawn in MS Paint, and all the playtesting was done online. So physical playability wasn’t my top priority, and it shows,” offered Zapala.

“Some people have tried playing it with poker chips, with mixed results: it’s somewhat hard to distinguish stack sizes. Another method is to use bulk dice instead of stacks, with number of pips signifying height.

“Either way, a Tumbleweed set isn’t very cheap to make, and the game take longer than in most commercially successful modern

abstracts.

“So while I would love to see more over the board game and I feel like Tumbleweed deserves it, I wouldn’t expect any company to take the risk while it’s still largely unknown, and I have neither the resources nor skills to self-publish.

“For now, expanding the game’s online presence feels like the best way! I also like that it’s currently free to play.”

Zapala is putting some effort into online promotion of the game.

“So far, the game has largely spread by word of mouth,” he related.

“But for such a grassroots, noncommercial effort that’s not even half a year old, I feel like we’re in a good spot: apart from MindSports and IG Game Center, our main playing hub, Tumbleweed can be played on Ludii, SkudPaiSho.com, Tabletop Simulator and Ai Ai. There is a dozen or so active players, and around 20 more casual ones: it’s consistently rated as one of IGGC’s most popular positions, with a few games being played each day.

“But obviously I have appetite for more! We’d

love to see the player base grow, and the game be implemented at more mainstream platforms.

“Ultimately, I’d love the Tumbleweed community to be a few hundred players strong, with a few local playing groups and regular tournaments. I believe this can be done, even in our over-saturated market: for instance, Nick Bentley’s Blooms only came out two years ago and it has over six thousand players.”

The next step will be a tourney.

“The most serious effort we’ve undertaken so far is planning a Tumbleweed tournament for this March, with cash prizes for new players: $100 for the best performance among newcomers, $50 for the runner up, and $20 for a randomly selected participant,” said Zapala. “We hope this will attract some new people. All these prizes are funded out of pocket by the current players, and I’m very touched by their commitment!

Check out Tumbleweeds on the game’s Facebook page.

MAKE PLANS TO

MAKE PLANS TO

Registration Night SACRED HEART Wednesday, February 10 HIGH SCHOOL

7:00 pm Virtual Information Session on Google Meet

OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, All grade 8 students in Yorkton & th February 28 , 2018 surrounding area are invited to join 7:00 p.m. School Tours us for a virtual evening.

7:30 p.m. information Information Please callin306-783-3128 Session Theatre toinregister.

All Grade 8 students Yorkton and surrounding area are invited to join us at Sacred Heart High ExploreSchool’s the wide variety of choices and Open House. opportunities to Sacred Heart Explore the available wide variety of choices andstudents. opportunities available Sacred students.

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Virtuallytotour theHeart classrooms, labs & Ask questions.

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